SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface: is it truly a novel transmission route?

Since December 2019, the novel COVID-19 outbreak has spread rapidly around the globe and infected millions of people. Although the major transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is considered to be airborne droplets and close contact, the ocular transmission route has been reported with great concern. The current work summarises the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, the ocular distribution of the major SARS-CoV-2 binding protein, and the experimental and clinical evidence of the ocular transmission route. Although it seems that the likelihood of the ocular surface being an infection gateway is low, SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission via the ocular surface may cause conjunctivitis and other ocular discomfort. Therefore, good eye protection is an essential safeguard procedure, especially for medical staff.

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APASL practical recommendations for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of COVID-19

Hepatology International ◽

10.1007/s12072-020-10103-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shuichiro Shiina ◽

Rino A. Gani ◽

Osamu Yokosuka ◽

Hitoshi Maruyama ◽

Hiroaki Nagamatsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Close Contact ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

Curative Treatment ◽

The Novel ◽

Medical Care System ◽

Hygiene Measures ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background COVID-19 has been giving the devastating impact on the current medical care system. There are quite many guidelines on COVID-19, but only a few on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during COVID-19 pandemic. Aims We develop these recommendations to preserve adequate clinical practice for the management of HCC. Methods Experts of HCC in the Asia–Pacific region exchanged opinions via webinar, and these recommendations were formed. Results Close contact should be minimized to reduce possible exposure of both medical staff and patients to the novel coronavirus. To prevent transmission of the virus, meticulous hygiene measures are important. With the decrease in regular medical service, the medical staff may be mobilized to provide COVID-19-related patient care. However, diagnosis and treatment of HCC should not be delayed because of COVID-19 pandemic. The management of HCC should be the same as in non-pandemic circumstances. HCC is highly malignant, thus it is recommended not to delay curative treatment such as surgery and ablation. However, a kind of triage is necessary even among patients with HCC when resources are insufficient for all to be treated. Curative treatments should be periodized and cytoreductive or non-curative treatment such as vascular interventions and systemic therapy may be postponed until it can be performed safely with sufficient resources. For patients with confirmed or suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus, diagnosis and treatment should be postponed until the virus is eliminated or they are confirmed as not being infected with it. Conclusions These are collection of measures implemented by front-line medical professionals. We would evolve these recommendations over time as more real-world data becomes available.

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Early Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibodies as a Serologic Marker of Infection in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa523 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (16) ◽

pp. 2066-2072 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Zhao Rongqing ◽

Maohua Li ◽

Hao Song ◽

Jianxin Chen ◽

Wenlin Ren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Early Stage ◽

Close Contact ◽

Chinese Hamster ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Elisa Kit ◽

Serologic Marker ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Acid Test

Abstract Background Thousands of medical staff have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with hundreds of deaths reported. Such loss could be prevented if there were a serologic assay for SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies for serological surveillance of its infection at the early stage of disease. Methods Using Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cell–expressed full-length SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein as capturing antigen, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)/SARS-CoV-2 S1 serology enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was developed and validated with negative samples collected prior to the outbreak or during the outbreak and positive samples from patients confirmed with COVID-19. Results The specificity of the ELISA kit was 97.5%, as examined against total 412 normal human samples. The sensitivity was 97.1% by testing against 69 samples from hospitalized and/or recovered COVID-19 patients. The overall accuracy rate reached 97.3%. The assay was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibody on day 1 after the onset of COVID-19 disease. The average antibody levels increased during hospitalization and 14 days after discharge. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 28 of 276 asymptomatic medical staff and 1 of 5 nucleic acid test–negative “close contacts” of COVID-19 patients. Conclusions With the assays developed here, we can screen medical staff, incoming patients, passengers, and people who are in close contact with the confirmed patients to identify the “innocent viral spreaders,” protect the medical staff, and stop further spread of the virus.

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Restorative dental treatment in times of COVID-19

RGO - Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-863720200001920200075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

Author(s):

Robson de Lima GOMES ◽

Marlus da Silva PEDROSA ◽

Claudio Heliomar Vicente da SILVA

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Close Contact ◽

Cross Contamination ◽

Clinical Protocols ◽

Know How ◽

Dental Procedures ◽

Dental Staff ◽

Dental Professional ◽

Restrictive Measures

ABSTRACT Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), numerous restrictive measures have been adopted by governments of different countries. The return to elective dental care in Brazil is a reality even during the COVID-19 pandemic. During restorative dental procedures, the dental professional requires close contact with the patient, being exposed to contaminated saliva and fluids. In addition, transmission of COVID-19 by the generation of aerosol produced by dental handipieces may be possible. Thus, the dental staff must know how to act during restorative dental procedures, putting into practice the correct clinical protocols to avoid cross-contamination and COVID-19 spread. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the biosafety practices especially in the context of restorative dental procedures in times of COVID-19.

