SARS, MERS and coronavirus infections

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) encompass several strains, including those causing common colds (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1).
• Emerging coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV (2002-2003) and MERS-CoV (2012) cause severe respiratory illness and acute kidney injury, respectively.
• These viruses have zoonotic origins, with potential transmission from animals like bats and camels to humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the diverse range of diseases caused by human coronaviruses.
• To highlight the spectrum of illness, from mild common colds to severe, fatal emerging infectious diseases.
• To underscore the significance of coronaviruses as a public health concern.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on human coronaviruses.
• Description of key coronavirus outbreaks and associated diseases.
• Summary of known and suspected viral origins and transmission routes.

Main Results:

• Human coronaviruses exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations.
• Notable severe outbreaks include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
• Zoonotic origins and interspecies transmission are critical factors in the emergence of novel coronaviruses.

Conclusions:

• Coronaviruses represent a significant group of emerging infectious diseases with a broad impact on human health.
• Understanding the diverse disease spectrum and origins of coronaviruses is crucial for public health preparedness.
• Continued surveillance and research are necessary to manage the threat of coronavirus infections.