Corona in general

//22.9.2021

This randomized trial compares the effects of ivermectin vs placebo on time to symptom resolution within 21 days among patients with mild COVID-19. // 4.3.2021

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have shown that a hypertonic saline solution inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and have elucidated the biochemical mechanism involved. // 22.9.2021

A new Nature study aimed to predict clinical data of COVID-19 patients based on clinical outcomes. // 21.9.2021

// 21.9.2021

A new study has focused on antibody levels and cytokine profiles of COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, pneumonia, and severe pneumonia. // 21.9.2021

Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have created a cell-free nanobody engineering platform that can produce antibodies effectively and quickly. // 21.9.2021

An opinion article aims to provide evidence that SP could be the possible factor for initiating the cytokine storm during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. // 21.9.2021

In a recently published article on the bioRxiv* preprint server, scientists from the USA and UK have described the significance of early inflammatory signaling pathways in determining the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). // 21.9.2021

Researchers from Europe recently demonstrated altered levels of factor XII (FXII) and its activation products in 2 independent cohorts of critically ill patients with COVID-19 compared to patients suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the influenza virus (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-influenza). // 21.9.2021

As nations begin to recover, researchers from the National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica in Taipei have been looking to identify the changes the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) underwent over the course of the pandemic in order to better understand why the disease showed such virulence. // 20.9.2021

In a recent study, researchers study the molecular aspects of SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry and inhibition of host-specific cellular mechanisms. // 20.9.2021

Background: COVID–19 is still a challenge, both with regard to its treatment and to the actual efficacy of the vaccines available to date, especially with the emergence of new variants. We evaluated the efficacy of the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine in preventing SARS–CoV–2 infection and severity of COVID–19 in health workers. Methods: This analysis includes data from one ongoing blinded, randomized, placebo–controlled trial with participants aged 18–60 years were randomly assigned to receive the MMR vaccine or a placebo. The primary efficacy analysis included all participants with a positive nasopharyngeal RT–PCR test since their inclusion. Results: The MMR vaccine did not prevent the SARS–CoV–2 infection. Participants in the MMR group, compared with those in the placebo group, had a 48% risk reduction in symptomatic COVID–19 (RR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33-0.83; p=0.004) and a 76% risk reduction in COVID–19 treatment (RR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.06-0.88; p = 0.020) with one dose and a 51% risk reduction in COVID–19 symptoms (RR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31 – 0.78; p = 0.001) and a 78% risk reduction in COVID–19 treatment (RR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06-0.82; p = 0.015) with two doses. Conclusions: This interim analysis of an ongoing clinical trial suggests that compared with a placebo, the vaccine reduces the risk of COVID–19 symptoms and reduces the need for COVID–19 treatment. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Clinical Trial Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC RBR-2xd6dkj) https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2xd6dkj ### Funding Statement We would like to thank the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and Santa Catarina State Research and Innovation Foundation (FAPESC) for financing the study; University Hospital Prof Polydoro Ernani de Sao Thiago (HU/UFSC/EBSERH) for the research site where the study was carried out; FiocruzBiomanguinhos Laboratory for the supply of vaccines; Santa Catarina State Health Secretariat (SES/SC) and Central Public Health Laboratory (LACEN) for conducting the RT PCR tests for SARS CoV 2; Florianopolis Municipal Health Department (SMS/PMF), Health Center of Sao Jose Citty Hall (SMS/PMSJ) and UFSC Health Sciences Center (CCS/UFSC) for the supply of consumables for the study. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The trial protocol was reviewed and approved by Ethics Committees of Federal University of Santa Catarina (number 4.254.143) and National Research Ethics Committee (number 4.274.984). All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes The results of this study are preliminary and the study is ongoing. A complete de-identified patient dataset will be available upon completion of clinical trials and publication of the results of the completed study upon request to the corresponding author. // 20.9.2021

A new study discusses the importance of common, rare, and intermediate variants of several host genes to the clinical severity of infection with SARS-CoV-2. // 21.9.2021

An interesting new study finds that in both adults and children, a mild infection with the SARS-CoV-2 elicits an antigen-specific memory T-cell response. // 20.9.2021

The test results that hot day in early August shouldn’t have surprised me — all the symptoms were there. A few days earlier, fatigue had enveloped me like a weighted blanket. I chalked it up to my weekend of travel. Next, a headache clamped down on the back of my skull. // 20.9.2021

In this study, surveillance data were used to investigate how asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections vary by age and geographic location. // 20.9.2021

A new study posted to the bioRxiv* server attempted to explore anti-spike IgG responses, Fc-gamma receptor (FcγR) activation, IgG targeting of immunodominant regions, and recall responses due to seasonal hCoV infections in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. // 20.9.2021

In a recent study released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, the researchers suggest that an aberrant inflammatory reaction associated with COVID-19 could be a result of escape from direct sensing by toll-like receptors (TLRs). // 20.9.2021

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers in collaboration with the group of Bart Haagmans (Erasmus MC) established an organoid biobank to search for the genes that are essential for the spreading of a SARS-CoV2 infection. // 20.9.2021

Researchers hypothesized that if APN01 could be directly introduced into the airways of an infected person, it could locally neutralize SARS-CoV-2. // 19.9.2021

COVID-19 testing is becoming more common in the UK as, along with mass vaccinations, it helps to open up society at a time when restrictions are easing.

A study evaluates the efficacy of a mAb to prevent disease progression in non-hospitalized persons with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. // 17.9.2021

Antibodies and T cells play a critical role in protection from viral illness, however the exact role of T cell and antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection is unclear. // 17.9.2021

Results from this study provided evidence for the hypothesis that sex-defining factors influence the expression of ACE2 and other SARS CoV-2 machinery. // 17.9.2021

In a study available on the preprint server medRxiv*, researchers have created a vaccine designed to overcome issues associated with attenuated-virus vaccines. // 17.9.2021

A simple blood test could help predict which people with covid-19 are likely to get severely ill and need to go on a ventilator // 9.9.2021

Nature - A preliminary analysis of viral genomes suggests the COVID-19 pandemic might have multiple animal origins – but the findings still have to be peer reviewed. // 16.8.2021

Teoria koronaviruksen vuotamisesta karkuun Wuhanin virologisesta instituutista menettää uskottavuuttaan, kertoo Nature-lehti tuoreessa artikkelissa. // 16.8.2021

Suomessa rokotetaan nykyään kaikki lapset kahdesti MPR-rokotteella. Se voi selittää lasten vähäistä ja lieväoireista sairastumista koronavirukseen.// 2.12.2020