Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
03:53
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
1.6K
SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Not the First, Not the Last
Paolo Calistri1, Nicola Decaro2, Alessio Lorusso1
1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", 64100 Teramo, Italy.
Microorganisms
|March 6, 2021
Summary
Betacoronaviruses like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 likely originate in bats. Human activities and global travel increase the risk of zoonotic spillover, necessitating ecosystem preservation to prevent future pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Virology
- Ecology
Background:
- Emerging betacoronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2) share probable bat origins.
- Bats are significant reservoirs for diverse viruses due to their biology and distribution.
- Human activities and global connectivity facilitate zoonotic spillover events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of bats as reservoirs for emerging viruses.
- To identify human activities contributing to viral spillover.
- To emphasize the need for global health strategies integrating conservation.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on betacoronaviruses and bat virology.
- Analysis of factors contributing to zoonotic disease emergence.
- Ecological and epidemiological assessment of viral transmission pathways.
Main Results:
- Bats harbor a high diversity of viruses, with betacoronaviruses frequently identified.
- Deforestation, land-use change, and intensive agriculture increase spillover risk.
- Global trade and travel accelerate the worldwide dissemination of novel viruses.
Conclusions:
- Preventing future pandemics requires addressing the root causes of zoonotic spillover.
- Conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems is crucial for global health security.
- A paradigm shift in socio-economic development models is needed to mitigate pandemic threats.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
17.3K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
17.3K
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
5.8K
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
5.8K
00:57Viral Recombination
24.4K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
24.4K
00:36Viral Mutations
37.3K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
37.3K
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
369
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
369
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
326
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
326