Academic Editor: John Bose
Doctor of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice,
Samskruti College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Correspondence: Sanjana Reddy M, Doctor
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Samskruti College of Pharmacy,
Hyderabad, Telangana, India,
Email: sanjanareddy812@gmail.com
Citation: Sanjana RM,
Shayoli S, Syed AN
(2021) Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis and Clinical Management
of SARS-COV-2. Int J Med Clin Case Rep, 1(1);1-6
Copyright: © 2021, Sanjana Reddy M. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are credited
The pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)
remained a significant issue for global health, economics, and society. This
coronavirus seems to be associated with a substantial number of adult
respiratory illnesses especially when rhinovirus infection is infrequent.
Patients show flu-like symptoms with a dry cough, sore throat, high fever, and
breathing problems. As this spreading virus has no treatment to date therefore
prevention and management are the best options. This article focuses on the use
of various therapeutic agents and their efficacy in SARS-CoV-2 patients in
various levels of severity. The review also discusses the pathogenesis of
SARS-CoV-2 along with the basics of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation
for the patients having severe conditions. Use of Dexamethasone is promising as
the new efficient drug for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. It also depicts the
consequences of the children suffering from SARS-CoV-2 which leads to
multisystem inflammatory syndrome and Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS).
Pathogenesis,
Management, Cytokine Release Syndrome, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in
children, Dexamethasone
The main
objective of this article is to provide unbiased information to the healthcare
workers on the aspects of pathogenesis, prevention, management, and treatment
of SARS-COV-2.
The worldwide pandemic caused by the novel acute
coronary syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) has resulted in a new and lethal
disease known as coronavirus disease in 2019. It has the potential to cause a devastating
social, economic, and political crisis that will leave deep scars. Countries
are racing to slow the spread of the virus by testing and treating patients,
carrying out contact tracing, limiting travel, quarantine citizens, and
canceling large gatherings [1]. It
is an enveloped virus with non- segmented with a positive Ribose nucleic acid (RNA)
genome which causes a respiratory illness with a clinical severity arising from
asymptomatic, mild to a severe acute respiratory disorder and even multi-organ
failure. As it has a major and severe threat to the public with the
contamination and transmission which is causing severe complications. It does
not only cause viral pneumonia but has a major complication for the
cardiovascular system as well as the patient having other comorbidities (like
diabetes, hypertension) [2]. It is a large spherical pleomorphic particle with
bulbous projections. The envelope consists of a lipid bilayer in which the
membrane, the envelope, and the spike are anchored on the surface. It belongs
to the orthocoronavirinae subfamily and order nidovirales. Members of beta
coronavirus subgroup A have a spike-like protein known as Hemagglutinin
Esterase (HE) [3].
As already discussed most of the SARS-CoV-2 cases are asymptomatic for
several days on an average this was found to be 14 days described as the
incubation period. But this count various and the median value is 4-5 days.
From the studies, it is that there are the following symptoms as cough (86%),
fever and chills (85%), shortness of breath (80%), diarrhea (27%), nausea (24%),
redness of eyes (15%). There include other symptoms even are sputumproduction,
headache, rhinorrhea, dysgeusia, sore throat, and vomiting. Still, experiments
are going on and new symptoms are being evaluating [4].
The unique character
of SARS-CoV-2 is the fusion cleavage site (RPPA sequence) [5]. After entering
into epithelial cells these destroy the cells mainly involved in innate
immunity in airways. The three main components of innate immunity include
epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, dendritic cells. SARS-CoV can also bind
with dendritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing
nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) and DC-SIGN related protein (DC-SIGNR) [6]. From the data
analysis, they have concluded that many patients may die due to excessive
response towards the virus by host immune system and release abnormally high
quantity of leukocytes, cytokines into the circulating system and lead to a
syndrome named as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). This condition leads to
severe organ damage in patients with other comorbidities. This phenomenon in
which there exist huge amounts of cytokines in the blood is termed as a
cytokine storm. Cytokines that include are Interleukin (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6,
IL-10, IL-12), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), Interferon (INF-γ). The most
important of all is IL-6 as they are also found in ARDS and it is also a
pro-inflammatory agent that in turn activates many other inflammatory mediators
that worsens the condition [7] in Figure 1.
It has been observed
that oxygen therapy, corticosteroid therapy, and therapy with nonspecific
antivirals like Remdesivir, Favipiravir have been approved to be effective in
COVID-19 patients has therapeutic support. Following this protocol led to the
improvement in recovery rate in patients suffering from severe SARS-CoV-2
condition. Also, several studies are being carried out on treatment with
dexamethasone which are showing promising results as per early reports. However
further evaluation has to be carried out in this context
We thank anonymous
referees for thie ruseful suggestions
None
Not required
SARS-CoV-2: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus 2; RNA: Ribonucleic Acid; ACE: Angiotensin-converting Enzyme; DC-SIGN:
Dendritic Cell-Specific Intercellular adhesion molecule-3-Grabbing
Non-integrin; CRS: Cytokine Release Syndrome; IL: Interleukin;
TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor; IFN: Interferon; RT-PCR: Reverse Transcription
Polymerase Chain Reaction; CXCL: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1; ARDS: Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease;
ECG: Electrocardiogram; HFNO: High Flow Nasal Oxygen;
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment; NIV: Non-Invasive Ventilation; QTc: QT
Interval; MERS: Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome; ICU: Intensive
Care Unit; CDC: the centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; FDA: Food and Drug Administration; MIS-C: Medicatioal
Interaction for Sensitizing Caregivers; VFD: Ventilation
Free Days; CPAP: Continous Positive Airway Pressure.
