Evolution of the clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of the coronavirus disease COVID-19

Abstract

The review elucidates the evolution of the clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19. Currently, the mutagenesis of SARS-CoV-2 which has led to natural selection of several mutations with distinct functional effects is considered as the key mechanism determining the major parameters of the disease pathogenesis, clinical course, and epidemiology. In general, as compared with the diseases caused by delta and beta variants, omicron variant infection is associated with a lower number of severe cases, a higher prevalence of sore throat and a lower prevalence of headache, diarrhea, taste loss, and anosmia. The evolution of the clinical course of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by less severity of the disease in adult patients and a higher hospitalization risk in children, especially those under 5 years of age. The described evolution of pathogenetic aspects of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 supports the search for effective and safe antivirals with a broad spectrum of activity approved for using in children of different age groups. The list of such medications includes pentanedioic acid imidazolyl ethanamide. Its efficacy and safety have been proven for the treatment of a wide range of acute viral respiratory infections and COVID-19 in multiple clinical trials. KEYWORDS: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, acute viral respiratory infections, mutations, mutagenesis, omicron,delta, pentanedioic acid imidazolyl ethanamide. FOR CITATION: Gorelov A.V., Ploskireva A.A., Muzyka A.D. Evolution of the clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2022;6(11):626–634 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2022-6-11-626-634.