SARS-CoV-2: A Summary of Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis

SARS-CoV-2 also known as COVID-19, was an emerging disease in December of 2019 and, by March of 2020, the World Health Organization issued a pandemic alert signifying the severity of this virus. Data was collected from recent peer-reviewed sources to show the most up-to-date information on this disease. Identifying the viral and host interactions will lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of this virus. COVID-19 uses unique mechanisms that target and damage nasal & bronchial epithelial cells and pneumocytes. The damage caused, leads to symptoms that range from mild to critical, including fever, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc. SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by binding and fusing its membrane to the host using its S-proteins. The virus hijacks the host cell’s metabolic pathways forcing it to create new capsules, then lyses the cell releasing the newly created capsules into the body. The immune system will react via the process of pyroptosis, a mass cell death with high inflammation. Understanding these mechanisms and how mechanisms of variant B.1.1.7 differ, could lead to more effective treatments being developed for variant strains. This study was developed as a summary and reference point for future COVID-19 research