biostudies-literatureUnknown28 Suppl 1Leao JCCoronaviridae is a family of single-stranded positive enveloped RNA viruses. This article aimed to review the history of these viruses in the last 60 years since their discovery to understand what lessons can be learned from the past. A review of the PubMed database was carried out, describing taxonomy, classification, virology, genetic recombination, host adaptation, and main symptoms related to each type of virus. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were responsible for causing severe respiratory illness and regional epidemics in the past while the four other strains of CoVs (229-E OC43, NL63, and HKU1) circulate worldwide and normally only cause mild upper respiratory tract infections. Given the enormous diversity of coronavirus viruses iOral diseases858-866https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7300831biostudies-literatureCoronaviridae-Old friends, new enemy!PMC7300831Leao Filho JCBarkokebas Santos de Faria AMorais Silva IHGueiros LAMGusmao TPLCarvalho AATRobinson NAZarzar AMPorter SLeao JCfalseCoronaviridae-Old friends, new enemy!Coronaviridae is a family of single-stranded positive enveloped RNA viruses. This article aimed to review the history of these viruses in the last 60 years since their discovery to understand what lessons can be learned from the past. A review of the PubMed database was carried out, describing taxonomy, classification, virology, genetic recombination, host adaptation, and main symptoms related to each type of virus. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the ongoing global pandemic, and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were responsible for causing severe respiratory illness and regional epidemics in the past while the four other strains of CoVs (229-E OC43, NL63, and HKU1) circulate worldwide and normally only cause mild upper respiratory tract infections. Given the enormous diversity of coronavirus viruses i2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Apr2025-04-05T14:54:24.815Z2025-04-05T14:54:24.815ZS-EPMC73008313247500610.1111/odi.13447