Narrative review of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: update on genomic characteristics, transmissions and animal model

Zhaoyong Zhang; Lu Zhang; Airu Zhu; Yanqun Wang; Wenda Guan; Zhiqi Zeng; Jing Sun; Fang Li; Jingxian Zhao; Zifeng Yang; Jincun Zhao; Nanshan Zhong

doi:10.21037/jtd-20-2084

Narrative review of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: update on genomic characteristics, transmissions and animal model

J Thorac Dis. 2020 Dec;12(12):7454-7466. doi: 10.21037/jtd-20-2084.

Authors

Zhaoyong Zhang¹, Lu Zhang^{2

3}, Airu Zhu¹, Yanqun Wang¹, Wenda Guan¹, Zhiqi Zeng¹, Jing Sun¹, Fang Li¹, Jingxian Zhao¹, Zifeng Yang¹, Jincun Zhao^{1

3}, Nanshan Zhong¹

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
² Technology Center, Guangzhou Custom, Guangzhou, China.
³ Institute of Infectious disease, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Two outbreaks of severe respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) caused global pandemics and highlighted the importance of preparedness for respiratory CoVs. Recently, a third highly pathogenic CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China and posed a public health crisis worldwide. Here, we focus on the recent advances of the novel CoV, and discuss its genomic similarity with other CoVs, transmission, animal model and clinical treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by SARS-CoV-2, which help epidemic prevention and control, and guide treatment strategies.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); genomic characteristics; transmissions; treatment.

Publication types

Review