CoV Outbreak Research Articles

Low uptake of COVID-19 booster doses among elderly cancer patients in China: A multicentre cross-sectional study.

Vaccination is a crucial measure to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The elderly and cancer populations both are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and have higher mortality. However, the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among elderly cancer patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associates of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses uptake in elderly cancer patients. A multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted in four general populations of China province from April to June 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as COVID-19 vaccination status and reasons for not uptake booster doses, were collected through face-to-face interviews and medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to explore the associates of the first COVID-19 booster dose vaccination uptake of cancer patients. A total of 893 cancer patients were eventually included in this study, of which 279 (31.24%) were aged 65 or older and 614 (68.76%) were under 65 years old. The proportion of the first COVID-19 vaccine booster dose among cancer patients aged 65 and above was lower than among adults aged 65 (23.66 vs. 31.92%). Factors affecting individual-level variables among the aged 65 and above cancer patients group whether to uptake the first COVID-19 booster dose were negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, perceived subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and other types of chronic disease. There is no significant difference in the incidence of related adverse reactions between the two age groups (P = 0.19). Low uptake of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among elderly cancer patients is a significant concern and implies high susceptibility and high fatality when facing the emergence of SARS Cov-2 outbreak. Efforts to improve vaccine education and accessibility, particularly in rural areas, may help increase uptake and reduce the spread of SARS-Cov-2.

Antivirals for Broader Coverage against Human Coronaviruses.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27-31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.

In Silico Assessment for Risk of Possible Human Transmission of FCoV‐23

Since the pandemic in 2019, coronaviruses (CoVs) have been a great concern for public health burden. The fact that CoVs can infect all animals including domestic ones and livestock points to a future pandemic even though interaction between human and wildlife animals is restricted. Moreover, interspecies transmission abilities of CoVs by mutations make them drastically risky not only for humans but also for animal health. Recently, a new CoV outbreak in cats in Cyprus, the so‐called FCoV‐23, has been realized. In addition to worries over animal health, any possible transmission to humans is now controversial. However, there have been limited characterization studies on FCoV‐23. Thus, we aimed to assess the possible transmission of FCoV‐23 to humans using in silico prediction tools. Accordingly, we first checked the binding affinities of receptor binding domain (RBD) of FCoV‐23 against feline target protein and its human homolog. Next, we randomly and rationally created mutations on the RBD sequence and evaluated the binding affinities using protein docking tools. Our results underlined that multiple mutations at the same time were needed for increased binding affinity towards human target protein, demonstrating that the probability of transmission to humans was extremely low when mutation rates were regarded. Still, further molecular studies are required to comprehensively conclude the possible transmission risk.

Antihypertensive Drugs Therapy in Hypertension and Covid-19 Comorbidity

The novel coronavirus (CoV) severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 outbreak began at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread to over 200 countries. Many comorbidities have shown to be associated with the severity of the viral infection with hypertension being one of the highest rated comorbidities since loss of the ACE2 receptor due to SARS-Cov-2 infection can lead to increased blood pressure. The effects and clinical characteristics associated with the use of beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and calcium-channel blockers (CCB) shows not to affect the outcome of covid-19, except in angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) which may have negative outcomes on covid-19 infected patients. Many comorbidities have shown to be associated with the severity of the viral infection.

Psychosocial impact of SARS- CoV-2 outbreak on patients with pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and their caregivers.

To assess distress, insomnia, and psychosocial impact of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on children with SLE and their caregivers. Patients with pSLE undergoing treatment in the Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and their caregivers were enrolled. Questionnaires were sent to eligible patients and their parents through email or WhatsApp and telephonic interviews were conducted. Self-designed SLE-COVID-19 stress questionnaire; Peritraumatic Distress Inventory; Insomnia Severity Index, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used. Ethical approval was sought from Institutes Ethics Committee (IEC/2020/000583). Telephonic connection was possible with 80 families (160 participants). Telephonic contact was possible with 80 families (160 participants); off these 61 children with pSLE (78.2%) and 55 caregivers (70.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Among participants, 23% patients, and 21.8% caregivers were severely stressed about SARS-CoV-2 infection; 78.7% patients and 80% caregivers had heard about hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) being used for the treatment of COVID-19; 52.7% caregivers exhibited moderate concern about shortage of HCQ; and 52.5% patients, and 43.6% caregivers were worried about side effects of HCQ. We found that 20 (32.8%) patients and 18 (32.7%) caregivers experienced significant distress. Majority of participants reported sleep disturbances. High positive affect scores were seen in 40 (65.5%) patients and 43 (78.2%) caregivers, low positive affect scores were noted in 21 (34.5%) patients and 12 (21.8%) caregivers. Patients with pSLE and their caregivers are at risk of psychosocial problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological interventions can be very helpful.

