The Recombination Potential between SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV from Cross-Species Spill-over Infections

Abstract

The world is facing the worst public health crisis since the Spanish flu in the 1918s. Different countries are battling an outbreak caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 was first detected among patients with pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2019, then spread worldwide mainly by air-travel [1]. The virus causes a respiratory illness called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has varied presentation from asymptomatic to mild and in some cases leads to severe disease with multi-organ failure and death. To date the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 54,050 cases and 329 deaths in UAE and 226,486 cases and 2151 deaths in KSA. In the Middle East (ME) specifically UAE and KSA, SARS-CoV-2 has caused significant outbreak, however the swift governmental scaled responses have strongly limited its spread [2]. Both countries, among others in the Arabian Peninsula, are particularly unique in that they are simultaneously battling another coronavirus called Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). According to the WHO, the UAE reported its first case of MERS-CoV in July, 2013. Since then it has confirmed at least 91 as of September 2020 [3].

A Palmitic Acid-Conjugated, Peptide-Based pan-CoV Fusion Inhibitor Potently Inhibits Infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Other Variants of Concern

“…It should be noted that MERS-CoV is still circulating in the Middle East region [ 36 ]. Several cases of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV co-infection were identified in Saudi Arabia [ 37 ], and both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV could infect type-II alveolar cells [ 38 ]. Furthermore, co-infection of immunocompromised individuals—for instance, by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron or MERS-CoV—could lead to a new species through genetic recombination [ 29 ].…”

Origin, virological features, immune evasion and intervention of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages

“… 81 If this co-infection occurs in AIDS patients, emergence of SARS-CoV-3 is feasible through recombination by utilizing the identical Transcription Regulatory Sequences and/or cluster of sequence homologies at ORF1a and ORF1b in both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. 82 …”

Evolution, Ecology, and Zoonotic Transmission of Betacoronaviruses: A Review

“…Dual infection can then lead to viral mutations in human hosts that may spillover back to animals and be more virulent than the original. This possibility needs to be closely monitored ( 264 ). Viral mutations in spillover species such as mink and domesticated animals also needs to be monitored as SARS-CoV-2 mutations in some animal species have already been observed that may change the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 losing either its virulence and/or transmissibility.…”

“…Ecological and environmental factors, however, may lead to natural host species that carry different coronaviruses and were initially separated geographically to come in contact in the same new host. This type of host switching and dual infection can lead to a novel recombinant virus with higher transmissibility and virulence ( 264 ).…”