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Immune response in COVID-19: What do we currently know?
Daniela S Oliveira1, Nayara I Medeiros2, Juliana A S Gomes1
1Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 share flu-like symptoms but differ in severity. This review explores viral characteristics and host immune responses to these significant coronavirus infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- The 2002/2003 SARS pandemic was caused by SARS-CoV.
- The COVID-19 pandemic emerged in 2019, caused by SARS-CoV-2.
- Both viruses belong to the Betacoronavirus genus and Coronaviridae family, causing infections with variable intensity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review important considerations regarding the host immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To compare and contrast SARS and COVID-19 infections.
- To highlight the viral structure and potential origins of SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- This study is a brief review of existing literature.
- It focuses on the characteristics of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
- It discusses the clinical presentation and viral structure.
Main Results:
- SARS and COVID-19 present with flu-like symptoms, ranging from medium to severe.
- Severe cases can lead to hospitalization, high pathology, and death.
- The SARS-CoV-2 virus has a large RNA genome and specific structural proteins, including the spike protein crucial for host cell interaction.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the immune system's interaction with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial.
- Further research into the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is ongoing.
- Distinguishing between SARS and COVID-19 is important for clinical management and public health responses.
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