Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening disease for which accurate diagnosis is essential. Although many tools have been developed for the diagnosis of SARS, false-positive reactions in negative sera may occur because of cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses. We have raised polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (Abs) using a recombinant form of the SARS virus nucleocapsid protein. Cross-reactivity of these anti-SARS Abs against human coronavirus (HCoV) 229E and HCoV OC43 were determined by Western blotting. The Abs produced reacted with recombinant SARS virus nucleocapsid protein, but not with HCoV 229E or HCoV OC43.
Antibodies, Viral/*immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Coronavirus 229E, Human/*immunology ; Coronavirus OC43, Human/*immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics/*immunology ; Recombinant Proteins/immunology ; SARS Virus/genetics/*immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/diagnosis/*immunology

No abstract available.
Coronavirus Infections* ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus* ; Middle East*

The three known human highly pathogenic coronaviruses are severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, (MERS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Human highly pathogenic coronaviruses are composed of non-structural proteins, structural proteins and accessory proteins. Viral particles recognize host receptors via spike glycoprotein (S protein), enter host cells by membrane fusion, replicate in host cells through large replication-transcription complexes, and promote proliferation by interfering with and suppressing the host's immune response. Human highly pathogenic coronaviruses are hosted by humans and vertebrates. Viral particles are transmitted through droplets, contact and aerosols or likely through digestive tract, urine, eyes and other routes. This review discusses the mechanisms of proliferation and transmission of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses based on the results of existing research, providing basis for future study on interrupting the transmission and pathogenicity of human highly pathogenic coronaviruses.
Animals ; Betacoronavirus ; physiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; immunology ; transmission ; virology ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; physiology ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; immunology ; transmission ; virology ; SARS Virus ; physiology ; Virus Replication ; physiology

No abstract available.
Diarrhea* ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus*

Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was recently identified as a novel human coronavirus known to infect human with high mortality. It belongs to C clade of the betacoronavirus shown the similar genomic structure as other human coronaviruses.To date, some different subtypes of the viral genome were identified but its origin was unclear. Some evidences indicated it maybe came from the bats or dromedary. And series of molecular detection methods have been established and applied in lab and clinic.
Animals ; Camelus ; Chiroptera ; Coronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Genome, Viral ; Genomics ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

The three known highly pathogenic human coronaviruses are severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Human highly pathogenic coronaviruses are composed of non-structural proteins, structural proteins, accessory proteins and ribonucleic acid. Viral particles recognize host receptors via spike glycoprotein (S protein), enter host cells by membrane fusion, replicate in host cells through large replication-transcription complexes, and promote proliferation by interfering with and suppressing the host's immune response. Highly pathogenic human coronaviruses are hosted by humans and vertebrates. Viral particles are transmitted through droplets, contact and aerosols or likely through digestive tract, urine, eyes and other routes. This review discusses the mechanisms of replication and transmission of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses providing basis for future studies on interrupting the transmission and pathogenicity of these pathogenic viruses.
Animals ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

OBJECTIVETo prepare and characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of 3 human coronaviruses SARS-CoV, 229E and OC43 and study the antigenic relationship between the 3 N proteins.

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant N proteins of SARS-CoV, 229E and OC43 to obtain the mAbs by means of hybridoma. Screening and identification of the mAbs were performed using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay. Cross-reactivity between the N proteins of the 3 coronaviruses was analyzed with the prepared mAbs.

RESULTSThe mAbs against the recombinant N proteins of SARS-CoV, 229E and OC43 were obtained, which reacted specifically with the corresponding viral N protein as shown by indirect ELISA, Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay. No cross-reactivity was found between the 3 N proteins.

