Coronaviruses in rodents and insectivores in Altai Republic
https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2023-8.6.10
Abstract
Coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae, genera Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus) are dangerous viral pathogens that have caused three outbreaks of severe respiratory diseases, SARS, MERS, COVID-19. In Russia, data on coronaviruses in natural reservoirs are limited, as investigations began only during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim. To study the diversity of coronaviruses among rodents and insectivores in the Republic of Altai.
Materials and methods. Rodents (n = 67) and shrews (n = 52) were captured in 2022. Samples were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing.
Results and conclusions. Four samples from rodents (Myodes rutilus, M. glareolus, Apodemus peninsulae, A. agrarius) and two samples from an insectivore (Crocidura sibirica) were positive for coronaviruses, among which three different coronaviruses were detected. Rodent-borne coronaviruses are classified in the genus Betacoronavirus, subgenera Embecovirus, and have shown host associated clustering. The nucleotide sequences of Siberian coronaviruses from rodents were identical for closely related species (M. rutilus and M. glareolus, A. agrarius and A. peninsulae) and close (> 94 % homology) to previously published sequences in each of the groups of carriers found in the territory Novosibirsk region, Europe and China. The coronavirus identified from the insectivore, possibly belonging to a new subgenera of the family Coronaviridae, has also been assigned to the genus Betacoronavirus.
Conclusion. Five species of natural carriers of three different coronaviruses were detected in the Altai Republic. A high level of identity of coronaviruses genomes from rodents has been revealed, indicating a relatively low rate of their evolution.
About the Authors
L. N. Yashina
State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Liudmila N. Yashina – Dr. Sc. (Biol.), Leading Research Officer at the Department of Genomic Research
Koltsovo 630559, Novosibirsk Region
S. A. Abramov
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sergey A. Abramov – Cand. Sc. (Biol.), Senior Research Officer at the Laboratory of Ecology of Vertebrate Communities
Frunze str. 11, Novosibirsk 630091
N. A. Smetannikova
State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalia A. Smetannikova – Cand. Sc. (Med.), Senior Research Officer at the Department of Genomic Research
Koltsovo 630559, Novosibirsk Region
B. S. Malyshev
State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Boris S. Malyshev – Research Officer at the Department of Genomic Research
Koltsovo 630559, Novosibirsk Region
A. V. Krivopalov
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anton V. Krivopalov – Cand. Sc. (Biol.), Senior Research Officer at the Laboratory of Parasitology
Frunze str. 11, Novosibirsk 630091
T. A. Dupal
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tamara A. Dupal – Cand. Sc. (Biol.), Senior Research Officer at the Laboratory of Ecology of Vertebrate Communities
Frunze str. 11, Novosibirsk 630091
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Review
For citations:
Yashina L.N., Abramov S.A., Smetannikova N.A., Malyshev B.S., Krivopalov A.V., Dupal T.A. Coronaviruses in rodents and insectivores in Altai Republic. Acta Biomedica Scientifica. 2023;8(6):117-123. https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2023-8.6.10
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