OBJECTIVE: In late December 2019 in Wuhan (China), Health Commission reported a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology, subsequently isolated and named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus 2 (CoV-2). In this review, the main transmission routes and causes of mortality associated with COVID-19 were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was carried out to recognize relevant research available until 10 April 2020. RESULTS: The main transmission routes of COVID-19 have been the following: animal to human and human-to-human pathways, namely: respiratory transmission; oro-fecal transmission; air, surface-human transmission. Transmission from asymptomatic persons, healthcare transmission, and interfamily transmission have been well documented. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 possesses powerful pathogenicity and transmissibility. It is presumed to spread primarily via respiratory droplets and close contact. The most probable transmission pathway is definitely the inter-human one. Asymptomatic patients seem to play a crucial role in spreading the infection. Because of COVID-19 infection pandemic potential, careful surveillance is essential to monitor its future host adaptation, viral evolution, infectivity, transmissibility, and pathogenicity in order to gain an effective vaccine and flock immunity and reduce mortality as soon and as much as it is possible.
OBJECTIVE: In late December 2019 in Wuhan (China), Health Commission reported a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology, subsequently isolated and named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus 2 (CoV-2). In this review, the main transmission routes and causes of mortality associated with COVID-19 were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was carried out to recognize relevant research available until 10 April 2020. RESULTS: The main transmission routes of COVID-19 have been the following: animal to human and human-to-human pathways, namely: respiratory transmission; oro-fecal transmission; air, surface-human transmission. Transmission from asymptomatic persons, healthcare transmission, and interfamily transmission have been well documented. CONCLUSIONS:SARS-CoV-2 possesses powerful pathogenicity and transmissibility. It is presumed to spread primarily via respiratory droplets and close contact. The most probable transmission pathway is definitely the inter-human one. Asymptomatic patients seem to play a crucial role in spreading the infection. Because of COVID-19infection pandemic potential, careful surveillance is essential to monitor its future host adaptation, viral evolution, infectivity, transmissibility, and pathogenicity in order to gain an effective vaccine and flock immunity and reduce mortality as soon and as much as it is possible.
Authors: Vânia I Sousa; Joana F Parente; Juliana F Marques; Carla Calçada; Maria I Veiga; Nuno S Osório; Carlos J Tavares Journal: ACS Omega Date: 2022-06-22
Authors: Luiz Henrique Agra Cavalcante-Silva; Deyse Cristina Madruga Carvalho; Éssia de Almeida Lima; José G F M Galvão; Juliane S de França da Silva; José Marreiro de Sales-Neto; Sandra Rodrigues-Mascarenhas Journal: Int Immunopharmacol Date: 2020-11-30 Impact factor: 4.932
Authors: Caterina Ledda; Claudio Costantino; Mario Cuccia; Helena C Maltezou; Venerando Rapisarda Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-08 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Caterina Ledda; Claudio Costantino; Giuseppe Motta; Rosario Cunsolo; Patrizia Stracquadanio; Giuseppe Liberti; Helena C Maltezou; Venerando Rapisarda Journal: Trop Med Infect Dis Date: 2022-01-13