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Science 12 March 2004:
Vol. 303. no. 5664, p. 1577
DOI: 10.1126/science.303.5664.1577o
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This Week in Science
Tracing the evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus outbreak in southern China reveals some interesting patterns. Several independent sources of infection emerged from the recently established exotic animal markets in the region. Using comprehensive molecular analysis of viruses isolated from patients, The Chinese SARS Molecular Epidemiology Consortium (p. 1666) discovered that the initial phase of the epidemic was characterized by rapid mutation at specific hotspots. These mutational hotspots caused amino acid changes in the virus spike protein that is required for host cell adhesion. The "super-spreader events" in Hong Kong were characteristic of the middle phase of virus evolution, during which the amino acid substitutions rate slowed. Finally, the late phase of the epidemic was marked by strong purifying selection. This insight into the genetic dynamics of the SARS epidemic has implications for preemptive control strategies and for the development of therapeutics and vaccines.
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)
