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

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

Zhaoyong Zhang  1 , Lu Zhang  2   3 , Airu Zhu  1 , Yanqun Wang  1 , Wenda Guan  1 , Zhiqi Zeng  1 , Jing Sun  1 , Fang Li  1 , Jingxian Zhao  1 , Zifeng Yang  1 , Jincun Zhao  1   3 , Nanshan Zhong  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Zhaoyong Zhang et al. J Thorac Dis. 2020 Dec.

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd-20-2084). Prof. NZ serves as an unpaid Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Thoracic Disease. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Genetic organization of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 encoded four structural proteins (S, E, M and N) and six accessory proteins (ORF3a, ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF8 and ORF10). SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Phylogenetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 based on the complete genomes. Five SARS-CoV-2 representative strains (indicated in red), all SARS-CoV strains (indicated in blue) and other SARS-like strains were analyzed using Neighbor-Joining method with 1,000 bootstrap replicates in MEGA 5.0 program, number as the nodes represent bootstrap support. SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 among human and animals. SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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