How Good is the Science That Informs Government Policy? A Lesson From the U.K.\u2019s Response to 2020 CoV-2 Outbreak

In an era when public faith in politicians is dwindling, yet trust in scientists remains relatively high, governments are increasingly emphasizing the role of science based policy-making in response to challenges such as climate change and global pandemics. In this paper we question the quality of some scientific advice given to governments and the robustness and transparency of the entire framework which envelopes such advice, all of which raise serious ethical concerns. In particular we focus on the so-called Imperial Model which heavily influenced the government of the United Kingdom in devising its response to the COVID-19 crisis. We focus on and highlight several fundamental methodological flaws of the model, raise concerns as to the robustness of the system which permitted these to remain unchallenged, and discuss the relevant ethical consequences.

SARS Cov2 outbreak management on a landing helicopter dock: An observational retrospective study

ObjectivesEven though SARS Cov2 outbreak management has been well-described, scant information is available in military settings. We aimed to describe a SARS Cov2 outbreak and its management on the Dixmude, a French landing helicopter dock. Patients and methodsWe performed an observational retrospective and monocentric study in a ship. Role 1 was reinforced by additional roles 1 and 2. Our analysis included all infected crew personnel. We described demographic data, outbreak course, and biological samples including Covid-19 diagnosis. All infected patients were monitored for 10 days. ResultsBetween February 16th 2021 and March 12th 2021, 54 patients (10% of the entire crew) were included. No patient had previously been vaccinated against SARS Cov2. The global mission was maintained. The crew members were healthy, male, and young (median age 28 years) with no medical history. Ranks of every status were concerned. Covid-19 disease was mainly diagnosed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR). Thirty-two patients (59%) were symptomatic, four (8%) were presymptomatic and 18 (33%) remained asymptomatic. ConclusionsThe present work describes specific SARS Cov2 outbreak management in an austere military environment. Early individual and global measures were set and implemented on board.

De la pandemia a la infodemia: el virus de la infoxicación

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>Junto con el patógeno biológico, la pandemia por el virus sars-CoV-2 trajo consigo otra </span><span>virulencia</span><span>: el de la información viral, tecnológicamente replicable a una escala social sin precedentes. Lejos de contribuir a un mejor entendimiento de la pandemia y de las medidas más eficaces para contrarrestarla, el volumen y tipo de información que ha circulado en torno de este virus ha generado respuestas y disposiciones sociales perniciosas. Si anteriormente muchas de las disposiciones y prejuicios colectivos en contra de la ciencia y las políticas en materia de salud pública podían atribuirse a la falta de información suficiente, o del acceso a ésta, hoy parecería que ocurre lo contrario: hay un exceso de todo tipo de información que circula en un mismo plano. A esto se añade aquella información intencionalmente diseñada para distorsionar y confundir, producto de intereses políticos, noticiosos o aun comerciales (las noticias falsas o falseadas, </span><span>i.e., fake news</span><span>). El resultado es que paralelamente a la pandemia médica estamos sumergidos en una pandemia social de carácter informativo, que la oms ha denominado </span>infodemia e infoxicación (intoxicación informativa) que se suma a la gradual pero constante desconfianza y pérdida de credibilidad social en las instituciones médicas, gubernamentales e incluso informativas, con consecuencias potencialmente graves para la vida colectiva.</p></div></div></div></div>

Cytokines in acute respiratory viral infections

Human Respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are the two major etiological viral agents of lower respiratory tract infections, affecting mainly infants, pediatric patients and the elderly. Although the infection by either of the viruses trigger an antiviral immune response that mediate viral clearance and disease resolution in immunocompetent individuals, the promotion of long-term immunity appears to be deficient and reinfection are common throughout life. Coronaviruses (CoVs) comprise a polymorphic group of respiratory viruses causing acute inflammatory diseases in human animals. Until recently, this infection in humans was mainly observed during the autumn-winter period and characterized by a mild, often asymptomatic, course. The situation changed dramatically in 2003, when SARS outbreak caused by pathogenic CoV (SARS-CoV) was recorded in China. A decade later, a new CoV outbreak occurred in the form of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), whereas in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) cases were recorded, which transformed within the first months of 2020 into the pandemic. Such events were accompanied by production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with the magnitude elevating up to the state of cytokine storm.

