Genomic Characterization of a Novel Alphacoronavirus Isolated from Bats, Korea, 2020.

Coronavirus, an important zoonotic disease, raises concerns of future pandemics. The bat is considered a source of noticeable viruses resulting in human and livestock infections, especially the coronavirus. Therefore, surveillance and genetic analysis of coronaviruses in bats are essential in order to prevent the risk of future diseases. In this study, the genome of HCQD-2020, a novel alphacoronavirus detected in a bat (Eptesicus serotinus), was assembled and described using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The comparison of the whole-genome sequence and the conserved amino acid sequence of replicated proteins revealed that the new strain was distantly related with other known species in the Alphacoronavirus genus. Phylogenetic construction indicated that this strain formed a separated branch with other species, suggesting a new species of Alphacoronavirus. Additionally, in silico prediction also revealed the risk of cross-species infection of this strain, especially in the order Artiodactyla. In summary, this study provided the genetic characteristics of a possible new species belonging to Alphacoronavirus.

Full-length ORF2 sequence-based genetic and phylogenetic characterization of Korean feline caliciviruses.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly infectious pathogen in cats and widely distributed worldwide with high genetic variation. Full-length open reading frame 2 of 5 from recently isolated Korean FCV isolates were sequenced and compared with those of global isolates. The results of phylogenetic analysis supported dividing global FCV isolates into two genogroups (type I and II) and demonstrated the presence of genogroup II in Korea, indicating their geographic spread in East Asia. High sequence variations in region E of the FCV isolates emphasizes that a novel vaccine needs to be developed to induce protective immunity against various FCV strains.