Articles tagged with Sars Cov 2
Emerging evidence highlights T cells' role in protecting against viral infections, with antibody responses appearing short-lived and T cell memory potentially more durable. Standardized testing methods for T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are needed to fully understand population-level immunity.
Researchers developed a simple agglutination assay to detect COVID-19 antibodies in plasma samples within 20 minutes. This test can identify recent cases and aid clinical trials, with potential for widespread use in high-risk countries.
A study published in JAMA found that after universal masking was implemented at Mass General Brigham, the rate of COVID-19 infection among health care workers dropped significantly. The positivity rate decreased linearly from 15% to 11% after the policy was implemented.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that heparin, a common blood thinner, can effectively neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The drug binds tightly to the surface spike protein of the virus, preventing it from infecting human cells and potentially reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
A surface coating developed by Virginia Tech professor William Ducker has been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, by 99.9% in one hour when applied to glass or stainless steel surfaces.
Research finds obesity and metabolic syndrome to be risk factors for severe disease from viral infections. Patients with these conditions are at increased risk of developing severe pneumonia and a cytokine storm that damages lung tissue, making them more susceptible to severe illness from influenza and COVID-19.
A recent study claiming the coronavirus may have jumped from dogs to humans lacks direct evidence, according to a collaborative group of international researchers. The team refuted the earlier study, highlighting that dogs are not special in their content of proteins that interact with viral CpG content.
A new study found that patients with fewer or milder symptoms have a higher SARS-CoV-2 viral load when diagnosed, which may carry a higher risk of transmission. The study also linked higher viral loads to cancer and cardiovascular disease after adjusting for age.
A recent article in Nature Reviews Microbiology calls for more research into bats' molecular biology and ecology to predict and prevent the next pandemic. Bats carry a vast number of viruses, with evidence linking different species to human outbreaks of SARS, MERS, Ebola, and other diseases.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a common molecular feature in human antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, which could lead to the development of effective vaccines. The study found that boosting levels of these potent antibodies, encoded by the IGHV3-53 gene, may provide adequate protection against COVID-19.
Researchers analyzed nearly 300 human SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and found IGHV3-53 is the most frequently used gene for targeting the virus spike protein. This gene leads to highly potent antibodies with lower mutation rates, making them promising for vaccine design.
A recent study reports evidence of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant, highlighting the importance of protecting pregnant women from COVID-19. The findings suggest that infection can occur during pregnancy, and researchers emphasize the need for further research into mechanisms and risk factors.
Researchers characterised the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in high resolution and compared it to a bat coronavirus. The study found significant differences at receptor-binding sites, making the SARS-CoV-2 spike more stable and bind to human cells around 1,000 times tighter.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center report that remdesivir potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cell cultures and improved lung function in mice. The study provides the first rigorous demonstration of potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers must consider factors like population immunity, social distancing, and baseline immunity when evaluating vaccine efficacy. Adequate sample sizes are needed to demonstrate vaccine effectiveness, which may be influenced by COVID-19 severity in vaccinated individuals.
Researchers have isolated highly potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that could provide protection against COVID-19 for several weeks. These near-germline antibodies show promise for use in prevention and treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis to stop local outbreaks.
Rutgers researchers conclude that asthma sufferers are no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than non-asthmatic individuals, despite older age and comorbid conditions being reported risk factors for COVID-19. Further study is needed to understand the physiological basis of this phenomenon.
Researchers identify four promising antiviral drug candidates that block SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting the main protease enzyme. The most effective compound, GC-376, demonstrates potent chemical and structural interactions with the viral protein, making it a potential candidate for repurposing as a COVID-19 treatment.
A preprint about a coronavirus variant with a mutation leading to increased transmissibility underwent significant changes upon peer review. The revised paper presents additional experimental and clinical data suggesting the variant may be more infectious, but its impact on disease severity remains uncertain.
A specific change in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus virus genome, D614G, makes a small but effective change in the virus's 'Spike' protein, increasing its infectivity in cell culture. The variant has become the prevalent form globally, with tracking data showing its emergence in every geographic level.
The NIH ACTIV working group assesses practical considerations for using controlled human infection models to support SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. The authors conclude that large, randomized trials are the fastest path forward for establishing vaccine safety and efficacy.