Challenging management of severe chronic disorders in acute pandemic situation: Chronic liver disease under COVID-19 pandemic as the proof-of-principle model to orchestrate the measures in 3PM context

Chronic liver disease management is a comprehensive approach requiring multi-professional expertise and well-orchestrated healthcare measures thoroughly organized by responsible medical units. Contextually, the corresponding multi-faceted chain of healthcare events is likely to be severely disturbed or even temporarily broken under the force majeure conditions such as global pandemics. Consequently, the chronic liver disease is highly representative for the management of any severe chronic disorder under lasting pandemics with unprecedented numbers of acutely diseased persons who, together with the chronically sick patient cohorts, have to be treated using the given capacity of healthcare systems with their limited resources. Current study aimed at exploring potentially negative impacts of the SARS CoV-2 outbreak on the quality of the advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) management considering two well-classified parameters, namely, (1) the continuity of the patient registrations and (2) the level of mortality rates, comparing pre-COVID-19 statistics with these under the current pandemic in Slovak Republic. Altogether 1091 registrations to cirrhosis registry (with 60.8% versus 39.2% males to females ratio) were included with a median age of 57 years for patients under consideration. Already within the very first 3 months of the pandemic outbreak in Slovakia (lockdown declared from March 16, 2020, until May 20, 2020), the continuity of the patient registrations has been broken followed by significantly increased ACLD-related death rates. During this period of time, the total number of new registrations decreased by about 60% (15 registrations in 2020 versus 38 in 2018 and 38 in 2019). Corresponding mortality increased by about 52% (23 deaths in 2020 versus 10 in 2018 and 12 in 2019). Based on these results and in line with the framework of 3PM guidelines, the pandemic priority pathways (PPP) are strongly recommended for maintaining tertiary care uninterrupted. For the evidence-based implementation of PPP, creation of predictive algorithms and individualized care strategy tailored to the patient is essential. Resulting classification of measures is summarized as follows:The Green PPP Line is reserved for prioritized (urgent and comprehensive) treatment of patients at highest risk to die from ACLD (tertiary care) as compared to the risk from possible COVID-19 infection.The Orange PPP Line considers patients at middle risk of adverse outcomes from ACLD with re-addressing them to the secondary care. As further deterioration of ACLD is still probable, pro-active management is ascertained with tertiary center serving as the 24/7 telemedicine consultation hub for a secondary facility (on a physician-physician level).The Red PPP Line is related to the patients at low risk to die from ACLD, re-addressing them to the primary care. Since patients with stable chronic liver diseases without advanced fibrosis are at trivial inherent risk, they should be kept out of the healthcare setting as far as possible by the telemedical (patient-nurse or patient- physician) measurements.The assigned priority has to be monitored and re-evaluated individually—in intervals based on the baseline prognostic score such as MELD. The approach is conform with principles of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (PPPM / 3PM) and demonstrates a potential of great clinical utility for an optimal management of any severe chronic disorder (cardiovascular, neurological and cancer) under lasting pandemics.

Novel Coronavirus: A Review from Origin to Current Status of Therapeutic Strategies.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are continuously emerging, highly transmissible, and pathogenic agents that primarily target the human respiratory system. Previous outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV remain life-threatening and global public health concerns. A novel CoV outbreak that occurred in December 2019 in Wuhan, China was declared a pandemic outbreak that has since killed millions of individuals worldwide. Rapid transmission, genetic variations, and unavailability of specific therapeutic drugs are major factors that led to this alarming and deadly situation. Currently, > 200 clinical vaccine trials are underway to combat infection. This review summarizes reports related to CoV origin, genetic variations, drug options, status of nine vaccines that were in phase III trials, and novel therapies including convalescent plasma and stem cell treatment.

The New Challenge in the Management of Proximal Femur Fractures during SARS Cov-2 outbreak.

The aim of this study is to evaluate how the spread of Sars-Cov-2 has changed the epidemiology of proximal femur fractures in two major trauma centers in Italy, understanding the workload and the best allocation of the resources for the orthopedics department in such an emergency situation. The rate of patients from January 2019 to April 2020 hospitalized with femoral neck fractures (group A) and trochanteric fractures (group B) were recorded. Demographic data, timing of surgical treatment and the length of stay were recorded. Data show that the number of proximal femur fractures has remained unchanged in the COVID and pre-COVID era (ranging from an average of 91.14/month in the pre-COVID era to 76/month in March and 80/month in April). In our trauma centers, the rate of patients operated on within 48 hours has remained stable (78.19% vs 77.92%), while the length of stay has decreased during the COVID period (8.9 days vs 6.5 days in March and 6.8 days in April). Proximal femur fractures, even during the COVID period, are a constant issue and a new challenge for the healthcare system. The main goals of management are to preserve patients from viral infection, to provide early surgical treatment and fast track protocol for discharge.

