Articles: coronavirus.
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The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 strain of the human coronavirus has thrown the world into the midst of a new pandemic. In the human body, the virus causes COVID-19, a disease characterized by shortness of breath, fever, and pneumonia, which can be fatal in vulnerable individuals. ⋯ Across the world, laboratories are developing candidate vaccines for the virus - with vaccine trials underway in the United States and the United Kingdom - and considering various drugs for possible treatments and prophylaxis. Here, we provide an overview of SARS-CoV-2 by analyzing its virology, epidemiology, and modes of transmission while examining the current progress of testing procedures and possible treatments through drugs and vaccines.
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In response to ongoing concerns regarding transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), surgical practice has changed for the foreseeable future. Practice guidelines recommend only urgent or emergent surgical procedures be performed to minimize viral transmission. This effectively limits standard training and practice for surgical residents. The purpose of this article is to describe opportunities in surgical simulation, and highlights the challenges associated with training in the COVID-19 era. ⋯ This manuscript concisely discusses simulation options available to training programs, including the novel concept of "surgical kits." These kits include all instruments necessary to simulate a procedure at home, effectively pairing safety and utility.
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2020
ReviewClinical, molecular, and epidemiological characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a comprehensive literature review.
Coronaviruses are an extensive family of viruses that can cause disease in both animals and humans. The current classification of coronaviruses recognizes 39 species in 27 subgenera that belong to the family Coronaviridae. From those, at least 7 coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections in humans. ⋯ Latest figures from 20 May 2020 show more than 5 million people had been infected with the virus, causing more than 330,000 deaths in over 210 countries worldwide. The large amount of information received daily relating to COVID-19 is so abundant and dynamic that medical staff, health authorities, academics and the media are not able to keep up with this new pandemic. In order to offer a clear insight of the extensive literature available, we have conducted a comprehensive literature review of the SARS CoV-2 Virus and the Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19).
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Review Case Reports
Lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection - A case series and review of the literature.
COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and spreading worldwide has become a serious challenge for the entire health care system as regards infection prevention, rapid diagnosis, and treatment. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a dynamically developing diagnostic method used in intensive care, cardiology and nephrology, it can also be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring pneumonia. ⋯ We present 4 case reports of COVID-19 involving the lungs, in which transthoracic lung ultrasound was successfully utilized as a constituent of bedside diagnostics and a review of the literature concerning potential use of LUS in COVID-19 diagnostics. The possibility to perform this examination repeatedly, its non-invasiveness and high sensitivity make it an important element of care provided for patients with viral pneumonia.
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Review
Nanomedicine as a promising approach for diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) puts the world in an unprecedented crisis, leaving behind huge human losses and deep socioeconomic damages. Due to the lack of specific treatment against SARS-CoV-2, effective vaccines and antiviral agents are urgently needed to properly restrain the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Interestingly, nanomedicine as a promising therapeutic approach could effectively help win the battle between coronaviruses (CoVs) and host cells. This review discusses the potential therapeutic approaches, in addition to the contribution of nanomedicine against CoVs in the fields of vaccination, diagnosis and therapy.