scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2: Remarks on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Egbert Piasecki

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic developing rapidly in 2020 is triggered by the emergence of a new human virus—SARS-CoV-2. The emergence of a new virus is not an unexpected phenomenon and has been predicted for many years. Since the virus has spread all over the world, it will be very difficult or even impossible to eradicate it. A necessary condition for complete or partial elimination of the virus is to have an effective vaccine. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 will become milder in the next few years and COVID-19 will then only threaten individuals from risk groups.

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viney Chawla ◽  
Pooja A Chawla

Background: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly at an unprecedented scale across continents and has emerged as the single biggest risk the world has faced in modern times. Some scientists are comparing it to Spanish flu that created havoc around a century ago. The fear of death by COVID-19 looms large at the world today. The disease has reached devastating proportions since its first reports in December 2019. Doctors are having a difficult time dealing with this challenge and the microbiologists are having sleepless nights to bring about an effective vaccine for this disease. Methods: A number of research and review articles have been exhaustively reviewed. The collected data was meticulously analysed and documented. Conclusion: This paper reviews the different types of corona viruses, the structure of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID19, its transmission, virulence. Further, the article discusses the diagnosis, signs and symptoms like fever, breathlessness, cough, potential loss of taste or smell, sneezing, runny nose, fatigue, headache, sore throat and different treatment approaches including drug repurposing being tried by doctors around the globe that may come handy in the management of disease symptoms. The article describes the use of remdesivir, ribavarin, lopinavir, favipiravir, hydoxychloroquine, chloroquine, tocilizumab among others in treating COVID-19.


Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Gaurav M. Doshi ◽  
Hemen S. Ved ◽  
Ami P. Thakkar

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced the spread of novel coronavirus (nCoV) globally and has declared it a pandemic. The probable source of transmission of the virus, which is from animal to human and human to human contact, has been established. As per the statistics reported by the WHO on 11th April 2020, data has shown that more than sixteen lakh confirmed cases have been identified globally. The reported cases related to nCoV in India have been rising substantially. The review article discusses the characteristics of nCoV in detail with the probability of potentially effective old drugs that may inhibit the virus. The research may further emphasize and draw the attention of the world towards the development of an effective vaccine as well as alternative therapies. Moreover, the article will help to bridge the gap between the new researchers since it’s the current thrust area of research.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali ◽  
Lina Okar ◽  
Nabil E. Omar ◽  
Jabeed Parengal ◽  
Ashraf Soliman ◽  
...  

Despite the widespread of coronavirus disease-19 (CO­VID-19) infection around the world, there are very scarce reported literature about the care of patients with a known diagnosis of hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD) or thalassemia and confirmed COVID-19 infection. Thalassemia International Federation issued a position statement to include patients with thalassemia and SCD among the high-risk groups of patients. Here, we present an interesting case of a 42-year-old patient know to have SCD presenting with Vaso-occlusive (VOC) pain episode in the absence of COVID-19 signs and symptoms, who tested positive for COVID-19 infection and had a smooth recovery. This case highlights the importance of screening SCD patients presenting with VOC-related events even in the absence of COVID-19 signs and symptoms.


npj Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos C. Kyriakidis ◽  
Andrés López-Cortés ◽  
Eduardo Vásconez González ◽  
Alejandra Barreto Grimaldos ◽  
Esteban Ortiz Prado

AbstractThe new SARS-CoV-2 virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family and causes COVID-19 disease. The newly sequenced virus appears to originate in China and rapidly spread throughout the world, becoming a pandemic that, until January 5th, 2021, has caused more than 1,866,000 deaths. Hence, laboratories worldwide are developing an effective vaccine against this disease, which will be essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Currently, there more than 64 vaccine candidates, most of them aiming to induce neutralizing antibodies against the spike protein (S). These antibodies will prevent uptake through the human ACE-2 receptor, thereby limiting viral entrance. Different vaccine platforms are being used for vaccine development, each one presenting several advantages and disadvantages. Thus far, thirteen vaccine candidates are being tested in Phase 3 clinical trials; therefore, it is closer to receiving approval or authorization for large-scale immunizations.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
Giovanni Granati ◽  
Francesca Cichella ◽  
Pia Lucidi

Raptors are some of the most at-risk groups of birds in the world and saving these top predators is essential for maintaining the health of many ecosystems. After hospitalization, raptors are often released when muscular recovery is still unfitting when they are unable to hunt efficiently and are at risk of dying from starvation within a few days. On the other hand, if a convalescent bird is trained with the only use of classic falconry techniques, it is likely to remain dependent on the caretaker/falconer even long after the release, so unable to hunt independently. To overcome these problems, a new training method was conceived, which could improve raptors’ muscular strength while limiting habituation to humans. This has been possible due to the combination of classic falconry techniques and modern technologies, such as the introduction of specific workouts with drones. Three falconry raptors and one wild Eurasian hobby were trained through high-tech falconry to develop the ability to catch, grasp, and airlift their prey at a different speed, altitude, and resistance. The main findings of this study were: (i) The rapid increase of the raptors’ speed; (ii) the muscular growth and endurance, and (iii) successful reintroduction of a wild bird.


