Pre-infection 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and association with severity of COVID-19 illness

Studies have demonstrated a potential correlation between low vitamin D status and both an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and poorer clinical outcomes. This retrospective study examines if, and to what degree, a relationship exists between pre-infection serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and disease severity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2. ParticipantsThe records of individuals… Continue reading Pre-infection 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and association with severity of COVID-19 illness

A LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSISOF THE EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWNS ONCOVID-19 MORTALITY

This systematic review and meta-analysis are designed to determine whether there is empiricalevidence to support the belief that “lockdowns” reduce COVID-19 mortality. Lockdowns aredefined as the imposition of at least one compulsory, non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI).NPIs are any government mandate that directly restrict peoples’ possibilities, such as policies thatlimit internal movement, close schools and businesses, and… Continue reading A LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSISOF THE EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWNS ONCOVID-19 MORTALITY

Myocarditis Cases Reported After mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccination in the US From December 2020 to August 2021

Importance Vaccination against COVID-19 provides clear public health benefits, but vaccination also carries potential risks. The risks and outcomes of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination are unclear. Objective to describe reports of myocarditis and the reporting rates after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants Descriptive study of reports of myocarditis to the… Continue reading Myocarditis Cases Reported After mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccination in the US From December 2020 to August 2021

Be Alert to the Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Events after COVID-19 Vaccination

AbstractWith the global popularization of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the reports of cases of vaccine-related adverse events are increasing gradually. The most common events are local pain at the injection site and atypical symptoms, such as fever, headache, myalgia, and general discomfort. However, a few people might develop serious cardiovascular complications, such as… Continue reading Be Alert to the Risk of Adverse Cardiovascular Events after COVID-19 Vaccination

Rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is associated with an infection advantage over Delta in vaccinated persons

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continues to shape the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The detection and rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (lineage B.1.1.529) in Botswana and South Africa became a global concern because it contained 15 mutations in the spike protein immunogenic receptor binding domain and… Continue reading Rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is associated with an infection advantage over Delta in vaccinated persons

The Lancet: COVID-19 pandemic led to stark rise in depressive and anxiety disorders globally in 2020, with women and younger people most affected

First global estimates of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in 2020 suggests additional 53 million cases of major depressive disorder and 76 million cases of anxiety disorders were due to the pandemic.Women and younger people were the most affected by major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders in 2020.Countries hit hardest by the… Continue reading The Lancet: COVID-19 pandemic led to stark rise in depressive and anxiety disorders globally in 2020, with women and younger people most affected

Do COVID-19 RNA-based vaccines put at risk of immune-mediated diseases? In reply to “potential antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and human tissue with a possible link to an increase in autoimmune diseases”

To the Editor,I read with great interest the article by Vojdani et al. [1], concerning the hypothesis of a molecular mimicry mechanism between the nucleoprotein/spike protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and self-antigens. Viruses are notoriously involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases [2], and the authors reasonably conclude that such a… Continue reading Do COVID-19 RNA-based vaccines put at risk of immune-mediated diseases? In reply to “potential antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and human tissue with a possible link to an increase in autoimmune diseases”

Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals

Vaccine effectiveness studies have conclusively demonstrated the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing individual symptomatic and severe disease, resulting in reduced hospitalisations and intensive care unit admissions.1 However, the impact of vaccination on transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 needs to be elucidated. A prospective cohort study in the UK by Anika Singanayagam and colleagues2 regarding community transmission… Continue reading Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals

A Systematic Review of the Protective Effect of Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Repeat Infection

We systematically reviewed studies to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. For this systematic review, we searched scientific publications on PubMed and MedRxiv, a pre-print server, through August 18, 2021. Eligible studies were retrieved on August 18, 2021. The following search term was used on PubMed: (((“Cohort Studies”[Majr]) AND… Continue reading A Systematic Review of the Protective Effect of Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Repeat Infection