Although there have been many studies into COVID-19, and even studies into the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant mothers, relatively few studies have looked at what impact maternal COVID-19 infection may have on the developing fetus. A new study by researchers in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s, published today in […]
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Seizures as a main manifestation of severe pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mostly causes symptomatic disease in adults rather than in children. In rare cases, mild COVID-19 symptoms such as headache, drowsiness, myalgia, fatigue, fever, and trivial respiratory symptoms appear in children. Study: Seizures as the main presenting manifestation of acute […]
Increased evolutionary rates seen in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
An Australian study conducted at the University of Melbourne describes that the emergence of more deadly variants of concern (VOCs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with an induction in episodic evolutionary rate. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server. Study: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern […]
Primate study shows benefit of mRNA vaccine booster shot against SARS-CoV-2 variants
In a recent bioRxiv* preprint research paper, a large group of US scientists demonstrate how a booster dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine can substantially improve both the potency and range of neutralizing antibody responses and mediate protection against upper and lower airway infection by a range of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants […]
Study proves effectiveness of Artemisia annua against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
A multinational research group has been the first to show the excellent activity of artemisinin-based treatment against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human cell lines – including a specific type of lung cells. Their findings were recently published in the journal Scientific Reports. Notwithstanding the increasing availability of vaccines against the […]
Potential compounds targeting SARS-COV-2 main protease (in vivo)
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease pandemic is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan City, China, in late December 2019. Globally, the virus is responsible for over 188 million infections and more than 4 million deaths. As a result, health officials […]
High individual-level variability in SARS-CoV-2 shedding may explain superspreading
Researchers in the United States have provided a high-resolution description of the viral dynamics involved in acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The team’s daily longitudinal sampling of 60 newly infected individuals revealed that significant person-to-person variation in the shedding of infectious […]
CRISPRa identifies potassium channels as neuronal entry factors and druggable targets for SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes various symptoms that go beyond respiratory problems. Neurological, cardiac, and other issues can emerge during infection and after recovery in long COVID, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 invades several organs. However, how SARS-CoV-2 invades the brain — whether directly or indirectly — remains under investigation. New research led by Le […]
Cold winter temperatures may accelerate spread of SARS-CoV-2
Researchers in China have warned that cold winter temperatures may accelerate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and lead to new outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The team’s review of studies assessing the factors that affect SARS-CoV-2 survival and transmission suggested that the virus can survive on the surfaces of […]
Repeated low-dose dose exposure to SARS-CoV-2 may protect against severe COVID-19
Emerging variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are causing a third wave in Europe, and an interesting development has been observed. As transmissible variants and vaccinations have increased, several European countries have experienced a second and third wave of the pandemic without a proportional increase in disease severity and mortality. Study: […]