Emergence of novel coronavirus and progress toward treatment and vaccine

Rev Med Virol. 2020 Jul;30(4):e2116. doi: 10.1002/rmv.2116. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Abstract

In late December 2019, a group of patients was observed with pneumonia-like symptoms that were linked with a wet market in Wuhan, China. The patients were found to have a novel coronavirus genetically related to a bat coronavirus that was termed SARS-CoV-2. The virus gradually spread worldwide and was declared a pandemic by WHO. Scientists have started trials on potential preventive and treatment options. Currently, there is no specific approved treatment for SARS-CoV-2, and various clinical trials are underway to explore better treatments. Some previously approved antiviral and other drugs have shown some in vitro activity. Here we summarize the fight against this novel coronavirus with particular focus on the different treatment options and clinical trials exploring treatment as well as work done toward development of vaccines.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; bat coronavirus; chloroquine; remdesivir; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Vaccines* / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Viral Vaccines