Articles tagged with Sars Cov 2
A study by researchers at Linköping University suggests that severe COVID-19 infection has long-lasting negative effects on the immune system. The results showed that patients developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within 2-3 weeks of symptoms, which then started to fall after six months.
Researchers found that individuals with symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness before contracting COVID-19 were more likely to develop post-infection complications. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the importance of mental health support for those affected by COVID-19.
Coronavirus levels in wastewater accurately predicted hospitalization peaks and healthcare pressure, enabling timely forecasting. The study's results demonstrate the value of virus surveillance in monitoring ongoing outbreaks.
A study found that neutralizing antibody levels against COVID-19 decline by at least 15% per month after a single booster shot, but can be restored with a second dose. Researchers tested serum from vaccinated adults and found a higher rate of decline in neutralizing antibodies against the BA.5 omicron variant.
A retrospective cohort study in Hunan Province, China, investigated the effectiveness of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines against the Delta variant. The study found that complete primary immunization protected against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infection, with higher infection risk among vaccinated household contacts.
A new study found that young Swiss military personnel with confirmed Covid-19 infections experienced symptoms like fatigue, reduced sense of smell, and psychological problems for up to 180 days. Long-term effects included increased BMI, high cholesterol, and lower physical stamina, suggesting a higher risk of metabolic disorders and ca...
A new study reviews over 2,000 years of history to shed light on the delay in recognizing airborne transmission of coronavirus. Despite increasing evidence, institutions and governments initially focused on surface disinfection and handwashing, leading to millions of deaths.
A third vaccine dose offers better protection against Omicron infection and hospitalization compared to two doses. The study found that a third dose maintained longer protection against infection for a longer time.
Experts argue that flawed narratives and premature scientific conclusions led to ineffective public health measures, care home deaths, and lax vaccination policies. The UK's response fell short of its potential, with a death toll approaching 200,000, due to a lack of evidence-based decision-making.
A Charité study found that SARS-CoV-2 can trigger chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in patients. Approximately half of post-COVID patients met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, with distinct differences in laboratory results and disease progression between groups.
A new study finds that COVID-19 orphanhood is significantly higher in poorer countries due to pre-existing health and vaccine coverage inequity. The risk is driven by factors like poverty prevalence, lower GDP per capita, and non-communicable diseases.
Scientists modeled how different coronavirus shapes affect rotational diffusivity, impacting transmission and infective success. The study found that more elongated shapes result in slower rotation rates, potentially improving attachment to cells.
A new study found that people taking high doses of folic acid were 1.5 times more likely to get COVID-19 and 2.6 times more likely to die from the virus compared to those not on folic acid supplements. Methotrexate, an antifolate drug, mitigated this negative impact when given with folic acid.
New research from Flinders University found a molecular link between COVID-19 and serotonin cells in the gut. The study suggests that these cells synthesise and release serotonin, which is highly enriched for SARS-CoV-2 receptors, potentially worsening disease outcomes.
A study of 690 young children found that many had asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, which did not correlate with viral load. The findings suggest that relying on symptom screening may not be enough to control outbreaks in this age group.
A study published in NEJM found that individuals infected with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants have four times greater protection against the current Omicron BA.5 subvariant than those who were not infected. This hybrid immunity provides significant protection against future infections.
Researchers discovered a substance that increased immune response to an experimental COVID-19 shot in mice, producing antibodies 25 times greater than without an adjuvant. The new adjuvant, αGC-CPOEt, is being investigated as a potential treatment for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science create a novel virus-like particle (VLP) to safely study SARS-CoV-2 mutations and trigger an immune response. The VLP is stable, can attach to host cells, and elicit antibodies that neutralize the live virus.
Researchers have found that human antibodies can incorporate foreign genetic material from the mitochondria and ends of chromosomes, leading to increased immune diversity. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that antibody diversity results solely from gene mutations.
