by Admin | Aug 17, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Epidemiology
Opinion: Mitigating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical settings and public spaces is important to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases till a successful vaccination programme is in place. This study can influence public health measures to cut the transmission...
by Admin | Jul 20, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Epidemiology
Spain is one of the European countries most severely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with about 30,000 deaths to-date. In infectious diseases with large number of asymptomatic cases, serological surveys are the best tool to estimate community spread of the...
by Admin | Jul 9, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Prevention: Non drug strategies
This systematic review and meta-analysis providesthe best available evidence on effectiveness of 3 important non-pharmaceutical interventions––(i) physical distancing, (ii) use of face masks and (iii) eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS,...
by Admin | Jun 29, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Indications and tests for diagnosis
The correct method of testing for COVID-19 antibodies is important in the current phase of the pandemic when gradual re-opening of the workplace is being contemplated.In India, rapid antibody tests were introduced early in the epidemic and then withdrawn due to...
by Admin | May 29, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Management: Surgical
This study, authored by surgeons from Israel, is a review of 4 articles where elective or semi-elective surgery was performed for COVID-19 cases without testing for SARS-CoV-2. More than 50% severe disease and 27.4% mortality in such patients is of concern. All...
by Admin | May 19, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Molecular Biology
The study explores for the first time the landscape of bronchoalveolar immune cells revealing aberrant macrophage and T cell responses underlying immunopathogenesis in COVID-19 and thus could be a landmark both in the pathogenesis and management of COVID-19. Article:...
by Admin | May 15, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Prevention: Non drug strategies
Article proposes experimentally verified ‘Turbulent gas cloud dynamic model’ as a new biophysical model to explainhost-to-host transmission of respiratory infections and raises concerns over the inadequacy of current public health recommendations, infection...
by Admin | May 15, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Epidemiology, Indications and tests for diagnosis
The existing literature suggests that infrared thermometer may miss a significant fraction of patients with pyrexia, giving a false sense of safety. The handheld infrared thermometer does not measure the temperature accurately. The personal experience of the...
by Admin | May 6, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Management
No study till date evaluated effectiveness of mechanical ventilation in prone position with conventional ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Mechanical ventilation in prone position was used in varied proportion of critically ill patients; up to 28% of...
by Admin | Apr 29, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Indications and tests for diagnosis
The strategy of sample pooling has earlier been used for community monitoring of trachoma. For diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection it may facilitate rational utilisation of resources; and is useful in areas with low prevalence of the disease. The ICMR conducted a...
by Admin | Apr 27, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Prevention: Non drug strategies
The article reports the protective efficacy of wearing of surgical facemasks by patients with ARI against transmission of coronaviruses and influenza viruses in exhaled respiratory aerosols and droplets. The findings reported with reference to coronavirus are based on...
by Admin | Apr 24, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Indications and tests for diagnosis
Antibody tests are being used world-wide with extensive media coverage. Their utility may be perceived under the following two scenarios: In the current phase of the pandemic To identify individuals who may return to work To select donors (having adequate titres of...
by Admin | Apr 20, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Featured, Treatment: Drugs
Summary tables on Therapeutic Options for Acute Covid-19 Infection in Humans. This review includes 17 studies. Treatment-Summary table Specific Reviews Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as a treatment of COVID19. Gautret P et al. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2020...
by Admin | Apr 20, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Epidemiology
Diamond Princess cruise ship offers a model to study the epidemic risk and effectiveness of public health measures in a restricted area with fixed population density. The cruise ship conditions clearly amplified the highly transmissible disease before countermeasures...
by Admin | Apr 19, 2020 | COVID Literature Appraisal, Prevention: Drugs
In vitro inhibition of COVID-19 by chloroquine In Vero E6 cell line, chloroquine seems to be promising in preventing entry into the cell as well as post entry inhibition. Efficacy and safety needs to be confirmed in humans by a randomized controlled study. Wang, M. et...
