scholarly journals DYNAMICS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMICS: GLOBAL PATTERN AND BETWEEN COUNTRIES VARIATIONS

Author(s):  
Julien Krywyk ◽  
Walther Oettgen ◽  
Marc Messier ◽  
Matthieu Mulot ◽  
Laurent Toubiana

The COVID-19 pandemic affected 203 countries between December 2019 and July 2020. The early epidemic "wave" affected countries which now report a few sporadic cases, achieving a stable late phase of the epidemic. Other countries are beginning their epidemic expansion phase. The objective of our study is to characterize the dynamics of the COVID-19 spread. Data science methods were applied to pandemic, focusing on the daily fatality in 24 countries with more than 2,000 deaths, our analysis kin the end retaining 14 countries that have completed a full cycle. The analysis demonstrates a COVID-19 dynamic similar in these studied countries. This 3-phase dynamic is like that of common viral respiratory infections. This pattern, however, shows variability and therefore specificity which the method categorizes into clusters of "differentiated epidemic patterns". Among the 5 detected clusters, 2 main ones regroup 11 of these countries, representing 65% of the world deaths (as of June 24, 2020). The pattern seems common to a very large number of countries, and congruent with that of epidemics of other respiratory syndromes, opens the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic would have developed its "natural history" by spreading spontaneously despite the measures taken to contain it. The diversity highlighted by the classification into "formal clusters" suggests explanations involving the notion of demographic and geographic epicenters.

Author(s):  
Faezeh Abbaszadeh ◽  
Narges Eslami ◽  
Parisa Shiri Aghbash ◽  
Hamed Ebrahimzadeh Leylabadlo ◽  
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi

: Viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of illness and mortality in all age groups worldwide. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout the world, igniting the twenty-first century’s deadliest pandemic. Research has shown that phages, which are bacterial viruses, can help treat viral infections with the effect on the immune system and their antiviral activity. Phages have specific activity and affect only the target without any side effects on other parts of the human body. Human phage-related diseases have not been reported yet; therefore, phages can be a very safe treatment, especially in many viral infections. The results of clinical studies have a promising future regarding the use of phages. It is possible that the phages display technique aided in the production of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies against its viral protein, which prevented the virus from binding or replicating and preventing secondary microbial infections, which have been linked to many patient deaths. Furthermore, an effective antiviral vaccine can be produced by using the same technique. Given the growing number of coronaviruses cases around the world, in the present paper, we review the possible mechanisms of phages against the COVID-19 disease and the method that may be a solution to eliminate the virus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-123
Author(s):  
Helena Carvalho ◽  
Daniel Contaifer Jr ◽  
Renata N. Aranha ◽  
Juliana A. De Matos

Introduction: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses aroundthe world, the universal use of face masks imposes itself as ameasure to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and iscurrently recommended by the World Health Organization.However, its effectiveness as a method of preventing COVID-19 is still controversial. Objective: To review the literatureon the universal use of facial masks, including fabric ones, andtheir recommendations for use. Methods: Narrative reviewof published studies on the topic. Results: Face masks act predominantlyas a source control mechanism, as they capturethe droplets expelled by the user when speaking, coughingor sneezing, protecting other people and the environmentfrom contamination by potentially infecting droplets. Evidenceof the effectiveness of its universal use as a method ofmitigating epidemics of viral respiratory infections is derivedfrom experimental studies and mathematical models. Properuse of facial masks is essential to ensure their effectivenessand prevent damage, and includes covering the nose, mouthand chin, washing the fabric masks with soap and water afteruse and hand hygiene several times a day, especially whenhandling the mask. Conclusions: The universal use of facialmasks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is justified,especially considering the occurrence of virus transmissionin the pre-symptomatic period, and should be adopted inconjunction with other measures such as adequate socialdistance and hygiene from the hands, following the motto“I protect you and you protect me”.


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


Author(s):  
Sinha Pranay ◽  
Katherine Reifler ◽  
Michael Rossi ◽  
Manish Sagar

Abstract Detection of diverse respiratory viruses in Boston was around 80% lower after practices were instituted to limit COVID-19 spread compared to the same time period during the previous five years. Continuing the strategies that lower COVID-19 dissemination may be useful in decreasing the incidence of other viral respiratory infections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1057-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Buehler Cherry ◽  
Marie R. Griffin ◽  
Kathryn M. Edwards ◽  
John V. Williams ◽  
Ana I. Gil ◽  
...  

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