Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused a global health emergency. The outbreak of this virus has raised a number of questions: What is SARS-CoV-2? How transmissible is SARS-CoV-2? How severely affected are patients infected with SARS-CoV-2? What are the risk factors for viral infection? What are the differences between this novel coronavirus and other coronaviruses? To answer these questions, we performed a comparative study of four pathogenic viruses that primarily attack the respiratory system and may cause death, namely, SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), and influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2 strains). This comparative study provides a critical evaluation of the origin, genomic features, transmission, and pathogenicity of these viruses. Because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is ongoing, this evaluation may inform public health administrators and medical experts to aid in curbing the pandemic's progression.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 552909 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Frontiers in Immunology |
Volume | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Sept 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Copyright © 2020 Abdelrahman, Li and Wang.
Keywords
- COVID-19
- influenza A virus
- MERS-CoV
- SARS-CoV
- SARS-CoV-2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology