Document Detail


Molecular epidemiology of the novel coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  14726162     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerged disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which spread globally in early 2003, affecting over 30 countries. We have used molecular epidemiology to define the patterns of spread of the virus in Hong Kong and beyond. METHODS: The case definition of SARS was based on that recommended by WHO. We genetically sequenced the gene for the S1 unit of the viral spike protein of viruses from patients with SARS in Hong Kong (138) and Guangdong (three) in February to April, 2003. We undertook phylogenetic comparisons with 27 other sequences available from public databases (Genbank). FINDINGS: Most of the Hong Kong viruses (139/142), including those from a large outbreak in an apartment block, clustered closely together with the isolate from a single index case (HKU-33) who came from Guangdong to Hong Kong in late February. Three other isolates were genetically distinct from HKU-33 in Hong Kong during February, but none of these contributed substantially to the subsequent local outbreak. Viruses identified in Guangdong and Beijing were genetically more diverse. INTERPRETATION: The molecular epidemiological evidence suggests that most SARS-CoV from the outbreak in Hong Kong, as well as the viruses from Canada, Vietnam, and Singapore, are genetically closely linked. Three viruses found in Hong Kong in February were phylogenetically distinct from the major cluster, which suggests that several introductions of the virus had occurred, but that only one was associated with the subsequent outbreak in Hong Kong, which in turn spread globally.
Authors:
Y Guan; J S M Peiris; B Zheng; L L M Poon; K H Chan; F Y Zeng; C W M Chan; M N Chan; J D Chen; K Y C Chow; C C Hon; K H Hui; J Li; V Y Y Li; Y Wang; S W Leung; K Y Yuen; F C Leung
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Lancet     Volume:  363     ISSN:  1474-547X     ISO Abbreviation:  Lancet     Publication Date:  2004 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-01-16     Completed Date:  2004-02-27     Revised Date:  2009-11-19    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985213R     Medline TA:  Lancet     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  99-104     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Canada / epidemiology
Databases, Nucleic Acid / statistics & numerical data
Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data
Genome, Viral
Hong Kong / epidemiology
Humans
Molecular Epidemiology
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods
RNA, Viral / genetics
SARS Virus / genetics*
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology*,  transmission,  virology
Singapore / epidemiology
Vietnam / epidemiology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
A195357//PHS HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/RNA, Viral

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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