Non-pharmaceutical interventions minimize social contacts, hence the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We quantified two-day contact patterns among US employees from 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contacts were defined as face-to-face conversations, involving physical touch or proximity to another individual and were collected using electronic diaries. Mean (standard deviation) contacts reported by 1,456 participants were 2.5 (2.5), 8.2 (7.1), 9.2 (7.1) and 10.1 (9.5) across round 1 (April-June 2020), 2 (November 2020-January 2021), 3 (June-August 2021), and 4 (November-December 2021), respectively. Between round 1 and 2, we report a 3-fold increase in the mean number of contacts reported per participant with no major increases from round 2-4. We modeled SARS-CoV-2 transmission at home, work, and community. The model revealed reduced relative transmission in all settings in round 1. Subsequently, transmission increased at home and in the community but remained very low in work settings. Contact data are important to parameterize models of infection transmission and control.
Background:
We studied women enrolled in the Boston Mammography Cohort Study to investigate whether subgroups defined by age, race, or family history of breast cancer experienced differences in trends of screening or diagnostic imaging rates during the COVID-19 lockdown and had slower rebound in trends of these rates during reopening.
Methods:
We compared trends of monthly breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging rates over time between the pre-COVID-19, lockdown, and reopening periods and tested for differences in the monthly trend within the same period by age (<50 vs ≥50), race (White vs non-White), and first-degree family history of breast cancer (yes vs no).
Results:
Overall, we observed a decline in breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging rates. The monthly trend of breast cancer screening rates for women age ≥50 was 5% higher (p=0.005) in the pre-COVID-19 period but was 19% lower in the reopening phase than that of women aged <50 (p<0.001). White participants had 36% higher monthly trend of breast cancer diagnostic imaging rates than non-White participants (p=0.018).
Discussion:
The rebound in screening was lower in women age ≥50 and lower in non-White women for diagnostic imaging. Careful attention must be paid as the COVID-19 recovery continues to ensure equitable resumption of care.
Funding:
The project was supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (RT). Researchers were supported by the University of Louisville CIEHS P30 ES030283 (NCD), K01CA188075 (ETW), T32CA09001 (NCD, MOS, MEB) P30 ES000002 (JH, FL), and NIH/NCI K00 CA212222 (MEB). This manuscript is the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
The Omicron BQ.1.1 variant is now the major SARS-CoV-2 circulating strain in many countries. Because of the many mutations present in its Spike glycoprotein, this variant is resistant to humoral responses elicited by monovalent mRNA vaccines. With the goal to improve immune responses against Omicron subvariants, bivalent mRNA vaccines have recently been approved in several countries. In this study, we measure the capacity of plasma from vaccinated individuals, before and after a fourth dose of mono- or bivalent mRNA vaccine, to recognize and neutralize the ancestral (D614G) and the BQ.1.1 Spikes. Before and after the fourth dose, we observe a significantly better recognition and neutralization of the ancestral Spike. We also observe that fourth-dose vaccinated individuals who have been recently infected recognize and neutralize better the BQ.1.1 Spike, independently of the mRNA vaccine used, than donors who have never been infected or have an older infection. Our study supports that hybrid immunity, generated by vaccination and a recent infection, induces higher humoral responses than vaccination alone, independently of the mRNA vaccine used.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients have lower seroconversion rates and antibody titers following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, but the reasons for this diminished response are poorly understood. Here, we studied humoral and cellular responses in 95 CLL patients and 30 healthy controls after two BNT162b2 or mRNA-2173 mRNA immunizations. We found that 42% of CLL vaccinees developed SARS-CoV-2-specific binding and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), while 32% had no response. Interestingly, 26% were seropositive, but had no detectable NAbs, suggesting the maintenance of pre-existing endemic human coronavirus-specific antibodies that cross-react with the S2 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. These individuals had more advanced disease. In treatment-naïve CLL patients, mRNA-2173 induced 12-fold higher NAb titers and 1.7-fold higher response rates than BNT162b2. These data reveal a graded loss of immune function, with pre-existing memory being preserved longer than the capacity to respond to new antigens, and identify mRNA-2173 as a superior vaccine for CLL patients.