Antihypertensive drugs are associated with reduced fatal outcomes and improved clinical characteristics in elderly COVID-19 patients

The novel coronavirus (CoV) severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 outbreak began at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread to over 200 countries. In this multicenter retrospective study, we identified 2190 adult patients admitted for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in three participating centers. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted in patients with comorbid hypertension to examine the potential association between clinical outcomes, disease severity, and clinical characteristics with the use of ACEI, ARB, calcium-channel blockers (CCB), beta-blockers (BB), and thiazide diuretics. The clinical outcome, dyspnea, and fatigue were significantly improved in patients, especially elderly patients who were older than 65 years, who took ARB drugs prior to hospitalization compared to patients who took no drugs. The reduction of disease severity of elderly COVID-19 patients was associated with CCB and ACEI users. Clinical indices, including CRP, lymphocyte count, procalcitonin D dimer, and hemoglobin, were significantly improved in elderly ARB users. In addition, the clinical outcomes were statistically significantly improved in patients who took antihypertension drugs ARB, BB, and CCB after statistical adjustment by all ages, gender, baseline of blood pressures, and coexisting medical conditions. Our data indicate that hypertension drugs ARB, ACEI, CCB, and BB might be beneficial for COVID-19 patients.

Papain-Like Proteases as Coronaviral Drug Targets: Current Inhibitors, Opportunities, and Limitations.

Papain-like proteases (PLpro) of coronaviruses (CoVs) support viral reproduction and suppress the immune response of the host, which makes CoV PLpro perspective pharmaceutical targets. Their inhibition could both prevent viral replication and boost the immune system of the host, leading to the speedy recovery of the patient. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third CoV outbreak in the last 20 years. Frequent mutations of the viral genome likely lead to the emergence of more CoVs. Inhibitors for CoV PLpro can be broad-spectrum and can diminish present and prevent future CoV outbreaks as PLpro from different CoVs have conservative structures. Several inhibitors have been developed to withstand SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV). This review summarizes the structural features of CoV PLpro, the inhibitors that have been identified over the last 20 years, and the compounds that have the potential to become novel effective therapeutics against CoVs in the near future.

Incidence, management and outcome of MERS CoV outbreak in a hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: In August 2014, there was a striking rise in positive cases of MERS-CoV was reported at a Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after unprotected exposure to a MERS-CoV patient. This study aims to report the outbreak of MERS-CoV in the hospital and the response implemented. Methods: Rapid response team was activated and mobilized to the hospital. Epidemic investigation was conducted. Epidemiological data of patients and health care workers in relation to unprotected exposure was collected. Based on risk stratification, expanded surveillance among health care workers was conducted. A plan was initiated and implemented by the rapid response team in collaboration with the hospital’s stakeholders and designated staff. The plan consisted of many aspects, including case finding and management, strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, health care education, and their implementation. This was continued for 14 days after the last laboratory confirmed results. Results: During the surveillance period, 8 HCWs (2 physicians, 6 nurses), and two patients in addition to the index case were positive to MERS CoV. One physician, a nurse and 2 patients had no direct contact with the index case. No additional cases were identified after gap identification and strict implementation of infection prevention and control measures at the hospital. Conclusions: This outbreak of MERS-CoV was contained after implementing appropriate infection prevention and control measures. Early case identification and risk stratification might have played a major role in containing the cluster. This study highlights the importance of health care workers awareness, especially those on the front lines, and their response to case definition of MERS-CoV in KSA.

Exploring the clinical association between neurological symptoms and COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: a systematic review of current literature.

ObjectThe novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 outbreak has been declared a pandemic in March, 2020. An increasing body of evidence suggests that patients with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) might have a heterogeneous spectrum of neurological symptomsMethodsA systematic search of two databases was performed for studies published up to May 29th, 2020. PRISMA guidelines were followed.ResultsWe included 19 studies evaluating 12,157 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infections. The median age of patients was 50.3 (IQR 11.9), and the rate of male patients was 50.6% (95% CI 49.2–51.6%). The most common reported comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes (31.1%, 95% CI 30–32.3% and 13.5%, 95% CI 12.3–14.8%, respectively). Headache was reported in 7.5% of patients (95% CI 6.6–8.4%), and dizziness in 6.1% (95% CI 5.1–7.1%). Hypo/anosmia, and gustatory dysfunction were reported in 46.8 and 52.3%, of patients, respectively. Symptoms related to muscular injury ranged between 15 and 30%. Three studies reported radiological confirmed acute cerebrovascular disease in 2% of patients (95% CI 1.6–2.4%).ConclusionsThese data support accumulating evidence that a significant proportion of patients with COVID-19 infection develop neurological manifestations, especially olfactory, and gustatory dysfunction. The pathophysiology of this association is under investigation and warrants additional studies, Physicians should be aware of this possible association because during the epidemic period of COVID-19, early recognition of neurologic manifestations otherwise not explained would raise the suspect of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-09978-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

