Published: April 29, 2025

Background Bats are recognized as natural reservoir hosts for numerous viruses and believed to be the evolutionary origin of coronaviruses (CoVs), such SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, possibly MERS-CoV. MERS-like betacoronaviruses have been identified in bat species from Africa, America, Asia, Europe. In this study, we describe first detection characterization a betacoronavirus Danish brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus). Methods Fecal samples collected through national surveillance program were screened using pan-CoV RT-qPCRs. Positive underwent ORF1b sequencing, microarray analysis Illumina MiSeq followed by metagenomic assembly full-length genomes. A global phylogenetic tree was used determine placement within Coronaviridae family local maximum likelihood clarified subgroup placement. The receptor-binding potential spike protein human DPP4, ACE2, ACE2 orthologs assessed domain (RBD), alongside homology modeling structural analysis. Results Three tested positive CoVs. One sample Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) alphacoronavirus sequencing. remaining two samples, obtained colony Plecotus auritus, betacoronaviruses, separate results indicated presence coronavirus. Full genomes successfully assembled approach. Phylogenetic placed them merbecoviruses, forming distinct clade with detected Vespertilionidae Western Europe East Asia. Analysis RBD HKU25 clade. Structural suggested hydrogen bonding patterns between human/bat or similar known in vitro complexes, indicating receptor binding. Conclusion This is report Denmark. analyses reveal that these novel belong clade, preference. Experimental validation needed confirm potential, additional interactions at RBD-receptor interface may differ previously described merbecoviruses. Continued crucial identify intermediate assess interspecies transmission risk, focus on protein, specificity, binding affinity.

Language: Английский