Category: Diagnostics

Inflammasome activation at the crux of severe COVID-19

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Authors: Setu M. Vora,1,2Judy Lieberman,2,3 and Hao Wu1,2 Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), results in life-threatening disease in a minority of patients, especially elderly people and those with co-morbidities such as obesity and diabetes. Severe disease is characterized by dysregulated cytokine release, pneumonia and acute lung injury, which can […]

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

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COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative, Nature (2021) Abstract The genetic makeup of an individual contributes to susceptibility and response to viral infection. While environmental, clinical and social factors play a role in exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease severity1,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and […]

Body mass index and severity/fatality from coronavirus disease 2019: A nationwide epidemiological study in Korea

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Authors: In Sook Kang , Kyoung Ae Kong Published: June 22, 2021 Abstract Obesity has been reported as a risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in recent studies. However, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and COVID-19 severity and fatality are unclear. Research design and methods This study included 4,141 COVID-19 patients who […]

Simple blood test can tell whether patients will suffer from ‘long COVID’

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Authors: by Study Finds AUGUST 15, 2021 CAMBRIDGE, England — A simple blood test for long COVID is on the horizon. Biological “fingerprints” can identify individuals with the debilitating syndrome, according to new research. This opens the door to the first accurate diagnosis of the mysterious condition. Sufferers complain it is hard to convince doctors of […]

Associations between body-mass index and COVID-19 severity in 6·9 million people in England: a prospective, community-based, cohort study

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Authors: Min Gao, MSc *, Carmen Piernas, PhD  , Nerys M Astbury, PhD, Prof Julia Hippisley-Cox, FRCPProf Stephen O’Rahilly, FRS, Prof Paul Aveyard, FRCGP † Summary Background Obesity is a major risk factor for adverse outcomes after infection with SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to examine this association, including interactions with demographic and behavioural characteristics, type 2 diabetes, and other […]

Lack of antibodies against seasonal coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein identifies patients at risk of critical COVID-19

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Authors: MartinDugasa1TanjaGrote-Westrickb1UtaMerledMichaelaFontenaylmAndreas E.KremerhFrankHansesijRichardVollenbergcEvaLorentzenbShilpaTiwari-BecklerdJérômeDucheminlSyrineEllouzelMarcelVetterhJuliaFürsthPhilippSchusterkTobiasBrixaClaudia M.DenkingerfgCarstenMüller-TidoweHartmutSchmidtc…JoachimKühnb1 Highlights Does prior infection with seasonal human coronavirus OC43 protect against critical COVID-19?• Findings: In an international multi-center study inpatients without anti-HCoV OC43 NP antibodies had an increased risk of critical disease.• Meaning: Prior infections with seasonal HCoV OC43 have a protective effect against critical COVID-19. Abstract Background The vast majority of COVID-19 patients experience […]

Attributes and predictors of long COVID

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Authors: Carole H. Sudre, Benjamin Murray, Claire J. Steves Abstract Reports of long-lasting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms, the so-called ‘long COVID’, are rising but little is known about prevalence, risk factors or whether it is possible to predict a protracted course early in the disease. We analyzed data from 4,182 incident cases of COVID-19 in which […]

Can we predict the severe course of COVID-19 – a systematic review and meta-analysis of indicators of clinical outcome?

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Authors: Stephan Katzenschlager ,Alexandra J. Zimmer ,Claudius Gottschalk, Jürgen Grafeneder,Stephani Schmitz, Sara Kraker, Marlene Ganslmeier, Amelie Muth, Alexander Seitel, Lena Maier-Hein, Andrea Benedetti, Jan Larmann, Markus A. Weigand, Sean McGrath , Claudia M. Denkinger   Abstract Background COVID-19 has been reported in over 40million people globally with variable clinical outcomes. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed demographic, […]

COVID-19-Associated Bronchiectasis and Its Impact on Prognosis

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Authors: Aasir M. Suliman, Bassel W. Bitar, Amer A. Farooqi, Anam M. Elarabi, Mohamed R. Aboukamar, Ahmed S. Abdulhadi Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which initially emerged in Wuhan, China, has rapidly swept around the world, causing grave morbidity and mortality. It manifests with several symptoms, on a spectrum from asymptomatic to severe illness and death. Many typical imaging features […]

Potential for False Positive Results with Antigen Tests for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 – Letter to Clinical Laboratory Staff and Health Care Providers

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Authors: FDA The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting clinical laboratory staff and health care providers that false positive results can occur with antigen tests, including when users do not follow the instructions for use of antigen tests for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. Generally, antigen tests are indicated for the qualitative detection […]