Severe Acute Respiratory News and Research

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Study suggests vast majority of Seattle population remains susceptible to COVID-19

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that a small proportion of people living in Seattle were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – by around late March/early April 2020.

9 Dec 2020

Different SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays are reliable and concordant for antibody monitoring

A recent study by US researchers, currently available on the medRxiv preprint server, evaluated several cell-based assays that are under validation for determining correlates of protection in individuals with symptomatic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and vaccine studies – and demonstrated their high concordance with both live and pseudotyped virions.

9 Dec 2020

Obesity increases the risk of severe COVID-19, study finds

Researchers reveal that being overweight and obese are common risk factors for developing severe COVID-19. However, they suggested further assessment of metabolic parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, and insulin levels, to estimate the risk.

9 Dec 2020

Researchers develop analytical model to gauge SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in schools

Research highlight the risk of virus spread in schools in the Netherlands. Since most schools across countries have resumed in-person or face-to-face classes, knowing the virus's risk and transmission dynamics in this context is crucial.

9 Dec 2020

The effects of cigarette smoke and COPD on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers have revealed some of the effects of cigarette smoke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on SARS-CoV-2 infection.

9 Dec 2020

What safety measures have food suppliers implemented in response to COVID-19?

Researchers surveyed small to large food companies in 16 countries on food safety attributes and emergency plans. They found that less than half the food companies had documented putting emergency plans in place for pandemics and public health crises.

9 Dec 2020

Neutrophils may play a key role in COVID-19-related thrombosis

A team of researchers in Italy have published a study suggesting that rather than platelets, neutrophils could be playing the lead role in thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19.

9 Dec 2020

Considerable COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in UK may affect herd immunity, study finds

Scientists from the Imperial College London and the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK, have conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey to evaluate the public’s willingness to receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and their attitude toward prioritization.

9 Dec 2020

Predicting SARS-CoV-2 protein sequences

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, consists of an assembly of proteins that determine its infectious and immunological behavior.

9 Dec 2020

Amilorides reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral replication in vitro

A new U.S. study published on the bioRxiv preprint server reports the use of an amiloride-based scaffold that targets a viral RNA structure known to be essential in viral replication in the 5’-untranslated region (UTR) of the virus. The researchers say this heralds the application of these molecules as chemical probes to explore viral biology and produce specific antivirals targeting RNA regions of the coronavirus genome.

8 Dec 2020

FASLG gene may drive cytokine-linked adverse COVID-19 outcomes with age

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in December 2020 reveals the role played by certain genetic factors in this group, in particular the FASLG gene belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family.

8 Dec 2020

High-performing multi-immunoassay for early diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in December 2020 indicates the ability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers and time of induction to differentiate between severe and mild COVID-19 and could lead to the development of a prognostic biomarker for use early in the course of the illness.

8 Dec 2020

Why is COVID-19 more severe among adults than children?

Researchers in Switzerland and Australia have reviewed some of the mechanisms proposed regarding why coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generally less severe among children than among adults.

8 Dec 2020

COVID-19 may be linked to acute appendicitis in children

Researchers at the University of Virginia have recently presented a case series pointing to a potential association between infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the development of acute appendicitis in children.

8 Dec 2020

Lipid storm in severe COVID-19 linked to high COX/LOX pathway activity

A potentially valuable new study discusses the role of lipids in the hyper-inflammatory phenomena that take place within the lungs of patients with severe or critical COVID-19. Involving a large variety of specialized lipids with biological activity, this process includes the generation and release of pro and anti-inflammatory lipids.

8 Dec 2020

Transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in children: an Indian case study

Researchers have studied the primary contacts of COVID-19 positive children in India in May 2020 and found all children to be asymptomatic, and only four of the parents became positive. Although this suggests lower transmission from children, no recommendations can be made yet on school reopening.

8 Dec 2020