Research progress on human coronavirus and antiviral drugs

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus mainly causes local infection in birds and mammals. In recent decades, there has been an evidence that it can infect humans. Highly pathogenic coronavirus, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are fatal zoonotic viruses, which have posed a major threat to public health. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has also seriously endangered the health and safety of the human beings. These coronaviruses transmit through close contact between people, resulting in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOF) and having a higher morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the structure, epidemiology, immunology and treatment of the coronavirus, hoping to provide reference for the prevention, control and treatment of the disease.