Abstract
Hedgehogs are common in the majority of European countries and are known to host various pathogens, including viruses. The recent discovery of MERS-related coronaviruses (CoVs) in hedgehogs from Germany, France, the UK, China, and Italy suggests that hedgehogs may represent a wild reservoir of betacoronaviruses. This study reports the first detection and characterization of novel betacoronovirus, subgenus Merbecovirus in wild hedgehogs in Poland. The CoV RNA was detected in 10 out of 40 hedgehogs’ rectal swabs and in 1 out of 18 samples of the lung. No viral RNA was identified in the duodenum and kidney. There was no significant relationship between clinical status, gender, hedgehogs' age, and coronaviral RNA detection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CoVs detected in our study grouped together with other representatives of Hedgehog coronavirus 1 species identified in Western Europe. Our findings provide further evidence that hedgehogs are a natural reservoir of Merbecovirus. Considering the high mutation rate of CoVs and their potential for crossing interspecies barriers, the proper management of hedgehogs admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres is needed. It cannot be excluded that merbecovirus strains detected in hedgehogs may recombine with other CoVs leading to new viruses with potential for interspecies transmission.
Highlights
Hedgehogs are common in the majority of European countries and are known to host various pathogens, including viruses
No viral RNA was identified in the duodenum and kidney collected from hedgehogs
There was no significant relationship between clinical status, gender, age, and detection of hedgehog coronaviruses (Table 1)
Summary
Hedgehogs are common in the majority of European countries and are known to host various pathogens, including viruses. European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and Northern white-breasted hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) are small nocturnal, insectivorous mammals that are active from April to September and hibernates from October to March, widely spread in Europe[1] They feed primarily on invertebrates such as beetles, earthworms, and molluscs and on pet food that is frequently found in gardens and shared with dogs and c ats[1,2]. The recent discovery of MERS-related CoVs in hedgehogs from G ermany14, France[15], the U K16, China[17], and Italy[2] suggests that hedgehogs may represent a wild reservoir of CoVs. Coronaviruses are enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses. CoVs are pathogenic for mammals and birds, in which they cause infections manifested by a range of clinical signs (from respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems) and subclinical infections[18,20] Their propensity to recombine allows them to transmit and adapt to new h osts[18,19]. CoVs identified in hedgehogs may pose a potential risk to humans, especially as there is increasing contact between hedgehogs and humans
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
