Epidemiology
· Cardiologists and biostatisticians from Denmark conducted a cohort study of 4002 patients to identify severity outcomes between COVID-19 patients (n=688) who were prescribed ibuprofen (42; 15.9%) versus those who were not (646; 17.3%) in a 30-day composite endpoint. The study concluded that there were no significant associations or adverse effects between patients prescribed ibuprofen and COVID-19 severity (p=0.70). Due to several confounding factors, the authors suggest that more studies need to be performed to evaluate this association.
Transmission & Prevention
· Allergy and Immunology experts from México conducted a prospective observational trial of 255 individuals recently vaccinated with mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) for symptoms of COVID-19 infection and found that 24 eventually tested positive for COVID-19, and 12 were designated as highly probable. Of these patients, all exhibited mild disease leading the authors to suggest that vaccination with a non-SARs-CoV-2 vaccine could potentially minimize the severity of COVID-19 infection.
· A literature review by hematology experts associated with the Australian Red Cross found that although there are no reported instances of transfusion transmission of SARS-CoV-2, there is still potential for transfusion transmission since the virus exists in the blood in low levels. The authors recommend mitigation protocols against the possible risk of COVID-19's transfusion transmissibility at donation centers, such as donor deferral policies based on travel, diseased status, or potential risk of exposure.
· Investigators of medicinal chemistry and nutrition review the antiviral and cytokine-inhibitory mechanisms of lauric acid, enhanced phagocytic activity in high medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diets, and suppression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines with intermittent fasting. They propose a ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting and supplemental MCT as a potential SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis or adjuvant therapy for those with infection.
R&D: Diagnosis & Treatments
· Infectious disease experts and immunologists examine the sensitivity and specificity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests using five ELISAs, seven colloidal gold lateral flow immunoassays, and ten commercial serological assays on 110 serum samples collected from 87 individuals with known COVID-19 infections and found that tests varied from 60.9% to 87.3% in sensitivity and 82% to 100% in specificity, but it was clear that all tests achieved the highest performance on samples taken at or greater than 20 days after onset of symptoms.
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