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Review
. 2022 Jan;8(1):e08799.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08799. Epub 2022 Jan 19.

Insight into COVID-19's epidemiology, pathology, and treatment

Abdelmohcine Aimrane  1   2 , Mehdi Ait Laaradia  3 , Denis Sereno  4 , Pascale Perrin  5 , Ahmed Draoui  6 , Blaid Bougadir  7 , Mohamed Hadach  7 , Mustapha Zahir  7 , Naima Fdil  1 , Omar El Hiba  2 , Moulay Abdelmonaim El Hidan  8 , Kholoud Kahime  7
Affiliations
Review

Insight into COVID-19's epidemiology, pathology, and treatment

Abdelmohcine Aimrane et al. Heliyon. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

The newly emerged 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has urged scientific and medical communities to focus on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, little is known about the virus causing this severe acute respiratory syndrome pandemic, coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Data already collected on viruses belonging to the coronaviridae family are of interest to improve our knowledge rapidly on this pandemic. The current review aims at delivering insight into the fundamental advances inSARS-CoV-2 epidemiology, pathophysiology, life cycle, and treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronaviruses; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Genetic comparison of the various coronavirus (modified according to Kaur et al., 2020).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The renin-angiotensin system axis and the pathophysiology of COVID19 (modified according to Alexandre et al., 2020).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle with the possible therapeutic approaches. Steps of the life cycle: 1. the RBD of the viral spike bind to the ACE-2 with the intervention of TMPRSS2; 2. entry of the SARS-CoV-2 via endocytosis autophagy pathway where autolysosome integrate viral contents and cut it down; 3. Viral (+)ssRNA is encoded and released in the cytosol; 4. ORF1a and ORF1ab are the first genes encoded, expressing 16 non-structural proteins (NSPs) implicated in the transcription and translation processes. Among the NSPs, RdRp (RNA polymerase) copies the viral RNA. Genes of the ORFs 2, 4, 5, and 9 encode the spike, envelope, membrane successively, and nucleocapsid the structural proteins; 5. Assembling of the viral proteins and RNA in the host's endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus; 6. The assembled virions travel in vesicles to the cell membrane and are released by exocytosis. The possible therapeutic approaches: A. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and scavenging through convalescent therapy and soluble ACE-2; B. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory approaches using pharmacophores that impede the over-reaction of inflammatory response and cytokines storm; C. blockage of the viral fusion during penetration process; D. Inhibition of reverse transcription; E. The use of Protease inhibitors.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical representation of the different vaccines developed against SARS-Cov-2 based on the technology adopted (classical and non-classical approaches). ∗: Trials assessing the efficacy of already existing vaccines against (poliovirus, tuberculosis) against SARS-Cov-2. (modified according to Callaway, 2020).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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