Author(s):  
Alla Nikolaevna Kaira ◽  
Vyacheslav Fedorovich Lavrov ◽  
Oksana Anatolievna Svitich

Typhoid fever is still an urgent infection, especially in countries where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line, with limited resources, and without the ability to comply with basic hygiene rules. About 11 million cases of typhoid fever are registered worldwide every year, and about 400 people die from this infection every day. The global development of international relations activates migration processes, tourism, and provides rapid movement of significant masses of people around the world, which makes the risk of widespread typhoid infection quite real. In recent years, due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. typhi, treatment of typhoid fever has become less effective. Natural disasters in the form of earthquakes and floods, man-made disasters, as well as military conflicts that occur in different parts of the world, are fertile «soil» for the emergence and spread of typhoid infection, which actualizes the implementation of appropriate prevention measures, including immunoprophylaxis of the disease. Despite the obvious success in the fight against typhoid fever, which consists in a significant reduction in cases of typhoid infection in the world, this dangerous infectious disease still remains an urgent problem, both for health authorities and the population of many countries. Children and young people are still ill, and there is a real risk of infection spreading to any country. Natural disasters pose a real threat of typhoid outbreaks and epidemics. Mass appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. typhi significantly complicates the treatment of patients, dictates the need for constant monitoring of the pathogen’s resistance to antibiotics and the introduction of typhoid immunoprophylaxis for epidemic indications among professional risk groups, labor migrants, and tourists traveling to countries with typhoid-affected countries. There is also a need for reliable epidemiological surveillance of this infection, carried out on an ongoing basis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanan Al-Khalaifah ◽  
Mohammad Al-Otaibi ◽  
Abdulaziz Al-Ateeqi

With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in December 2019 in China, and the alarming rate at which it has spread across the world has unleashed not only fear, but has taken a toll on social, economic, health, and governing capabilities of the various countries infected with the virus. The pandemic is affecting all aspects of life, including industries such as the animal production industry all over the world. This includes plant, livestock and poultry production. Food security is accordingly impacted, as these industries are vital elements that are contributing to securing food to populations worldwide. In this review, light is shed on the origin of coronaviruses with special emphasis on COVID-19. It also includes introduction of symptoms, epidemiology and pathogenesis, etiology, and prevention. As the disease progresses, scientists are working around the clock in the hope of an effective vaccine, and they managed to introduce some to the worldwide populations. The world faces challenges on a day-to-day basis until most people are vaccinated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2.ESP) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Soraya Pereira Franco Adriano ◽  
Betânia Maria Pereira Santos ◽  
Carmem Gabriela Gomes de Figueiredo Figueiredo ◽  
Ana Carolina Bernardes Dulgheroff ◽  
Ronaldo Rodrigues Sarmento ◽  
...  

