A Perspective on Emerging Therapeutic Interventions for COVID-19.

Muhammad Torequl Islam,Eunus S Ali,Thoufiqul Alam Riaz,Daniela Calina,Ishaq N Khan,Miquel Martorell,Javad Sharifi-Rad,Mohammad S Mubarak,Siddhartha Kumar Mishra,Md Kudrat-E-Zahan,Md Nasiruddin,William C Cho,Anca Oana Docea,M Safiur Rahman

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00281

Abstract

Coronaviruses are enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses with an unusual large RNA genome and a unique replication mechanism, which are characterized by club-like spikes that protrude from their surface. An outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019 infection has posed significant threat to the health and economies in the whole world. This article reviewed the viral replication, pathogenicity, prevention and treatment strategies. With a lack of approved treatment options for this virus, alternative approaches to control the spread of disease is in urgent need. This article also covers some management strategies which may be applied to this virus outbreak. Ongoing clinical studies related to possible treatments for COVID-19, potential vaccines, and alternative medication such as natural compounds are also discussed.

Highlights

The novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) seems emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China [1, 2]
The addition of azithromycin to hydroxychloroquine significantly eliminated the virus as compared to a single therapy [79]. This clinical survey demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine treatment is significantly associated with viral load reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, with better results obtained by the addition of azithromycin [78]
There are several potential molecules; from remdesivir, an antiviral previously tested for Ebola already approved by the FDA, to antiretrovirals used against HIV and antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine

Summary

A Perspective on Emerging Therapeutic Interventions for COVID-19

Edited by: Alexander Rodriguez-Palacios, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States. Daliborca Cristina Vlad, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania Ciprian Vasile Iovan, University of Oradea, Romania. Specialty section: This article was submitted to Infectious Diseases – Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment, a section of the journal. An outbreak of a novel coronavirus 2019 infection has posed significant threat to the health and economies in the whole world. This article reviewed the viral replication, pathogenicity, prevention and treatment strategies. With a lack of approved treatment options for this virus, alternative approaches to control the spread of disease is in urgent need. This article covers some management strategies which may be applied to this virus outbreak. Ongoing clinical studies related to possible treatments for COVID-19, potential vaccines, and alternative medication such as natural compounds are discussed

INTRODUCTION

LIMITATIONS

Findings

CONCLUSIONS