Su et al., showed that COVID-19 in children has a mild or asymptomatic clinical process, which is a largely better prognosis than that in adults. However, PCR positivity in stool seems to last longer in children than in their family members. A study by Dong et al....
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Safety considerations in laboratory practice when testing specimens from patients suspected or infected with SARS-CoV-2
The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, has again heightened the need for laboratories to review their biosafety practices and to update them with the new recommendations.
A serological assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in humans
An alternative method for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection would be using serological tests that detect SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody (Ab) responses. However, no SARS-CoV-2 serological assays are available at point of care..
Where did SARS-CoV-2 come from?
In previous zoonotic coronavirus events (SARS & MERS), near-identical strains of the virus were found in animal intermediate hosts; however, a near-identical strain of SARS-CoV-2 has yet to be found in animals. The genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 has highest similarity (96.3%) to that of Bat_SL-CoV_RaTG13...
Faecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2
Wu et al investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in respiratory and faecal samples among patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n=74). Of these, 33 had no SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their faecal samples, while their nasal swabs remained positive for an average of 15.4 days.
COVID-19 spurs interest in preprints and improves scientific collaboration
Opinion While rigorous peer review ensures studies are held to high standards, it is not a short process, with some papers taking months or even years to get published. However, in situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, time is of the essence. Preprints offer a platform...
BCG & COVID-19
Miller et al., (Pre-print) suggest a correlation between BCG vaccination policy and COVID-19. They suggest that high rates of COVID-19 in countries such as Italy, Netherlands and USA, could be related to non-universal BCG vaccination. However, a RCT is required to determine this.
Potent neutralizing antibodies isolated from COVID-19 patients
Bin et al isolated and characterized 206 potential therapeutic and prophylactic monoclonal Abs from 8 COVID-19 patients. The isolated Abs were found to prevent RBD-ACE-2 interaction and to have high binding affinity and neutralizing activity...
The potential benefit of high-dose intravenous Ig in severe COVID-19
Cao et al., describe a promising clinical outcome of three patients presenting with severe COVID-19 and treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). According to the authors "All patients were clinically improved shortly following the administration...
SOLIDARITY TRIAL: Testing existing drugs to treat COVID-19
In an attempt to avoid repeating the mistakes of the 2014–16 West African Ebola epidemic, where clinical trials were set up late, leading to the under-recruiting of patients – in the current pandemic researchers have decided to start trials as soon as possible...