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SARS-CoV-2 is well adapted for humans. What does this mean for re-emergence?

View ORCID ProfileShing Hei Zhan, View ORCID ProfileBenjamin E. Deverman, View ORCID ProfileYujia Alina Chan
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.01.073262
Shing Hei Zhan
1Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
2Fusion Genomics Corporation, Burnaby BC, Canada
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  • For correspondence: zhan@zoology.ubc.ca alinac@broadinstitute.org
Benjamin E. Deverman
3Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
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Yujia Alina Chan
3Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
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  • For correspondence: zhan@zoology.ubc.ca alinac@broadinstitute.org
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Abstract

In a side-by-side comparison of evolutionary dynamics between the 2019/2020 SARS-CoV-2 and the 2003 SARS-CoV, we were surprised to find that SARS-CoV-2 resembles SARS-CoV in the late phase of the 2003 epidemic after SARS-CoV had developed several advantageous adaptations for human transmission. Our observations suggest that by the time SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in late 2019, it was already pre-adapted to human transmission to an extent similar to late epidemic SARS-CoV. However, no precursors or branches of evolution stemming from a less human-adapted SARS-CoV-2-like virus have been detected. The sudden appearance of a highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 presents a major cause for concern that should motivate stronger international efforts to identify the source and prevent near future re-emergence. Any existing pools of SARS-CoV-2 progenitors would be particularly dangerous if similarly well adapted for human transmission. To look for clues regarding intermediate hosts, we analyze recent key findings relating to how SARS-CoV-2 could have evolved and adapted for human transmission, and examine the environmental samples from the Wuhan Huanan seafood market. Importantly, the market samples are genetically identical to human SARS-CoV-2 isolates and were therefore most likely from human sources. We conclude by describing and advocating for measured and effective approaches implemented in the 2002-2004 SARS outbreaks to identify lingering population(s) of progenitor virus.

Competing Interest Statement

Shing Hei Zhan is a Co-founder and lead bioinformatics scientist at Fusion Genomics Corporation, which develops molecular diagnostic assays for infectious diseases.

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY 4.0 International license.
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Posted May 02, 2020.
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SARS-CoV-2 is well adapted for humans. What does this mean for re-emergence?
Shing Hei Zhan, Benjamin E. Deverman, Yujia Alina Chan
bioRxiv 2020.05.01.073262; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.01.073262
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SARS-CoV-2 is well adapted for humans. What does this mean for re-emergence?
Shing Hei Zhan, Benjamin E. Deverman, Yujia Alina Chan
bioRxiv 2020.05.01.073262; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.01.073262

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