Evidences on SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) : How many species does it infect?

Can it transfer from species to species?

India

healthysoch

Source: DHS Science and Technology, Master Question List for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2), Weekly Report, 18 March 2020

New Delhi, April 03, 2020 ;

 What do we know?

• Early genomic analysis suggests that SARS-CoV-2 bears similarity to SARS,¹with a suggested bat origin. ^1-3
• SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis suggests that a non-bat intermediate species is behind the outset of the outbreak.⁴The identity of the intermediate host still remains unknown. ^5-7
• Positive samples from the South China Seafood Market point to a wildlife source;⁸however, it is possible that the virus was circulating in humans before the disease was associated with the seafood market. ^9-12
• Experiments suggest that SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) receptor-binding domain binds the human cell receptor (ACE2) stronger than SARS.¹³ This factor potentially explains its high transmissibility. It has been suggested that differences between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Spike proteins may limit the therapeutic ability of SARS antibody treatments. ¹³
• Modeling between SARS-CoV-2 Spike and ACE2 proteins suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can bind and infect human, bat, civet, monkey and swine cells.¹⁴
• No experimental evidence currently exists that SARS-CoV-2 infects domestic animals or livestock, though it is expected that some animal species could be infected.

What do we need to know?

• What is the intermediate host(s)?
• What are the mutations in SARS-CoV-2 that enable human infection and transmission?
• What animals can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., pet dogs, potential wildlife reservoirs)?

Author : Dr KK Aggarwal