Disease/Infection News

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COVID-19 treatments for people with early infection should be prioritized

COVID-19 treatments for people with early infection are needed urgently, according to a JAMA Viewpoint article by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., and colleagues.

11 Nov 2020

Disinfectants with "virucidal activity against enveloped viruses" effective against SARS-CoV-2

A recent study demonstrated that two commercially available surface disinfectant formulations and one hand disinfection formulation that claim "virucidal activity against enveloped viruses" are effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Their study has been published on the preprint server bioRxiv.

11 Nov 2020

Researchers identify acrylamides that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease

A new study in the preprint server bioRxiv published in November 2020 describes the discovery of acrylamide fragments that can effectively disable key enzymes in both the hand, foot and mouth virus and SARS-CoV-2 virus.

11 Nov 2020

Human coronaviruses cause processing body loss

Researchers continue to expand their knowledge of coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen. Now, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 describes a vital mechanism whereby the novel SARS-CoV-2 pathogen can restrict the human host response. In doing so, the study explores how this novel feature of SARS-CoV-2 works and how it results in a reshaping of the human host's immune response.

11 Nov 2020

Research shows a unique T cell receptor repertoire in MIS-C patients

Children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) sometimes develop the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), which is associated with high morbidity. The underlying T-cell associated mechanism is described by researchers in a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020, as a response to superantigen activation.

11 Nov 2020

Using artificial intelligence imaging analysis methods for COVID-19 clinical diagnosis

Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. In this review article the authors Yun Chen, Gongfa Jiang, Yue Li, Yutao Tang, Yanfang Xu, Siqi Ding, Yanqi Xin and Yao Lu from Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China and Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China consider the application of artificial intelligence imaging analysis methods for COVID-19 clinical diagnosis.

11 Nov 2020

Spain's annual life expectancy at birth dropped due to COVID-19 pandemic

Spain's annual life expectancy at birth dropped by 0.9 years between 2019 and the annual period up until July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Sergi Trias-Llimos of the Center for Demographic Studies, Spain, and colleagues.

11 Nov 2020

Behavioral responses to COVID-19 differ by age, study shows

A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology shows that the behavioral responses to COVID-19 differed by age.

11 Nov 2020

Discovery of novel hidden gene in SARS-CoV-2

A team of researchers from Germany, Taiwan, and the United States has identified and characterized a new hidden gene in SARS-CoV-2 that is also present in Guangxi pangolin coronaviruses – though, curiously, absent in closely related pangolin and bat coronaviruses.

11 Nov 2020

Smell and taste changes in general population may indicate COVID-19 spread

Self-reports of smell and taste changes provide earlier markers of the spread of infection of SARS-CoV-2 than current governmental indicators, according to an international team of researchers.

11 Nov 2020

CDC says wearing facemask protects self and others from COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic, health experts have recommended the use of face masks to protect oneself from the virus. Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the wearing of masks protects not only the wearers but also everyone around them from contracting COVID-19.

11 Nov 2020

Spike-based DNA vaccine shows excellent protection against SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model

A study conducted at the United States Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases shows how a relatively simple full-length DNA vaccine against spike glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can elicit neutralizing antibody response in an animal model – even after a single shot with simple jet injection technique.

11 Nov 2020

Host genetic "super-variants" may increase COVID-19 death risk

Researchers at Yale University have identified genetic variants among people of white British ancestry that may increase the risk of dying from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – the illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

11 Nov 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis may increase risk of dying from COVID-19

Researchers in New Zealand and Australia have conducted a study showing that people with rheumatoid arthritis may be at an increased risk of death if they develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

11 Nov 2020

Low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in Lubbock, Texas

A recent study published in the Journal of Primary Care and Community Health has assessed the prevalence of antibodies developed specifically against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in front-line workers in Lubbock, Texas. According to the study findings, immunoglobulin G (IgG)-specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been detected in only 0.73% of the participants.

11 Nov 2020

Research tracks humoral immunity response over eight months post COVID-19 infection

Researchers from Chongqing Medical University have tried to answer one of the burning questions regarding the longevity of immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): How long does immunity last after infection? Their study looked at the lasting effects and continued immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) over eight months after recovery from the infection.

11 Nov 2020

Nafamostat mesylate initially reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in hamsters, study finds

Researchers have found that nafamostat mesylate, when injected in the nasal cavity of Syrian hamsters, can decrease initial SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in their nose. However, this effect was temporary and further testing is required to determine clinically significant effects. The research group's findings are available on the preprint server bioRxiv*.

11 Nov 2020

Daylight exposure can disinfect a special type of cotton face mask

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have become accustomed to wearing cotton face masks in public places.

11 Nov 2020

New study highlights the burden of post-COVID fatigue

More than half of people with acute COVID-19 infection continue to have persistent fatigue 10 weeks after their initial illness, according to a new study published November 9 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Liam Townsend of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and colleagues.

11 Nov 2020

Five important questions about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer's announcement on Monday that its COVID-19 shot appears to keep nine in 10 people from getting the disease sent its stock price rocketing. Many news reports described the vaccine as if it were our deliverance from the pandemic, even though few details were released.

11 Nov 2020