Researchers from WRAIR and partners discuss the need for controlled human infection models (CHIMs) to study SARS-CoV-2, but note they won't advance current vaccines. CHIMs could provide valuable insights into vaccine efficacy and the virus's progression within the body.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai shows that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect heart muscle cells, which may contribute to COVID-related heart disease. The research used stem cell technology to create heart cells susceptible to infection and found that treatment with an ACE2 antibody could blunt viral replication.
A recent study in the quarantined Italian town of Vò found that nearly 40% of COVID-19 cases showed no symptoms, emphasizing the role of asymptomatic transmission. The study suggests that widespread testing, isolating infected people, and community lockdowns effectively controlled the outbreak.
A library of molecules with unique structural and chemical features have been identified to shut down the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase reaction, a key drug target for COVID-19. Five of these molecules are already FDA-approved for use in treating other viral infections.
Researchers found SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in COVID-19 patients and 2 uninfected controls, supporting the development of protective virus-specific T cells. The study suggests that these T cells can increase over time, especially for those with severe respiratory symptoms.
Researchers propose that MMR vaccination could provide protection against COVID-19 in children, based on sequence similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and measles viruses. Experimental research is needed to support this hypothesis and confirm the duration of protection.
A new study found that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can spread the virus to their surroundings, contaminating surfaces and air, making family members and healthcare workers at risk. Environmental cleaning is crucial in these situations.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that far-UVC light can safely kill more than 99.9% of seasonal coronaviruses present in airborne droplets. Continuous exposure to far-UVC light could greatly reduce the level of airborne virus in indoor environments occupied by people.
Researchers used a structure-based approach to virtually screen antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2, identifying potential candidates for repurposed therapies and new vaccines. The study found high-affinity binding of several antiviral drugs to the spike protein and main protease, revealing promising leads for further research.
Researchers reviewed multiple databases to examine the effectiveness of various masks in preventing respiratory virus infections. They found that N95 respirators may reduce SARS-CoV-1 risk versus surgical masks in healthcare settings, but applicability to SARSCoV-2 is uncertain.
UC Davis Health researchers outline three potential mechanisms of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to fetus, emphasizing the importance of understanding timing and infection routes. Intrapartum or early postnatal infection can occur through exposure to infected maternal blood or secretions.
Researchers developed the first fully-glycosylated full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein models available to other scientists. The models can be used for innovative simulation research to prevent and treat COVID-19.
A surge in flu-like infections in the US in March suggests more than 8.7 million new COVID-19 cases occurred, with 80% remaining unidentified. Surveillance networks for influenza-like disease offer a tool to estimate COVID-19 prevalence, which has been hard to pin down.
COVID-19 respiratory droplets spread through air, posing risks to health care professionals. Guidelines offer recommendations to reduce transmission, including PPE use and distancing measures.
Researchers analyzed UK mortality statistics from December 2019 to March 2020 and found a lower death rate compared to previous years. Early social distancing measures, such as hand washing and staying home when unwell, may have contributed to this reduction in deaths.
Studies suggest ultraviolet light is an efficient method to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in indoor spaces. By irradiating UV-C sources inside ventilation systems, airborne and surface-deposited viruses can be quickly deactivated, protecting millions of workers worldwide.
Researchers show that hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop protective immunity against reinfection, while treatment with convalescent serum limits virus replication. The study demonstrates the potential of hamsters as a model for COVID-19 research and suggests a possible effective treatment using convalescent plasma.
A study by Marshall University researcher M. Jeremiah Matson found that higher humidity and warmer temperatures reduce the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in human nasal mucus and sputum. Viral RNA was consistently detectable, while infectious virus was detectable for shorter periods.
Researchers have created nanosponges that can soak up SARS-CoV-2 by mimicking its natural entry points. The nanosponges successfully neutralized the virus and prevented it from infecting cells in a lab setting, offering a potential new treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers will use ICM Pro software and X-ray crystallography to analyze SARS-CoV-2 proteins and identify potential therapeutic drug candidates. This work aims to provide a head start in combating future pandemics by understanding the biology of coronaviruses.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute isolate powerful coronavirus-neutralizing antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients and test their effectiveness in animals, achieving results in under seven weeks. The discovery offers hope for a rapid response to the pandemic and potential clinical trials for treatment and preventive measures.
