Detection of Coronavirus in Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) by Transmission Electron Microscopy in São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract— Coronaviruses belong to the order Nidovirales, family Coronaviridae and have four genera, Alphacoronavirus, Betaconavirus, Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus. They infect humans and several animal species, causing various diseases. Coronavirus constitute zoonotic risk to global public health because of their ability to adapt to new species and establish sppilover events. In this study, we evaluated the presence of coronavirus particles in the feces of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Under the transmission electron microscope, particles with coronavirus-like morphology, pleomorphic, rounded or elongated with radial projections forming a corona and measuring 80-140 nm in diameter, were visualized in all examined samples. The technique used was extremely useful for rapid viral diagnosis in affected animals. This report is the first occurrence of coronavirus in Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).