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Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals and potential host adaptation

Medicine and Health

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals and potential host adaptation

C. C. S. Tan, S. D. Lam, et al.

Explore how SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, adapts in various mammals! This study by Cedric C. S. Tan, Su Datt Lam, Damien Richard, and colleagues delves into unique mutations in mink and white-tailed deer, revealing insights into the virus's ability to jump hosts with minimal adaptations. Discover the implications of these findings on human transmission dynamics.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has infected a wide range of mammals. Secondary host jumps from humans to various mammals have been documented. This study compares SARS-CoV-2 genomes from animals (mink and white-tailed deer) to human genomes, analyzing mutational biases to assess adaptation. Five candidate mutations for mink adaptation and one for deer adaptation were identified, but these appear to confer minimal advantage for human-to-human transmission. Circulation in these animals did not significantly alter the mutation rate or evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting minimal adaptation was required for transmission, highlighting the virus's generalist nature as a mammalian pathogen.
Publisher
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Published On
May 27, 2022
Authors
Cedric C. S. Tan, Su Datt Lam, Damien Richard, Christopher J. Owen, Dorothea Berchtold, Christine Orengo, Meera Surendran Nair, Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Vivek Kapur, Lucy van Dorp, François Balloux
Tags
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
mammals
mutations
adaptation
transmission
viral evolution
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