Carbohydrates-based diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases: Special emphasis on COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is taking a dangerous turn due to unavailability of approved and effective vaccines and therapy. Currently available diagnostic techniques are time-consuming, expensive, and maybe impacted by the mutations produced in the virus. Therefore, investigation of novel, rapid, and economic diagnosis techniques, prophylactic vaccines and targeted efficacious drug delivery systems as treatment strategy is imperative. Carbohydrates are essential biomolecules which also act as markers in the realization of immune systems. Moreover, they exhibit antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Carbohydrate-based vaccines and therapeutics including stimuli sensitive systems can be developed successfully and used effectively to fight COVID-19. Thus, carbohydrate-based diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives could be promising to defeat COVID-19 propitiously. Morphology of SARS-CoV-2 and its relevance in devising combat strategies has been discussed. Carbohydrate-based approaches for tackling infectious diseases and their importance in the design of various diagnostic and treatment modalities have been reviewed.

ATR-FTIR spectrum analysis of saliva samples from COVID-19 positive patients

“…After the attack of viruses in the human body through the respiratory tract, they usually utilize sugar chains (glycans) present on the surface of host cells. Thus, the virus is covered by glycans resistant to mutation through its development process 41 . In this research, the band correlated to carbohydrates showed a higher expression in the COVID-19 group, probably due to the high concentration of spike glycoprotein.…”

Association of food habit with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization: A cross-sectional study among the recovered individuals in Bangladesh

“…Though direct relationship between rice consumption and COVID-19 severity and hospitalization is not evident, but, rice consumption might be beneficiary for avoiding massive damage by this disease. As carbohydrates are closely associated with immune components at molecular level, carbohydrate rich food is suggested for COVID-19 patients in different studies (Kumbhar et al, 2021). Fish and meat both contain protein which might be the factor for less hospitalization and severity among the consumers.…”

Pathophysiologic Functions of Carbohydrate-Lipid Interactions: Ascertainment in Obesity, Diabetes and SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

“…At the molecular level, carbohydrates are intricately linked with immune components. Thus, carbohydrate-based systems potentially constitute features to combat COVID-19 [48]. In addition, carbohydrates depict antifungal, antimicrobial and antiviral attributes, which make them propitiously relevant to morphologically engage SARS-CoV-2 in the provision of vaccines and therapeutic agents.…”