SUMMARY
COVID-19 is caused by the highly infectious and pathogenic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 appeared in late 2019 that is responsible for the outbreak of a global pandemic affecting significantly the lives of all people. The article presents information on the origin and structure of SARS-CoV-2, including its genomic characteristics, in a clear form. Early and accurate detection of the virus is key in the fight against a pandemic. The gold standard is detection by nucleic acid amplification. Currently, the first choice is a test based on the detection of RNA by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts have been stepped up to develop diagnostic tests that can reliably distinguish between positive (virus-infected) and negative people. This is a key step in preventing the virus from spreading. Rapid antigen tests have also earned their place among diagnostic tests, mainly due to their unpretentiousness and the possibility of achieving results quickly. In addition, the article presents the current possibilities of vaccination protection, including a summary of vaccines available in Slovakia.
Key words: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, structure, vaccines.

Lek Obz, 2021, 70 (9): 321-330

Marek STUPÁK, Miroslava RABAJDOVÁ, Michaela ABRAHAMOVSKÁ, Monika ŠVECOVÁ, Ivana VEČURKOVSKÁ, Mária MAREKOVÁ

Ústav lekárskej a klinickej biochémie, LF UPJŠ, Košice, prednostka prof. Ing. M. Mareková, CSc.

Cite:
STUPÁK M., RABAJDOVÁ M., ABRAHAMOVSKÁ M., VECOVÁ M., VEČURKOVSKÁ I., MAREKOVÁ M.: SARS-CoV-2: What we know about its origin, detection and prevention. Lek Obz, 2021, 70 (9): 321-330