A Review: Bovine Coronavirus Evolution, Molecular Epidemiology, and Genetic Variation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a key pathogen causing calf diarrhea and bovine respiratory diseases, bringing sustained economic losses to the cattle industry. As an RNA virus, BCoV possesses high mutation and recombination capacities, leading to prominent genomic genetic diversity. The genome contains hypervariable and conserved regions, with the S (especially S1), HE and Open Reading Frame (ORF4) genes serving as major variation hotspots linked to viral antigenicity, tissue tropism shift and immune evasion. Host immune pressure drives strong positive selection on S protein antigenic variation. This review discusses existing research limitations and proposes future directions including genomic surveillance, reverse genetics verification and broad-spectrum vaccine development to support BCoV prevention and control.
Source: Viruses
DOI: 10.3390/v18080909
Institution: Xinjiang Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Awards: G7044966999, G7174453421
OpenAlex ID: W7203709823