Uncovering the morphological differences between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV based on transmission electron microscopy images

Taha BA 1 , Al Mashhadany Y 2 , Al-Jubouri Q 3 , Haider AJ 4 , Chaudhary V 5 , Apsari R 6 Show all authors , Arsad N 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 UKM-Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi 43600, Malaysia. Electronic address: p103537@siswa.ukm.edu.my
  • 2 Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Anbar, Anbar, 00964, Iraq. Electronic address: yousif.mohammed@uoanbar.edu.iq
  • 3 Department of Communication Engineering, University of Technology, Iraq. Electronic address: qussay.s.tawfeeq@uotechnology.edu.iq
  • 4 Applied Sciences Department/Laser Science and Technology Branch, University of Technology, Iraq. Electronic address: adawiya.j.haider@uotechnology.edu.iq
  • 5 Research Cell & Department of Physics, Bhagini Nivedita College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110045, India. Electronic address: drvishal@bn.du.ac.in
  • 6 Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia. Electronic address: retna-a@fst.unair.ac.id
  • 7 UKM-Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi 43600, Malaysia. Electronic address: noa@ukm.edu.my
Microbes Infect, 2023;25(8):105187.
PMID: 37517605 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105187

Abstract

Comprehending the morphological disparities between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV viruses can shed light on the underlying mechanisms of infection and facilitate the development of effective diagnostic tools and treatments. Hence, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis and comparative assessment of the morphology of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The dataset encompassed 519 isolated SARS-CoV-2 images obtained from patients in Italy (INMI) and 248 isolated SARS-CoV images from patients in Germany (Frankfurt). In this paper, we employed TEM images to scrutinize morphological features, and the outcomes were contrasted with those of SARS-CoV viruses. The findings reveal disparities in the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, such as envelope protein (E) 98.6 and 102.2 nm, length of spike protein (S) 10.11 and 9.50 nm, roundness 0.86 and 0.88, circularity 0.78 and 0.76, and area sizes 25145.54 and 38591.35 pixels, respectively. In conclusion, these results will augment the identification of virus subtypes, aid in the study of antiviral medications, and enhance our understanding of disease progression and the virus life cycle. Moreover, these findings have the potential to assist in the development of more accurate epidemiological prediction models for COVID-19, leading to better outbreak management and saving lives.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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