Viruses 2017, 9(12), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/v9120364
Identification of Alpha and Beta Coronavirus in Wildlife Species in France: Bats, Rodents, Rabbits, and Hedgehogs
Elodie Monchatre-Leroy 1,*
, Franck Boué 1, Jean-Marc Boucher 1, Camille Renault 1, François Moutou 2, Meriadeg Ar Gouilh 3,4 and Gérald Umhang 1
, Franck Boué 1, Jean-Marc Boucher 1, Camille Renault 1, François Moutou 2, Meriadeg Ar Gouilh 3,4 and Gérald Umhang 1
1
ANSES, Laboratoire de la rage et de la faune sauvage, 54220 Nancy, France
2
ANSES, ENVA, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
3
Université de Normandie, EA 2656, GRAM—Groupe de Recherche sur l’Adaptation Microbienne, UNICAEN/UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
4
Institut Pasteur, Infection et Epidemiologie, Unité Environnement et Risques Infectieux, 75015 Paris, France
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 2 November 2017 / Revised: 20 November 2017 / Accepted: 21 November 2017 / Published: 29 November 2017
Abstract
Coronaviruses are closely monitored in the context of emerging diseases and, as illustrated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are known to cross the species barrier and eventually to move from wildlife to humans. Knowledge of the diversity of coronaviruses in wildlife is therefore essential to better understand and prevent emergence events. This study explored the presence of coronaviruses in four wild mammal orders in France: Bats, rodents, lagomorphs, and hedgehogs. Betacoronavirus and Alphacoronavirus genera were identified. The results obtained suggest the circulation of potentially evolving virus strains, with the potential to cross the species barrier. View Full-TextKeywords:
coronavirus; wildlife; wild rabbits; hedgehogs; bats; rodents; France; genetic diversity
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MDPI and ACS Style
Monchatre-Leroy, E.; Boué, F.; Boucher, J.-M.; Renault, C.; Moutou, F.; Ar Gouilh, M.; Umhang, G. Identification of Alpha and Beta Coronavirus in Wildlife Species in France: Bats, Rodents, Rabbits, and Hedgehogs. Viruses 2017, 9, 364.
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