ABSTRACT
Seven human coronaviruses have been identified so far: four seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1) and three novel coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2). While seasonal coronaviruses cause only mild symptoms, novel coronaviruses cause severe and potentially fatal infections. All known coronaviruses originated in animals. Bats are considered as an origin for the majority of coronaviruses capable of infecting humans;however, rodents are proposed as natural hosts for HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1. Different animal species could serve as intermediate hosts including alpacas (HCoV-229E), livestock (HCoV-OC43), civet cats (SARS-CoV), camels (MERS-CoV), and pangolins (SARS-CoV-2). In Croatia, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in humans, pet animals, wildlife, and the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of the 'One Health' approach in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases.Copyright © 2022, University Hospital of Infectious Diseases. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The coronaviruses, belonging to the family Coronaviridae, have caused a massive pandemic in December 2019 after their previous outbreaks as SARS-CoV and MERS. The outbreak is believed to have originated from the seafood and live market in the Hubei province of China. The Rhinolophus species are the natural hosts of this virus. This virus caused pneumonia and took away many lives be-fore it was recognized as the novel Coronavirus. Very little information is available about the biology and nature of the novel Coronavirus. This article reviews multiple aspects encompassing its origin, epi-demiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, and the global statistics of spread. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the key symptom of this condition. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) helps in the penetration of the virus into the target cells. Deeper research and understanding are essential for the identification of antibodies that inhibit ACE2 and can prevent viral replication. Drug design and control of disease are crucial. In countries like India, where plant diversity is extensive, it is prudent to focus on plant-based alternative drugs. Many attempts have been made to review and curate the drug discovery attempts using immuno-informatic and bioinformatic tools.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Background: The new public health emergency of COVID-19 caused by a novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which originated in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019, evolved into a pandemic in no time and is still in progression. The novel virus mainly targets the lower respiratory system, leading to viral pneumonia, with other associated complications of multi organ failure. Discussion(s): The bats, in particular Rhinolophus affinis, is a natural host of SARS-CoV-2 and the virus is considered to have spread to humans through yet controversial intermediate host pangolins. The incubation period ranges from 2-14 days and mode of person-to-person transmission is primari-ly via the direct contact with the infected person or through the droplets generated by the infected person during coughing or sneezing. The initiation of the infection process by SARS-CoV-2 virus is the invasion of lung type II alveolar cells via a receptor protein called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) present on the cell membrane with glycosylated spike (S) viral protein that medi-ates host cell invasion. The main diagnostic tools employed are molecular methods based on nucleic acid detection engaging real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and a new immunoassays based on antibodies IgM/IgG. Conclusion(s): Due to the lack of specific clinically approved anticovid-19 drugs or vaccines that could be used for its prevention or treatment, the current management approach is essentially sup-portive and symptomatic. The precautionary measures like, social distancing, cleaning hands with soap or sanitizers, using disinfectant solutions to decontaminate the surfaces of things and proper ventilation, wearing masks and other protective gears to curb transmission. The knowledge regard-ing COVID-19 therapies is still evolving and collaborative efforts are being put in to discover definitive therapies on different themes in the form of vaccines, repurposing drugs, RNA interfer-ence, docking studies, etc.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-sense and single-strand RNA viruses which have an extensive range of natural hosts and cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal and neurological diseases of varying severities in livestock, birds and humans.Seven human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been discovered, of which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SAKSCoV), Middle East respiratory snydrome coronavirus (MERSCoV) and 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) may cause severe fatal pneumonia and have posed a global threat to public health.This paper reviews the progress in research on pathogenicity and vaccines of HCoV. Copyright © 2022 Changchun Institute of Biological Products. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel form of the coronavirus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). SARS-CoV-2 raised in China and has broadcast to 261 countries globally. SARS-CoV-2 a member of beta-coronavirus family and has an almost matching genome sequence to a bat coronavirus, pointing to the bat as the natural host before it was transmitted to humans. SARS-CoV-2 uses the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as that used by SARS-CoV and principally infects the respiratory tract. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients include fever, cough and fatigue whilst small populations of patients have gastrointestinal symptoms. The old people and people with underlying metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are more affected to infection and have worse outcomes. These may be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and a cytokine storm. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of disease and the pharmacologic approaches that may control COVID-19. Copyright ©2020 NRITLD, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Iran.
ABSTRACT
Various pathogens, such as Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, Hendra virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2, are threatening human health worldwide. The natural hosts of these pathogens are thought to be bats. The rousette bat, a megabat, is thought to be a natural reservoir of filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg viruses. Additionally, the rousette bat showed a transient infection in the experimental inoculation of SARS-CoV-2. In the current study, we established and characterized intestinal organoids from Leschenault's rousette, Rousettus leschenaultii. The established organoids successfully recapitulated the characteristics of intestinal epithelial structure and morphology, and the appropriate supplements necessary for long-term stable culture were identified. The organoid showed susceptibility to Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) but not to SARS-CoV-2 in experimental inoculation. This is the first report of the establishment of an expandable organoid culture system of the rousette bat intestinal organoid and its sensitivity to bat-associated viruses, PRV and SARS-CoV-2. This organoid is a useful tool for the elucidation of tolerance mechanisms of the emerging rousette bat-associated viruses such as Ebola and Marburg virus.