Environmental survival and microbicide inactivation of coronaviruses

Abstract

Since their first isolation from chickens in 1937 [1], coronaviruses have proven to be significant pathogens of many types of wild as well as economically important domesticated animals.Though coronaviruses were first identified as human respiratory pathogens in 1965 [2], only recently, with their established link with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), has there been a sudden upsurge of interest in this group of viruses. Taxonomically, these enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses [1] belong in the genus Coronavirus of the family Coronaviridae in the order Nidovirales [3]. To date, the genus contains some 14 members. Birds and mammals are the known hosts with a wide variety of species affected. In mammals, coronaviruses have been isolated from pigs, cattle, mice, rats, dogs, horses, cats, and humans [1], and in birds mainly from chickens [4] and turkeys [5]. Coronaviruses 229E and OC43 are recognized respiratory pathogens of humans. The causative agent of SARS (SARS-CoV), which has now been fully characterized [6], awaits its formal inclusion in the genus. Genomic studies show SARS-CoV to be unique as it contains elements of both mammalian and avian ancestry [7] and the effect of this recombination has been disastrous for humans. In the first recorded outbreak in 2003, the virus caused 8,461 clinical cases and 804 recorded deaths globally [8]. Fortunately, and in spite of its seemingly high mutation rates [9], the spread of the virus was effectively controlled, mainly through general public health measures and basic infection control practices. Nevertheless, the SARS incident has had a significant impact on human health and the global economy [10] and thus highlighted the need to better understand the modes and vehicles for its spread and proper means to interrupt its environmental transmission. Environmental survival and microbicide inactivation of coronaviruses