Tag: SARS-CoV-2

(HealthDay)—For individuals vaccinated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a lower risk for breakthrough infection, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Ph.D., from Cornell University in Doha, Qatar, and colleagues followed 1,531,736

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,

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

In a retrospective, multi-center cohort study, a microRNA-like small RNA encoded by SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the serum of COVID-19 patients. This can be developed as a non-invasive biomarker for stratification of severe patients from mild/moderate ones and for identification of high-risk individuals before clinical manifestation of severe symptoms. This biomarker ensures proper allocation of

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.

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered one way in which SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, hijacks human cell machinery to blunt the immune response, allowing it to establish infection, replicate and cause disease. In short, the virus’ genome gets tagged with a special marker by a human enzyme

(HealthDay)—Few cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have been reported at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among those with at least 14 days since receipt of the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, according to research published in the April 21 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

(HealthDay)—For U.S. collegiate athletes, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a low prevalence of cardiac involvement, according to a study published online April 17 in Circulation. Nathaniel Moulson, M.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study to examine the prevalence, clinical characteristics,

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

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in preschool and school children is an important benchmark for deciding whether to open kindergartens and schools. The screening study ‘Fr1da’ led by Anette-Gabriele Ziegler tests children in Bavaria for an early stage of type 1 diabetes. These tests include the collection of blood samples. In response to the COVID-19

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