Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41013186›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2025

Complete genome sequence analysis of Sarbecovirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses) from Zimbabwean insectivorous bats.

Vimbiso Chidoti, Anaïs Loisier, Taona Zinyakasa, Mathieu Bourgarel, Valérie Pinarello, Gift Matope, Ngoni Chiweshe, Dorothée Missé, Ellen Mwandiringana, Hélène De Nys and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Novel AfricanJournal of virology · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Vimbiso ChidotiBiotechnology Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Anaïs LoisierBiotechnology Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Taona ZinyakasaBiotechnology Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Mathieu BourgarelASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Valérie PinarelloASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Gift MatopeFaculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ngoni ChiwesheUMR ASTRE, CIRAD, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Dorothée MisséMIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Ellen MwandiringanaBiotechnology Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Hélène De NysASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Florian LiégeoisBiotechnology Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. Florian.liegeois@ird.fr.

Funding

Agence Nationale de la Recherche ANR-22-CE35-0011-01Institut de Recherche pour le Développement PhD bursary
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bat-borne severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (bat SARSr-CoVs), belonging to the Sarbecovirus subgenus of the Betacoronavirus genus pose a potential risk for zoonotic spillover. This study reports the complete genome sequences of bat sarbecoviruses from Nycteris macrotis and Rhinolophus simulator insectivorous bat species in Zimbabwe. Using genome walking and nested PCR approaches, six full viral genomes were amplified, sequenced and assembled: one from Nycteris macrotis (MAG1042) and five from Rhinolophus simulator bats species (MAG388, MAG562, MAG575, MAG850, and MAG859). Comparative genomic analysis revealed a high degree of sequence conservation (99.6-99.9%) among the Rhinolophus simulator-characterised sequences, while the Nycteris macrotis characterised sequence exhibited 96.7% identity with the Rhinolophus simulator consensus (MAG Cons) genomes, suggesting genus-specific evolution. Furthermore, the spike region exhibited notable divergence, with only 88% sequence identity between the two genera. A complete absence of ORF8, and truncation of ORF7b genes were observed, while the RNA dependent RNA polymerase genes were highly conserved across all strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated distinct continental clustering, with the Zimbabwean genomic sequences forming a well-supported clade within the African lineage (Lineage 4). These newly characterized Zimbabwean sarbecoviruses sequences represent the most recent evolutionary branches within the Lineage 4-African clade, indicating ongoing viral diversification in local bat populations. These findings expand understanding of SARSr-CoV diversity in African bats and underscore the importance of geographical isolation in viral evolution.

Indexed as

ChiropteraGenome, ViralSevere acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirusWhole Genome SequencingAnimalsPhylogenyZimbabweBat sarbecovirusesFull genomeNycteris macrotisRhinolophus simulatorZimbabwe

Identifiers

PMID41013186
PMCPMC12465345

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.