The Pandemic Is NOT Over
Based on multiple complicating factors we may be heading into a tsunami sized wave of new COVID cases
Omicron
What You Need to Know: Omicron (B.1.1.529) South African Variant Clear Health Pass Covid Pandemic...
Study: Is increased time to diagnosis and treatment in symptomatic cancer associated with poorer outcomes? Systematic review
It is unclear whether more timely cancer diagnosis brings favourable outcomes, with much of the previous evidence, in some cancers, being equivocal. We set out to determine whether there is an association between time to diagnosis, treatment and clinical outcomes, across all cancers for symptomatic presentations.
Study: Non-Classical monocytes display inflammatory features: Validation in Sepsis and Systemic Lupus Erythematous
Monocytes are a group of immune cells that originate in bone marrow and are released into peripheral blood, where they circulate for several days1,2. They belong to the mononuclear-phagocyte system, which also include macrophages, dendritic cells and their bone-marrow precursors3,4,5. Monocytes represent 5–10% of peripheral leucocytes and are probably best known for serving as a systemic reservoir of myeloid precursors that are needed for the renewal of tissue macrophages and dendritic cells6,7,8,9. However, they also have other well documented functions in immune response against infection10,11,12,13 and in pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders. Although initially perceived as a homogeneous population, it has become increasingly apparent that monocytes display considerable heterogeneity with respect to their phenotype and function1,2,14,15.
Study: CD16 is indispensable for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by human monocytes
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody subclasses play major roles in the control of bacterial and viral infections, the killing of tumour cells during antibody therapy and the pathological destruction of healthy tissues in autoimmune diseases. As a result of their potency and range of actions, antibodies have become one of the most rapidly growing classes of human therapeutics in recent years, particularly in cancer treatments.
Study: Frequent neurologic manifestations and encephalopathy-associated morbidity in Covid-19 patients
Covid-19 can involve multiple organs including the nervous system. We sought to characterize the neurologic manifestations, their risk factors, and associated outcomes in hospitalized patients with Covid-19.
Study: Optical Biosensors for Virus Detection: Prospects for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
Optical biosensors have led to significant advancements in virus detection and imaging capabilities. Coupled with advanced instrumentation, they have enabled higher sensitivities while increasing the rate at which samples can be tested. These techniques can be developed into point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for viral detection and are promising alternatives to detect COVID-19.
Study: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission From People Without COVID-19 Symptoms
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is readily transmitted person to person. Optimal control of COVID-19 depends on directing resources and health messaging to mitigation efforts that are most likely to prevent transmission, but the relative importance of such measures has been disputed.
Study: Comparative evaluation of 19 reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemics. To facilitate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, various RT-LAMP assays using 19 sets of primers had been developed, but never been compared.
Study: Lateral flow tests cannot rule out SARS- CoV-2 infection
Lateral flow devices for asymptomatic mass testing are proving controversial. At the heart of the matter is a flawed process, with the decision to implement society-wide “Moonshot” testing made before robust field evaluations of the tests were completed. Subsequent selective emphasis of unrealistic performance estimates has caused confusion. Little surprise we are now in a mess.
Study: Saliva is more sensitive than nasopharyngeal or nasal swabs for diagnosis of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 infection
Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily diagnosed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of viral genetic material. However, considering the three primary modes of transmission of SARS-Cov-2 i.e., contact, droplet and aerosol routes, various types of samples have been suggested for the purpose of detection.
Study: Benefits of Mobile Contact Tracing on COVID-19: Tracing Capacity Perspectives
For effectively suppressing COVID-19’s spread, contact tracing has been widely used to identify, isolate, and follow-up with those who have come in close contact with an infected person (or “close contacts”). Traditionally, contact tracers in local health offices interview an infected person to identify visited places (or hotspots) and then check any close contacts. For the accurate recall of travel history, several countries including South Korea corroborate multiple data sources, such as cell location or credit card transactions.
Study: U.S. Navy’s Response to a Shipboard Coronavirus Outbreak: Considerations for a Medical Management Plan at Sea
The authors observe with interest the ongoing management of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on the U.S. Navy.
HPCON: Understanding Health Protection Condition Levels
The Defense Department is taking action around the globe to keep our service members, civilian employees, contractors and their families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, all while supporting our continued mission.
More young people are getting hospitalized as a ‘stickier,’ more infectious coronavirus strain becomes dominant
What used to be a mysterious new variant first detected in the UK is now the most dominant coronavirus strain in the US. And unlike the original strain of the novel coronavirus, the more contagious B.1.1.7 strain is hitting young people particularly hard.
Article: The tragedy of long COVID
Tens of thousands of people in the United States have lingering illness following COVID-19. In the US, we call them post-COVID “long haulers.” Currently, the condition they are suffering from is known as “long COVID,” although other names are being proposed.
Study: An interactive web-based dashboard to track COVID-19 in real time
In response to COVID-19 ongoing public health emergency, we developed an online interactive dashboard, hosted by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA, to visualise and track reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in real time.
Study: Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants escape neutralization by vaccine-induced humoral immunity
Numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2-harboring mutations in spike have arisen globally
mRNA vaccines elicit potent neutralizing activity against homologous pseudovirus
Study: SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion by variant B.1.427/B.1.429
SARS-CoV-2 entry is mediated by the spike (S) glycoprotein which contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) as the two main targets of neutralizing antibodies (Abs). A novel variant of concern (VOC) named CAL.20C (B.1.427/B.1.429) was originally detected in California and is currently spreading throughout the US and 29 additional countries. It is unclear whether antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection or to the prototypic Wuhan-1 isolate-based vaccines will be impacted by the three B.1.427/B.1.429 S mutations: S13I, W152C and L452R.
Long COVID (Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection, PASC)
Long COVID, or what doctors refer to as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), is a condition marked by the continuation of COVID-19 symptoms—or the emergence of new ones—after recovery from acute (or the initial phase of illness of) COVID-19.