Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Page 1 of 1

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SARC-CoV belongs to the group beta-coronavirus of the familyCoronaviridae, the largest RNA viruses. First emerged from China in 2003, it spread toother parts of the world in the following year. A closely related MERS-CoV wasreported in 2013 with 30-90% fatality. The virus contains four structural proteins (S, E,M, and N) along with non-structural and accessory proteins involved in viralpathogenesis and virulence. The virus mainly spreads through aerosols; bats arereservoir hosts; human-human transmission is also reported. It attacks lungs' tissue byvirus-specific ACE2 receptors. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines increaseduring infection. Fever, pain, and dyspnea are important clinical signs, and deathoccurs due to acute and severe respiratory distress. Autopsy lesions resemble the HPAIH5N1 strain. RT-PCR is mainly used for accurate detection of the virus. No specifictreatment or vaccine is available at this stage, but certain drugs like ribavirin haveshown potential results.