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica acerca da atual pandemia do novo coronavírus, destacando aspectos referentes às características do vírus, bem como a epidemiologia, o diagnóstico e tratamento da COVID-19 no intuito de fornecer informações aos profissionais de saúde e à comunidade científica. Método: Revisão narrativa, com busca nas bases de dados Scielo, Medline, Lilacs e Pubmed, referente ao período de fevereiro a maio de 2020, utilizando os descritores: “infecções por coronavírus” or “coronavirus infections”, “COVID-19”, “betacoronavirus”, “Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave”, “SARS-Cov-2”, “diagnóstico”, “diagnosis”. Resultados: Foram evidenciadas três categorias temáticas: aspectos referentes ao vírus; a epidemiologia e a clínica da doença; e aspectos do diagnóstico e tratamento. Conclusão: O Coronavírus sofreu mutações desde o início da pandemia, mas não se sabe se estas mutações afetaram seu poder de infecciosidade. Em diferentes partes do mundo a epidemiologia da COVID-19 foi diferente. Com relação ao tratamento, a droga que tem se mostrado mais promissora até o momento é o remdesivir. Sem uma vacina eficaz, a maior arma que dispomos é o isolamento social.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME AND COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): A NARRATIVE REVIEWObjective: To analyze a scientific production on the current pandemic of new coronaviruses, highlighting aspects related to virus resources, as well as the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in order to provide information to health professionals and the scientific community. Method: Narrative review, searching the Scielo, Medline, Lilacs and Pubmed databases, for the period from February to May 2020, using the keywords: "coronavirus infections" or "coronavirus infections", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnosis", "diagnosis". Results: Three thematic categories were highlighted: aspects related to the virus; an epidemiology and disease clinic; and aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: The Coronavirus has mutated since the beginning of the pandemic, but it is not known whether these mutations have affected its infectiousness. In different parts of the world the epidemiology of COVID-19 was different. Regarding treatment, a drug that has been shown to be more promising until recovery is needed. Without an effective vaccine, the biggest weapon that affects social isolation.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. SÍNDROME RESPIRATORIO AGUDO GRAVE Y COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): UNA REVISIÓN NARRATIVAObjetivo: analizar una producción científica sobre la pandemia actual de nuevos coronavirus, destacando aspectos relacionados con los recursos del virus, así como la epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de COVID-19 para proporcionar información a los profesionales de la salud y la comunidad científica. Método: Revisión narrativa, buscando en las bases de datos Scielo, Medline, Lilacs y Pubmed, para el período de febrero a mayo de 2020, utilizando los descriptores: "infecciones por coronavirus" o "infecciones por coronavirus", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Síndrome respiratorio agudo severo", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnóstico", "diagnóstico". Resultados: se destacaron tres categorías temáticas: aspectos relacionados con el virus; una clínica de epidemiología y enfermedad; y aspectos de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Conclusión: el coronavirus ha mutado desde el comienzo de la pandemia, pero no se sabe si estas mutaciones han afectado su infecciosidad. En diferentes partes del mundo, la epidemiología de COVID-19 fue diferente. Con respecto al tratamiento, un medicamento que ha demostrado ser más prometedor hasta que se necesita recuperación. Sin una vacuna efectiva, el arma más grande que afecta el aislamiento social.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Gabriela Mitea ◽  
Marius Daniel Radu ◽  
Ana Maria Ionescu ◽  
Nicoleta Blebea

In infectious diseases, viral hepatitis has an increased incidence, being an important cause of morbidity and mortality, being a "sentinel" indicator of the socio-economic and hygienic-cultural standard of a geographical area. The World Health Organization (WHO) admits the following types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, B + D, C, E, F and G. Among the viral entities recognized by the WHO, a special importance in terms of incidence, evolution over time with the risk of chronicity and the therapeutic options are presented by hepatitis B and C. There is currently an effective vaccine as well as treatment for hepatitis B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but in recent years considerable progress has been made in treating this disease. Also, the introduction of drugs known as direct-acting antivirals makes it possible to cure over 90% of patients within 2-3 months. But in many countries, current drug policies, regulations and prices keep treatment out of the reach of most people with hepatitis. Eradication of viral hepatitis is possible if greater emphasis is placed on prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Vaccination is very important, as it is possible for types A and B of hepatitis. Early diagnosis is also extremely important, given that there are currently very effective drugs that can prevent the development of liver cancer. The WHO also noted that about two million people worldwide become ill each year due to the reuse of syringes and stressed the importance of checking blood donors to see if they are not carriers of hepatitis B or C viruses. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to highlight the pharmacological treatment and the main therapeutic and prevention schemes currently used for patients with these liver diseases. The paper was based on the most popular methods of identification of the latest international information about the treatment of hepatitis (by electronic search using Pubmed, SciFinder, Scirus, GoogleScholar and Web of Science). We also consulted the global literature cited in the hepatitis database of the World Health Organization (WHO) updated frequent from the current literature on this topic.


2018 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Deryabina Nina ◽  
Gritsenko Dilyara ◽  
Galiakparov Nurbol

The influenza virus is one of the most abundant viruses in the world. It causes both mild seasonal infections and severe pandemics killing thousands of people and mammals. Two main extracellular receptors – neuraminidase (NA) and hemagglutinin (HA) are responsible for infection symptoms development and spread. Error-prone RNA-polymerase incorporates mutations into both neuraminidase and hemagglutinin per replication cycle, which complicates the development of highly effective drugs against animal influenza. Incorporated mutations are also involved in the transition of influenza from animal to human species and vice versa. Transited influenza subtypes are the most dangerous, because it is unpredictable now, where the mutation might arise. However, it starts to become clear, which molecular regions are the most common for the mutation to occur. This article revises the molecular structure of influenza extracellular receptors, including critical regions of receptors binding sites and susceptible mutation sites. The clear understanding of molecular structures and critical regions of HA and NA might facilitate the development of an effective vaccine and/or drug development.


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