Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
Neutralizing antibodies after three doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, breakthrough infection, and symptoms during the Omicron-predominant wave
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the waning of the second vaccine-induced immunogenicity over time [1,2] and the emergence of variants of concerns, such as Delta and Omicron, have led many countries to adapt the booster (third) vaccine campaign. Observational studies have shown that a third dose of existing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines is still effective against the infection with Delta and Omicron variants and hospitalization [3–5]; however, the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the third dose against Omicron infection is lower than that against Delta [3,4].SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody therapies: an early retrospective cohort study of 26 hospitalized patients treated with bamlanivimab or casirivimab/imdevimab
The first patient with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 was officially registered in December 2019. Only 3 months after that, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic [1].Hydroxychloroquine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers: a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes of Hydroxychloroquine (HERO-HCQ)
After the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, the virus spread rapidly, resulting in the worst pandemic in nearly a century. Early in the pandemic, health care systems struggled with maintaining adequate supply of personal protective equipment, and infections in health care workers (HCWs) were reported worldwide [1]. Without the availability of protective vaccines, there was a need to identify therapies that might prevent infection and could be taken regularly by HCWs who were at a high risk for frequent exposures, such as approaches taken with malaria and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.Effect of remdesivir on mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation among hospitalized patients with COVID-19: real-world data from a resource-limited country
Remdesivir, a direct-acting nucleotide analog and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase inhibitor, is the first antiviral drug authorized for the treatment of COVID-19 in the United States and European Union [1,2]. Authorizations followed the findings of adaptive COVID-19 treatment trial (ACTT-1), showing reduced time to recovery among remdesivir recipients [3]. ACTT-1 also showed a trend toward reducing mortality, but the difference did not reach statistical significance [3]. Neither did the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity trial demonstrate the survival benefit of remdesivir [4].Immunogenicity of a fractional or full third dose of AZD1222 vaccine or BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine after two doses of CoronaVac vaccines against the Delta and Omicron variants
The approved COVID-19 vaccines in Thailand include the messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines, BNT162b2 (‘PF’; Pfizer Inc, New York, USA; BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH, Mainz, Germany) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna Inc, Cambridge, USA); the inactivated virus vaccine, CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech, Beijing, China); and the adenovirus vector vaccine, AZD1222 (‘AZ’; Oxford-AstraZeneca, UK). However, variants of concern, such as Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron, especially BA.1 (B.1.1.529), are driving infection surges amid waning vaccine effectiveness (VE) [1].Emergence and geographic dominance of Omicron subvariants XBB/XBB.1.5 and BF.7 – the public health challenges
Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in November 2021 [1], it has rapidly replaced former strains as the key driver of the pandemic. As of 27 October 2022, the Omicron variant was considered the only circulating variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) [2]. Omicron has spawned subvariants due to its propensity of engendering novel mutations. In January 2022, the original Omicron strain BA.1 was replaced by BA.2; and other subvariants – BA.3, BA.4, BA.5 and XE – have subsequently emerged.Alterations in smell or taste in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during periods of Omicron variant dominance
The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19, was first identified in late November 2021 and has since spread rapidly worldwide. To date, this variant remains the dominant variant in the global pandemic [1]. Since the pandemic outbreak, anosmia and dysgeusia have been shown to be key symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection [2]. Some patients still have not recovered these senses almost a year later, and for a proportion of those who have, the sense of smell has been distorted [3].Effects of dexamethasone use on viral clearance among patients with COVID-19: a multicenter cohort study
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has greatly harmed global health and the global economy [1]. SARS-CoV-2 can be detected from the nasopharynx for a median of 2-3 weeks after the onset of symptoms [2]. A patient's infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in body fluids, secretions, and excreta [3]. According to Taiwanese policy, all patients with positive viral RNA detection must be isolated, and isolated patients can only be discharged after symptom relief and two successive negative viral nucleic acid results of respiratory specimens [4].Differential clinical characteristics and performance of home antigen tests between parents and children after household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron variant pandemic