CONCLUSIONThe prepared mAbs against the recombinant N proteins may provide valuable assistance in studying antigenic relationships of N proteins between the 3 human coronaviruses.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Coronavirus 229E, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Coronavirus OC43, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; immunology

An epidemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans, which appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019, was caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was named as "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 was first identified as an etiological pathogen of COVID-19, belonging to the species of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV). The speed of both the geographical transmission and the sudden increase in numbers of cases is much faster than SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is the first global pandemic caused by a coronavirus, which outbreaks in 211 countries/territories/areas. The vaccine against COVID-19, regarded as an effective prophylactic strategy for control and prevention, is being developed in about 90 institutions worldwide. The experiences and lessons encountered in the previous SARS and MERS vaccine research can be used for reference in the development of COVID-19 vaccine. The present paper hopes to provide some insights for COVID-19 vaccines researchers.
Betacoronavirus ; immunology ; Biomedical Research ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Internationality ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; immunology ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Objective To compare the similarities and differences of early CT manifestations of three types of viral pneumonia induced by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), SARS-CoV (SARS) and MERS-CoV (MERS) using a systemic review. Methods Electronic database were searched to identify all original articles and case reports presenting chest CT features for adult patients with COVID-19, SARS and MERS pneumonia respectively. Quality of literature and completeness of presented data were evaluated by consensus reached by three radiologists. Vote-counting method was employed to include cases of each group. Data of patients' manifestations in early chest CT including lesion patterns, distribution of lesions and specific imaging signs for the three groups were extracted and recorded. Data were compared and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results A total of 24 studies were included, composing of 10 studies of COVID-19, 5 studies of MERS and 9 studies of SARS. The included CT exams were 147, 40, and 122 respectively. For the early CT features of the 3 pneumonias, the basic lesion pattern with respect to "mixed ground glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation, GGO mainly, or consolidation mainly" was similar among the 3 groups (=7.966, >0.05). There were no significant differences on the lesion distribution (=13.053, >0.05) and predominate involvement of the subpleural area of bilateral lower lobes (=4.809, >0.05) among the 3 groups. The lesions appeared more focal in COVID-19 pneumonia at early phase (=23.509, <0.05). The proportions of crazy-paving pattern (=23.037, <0.001), organizing pneumonia pattern (<0.05) and pleural effusions (<0.001) in COVID-19 pneumonia were significantly lower than the other two. Although rarely shown in the early CT findings of all three viral pneumonias, the fibrotic changes were more frequent in SARS than COVID-19 and MERS (=6.275, <0.05). For other imaging signs, only the MERS pneumonia demonstrated tree-in-buds, cavitation, and its incidence rate of interlobular or intralobular septal thickening presented significantly increased as compared to the other two pneumonia (=22.412, <0.05). No pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and lymphadenopathy was present for each group. Conclusions Imaging findings on early stage of these three coronavirus pneumonias showed similar basic lesion patterns, including GGO and consolidation, bilateral distribution, and predominant involvement of the subpleural area and the lower lobes. Early signs of COVID-19 pneumonia showed less severity of inflammation. Early fibrotic changes appeared in SARS only. MERS had more severe inflammatory changes including cavitation and pleural effusion. The differences may indicate the specific pathophysiological processes for each coronavirus pneumonia.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnostic imaging ; SARS Virus ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks that emerged in Wuhan city, Hubei province, have led to a formidable number of confirmed cases that resulted in >5,700 deaths globally, including 143 countries in all 6 continents. The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern with a very high level of global risk assessment. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent of COVID-19, has >79% nucleotide sequence homology to SARS-CoV; therefore, both belong to the genus betacoronavirus and subgenus sarbecovirus. The S1 domains of the two appeared to share the cellular receptor ACE2, but revealed a much higher S1-ACE2 binding affinity. As seen in many other human coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 also shows respiratory infection, but the basic reproductive number (R₀) in transmission and the clinical latency are quite dissimilar from those of SARS- or MERS-CoVs. Many scientists infer that the time point of cross-barrier transfer from bats to mediate animals or to humans should be a rather recent event based on the full-length genome analyses obtained from the very first patients. Copy-choice polymerization, which often leads to a significant genome recombination rate in most coronaviruses, predicts the continued emergence of novel coronaviruses.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chiroptera ; Coronavirus ; Disease Outbreaks ; Emergencies ; Genome ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Molecular Biology ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Public Health ; Recombination, Genetic ; Risk Assessment ; SARS Virus ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; World Health Organization