Immunological Features and Hypotheses: Do SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV-Reported Individuals have Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Rafat Zrieq
Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il Saudi Arabia.
Najoua Haouas
Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology-Mycology LP3M (code LR12ES08), Department of Clinical Biology B, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Tunisia.
Reem M. Ali
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, KSA.
Hamoud F. Alshammari
Department of Health Administration, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.
Fahad D. Algahtani *
Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il Saudi Arabia and Molecular Diagnostic and Personalised Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
COVID-19 spreads abnormally compared to its counterparts in the same family "beta-coronaviruses". Today, we count more than 130 million affected humans affected by the COVID-19. Therefore, the study of means of prevention and treatment is an urgent need. Interestingly, the novel virus (SARS-CoV-2) has some similarities with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. It is known that heterologous immunity is well recognized within species of the same family. The use of previously recognized effective antibodies for SARS and MERS virus may prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to compare between SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 genomic and proteomic identity/similarity and their cross-immunity as well as their immunological features in the context of COVID-19 diseases prevention and treatment methods.
Keywords: COVID-19, heterologous immunity, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2