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
150 publications
2020-04-21
Answering the right questions for policymakers on COVID-19
Expert Summary: The authors state the importance of clear scientific communication, so that results are easily understandble by policy makers. They define questions that are, in their view, important for experts to address and will help establishing new/improved measures for COVID-19 containment.
COVID-19: minimising risk to healthcare workers during aerosol producing respiratory therapy using an innovative constant flow canopy.
Expert Summary: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) can be used as the first line of treatment in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure, postponing and maybe even avoiding the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. The major inconvenience of using noninvasive respiratory support in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is the generation of aerosols composed of small virus containing particles that may remain suspended in the air increasing the risk of contracting the virus for health care workers. To reduce or even eliminate...
Two Middle East respiratory syndrome vaccines: first step for other coronavirus vaccines?
Expert Summary: Previously, three clinical trials have been conducted to test the immunogenicity of vaccines against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The comment describes differences observed in immunogenic potentials of the two MERS vaccines. It also sheds lights on questions and necessary considerations for development of corona virus-related vaccines, including ones for SARS-Cov2.
2020-04-20
Human leukocyte antigen susceptibility map for SARS-CoV-2
Expert Summary: The SARS-Cov2 proteome was sampled and assessed for peptide affinity human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, B, and C. The study identify, based on the affinity profile, that HLA-B*46:01 and B*15:03 are most vulnerable or protective HLA antigens, respectively. This study has identified populations with potentially better immune protection against SARS-Cov2.
Human monoclonal antibodies block the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor.
Expert Summary: The authors report that they have cloned two human blocking mAbs from recovered COVID-19 patients and that both mAbs specifically bind to SARS-CoV-2 RBD and block its interaction with hACE2 receptor leading to efficient neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 S protein virus infection. These mAbs hold great promise to be exploited as specific prophylactic and therapeutic agents against the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Targeting potential drivers of COVID-19: Neutrophil extracellular traps
Expert Summary: In this perspective, the authors hypothesize due to autopsy results and literature that neutrophil extracellular traps might contribute to organ damage and mortality in SARS-COV-2 infected patients.
Will antibody tests for the coronavirus really change everything?
Expert Summary: News piece about antibody testing for COVID-10. Although there is great enthusiasm concernign the serological, fine-tuning is crucial for their wide use. It is necessary to test the efficacy of the kits, to study the timing when those can be used after potential infection, and to evaluate if infection effectively means "immunity".
COVID-19 Research in Brief: 11 April to 17 April, 2020
Expert Summary: In this brief, Nature Medicine summarizes the most important research from this week (11 to 17 April, 2020): new clinical trials, advances in the research of possible neutralizing antibodies, epidemiological studies and structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 providing new possible targets for drugs.
