Pathogenesis guided therapeutic management of COVID-19: an immunological perspective

Int Rev Immunol. 2021;40(1-2):54-71. doi: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1840566. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Abstract

Lack of standardized therapeutic approaches is arguably the significant contributor to the high burden of mortality observed in the ongoing pandemic of the Coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19). Evidence is accumulating on SARS-CoV-2 specific immune cell dysregulation and consequent tissue injury in COVID-19. Currently, no definite drugs or vaccines are available against the disease; however initial results of the ongoing clinical trials have raised some hope. In this article, taking insights from the emerging empirical evidence about host-virus interactions, we deliberate upon plausible pathogenic mechanisms and suitable therapeutic approaches for COVID-19.

Keywords: Anti-virals; SARS-CoV-2; betacoronaviruses; immunopathogenesis; therapeutic strategy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Complement Activation / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / blood
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / pathology*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents