Article Summary
June 3, 2020
Characteristics of U.S. Nursing Homes with COVID-19 Cases
Abrams et al. found that 2,949 (31%) of 9,395 nursing homes located in 30 states had at least one documented COVID-19 case. Nursing homes that were large, urban, and had a higher proportion of Black residents had a higher probability of reporting a COVID-19 case. Abrams et al. (June 2, 2020). Characteristics of U.S. Nursing…
Early Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa: An Epidemiological and Phylogenetic Report
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Using genomic surveillance and phylogenetic methods, Giandhari et al. found evidence of multiple international introductions and high rates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Western and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa. They also found evidence for a localized outbreak in a hospital in Durban, potentially explaining the initially high death rates reported in that province. This study highlights the potential role for genomics…
June 2, 2020
Modelling Testing Frequencies Required for Early Detection of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on a University Campus
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Martin et al. modeled transmission on a university campus and conclude that a testing frequency of 100% of a campus population per month is required to detect an outbreak when there are fewer than 9 detectable infections. A greater numbers of symptomatic people reporting to health services for testing could help compensate for lower levels of testing. Adding…
Pediatric COVID-19 in Southern California Clinical Features and Viral Genetic Diversity
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] An observational study of COVID-19 pediatric patients (n=35) in Southern California showed diverse clinical presentations, with greater disease severity was associated with higher viral load and younger age. The authors found no correlation between disease severity and viral genetic variations. Pandey et al. (June 1, 2020). Pediatric COVID-19 in Southern California Clinical Features and Viral Genetic Diversity. Preprint downloaded June 2 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.28.20104539
The Prevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers with Intensive Exposure to COVID-19
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Xiong et al. surveyed 797 asymptomatic healthcare workers with intensive exposure to COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China and found that positive IgG was detected in 35, leading to a seroprevalence of 4.4%. Xiong et al. (June 2, 2020). The Prevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers with Intensive Exposure to COVID-19. Preprint downloaded June 2 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.28.20110767
Profiling Serum Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients Reveals IL-6 and IL-10 Are Disease Severity Predictors
Han et al. found that levels of cytokines and C-reactive protein were higher in serum samples from COVID-19 patients (n=102) than control samples from healthy volunteers (n=45). Within COVID-19 patients, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in the critical group, indicating that higher levels of cytokine storm are associated with more severe disease development. Han et al. (May 31, 2020). Profiling Serum Cytokines in…
SARS-CoV-2 Infects and Induces Cytotoxic Effects in Human Cardiomyocytes
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] By inducing infection in cardiac tissue models and living human heart slices, Bojkova et al. demonstrate that cardiomyocytes (heart cells) can be directly infected with SARS-CoV-2. This study may provide evidence to explain the association between elevated markers of cardiac injury with higher risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Bojkova et al. (June 1, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Infects…
First Case of Drug‐induced Liver Injury Associated with the Use of Tocilizumab in a Patient with COVID‐19
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Muhovic et al. present a case of probable drug-induced liver injury in a patient with severe COVID-19 who received tocilizumab. One day after receiving the drug, which functions as an inhibitor of interleukin-6, acute liver injury was verified in laboratory analyses. Biopsy to diagnose drug-induced liver injury was not performed due to the patient’s fragile condition. The authors suggest the need…
Safety of Breastfeeding in Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] A small study (n=23) of postpartum women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 did not find SARS-CoV-2 in any breast milk samples. Presence of IgM in breast milk correlated with detection in maternal blood. IgG for SARS-CoV-2 was not found in any breast milk samples. Of the 8 infants that were tested one month after birth, all results were negative for SARS-CoV-2. These findings suggest that breast milk may not be…
Quantitative Assessment of the Risk of Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prospective and Retrospective Applications
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Buonanno et al. present a 4-step approach for quantitatively assessing infection risk in the presence of an asymptomatic COVID-19 subject in naturally–ventilated indoor environments, asserting that exposure time should be no longer than 20 minutes to limit the individual risk of infection to no more than 1%. After retrospectively assessing prior outbreaks such as in a restaurant in Guangzhou, China, and a choir rehearsal in Mount Vernon,…
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