Articles: sars-cov-2.
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Abnormal remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) has generally been linked to pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and may also play a role in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19. To further elucidate the role of ECM remodelling and excessive fibrogenesis in severe COVID-19, we examined circulating levels of mediators involved in various aspects of these processes in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Our findings highlight changes to ECM remodelling and particularly a possible role of OPN, S100A12 and YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate vaccine effectiveness in relieving symptoms in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant. ⋯ Our results suggest that 2-dose vaccination can reduce viral load and accelerate viral clearance in patients with the delta variant and enhance the protection afforded by IgG antibodies in vivo.Key MessagesIn this study, our results shows that two-dose vaccination can reduce viral loads and accelerate viral clearance, and two-dose vaccination enhance the protection of IgG antibodies in vivo; however, one-dose vaccination did not confer protective effectiveness.
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Observational Study
Diagnostic performance of rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk based on cycle threshold values in the emergency department.
This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of the rapid antigen test (RAT) for screening patients with cycle threshold (Ct) values of SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the emergency department. Previous studies have shown that Ct values could be used as indicators of infectiousness. Therefore, we considered the Ct value an indicator of potential infectiousness. ⋯ The RAT might be a rapid screening tool for detecting patients with the infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2. However, considering the low NPV, it is challenging to depend only on a negative test result from an antigen test to terminate quarantine. Clinicians should consider additional factors, such as the duration of symptoms and the immunocompromised state, for SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the mechanism of GI tract injury is largely unknown. We aimed to study the potential factors that cause COVID-19 GI symptoms. ⋯ ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were essential proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 infection of GI tract, while TMPRSS2 rather than ACE2 may play a more important role. GI symptoms may derive from the host receptor expression level and pro-inflammatory response in COVID-19 patients after viral infection of GI tissues, and further exacerbate the disease. So targeting TMPRSS2 and inflammation may represent an effective strategy for treating COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms.
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While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans, there is a wide range of disease outcomes following virus exposures. Some individuals are asymptomatic while others develop complications within a few days after infection that can lead to fatalities in a smaller portion of the population. In the present study, we have analyzed the factors that may influence the outcome of post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ This is due to cross-reactive antibodies and T-cells that recognize SARS-CoV-2 antigens. We also have reviewed the current literature that has also proposed that human infections with eCOVIDs impart protection against disease caused by subsequent exposure to SARS-CoV-2. We propose that a nasal spray vaccine consisting of selected genes of eCOVIDs would be beneficial against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic coronaviruses.