The ensuing pandemic, known as COVID-19, is one of unprecedented proportions that has crippled the global economy and exerted far-reaching, detrimental impacts on societies. Since its first detection in cases with atypical pneumonia from the city of Wuhan, China, in December of 2019, the novel coronavirus (CoV), designated as SARS-CoV-2, has infected 46,182 million people, resulting in 1,197,026 deaths worldwide (as of 1 November 2020). Information on animal CoVs might enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, and accordingly, benefit the development of effective control and prevention strategies against COVID-19. In this comprehensive review, attempts have been made to compare the current knowledge on evolution, transmission, pathogenesis, immunopathology, therapeutics, and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 with those of various animal CoVs. Moreover, the evolution of human CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2, is intermingled with those of animal CoVs. On the other hand, animal CoVs have been studied extensively for many decades, providing a plethora of important information on their genetic diversity, transmission, tissue tropism and pathology, host immunity, and therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, some of which have striking resemblance to those seen with SARS-CoV-2. Human CoVs gained attention only after the SARS-CoV outbreak of 2002–2003. The complex origin, extended human-to-human transmission, pathogenesis, host immune responses, and various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 have presented serious challenges in understanding and combating the pandemic situation. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by a novel zoonotic coronavirus (CoV), SARS-CoV-2, has infected 46,182 million people, resulting in 1,197,026 deaths (as of 1 November 2020), with devastating and far-reaching impacts on economies and societies worldwide.
0 kommentar(er)
