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Dofuor AK, Quartey NKA, Osabutey AF, Boateng BO, Lutuf H, Osei JHN, Ayivi-Tosuh SM, Aiduenu AF, Ekloh W, Loh SK, Opoku MJ, Aidoo OF. The Global Impact of COVID-19: Historical Development, Molecular Characterization, Drug Discovery and Future Directions. Clin Pathol 2023; 16:2632010X231218075. [PMID: 38144436 PMCID: PMC10748929 DOI: 10.1177/2632010x231218075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
In December 2019, an outbreak of a respiratory disease called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, China. The SARS-CoV-2, an encapsulated positive-stranded RNA virus, spread worldwide with disastrous consequences for people's health, economies, and quality of life. The disease has had far-reaching impacts on society, including economic disruption, school closures, and increased stress and anxiety. It has also highlighted disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the SARS-CoV-2. The symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. There is presently no effective cure. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in developing COVID-19 vaccine for different therapeutic targets. For instance, scientists developed multifold vaccine candidates shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak after Pfizer and AstraZeneca discovered the initial COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines reduce disease spread, severity, and mortality. The addition of rapid diagnostics to microscopy for COVID-19 diagnosis has proven crucial. Our review provides a thorough overview of the historical development of COVID-19 and molecular and biochemical characterization of the SARS-CoV-2. We highlight the potential contributions from insect and plant sources as anti-SARS-CoV-2 and present directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Naa Kwarley-Aba Quartey
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Belinda Obenewa Boateng
- Coconut Research Program, Oil Palm Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
| | - Hanif Lutuf
- Crop Protection Division, Oil Palm Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kade, Ghana
| | - Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Selina Mawunyo Ayivi-Tosuh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Albert Fynn Aiduenu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - William Ekloh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Seyram Kofi Loh
- Department of Built Environment, School of Sustainable Development, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Jnr Opoku
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
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