We still don't know how the new type of coronavirus was formed, so scientists are actively researchingSimilar
The authors of the new work found that residents of Southeast Asian countries began to come into contact with coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, long before the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan.
The researchers analyzed about 400 samples of blood and other body fluids from bats, and also took similar samples from other mammals from Cambodia.All of them could theoretically be carriers of such viruses.
Based on the results of the study of the samples, the authors concluded that bats of the species Rhinolophus shameli carried viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2.These are RshSTT182 and RshSTT200.Both coronaviruses have the main characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, but they cannot enter human cells.
Scientists also found traces of active exchange of genetic material between the ancestors of RshSTT182 and RshSTT200 and other coronaviruses.
Detection of close relatives of SARS-CoV-2 in bats outside of China suggeststhat such viruses are much more common than previously thought.That is, Southeast Asia is a key region where constant monitoring of local coronaviruses should be organized.
Research text
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