First detection of Hedgehog coronavirus 1 in Poland
Scientific Reports
Oglądaj/ Open
Data
2022Autor
Pomorska‑Mól, Małgorzata
Ruszkowski, Jakub J.
Gogulski, Maciej
Domanska‑Blicharz, Katarzyna
Metadane
Pokaż pełny rekordStreszczenie
Hedgehogs are common in the majority of European countries and are known to host various
pathogens, including viruses. The recent discovery of MERS‑related coronaviruses (CoVs) in
hedgehogs from Germany, France, the UK, China, and Italy suggests that hedgehogs may represent a
wild reservoir of betacoronaviruses. This study reports the first detection and characterization of novel
betacoronovirus, subgenus Merbecovirus in wild hedgehogs in Poland. The CoV RNA was detected
in 10 out of 40 hedgehogs’ rectal swabs and in 1 out of 18 samples of the lung. No viral RNA was
identified in the duodenum and kidney. There was no significant relationship between clinical status,
gender, hedgehogs’ age, and coronaviral RNA detection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CoVs
detected in our study grouped together with other representatives of Hedgehog coronavirus 1 species
identified in Western Europe. Our findings provide further evidence that hedgehogs are a natural
reservoir of Merbecovirus. Considering the high mutation rate of CoVs and their potential for crossing
interspecies barriers, the proper management of hedgehogs admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres
is needed. It cannot be excluded that merbecovirus strains detected in hedgehogs may recombine
with other CoVs leading to new viruses with potential for interspecies transmission.
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