A Comprehensive Overview of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Disease: A Narrative Review
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is a dreaded pneumonia-like disease caused by a novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020 due to its severity, the huge progression in the number of cases leading to deaths, and its rapid spread throughout the world since its outbreak in late December 2019 in China. In fact, SARS-CoV-2 affects the lower respiratory tract of human beings and can be lethal if the patient has a compromised immune system or other comorbid conditions like kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc. The present review is an effort to explore the current status and bring to light the future perspectives of the disease by outlining the recent updates on the structure, replication, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, in parallel with the pathogenesis, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of the COVID-19 disease in a comprehensive manner. Since COVID-19 is an issue of global concern, it is mandatory to save mankind from it. Henceforth, the purpose of this narrative review remains to serve as one of the mechanistic and diagnostic insights that may contribute to the fight against COVID-19 in many ways.
KEYWORDS: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, ACE-2, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology
