Animal-to-Human Viral Transitions: Is SARS-CoV-2 an Evolutionarily Successful One?

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

Abstract

Transmission of viruses from one species to another is not unusual in nature. Despite this, evolutionarily successful transmissions are rare. Such events can cause pandemics and are followed by host–virus coevolution procedures that can increase the fitness potential of viruses. In this perspective article, I recognize eight main types of trans-species viral transmission. I consider two of them as evolutionarily successful, explaining why coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 could be one of them.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)421-423
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Molecular Evolution
Volume88
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Epidemic
  • Gene
  • Infection
  • Molecular evolution
  • Mutation
  • Natural selection

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