New Test Helps Identify COVID-19 Patients at Risk for Severe Illness

A new test for SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins developed by researchers helps determine which coronavirus patients are most likely to become critically ill. The study is published in AACC's Clinical Chemistry journal.

With the number of people who catch COVID-19 increasing day by day, it is imperative that hospitals set aside an adequate number of ICU beds and ventilators for these COVID-19 patients.

In low-income communities, identifying COVID-19 patients who are likely to experience severe illnesses is also the need of the hour, because nearly half of these communities in the U.S. lack ICU bed facilities.

‘COVID-19: Scientists found a strong connection between S1 concentrations and ICU admissions.’

The new Single Molecule Array (Simoa) SARS-CoV-2 antigen test developed by David R. Walt, PhD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University in Boston identifies patients who are likely to need ICU. The test detects and measures blood levels of S1—a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 viral envelope.

Study Results
In 64 COVID-19 patients, researchers evaluated the test's performance. Of these

23 study participants had undetectable S1 concentrations
23 had low concentrations (6-50 pg/mL), and
18 patients had high concentrations (>50 pg/mL)

Link between S1 concentration and ICU admission
- 77% of the patients with increased S1 concentrations were admitted to the ICU and required intubation within 1 day of presentation at the hospital.
- 52% and 30% of patients with low and undetectable concentrations, respectively, required intensive care.

"These results suggest that high S1 concentrations in plasma upon presentation to the hospital correlate with severe cases of COVID-19 that can result in respiratory failure and require immediate intubation," said Walt. "Severe COVID-19 cases with acute respiratory distress syndrome can result in damage to endothelial cells and vascular leakage and we propose that this damage can lead to discharge of viral antigens into the blood."

How do you Stay Safe During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Wash hands after going out or interacting with people
- Wear a filtered mask with the absorbent while surface facing the mouth absorb the germs that you cough out.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Avoid eating uncooked meat.

Source: Medindia

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

Weight Stigma can Predict Emotional Distress and Binge Eating During COVID-19

Young adults who encountered weight stigma before the COVID-19 pandemic have higher levels of stress, depressive symptoms, eating as a coping strategy, and are more likely to binge-eat during COVID-19.

Avoid Singing to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 Infection

Singing could be spreading coronavirus infected droplets into the surrounding air, increasing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, reports a new study.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Covaxin may be Launched in 2021

COVID-19 vaccine could be launched soon. COVID-19 infections are raging like a wild fire across the country, making India the second worst hit country after the US.

Indian Namaste the Preferred Greeting over Conventional Handshake

COVID-19 pandemic is causing changes in how we greet each other. The traditional Indian way of greeting with folded hands (Namaste) is now being preferred over handshake. Namaste has more to it than just being a greetings, read to find out

Testicle Pain - Symptom Evaluation

A sudden, severe pain in the testis may be due to testicular torsion. Testicles inside the scrotum are very sensitive organs.

Torsion Testis

Torsion occurs when the testis spins, twisting the spermatic cord, causing reduced blood flow and testicular damage. Timely surgery may be needed to save the testis.