An All-Inclusive Overview of COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): Emphasising Immuno-Pathogenesis, Correlation with Comorbidities, Neurological Consequences, and Therapeutic Objectives

ABSTRACT: It has been five years since the first COVID-19 cases emerged in China. The infection spread extensively around the world, impacting millions and presenting a significant risk to public health, leading to the breakdown of healthcare systems in various countries. The COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and is a recent emergent virus that belongs to the beta (β)-coronaviruses. The presence of comorbidities significantly influenced the mortality rate among patients infected with COVID-19. For a while, it was believed that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was limited to respiratory tract invasion; however, more research indicated that the infection may also affect the central and peripheral neurological systems, among many other organs and systems. Encephalopathy, encephalitis, meningitis, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are among the neurological side effects linked to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 treatment has advanced swiftly, mostly emphasizing antiviral and immunomodulatory medications. Remdesivir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir are examples of antivirals that have been observed to be most effective when used initially in an illness (for instance, as outpatient treatment) and in instances of milder disease. When treating serious disease or critical illness, immunomodulatory treatments like dexamethasone, Janus kinase inhibitors, or interleukin-6 are most beneficial. Mass vaccination campaigns as a preventative measure are the most effective means of preventing this pandemic. In order to mitigate or lower the rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and fatalities, several vaccine platforms, such as vaccines based on nucleic acids (DNA and mRNA vaccines), adenovirus-vectored vaccines, inactivated vaccines, and protein-based subunit vaccines, have been created and developed. This article mainly emphasizes the taxonomy and structural virology with the probable viral immuno-pathogenesis mechanism of SARS CoV-2. It also outlines the correlation between comorbidities and neurological complications, and lastly, it mentions the prophylaxis and vaccines used for treating COVID-19 patients.