An Immunological Outlook on SARS Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Its Current Clinical Status

Abstract

The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in China in 2019 and rapidly spread across the globe for which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. This viral disease is extremely contagious and infectious in nature and the general symptoms include fever, cough and pneumonia followed by a loss of taste, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, acute respiratory distress syndrome and even death. The disease has caused unprecedented risk against the global fitness scenario and therefore have altered the socio-economic-political structure of society. There has been no reported cases of any immunity against the virus, however immune-compromised people are extremely vulnerable to this disease. The diagnosis of the disease is usually done by quantitative Real-time PCR but other methods of detection like serological testing is gaining prominence these days. Approaches are directed towards the development of vaccine candidates and a search is on towards the discovery of potential drugs. Needless to say, the genome architecture of the virus and the viral proteins mounting an immune response play a key role in the development of effective therapeutic strategies. The review article presents an overview of the science behind the pandemic along with the structural chemistry of the pathogen, the prognosis and the vaccine candidates in different stages of development. The review would be beneficial to the scientific fraternity and the common men at large in understanding the central role of the immune system towards the development of successful clinical strategies for diagnosis and therapy to avoid the future encounters by the virus.

The Golden Spice Turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>) and Its Feasible Benefits in Prospering Human Health—A Review

“…In summary, to regulate a wide range of human illnesses, this can be added to dietary foods. A major emergence in China in December 2019 of the highly contagious novel coronavirus (COVID-19), spread across the world to a new pandemic [99]. It is caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 Corona virus (severe coronavirus 2 acute respiratory syndrome) from the Coronaviridae family.…”

“…No special antiviral treatment for COVID-19 patients is available to date. The clinicians, including antivirals, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs [99], have considered combination therapy in developing countries. Including hydroxychloroquine, the use has been extensive.…”

Insights into the SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis in India: Present Status and Future Prospects

“…But after 15 days, there is a very high seroconversion rate in SARS-CoV-2 antibody response found in confirmed COVID-19 patients [35,36,37]. Currently available many diagnostic kits are showing false-negative and false-positive results [38,39]. Some results show false negative because after exposing to the COVID-19 that individual is inefficient to produce antibodies.…”

Slackening of Food Supply Chain during COVID-19 and Affecting Livelihood - A Global Concern

“…Although these conditions are favourable, governments seek to assure food security because of increased consumer demand and to protect disadvantaged individuals from price rises. However, learning from previous experiences show that avoiding trade restriction regulations can be as beneficial as direct promotion actions to safeguard consumers and agricultural earnings [44,45,46] . Therefore, choices and methods for agricultural trade should be altered to reduce the medium-term consequences of the pandemic of COVID-19.…”