Background: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, guidance (“Japanese Guide”) has been published by a working group of several academic societies and announced by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Steroids as a candidate treatment for COVID-19 were noted in the Japanese Guide. However, the prescription details for steroids, and whether the Japanese Guide changed its clinical practice, were unclear. This study aimed to examine the impact of the Japanese Guide on the trends in the prescription of steroids for COVID-19 inpatients in Japan. Methods: We selected our study population using Diagnostic Procedure Combination (DPC) data from hospitals participating in the Quality Indicator/Improvement Project (QIP). The inclusion criteria were patients discharged from hospital between January 2020 and December 2020, who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and were aged 18 years or older. The epidemiological characteristics of cases and the proportion of steroid prescriptions were described on a weekly basis. The same analysis was performed for subgroups classified by disease severity. Results: The study population comprised 8603 cases (410 severe cases, 2231 moderate II cases, and 5962 moderate I/mild cases). The maximum proportion of cases prescribed with dexamethasone increased remarkably from 2.5% to 35.2% in the study population before and after week 29 (July 2020), when dexamethasone was included in the guidance. These increases were 7.7% to 58.7% in severe cases, 5.0% to 57.2% in moderate II cases, and 1.1% to 19.2% in moderate I/mild cases. Although the proportion of cases prescribed prednisolone and methylprednisolone decreased in moderate II and moderate I/mild cases, it remained high in severe cases. Conclusions: We showed the trends of steroid prescriptions in COVID-19 inpatients. The results showed that guidance can influence drug treatment provided during an emerging infectious disease pandemic.
Purpose The goal of this study was to compare noninvasive respiratory support to invasive mechanical ventilation as the initial respiratory support in COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Methods All patients admitted to a large healthcare network with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure associated with COVID-19 and requiring respiratory support were eligible for inclusion. We compared patients treated initially with noninvasive respiratory support (noninvasive positive pressure ventilation by facemask or high flow nasal oxygen) with patients treated initially with invasive mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was time-to-in-hospital death analyzed using an inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox model adjusted for potential confounders. Secondary outcomes included unweighted and weighted assessments of mortality, lengths-of-stay (intensive care unit and hospital) and time-to-intubation. Results Over the study period, 2354 patients met inclusion criteria. Nearly half (47%) received invasive mechanical ventilation first and 53% received initial noninvasive respiratory support. There was an overall 38% in-hospital mortality (37% for invasive mechanical ventilation and 39% for noninvasive respiratory support). Initial noninvasive respiratory support was associated with an increased hazard of death compared to initial invasive mechanical ventilation (HR: 1.61, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 1.33 - 1.94). However, patients on initial noninvasive respiratory support also experienced an increased hazard of leaving the hospital sooner, but the hazard ratio waned with time (HR: 0.97, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.96 - 0.98). Conclusion These data show that the COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure initially treated with noninvasive respiratory support had an increased hazard of in-hospital death.
Background Vaccines against COVID-19 have proven effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalisation. In this study, we aimed to quantify one aspect of the public health impact of COVID-19 vaccination by estimating the number of averted hospitalisations. We present results from the beginning of the vaccination campaign (period 1, January 6, 2021) and a period starting at August 2, 2021 (period 2) when all adults had the opportunity to complete their primary series, until August 30, 2022. Methods Using calendar-time specific vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates and vaccine coverage (VC) by round (primary series, first booster and second booster) and the observed number of COVID-19 associated hospitalisations, we estimated the number of averted hospitalisations per age group for the two study periods. From January 25, 2022, when the indication of hospitalisation was registered, hospitalisations not causally related to COVID-19 were excluded. Results In period 1, there were an estimated 98,170 (95% confidence interval (CI) 96,123-99,928) averted hospitalisations, of which 90,753 (95% CI 88,790-92,531) in period 2, equalling 57.0% and 67.9% of all hospital admissions. Estimated averted hospitalisations were lowest for 12-49-year-olds and highest for 70-79-year-olds. More admissions were averted in the Delta period (72.2%) than in the Omicron period (64.0%). Conclusion COVID-19 vaccination prevented a large number of hospitalisations. Although the estimated number of hospitalisations during the study period could not have occurred realistically due to limits on health care, these findings underline the public health importance of the vaccination campaign to policy makers and the public.
The rapid development of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has proved to make an important contribution in reducing both viral transmission and disease burden. In this study, we tracked the COVID-19 vaccine equity, distribution, and cases in global south countries using country-level data from Our World in Data using an event study analysis. We used data from 149 global south and 59 non-global south countries from January 2020 to May 2022. All non-global south and 90.32% of global south countries had universal availability of vaccines. The median time since the introduction of the first COVID-19 vaccine in the global south was almost eight weeks later than in non-global south countries. The median number of people fully vaccinated per hundred (68.8 vs 50.31), and the total number of boosters administered per hundred (45.7 vs. 13.02) were higher in non-global south countries compared to global south countries. Using the event study analysis, we found a significant reduction of COVID-19 new cases and deaths after the first COVID-19 vaccination rollout compared to the baseline in global south countries, average coefficient p-value <0.001. Programs aiming at improving vaccine access and distribution to global south countries are essential to effectively control COVID-19.
