New Bat Coronavirus Shares Similarities with SARS-CoV-2, But Experts Caution Against Panic
A recently discovered bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, has been found to use the same cell-surface protein, ACE2, to enter human cells as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Chinese researchers published their findings in Cell, revealing that while the bat virus shares some similarities with SARS-CoV-2, it does not enter human cells as easily.
Key Findings:
- Similar Mechanism: Like SARS-CoV-2, the bat virus HKU5-CoV-2 has a furin cleavage site that facilitates its entry into human cells through the ACE2 receptor.
- Limited Human Infection: In laboratory experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 infected human cells with high ACE2 levels in test tubes and human airway and intestinal models. However, the virus has less binding affinity for ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, limiting its ability to infect humans.
- Antiviral Potential: The researchers identified monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs capable of targeting HKU5-CoV-2.
- Market Impact: The study’s release caused a slight rise in shares of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, due to investor concerns over potential new viral threats.
Expert Opinion:
Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert, downplayed concerns about the new virus potentially causing a pandemic, stating that widespread immunity to similar SARS viruses could mitigate such risks. The study also noted that the virus’s suboptimal features for human adaptation suggest the risk of a major outbreak should not be overstated.