SARS-CoV-2 vs. SARS-CoV-1 management: antibiotics and inflammasome modulators potential

P. Rat, E. Olivier, M. Dutot

UMR CNRS 8038 CiTCoM, Chimie Toxicologie Analytique et Cellulaire, Université de Paris, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France. melody.dutot@yslab.fr

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• Infectious Diseases

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 at the origin of COVID-19 shares more than 70% genetic similarity with SARS-CoV-1 that was at the origin of 2003 SARS. Infection-associated symptoms are very similar between SARS and COVID-19 diseases and are the same as community-acquired pneumonia symptoms. Antibiotics were empirically given to SARS patients in the early stages of the pathology whereas a different strategy has been decided in the management of COVID-19 pandemic with a worldwide shutdown. The cytokine storm, both identified in SARS and COVID-19 severe cases, is generated through inflammasome activation, which opens therapeutic perspectives to counteract the pathogenic inflammation. As corticoids have numerous side effects that limit their use, focusing on anti-inflammasome agents could represent a safer alternative for patients with severe COVID-19.

 

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