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Review
. 2020 Jun;9(2):241-253.
doi: 10.1007/s40121-020-00295-5. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

Coronavirus: Update Related to the Current Outbreak of COVID-19

Giovanni Gabutti  1 , Erica d'Anchera  2 , Federica Sandri  2 , Marta Savio  2 , Armando Stefanati  1
Affiliations
Review

Coronavirus: Update Related to the Current Outbreak of COVID-19

Giovanni Gabutti et al. Infect Dis Ther. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

In December 2019, some cases of viral pneumonia were epidemiologically related to a new coronavirus in the province of Hubei, China. Subsequently, there has been an increase in infections attributable to this virus throughout China and worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially named the infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the virus has been classified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This appears to be a virus from Rhinolophus bats, but the intermediate host has not yet been identified. The mechanism of infection of SARS-CoV-2 is not yet known; it appears to have affinity for cells located in the lower airways, where it replicates. The interhuman transmission of coronaviruses mainly occurs through saliva droplets and direct and indirect contact via surfaces. As of March 10, 2020, the number of cases worldwide was 113,702. Along with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS), COVID-19 appears to cause a severe clinical picture in humans, ranging from mild malaise to death by sepsis/acute respiratory distress syndrome. The prognosis is worse in elderly patients with comorbidities. To date, there is no specific therapy for COVID-19. Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection implies strategies that limit the spread of the virus. WHO and other international and national bodies have developed continuously updated strategic objectives and provisions to contain the spread of the virus and infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Infectious disease; MERS; Pneumonia; Public health; SARS; SARS-COV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Erica d’Anchera, Federica Sandri, Marta Savio and Armando Stefanati declare that they have no conflict of interest. Giovanni Gabutti declares that he does not have a specific conflict of interest related to this paper; however, he reports grants from Sanofi Pasteur MSD, GSK Biologicals SA, Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur Italy, MSD Italy, Emergent BioSolutions and Seqirus for taking part to advisory boards, expert meetings, for acting as speaker and/or organizer of meetings/congresses and as principal investigator and chief of O.U. in RCTs.

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