Surveillance of bat betacoronaviruses is crucial for understanding their spillover potential. We isolated bat sarbecoviruses from Rhinolophus cornutus bats in multiple locations in Japan. These viruses grew efficiently in cells expressing R. cornutus angiotensin converting enzyme-2, but not in cells expressing human angiotensin converting enzyme-2, suggesting a narrow host range.
Keywords: ACE2; Japan; Rhinolophus; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-related coronavirus; angiotensin converting enzyme-2; bat; betacoronavirus; coronaviruses; respiratory infections; sarbecovirus; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; virus isolation; viruses; zoonoses.