Covid-19 pandemic: Current challenges and future perspectives

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lead to the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and more than one hundred million cases have been reported all over the world which resulted in millions of deaths and the outcome is increasing so far. It spreads certainly via contaminated droplets produced during breathing, coughing, sneezing and speaking. The mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis depends on the entry of the coronavirus into epithelial cells through ACE2 receptors. Previous studies have shown that increased proinflammatory cytokines (such as ILip, IL6, IL12, INF-γ, IP10, and MCP1) in the serum of patients with SARS are associated with lung inflammation and extensive lung injury. Common symptoms include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste. Complications may include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is no known specific antiviral medication, so primary treatment is currently symptomatic, while the current vaccines are still under testing and have not complete information's. Antiviral medications are under investigation for COVID-19, though none have yet been shown to be clearly effective on mortality. Herein, we discussed perspectives on pathophysiology, mechanisms underlying infection and some selected medications that are used in the challenge against COVID-19 pandemic.