Phylogenetic perspectives on the epidemiology and origins of SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease caused by a zoonotic coronavirus (CoV) named SARS-CoV (SCoV), which rapidly swept the globe after its emergence in rural China during late 2002. The origins of SCoV have been mysterious and controversial, until the recent discovery of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2009-12, Vol.9 (6), p.1185-1196
Main Authors: Yip, Chi Wai, Hon, Chung Chau, Shi, Mang, Lam, Tommy Tsan-Yuk, Chow, Ken Yan-Ching, Zeng, Fanya, Leung, Frederick Chi-Ching
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Coronaviridae
Coronavirus - classification
Coronavirus - genetics
Disease Reservoirs - virology
Evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation
Genome, Viral
Humans
Inter-species transmission
Phylogeny
SARS
SARS coronavirus
SARS Virus - classification
SARS Virus - genetics
SARS-like coronaviruses
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - epidemiology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - transmission
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - virology
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Summary:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease caused by a zoonotic coronavirus (CoV) named SARS-CoV (SCoV), which rapidly swept the globe after its emergence in rural China during late 2002. The origins of SCoV have been mysterious and controversial, until the recent discovery of SARS-like CoV (SLCoV) in bats and the proposal of bats as the natural reservior of the Coronaviridae family. In this article, we focused on discussing how phylogenetics contributed to our understanding towards the emergence and transmission of SCoV. We first reviewed the epidemiology of SCoV from a phylogenetic perspective and discussed the controversies over its phylogenetic origins. Then, we summarized the phylogenetic findings in relation to its zoonotic origins and the proposed inter-species viral transmission events. Finally, we also discussed how the discoveries of SCoV and SLCoV expanded our knowledge on the evolution of the Coronaviridae family as well as its implications on the possible future re-emergence of SCoV.
ISSN:1567-1348
1567-7257
DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2009.09.015