Reporter Kim In-han, Money Today | 2023.06.29 10:06
4 out of 9 species are similar to the virus that causes COVID-19
Although the possibility of immediate spread is low, continuous monitoring is necessary
British researchers have discovered nine types of new coronaviruses that can infect humans from bats. / Photo = Nature British researchers have discovered nine types of new coronaviruses that can infect humans from bats. Among them, there was also a virus closely related to SARS-CoV-2, which caused Corona 19 (COVID-19). Although it is not at the level of infecting humans right away, continuous monitoring for animal-derived infectious diseases is expected.
Professor Vincent Savolainen’s research team at Imperial College London, England, published a research paper on the international journal Nature Communications on the 28th (Korean time).
Coronaviruses are RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses that can infect humans and a variety of animals. When viewed under an electron microscope, the surface of the virus particle protrudes like a protrusion. This shape is reminiscent of a crown or the corona of the sun, so it was named after ‘Corona’, which means crown in Latin.
The most known coronaviruses so far are SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2002, MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in 2015, and Corona 19 in 2019. These viruses are characterized by infecting humans through animals.
A British research team conducted a survey of bats that transmitted the virus to analyze the spread of Corona 19. Forty-eight fecal samples were collected from 16 of 17 bat species living in the UK. Then, their genetic characteristics were analyzed.
As a result, nine new coronaviruses were identified. As a result of genetic sequence analysis, four species were found to be viruses closely related to SARS coronavirus-2. One was similar to the virus that caused MERS.
However, the research team analyzed that the virus discovered this time was not strong enough to spread to the human body. This is because the infection appeared only when the level of the ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) receptor that binds to the spike protein, which is like a thorn on the outside of the coronavirus, is very high.
The research team said, “It is not very likely that the newly discovered coronavirus will immediately spread the virus to humans,” but “constant monitoring for infectious diseases derived from animals is necessary.”
[저작권자 @머니투데이, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
2023-06-29 01:06:33
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