Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
Host genetic loci LZTFL1 and CCL2 associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19
High variability in the clinical presentation of COVID-19 has consistently been described (World Health Organization, 2021). Most patients experience asymptomatic infection or mild disease only, whereas 14% suffer from severe and 5% from critical disease (Hu et al., 2021). The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, and fatigue; ageusia, anosmia, and gastrointestinal symptoms are also observed (Hu et al., 2021; Velavan and Meyer, 2020a). Severe COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygen (Table 1, WHO Working Group on the Clinical Characterisation and Management of COVID-19 infection, 2020).Emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) - highlights Africa's research capabilities, but exposes major knowledge gaps, inequities of vaccine distribution, inadequacies in global COVID-19 response and control efforts
Nearly two years since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has caused over 5 million deaths, the world continues to be on high COVID-19 alert. The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with national authorities, public health institutions and scientists have been closely monitoring and assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 since January 2020 (WHO 2021a; WHO 2021b). The emergence of specific SARS-CoV-2 variants were characterised as Variant of Interest (VOI) and Variant of Concern (VOC), to prioritise global monitoring and research, and to inform the ongoing global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO and its international sequencing networks continuously monitor SARS-CoV-2 mutations and inform countries about any changes that may be needed to respond to the variant, and prevent its spread where feasible.Emergence of B.1.1.318 SARS-CoV-2 viral lineage and high incidence of alpha B.1.1.7 variant of concern in the Republic of Gabon
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) appear to spread more easily. Other emerging variants are also gaining attention, either known as a "variants of interest" (VOI) or "variants under investigation" (VUI), which increase transmission, warranting further studies. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 genomes have accumulated genetic diversity, leading to increased transmission with altered viral properties (Kraemer et al. 2021).How to (ab)use a COVID-19 antigen rapid test with soft drinks?
With reasonably good specificity and sensitivity, the speed and convenience of COVID-19 antigen tests have led to self-testing in schools, offices, and universities in the European Union (EU). Although self-testing can be beneficial and increase the accessibility to testing, there are potential ways to confound a positive COVID-19 lateral flow test. We observed that all soft drinks, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages (vodka, whiskey, and brandy), commercially bottled mineral water, and carbonated mineral water caused the appearance of a red test line.A call to caution when hydroxychloroquine is given to elderly patients with COVID-19
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic initiated an urgent search for safe, effective treatments. Repurposing approved drugs for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can save considerable effort, time and costs (Krishna et al., 2020). These drugs must be suitable for use in elderly patients and those with underlying health conditions as these groups are at particular risk of severe disease and complications.COVID-19 and syndemic challenges in ‘Battling the Big Three’: HIV, TB and malaria
All countries where malaria is endemic have reported COVID-19 cases. The WHO African Region has experienced >1.5 million cases of COVID-19 (WHO, 2020a) and bears 90% of the global malaria burden. Significant efforts have led to a substantial reduction in malaria deaths in the last decade (WHO, 2019a) and enduring sustainability of malaria interventions and control programs is essential. As signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and malaria partly overlap, diagnostic guidance is inevitable in malaria-endemic settings.Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Congo
With the first cases reported on March 14, 2020 (Ntoumi and Velavan, 2020), the Republic of Congo reported a total of 7794 cases with 117 deaths as of January 25, 2021, with transmission driven by the community (WHO, 2021).COVID-19: A PCR-defined pandemic
The numbers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases are increasing steadily in many parts of the world, and the global and devastating impact of the current pandemic on all aspects of our life is evident. The number of positive molecular diagnostic tests, which are largely based on real-time (RT) PCR assays that detect genetic material of the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), still forms the basis for reporting both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases worldwide.Reply to: Asymptomatic infection by SARS 2 coronavirus: invisible but invincible
Malagón-Rojas et al. comments on the need for a widely accepted definition of asymptomatic carriers and pre-symptomatic patients and to report asymptomatic individuals in official COVID-19 statistics are well acknowledged (Nikolai et al. 2020).Asymptomatic SARS Coronavirus 2 infection: Invisible yet invincible
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the agent causing COVID-19, is driven by virus-containing droplets released from the upper airways and aerosols that can float, dependent on the airflow, for a prolonged period in the environment (Meselson, 2020). Aerosols can be spread by just breathing, while droplets originate from speaking, shouting, sneezing, and coughing as well as from singing and playing wind instruments (Zhang et al., 2020; Zhen-Dong et al., 2020; Asadi et al., 2019). Of great importance are super-spreading events, which are infection clusters constituting effective chains of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.Herd immunity and vaccination of children for COVID-19
Recognized individual risk factors for a more severe clinical outcome of COVID-19 are age above 65 years and underlying comorbidities, such as obesity, chronic obstructive lung disease, and diabetes (Velavan and Meyer, 2020a; Velavan and Meyer, 2020b). While the frequency of severe cases and mortality among children are reported to be extremely low when compared with adults (Dong et al., 2020), transmission from children could be a significant contributor to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as with other respiratory viruses.Mild versus severe COVID-19: Laboratory markers
As the number of COVID-19 patients is dramatically increasing worldwide and treatment in intensive care units (ICU) has become a major challenge, early recognition of severe forms of COVID-19 is absolutely essential for timely triaging of patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in older patients and those with pre-existing illness, can progress to severe disease with critical respiratory symptoms and significant pulmonary changes visible by imaging techniques. The changes include ground glass opacities, patchy consolidation, alveolar exudates and interlobular involvement, ultimately prognosticating deterioration (Huang et al., 2020).
