Biofilms and coronaviruses reservoirs: a perspective review

Overview & Synopsis

Bats are a key reservoir of coronaviruses (CoVs), including the agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the recent deadly viral pneumonia pandemic. However, understanding how bats can harbor several microorganisms without developing illnesses is still a matter under discussion. Viruses and other pathogens are often studied as stand-alone even though it is known that, in nature, they mostly live in multi-species associations called biofilms - both externally and within the host. Microorganisms in biofilms are enclosed by an extracellular matrix that confers protection and improves survival. Previous studies have shown that viruses can secondarily colonize preexisting biofilms, and viral biofilms have also been already described. In this review, we raise the perspective that CoVs can persistently infect bats due to occurrence in biofilm structures. This phenomenon potentially provides an optimal environment for non-pathogenic and well-adapted viruses to interact with the host, as well as for viral recombination. Biofilms can also enhance virion viability in extracellular environments, such as in fomites and aquatic sediments, allowing viral persistence and dissemination. Moreover, understanding CoVs biofilm lifestyle in reservoirs might contribute to explain several burning questions that remain unanswered including persistence and transmissibility by highly pathogenic emerging CoVs.