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SARS Virus Originated from Bats: Study
February 20, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Research News
The outbreak of SARS from Asia to North America prompted a collaborative scientific and medical response to halt human infections and to share data about the viruss genetic characteristics. But scientists could not reach an agreement to identify the animal source of the coronavirus that caused SARS in humans, a virus known as SARS-CoV.
Certainly, there are undiscovered viruses closely related to SARS and these viruses have novel associations with host animals that remain unknown, said Daniel Janies, lead author of the study
Our lack of knowledge of viral and host diversity around the world is a source of concern for the re-emergence of a SARS-like disease, said Janies, also an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Ohio State University.
Prior studies had identified several species of Chinese bats as the natural viral reservoir in 2005, using a couple of genes from a few viruses.
Janies put those findings to the test with the comprehensive analysis of coronavirus origins, using whole genomes from hundreds of viruses.
Contrary to the notion that civets were the cause of SARS, the analysis revealed that the humans actually appear to be the source of the virus found in the civets.
Janies and colleagues designed an interactive map tracing the genetic, geographic and evolutionary history of SARS. The map also showed when and where the virus shifted from animal to human hosts.
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