Articles: coronavirus.
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Frontiers in immunology · Jan 2020
ReviewOverview of Immune Response During SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Lessons From the Past.
After the 1918 flu pandemic, the world is again facing a similar situation. However, the advancement in medical science has made it possible to identify that the novel infectious agent is from the coronavirus family. Rapid genome sequencing by various groups helped in identifying the structure and function of the virus, its immunogenicity in diverse populations, and potential preventive measures. ⋯ A classical immunotherapy of convalescent plasma transfusion from recovered patients has also been initiated for the neutralization of viremia in terminally ill COVID-19 patients. Due to the limitations of plasma transfusion, researchers are now focusing on developing neutralizing antibodies against virus particles along with immuno-modulation of cytokines like IL-6, Type I interferons (IFNs), and TNF-α that could help in combating the infection. This review highlights the similarities of the coronaviruses that caused SARS and MERS to the novel SARS-CoV-2 in relation to their pathogenicity and immunogenicity and also focuses on various treatment strategies that could be employed for curing COVID-19.
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Frontiers in immunology · Jan 2020
ReviewA 21st Century Evil: Immunopathology and New Therapies of COVID-19.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been classified as a global threat, affecting millions of people and killing thousands. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which emerged at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China, quickly spreading worldwide. COVID-19 is a disease with symptoms that range from fever and breathing difficulty to acute respiratory distress and death, critically affecting older patients and people with previous comorbidities. ⋯ The immune system of infected patients has been demonstrated to suffer important alterations, such as lymphopenia, exhausted lymphocytes, excessive amounts of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages, especially in the lungs, and cytokine storms, which may contribute to its severity and difficulty of establishing an effective treatment. Even though no specific treatment is currently available, several studies have been investigating potential therapeutic strategies, including the use of previously approved drugs and immunotherapy. In this context, this review addresses the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the patient's host immune system during infection, in addition to discussing the main immunopathological mechanisms involved in the development of the disease and potential new therapeutic approaches.
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This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoction with different intervention timepoints in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We retrospectively collected the medical records and evaluated the outcomes of COVID-19 patients that received TCM decoction treatment at different timepoints. A total of 234 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. ⋯ Patients who received TCM decoction therapy on the 3rd to 7th day after admission had a faster achievement of negative SARS-CoV-2 from urine/stool/blood samples compared to those who received TCM decoction [Formula: see text] days after admission ([Formula: see text]). Logistic models revealed that more days from TCM decoction to admission [Formula: see text] days might be a risk factor for long hospitalization days, disease period, and slower negative-conversion of SARS-CoV-2 (all [Formula: see text]). Conclusively, our results suggest that TCM decoction therapy should be considered at the early stage of COVID-19 patients.
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
ReviewCaring for AML Patients During the COVID-19 Crisis: An American and Italian Experience.
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent pandemic have impacted every aspect of oncology care worldwide. Healthcare systems have been forced to rapidly change practices in order to maximize the safety of patients and healthcare providers and preserve scare resources. ⋯ These issues have created unique challenges during this difficult time. In this article, we present the approaches taken by two groups of hematologist/oncologists, one in the United States and one in Italy, who have been caring for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in the face of the pandemic.
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Respir Med Case Rep · Jan 2020
Case ReportsSuccessful recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia after receiving baricitinib, tocilizumab, and remdesivir. A case report: Review of treatments and clinical role of computed tomography analysis.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic, threatening global public health. In the current paper, we describe our successful treatment of one COVID-19 pneumonia patient case with high mortality risk factors. Our experience underlines the importance of the use of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in order to achieve a favorable clinical outcome. Further, enhancing the capability of the COVID-19 diagnosis with the use of the chest imaging modalities is discussed.