COVID-19: An up-to-date review - from morphology to pathogenesis.

COVID-19: An up-to-date review - from morphology to pathogenesis. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2020 Jul-Sep;63(3):358-366 Authors: Bal A, Agrawal R, Vaideeswar P, Arava S, Jain A Abstract The entire world is under a devastating pandemic caused by COVID-19 with a high mortality rate. Knowledge of the viral structure, factors that help in its progression and spread, pathological findings, diagnostic methods and, treatment modalities helps in understanding the viral disease and also in treating the patients in a better way besides preventing the community spread of this deadly infection. The causative agent is a single- stranded RNA virus. The clinical spectrum varies in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, who later become potential silent carriers, thus unknowingly spreading the virus. The virus constantly undergoes recombination, with reports of cross-species infections. Studies have indicated a strong immunological basis of COVID-19 infection. Not only does it weaken the immune system causing multi-organ involvement but also helps in its progression and spread to others.Multiple organs especially lungs, heart, kidney, gastrointestinal and hepatic system, brain and skin are affected varying in their severity. Similarly, persons with associated co-morbidities are likely to be affected more in terms of the number as well as in the severity. Real- time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction confirms the presence of COVID-19 inf...
Source: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Indian J Pathol Microbiol Source Type: research