COVID-19: Diagnostics, Therapeutic Advances, and Vaccine Development

Abstract

Purpose of Review Human race is currently facing the wrath of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly transmittable and pathogenic RNA virus, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the worst ever global pandemic. Coronaviruses (CoVs) have emerged as a major public health concern. Urgent global response to COVID-19 outbreak has been to limit spread of SARS-CoV-2 via extensive monitoring and containment. Various treatment regimens have been adopted to manage COVID-19, with known drugs and drug combinations used to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. Intensive research on various fronts including studying molecular and structural aspects of these viruses and unraveling the pathophysiology and mechanistic basis of COVID-19 aimed at developing effective prophylactic, therapeutic agents and vaccines has been carried out globally. Recent Findings No approved antiviral treatment except remdesivir exists for SARS-CoV-2 till date though novel drug targets have been identified. However, worldwide frantic and competitive vaccine development pharmaceutical race has borne fruit in the form of a number of promising candidate vaccines, out of which few have already received emergency use authorization by regulatory bodies in record time. Summary This review highlights the painstaking efforts of healthcare workers and scientific community to successfully address the COVID-19 pandemic—though damage in the form of severe illness, loss of lives, and livelihood has left a serious mark. Focusing on extensive research on various therapeutic options and antiviral strategies including neutralizing antibodies, potential drugs, and drug targets, light has been shed on various diagnostic options and the amazing vaccine development process as well.

COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with heart failure: a position paper of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

“…Although a significant improvement in survival rates of hospitalised patients with COVID‐19 has been observed with anticoagulation 6 , 7 and corticosteroids, 8 there are currently no efficacious antiviral therapies to target coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), and vaccination remains the most promising global approach at present for controlling this disease. 9 , 10 …”

Vaccine Strategy During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What School Nurses Need to Know

“…Clearly, monitoring novel sequence divergence is very important in the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines and potentially a universal vaccine for all coronaviruses in the future (CDC, 2021g; Lawton, 2021). This coronavirus outbreak continues to pose an enormous global risk, and scientists are racing to find conserved epitopes that can guide a structure-based vaccine design (Majid et al, 2021; Sharmin & Islam, 2014; Yuan et al, 2020).…”

Reaching Herd Immunity During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What School Nurses Need to Know

“…This jump in R e confirmed viral mutations and evolution of the virus had increased the transmissibility (Lai et al, 2020). Scientist all over the world were scrambling to trace the evolution of the virus while tracking its increasing virulence and transmission (Majid et al, 2021).…”

“…With improved understanding of genomics and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of these diseases, we are better equipped to respond to pandemic threats (Majid et al, 2021). If we stand together to design ethical, practical, and humane public health policies that include developing nations, we will succeed in eradicating this pandemic.…”