Certain viruses are capable of infecting cells across multiple different species
Extensive scientific literature demonstrates that various viruses possess the ability to cross species barriers and infect multiple different hosts, often facilitated by genetic mutations or reassortment.
The provided papers comprehensively document numerous virus families—including influenza, coronaviruses, hepatitis E, orthonairoviruses, and rotaviruses—successfully infecting hosts across different species (such as birds, pigs, deer, minks, bats, and humans). All retrieved papers consistently support the claim, making SUPPORTED the appropriate verdict.
G. Gabriel, A. Herwig, H. Klenk. Interaction of Polymerase Subunit PB2 and NP with Importin α1 Is a Determinant of Host Range of Influenza A Virus. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.0040011
Demonstrates that adaptive mutations in influenza A virus proteins enable successful replication and nuclear transport in mammalian cells during interspecies transmission.
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M. Palmer, M. Martins, S. Falkenberg, A. Buckley, L. Caserta, Patrick K. Mitchell, E. Cassmann, A. Rollins, Nancy C. Zylich, R. Renshaw, Cassandra Guarino, B. Wagner, K. Lager, D. Diel. Susceptibility of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to SARS-CoV-2. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00083-21
Shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect white-tailed deer and transmit between them, illustrating cross-species infection capability.
Susan J. Baigent, John W. McCauley. Influenza type A in humans, mammals and birds: Determinants of virus virulence, host‐range and interspecies transmission. 2003. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.10303
Discusses how avian influenza viruses can directly transmit to humans and other mammalian hosts, highlighting host-range flexibility.
Haili Zhang, Hongxin Li, Wenqiang Wang, Yujie Wang, Guan-Zhu Han, Hualan Chen, Xiaojun Wang. A unique feature of swine ANP32A provides susceptibility to avian influenza virus infection in pigs. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008330
Identifies specific swine proteins that support avian influenza virus infection, demonstrating interspecies susceptibility in pigs.
K. Yadav, Patricia A. Boley, Carolyn M. Lee, S. Khatiwada, K. Jung, Thamonpan Laocharoensuk, Jake Hofstetter, Ronna Wood, J. Hanson, Scott P. Kenney. Rat hepatitis E virus cross-species infection and transmission in pigs. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae259
Proves that rat hepatitis E virus strains are capable of cross-species infection and transmission in pigs.
A. Schuh, B. Amman, Jonathan C Guito, James C. Graziano, Tara K. Sealy, Shannon G. M. Kirejczyk, J. Towner. Natural reservoir Rousettus aegyptiacus bat host model of orthonairovirus infection identifies potential zoonotic spillover mechanisms. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24673-w
Reports that Egyptian rousette bats serve as natural reservoir hosts for Kasokero virus with potential for zoonotic spillover.
Zhongyuan Li, Yunyan Chen, Liang Li, Mei Xue, Li Feng. Different Infectivity of Swine Enteric Coronaviruses in Cells of Various Species. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020174
Compares swine enteric coronavirus replication across cells of various species, demonstrating broad cross-species infection potential.
Riaz-M Azeem, Ying-Shi Yang, Siddique Sehrish, C. Shi, Gui-lian Yang, S. Kumar, Wen-Tao Yang, Chun-feng Wang. Emerging threats of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b: cross-species transmission, pathogenesis, and pandemic risk. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1625665
Outlines how H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b crosses species barriers to infect various mammalian species, including cattle and humans.
Avishak Barua, Natalia Grot, A. Pławski. The basis of mink susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-022-00689-w
Explains that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations enable successful cross-species infection of minks from humans.
Qihui Wang, Zihe Liu, Xiangmin Zeng, Yu Zheng, Li Lan, Xinhang Wang, Zhenping Lai, Xiaoqiong Hou, Lingxi Gao, Liang Liang, Sheng Tang, Z. Zhang, Jing Leng, Xiaohui Fan. Integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA expression of newly emerging swine H3N2 influenza virus cross-species infection with tree shrews. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-023-02260-3
Analyzes the cross-species infection of a swine influenza virus in tree shrews, highlighting viral adaptability across diverse mammalian hosts.
Xianfeng Hui, Xiaowei Tian, Shihuan Ding, Ge Gao, Jiyan Cui, Chengguang Zhang, T. Zhao, Liangwei Duan, Hui Wang. A Review of Cross-Species Transmission Mechanisms of Influenza Viruses. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12050447
Reviews the mechanisms by which influenza viruses breach host barriers to achieve cross-species transmission and zoonotic spillover.
Toyoko Nakagomi, Osamu Nakagomi. Interspecies Transmission of Animal Rotaviruses to Humans: Reassortment-Driven Adaptation. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121230
Examines how rotaviruses traditionally specific to animals can infect humans via genetic reassortment and adaptation.
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