Detection of a virus related to betacoronaviruses in Italian greater horseshoe bats

• DOI: 10.1017/s0950268810001147
• Publication Date: 2010-05-18T08:51:04Z
• Authors: A. BALBONI; A. PALLADINI; G. BOGLIANI; M. BATTILANI
• Keywords: Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus

The association between coronaviruses and bats is a worldwide phenomenon belonging to genus Rhinolophus are the reservoir host for several coronaviruses, including large number of viruses closely related genetically severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). We carried out survey in colonies Italian (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) presence coronaviruses. Two 52 R. ferrumequinum captured from different areas tested positive by reverse transcription-PCR fragment RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene Coronavirus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close correlations one samples SARS-related CoV Betacoronavirus.