Champigny-sur-Marne, April 6, 2020. At the entrance to the emergency rooms dedicated to coronavirus patients.

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V. VANTIGHEM

  • Researchers are advancing in knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

  • Lille virologist Anne Goffard takes stock of the progress made.

  • Many unknowns remain, especially on the issue of immunity.

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Ten months ago, we knew nothing about this new coronavirus which, today, has contaminated the entire planet.

If the one which is now called SARS-CoV-2 has not yet revealed all its secrets, the researchers have nevertheless cleared the ground quite a bit.

Lille virologist Anne Goffard has compiled most of the knowledge on the current coronavirus in an article published on the website The Conversation.

Leave the wild animals in peace

There is little doubt about the origin of SARS-CoV-2.

Like SARS-CoV-1, its predecessor which appeared between 2002 and 2003, the coronavirus which is currently raging in the world comes from the bat.

The virologist explains, however, that there is still no certainty on how the virus passed from small mammals to humans.

The transmission could have passed through an intermediary, the pangolin, or be done directly.

What we are sure is that the SARS-CoV-2 genome “tends to rearrange itself as the virus multiplies,” continues the scientist.

The direct consequence is the risk of “new emergences in humans.

"The best solution to guard against a new epidemic of a new coronavirus is to" stop the hunting and trade in wild animals, "says Anne Goffard.

A virus more vicious but less deadly than the others

The virologist believes that the current coronavirus can be compared to two others, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, also highly pathogenic.

In the state of knowledge, however, there are notable differences.

The case fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2 is between 0.3 and 0.6% while it is 10% for its predecessor and 36% for MERS-CoV.

However, it is no less dangerous.

Unlike SARS-CoV-1, this coronavirus can infect people without them developing symptoms, which allows it to spread much more easily.

The scientist also notes that SARS-CoV-2 “is responsible for more severe pathologies than the other two highly pathogenic coronaviruses.

Worse, researchers believe that this coronavirus can leave sequelae "in patients who have been infected and have recovered, even in mild forms.

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Tracks to beat him and a lot of questions

The Lille virologist evokes the avenues worked by researchers to develop a vaccine or antivirals.

The most promising concern two viral enzymes, one allowing the virus to reproduce, the other allowing it to protect its genetic material.

The third avenue is to attack the protein that allows the virus to enter the human body.

There are also a lot of unknowns.

Scientists still do not understand why some patients are asymptomatic or why the duration of the immunity of people who have been sick is short, between 6 months and 1 year.

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