A review on SARS-CoV-2: the origin, taxonomy, transmission, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment and prophylaxis
1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Gezira, Wed Medani, Sudan.
2 Department of Microbiology, Medicine Program, Napata College, Khartoum, Sudan.
3 University of Ha’il, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 2440, Hail, Kingdom Saudi Arabia.
4 Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan.
Review Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020, 11(03), 052-066.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2020.11.3.0156
Publication history:
Received on 27 May 2020; revised on 09 June 2020; accepted on 11 June 2020
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 that infects the respiratory system. COVID-19 started in Wuhan, south China, in December 2019, and spread to all other parts of the world. SARS-CoV-2 has +ssRNA genome (29,844bp) enclosed in an enveloped capsule (60 to 140 nm) and showing high genome homology (96%) with coronavirus of its potential natural reservoir Horseshoe bats. Two types of SARS-CoV-2 were detected: type L (70%) and type S (30%). SARS-CoV-2 spikes have very high binding affinity with all cells expressing ACE2 receptor. Nasal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage samples were used by reverse transcriptase rtPCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2. ELISA can detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies five days post infection. COVID-19 infection is confirmed by clinical signs and symptoms and CT thoracic images. Patients typically present with fever (87.3%), cough (58.1%), dyspnea (38.3%), muscle soreness or fatigue (35.5%), chest distress (31.2%) and expectoration (29.4%). The fatality rate of the infection approaches 7%. Hundreds of lungs micro clots were reported to occur causing heart failure and death. Fatal consequences were reported in older patients and those with chronic diseases. There is no specific medicine, but supportive treatment and anticoagulants are in use. Chloroquine and azithromycin have fatal consequences in 50% of patients, while Remdesivir did not show significant clinical or antiviral effects. Plasma convalescence clear the infection within three days. There is no vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 due to its mutations. Social isolation and countries lockdown measures exert catastrophic negative impact on health and economy worldwide.
Keywords:
Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Spike S; ACE2; Horseshoe bat; rtPCR; transmission; fever, lungs micro clots; acute respiratory distress; plasma convalescent; Chloroquine.
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Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
