Plasticity, and Cross-Species Transmission of Coronavirus

Abstract

The coronavirus is viral infection that is known to cause numerous health problems in humans and in many animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the coronavirus has been linked to human epidemics for the third time in two decades; SARS-2003, MERS-2013, and recently nCoV-2019. Each cross-species transmissions of coronavirus in humans have been traced to the same novel coronavirus found in bats (in forms of betacoronavirus). Known facets of coronavirus attribute to its ability to adapt and evolve into different environments. Thus the reservoirs bats provide give ample opportunity for the coronavirus to generate cross-species transmissible traits. Recent research has delved into gaining a better understanding of what molecular factors influence the cross-species transmission rate of the coronavirus. These findings range from: broad receptor engagements, affirmations of the MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) origins, and bat-derived coronavirus strands that gain transmission to pigs. However, an issue that remains is that there is no concrete way to predict/ model cross-species transmission. Meaning global reaction time is still compromised.