Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Covid-19: A worldwide, zoonotic, pandemic outbreak

  • Tahseen Khan
  • , Kartikeya Agnihotri
  • , Aditi Tripathi
  • , Suneet Mukherjee
  • , Namita Agnihotri
  • , Gaurav Gupta
  • Suresh Gyan Vihar University
  • Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
  • Government P.G. College

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context • An outbreak of a novel, zoonotic coronavirus occurred in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China and has now affected almost the entire world, with the maximum confirmed cases being 1 521 252 as of April 10, 2020. The WHO named this coronavirus 2019-nCoV, with COVID-19 being the name for diseases allied with it. Objective • The study intended to examine the features and characteristics of existing human coronaviruses and identify their resemblance to the newly identified 2019-nCoV. Design • The research team performed a literature review, searching relevant literature databases. We searched four databases, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI (Chinese Database), to identify studies reporting COVID-19. Articles published on or before April 10, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. We used the following search terms: “Coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV” or “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV” or “MERS-CoV” or “Bat SARS-CoV” or “ACE2 receptor”. Setting • This study was take place in School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, India. Results • The undistinguishable similarity of the genomic sequences of Severe Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and Bat SARS-CoV—bat-SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21— to nCoV-2019 has facilitated the process of identifying primary treatment measures. Researchers are presuming the existence of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding in nCoV-2019, as in SARS-CoV. Researchers have been examining human-to-human transmission, the possibility of an intermediate host between bats and humans, and the existence of asymptomatic cases. An incubation period of 0 to 14 days has been reported, with acute to chronic symptoms being cough, nasal congestion, high fever, dyspnea, pneumonia, invasive lesions in both lungs, respiratory failure, and even death, including in pediatric cases. Mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, repurposing of antivirals, and plasma infusion have proven to be somewhat effective. Several countries have started clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of some drugs, but the ability to vaccinate people with existing or new molecules will require time. Previously learned lessons from SARS and MERS have led some areas to be well equipped in terms of the ability to take speedy action. Conclusions • First-level treatments include repurposing antivirals and antimalarials, and plasma infusion should help, but development of existing or new molecules into vaccines will take time. The unpredictable trajectory of this outbreak demands careful surveillance to monitor the situation, draw strategies, implement control measures, and create proper ethical laws and medical guidelines. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2020;26(S2):56-64).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)56-64
Number of pages9
JournalAlternative therapies in health and medicine
Volume26
StatePublished - Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Covid-19: A worldwide, zoonotic, pandemic outbreak'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this