A precision medicine approach to managing 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia

Wang, Minjin; Zhou, Yanbing; Zong, Zhiyong; Liang, Zongan; Cao, Yu; Tang, Hong; Song, Bin; Huang, Zixing; Kang, Yan; Feng, Ping; Ying, Binwu; Li, Weimin

To date, seven strains of coronaviruses have been confirmed to infect humans: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, HCoV-NL63, Human coronavirus HKU1, MERS-CoV, and 2019-nCoV. 1,3 Since HCoV-229 and HCoV-OC43 were identified in 1966 and 1967, respectively, 8, 9 the coronaviruses have been known to cause mild-to-severe respiratory disease. In the SARS-CoV epidemic in 2002 and 2003, more than 8000 people were infected and 916 died. 10 Subsequently, by 28 February 2018, 2066 confirmed cases were attributed to MERS-CoV while more than 720 deaths were reported. 10 Patients with SARS or MERS infections present with a spectrum of symptoms ranging from upper respiratory tract infection to ARDS, whereas other HCoVs cause severe lower respiratory tract infection, primarily in the elderly and neonates. 10 Currently, the most common diagnostic method of coronaviruses is molecular detection. 10 A precision medicine approach is crucial to quickly confirm the diagnosis with laboratory methods, control the spread of the virus, and better allocate hospital resources.