Discovery of a novel Betacoronavirus 1, cpCoV, in goats in China: The new risk of cross-species transmission

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012974
• Publication Date: 2025-03-18T17:30:25Z
• Authors: Li Mao; Xuhang Cai; Jizong Li; Xia Li; Siyuan Li; Wenliang Li; Honghui Lu; Yichun Dong; Junjun Zhai; Xingang Xu; Bin Li
• Keywords: Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus; Bovine coronavirus

Betacoronavirus is a causative agent of respiratory and enteric diseases in humans animals. Several ruminants are recognized to be intermediate hosts the transmission emerging coronaviruses from reservoir humans. Here, we first report novel isolated goats suffering diarrhea China, putatively named caprine coronavirus (cpCoV). Full-genome characterization nuclear acid comparisons demonstrated that this virus an evolutionarily distinct belonging subgenus Embecovirus 1 species. Notably, on phylogenetic trees based complete genomes RdRp, S, N genes, cpCoVs were grouped into clade other strains closely related HKU23- HKU23-associated coronaviruses. CpCoV possessed unique genome organization with truncated NS4a protein elongated NS4b showed no significant matches GenBank database. The homology S NS4a-4b genes between cpCoV was less than 95%. Analysis revealed possible recombination events occurred during evolution HKU23, there striking similarities two viruses evolutionary terms. In addition, narrow cell tropism, replicating human- bovine-origin cells vitro , caused pathologic changes calves vivo . We have provided epidemiological, virological, evolutionary, experimental evidence etiological for disease goats. Evidently, spilling-over event might ruminants, including goats, camels, cattle, wild This study highlights importance identifying diversity inter-species worldwide, broadens our understanding ecology coronaviruses, aids prevention animal-to-human outbreaks.