Unraveling the Epidemiology, Geographical Distribution, and Genomic Evolution of Potentially Lethal Coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and SARS CoV-2)

Abstract

SARS CoV appeared in 2003 in China, transmitted from bats to humans via eating infected animals. It affected 8,096 humans with a death rate of 11% affecting 21 countries. The receptor binding domain (RBD) in S protein of this virus gets attached with the ACE2 receptors present on human cells. MERS CoV was first reported in 2012 in Middle East, originated from bat and transmitted to humans through camels. MERS CoV has a fatality rate of 35% and last case reported was in 2017 making a total of 1,879 cases worldwide. DPP4 expressed on human cells is the main attaching site for RBD in S protein of MERS CoV. Folding of RBD plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Virus causing COVID-19 was named as SARS CoV-2 due its homology with SARS CoV that emerged in 2003. It has become a pandemic affecting nearly 200 countries in just 3 months' time with a death rate of 2-3% currently. The new virus is fast spreading, but it utilizes the same RBD and ACE2 receptors along with furin present in human cells. The lessons learned from the SARS and MERS epidemics are the best social weapons to face and fight against this novel global threat.

The mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein recognition by the human 14-3-3 proteins

“…The new coronavirus-induced disease, COVID19, has caused a worldwide health crisis with more than million confirmed cases and 1.9 million deaths as of January 2021 [1]. The pathogen responsible, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is highly similar to the causative agent of the SARS outbreak in [2002][2003] (SARS-CoV) and, to a lesser extent, to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) [2,3]. Each is vastly more pathogenic and deadly than human coronaviruses HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-HKU1 which cause seasonal respiratory diseases [4].…”

Statistical analysis of COVID-19 infection caused by environmental factors: Evidence from Pakistan

“…However, the higher ambient temperatures anticipated with an altering climate could, favor pathogens that will be more tough for our body to fight, leading us to think about the discovery of novel pathogens like COVID-19 and their mode of action. Increased replication rate due to rapid COVID-19 spread might be a reason behind variable rate of environmental factors around the globe [ 35 ].…”

Numerical analysis of factors, pace and intensity of the corona virus (COVID-19) epidemic in Poland

“…The first is called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, the second is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The authors of ( Masood et al, 2020 ) indicate the lack of a defined intermediate host for COVID19 transmission. The epidemiological analysis shows that in the case of the Sars virus, the role of an intermediate link between bats (Chiroptera spp.)…”