Pathology

=Pathology=

Three antigenic molecules are found in the virions: Antigenic determinants can be found on all five structural proteins (M, E, S, HE, and N). The N antigens may be common to all coronaviruses, while the main antigenic determinants of individual viruses reside on the surface. The surface antigens are used for the [|serological]grouping of coronaviruses. One avian and two mammalian serological groups have been established. Human coronavirus strains fall into each of the mammalian groups which are named the [|OC43] and [|229E] serological groups. It is not clear how closely related are the viruses within a serological group.
 * nucleocapsid
 * surface projections
 * transmembrane proteins

Pathogenic Coronaviridae viruses
Coronaviruses cause respiratory and enteric disease in a variety of animals. In humans, the major site of virus replication is the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and are responsible for 10 - 30% of all common colds. The viruses causing hte common cold have a very defined tissue tropism for nasopharynx epithelium. All age groups are affected, and infection rates have been shown to be uniform for all age groups. The symptoms are similar to those of rhinovirus colds (runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fever, chills etc.) with an incubation time of about 2-4 days. Viral spread depends upon the immune response of the patient; the immunity is short-lived. Symptoms may last about a week with variation between patients. Often there are no apparent symptoms but the patient still sheds infectious virus. In contrast to the rhinoviruses, which are not enveloped, coronaviruses are rather unstable. Transmission is by transfer of nasal secretions such as in aerosols caused by sneezes. Transmission can also be from feceal to oral. Viruses that infect epithelial cells of the enteric tract cause diarrhea.

In the late winter and spring of 2003, a new illness broke out. The illness was Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which was focused in China and Singapore. SARS proved to be more than a common cold with a case fatality rate of 10-20%. ([|source]), ([|source]) __Sources__- Bloom, David C. //et al//. (2008). Third Edition. //Basic Virology//. Blackwell Publishing.

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