Microbiology Course: Coronavirus Pathogenesis and Treatment

This assignment, focusing on the microbiology of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), delves into its pathogenesis, particularly its respiratory infection characteristics and impact on the immune system. The assignment examines the virus's structure and how it affects the lungs, leading to pneumonia and potential cardiac injury. It explores the innate immune response, including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) like TLR, RLR, NLR, and free molecule receptors. Furthermore, the assignment discusses antiretroviral treatments, such as combinations of flu and HIV medications, noting varying reports on their efficacy. It references several studies and clinical trials that provide mixed results regarding the effectiveness of these treatments, highlighting the complexity of combating the virus.

Running Head: TASK 0
Microbiology
Corona Virus
3-20-2020

TASK 1
Pathogenicity of Corona Virus
Corona Virus also called as COVID-19 is a from a family of SARS viruses. It is
shaped in the form of crown hence named as Corona. The main pathogenesis infection is as
respiratory infection turning into pneumonia, RNA related anemia and in some cases cardiac
injury. The virus affects the lungs and take over the immune system and replicates itself in
the host cells. Parallel with this high level of chemokine and cytokines can also be observed
among patients (Rothan & Byrareddy, 2020).
Innate immunological response in human body
The innate immune system of the human body or any host detects viral infections by
using pattern recognition receptors abbreviated as PRR to recognize pathogen associated
molecular patterns. Currently it is recorded that there are 4 pattern recognition receptor
namely TLR, RLR, NLR, and free molecule receptors present in the cytoplasm of the cells
(Li, Fen, Han, & Pan, 2020).
Explain antiretroviral treatment
A combination of medicine for common flu and HIV medicine has improved the
condition of patients suffering from Corona virus It was reported in many cases that flu drug
named as oseltamivir when taken in combination with HIV drug lopinavir and ritonavir has
improved the condition of patients in Bangkok (Afford, 2020) as well as in China (Boseley,
2020). Another report also validates the effect of this combination amongst the corona
patients (amFAR, 2020).
However, there are several reports that does not observe any improvement in the
condition of patients if the same combination of drug is incorporated. The trials carried out to
check its functioning resulted in failure or no change in existing condition of the patient(The
New York TImes, 2020). In another report it the medication was denoted as failure (Saey,
2020) and same goes with the report from Fox news as well (Carbone, 2020).

TASK 2
References
Afford, C. (2020). Flu and HIV Drugs Show Efficacy Against coronavirus. The Scientist.
Retrieved 03 20, 2020, from https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/flu-and-
anti-hiv-drugs-show-efficacy-against-coronavirus-67052
amFAR. (2020). Will HIV Drugs Help Fight coronavirus? amFAR. Retrieved 03 20, 2020,
from https://www.amfar.org/Will-HIV-Drugs-Help-Fight-Coronavirus/
Boseley, S. (2020). China trials anti-HIV drug on coronavirus patients. The Guardian.
Retrieved 03 20, 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/07/china-
trials-anti-hiv-drug-coronavirus-patients
Carbone, C. (2020). HIV drugs don't work as coronavirus treatment, clinical trial reveals.
Fox News. Retrieved 03 20, 2020, from https://www.foxnews.com/science/hiv-drugs-
dont-work-coronavirus-treatment
Li, G., Fen, Y., Han, T., & Pan, P. (2020, 01 25). Coronavirus infections and immune
responses. Journal of Medical Virology, 92(4), 424-432.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25685
Rothan, H. A., & Byrareddy, S. N. (2020, 02 26). The epidemiology and pathogenesis of
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102433
Saey, T. H. (2020). HIV drugs didn’t work as a coronavirus treatment in a clinical trial.
ScienceNews. Retrieved 03 20, 2020, from
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-pandemic-hiv-drugs-do-not-work-
treatment-clinical-trial
The New York TImes. (2020). A Promising Treatment for Coronavirus Fails. The New York
Times. Retrieved 03 20, 2020, from
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-antiviral-drugs-fail.html