SARSCoV

SARS-CoV, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, is a coronavirus that caused the global SARS outbreak of 2002–2003. It belongs to the genus Betacoronavirus, subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, and is part of the species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus. Distinct from SARS-CoV-2, it is a different coronavirus.

Virology: It is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus with a genome of about 29.7 kilobases. The spike (S) glycoprotein mediates entry by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on host cells. Replication occurs in the cytoplasm and involves standard coronavirus replication machinery.

Ecology and transmission: Phylogenetic analyses link SARS-CoV to coronaviruses circulating in bats, with evidence for an intermediate host in the early outbreak, such as civet cats, in live animal markets in southern China. Transmission occurred mainly through close person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets; several super-spreading events contributed to its rapid spread.

Outbreak and control: The first major outbreak was identified in Guangdong Province, China, in 2002. By 2003, cases were reported worldwide, with approximately 8,000 confirmed infections and 774 deaths. The outbreak was largely stopped through early case detection, isolation, quarantine, infection control in healthcare settings, and travel advisories; there has been no sustained community transmission since 2004. No licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment existed at the time; management focused on supportive care and containment measures.

Impact and legacy: SARS-CoV highlighted the potential for coronaviruses to cause severe respiratory disease in humans and led to improvements in global outbreak surveillance and infection control practices. It remains a reference pathogen for studying zoonotic spillover and coronavirus biology.