Download fulltext HTML
Ikwuka, D., Nwobodo, E., Anayehie, B., Eleje, G., Ayuk, A., Ogbuagu, C., & Ugwu, P. (2020). SARS-CoV-2: Current Perspective on Control, Prevention, and Therapeutic Promise. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS), 15(5), 80-84. https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v15i5.7161

https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v15i5.7161

statistics

  • 432 Abstract Views
  • 317 PDF Views
  • 0 HTML Views
  • Cited by 2 articles

authors

  • David Ikwuka

    David Ikwuka

  • Prof. Ed Nwobodo

    Prof. Ed Nwobodo

    Department of Human Physiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Prof. Bond Anyaehie

    Prof. Bond Anyaehie

    Department of Physiology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria
  • Dr. George Eleje

    Dr. George Eleje

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria
  • Asso. Prof. Adaeze Ayuk

    Asso. Prof. Adaeze Ayuk

    Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus & University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Dr. Chukwuanugo Ogbuagu

    Dr. Chukwuanugo Ogbuagu

    Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Dr. Princewill Ugwu

    Dr. Princewill Ugwu

    Department of Physiology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria

Published Date

  • Jul 16, 2020

SARS-CoV-2: Current Perspective on Control, Prevention, and Therapeutic Promise

Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS) / SJMS Special Issue 2020: Competing with COVID-19 in Sudan / Pages 80-84

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has halted activities throughout the globe because of its rapid spread. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a β-coronavirus first detected in China. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to be transmitted via direct contact, fomite, respiratory droplets, and possibly aerosol. The spread of the disease is complicated due to the slow onset of symptoms and asymptomatic infected patients.


Methods: This narrative communication summarizes the recent researches sourced using sensitive search strategies to identify COVID-19 current perspectives on the control, prevention, and therapeutic promise.


Result: Several strategies and multiple control measures have been implemented around the globe to contain COVID-19. Considering the exponential spread of the pandemic, several scientists and physicians have been racing to discover possible therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. There are clinical trials to investigate the vaccine designed to protect against the infection and also to substantiate the claim made for BCG protection against COVID-19. Although, there is currently no universally approved medication to treat SARS-CoV-2, there have been random reports of existing medications ameliorating the infection, and these regimens are still under clinical trial. There is also the potential therapeutic prospect of rhinothermy to fight SARS-CoV-2 judging from its success in fighting upper respiratory tract viral infection.


Conclusion: The information provided in this communication gives a reliable intellectual grounding regarding the current perspective on COVID-19 control, progress made in the development of vaccines and therapeutic regimen, and where future research in this area should be focused.


Key words: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; control; WHO; respiratory; cases; tract

References
1. Zhu, N., Zhang, D., Wang, W., et al. (2020). A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 382, no. 8, pp. 727–733.
2. Huang, C., Wang, Y., Li, X., et al. (2020). Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet, vol. 395, pp. 497–506.
3. World Health Organization. Coronavirus. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3
4. Bai, Y., Yao, L., Wei, T., et al. (2020). Presumed asymptomatic carrier transmission of COVID-19. JAMA. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.1490.
5. Doremalen, N. V., Bushmaker, T., Morris, D. H., et al. (2020). Aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1. The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 382, no. 16, pp. 1564–1567.
6. World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Reports-141. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
7. Gilbert, M., Pullano, G., Pinotti, G., et al. (2020). Preparedness and vulnerability of African countries against importations of COVID-19: a modelling study. Lancet vol. 395, pp. 871–877.
8. World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice For the Public. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
9. Xifeng, W., Xiaolin, X., and Xuchu, W. (2020). 6 lessons from China’s Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou on how countries can prevent and rebound from an epidemic like COVID-19. World Economic Forum COVID Action Platform. Retrieved from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-hangzhou-zhejiang-government-response/
10. National Institute of Health. (2020). NIH Clinical Trial of Investigational Vaccine For COVID-19 Begins. Retrieved from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins
11. Miller, A., Reandelar, M. J., Fasciglione, K., et al. (2020). Correlation between universal BCG vaccination policy and reduced morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 an epidemiological study. medRxiv pre-print.
12. Moorlag, S. J. C. F. M., Arts, R. J. W., van Crevel, R., et al. (2019). Non-specific effects of BCG vaccine on viral infections. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, vol. 25, pp. 1473–1478.
13. Nemes, E., Geldenhuys, H., Rozot, V. (2018). Prevention of M. tuberculosis infection with H4:IC31 vaccine or BCG revaccination. The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 379, no. 2, pp. 138–149.
14. Rajarshi, K., Chatterjee, A., and Ray, S. (2020). BCG vaccination strategy for prevention against COVID-19: Hype or Hop? Preprints, 2020040351. DOI: 10.20944/preprints202004.0351.v1.
15. Wang, J., Tang, K., Feng, K., et al. (2020 ). High temperature and high humidity reduce the transmission of COVID-19. SSRN. Retrieved from: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3551767
16. Park, M., Thwaites, R. S., and Openshaw, P. J. M. (2020). COVID-19: lessons from SARS and MERS. European Journal of Immunology, vol. 50, pp. 308–316.
17. Chen, D. Y., Zee, E. D., Gildengorin, G., et al. (2019). A pilot study of heated and humidified low flow oxygen therapy: an assessment in infants with mild and moderate bronchiolitis (HHOT AIR study). Pediatric Pulmonology, vol. 54, pp. 620–627.
18. Hei, Sv., Mckinstry, S., Bardsley, G., et al. (2018). Randomized controlled trial of rhinothermy for treatment of the common cold: a feasibility study. BMJ Open, vol. 8, e019350. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019350
19. Bibby, S., Reddy, S., Cripps, T., et al. (2016). Tolerability of nasal delivery of humidified and warmed air at different temperatures: a randomized double-blind pilot study. Pulmonary Medicine, 7951272. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/7951272
20. National Institute of Health. (2020). NIH Clinical Trial of Remdesivir to Treat COVID-19 Begins. Retrieved from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-remdisivir-treat-covid-19-begins
21. National Institute of Health. (2020). NIH Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine, A Potential Therapy For COVID-19 Begins. Retrieved from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-hydroxychloroquine-potential-therapy-covid-19-begins
22. World Health Organization. (2020). “Solidarity” Clinical Trial For COVID-19 Treatments. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/global-research-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/solidarity-clinical-trial-for-covid-19-treatments