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Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (생화학분자생물학회)
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COVID-19: an update on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

  • Iyer, Mahalaxmi (Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women) ;
  • Jayaramayya, Kaavya (Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women) ;
  • Subramaniam, Mohana Devi (Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation) ;
  • Lee, Soo Bin (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Dayem, Ahmed Abdal (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Cho, Ssang-Goo (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Vellingiri, Balachandar (Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University)
  • Received : 2020.04.17
  • Published : 2020.04.30
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Abstract

The unexpected pandemic set off by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused severe panic among people worldwide. COVID-19 has created havoc, and scientists and physicians are urged to test the efficiency and safety of drugs used to treat this disease. In such a pandemic situation, various steps have been taken by the government to control and prevent the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic situation has forced scientists to rework strategies to combat infectious diseases through drugs, treatment, and control measures. COVID-19 treatment requires both limiting viral multiplication and neutralizing tissue damage induced by an inappropriate immune reaction. Currently, various diagnostic kits to test for COVID-19 are available, and repurposing therapeutics for COVID-19 has shown to be clinically effective. As the global demand for diagnostics and therapeutics continues to rise, it is essential to rapidly develop various algorithms to successfully identify and contain the virus. This review discusses the updates on specimens/samples, recent efficient diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches to control the disease and repurposed drugs mainly focusing on chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma (CP). More research is required for further understanding of the influence of diagnostics and therapeutic approaches to develop vaccines and drugs for COVID-19.

Keywords

References

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