ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly spread globally. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus with a reported fatality rate ranging from 1% to 7%, and people with immune-compromised conditions, children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable. Respiratory failure and cytokine storm-induced multiple organ failure are the major causes of death. This article highlights the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms of host cells activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible therapeutic approaches against COVID-19. Some potential drugs proven to be effective for other viral diseases are under clinical trials now for use against COVID-19. Examples include inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin), viral protein synthesis (ivermectin, lopinavir/ ritonavir), and fusion of the viral membrane with host cells (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, nitazoxanide, and umifenovir). This article also presents the intellectual groundwork for the ongoing development of vaccines in preclinical and clinical trials, explaining potential candidates (live attenuated-whole virus vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, DNAbased vaccines, protein-based vaccines, nanoparticle-based vaccines, virus-like particles and mRNA-based vaccines). Designing and developing an effective vaccine (both prophylactic and therapeutic) would be a long-term solution and the most effective way to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus, at present, has created major health havoc across the world. It has been declared as a global health threat by the World Health Organization (WHO). The world has already experienced major outbreaks of coronaviruses previously. A few of the major outbreaks from the past include Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and the present Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-20). All of these belonged to Coronaviridae and have been known to cause respiratory infections mostly. The infection ranges from mild to severe and even death with common symptoms of fever, chills, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems, etc. This respective review article discusses the prominent members of Coronaviridae in detail. It highlights the major outbreaks of coronaviruses faced by the world and the substantial mortalities caused by them. It also talks about the most effectively used methods of diagnosis for such viruses andenumerates the antivirals and drug combinations found effective against the past and present coronavirus infections. Coronavirus is at present the hottest topic for study due to COVID-19. This review article aims to collectively present all the relevant data for our readers which can help them to strengthen their basic knowledge for future studies.