COVID-19 presents with mild symptoms in the majority of patients but in a minority it progresses to acute illness and hospitalization. Here we consider whether markers for prenatal sex hormones and postnatal stressors on developmental instability, i.e. digit ratios and their directional and unsigned asymmetries, are predictive of hospitalization. We focus on six ratios: 2D:3D;… Continue reading Digit ratios and their asymmetries as risk factors of developmental instability and hospitalization for COVID-19
Category: Infectivology
New-onset of vitiligo in a child following COVID-19 vaccination
Since January 2020, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a global health emergency. Vaccination is a critical measure for containing the spread of COVID-19. At the end of 2020, several vaccines became available. Multiple adverse events (AEs) have been reported with all the available COVID-19 vaccines. This report describes a case of vitiligo in a… Continue reading New-onset of vitiligo in a child following COVID-19 vaccination
Ocular Manifestations after Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine: A Systematic Review
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound and lasting consequences since 2019. Although vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed and approved under emergency use authorization, various adverse events have also been reported after COVID-19 vaccination. This review was undertaken to help clinicians recognize the possible manifestations and systemic pathogenesis, especially those related to… Continue reading Ocular Manifestations after Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine: A Systematic Review
mRNA vaccines: Why is the biology of retroposition ignored
The major advantage of mRNA vaccines over more conventional approaches is their potential for rapid development and large-scale deployment in pandemic situations. In the current COVID-19 crisis the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been conditionally approved and broadly applied, while others are still in clinical trials. However, there is no previous experience with the use… Continue reading mRNA vaccines: Why is the biology of retroposition ignored
Efficacy of a Fourth Dose of Covid-19 mRNA Vaccine against Omicron
In this open-label, nonrandomized clinical study, we assessed the immunogenicity and safety of a fourth dose of either BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) administered 4 months after the third dose in a series of three BNT162b2 doses (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT05231005. opens in new tab and NCT05230953. opens in new tab; the protocol is available with… Continue reading Efficacy of a Fourth Dose of Covid-19 mRNA Vaccine against Omicron
Necessity of COVID-19 vaccination in previously infected individuals
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination in persons previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods Employees of the Cleveland Clinic Health System working in Ohio on Dec 16, 2020, the day COVID-19 vaccination was started, were included. Any subject who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at least 42 days earlier was… Continue reading Necessity of COVID-19 vaccination in previously infected individuals
BNT162b2 Vaccine-Associated Myo/Pericarditis in Adolescents: A Stratified Risk-Benefit Analysis
BackgroundMale patients ages 12–17 years have an elevated risk of mRNA vaccination-associated myo/pericarditis. A risk-benefit analysis of first and second doses of mRNA vaccination in adolescent boys by health status and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been performed. MethodsUsing the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), we identified BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech] myo/pericarditis occurrence according to… Continue reading BNT162b2 Vaccine-Associated Myo/Pericarditis in Adolescents: A Stratified Risk-Benefit Analysis
The Foegen effect A mechanism by which facemasks contribute to the COVID-19 case fatality rate
Extensive evidence in the literature supports the mandatory use of facemasks to reduce the infection rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the effect of mask use on the disease course remains controversial. This study aimed to determine whether mandatory mask use influenced the case fatality rate… Continue reading The Foegen effect A mechanism by which facemasks contribute to the COVID-19 case fatality rate
Unravelling the Role of the Mandatory Use of Face Covering Masks for the Control of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools: A Quasi-Experimental Study Nested in a Population-Based Cohort in Catalonia (Spain)
Background: Mandatory use of face covering masks (FCM) had been established for children aged six and above in Catalonia (Spain), as one of the non-pharmaceutical interventions aimed at mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission within schools. To date, the effectiveness of this mandate has not been well established. The quasi-experimental comparison between 5 year-old children, as a control… Continue reading Unravelling the Role of the Mandatory Use of Face Covering Masks for the Control of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools: A Quasi-Experimental Study Nested in a Population-Based Cohort in Catalonia (Spain)