Pathology and Therapeutics of COVID-19: A Review

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has taken over the world. Spreading form its epicenter in a seafood market in Wuhan to more than 200 countries, it has caused alarming situations. The viral infection is caused by an RNA virus called SARS-CoV-2. Its genome resembles the SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV genome. COVID-19 cases were first reported in December 2019 in China; it affects the lungs causing mild to severe respiratory disease. No antiviral drug for the infection has been approved yet, but certain drugs are under consideration including Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine and Teicoplanin. The review article will first present the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 and compare it to SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. The article will then highlight its effect on different organs. Finally, it will highlight the therapeutics which are in consideration and which are being used. The article will provide a good insight into the COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• pandemic
• phylogenetic analysis
• differential diagnosis
• incubation period
• viral genome