Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses represent a major group of viruses of both molecular biological interest and clinical significance in animals and humans. During the past two decades, coronavirus research has been an expanding field and, since 1980, an international symposium was held every 3 years. We organized the yth symposium for providing an opportunity to assess important progresses made since the last symposium in Cambridge (U. K. ) and to suggest areas for future investigations.

Interest in the coronaviruses has never been greater. Their economic impact is considerable as they infect humans, livestock, poultry and companion animals. Murine hepatitis virus (MHV) infection of the mouse and rat central nervous systems are the subject of intense study; these investigations are providing insights into the potential role of viruses in human neurological diseases and, more generally, into mechanisms causing neurological damage.

Coronaviruses have emerged during the past ten years from being a group of viruses causing a variety of minor veterinary and human diseases to a major virus group of both clinical significance and molecular biological interest. Against this background, two international coronavirus symposia were held in 1980 and 1983. In recent years, the pace of coronavirus research has been quickened even more by infusion of recombinant DNA technology and establishment of various animal model systems to study the pathogenesis and immunology of coronavirus infections.

by Delthia Ricks (Author)
The COVID-19 pandemic has staked its claim as the deadliest worldwide respiratory disease outbreak in over 100 years