Advances in SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Sep;24(17):9208-9215. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202009_22873.

Abstract

Objective: In December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection broke out in Wuhan, China. However, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of this emerging virus. In this manuscript, we collected relevant articles and reviewed the characteristics about SARS-CoV-2.

Materials and methods: We performed an online search on PubMed and Web of Science with the keywords COVID-19, 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV-2, and summarized the epidemiology, virology, clinical features and treatments of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results: We retrieved 157 published papers about SARS-CoV-2 from January, 2020 to April, 2020. We found that SARS-CoV-2 was a kind of virus with low mortality rate and high infectivity. This virus can enter human cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in alveoli and activate immune response in human body. SARS-CoV-2 infection can be classified as asymptomatic, mild, common, severe, and critical. We summarized antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2, such as remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine and favipiravir. Because the vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 is developing, more clinical studies are needed to verify the safety and efficacy of these treatments.

Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic. We should pay more attention to prevent SARS-CoV-2 and try to control it sooner.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Betacoronavirus / genetics
  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunotherapy
  • Pandemics
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / metabolism
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Alanine