Background::
A novel coronavirus disease, 2019-nCoV (COVID-19), reported first in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei,
China in late December 2019 and subsequently reached pandemic level affecting around 213 countries. As of 24th May
2020, the total number of positive cases confirmed is 5,446,514 and 344,754 death reports worldwide. COVID-19 infection
causes pneumonia-like severe respiratory infection and acute lung failure. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA beta coronavirus that is a confirmed causative agent of COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 may use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), unlike the receptor utilized by SARS-CoV (emerged in
2002) to infect humans. People with a history of hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cardiovascular
disease are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.
Objective::
The purpose behind this review is to help the society to distinguish and deal with SARS-CoV-2, and make available
a reference for forthcoming studies.
Methods::
Recently, a diagnostic primer sets on the SARS-CoV-2 genome have been identified. The receptor-binding domain of
SARS-COV-2 highlighted the mode by which beta-CoV recognizes ACE2. Various diagnostic tools are available to differentiate
and identify SARS-CoV-2 infection as RT-PCR, antigen detection assay, and antibody detection assay. Different strategies
have been employed to control the SARS-CoV-2, considering various drug targets like the main protease (3CLPro), papain-like
protease (PLpro), helicase (NSP13), RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and viral envelope (E) protein.
Conclusion::
In the present review, we have updated details of transmission, pathogenesis, genome structure, diagnostic criteria,
clinical characteristics, therapeutics, and vaccine development of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may be significant
in the control and response to the COVID-19 outbreak.