Recombination in Coronaviruses, with a Focus on SARS-CoV-2

Daniele Focosi; Fabrizio Maggi

doi:10.3390/v14061239

Recombination in Coronaviruses, with a Focus on SARS-CoV-2

Viruses. 2022 Jun 7;14(6):1239. doi: 10.3390/v14061239.

Authors

Daniele Focosi¹, Fabrizio Maggi²

Affiliations

¹ North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
² Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.

Abstract

Recombination is a common evolutionary tool for RNA viruses, and coronaviruses are no exception. We review here the evidence for recombination in SARS-CoV-2 and reconcile nomenclature for recombinants, discuss their origin and fitness, and speculate how recombinants could make a difference in the future of the COVID-19 pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronaviridae; PANGOLIN; SARS-CoV-2; coinfection; recombination; superinfection.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19*
Chiroptera*
Phylogeny
Recombination, Genetic
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.