The virology of SARS-CoV-2

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has far reaching effects on society, the economy and medical treatment. It is all the more important to understand the characteristics of the virus and to utilize them diagnostically, therapeutically and epidemiologically. This article firstly elucidates the medical importance of coronaviruses in general. Then angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the binding site of SARS-CoV‑2 and the possible influence on the disease susceptibility are explained. The gold standard for detection of an active SARS-CoV‑2 infection is the direct detection of the pathogen with nucleic acid amplification techniques. At the onset of symptoms, a swab of the upper airway is especially suitable due to the high viral burden. At a later stage direct detection can be achieved in samples from the lower airway or a stool or anal swab. Antigen or antibody tests cannot replace the direct detection of the pathogen; however, the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies are of special interest for epidemiological questions (seroconversion time of sometimes several weeks). The plaque reduction neutralization test exclusively detects antibodies which neutralize viruses but the procedure is complicated. In addition, the importance of these antibodies with respect to immunity against a second infection is uncertain. Thanks to modern techniques thousands of SARS-CoV‑2 sequences are already available, which show a genomic variability. The D614G mutation in the S spikes seems to cause a higher infectiosity. Mutations can impair the diagnostics and treatment, which makes monitoring necessary.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:61

Enthalten in:

Der Internist - 61(2020), 8 vom: 01. Aug., Seite 789-792

Sprache:

Deutsch

Weiterer Titel:

Die Virologie von SARS-CoV-2

Beteiligte Personen:

Hoehl, S [VerfasserIn]
Ciesek, S [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

ACE2 protein, human
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Antibodies, Viral
Betacoronavirus
EC 3.4.15.1
EC 3.4.17.23
Immunoglobulin G
Journal Article
Monitoring/mutations
Neutralization tests
Nucleic acid amplification techniques
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Receptors, Virus
Review
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
Spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 05.08.2020

Date Revised 18.02.2022

published: Print

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1007/s00108-020-00853-6

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM312812884