Characterization and evolutionary history of novel SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats from Cambodia
Abstract
Circulating bat coronaviruses present a significant pandemic threat, yet our understanding of their genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics remains limited. Over 3 years, we sampled 1,462 bats in Cambodia’s Steung Treng province, identifying extensive and diverse coronaviruses co-circulation. Using metatranscriptomic and amplicon sequencing, we generated 33 complete sarbecovirus genomes sequences, revealing novel lineages that cluster into four distinct groups, each associated with different Rhinolophus bat species. Our analysis highlights rapid migration and recombination of sarbecovirus lineages over short distances and timescales. Of note, the receptor-binding domains of two novel viral groups exhibit high similarity to SARS-CoV-2, and pseudovirus assays confirmed the ability of this spike protein to mediate entry into cells expressing human ACE2, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk. The observed genetic diversity underscores the urgent need for continuous surveillance to identify high-risk animal-to-human interfaces and inform pandemic preparedness.
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BibTeX
@article{ou2026characterization,
title = {{Characterization and evolutionary history of novel SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats from Cambodia}},
author = {Tey Putita Ou and Julia Guillebaud and Artem Baidaliuk and Sothyra Tum and Dany Chheang and Deborah Delaune and Matthieu Prot and Elise Bruder and Rafael Rahal Guaragna Machado and Leakhena Pum and Vibol Hul and Thavry Hoem and Sovann Ly and Heidi Auerswald and Frederick Arnaud and Kei Sato and Gavin Jd Smith and Philippe Dussart and Erik A Karlsson and Véronique Chevalier and Julien Cappelle and Veasna Duong and Etienne Simon-Loriere},
journal = {Nature Communications},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-75954-1},
url = {https://pasteur.hal.science/pasteur-05786297v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Characterization and evolutionary history of novel SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in bats from Cambodia
AU - Tey Putita Ou
AU - Julia Guillebaud
AU - Artem Baidaliuk
AU - Sothyra Tum
AU - Dany Chheang
AU - Deborah Delaune
AU - Matthieu Prot
AU - Elise Bruder
AU - Rafael Rahal Guaragna Machado
AU - Leakhena Pum
AU - Vibol Hul
AU - Thavry Hoem
AU - Sovann Ly
AU - Heidi Auerswald
AU - Frederick Arnaud
AU - Kei Sato
AU - Gavin Jd Smith
AU - Philippe Dussart
AU - Erik A Karlsson
AU - Véronique Chevalier
AU - Julien Cappelle
AU - Veasna Duong
AU - Etienne Simon-Loriere
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/23
JO - Nature Communications
DO - 10.1038/s41467-026-75954-1
UR - https://pasteur.hal.science/pasteur-05786297v1
AB - Circulating bat coronaviruses present a significant pandemic threat, yet our understanding of their genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics remains limited. Over 3 years, we sampled 1,462 bats in Cambodia’s Steung Treng province, identifying extensive and diverse coronaviruses co-circulation. Using metatranscriptomic and amplicon sequencing, we generated 33 complete sarbecovirus genomes sequences, revealing novel lineages that cluster into four distinct groups, each associated with different Rhinolophus bat species. Our analysis highlights rapid migration and recombination of sarbecovirus lineages over short distances and timescales. Of note, the receptor-binding domains of two novel viral groups exhibit high similarity to SARS-CoV-2, and pseudovirus assays confirmed the ability of this spike protein to mediate entry into cells expressing human ACE2, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk. The observed genetic diversity underscores the urgent need for continuous surveillance to identify high-risk animal-to-human interfaces and inform pandemic preparedness.
SN - 2041-1723
SN - 2041-1723
ER -