A large cross-sectional study found that baseline plasma antigen levels are highly associated with both the severity of pulmonary illness and clinically important patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Higher antigen levels were linked to increased risk of pulmonary worsening and delayed hospital discharge.
Higher SARS-CoV-2 antigen levels in hospitalized patients correlate with worse pulmonary function and longer hospital stays. Antigen levels also predict disease severity and outcomes, suggesting their potential as a biomarker for COVID-19 treatment.
A study found that self-collected nasal swabs in children and adolescents have comparable SARS-CoV-2 detection rates to those collected by healthcare workers. This simple method could improve COVID-19 testing accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on Mayotte, with over 4,000 laboratory-confirmed cases causing interruptions in work and healthcare services. The island's unique socioeconomic vulnerability and communication challenges affected the surveillance and monitoring of the outbreak.
Researchers developed a DNA vaccine containing multiple parts of the virus, including ones that don't mutate as frequently. The vaccine protected mice against serious infection from the beta variant and activated immune cells recognizing the coronavirus found in bats.
A study by Osaka University researchers comprehensively analyzed mRNA and microRNA expression patterns in the blood of patients with severe COVID-19, revealing specific mRNAs and microRNAs associated with the immune response pathway. The findings suggest that interferon-β plays a crucial role in COVID-19 severity.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Virology suggests that chronic COVID infections are the source of variants of concern. The researchers used a mechanistic, theoretical model to study the emergence of these variants, which were found to acquire a constellation of mutations that make them more transmissible and lethal. By identif...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 141 articles found the COVID-19 incubation period decreased from Alpha (5 days) to Omicron (3.42 days), highlighting the need for adjusted isolation periods
A large study of over 660,000 children found that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a range of symptoms and health conditions. The research suggests that some children may experience persistent health issues after infection, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
A study by Hokkaido University scientists found a close association between clinical cases of COVID-19 and viral loads in wastewater, with the viral loads picking up to two days before the cases were detected. The researchers used wastewater-based epidemiology to track the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
Research suggests that regular physical activity is linked to a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and severity, including hospital admission and death. Adults who engaged in at least 500 MET minutes per week had a significant reduction in risk, with the highest protective effect observed at this threshold.
Researchers developed a new quantitative RT-qPCR assay to detect and quantify the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. The assay revealed that Omicron displaced Delta as the dominant variant within just 3 weeks in an Italian population.
Researchers at UBC have discovered a key vulnerability across all major COVID-19 variants that can be targeted by neutralizing antibodies. The 'master key' identified is the antibody fragment V H Ab6, which effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by attaching to the epitope on the spike protein.
A study of 57 people with mild COVID-19 found that the average duration of infectiousness was five days, and two-thirds of cases remained infectious for at least five days after symptoms began. Lateral flow tests can safely shorten self-isolation by identifying when someone is no longer contagious.
Researchers have identified three natural compounds that bind to a key enzyme in the coronavirus, potentially blocking its replication. Hydroxyethylphenol, hydroxybenzaldehyde, and methyldihydroxybenzoate showed reduced activity against the papain-like protease enzyme, with effects ranging from 50-70%.
Researchers estimated long-term effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection and critical infections among 3.2 million South Korean adolescents. The study found high vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illnesses.
A recent study in Los Angeles County found that more than half of adults with Omicron variant infection were unaware of their infectious status. Health care employees had higher awareness rates than non-employees, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and testing to prevent transmission.
A new study from Cedars-Sinai researchers found that 56% of people infected with the Omicron variant were unaware they had COVID-19. The study suggests that a lack of infection awareness contributed to the fast spread of Omicron.
Researchers found that a thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) inhibitor could help slow thrombosis in COVID-19 patients by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The gene's increased expression is linked to D-dimer levels and COVID-19 severity.
Researchers used x-ray crystallography to study the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 at various temperatures, revealing subtle conformational changes and potential targets for drug design. These findings may inspire the development of new antiviral drugs to counteract COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics.
