The SARS-CoV-2 origin dilemma: Zoonotic transfer or laboratory leak?
Bioessays
; 44(1): e2100189, 2022 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1527419
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide yet its origin remains unclear. Two potential scenarios of how infection of humans initially occurred include zoonotic transfer from wild animals and a leak of the pathogen from a research laboratory. The Wuhan wet markets where wild animals are sold represent a strong scenario for zoonotic transfer. However, isolation of SARS-CoV-2 or its immediate predecessor from wild animals in their natural environment has yet to be documented. Due to incomplete evidence for a zoonotic origin, a laboratory origin is plausible. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is at the epicenter of the pandemic and their work has included manipulation of wild-type coronavirus to enable infection of human cells. Although stronger evidence supports the zoonotic transfer, inconclusive reports maintain the laboratory leak hypothesis alive. It is imperative to reach a factual conclusion to prevent future pandemics.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Bioessays
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Molecular Biology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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