Disease/Infection News

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The effect of a SARS-CoV-2 delta variant mutation associated with higher viral loads

A new study has focused on the effect of a deletion found in the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant that has severely reduced the amplification of ARTIC V3 amplicon 72.

20 Oct 2021

Long-term predictions of immunity after two doses of mRNA vaccine

Researchers from York University has investigated the long-term protection of two mRNA vaccines.

20 Oct 2021

BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibodies wane over six month period

Researchers have been investigating the response of antibodies created against SARS-CoV-2 by the Pfizer-BioNTech six months after vaccination.

20 Oct 2021

Study: Marketing strategies can aid in overcoming COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

"We are all in this together" became a rallying cry during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, although a significant portion of the population is not "all in" when it comes to getting vaccinated.

20 Oct 2021

New guidelines to standardize reporting of epidemic prediction research

An international panel has designed new guidelines to standardize how scientists report research that involves forecasting and prediction of how epidemics of infectious diseases unfold. Simon Pollett of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland, United States, and colleagues present the guidelines, called EPIFORGE, in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine on October 19th.

20 Oct 2021

Study investigates disparities among racial and ethnic minorities affected by COVID-19

During the "first wave" of COVID-19 in the United States, Rajan Chakrabarty, the Harold D. Jolley Career Development Associate Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, learned that African Americans made up 47% of the population in St. Louis, but nearly three quarters of COVID-19 cases.

20 Oct 2021

An investigation of three SARS-CoV-2 mRNA doses in multiple sclerosis vaccine non-responders

A clinical study by a team of scientists from Norway aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod. A preprint version of the study, which is yet to undergo peer review, is available on the medRxiv* server.

20 Oct 2021

Study examines decisive conditions for single or double dose COVID-19 vaccination strategies

In many parts of the world, the supply of COVID-19 vaccines continues to lag behind the demand. While most vaccines are designed as a two-dose regimen, some countries, like Canada, have prioritized vaccinating as many people as possible with a single dose before giving out an additional dose.

20 Oct 2021

Researchers propose targeted interventions to contain the pandemic with minimal societal disruption

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more than 218 million infections and over 4.5 million deaths as of Sept. 3, 2021. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as case isolation, quarantining contacts, and the complete lockdown of entire countries, were implemented in an effort to contain the pandemic.

20 Oct 2021

Microscopy-based high content platform for SARS-CoV-2 serological screening

A new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server used automated high content immunofluorescence microscopy (AHCIM) to assess the viability of such an approach to detect humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

20 Oct 2021

Collaborations and co-achievements of network of COST Actions on COVID-19

Addressing societal issues by enabling cross-disciplinary partnerships is an inherent part of a COST Actions' nature. But collaborations don't stop at the gate of these specific networks: multiple COST Actions have joined forces since the beginning of the pandemic to help advance research into COVID-19.

20 Oct 2021

Review shows UV radiation in HVAC systems inactivates viruses

The researchers followed international standards for systematic reviews, performed a comprehensive search, and gathered findings from 32 relevant studies published between 1936 and 2020. This study is published on the medRxiv* preprint server.

20 Oct 2021

Regular testing of SARS-CoV-2 positive vaccinated HCWs may reduce need for long quarantines

A new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine conducted systematic surveillance involving 2,397 HCWs who were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162 vaccine at the ASST Settelaghi hospitals, Italy, in February 2021.

19 Oct 2021

Commonly prescribed medications can make the flu virus more or less active

Although the influenza virus varies a lot from year to year, the flu usually contributes to approximately 1000 deaths a year in Norway.

19 Oct 2021

Novel approach to predict outcomes in COVID-19 patients

In a recent study, researchers have used the predictive power of chest CT scans and plasma cytokines to predict death and severity in COVID-19 patients.

19 Oct 2021

Study reveals the importance of COVID-19 testing in reopening of schools

A new qualitative study examines the attitudes of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students towards the implementation of COVID-19 testing.

19 Oct 2021

The biochemical mechanisms of remdesivir-mediated RNA synthesis inhibition

A new preprint suggests a fruitful approach to develop such drugs based on biochemical and molecular modeling studies of the drug remdesivir.

19 Oct 2021

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected mental health?

In this interview, we spoke to Dr. Damian Santomauro and Dr. Alize Ferrari about their latest research into COVID-19 and its impact on mental health.

19 Oct 2021

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections among immunocompromised individuals

A study of breakthrough infections in immunocompromised people following two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 concluded that immunocompromised people would be best served with a third dose of the vaccine for better protection.

19 Oct 2021