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) BA.2 pandemic struck in 2022. Children seemed to have a lower rate of infection than adults at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the clinical scenario changed, especially after the Omicron variant outbreak [1]. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may vary according to different viral variants, settings, and individuals, and understanding the transmission rate and factors associated with transmission may help further control COVID-19. To this end, the difference in clinical symptoms and overall household transmission rate between children and adults needs further investigation.Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary and secondary school students and staff in England in the 2020/2021 school year: a longitudinal study
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns that schools might contribute to sustaining or amplifying community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 led to widespread school closures [1]. This impacted education, well-being, and societal health [2,3]. Evidence now indicates that SARS-CoV-2 transmission does occur among and from children but can be reduced by preventive interventions in schools [4–6]. The overall role of schools in community spread is thought to be low-to-moderate, especially with mitigations in place; although, this may vary with virus variants [7–9].Multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled study of the efficacy and safety of favipiravir and nafamostat mesilate in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 first occurred in late 2019, and the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. Although an entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, such as binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 at the first step and process cell fusion by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), was known [1], no established treatment exists before this study was conducted. To date, four antiviral drugs, remidesivir, molnupiravir, ensitrelvir, and nirumatrelvir/ritonavir, have been approved for COVID-19 therapy in Japan; however, only remdesivir has shown clinical benefits for hospitalized patients [2].Relapsing COVID-19 infection as a manifestation of Good syndrome: a case report and literature review
Good syndrome (GS) is a rare acquired immunodeficiency characterized by the presence of thymoma with combined B and T cell immunodeficiency. Recurrent bacterial infections remain the most common infective presentation of GS [1,2]. However, relapsing viral infections have also been reported in patients with GS, likely due to delayed viral clearance arising from impaired T cell-mediated immunity [2]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, although chronic/relapsing COVID-19 has been reported in patients who are immunocompromised [3,4], relapsing COVID-19 infection has not been previously reported as a manifestation of GS [5–8].Lopinavir/ritonavir for treatment of non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial
COVID-19 remains a significant public health problem. There has been success in developing outpatient therapeutics such as neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, oral antivirals, and intermittent intravenous remdesivir infusions [1–7]. However, these treatments are costly, susceptible to resistance from new SARS-CoV-2 variants, and may not improve symptom resolution [8–11]. With increasing vaccination and less severe variants, hospitalization rates have declined [12–14], and the focus of initial treatment is now shifting toward acute symptom and functional recovery [15,16].Fatal cases after Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 infection: Results of an autopsy study
The Omicron variant of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by both high infectivity and transmissibility. Despite this, it causes a rather mild clinical course of COVID-19 compared with the other VOCs [1–3]. In concordance, animal experiments showed reduced pathogenicity of the Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 compared with other VOCs. This includes less prominent loss of weight and lower viral burden in the upper and lower respiratory tracts in hamsters, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)-wildtype mice, and K18-hACE2 transgenic mice [4].Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines on hospitalization and death in Guilan, Iran: a test-negative case-control study
Iran has experienced a high rate of death during the pandemic of COVID-19 [1,2]. The first case of the disease in Iran was reported on February 17, 2020 [2], And Iran reported its first COVID-19 deaths on February 19, 2020 [3]. From the outset of the pandemic, various strategies were proposed to overcome this emergency crisis, including quarantine and social distancing, each of which had its limitations and problems [2]. News of the production of vaccine for the disease sparked hope once again, and many countries have started mass vaccination to combat the disease [4].Quantifying excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in The Gambia: a time-series analysis of three health and demographic surveillance systems