101-PGC-005 for the Treatment of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: 101-PGC-005; Drug: Dexamethasone
Sponsor: 101 Therapeutics
Recruiting
COVID-19 Booster Study in Healthy Adults in Australia - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Bivalent Moderna; Biological: Novavax
Sponsors: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Not yet recruiting
Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio And Length of Stay In COVID-19 Patients - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Drug: N-acetyl cysteine
Sponsor: Universitas Sebelas Maret
Completed
Baldachin: Ceiling HEPA-filtration to Prevent Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Baldachin
Sponsor: University Hospital Inselspital, Berne
Not yet recruiting
Comparative Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Ambervin and Standard Therapy in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Tyrosyl-D-alanyl-glycyl-phenylalanyl-leucyl-arginine succinate intramuscularly; Drug: Tyrosyl-D-alanyl-glycyl-phenylalanyl-leucyl-arginine succinate inhaled; Drug: Standard of care
Sponsor: Promomed, LLC
Completed
Study of GST-HG171/Ritonavir Compared With Placebo in Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19 Pneumonia
Interventions: Drug: GST-HG171/Ritonavir; Drug: Placebo
Sponsor: Fujian Akeylink Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
A Study for Immunocompromised Patients for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 With AZD5156. - Condition: COVID 19
Interventions: Biological: Placebo; Biological: AZD5156; Biological: AZD7442 (EVUSHELD™)
Sponsor: AstraZeneca
Not yet recruiting
A PhaseⅡ Study to Evaluate the Safety & Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha/Beta/Delta/Omicron Variants COVID-19 Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Pandemic
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01E; Biological: Placebo (normal saline)
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
Graphene Photothermal Adjuvant Therapy for Mild Corona Virus Disease 2019: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Graphene spectrum light wave therapy room
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital
Recruiting
Effectiveness of Supportive Psychotherapy Through Internet-Based Teleconsultation on Psychological and Somatic Symptoms, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Heart Rate Variability in Post Covid-19 Syndrome Patients - Condition: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Intervention: Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy
Sponsor: Indonesia University
Not yet recruiting
ICBT for Psychological Symptoms Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic Remaining After Societal Opening - Condition: Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Intervention: Behavioral: Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Sponsor: Linkoeping University
Not yet recruiting
ARVAC - A New Recombinant Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Vaccine
Intervention: Biological: ARVAC-CG vaccine (recombinant protein vaccine against SARS-CoV-2)
Sponsors: Laboratorio Pablo Cassara S.R.L.; Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM); National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, Argentina
Active, not recruiting
The Efficacy of Azvudine and Paxlovid in High-risk Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Drug: Azvudine; Drug: Paxlovid group
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
Recruiting
Post-COVID-19 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Conditions: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Post-COVID Syndrome
Intervention: Drug: Synthetic Vitamin B1
Sponsors: ClinAmygate; As-Salam Center, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Not yet recruiting
The COPE Study: Pilot Intervention to Improve Symptom Self-management and Coping in Adults With Post COVID - Conditions: Post COVID-19 Condition; Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Intervention: Behavioral: 6-Week Self-Management Group
Sponsor: University of Washington
Not yet recruiting
Testosterone suppression combined with high dose estrogen as potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2. A mini review - No abstract
The Biological Causes and Consequences of COVID-19: ACE I/D Polymorphism and In-Silico Screening of Potential Bioactive Phytochemicals Against COVID-19 - No abstract
Insulin may promote SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and replication in diabetes patients - No abstract
The Oral Cavity Potentially Serving as a Reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 but Not Necessarily Facilitating the Spread of COVID-19 in Dental Practice - No abstract
The effectiveness of the intermediate and therapeutic doses of enoxaparin in COVID-19 patients: A comparative study of factor Xa inhibition - No abstract
Cross-Clade Memory Immunity in Adults Following SARS-CoV-1 Infection in 2003 - No abstract
Therapeutic role of mTOR inhibitors in control of SARS-CoV-2 viral replication - No abstract
A commentary on the use of pharmacoenhancers in the pharmaceutical industry and the implication for DMPK drug discovery strategies - No abstract
Possible Therapeutic Targets from Derivatives of Natural Marine Products Based on PI3K/AKT Dependent Inhibitors in Viral Infection COVID-19 - No abstract
In silico evaluation of potential intervention against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase - No abstract
Effective vaccination strategy using SARS-CoV-2 spike cocktail against Omicron and other variants of concern - No abstract
UGTs-mediated metabolic interactions contribute to enhanced anti-inflammation activity of Jinhongtang - No abstract
Nsp1 proteins of human coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV2 inhibit stress granule formation - No abstract
Identification of anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents based on flavor/fragrance compositions that inhibit the interaction between the virus receptor binding domain and human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 - No abstract
Guanidinium-Perfunctionalized Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes as Highly Potent Antimicrobials against Planktonic Microbes, Biofilms, and Coronavirus - No abstract