Abstract
In the past years, numerous new fatal infections have emerged, including Ebola, Nipah, and Zika viruses, as well as coronaviruses. Recently, infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged in China, and were then transmitted all over the world, causing the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is transmitted at a higher rate than other diseases caused by coronaviruses. At the time of writing this review, COVID-19 is not contained in most countries in spite of quarantine, physical distancing, and enhanced hygiene measures. In this review, I address different methods for passive and active immunization against this virus, which is known to cause fatal respiratory disease, including natural passive immunization by breast milk, natural active immunization by herd immunization, artificial passive immunization by convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies, and artificial active immunization by vaccination. I hope this review will help design a prophylactic approach against outbreaks and pandemics of related coronaviruses in the future.
Highlights
Coronaviruses can affect many systems in a wide range of hosts[1]
The genera Deltacoronavirus and Gammacoronavirus originate from birds and pigs, while Betacoronavirus and Alphacoronavirus genera originate from bats[3]
According to molecular characterization studies, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV), and SARS-CoV-2 were classified as zoonotic Betacoronaviruses[2], with 80% nucleotide identity determined for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV4
Summary
Coronaviruses can affect many systems in a wide range of hosts[1]. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the order Nidovirales, Coronaviridae family, Orthocoronavirinae sub-family, which is sub-divided into four genera: Deltacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, and Alphacoronavirus[2].The genera Deltacoronavirus and Gammacoronavirus originate from birds and pigs, while Betacoronavirus and Alphacoronavirus genera originate from bats[3]. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory condition caused by infection with SARS-CoV-221. It is speculated that specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can pass from a mother with COVID-19 to the baby through her breast milk within few days after she has been infected.
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