Abstract
We tested 12 bat species in Ghana for coronavirus (CoV) RNA. The virus prevalence in insectivorous bats (n = 123) was 9.76%. CoV was not detected in 212 fecal samples from Eidolon helvum fruit bats. Leaf-nosed bats pertaining to Hipposideros ruber by morphology had group 1 and group 2 CoVs. Virus concentrations were < or =45,000 copies/100 mg of bat feces. The diversified group 1 CoV shared a common ancestor with the human common cold virus hCoV-229E but not with hCoV-NL63, disputing hypotheses of common human descent. The most recent common ancestor of hCoV-229E and GhanaBt-CoVGrp1 existed in approximately 1686-1800 ad. The GhanaBt-CoVGrp2 shared an old ancestor (approximately 2,400 years) with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-like group of CoV.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Chiroptera / virology*
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Coronavirus 229E, Human / classification*
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Coronavirus 229E, Human / genetics
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Coronavirus* / classification
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Coronavirus* / genetics
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Coronavirus* / isolation & purification
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Feces / virology
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Female
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Ghana
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Humans
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Male
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phylogeny
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RNA, Viral / analysis
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RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / classification*
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / genetics
Substances
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RNA, Viral
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
Associated data
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GENBANK/FJ710043
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GENBANK/FJ710044
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GENBANK/FJ710045
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GENBANK/FJ710046
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GENBANK/FJ710047
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GENBANK/FJ710048
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GENBANK/FJ710049
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GENBANK/FJ710050
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GENBANK/FJ710051
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GENBANK/FJ710052
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GENBANK/FJ710053
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GENBANK/FJ710054
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GENBANK/FJ710055
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GENBANK/FJ710056