Aetiology: Koch's postulates fulfilled for SARS virus

Nature. 2003 May 15;423(6937):240. doi: 10.1038/423240a.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has recently emerged as a new human disease, resulting globally in 435 deaths from 6,234 probable cases (as of 3 May 2003). Here we provide proof from experimental infection of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that the newly discovered SARS-associated coronavirus (SCV) is the aetiological agent of this disease. Our understanding of the aetiology of SARS will expedite the development of diagnostic tests, antiviral therapies and vaccines, and may allow a more concise case definition for this emerging disease.

Supplementary information: The online version of this article (doi:10.1038/423240a) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Exanthema / complications
  • Feces / virology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Macaca fascicularis / immunology
  • Macaca fascicularis / virology*
  • Nasal Cavity / virology
  • Pharynx / virology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / complications
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / pathology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / virology*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / isolation & purification
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / physiology*
  • Sleep Stages
  • Time Factors
  • Vero Cells