Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

COVID-19 mortality strongly predicted by autoimmunity to type I interferons and advancing age

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Study: The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age-dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies. Image Credit: NIAID

In a recent study published in the journal PNAS, researchers estimated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection fatality rate (IFR) and relative risk of death (RRD) among subjects across ages. Study participants were either carriers of autoantibodies (auto-Abs) which neutralized low concentrations (100 pg/mL), or high concentrations (10 ng/mL) of type I … Read more

How does diet affect COVID-19?

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Study: Do Diet and Dietary Supplements Mitigate Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19? Image Credit: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease with a strong inflammatory component known as the cytokine storm that often occurs in individuals with severe disease. While many researchers are currently investigating treatments to prevent the cytokine storm, variations in diet can also significantly alter the risk of inflammation. In a recent Nutrients study, … Read more

Evaluating efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals in a mouse model

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Study: A SCID mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers from Belgium evaluated the efficacy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antiviral drugs in a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model. Study: A SCID mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Background Due to … Read more

Study explores lipid nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2

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Study: Delivery of Circular mRNA via Degradable Lipid Nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant. Image Credit: Crevis/Shutterstock

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the efficiency of lipid nanoparticles against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study: Delivery of Circular mRNA via Degradable Lipid Nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant. Image Credit: Crevis/Shutterstock Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines have played an instrumental role in curbing coronavirus disease … Read more

Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in indoor environments

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Study: Transmissibility of coronavirus and its variants from infected subjects in indoor environments. Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia / Shutterstock

In a recent study under review at the Scientific Reports journal and posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection risk for indoor scenarios. Study: Transmissibility of coronavirus and its variants from infected subjects in indoor environments. Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia / Shutterstock Background Apart from … Read more

What role do children play in household transmission of COVID-19?

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Study: The Role of Children in Household Transmission of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Image Credit: Halfpoint / Shutterstock

The global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and has claimed more than 6.26 million lives. Households represent a high-risk exposure setting for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and the role of children in spreading the virus is not known. A new study published in the … Read more

Artificial proteins as specific and versatile neutralizing binders targeting the spike of SARS-CoV-2

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Study: Biosynthetic proteins targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike as anti-virals. Image Credit: Naeblys/Shutterstock

In a recent article posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers demonstrated that the biosynthetic proteins called αReps addressing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein could be novel SARS-CoV-2 antivirals Study: Biosynthetic proteins targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike as anti-virals. Image Credit: Naeblys/Shutterstock Background The CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) catastrophe, which … Read more

Exploring short-term effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccine and stable CD8+ T cell memory after three doses

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Study: Short-lived booster effect and stable CD8+ T cell memory after 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose. Image Credit: KT Stock photos/Shutterstock

Since the initial global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a continuous evolution of the virus has been observed. The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have been classified as variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI), has reduced the efficacy … Read more

Bayesian viral allele selection for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance

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Study: Inferring selection effects in SARS-CoV-2 with Bayesian Viral Allele Selection. Image Credit: NIAID

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the selection effects in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using Bayesian viral allele selection. Various studies have reported novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations that have been associated with increased transmissibility, increased binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and antibody evasion. However, the functional … Read more

Study finds recent influenza vaccination is associated with an appreciable reduction in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity

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Study: Effectiveness of influenza vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in Qatar. Image Credit: BlurryMe/Shutterstock

Several earlier studies have indicated a favorable effect of flu shots on the risk of infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as on the risk of symptomatic and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after infection. A new preprint reports the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in this light. Study: Effectiveness … Read more