Respiratory News and Research

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Can cats and dogs catch or spread COVID-19?

A recent report from Hong Kong that two dogs had tested positive for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 had pet owners in a tizzy. This was compounded by news that a cat owned by a COVID-19 patient had developed symptoms of the illness in Belgium – such as breathing trouble and diarrhea – a week after the owner tested positive. The cat’s vomit and feces were subsequently found to be positive for the viral genome.

2 Apr 2020

COVID-19: What the illness looks like

With increasing information about COVID-19 disease gathered first-hand, a more accurate picture of the clinical features is coming together.

2 Apr 2020

Tulane University adds second avenue for COVID-19 testing

Tulane University has added a second avenue for COVID-19 testing, this one taking place at a Tulane School of Medicine repurposed research lab where results can be processed within a day.

2 Apr 2020

UIC participates in two clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments

The University of Illinois at Chicago is participating in two clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments.

2 Apr 2020

Patients with hypertension, diabetes and heart disease more likely to die from COVID-19

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) evolves, important information emerges, thanks to studies and analyses undertaken by scientists and health experts. With more data available based on patients in actual healthcare settings, scientists have more information on how the virus affects the body and who are at most risk of the disease.

2 Apr 2020

Is coronavirus spread through feces?

A startling study from China, published in the journal Gastroenterology in March 2020, reports that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can spread via feces as well as the more familiar respiratory droplet route or from virus-contaminated surfaces.

2 Apr 2020

How (easily) does the novel coronavirus spread?

Viruses are tiny bundles of DNA or RNA which have the ability to infect host cells, hijack the machinery of the host cell and then replicate. Once the host cell’s resources are exhausted, the viral particles are released to infect other cells. In this way, the viruses ensure their survival, often at the expense of the host.

1 Apr 2020

What are coronaviruses and COVID-19?

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

1 Apr 2020

Beards and COVID-19 in the healthcare setting

A new opinion piece in The BMJ published in March 2020 discusses whether healthcare professionals should wear beards because of the risk that they could harbor the novel coronavirus.

1 Apr 2020

Putting an end to the pandemic

From the plagues of medieval Europe to the influenza pandemic of 1918, the specter of the next public health disaster has gripped the minds of scientists, captivated the imaginations of writers and vexed conspiracy theorists.

1 Apr 2020

What are the challenges facing palliative care during COVID-19?

The current COVID-19 outbreak affecting 180 countries and territories across six continents is taking its toll on healthcare systems globally. In particular, there is growing pressure on and concern for triage and palliative care departments. Now, researchers from the University of Toronto, Université Laval, Québec, and the University of Ottawa have published a new study titled, “Pandemic palliative care: beyond ventilators and saving lives,” in the latest issue of the journal Canadian Medical Association Journal that looks to address the challenges in providing palliative care during a viral pandemic.

1 Apr 2020

Estimating the case fatality ratio for COVID-19

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 disease has affected 932,605 individuals and has taken 46,809 lives worldwide. Now, researchers have published a review on the likelihood of survival after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study titled, “Likelihood of survival of coronavirus disease 2019” is published in the latest issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

1 Apr 2020

Effective options to give up smoking during COVID-19 pandemic

Tobacco smoking has been identified as a major risk factor for developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) and complications that may arise as a result. In addition, second-hand smoke increases the risk of acute respiratory infections.

1 Apr 2020

New guidelines for health-care workers treating ICU patients with COVID-19

An international team including McMaster University researchers has come together to issue guidelines for health-care workers treating intensive care unit patients with COVID-19.

1 Apr 2020

A non-invasive method to predict intracranial pressure

The only way to accurately measure pressure inside the skull is to insert a catheter or sensor inside.

1 Apr 2020

New Vivalytic Viral Respiratory Tract Infection Array can identify SARS-CoV-2 virus

A game-changing point of care coronavirus test from global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories and leading technology manufacturer Bosch Healthcare Solutions will launch in April 2020.

From Randox Laboratories Ltd. 1 Apr 2020

Virtual Hospital becomes flagship test site for COVID-19 virus

The Virtual Hospital (Advanced Centre for Clinical Simulation) of Valencia's Catholic University (UCV) has become the flagship site for the tests of researchers, universities and companies to measure the suitability of mechanical respirator prototypes created for patients affected by COVID-19.

1 Apr 2020

Stem cells used to combat COVID-19 pneumonia

The novel coronavirus first emerged in December 2019, and since then, it rippled across 180 countries, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many people are looking for answers. Scientists are racing to find a treatment that can help save lives. Now, a team of scientists has suggested that stem cell therapy can help fight the deadly infection.

1 Apr 2020

Pancreatitis drug Nafamostat shows promise for coronavirus

With the increasing number of infections across the globe, scientists have resorted to studying existing drugs in the hope of discovering a cure for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A team of researchers has found that an existing drug, Nafamostat or Fusan, a drug used to treat acute pancreatitis, may effectively block the process used by the novel coronavirus to spread and cause illness.

1 Apr 2020

'Pool testing' for COVID-19 may help increase testing capacities across the globe

Now, a team of researchers at the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service and the Institute for Medical Virology at the University Hospital Frankfurt at Goethe University have developed a pool testing procedure that will make it possible to rapidly increase worldwide testing capacities for SARS-CoV-2.

1 Apr 2020