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A Primer on the Eight Coronaviruses Known to Infect Humans

Joseph Domachowske

    Pediatric Annals
    |May 16, 2022
    PubMed

    Insights

    Coronaviruses infect humans, primarily targeting the respiratory system. While some cause mild illness, others like SARS-CoV-2 lead to severe disease and death, often originating from bats.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Coronaviruses (CoVs) represent a diverse viral family with 45 recognized species.
    • Eight CoV species are known to infect humans, all affecting the respiratory tract.
    • Human CoV infections range from mild, cold-like symptoms to severe, life-threatening conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To provide an overview of human-infecting coronaviruses.
    • To discuss the spectrum of illness caused by different CoV species.
    • To highlight the zoonotic origins and public health impact of pathogenic coronaviruses.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of current scientific literature on coronavirus taxonomy and human infections.
    • Analysis of clinical manifestations and epidemiological data associated with human CoVs.
    • Examination of the proposed zoonotic pathways for CoV emergence in human populations.

    Main Results:

    • Eight of 45 CoV species cause human infections, primarily respiratory.
    • Endemic CoVs (e.g., 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1) typically cause mild illness.
    • Emergent CoVs, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

    Conclusions:

    • Coronaviruses pose a significant public health threat, with varying disease severity.
    • Zoonotic spillover from bats, potentially via intermediate mammalian hosts, is a key pathway for pathogenic CoV emergence.
    • Understanding CoV diversity, transmission, and pathogenicity is crucial for pandemic preparedness and response.

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