Comparative replication and immune activation profiles of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in human lungs: an ex vivo study with implications for the pathogenesis of COVID-19Published on Clinical Infectious Diseases, 09 April 2020
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Little is known about how SARS-CoV-2 causes disease; thus, studying this will increase knowledge that will help us to stop the spread of infection and to find a cure. A team of experts from HKUMed studied how the virus infects and multiplies in human lung tissues. The results, published in a leading medical journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases, compared SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV, the coronavirus responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak, in terms of how they attacked human lung tissue. Key takeaways:
A poor immune response to SARS-CoV-2 allows this virus to multiply faster in the lungs, the moment it enters the body. This means that an infected person has more opportunity to further spread the virus through respiratory droplets or secretions even before symptoms appear. Good control measures, such as hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask. |
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