CoronaVirus

May 31st, 2023 - In a recent article published in eLife , researchers highlighted the knowledge gaps in the immunopathology of post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC), or long COVID and acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the research was to help design studies and direct research efforts in this area, which, in turn, could help develop preventive strategies and therapeutics for both. They focused on three salient mechanisms ... [Read More]

May 31st, 2023 - A groundbreaking study from the American Society for Microbiology reveals that domestic cats can play an instrumental role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. In fact, our feline companions can not only contract the virus but also spread it to other cats and even contaminate their environment. This study, published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum , offers vital insights into the potential risks associated with cats infected with the virus. "In practice, ... [Read More]

May 31st, 2023 - A recent study published in the PLOS Biology Journal explored the dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection hospitalization (IHR) and fatality (IFR) ratios in England over 23 months. Study:  Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalisation and infection fatality ratios over 23 months in England. Background SARS-CoV-2 has globally increased morbidity and mortality rates. England witnessed a massive surge in hospitalizations and deaths after ... [Read More]

May 31st, 2023 - The respiratory tract infection, which has been around for two decades, has seen a spike in cases this spring This past cold and flu season was nothing to sneeze at — and now another respiratory tract infection is making headlines.  The human metapneumovirus, aka HMPV, is a respiratory disease in the same family as the respiratory syncytia virus that saw a number of children hospitalized this past winter. Cases of HMPV have also spiked this spring, data from the Centers for Disease ... [Read More]

May 30th, 2023 - In a recent article published in the Cell Journal, researchers demonstrated that enveloped virus-like particles (eVLPs) self-assembling into an endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)- and ALG-2-interacting protein X (ALIX)-binding region (EABR) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) cytoplasmic tail elicited more potent antibody responses than conventional SARS-CoV-2 S-based messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines in mice. Study:  ... [Read More]

May 30th, 2023 - An experimental "decoy" has provided long-term protection from infection by the pandemic virus in mice, a new study finds. Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the work is based on how the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, uses its spike protein to attach to a protein on the surface of the cells that line human lungs. Once attached to this cell surface protein , called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the virus spike pulls the cell close, enabling the virus to ... [Read More]

May 30th, 2023 - Nearly all of the attendees were vaccinated, but 70% said they didn't mask. The tally of COVID-19 cases linked to a conference of disease detectives hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April has reached at least 181, the agency reported . Roughly 1,800 gathered in person for this year's annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference, which was held on April 24 to 27 in a hotel conference facility in Atlanta where the CDC's headquarters are located. It was the ... [Read More]

Apr 11th, 2023 - A National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London study has confirmed that hands and surfaces could potentially transmit SARS-CoV-2 in a household setting. Published in The Lancet Microbe , the study, "Risk factors and vectors for SARS-CoV-2 household transmission: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study," focused on pathways of physical and surface contact. Aerosol transmission was not investigated and was not in any way excluded as a means of transmission. In the study, ... [Read More]

Apr 4th, 2023 - T he World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring a new COVID-19 subvariant called XBB.1.16, which has been circulating throughout India for a few months and is causing a new surge of cases there. The Times of India reported on Apr. 3 that more than 3,600 new COVID cases had been recorded in the country since the previous day, marking India's largest single-day jump in case numbers in more than six months. "In India, XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation," said Maria ... [Read More]

Mar 15th, 2023 - COVID-19 has caused significant global panic after its rapid emergence more than three years ago. Although we now have highly effective vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, scientists continue to study emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in order to safeguard public health and devise global preventive strategies against emerging variants. A team led by Japanese researchers has recently discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB.1.5 variant, prevalent in the Western hemisphere, ... [Read More]

Feb 17th, 2023 - A past COVID-19 infection offers "durable," temporary protection against getting severely sick with the coronavirus — no matter the variant, a new study has found. Though natural immunity against COVID-19 offers protections, the findings don't discourage vaccination, which is still the top method of preventing serious illness, experts involved in the research say. University of Washington researchers are calling their study published Feb. 16 in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet the ... [Read More]