Abstract
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 strain of the human coronavirus has thrown the world into the midst of a new pandemic. In the human body, the virus causes COVID-19, a disease characterized by shortness of breath, fever, and pneumonia, which can be fatal in vulnerable individuals. SARS-CoV-2 has characteristics of past human coronaviruses, with close genomic similarities to SARS-CoV, the virus that causes the disease SARS. Like these related coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through the inhalation of droplets and interaction with contaminated surfaces. Across the world, laboratories are developing candidate vaccines for the virus - with vaccine trials underway in the United States and the United Kingdom - and considering various drugs for possible treatments and prophylaxis. Here, we provide an overview of SARS-CoV-2 by analyzing its virology, epidemiology, and modes of transmission while examining the current progress of testing procedures and possible treatments through drugs and vaccines.
Keywords:
ACE2; COVID-19; CRISPR; MERS; MERS-CoV; SARS; SARS-CoV; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; vaccine.
© 2020 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
MeSH terms
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Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
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Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
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Alanine / analogs & derivatives
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Alanine / therapeutic use
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
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COVID-19 / epidemiology*
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COVID-19 / immunology
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COVID-19 / pathology
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COVID-19 Drug Treatment
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COVID-19 Testing / methods
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COVID-19 Vaccines / therapeutic use
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Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
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Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
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Coronavirus Infections / immunology
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Coronavirus Infections / pathology
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Drug Combinations
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Humans
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Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
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Interferon beta-1a / therapeutic use
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Lopinavir / therapeutic use
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / immunology
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / pathogenicity
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Pandemics*
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Respiration, Artificial / methods
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Ritonavir / therapeutic use
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SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects
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SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
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SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity*
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / drug therapy
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology*
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / pathology
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity
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Severity of Illness Index
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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COVID-19 Vaccines
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Drug Combinations
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lopinavir-ritonavir drug combination
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Lopinavir
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remdesivir
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Adenosine Monophosphate
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Hydroxychloroquine
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Ritonavir
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Alanine
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Interferon beta-1a