A major research topic during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the emission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted by aerosols produced during breathing, singing, shouting and other common activities. Taken together, these factors play an important role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 indoors during … Read more
Cancer patients have historically been at higher risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to underlying malignancies that undermine the immune system and the common use of immunosuppressive treatments in these patients. Many patients and healthcare workers have had to make difficult decisions about delaying or stopping chemotherapy to better treat COVID-19 in … Read more
In a recent study published on Research Square*, researchers assessed the long-term sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Scotland. Study: Long-COVID in Scotland Study: A nationwide population cohort study. Image Credit: RoundGlobalMaps/Shutterstock While most patients fully recover from COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), some experience long COVID. The World Health … Read more
Scientists studied various aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and developed pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures. drugs to fight the disease. They characterized the pandemic by studying the repeated waves of COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. These … Read more
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said it would provide nearly two dozen products, including its COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, at not-for-profit prices in some of the world’s poorest countries. Key points: The initiative is designed to reduce health inequalities in the poorest countries Pfizer will only charge manufacturing costs and minimal distribution expenses The company says … Read more
In a recent study published in Journals Nature Immunologyresearchers reviewed available mucosal vaccines discussing current challenges and ways to advance existing approaches. Study: Mucosal vaccines — fortifying borders. Image Credit: PhotobyTawat/Shutterstock Background The burden of disease and mortality associated with infectious diseases caused by mucosal pathogens is alarming worldwide. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) … Read more
In a recent study published on Preprints with The Lancet*, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of two orally administered antiviral drugs, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir, in reducing hospitalizations and deaths in non-hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hong Kong. Study: Impact of the use of oral antiviral agents on the risk of hospitalization in community … Read more
In a recent study published on medRxiv* preprint server, researchers compared the effectiveness of sotrovimab [an intravenously administered neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nMAb)] and molnupiravir (an orally administered antiviral drug) in preventing severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in non-hospitalized, high-risk COVID-19 patients in England. Study: Comparative efficacy of sotrovimab and molnupiravir for preventing severe … Read more
In a recent study published on medRxiv* Preprint server, researchers investigated associations between levels of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and risk of subsequent infection. Study: Antibody levels after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: associations with post-vaccination infection and risk factors. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Background Immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination vary over … Read more
In a recent study being reviewed in the journal Scientific Reports and published on the Research Square* preprint server, researchers assessed whether physical inactivity in survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to the development of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), also known as from long-COVID. Study: Association between post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 and physical … Read more