1. Sahu P. Closure of
Universities Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact on Education
and Mental Health of Students and Academic Staff. Cureus. 2020 Apr 4;12(4).
2. Chahrour M, Assi S,
Bejjani M, Nasrallah AA, Salhab H, Fares MY, et al. A Bibliometric Analysis of
COVID-19 Research Activity: A Call for Increased Output. Cureus. 2020 Mar
22;12(3).
3. Saisujay V, Singh M,
Aamer Nawaz S. Conventional Drug Targets of Corona Virus. [cited 2020 Jul 11];
Available from: www.ijsart.com
4. Guidelines T. Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines. Disponible en:
https://covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/. 2019;2019.
5. Yuki K, Fujiogi M,
Koutsogiannaki S. COVID-19 pathophysiology: A review. Clin Immunol [Internet].
2020 Apr 20;215:108427. Available from:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32325252
6. Yuki K, Fujiogi M,
Koutsogiannaki S. COVID-19 pathophysiology: A review. Clin Immunol. 2020
Apr;215:108427.
7. COVID-19 and the Cytokine
Storm the crucial role of IL-6 - Enzo Life Sciences [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun
11]. Available from:
https://www.enzolifesciences.com/science-center/technotes/2020/april/covid-19-and-the-cytokine-storm-the-crucial-role-of-il-6/
8. Mason RJ. Pathogenesis of
COVID-19 from a cell biology perspective. Eur Respir J. 2020;55(4).
9. Lau SKP, Che XY, Woo PCY,
Wong BHL, Cheng VCC, Woo GKS, et al. SARS coronavirus detection methods. Emerg
Infect Dis. 2005;11(7):1108–11.
10. Wu C, Chen X, Cai Y, Xia
J, Zhou X, Xu S, et al. Risk Factors Associated with Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome and Death in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia in
Wuhan, China. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;
11. Gu J, Korteweg C.
Pathology and pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Vol. 170,
American Journal of Pathology. Elsevier Inc.; 2007. p. 1136–47.
12. Interpretation of
laboratory results for COVID-19 diagnosis, 6 May 2020 [Internet]. [cited 2020
Jul 7]. Available from: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/52138
13. Thibodeaux K, Speyrer M,
Raza A, Yaakov R, Serena TE. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in preventing mechanical
ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective case series. J Wound Care.
2020 May 1;29(Sup5a):S4–8.
14. Pascarella G, Strumia A,
Piliego C, Bruno F, Del Buono R, Costa F, et al. COVID‐19 diagnosis and
management: a comprehensive review. J Intern Med [Internet]. 2020 May 13 [cited
2020 Jun 11];joim.13091. Available from:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/joim.13091
15. Meng L, Qiu H, Wan L, Ai
Y, Xue Z, Guo Q, et al. Intubation and Ventilation amid the COVID-19 Outbreak:
Wuhan’s Experience. Anesthesiology. 2020 Jun 1;132(6):1317–32.
16. Nicola M, O’Neill N,
Sohrabi C, Khan M, Agha M, Agha R. Evidence based management guideline for the
COVID-19 pandemic - Review article. Vol. 77, International Journal of Surgery.
Elsevier Ltd; 2020. p. 206–16.
17. Mash B. Primary care
management of the coronavirus (Covid-19). South African Fam Pract. 2020;62(1).
18. Weiss SR, Navas-Martin
S. Coronavirus Pathogenesis and the Emerging Pathogen Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2005 Dec 1;69(4):635–64.
19. Grein J, Ohmagari N,
Shin D, Diaz G, Asperges E, Castagna A, et al. Compassionate Use of Remdesivir
for Patients with Severe Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2020 Apr 10;
20. Symptoms and Management
of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) FAQ: What are the signs and symptoms of
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?, What are the signs and symptoms of severe
or critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?, How is mild coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) managed? [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available
from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2500122-overview#a13
21. Nguyen AA, Habiballah
SB, Platt CD, Geha RS, Chou JS, McDonald DR. Immunoglobulins in the treatment
of COVID-19 infection: Proceed with caution! Vol. 216, Clinical Immunology.
Academic Press Inc.; 2020. p. 108459.
22. COVID-19:
Clinical/Therapeutic Staging Proposal and Treatment - REBEL EM - Emergency
Medicine Blog [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 11]. Available from:
https://rebelem.com/covid-19-clinical-therapeutic-staging-proposal-and-treatment/
23. Villar J, Belda J, Añón
JM, Blanco J, Pérez-Méndez L, Ferrando C, et al. Evaluating the efficacy of
dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with persistent acute respiratory
distress syndrome: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials.
2016 Jul 22;17(1).
24. Dexamethasone Treatment
for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Induced by COVID-19 - Tabular
View - ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 19]. Available from:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04347980?term=DEXAMETHASONE&cond=COVID&draw=2&rank=2
25. Dexamethasone for
COVID-19 Related ARDS: a Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial - Tabular View
- ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 19]. Available from:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04395105?term=DEXAMETHASONE&cond=COVID&draw=2&rank=3
26. Dexamethasone and Oxygen
Support Strategies in ICU Patients With Covid-19 Pneumonia - Tabular View -
ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available from:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04344730?term=DEXAMETHASONE&cond=COVID&draw=2&rank=4