COVID-19 pathophysiology: A review

Clin Immunol. 2020 Jun:215:108427. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108427. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Abstract

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now named as SARS-CoV-2, caused a series of acute atypical respiratory diseases in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The disease caused by this virus was termed COVID-19. The virus is transmittable between humans and has caused pandemic worldwide. The number of death tolls continues to rise and a large number of countries have been forced to do social distancing and lockdown. Lack of targeted therapy continues to be a problem. Epidemiological studies showed that elder patients were more susceptible to severe diseases, while children tend to have milder symptoms. Here we reviewed the current knowledge about this disease and considered the potential explanation of the different symptomatology between children and adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Animals
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • COVID-19
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Pandemics*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Ace2 protein, mouse
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2