Wybrane dane na temat zakażeń koronawirusami, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem SARS-CoV-2

Coronaviruses (CoVs) primarily have caused enzootic infections in birds and mammals including swine (TGE, PED, PRCV, HEV, PDCoV). The last decades have shown that some species of CoVs are capable of infecting humans as well. Zoonotic potential of these viruses has been confirmed. This paper provides an important information on coronaviruses with the major focus on the new coronavirus under the name – SARS-CoV-2 – which appeared to be pathogenic and cause COVID 19 in humans. Within the family of coronaviruses similarities between the viruses in pigs and humans have been observed, particularly with regard to the variability in their infectivity and lethal potential. There have been proofed evidences that some of the species of swine coronaviruses and other „disappeared” (e.g. TGE, PED, HEV, SARS). Data on SARS-CoV-2 virus resistance to the environmental factors and potential routes of its entry into the human body have been presented, as well as new diagnostic methods for detection of this infectious agent.