Coronavirus
摘要
Coronaviruses (CoVs) constitute a phylogenetically diverse viral family recognized for causing infections of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system in humans and various animal species. Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have particularly captured attention due to their potential to cause severe respiratory illness outbreaks. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), and the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) represent three dangerous human pathogens within the coronavirus family, sharing structural features like a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) genome, an enveloped structure derived from host membranes, and a characteristic crown-like appearance under electron microscopy due to the prominent Spike (S) glycoproteins embedded in their envelope. Coronaviruses typically exhibit varying tissue tropism. The manifestations of coronavirus-induced lesions can vary widely, ranging from damage to respiratory and enteric epithelial tissues to more severe outcomes such as disseminated disease affecting multiple organs.