BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has recently been identified as a new clinical entity. SARS is thought to be caused by an unknown infectious agent. METHODS: Clinical specimens from patients with SARS were searched for unknown viruses with the use of cell cultures and molecular techniques. RESULTS: A novel coronavirus was identified in patients with SARS. The virus was isolated in cell culture, and a sequence 300 nucleotides in length was obtained by a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)-based random-amplification procedure. Genetic characterization indicated that the virus is only distantly related to known coronaviruses (identical in 50 to 60 percent of the nucleotide sequence). On the basis of the obtained sequence, conventional and real-time PCR assays for specific and sensitive detection of the novel virus were established. Virus was detected in a variety of clinical specimens from patients with SARS but not in controls. High concentrations of viral RNA of up to 100 million molecules per milliliter were found in sputum. Viral RNA was also detected at extremely low concentrations in plasma during the acute phase and in feces during the late convalescent phase. Infected patients showed seroconversion on the Vero cells in which the virus was isolated. CONCLUSIONS: The novel coronavirus might have a role in causing SARS. Copyright 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society
BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has recently been identified as a new clinical entity. SARS is thought to be caused by an unknown infectious agent. METHODS: Clinical specimens from patients with SARS were searched for unknown viruses with the use of cell cultures and molecular techniques. RESULTS: A novel coronavirus was identified in patients with SARS. The virus was isolated in cell culture, and a sequence 300 nucleotides in length was obtained by a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)-based random-amplification procedure. Genetic characterization indicated that the virus is only distantly related to known coronaviruses (identical in 50 to 60 percent of the nucleotide sequence). On the basis of the obtained sequence, conventional and real-time PCR assays for specific and sensitive detection of the novel virus were established. Virus was detected in a variety of clinical specimens from patients with SARS but not in controls. High concentrations of viral RNA of up to 100 million molecules per milliliter were found in sputum. Viral RNA was also detected at extremely low concentrations in plasma during the acute phase and in feces during the late convalescent phase. Infected patients showed seroconversion on the Vero cells in which the virus was isolated. CONCLUSIONS: The novel coronavirus might have a role in causing SARS. Copyright 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society
Authors: Marc Lipsitch; Ted Cohen; Ben Cooper; James M Robins; Stefan Ma; Lyn James; Gowri Gopalakrishna; Suok Kai Chew; Chorh Chuan Tan; Matthew H Samore; David Fisman; Megan Murray Journal: Science Date: 2003-05-23 Impact factor: 47.728
Authors: Patrick Tang; Marie Louie; Susan E Richardson; Marek Smieja; Andrew E Simor; Frances Jamieson; Margaret Fearon; Susan M Poutanen; Tony Mazzulli; Raymond Tellier; James Mahony; Mark Loeb; Astrid Petrich; Max Chernesky; Allison McGeer; Donald E Low; Elizabeth Phillips; Steven Jones; Nathalie Bastien; Yan Li; Daryl Dick; Allen Grolla; Lisa Fernando; Timothy F Booth; Bonnie Henry; Anita R Rachlis; Larissa M Matukas; David B Rose; Reena Lovinsky; Sharon Walmsley; Wayne L Gold; Sigmund Krajden Journal: CMAJ Date: 2004-01-06 Impact factor: 8.262