COVID-19: A Multidisciplinary Review

Front Public Health. 2020 Jul 29:8:383. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00383. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that is responsible for the 2019-2020 pandemic. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current published literature surrounding the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We examine the fundamental concepts including the origin, virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, laboratory, radiology, and histopathologic findings, complications, and treatment. Given that much of the information has been extrapolated from what we know about other coronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), we identify and provide insight into controversies and research gaps for the current pandemic to assist with future research ideas. Finally, we discuss the global response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and provide thoughts regarding lessons for future pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; global health; pandemic; respiratory infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity

Substances

  • RNA, Viral