Scientists Study How Bats Defend Against Covid-19 Virus

In a paper recently published in the journal Science Immunology, a Sino-Australian research team led by Professor Marcel Nold and Associate Professor Claudia Nold from the Department of Pediatrics of Monash University and the Hudson Institute of Medicine , Discussed how to refer to the response of bats to SARS-CoV-2 to find new treatments for humans to cope with COVID-19.

Since it was discovered and reported in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone multiple mutations, including the Alpha/Beta/Delta strains that are currently unpreventable around the world, with a stronger incubation period and more infectiousness.

According to Professor Nold, the infectivity of the COVID-19 delta variant strain is 60 ~ 79% higher than that of the alpha variant, and the fatality rate may also be higher.

In addition, as new mutant strains may appear at any time, we urgently need to find a more effective COVID-19 treatment method.

Even though prevention is far more important than treatment as the ultimate goal of eradicating COVID-19, we simply cannot be sure when we can wait until this day.

Based on this, the research team hopes to find a safe and effective method to prevent COVID-19 patients from developing from a moderate to severe stage.

Referring to the bat in nature, although it was infected with the coronavirus, it only showed mild symptoms and did not develop a problem that seriously affected the lungs.

If we can find new ways to deal with SARS-CoV-2 from bats, we may have the opportunity to alleviate the suffering of patients and save more lives.

Professor Nold pointed out that studying how bats resist the coronavirus is not only of great significance to the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also helps us better prepare for the next pandemic.

The article points out that the common ancestor of the current COVID virus is likely to be born in bat colonies 40 to 70 years ago. However, the actual source or intermediate host of COVID-19 is still elusive.

If we can mimic what happens in bats by enhancing the type I and type III interferon response, or blocking the inflammasomes in the severe stage, we may find a more effective way to prevent COVID-19 infection in the future.

Professor Nold concluded: By then, we will be able to minimize the excessive inflammation, immune failure, and cytokine storm that humans experience.

Details of this research have been published in the journal Science Immunology.