Tag: SARS

The immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is complex and variable by disease severity, and the immunopathology of severe COVID-19 has been well studied since the inception of the pandemic. A broad spectrum of abnormal and dysregulated immune responses have been observed amongst the moderately to critically ill. However, it is

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has been working with the Member States and the scientific community to better understand how this pandemic began so that we can be better prepared for the next one. Following the publication of the WHO-China joint report of the phase one studies on the origins of the

According to researchers in Texas, a lack of appropriate testing in the US has led to an underestimation of seroprevalence in the U.S., thus making it difficult to estimate population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination. While model-based estimation has been proposed, the calculations are based on inputs such as viral reproduction number, immune response longevity,

Researchers have just established a structural basis for two spike glycoprotein epitopes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that are restricted to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A2 molecules. More specifically, they are involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to specific T lymphocytes and recognized by public and private T cell receptors.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 190 million confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and over 4 million COVID-related deaths. This pandemic follows two previous global outbreaks of coronaviruses, SARS in 2002-2003 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in

A recent perspective article published in the prestigious journal Science highlights how the use of network-driven strategies for adequately informing rapidly emergent epidemic responses is not only evidence-based but also an equitable way forward for the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and future respiratory pandemics. Viewpoint: Networks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Image Credit: hedgehog94 / Shutterstock

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have observed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect the testes of infected hamsters. The findings, published in the journal Microorganisms, could help explain symptoms some men with COVID-19 have reported and have important implications for men’s health. As the pandemic goes on, clinicians continue

Research posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server has shown that procaine and procaine-hydrochloride can reduce replication of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses in infected cells and reduce the production of cytokines by the viruses, making them potentially useful for treating COVID-19. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly infects the bronchial and alveolar

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was triggered by the uncontrolled spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A year and a half later, the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and infectiousness remains a matter of scientific debate. Now, a new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server aims to quantify

Seroprevalence studies have proved their worth in estimating the size and directionality of an outbreak of infectious disease, especially the current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A new study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server describes the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in five representative regions of Germany.

A team of scientists from the United States recently conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during air travel. The findings reveal that even with SARS-CoV-2-infected persons onboard, the risk of viral transmission is low inside an aircraft. The study is currently available on the medRxiv*

Researchers in the United States have conducted a pre-clinical study demonstrating the efficacy of two updated versions of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Study: Variant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines confer broad neutralization as primary or booster series in mice

A new study published in the journal Science Immunology analyzed lung epithelial cells from patients infected with COVID-19 and found the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces the complement system as a dangerous weapon for viral infection. The complement system is an extension of the innate immune system to recognize pathogens and remove

Scientists have reported that in most cases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mildly infects infants. However, around 10% of infants experienced severe COVID-19 infection who required advanced medical treatments. In rare cases, even asymptomatic infection can result in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in

Scientists have reported that in most cases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mildly infects infants. However, around 10% of infants experienced severe COVID-19 infection who required advanced medical treatments. In rare cases, even asymptomatic infection can result in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in

A team of scientists from Spain has recently evaluated the efficacy of an mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2).  Their findings reveal that a 2-dose regimen of BNT162b2 vaccine is capable of providing almost 100% protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in healthcare workers. The study is

Finding effective and safe vaccines is crucial in the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a vital component of a subunit vaccine, the adjuvant strengthens the antigen-induced immune responses. Researchers at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, the

Analysis indicated the number of mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor-binding domain (RBD) doubles every 72 days. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues infecting more people, SARS-CoV-2 is also evolving. Several new variants of the virus have now been discovered, some more infectious than the original strains. This

A team of scientists from Brazil recently explored the abilities of the UK, South African, and Brazilian variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to evade host CD8+ T cell responses induced by natural infection or vaccination. The findings reveal reduced antigenic coverage for the P.2 Brazilian lineage, indicating its ability to evade

As new variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to emerge, fueling the continued spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a new study offers encouragement. Released as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, the study reports the protection offered by antibodies elicited by natural infection against the newer variants