Coronaviruses are a family of single-stranded, positive-strand, enveloped viruses that are classified in the Nidovirales order. The family of Coronaviruses consists many pathogens that infect both humans and animals. Of research interest is the recent isolation of the virus in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Nagata, Yoshikawa and Taguchi (2010) laments that; during the outbreak of the deadly SARS in 2003, around 10% of the victims developed severe respiratory complications and succumbed to death. Weiss and Navas-Martin (2005) reiterates that the virus has remained obscure for many years since it caused only a common cold in human beings. However, its deadly outbreaks have sparked interest in the study of its pathogenesis, replication and proteins to aid in vaccine development and therapy efficiency.

• Problem Statement

Since the outbreak of SARS in the spring of 2003, which left many people dead, there has been a need to study the pathogenesis of Coronavirus, as well as to understand its replication and mutations. Due to the numeracy of the virus species, the role of the proteins and the potential for mutations, there is a need to study the pathogenesis of the virus extensively, in order to succeed in therapy effectiveness and vaccine development (Du et al., 2009). Licitra et al. (2013) highlights the potential for mutation of the Spike Protein, which plays a key role in the development of immunity against infection by SARS-Cov.

• Research Purpose

The potential threat of outbreaks of viral diseases due to Coronavirus has been documented (Weiss and Navas-Martin, 2005; Martin-Navas & Weiss, 2004; Coleman & Frieman, 2013). The development of an effective vaccine and therapy is crucial for the preparation of such an occurrence. Development of effective vaccines and therapy will depend on adequate knowledge of the pathogenesis, replication and mutations of the virus. This research paper aims at expounding on the implications of Coronavirus pathogenesis on vaccine development and effective therapy.

4. 0 Research Objective

-To investigate the implications of Coronavirus pathogenesis on vaccine development and effective therapy.

5.0 Research Methodology

The research paper will be a secondary research that will rely on the documented literature as the population of the study. Literature searches will be conducted on credible academic websites like CINAHL, PubMed, GoPubMed, Global Health, MedlinePlus, SciELO, WorldWide Science and others. The search terms will include Coronavirus, Coronavirus Pathogenesis, Coronavirus replication, Coronavirus mutations, SARS, Coronavirus vaccine development, SARS therapy and others. The research will be limited to articles published in 10-year period.

6.0 Literature Review

The literature review section will include a synthesis of current research on the pathogenesis, replication and mutations of Coronavirus. It will also include the various species of Coronaviruses and the diseases they cause. Additionally, the section will include documented literature on the development of Coronavirus Vaccine and therapy, and how they are affected by the virus’ pathogenesis, replication and mutations.

7. 0 Research Findings

This section will include the findings from the literature review. The research will draw the important findings as will be evidenced in the review of literature.

8.0 Analysis

The research will analyze the findings in this section

9.0 Conclusions and Recommendations.

After studying the problem through literature review and analyzing the findings, the researcher will make conclusions and recommendations based on the findings.

References

Coleman, M. C., & Frieman, B. M. (2013). Emergence of the Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus. PLOS Medicine, 9(9) e1003595. Retrieved from http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1003595

Du, L., Zhou, Y., He, Y., Jiang, S., Zheng, B.J., & Liu, S. (2009). The Spike protein of SARS-Cov-a target for vaccine and therapy development. Nature Reviews, Microbiology, 7(3), 226-236. < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19198616>

Licitra, M.B., Millet, J. K., Reagan, D. M., Hamilton, S. B., Rinaldi, V. D. … & Whittake, G. R. (2013). Mutation in spike protein cleavage site and pathogenesis of feline coronavirus. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 19(7).

Martin-Navas, S., & Weiss, R. S. (2004). Coronavirus replication and pathogenesis: Implications for the recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the challenge for vaccine development. Journal of Neuro Virology, 10,75-85.

Nagata, N., Yoshikawa, N., & Taguchi, F. (2010). Studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus in human cases and animal models. Veterinary Pathology, 47(5), 881-882.

Weiss, R.S., & Navas-Martin, S. (2005). Carnivorous pathogenesis and the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 69(4), 635-664. < http://mmbr.asm.org/content/69/4/635.full>