Epidemic history and evolution of an emerging threat of international concern, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

Marta Giovanetti; Francesco Branda; Eleonora Cella; Fabio Scarpa; Liliana Bazzani; Alessandra Ciccozzi; Svetoslav Nanev Slavov; Domenico Benvenuto; Daria Sanna; Marco Casu; Luciane Amorim Santos; Alessia Lai; Giangluglielmo Zehender; Francesca Caccuri; Andrea Ianni; Arnaldo Caruso; Antonello Maroutti; Stefano Pascarella; Alessandra Borsetti; Massimo Ciccozzi

doi:10.1002/jmv.29012

Epidemic history and evolution of an emerging threat of international concern, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

J Med Virol. 2023 Aug;95(8):e29012. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29012.

Authors

Marta Giovanetti^{1

2}, Francesco Branda³, Eleonora Cella⁴, Fabio Scarpa⁵, Liliana Bazzani², Alessandra Ciccozzi⁶, Svetoslav Nanev Slavov^{7

8}, Domenico Benvenuto⁶, Daria Sanna⁵, Marco Casu⁹, Luciane Amorim Santos^{10

11

12}, Alessia Lai¹³, Giangluglielmo Zehender¹³, Francesca Caccuri¹⁴, Andrea Ianni¹⁵, Arnaldo Caruso¹⁴, Antonello Maroutti¹⁶, Stefano Pascarella¹⁷, Alessandra Borsetti¹⁸, Massimo Ciccozzi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Instituto Rene Rachou Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
² Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy, Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Computer Science, Modeling, Electronics and Systems Engineering (DIMES), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
⁴ Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
⁵ Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
⁶ Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁷ Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁸ Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁹ Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
¹⁰ Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
¹¹ Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
¹² Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Praça Ramos de Queirós, s/n, Largo do Terreiro de Jesus, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
¹³ Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
¹⁴ Section of Microbiology Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
¹⁵ M.G. Vannini Hospital IFSC Rome, Research Unit in Hygiene UCBM Rome, Rome, Italy.
¹⁶ Department GEPLI, Libera Università Maria Ss Assunta, Rome, Italy.
¹⁷ Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
¹⁸ National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), Rome, Italy.

PMID: 37548148
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29012

Abstract

This comprehensive review focuses on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its impact as the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its objective is to provide a cohesive overview of the epidemic history and evolutionary aspects of the virus, with a particular emphasis on its emergence, global spread, and implications for public health. The review delves into the timelines and key milestones of SARS-CoV-2's epidemiological progression, shedding light on the challenges encountered during early containment efforts and subsequent waves of transmission. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of the virus is crucial in monitoring its potential for adaptation and future outbreaks. Genetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 is discussed, with a focus on the emergence of new variants and their implications for transmissibility, severity, and immune evasion. The review highlights the important role of genomic surveillance in tracking viral mutations linked to establishing public health interventions. By analyzing the origins, global spread, and genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, valuable insights can be gained for the development of effective control measures, improvement of pandemic preparedness, and addressing future emerging infectious diseases of international concern.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; emerging variants; evolution; genomic surveillance.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control
Public Health
SARS-CoV-2* / genetics