The family Coronavirtdae comprises a monogeneric group of 11 viruses which infect vertebrates. The main characteristics of the member viruses are: (i) Morphological: Enveloped pleomorphic particles typically 100 nm in diameter (range 60–220 nm), bearing about 20 nm long club-shaped surface projections, (ii) Structural: A single-stranded infectious molecule of genomic RNA of about (5–7) × 106 molecular weight. A phosphorylated nucleocapsid protein [mol.wt. (50–60) × 103] complexed with the genome as a helical ribonucleoprotein; a surface (peplomer) protein, associated with one or two glycosylated polypeptides [mol.wt. (90–180) × 103]; a transmembrane (matrix) protein, associated with one polypeptide which may be glycosylated to different degrees [mol.wt. (20–35) × 103]. (iii) Replicative: Production in infected cells of multiple 3’ coterminal sub genomic mRNAs extending for different lengths in the 5’ direction. Virions bud intracytoplasmically. (iv) Antigenic: 3 major antigens, each corresponding to one class of virion protein, (v) Biological: Predominantly restricted to infection of natural vertebrate hosts by horizontal transmission via the fecal/oral route. Responsible mainly for respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
The occurrence of human coronavirus (HCV) infections was analyzed by using sequential sera taken between 1976 and 1981 from adults working in the London area. Antibody rises to HCV 229E and HCV OC43 group viruses were measured in serum samples from these subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HCV infections were found throughout the year, although most occurred during two periods, from June through September and from December through February. There were no marked seasonal differences in either the range of antibody rises obtained or in the HCV groups to which these antibody rises were directed. However, there were more HCV antibody rises during the summer than in the winter. The antibody duration varied considerably, but had a mean of 3.5 months. Finally, the frequency of HCV infection per person was calculated to be 1 per 7.8 months.
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