Sarbecoviruses of British Horseshoe Bats; Sequence Variation and Epidemiology

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528476
• Publication Date: 2023-02-15T04:50:15Z
• Authors: Ternenge Apaa; Amy J. Withers; Ceri Staley; Adam Blanchard; Malcolm Bennett; Samantha Bremner-...; Elizabeth A. Chad...; Frank Hailer; Stephen W.R. Harr...; Mathew Loose; Fiona Mathews; Rachael Tarlinton
• Keywords: Monophyly; Furin; Subgenus

Abstract Horseshoe bats are the natural hosts of Sarbecovirus subgenus that includes SARS-CoV-1 and 2. Despite devastating impacts COVID-19 pandemic, there is still little known about underlying epidemiology virology sarbecoviruses in their hosts, leaving large gaps our pandemic preparedness. Here we describe results PCR testing for two horseshoe bat species ( Rhinolophus hipposideros R. ferrumequinum ) present Great Britain, collected 2021-22 during peak pandemic. One hundred ninety seven samples from 33 roost sites 277 ferremequinum 20 were tested. No coronaviruses detected any whereas 44% 56% individual pooled (respectively) faecal across multiple tested positive a sarbecovirus-specific qPCR. Full genome sequences generated three (and partial genomes more) using Illumina RNAseq on unenriched samples. Phylogenetic analyses showed obtained belong to same monophyletic clade, with >95% similarity, as previously reported European isolates . The differed presence or absence accessory genes ORF 7b, 9b 10. All lacked furin cleavage site SARS-CoV-2 spike gene therefore unlikely be infective humans. These demonstrate lack, at least low incidence, spill over humans susceptible GB bats, confirm sarbecovirus infection widespread frequently sharing , no evidence cross-species transmission was found.