Covid-related Happy Hypoxia is a silent killer
The biggest mystery surrounding COVID-19 is the varied and unpredictable outcomes among the infected. Therefore, why the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infects in varying degrees continues to remain an important question. Now, a study by scientists from Hokkaido University reports the discovery of a novel immune defense response against the virus that could be the answer.
According to the study, the expression of RIG-I, a biological molecule that can detect RNA viruses, suppresses the replication of the novel coronavirus in the lung cells. These findings may help not only in the prediction of outcomes in COVID-19 patients but also help bolster immune response in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How Do Lethal COVID-19 Variants Escape Immune System? Key Responsible Structural Changes In Virus Revealed [Study]
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute reveal that structural changes in a specific area of the spike protein due to mutations in SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants helps them evade immune responses of the body
Indian strain of COVID spread to 44 countries already: WHO
The world has been battling COVID-19 for nearly 18 months now. As the pandemic has progressed, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has also mobilized new troops variants of concern (VOC). These evolved forms of the virus carry mutations that escape immune responses induced naturally or through vaccination. Now, a new study reveals the key mutation-led structural changes in the variants that enable them to evade the immune system.
To identify and treat patients at risk of severe disease at an early stage, a kind of measuring stick is needed predictive biomarkers that can recognize those who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19.
COVID-19 is an unpredictable virus, and this unpredictability is more pronounced now than ever before. During the current wave of this pandemic, many healthy, young patients are succumbing to the disease. At the same time, we are seeing many patients with comorbidities making a full recovery. So, what is it that leads to severe illness in some patients while others get off easy with a mild infection? Experts have been trying to answer this question since the beginning of the pandemic. Now researchers from the University of Zurich may have found the answer to this. They have identified the first biomarker that can reliably predict which patients will develop severe symptoms. This is positive news indeed as it can greatly improve the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19.
Protective immunity against novel coronavirus may last for over eight months, new study claims
The study also clarifies some concerning data from other institutes that showed a dramatic drop in COVID-fighting antibodies in the months post-infection.
Jan 08, 2021 10:41:15 IST
COVID-19 survivors may have protective immunity against serious disease from the SARS-CoV-2 virus for months, or even years after the infection, a study suggests. The findings, based on analyses of blood samples from 188 COVID-19 patients, suggest that nearly all survivors of the disease have the immune cells necessary to fight re-infection. Our data suggest that the immune response is there – and it stays, Professor Alessandro Sette from La Jolla Institute for Immunology in the US.