SARS-CoV-2 Inflammatory Syndrome. Clinical Features and Rationale for Immunological Treatment

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 10;21(9):3377. doi: 10.3390/ijms21093377.

Abstract

The current pandemic coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is a global health emergency because of its highly contagious nature, the great number of patients requiring intensive care therapy, and the high fatality rate. In the absence of specific antiviral drugs, passive prophylaxis, or a vaccine, the treatment aim in these patients is to prevent the potent virus-induced inflammatory stimuli from leading to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has a severe prognosis. Here, the mechanism of action and the rationale for employing immunological strategies, which range from traditional chemically synthesized drugs, anti-cytokine antibodies, human immunoglobulin for intravenous use, to vaccines, are reviewed.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; acute respiratory syndrome; anti-cytokine antibodies; human immunoglobulin for intravenous use; immune system targeting in COVID-19; inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus / physiology
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / pathology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents