Khosta-2, New COVID-Like Virus Found In Russian Bats, Can Infect Humans – All You Need To Know

Khost-2 virus: Scientists have discovered a new update on a SARS-CoV-2-like virus in Russian bats that could complicate matters for humans. This new type of bat virus can infect humans and is resistant to currently available Covid vaccines.Also Read – Sova virus: what is it and how to protect yourself from it? All you need to know – watch the video

A recent study by researchers at Washington State University’s Paul Allen School for Global Health found that a SARS-CoV-2-like virus — Khosta-2 — can enter human cells, Time magazine reported. This virus was first discovered by scientists in 2020. However, at that time scientists did not think that the infection could pose any threat to humans.

KHOSTA-2 virus: What the study found

The researchers found that “the spike from the virus, Khosta-2, can infect cells using similar entry mechanisms as human pathogens, but is resistant to neutralization by serum from individuals vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2”.

A recent study found that Khost-2 binds to the same protein, ACE2, that SARS-CoV-2 uses to invade human cells. “Our research further demonstrates that sarcoidosis circulating in wildlife outside of Asia – even in places like western Russia where the Khost-2 virus was found – is a threat to global health and the ongoing vaccine campaign against SARS-CoV-2,” said Michael Letko. , WSU virologist and corresponding author of the study, WSU News reported.

KHOSTA-2 virus: what we know so far

• The Khosta-2 virus belongs to the same category of coronaviruses as SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2, the sarbecovirus behind COVID-19, emerged in the human population after cross-species transmission from an animal source.
• Khost-2 virus found in bats in Russia can infect humans according to scientists. Khosta-2, a sarbecovirus discovered in Russia, has been shown to interact with the same entry receptor as SARS-CoV-2.
• The Khost-2 virus is resistant to existing Covid vaccines. This means that available covid vaccines will not provide any protection against Khost-2 virus.
• “Recombinant, viral pseudotypes with a SARS-CoV-2 spike encoding for the Khost2 RBD were resistant to both SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and serum from individuals vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2,” the researchers said.

Brief: The Khost-2 virus, which belongs to the same category of coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2, can infect humans, a new study has found. This new virus found in bats is also resistant to Covid vaccines.