Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats
Abstract Since SARS-CoV-2’s emergence, studies in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, have identified related coronaviruses (CoVs) in rhinolophid bats. This pilot study investigates the prevalence and diversity of CoVs in wildlife from two Cambodian provinces known for wildlife trade and environment...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92475-x |
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| author | Julia Guillebaud Tey Putita Ou Vibol Hul Thavry Hoem Chana Meng Sithun Nuon Sreyleak Hoem Reaksa Lim Limmey Khun Neil M. Furey Julien Cappelle Veasna Duong Véronique Chevalier |
| author_facet | Julia Guillebaud Tey Putita Ou Vibol Hul Thavry Hoem Chana Meng Sithun Nuon Sreyleak Hoem Reaksa Lim Limmey Khun Neil M. Furey Julien Cappelle Veasna Duong Véronique Chevalier |
| author_sort | Julia Guillebaud |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Since SARS-CoV-2’s emergence, studies in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, have identified related coronaviruses (CoVs) in rhinolophid bats. This pilot study investigates the prevalence and diversity of CoVs in wildlife from two Cambodian provinces known for wildlife trade and environmental changes, factors favoring zoonotic spillover risk. Samples were collected from 2020 to 2022 using active (capture and swabbing of bats and rodents) and non-invasive (collection of feces from bat caves and wildlife habitats) methods. RNA was screened for CoVs using conventional pan-CoVs and real-time Sarbecovirus-specific PCR systems. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed on the partial RdRp gene. A total of 2608 samples were collected: 867 rectal swabs from bats, 159 from rodents, 41 from other wild animals, and 1541 fecal samples. The overall prevalence of CoVs was 2.0%, with a 3.3% positive rate in bats, 2.5% in rodents, and no CoVs detected in other wildlife species. Alpha-CoVs were exclusive to bats, while Beta-CoVs were found in both bats and rodents. Seven SARS-CoV-2-related viruses were identified in Rhinolophus shameli bats sampled in August 2020, March 2021, and December 2021. Our results highlight diverse CoVs in Cambodian bats and rodents and emphasize bats as significant reservoirs. They also suggest continuous circulation of bat SARS-CoV-2-related viruses may occur in a region where ecological and human factors could favor virus emergence. Continuous surveillance and integrated approaches are crucial to managing and mitigating emerging zoonotic diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1ab418d95cea425896dc24be2eadd239 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-1ab418d95cea425896dc24be2eadd2392025-08-20T03:06:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-92475-xStudy of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in batsJulia Guillebaud0Tey Putita Ou1Vibol Hul2Thavry Hoem3Chana Meng4Sithun Nuon5Sreyleak Hoem6Reaksa Lim7Limmey Khun8Neil M. Furey9Julien Cappelle10Veasna Duong11Véronique Chevalier12Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeDepartment of Wildlife and Biodiversity, Forestry Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeFauna & FloraInternational Centre of Research in Agriculture for Development (CIRAD), UMR ASTREVirology Unit, Institut Pasteur du CambodgeInternational Centre of Research in Agriculture for Development (CIRAD), UMR ASTREAbstract Since SARS-CoV-2’s emergence, studies in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, have identified related coronaviruses (CoVs) in rhinolophid bats. This pilot study investigates the prevalence and diversity of CoVs in wildlife from two Cambodian provinces known for wildlife trade and environmental changes, factors favoring zoonotic spillover risk. Samples were collected from 2020 to 2022 using active (capture and swabbing of bats and rodents) and non-invasive (collection of feces from bat caves and wildlife habitats) methods. RNA was screened for CoVs using conventional pan-CoVs and real-time Sarbecovirus-specific PCR systems. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed on the partial RdRp gene. A total of 2608 samples were collected: 867 rectal swabs from bats, 159 from rodents, 41 from other wild animals, and 1541 fecal samples. The overall prevalence of CoVs was 2.0%, with a 3.3% positive rate in bats, 2.5% in rodents, and no CoVs detected in other wildlife species. Alpha-CoVs were exclusive to bats, while Beta-CoVs were found in both bats and rodents. Seven SARS-CoV-2-related viruses were identified in Rhinolophus shameli bats sampled in August 2020, March 2021, and December 2021. Our results highlight diverse CoVs in Cambodian bats and rodents and emphasize bats as significant reservoirs. They also suggest continuous circulation of bat SARS-CoV-2-related viruses may occur in a region where ecological and human factors could favor virus emergence. Continuous surveillance and integrated approaches are crucial to managing and mitigating emerging zoonotic diseases.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92475-xSarbecovirusCoronavirusBatWildlifeCambodia |
| spellingShingle | Julia Guillebaud Tey Putita Ou Vibol Hul Thavry Hoem Chana Meng Sithun Nuon Sreyleak Hoem Reaksa Lim Limmey Khun Neil M. Furey Julien Cappelle Veasna Duong Véronique Chevalier Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats Scientific Reports Sarbecovirus Coronavirus Bat Wildlife Cambodia |
| title | Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats |
| title_full | Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats |
| title_fullStr | Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats |
| title_short | Study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in Northern Cambodia suggests continuous circulation of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats |
| title_sort | study of coronavirus diversity in wildlife in northern cambodia suggests continuous circulation of sars cov 2 related viruses in bats |
| topic | Sarbecovirus Coronavirus Bat Wildlife Cambodia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92475-x |
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