A Generalized Overview of SARS-CoV-2: Where Does the Current Knowledge Stand?
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Hiya Islam 1, Ahsab Rahman 1, Jaasia Masud 1, Dipita Saha Shweta 2, Yusha Araf 3, Md. Asad Ullah 4 * , Syed Muktadir Al Sium 5, Bishajit Sarkar 4
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1 Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brac University, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
2 Microbiology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brac University, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
3 Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, BANGLADESH
4 Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
5 Child Health Research Foundation, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
* Corresponding Author

Abstract

The novel coronavirus known to have brought the world to a standstill is responsible for many deaths throughout the globe as of now. The causative agent (SARS-CoV-2) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been recognized as a zoonotic transfer. Although, the medium of animal-human transmission is still unknown, bats maybe a potential reservoir of this novel strain. Due to its high rate of transmission the most favorable way of limiting the outbreak’s extent is by early diagnosis followed by isolation of the infected individuals. So far, the most widely used diagnosis methods are RT-qPCR which detects specific sequences of the viral RNA. Some other methods include serological tests and the recently introduced CRISPR-CAS-12 based assays.
As of now, no specific therapeutic treatments are known for COVID-19 however the use of some broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and convalescent plasma therapy have demonstrated positive outcomes. Apart from these treatments, vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 is also in progress by 17 known companies. This article provides a comprehensive insight on the recently emerged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) including its origin, transmission mechanism, pathophysiology and updated treatment methods.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review Article

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/8258

Electron J Gen Med, 2020 - Volume 17 Issue 6, Article No: em251

Publication date: 11 May 2020

Article Views: 2363

Article Downloads: 1466

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