Several newly discovered human antibodies target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, offering promising therapeutic leads and potential protection against new coronavirus outbreaks. Researchers have isolated hundreds of antibodies from convalescent donors, with some showing strong cross-neutralization capabilities against related bat coronaviruses.
Researchers have identified pairs of highly potent individual antibodies that can simultaneously bind SARS-CoV-2's spike protein, increasing chances against 'virus escape mutants'. The double-antibody approach aims to minimize odds of virus escape and deliver optimal antiviral potency.
Analysis suggests that up to 45 percent of COVID-19 cases are caused by asymptomatic carriers who can transmit the virus for extended periods. This highlights the need for expansive testing and contact tracing to mitigate the spread of the disease.
A team of UGA scientists has successfully demonstrated that a set of drug-like small molecules can block the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 protein PLpro, providing a promising path for new COVID-19 therapeutics. The discovery offers a potential rapid development path to generating PLpro-targeted therapeutics for use against SARS-CoV-2.
A new analysis confirms SARS-CoV-2 RBD as a specific target for antibody tests, with over 95% of patients developing antibodies within nine days. This suggests that RBD-based antigens could be used to estimate SARS-CoV-2 recovery rates and inform pandemic policies.
The new RBD-based antibody test can measure the levels of a unique piece of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, correlating with neutralizing antibodies that provide immunity. This test is highly specific for COVID-19 and can identify asymptomatic virus infections and measure immunity levels in individuals.
A study from Bar-Ilan University has identified immunodominant epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, capable of generating both antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses. The seven identified epitopes are present in over 87% of the worldwide virus-affected population and represent potentially effective vaccine candidates.
Researchers detected rising SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in Dutch sewage samples during the early stages of the pandemic, correlating with COVID-19 case numbers. The study suggests that sewage surveillance could serve as a sensitive early warning system for increased virus circulation.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed detailed methods for studying SARS-CoV-2, allowing safe analysis of infected cells. The study enables the examination of viral proteins and host responses to infection outside high-containment facilities.
Authors describe timely and targeted actions to prevent mental health crisis in overextended and stressed essential workers, citing Lorna Breen's tragic loss as a catalyst. The article emphasizes the need for clinicians to prioritize their well-being during the pandemic.
Researchers have identified four SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigens that neutralized up to 98% of the virus after two vaccinations, with the RBD antigen showing the most promise for high-affinity antibody production
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in California patients revealed a complex series of introductions, limiting transmission between communities. The study suggests that social distancing and travel restrictions are crucial to contain COVID-19 spread in the state.
A recent study found that SARS-CoV-2 can induce kidney injury in patients, particularly those with high blood pressure and APOL1 gene variants. The virus triggers an inflammatory reaction, leading to collapsing glomerulopathy and tubular damage, even in the absence of direct viral infection.
A new study by UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital found that virus DNA can spread to nearly half of all sites sampled in a hospital ward within 10 hours. The study used artificial DNA replication to simulate how SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, spreads across surfaces.
Researchers at McGill University reviewed available research on SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection tests, highlighting key areas of ongoing research and proposing potential strategies for test implementation. They found that most serologic assays have minimal or no external validation, hindering assay selection and interpretation of results.
A team of scientists from Stanford University has developed a gene-targeting, antiviral agent against COVID-19 using CRISPR technology. The system delivers PAC-MAN into lung cells, neutralizing the coronavirus and stopping it from replicating inside cells.
Researchers found asymptomatic persons account for approximately 40-45% of SARS-CoV-2 infections, emphasizing the need for symptomless testing. The pandemic has highlighted a shortage of infectious disease (ID) experts in the US, with nearly two-thirds of Americans living in counties with below-average ID physician access.
A small study investigates the effect of sample inactivation on SARS-CoV-2 detection and finds that viral inactivation may contribute to false negatives. The researchers tested several inactivation methodologies, including TRIzol, which showed the least effect on RNA copy number, making it recommended for sample inactivation.