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SARS-COV2 virus and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3401 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 977-982

Author(s):

Mohamed J. Saadh ◽

Bashar Haj Rashid M ◽

Roa’a Matar ◽

Sajeda Riyad Aldibs ◽

Hala Sbaih ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Close Contact ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Health Concern ◽

The Novel ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Fatal Disease ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Novel Coronavirus

SARS-COV2 virus causes Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease that is of great global public health concern. The novel coronavirus (2019) was discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, the market of the wet animal, China with viral pneumonia cases and is life-threatening. Today, WHO announces COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. COVID-19 is likely to be zoonotic. It is transmitted from bats as intermediary animals to human. Also, the virus is transmitted from human to human who is in close contact with others. The computerized tomographic chest scan is usually abnormal even in those with no symptoms or mild disease. Treatment is nearly supportive; the role of antiviral agents is yet to be established. The SARS-COV2 virus spreads faster than its two ancestors, the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but has lower fatality. In this article, we aimed to summarize the transmission, symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine to control the spread of this fatal disease.

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Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 Contaminated Surfaces of Personal Items with UVC-LED Disinfection Boxes

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13040598 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 598

Author(s):

Maren Bormann ◽

Mira Alt ◽

Leonie Schipper ◽

Lukas van de Sand ◽

Mona Otte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Close Contact ◽

Credit Cards ◽

Organic Matrix ◽

Viral Loads ◽

Small Aerosol ◽

Time Periods ◽

Respiratory Droplets ◽

Glass Metal

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted from person to person by close contact, small aerosol respiratory droplets, and potentially via contact with contaminated surfaces. Herein, we investigated the effectiveness of commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes in inactivating SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces of personal items. We contaminated glass, metal, and plastic samples representing the surfaces of personal items such as smartphones, coins, or credit cards with SARS-CoV-2 formulated in an organic matrix mimicking human respiratory secretions. For disinfection, the samples were placed at different distances from UVC emitting LEDs inside commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes and irradiated for different time periods (up to 10 min). High viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were effectively inactivated on all surfaces after 3 min of irradiation. Even 10 s of UVC-exposure strongly reduced viral loads. Thus, UVC-LED boxes proved to be an effective method for disinfecting SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces that are typically found on personal items.

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Questioning COVID-19 Surface Stability and Fomite Spreading in Three Aeromedical Cases: A Case Series

Military Medicine ◽

10.1093/milmed/usaa548 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sean Horoho ◽

Stephen Musik ◽

David Bryant ◽

William Brooks ◽

Ian M Porter

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Close Contact ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Case Series ◽

Small Sample ◽

Posture Analysis ◽

Surface Stability ◽

Single Positive ◽

Means Of Transmission ◽

Respiratory Droplets

ABSTRACT It is well established that coronavirus disease 2019 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, and there is mounting research speculation that it may also be transmitted via fomites. Several studies have shown that the virus can persist on both porous and nonporous surfaces for hours to days, depending upon the material. This article examines three cases of polymerase chain reaction–proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection with several additional individuals meeting CDC close contact criteria. In 1 case, 195 downstream contacts were all tested to prevent a mass outbreak in a deployment posture. Analysis of these contacts yielded only a single positive test, which could be reasonably ascribed to respiratory droplet transmission. While these cases and their contacts ultimately represent a small sample size, we suggest fomite spread may not be a significant means of transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in real-world operational scenarios.

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Implications of the severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with the novel coronavirus-2 on vascular surgery practices

Journal of Vascular Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.jvs.2020.08.118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 4-11.e2

Author(s):

Faisal Aziz ◽

Jonathan Bath ◽

Matthew R. Smeds

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Vascular Surgery ◽

The Novel ◽

Novel Coronavirus

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Interferometric Instrument for Thickness Measurement on Blown Films

Photonics ◽

10.3390/photonics8070245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 245

Author(s):

Michele Norgia ◽

Alessandro Pesatori

Keyword(s):

Film Thickness ◽

Temperature Compensation ◽

Close Contact ◽

Thickness Measurement ◽

The Novel ◽

Blown Films ◽

Low Coherence ◽

Real Time Measurement ◽

Blown Film ◽

Standard Techniques

Real-time measurement of plastic film thickness during production is extremely important to guarantee planarity of the final film. Standard techniques are based on capacitive measurements, in close contact with the film. These techniques require continuous calibration and temperature compensation, while their contact can damage the film. Different optical contactless techniques are described in literature, but none has found application to real production, due to the strong vibration of the films. We propose a new structure of low-coherence fiber interferometer able to measure blown film thickness during productions. The novel fiber-optic setup is a cross between an autocorrelator and a white light interferometer, taking the advantages of both approaches.

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Pandemic Prevention: Lessons from COVID-19

Encyclopedia ◽

10.3390/encyclopedia1020036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 433-444

Author(s):

Mario Coccia

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Health System ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

The Novel ◽

Policy Responses

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which appeared in late 2019, generating a pandemic crisis with high numbers of COVID-19-related infected individuals and deaths in manifold countries worldwide. Lessons learned from COVID-19 can be used to prevent pandemic threats by designing strategies to support different policy responses, not limited to the health system, directed to reduce the risks of the emergence of novel viral agents, the diffusion of infectious diseases and negative impact in society.

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