Continued uncontrolled transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in many parts of the world is creating the conditions for significant virus evolution. Here, we describe a new SARS-CoV-2 lineage (501Y.V2) characterised by eight lineage-defining mutations in the spike protein, including three at important residues in the receptor-binding domain (K417N, E484K and N501Y) that may have functional significance. This lineage emerged in South Africa after the first epidemic wave in a severely affected metropolitan area, Nelson Mandela Bay, located on the coast of the Eastern Cape Province. This lineage spread rapidly, becoming within weeks the dominant lineage in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. Whilst the full significance of the mutations is yet to be determined, the genomic data, showing the rapid displacement of other lineages, suggest that this lineage may be associated with increased transmissibility.

Authors: Ahmad Q, DePerrior SE, Dodani S, Edwards JF, Marik PE DOI: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v8i12.2307 Abstract Background: Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology and prognosis of severe COVID-19. Inflammatory biomarkers may guide the clinician in making treatment decisions as well as in the allocation of resources. Objective: This study aimed to assess how levels of [...]

Authors: Salama C, Han J, Yau L, Reiss WG, Kramer B PMID: 33332779 PMCID: PMC7781101 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2030340 Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pneumonia is often associated with hyperinflammation. Despite the disproportionate incidence of Covid-19 among underserved and racial and ethnic minority populations, the safety and efficacy of the anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab in patients [...]

Authors: Darban M, Malek F, Memarian M, Gohari A, Kiani A, Emadi A doi: https://doi.org/10.22037/jcma.v6i2.32182 Abstract INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of vitamin C, melatonin, and zinc in patients with severe Covid-19. METHODS: Twenty-one adult patients were randomized 1:1 to standard care alone or standard care plus IV vitamin C (2 g, [...]

Authors:Seneviratne CJ, Balan P, Ki KK, Udawatte NS, Lai D. PMID: PMC7734110 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-020-01563-9 Abstract Purpose: One of the key approaches to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission would be to reduce the titres of SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of infected COVID-19 patients. This is particularly important in high-risk procedures like dental treatment. The present [...]

Authors: Koehler P, Bassetti M, Chen SC, Colombo AL, Perfect JR PMID: 33333012 PMCID: PMC7833078 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30847-1 Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes direct damage to the airway epithelium, enabling aspergillus invasion. Reports of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis have raised concerns about it worsening the disease course of COVID-19 and increasing mortality. Additionally, the [...]

Authors: Yong SJ doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2021.1924397 Abstract Long-haul COVID-19 illness first gained widespread recognition among social support groups and later in scientific and medical communities. This illness is mysterious as it affects COVID-19 survivors at all levels of disease severity, even younger adults and children. While the precise definition may be lacking, the defining symptoms are [...]

Authors: Al-kuraishy HM, Ali-Gareeb AI, Al-Niemi MS, Buhadily AK PMID: 33623736 PMCID: PMC7883493 doi: 10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_63_20 Abstract COVID-19 pathology is mainly associated to a pulmonary disease which sometimes might result in an uncontrollable storm related to inflammatory diseases which could be fatal. It is well known that phosphodiesterase enzyme type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), such as sildenafil, [...]

Authors: Abu-Farha M, Al-Sabah S, Hammad MM, Hebbar P, John SE, Taher I et al. PMID: 33362545 PMCID: PMC7756688 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.587451 Abstract COVID-19 is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, which has infected over thirty eight million individuals worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that COVID-19 patients are at a high risk of developing coagulopathy and [...]

Authors: Lenze EJ, Mattar C, Zorumski CF, Stevens A, Nicol GE, Miller JP PMID: 33180097 PMCID: PMC7662481 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.22760 Abstract Importance: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to serious illness as a result of an excessive immune response. Fluvoxamine may prevent clinical deterioration by stimulating the σ-1 receptor, which regulates cytokine production. Objective: To determine [...]