SARS-COV-2: History, Genetics, and Treatment

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. Covid-19 is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the infection a pandemic (global epidemic).

 The aim of this study is to investigate the latest research advances in genetics, disease, clinical features of Covid-19, as well as current therapies and scientific advances to combat this dangerous global epidemic.

The present paper is a review study developed using electronic sources in reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ISI, and Science Direct from 2010 to 2020.

Examining the genome and genetic studies of the virus, there are many similarities with members of the coronavirus family, but there are differences in their genomic and phenotypic structures that can affect their pathogenesis.Re-use of existing therapeutic drugs, previously designed for other infections and pathologies of viruses, is only a practical approach as a quick measure to respond to and fight the emerging epidemic. At present, tests for specific vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 genome and the therapeutic antibodies being tested require a long-term process and require complete safety testing.

Ethical principles in writing this study have been observed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations.

Rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the basis of disease control. So far, there is no specific antiviral drug approved for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, preventive and inactive measures against the virus are necessary to stop and control the spread of the disease, according to genetic studies and the achievement of molecular mechanisms of virus function in pathogenesis.