In January 2020, COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. At the time, 7818 cases and 170 deaths were reported in 19 countries, mainly in Asia [1]. Almost a year later, COVID-19 spread across the world and caused about 278 million cases and 5.4 million deaths. Despite the extent of the pandemic, Africa, which accounts for approximately 16% of the world population, has been relatively spared by the pandemic as it accounted only for 3% of cases (7 million) and deaths (0.16 million) [2].Impact of accumulative smoking exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on COVID-19 outcomes: report based on findings from the Japan COVID-19 task force
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, has spread worldwide despite infection-control efforts, resulting in many cases and deaths [1,2]. The risk factors for COVID-19 include older age (>65 years) [3], male sex [4], obesity [5], and cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus [6].Risk of death, hospitalization and intensive care unit admission by SARS-CoV-2 variants in Peru: a retrospective study
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a global pandemic, characterized by the development of a series of signs and symptoms in the infected population, including respiratory, psychiatric, and cardiovascular problems, among others [1].Hospital at home treatment with remdesivir for patients with COVID-19: real-life experience
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious challenge to health systems around the world. Alternatives to conventional hospitalization have been proposed in order to avoid hospital collapse and prioritize those requiring a higher intensity of care [1]. Strategies aiming to minimize conventional hospital admission include out-hospital management in repurposed hospital at home (HaH) units [2,3] or in ad hoc monitoring programs [4], with great heterogeneity in the admission criteria for the different programs in different settings, some of them oriented to early detection of complications in patients with mild COVID-19 [4,5] while others aim to fully substitute hospital admission in patients with nonsevere COVID-19 [6].Continued demographic shifts in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 from migrant workers to a vulnerable and more elderly local population at risk of severe disease
In a previous study, we examined the first 3 months of the pandemic and the shifting demographics of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Singapore [1]. In summary, the first cases observed were labelled as ‘imported cases’ as they were predominantly returning travellers [2]. This subsequently led to a small outbreak within the local community, which was rapidly curbed by aggressive case-finding and quarantining of the affected cases and their contacts (Ministry of Health [[3]pore] 2020, [4]).Long-term outcomes of COVID-19 convalescents: An 18.5-month longitudinal study in Wuhan
SARS-CoV-2, with high covertness and high transmissibility, has caused more than 0.5 billion confirmed cases and 6.3 million deaths globally as of July 13, 2022 [1,2]. Huge burdens for the healthcare system and the whole of society may occur due to the overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly growing population of post-COVID-19 patients worldwide [3]. Emerging evidence has suggested that many COVID-19 survivors suffered from a higher rate of long-term complications and limited day-to-day activities [4–6] and showed a relatively lower physical and mental health status than the general population [7–9].Risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization after COVID-19 vaccination: a population-based cohort study in Canada
As of July 24, 2022, over 560 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, with over 6 million deaths. Almost four million confirmed cases, including 42,215 deaths, have been reported in Canada alone [1]. In British Columbia (BC), Canada's third largest province by population size, over 370, 000 cases have been recorded, with over 3,855 deaths as of July 24, 2022 [2]. Although vaccination roll-out and uptake have reduced COVID-19 disease burden in many jurisdictions, prompting the opening of economies and a return to normalcy, the effects of COVID-19 are far from over.Drug-drug interaction with oral antivirals for early treatment of COVID-19 – Authors’ reply
I thank Vuorio et al. [1] for their very relevant concerns and comments on the Danish population-based study estimating the risk of significant drug-drug-interactions (DDIs) with the oral antiviral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in the elderly Danish population [1,2].Drug-drug interaction with oral antivirals for the early treatment of COVID-19
We read with interest the Danish population-based study estimating the risk of significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with the antiviral component, nirmatrelvir, of the drug combination nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) in the age groups ≥65 years and ≥80 years [1]. The study highlights the potentially detrimental effects of DDIs if this antiviral treatment is used as part of polypharmacy in this elderly population at a high risk for the progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection to severe COVID-19.Community engagement in Ebola outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa and implications for COVID-19 control: A scoping review
The Ebola virus is the etiological agent of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), a hemorrhagic fever that occurs in epidemics in the West and Equatorial Africa [1]. The virus was named after the river ‘Ebola’ in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the first EVD outbreak occurred in 1976. According to Khalafallah et al. [2], it is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Ebolavirus and the Filoviridae family. There are five species of Ebola viruses: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire (Taï Forest), and Reston [3].
