Open AccessSARS-CoV-2: lessons from both the history of medicine and from the biological behavior of other well-known viruses
Author(s) -
Sirio Fiorino,
Fabio Tateo,
Dario de Biase,
Claudio Gallo,
P. Orlandi,
Ivan Corazza,
Roberta Budriesi,
Matteo Micucci,
Michela Visani,
Elisabetta Loggi,
Wandong Hong,
Roberta Pica,
Federico Lari,
Maddalena Zippi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
future microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.797
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1746-0921
pISSN - 1746-0913
DOI - 10.2217/fmb-2021-0064
Subject(s) - pandemic , virology , covid-19 , transmission (telecommunications) , disease , influenza like illness , medicine , biology , immunology , virus , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , electrical engineering , engineering
SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of the current pandemic worldwide and its associated disease COVID-19. In this review, we have analyzed SARS-CoV-2 characteristics and those ones of other well-known RNA viruses viz. HIV, HCV and Influenza viruses, collecting their historical data, clinical manifestations and pathogenetic mechanisms. The aim of the work is obtaining useful insights and lessons for a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2. These pathogens present a distinct mode of transmission, as SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses are airborne, whereas HIV and HCV are bloodborne. However, these viruses exhibit some potential similar clinical manifestations and pathogenetic mechanisms and their understanding may contribute to establishing preventive measures and new therapies against SARS-CoV-2.