Frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a may provide fitness advantage to Australia's SARS-CoV-2 delta variants

A team of scientists from Australia has recently identified a frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The mutation results in the production of a truncated peptide with altered functionality. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review. Study: Rapid spread of a SARS-CoV-2 […]

Read more

Increased chemosensory dysfunction with D614G mutation of SARS-CoV-2

Chemosensory dysfunction is prevalent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the prevalence of smell loss or anosmia varies significantly between populations; some studies reported it occurred in less than 1% of cases, while others reported higher than 70% of cases exhibiting anosmia. This difference in prevalence can be due to multiple reasons, such as variations in the hosts' angiotensin-converting enzyme […]

Read more

Obtained SARS-CoV-2 immunity, naturally or via vaccination persists 12 months

The existence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern that may better evade immunity established by vaccination or past infection by the wild-type form of the virus has been noted since early in the pandemic, with mutations to the receptor-binding domain and spike protein already having been seen to increase transmissibility in some lineages. The duration […]

Read more

SARS-CoV-2 Spike may trigger production of antibodies that cross-react with human thrombopoietin to induce thrombocytopenia

Scientists have stated that molecular mimicry between human proteins and pathogens can incorrectly lead to antibodies attacking human proteins. Such an occurrence can cause transient or chronic autoimmune disorders. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals often suffer from thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with low platelet counts. The cytokine thrombopoietin regulates platelet count. Previous studies have reported that thrombocytopenia […]

Read more

CDC scientists model the most efficient physical barrier against SARS-CoV-2 for worker protection

Size doesn’t matter — when it comes to physical barriers in the workplace. A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found larger barriers were not statistically better than smaller physical barriers in protecting against severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 spreads through the air, and new variants have made the virus even more transmissible. In response, […]

Read more

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection among fully vaccinated likely to be less transmissible

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that individuals fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who develop breakthrough infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are less likely to transmit the virus to others than unvaccinated infected individuals. The team – from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of […]

Read more

Distinct spike protein mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variant in Russia

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has lasted for approximately a year and a half, with over 173 million infections reported worldwide. In spite of having acquired and identified a large number of genetic sequences and variants since the start of the pandemic, scientists still face the challenge of […]

Read more

SARS-CoV-2 variants have higher transmissibility and a longer infectious period

Researchers analyzed data on three variants of concern and found that viral loads were higher and infection lasted longer for the B.1.1.7 variant. They all were more infectious than the original strain, and transmissibility also depended on population demographics. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evolved since it first emerged in late 2019. Several mutations of the […]

Read more

Curcumin nanosystems could be powerful COVID-19 therapeutics

With new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerging, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is far from over. While the global vaccine rollout has moved at an impressive speed, the search for new safe, effective, and targeted therapies is still on. Now, a new study in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy reviews the potential for curcumin, a natural […]

Read more
1 2 3 4