COVID-19 and Mental Health Challenges in Bangladesh

Advances in Medical, Dental and Health Sciences,2020,3,2,31-33.DOI:10.5530/amdhs.2020.2.8Published:July 2020Type:Short CommunicationAuthors:KM Amran Hossain, Susmita Roy, Mohammad Mosayed Ullah, Russell Kabir, and SM Yasir Arafat Author(s) affiliations:KM Amran Hossain1,*, Susmita Roy2, Mohammad Mosayed Ullah3, Russell Kabir4, SM Yasir Arafat5 1Department of Physiotherapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Dhaka, BANGLADESH. 2Department of Psychiatry, Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, Sylhet, BANGLADESH. 3Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA. 4School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK. 5Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, BANGLADESH. Abstract:Bangladesh is expected to face a rapid upraise of SARS- CoV-2 outbreak and the nation is in a state of locked down. Evidences suggests a nation suffers a wide range of mental health issues related to anxiety, fear, isolation, depression, panic, emotional outburst and sleep disturbances during COVID 19 pandemic. The psychological impairments are significant to the diagnosed cases, suspected cases, quarantine cases, health workers and their families and relatives. But the health individual spending times with an experience of pandemic are also vulnerable for mental health crisis. There are structured approaches and strategies for the management of this crisis that needs to be taken into account for a comprehensive strategy to meet the spreading challenge in the next potential horizon of COVID 19. Keywords:Bangladesh, Challenges, COVID-19, Mental Health, PandemicView:PDF (334.48 KB)

Administration of Immunoglobulins in SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patient Is Associated With Fast Clinical and Radiological Healing: Case Report

Polyclonal preparation of IgM as an adjuvant therapy has been reported as a relevant immunomodulant therapy in several infectious diseases, exhibiting, in most cases, improvement of the clinical course. No drug has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy for COVID-19. Immunomodulatory treatment with hydroxychloroquine and biologics as tocilizumab, in fact, has not proven to show satisfactory results in several reports. We therefore treated a selected patient with interstitial multifocal pneumonia, positive to COVID-19, with polyclonal preparation of immunoglobulins as an adjuvant therapy, obtaining in few days clinical remission and improvements in radiological findings. Based on this case report, we suggest that clinical trials are conducted to test the efficacy and safety of polyclonal immunoglobulins for adjunctive therapy of COVID-19.

Unveiling the dermatological manifestations of nCOVID-19

<p class="abstract">Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that have become a major public health concern since the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in 2002. The continuous evolution of coronaviruses was further highlighted with the emergence of the middle east respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) outbreak in 2012. The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 plays a pivotal role in the entry of virus into the cell and it further interacts with ACE-II receptors which are widely distributed on the human cell surface especially on alveolar type II cells (AT-2) and endothelium. Currently, the world is concerned about the 2019 novel CoV (SARS-CoV-2) that was initially identified in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019. Patients presented with severe viral pneumonia and respiratory illness. Despite the virus not being dermatotropic, several skin conditions have emerged mainly as a result of prolonged contact with personal protective equipment and excessive personal hygiene. In this review, we discuss structure, genome organisation, entry of CoVs into target cells, probable cutaneous manifestation that dermatologists may be aware of skin complications and the preventive measures, outcome of the disease and the management.</p>

The Strategic Alliance between Clinical and Molecular Science in the War against SARS-CoV-2, with the Rapid-Diagnostics Test as an Indispensable Weapon for Front Line Doctors.

Our work concerns the actual problem of spread of SARS- CoV-2 outbreak which requires fast and correct as possible answer. In current scenario, the need of rapid answer put away the imperative of proper methodology. We focus on the serogical immunoassay for diagnosis of Covid-19 as an important weapon not only for diagnostic purpose, but also for epidemiologic one. The right equilibrium between high speed, low cost and accuracy is obtained with easy-to-use decentralized point-of-care test as the colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip assay which detects IgM and IgG antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2. As our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of Covid-19 rapid tests and of serological assays in real-life settings, we designed a research protocol aimed to establish how to use correctly these diagnostics, taking into account the different possible clinical and epidemiological scenarios.