Difference Between COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and Coronavirus - Paper Example

Introdution

The terms COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and coronavirus all mean different things since viruses and the diseases they cause commonly have different names. The term SARS-CoV-2 stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and refers to the new virus's name, while COVID-19 refers to the disease caused by the new virus. On the other hand, the term coronavirus refers to a family of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2.

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Labeled Structure Role in Replication

LABEL STRUCTURE ROLE IN REPLICATION

1. Viral Genome (RNA) The Viral Genome (RNA) is released into the human cell and is translated to protein by the human cell’s ribosomes, which aids the Viral RNA polymerase in transcribing more copies of the virus’s RNA.

2. Crown/Spike The protein spikes Attach to a specific protein on the surface of a human cell, which causes the virus's cell membrane to fuse with the membrane of the human cell, releasing the viral genome into the human cell.

3. Envelope The envelope membrane attaches to a specific protein on the surface of a human cell.

SARS-CoV-2’s Ability to Replicate

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is 10 to 20 times more likely to bind to human proteins than the coronavirus (Liji, 2020). Hence the SARS-CoV-2 virus can replicate itself, making it more infectious than the coronavirus and other viruses (Liji, 2020).

Steps in Replication of SARS-Cov-2

The virus binds to a receptor on a human cell membrane.

The virus releases its RNA genome into the cell.

The virus’s RNA is translated into proteins by the cell’s ribosomes.

Viral RNA polymerase helps transcribe more copies of the virus’s RNA.

New viruses travel to the cell membrane of the infected cell and are released outside the cell.

The orders of steps, according to letters, are as; C, A, E, B, and D.

Role of Viral RNA Polymerase in Replication

The SARS-CoV-2 uses the ribosomes inside the human cells to translate its RNA into viral proteins. One of the viral proteins being the Viral RNA polymerase that aids the SARS-CoV-2 make more copies. The RNA polymerase transcribes the viral RNA making more RNAs that are translated into viral proteins. The RNA polymerase also makes more copies of the whole virus's genome that fuse with the viral protein to make a newly formed virus.

Evolution

List of Nucleotides Found in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome

Adenine (A)

Thymine (T)

Guanine (G)

Cytosine (C)

Virus Mutations Potential Harm to Humans

Single or multiple mutations that have the potential possibility of making the virus more successful by enabling it to spread more quickly. The mutations enable the virus to be more precarious by making it more efficient in infecting cells; hence, it can increase the rate of infection that results in more death.

Possibility of Developing a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine that Requires Less Modification

During the replication of viruses, mutations can occur, which might make the virus evolve into a more or less dangerous form. Different viruses have different rates of mutations. For example, the flu virus mutates more frequently; hence its vaccine needs to be modified regularly in keeping up with the virus. On the other hand, the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates less regularly; hence its vaccine development would not require frequent modification.

Prediction of the Impact of the 81 Base Deletion in the Population Over Time

The Arizona research produced three whole SARS-CoV-2 genomes from a chain of samples and established that of the samples collected; one of the genomes had a massive deletion of 81 base pairs (Bowler, 2020). The gene developed an additional protein that aids the virus in infecting, replicating, and spreading in the host (Bowler, 2020). The protein has also been established to aid the virus in evading the immune system and killing the human cell after replication is completed (Bowler, 2020). Hence, the deletion can have a devastating effect on the population over time with a higher infection rate and fatalities.

Tracking Changes Through Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes

Human genomes consist of double-stranded DNA and entail a unique code of four nucleotide base 'letters,' which are over three billion letters long. In comparison, the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome consists of a sole small short RNA strand that is only 30,000 letters long; hence, it can be read on one after the other through sequencing (UK Research and Innovation, 2020). Virus genomes frequently undergo mutations where some of the letters change as they divide and spread by infecting other people (UK Research and Innovation, 2020). The changes can be exploited to trail the virus's spread by sequencing, recording, and analyzing the genomes. Massive sequencing can help epidemiologists and public health officials comprehend how the virus spreads and assess their interventions' effectiveness. The tracking of new variants also aids in ensuring the vaccines developed are up to date with the strains of the virus (UK Research and Innovation, 2020).

Detection

Testing For Active SARS-CoV-2 Infection

In testing for active SARS-CoV-2 infection, two tests are done, the RT-PCR test and the antigen test. The RT-PCR test tests for the presence of pieces of the virus's RNA genome and takes a maximum of one week to establish the results. The antigen test tests pieces of viral proteins and takes a maximum of an hour to establish the virus's presence. On the accuracy of tests, the RT-PCR test has few false negatives and usually lacks additional tests. In contrast, the antigen test typically has false negatives with a need for a more additional test. Hence, in planning to pay a visit for a family member in a nursing home, I would choose to be tested with the RT-PCR test due to its accuracy in establishing the virus's presence.

Testing Negative for Active SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Positive for SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies

There exist different methods used to test if an individual is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or whether one had been infected and recovered. RT-PCR test and the antigen tests are used to test the virus's active presence in the human body. However, when an individual has recovered from the virus, then the tests would register the individual as negative. Consequently, an individual who has recovered, the antibody test might register as positive of SARS-CoV-2. The positive result is because the antibody test uses an individual's blood sample to test for the presence of specific types of antibodies that recognize the virus. Therefore when an individual has recovered from a virus could test negative for active SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequently test positive for SARS-Cov-2 antibodies.

References

Bowler, J. (2020, May 06). Studies Have Found New Mutations in The Coronavirus. Here's What That Means. Science Alert. https://www.sciencealert.com/yes-scars-cov-2-is-mutating-but-before-you-freak-out-this/amp

Liji, T. (2020, June 30). Spike protein and human ACE2 binding ability show SARS-CoV-2 viral adaption. News Medical Life Sciences. https://www.news-medical.net/amp/news/20200630/Spike-protein-and-human-ACE2-binding-ability-shows-SARS-CoV-2-viral-adaptation.aspx

UK Research and Innovation. (2020, March 25). How does virus genome sequencing help the response to COVID-19? UK Research and Innovation. https://coronavirusexplained.ikri.org/en/article/und0001/