In this rapid commentary, a mini-review is given of the present state-of-knowledge regarding the etiology and epidemiology of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV and the risks for developing Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The available knowledge on the viral genomics, molecular biology and pathogenicity of viruses of the Coronaviridae family and other Nidovirales, forms a helpful template for understanding the present pandemic outbreak. However, important questions remain unanswered about the underlying mechanism causing the very high case fatality ratios (CFR) and mechanisms regarding severe reactions like ARDS, fatal cardiac and renal failures, associated with a number of important comorbidity factors. Immunological reactions to lung alveoles in particular (involving lung macrophages and alveolar epithelial cell damage) in late phase ARDS in SARS-like CoV diseases, so far may not have received enough attention. Finally a shortlist of questions for high priority further research is suggested.

中文翻译：

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这怎么会发生？

在这篇快速评论中，对有关新型冠状病毒 2019-nCoV 的病因学和流行病学以及发展为急性呼吸窘迫综合征 (ARDS) 的风险的现有知识进行了简要回顾。关于冠状病毒科和其他巢状病毒科病毒的病毒基因组学、分子生物学和致病性的现有知识，构成了了解当前大流行爆发的有用模板。然而，关于导致极高病死率 (CFR) 的潜在机制以及与许多重要的合并症因素相关的严重反应（如 ARDS、致命的心脏和肾功能衰竭）的机制，重要的问题仍未得到解答。在 SARS 样 CoV 疾病的晚期 ARDS 中，尤其是肺泡的免疫反应（涉及肺巨噬细胞和肺泡上皮细胞损伤）可能尚未受到足够的重视。最后，提出了一个高优先级进一步研究的问题的候选清单。