Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic review

J Med Virol. 2020 May;92(5):479-490. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25707. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Abstract

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-CoV) infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control the spread of disease. Here, we have conducted an online search for all treatment options related to coronavirus infections as well as some RNA-virus infection and we have found that general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments should be useful in fighting COVID-19. We suggest that the nutritional status of each infected patient should be evaluated before the administration of general treatments and the current children's RNA-virus vaccines including influenza vaccine should be immunized for uninfected people and health care workers. In addition, convalescent plasma should be given to COVID-19 patients if it is available. In conclusion, we suggest that all the potential interventions be implemented to control the emerging COVID-19 if the infection is uncontrollable.

Keywords: 2019-CoV; COVID-19; MERS; SARS; coronavirus; potential interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Serotherapy
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Plasma
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Trace Elements / therapeutic use
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Trace Elements
  • Viral Vaccines
  • Vitamins