A team of researchers from Princeton University and the Broad Institute created a fast, accurate, and equipment-free diagnostic test for COVID-19. The test uses CRISPR technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants and can be performed at home without special equipment, improving sensitivity and specificity compared to existing tests.
The study found that regional connectivity drove both introduction and export risk of the virus, mainly through land-based travel. Improved pandemic surveillance infrastructure is crucial to mitigate outbreaks quickly, especially in regions like the Middle East.
The AABB has released clinical practice guidelines for the appropriate use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma, recommending its use for nonhospitalized patients at high risk for disease progression. The guidelines suggest that CCP is most effective when transfused with high neutralizing titers early after symptom onset.
A recent study found that healthcare workers are at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection when exposed to patients with COVID-19 and wear inadequate masks. The study analyzed the risk of infection among 2900 healthcare workers based on their preferred mask type and level of exposure to patients with COVID-19.
A study of 127,000 patients with positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 tests found elevated health care use six months post-infection. This suggests that healthcare systems should consider long-term strategic planning to address expected increased use.
Researchers developed a broadly neutralizing antibody that neutralized all currently known SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron strains. The antibody works differently from existing antibodies and prevents the virus from fusing with host cells.
A 3-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccination schedule significantly improved SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations in immunocompromised patients. This improvement was comparable to those obtained by healthy individuals after the standard two-dose Moderna vaccination schedule.
A recent study analyzed millions of SARS-CoV-2 genomes and found that recombination occurs more frequently in the spike protein region. The researchers developed a new software, RIPPLES, to detect this phenomenon, which is crucial for understanding the evolutionary history of the virus.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a critical mechanism in the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The NiRAN domain plays a crucial role in synthesizing the RNA cap, which is essential for viral replication.
Researchers assessed the effectiveness of adding a Pfizer-BioNTech booster to two doses of CoronaVac, finding reduced risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study used national data from nearly 14 million vaccinated individuals in Malaysia.
Researchers have discovered a broadly neutralising antibody, ZCB11, that protects against all SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. Administration of ZCB11 either prophylactically or therapeutically shields lung infection in golden Syrian hamsters from Omicron viral challenge.
The Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center, led by the University of Minnesota, aims to discover effective responses to pandemics through basic, translational, and clinical research. Researchers at UIC are developing an antiviral therapy for filoviruses like Ebola with a potential drug ready for human testing within three to five years.
Scientists at Scripps Research have identified antibodies that induce broad immunity against SARS viruses, including emerging variants. The discovery reveals the antibody structures that produce this more comprehensive immune response and could inform the development of next-generation vaccines.
A new test developed by MIT researchers measures neutralizing antibodies in a blood sample to predict COVID-19 immunity. The easy-to-use test could help people decide on necessary protections and may be particularly useful for those with weakened immune systems.
A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that over 55% of respiratory disease hospitalisations during the pandemic's peak were caused by non-SARS-CoV-2 infections. Non-COVID-19 respiratory infections are expected to increase this winter, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems.
A new poll shows that 61% of people over 50 who have already gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine are very likely to roll up their sleeves for an updated booster shot. Health providers' recommendations will play a crucial role in increasing vaccination rates among older adults.
A new model predicts that high transmissibility and immune erosion will lead to further outbreaks. The study highlights the need for a universal vaccine to block SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent severe disease.
A new point-of-care diagnostic device combines CRISPR with electrochemical sensing to track COVID-19 infections' course via saliva. The device can simultaneously detect both SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional lab tests.
Scientists at UC Berkeley develop a new COVID-19 therapeutic using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that target a conserved region of the viral genome. The treatment is highly effective in preventing and treating COVID-19 infections in human cells and animal models, with no significant immune response.
Researchers analyzed over 140,000 class meetings and found no evidence of in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 despite full-occupancy and masking. The study provides solid evidence that BU's disease mitigation events limited transmission in the classroom.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was extremely low at a large urban university with strict health measures in place. The analysis of 140,000 class meetings revealed negligible cases, indicating effective control of the virus.