Publication Date
8-1-2020
Journal
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
DOI
10.1016/j.jaci.2020.05.033
PMID
32624257
PMCID
PMC7331543
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
7-2-2020
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Adenosine Monophosphate, Age Factors, Alanine, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, Antiviral Agents, Asthma, Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, COVID-19 Testing, Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Clinical Trials as Topic, Coronavirus Infections, Drug Repositioning, Humans, Masks, Pandemics, Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A, Physical Distancing, Pneumonia, Viral, Prevalence, Quarantine, Receptors, Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Severity of Illness Index, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Drug Treatment, ACE2, asthma, allergic rhinitis, COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, receptor-binding domain, TMPRSS2
Abstract
The global pandemic caused by the newly described severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused worldwide suffering and death of unimaginable magnitude from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus is transmitted through aerosol droplets, and causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS-CoV-2 uses the receptor-binding domain of its spike protein S1 to attach to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor in lung and airway cells. Binding requires the help of another host protein, transmembrane protease serine S1 member 2. Several factors likely contribute to the efficient transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 has a 10- to 20-fold higher receptor-binding capacity compared with previous pandemic coronaviruses. In addition, because asymptomatic persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 have high viral loads in their nasal secretions, they can silently and efficiently spread the disease. PCR-based tests have emerged as the criterion standard for the diagnosis of infection. Caution must be exercised in interpreting antibody-based tests because they have not yet been validated, and may give a false sense of security of being "immune" to SARS-CoV-2. We discuss how the development of some symptoms in allergic rhinitis can serve as clues for new-onset COVID-19. There are mixed reports that asthma is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, possibly due to differences in asthma endotypes. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has focused the efforts of scientists on repurposing existing Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs that inhibit viral entry, endocytosis, genome assembly, translation, and replication. Numerous clinical trials have been launched to identify effective treatments for COVID-19. Initial data from a placebo-controlled study suggest faster time to recovery in patients on remdesivir; it is now being evaluated in additional controlled studies. As discussed in this review, till effective vaccines and treatments emerge, it is important to understand the scientific rationale of pandemic-mitigation strategies such as wearing facemasks and social distancing, and implement them.
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Immune System Diseases Commons, Medical Immunology Commons
