Daily curated COVID-19 literature
WP11 - The objective of this work package is to respond to requests concerning the current scientific knowledge on SARS-CoV-2. Based on the latest scientific literature the team will compile findings and give advice when needed
15.04.2020
Significance of Serology Testing to Assist Timely Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections: Implication from a Family Cluster
Expert Summary: In this study of family cluster of six people, five were seropositive for COVID-19, however only two were detected by molecular assays. The authors emphasize the significance of serology testing in close contacts screening for timely diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
COVID-19: a new virus, but an old cytokine release syndrome
Expert Summary: Hirano T and Murakami M discusses and provides insightful hypothesis that potential contributions of increased angiotensin II and activation of AT1R leading to IL-6/gp130 signaling, resulting in cytokine release syndrome observed in Covid19 acute respiratory distress syndromes.
Molecular Investigation of SARS–CoV-2 Proteins and Their Interactions with Antiviral Drugs
Expert Summary: The authors analyze the affinity between different viral proteins of the novel SARS-Cov-2 virus and several inhibitors by exploiting the molecular docking approach. They observe a relevant binding for some inhibitors that were originally developed to fight other viral infections.
14.04.2020
Compassionate Use of Remdesivir for Patients with Severe Covid-19
Expert Summary: Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that inhibits viral RNA polymerases. It was used in a compassionate-basis in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Clinical improvement was observed in 36 of 53 patients (68%). Statements about efficacy will require ongoing randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Note: trial funded by Gilead Sciences, the biopharmaceutical producing the prodrug.
COVID-19 Research in Brief: 4 April to 10 April, 2020
Expert Summary: Summary of the most important publications about COVID-19 on the week of 4th-10th April: plasma therapy trial at Johns Hopkins Univerty, anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab), low levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 of patients recovered from the infection, recombinant ACE2 enzyme in clinical trials, reports on co-morbodities associated with higher fatality in ICU.
Risk factors for severity and mortality in adult COVID-19 inpatients in Wuhan
Expert Summary: The severity of admission, complications, treatment, and outcomes of 548 Covid-19 patients Tongji hospital in China were evaluated. Severe cases accounted for 49.1% (269/548), and were significantly associated with elder age, underlying hypertension, high cytokine levels (IL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a), and high LDH level. The estimated mortality was 32.5% in severe cases during a month follow-up period. Death in severe COVID-19 cases were associated with male, elder age, leukocytosis, high LDH level, cardiac injury, hyperglycemia, and high-dose corticosteroid use. Patients with such risk f...
An Infectious cDNA Clone of SARS-CoV-2
Expert Summary: Xie, X et al. report the establishment of a reverse genetic system and the development of a reporter virus for SARS-COV2. This reporter virus could facilitate anti-viral testing and offers a huge advantage for the development of therapeutics for COVID-19.
10.04.2020
A framework for identifying regional outbreak and spread of COVID-19 from one-minute population-wide surveys
Expert Summary: The authors propose a tool that allows daily 1-minute population-wide surveys in order to trace COVID-19 infections. This tool would allow the assessment of development of symptoms caused by the virus and identifification of clusters of COVID-19 spread. The data be used by epidemiologists, public-health officials and policymakers. The authors show preliminary results from an Israeli survey of a cumulative number of over 74,000 responses and call for additional countries to join an international consortium to extend this concept in order to develop predictive models.