Dr. Boarhead’s Summary of Global Updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus: 31st January 2021
1.
Journal of the American Medical Association
:
In the phase 2 portion of a randomized phase 2/3 trial with 577 patients who had mild to moderate symptoms, there was no significant difference in the viral load between the bamlanivimab monotherapy group and the placebo group. The combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab significantly decreased the viral load on day 11 compared with the placebo.
<21 Jan.>
[key info]
The combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab performs better than the bamlanivimab monotherapy.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775647
2. CNBC:
British PM Johnson said that VOC-202012/01, the new SARS-CoV-2 variant first identified in the UK, could be more deadly than the original strain. The evidence, still at a preliminary stage, is being assessed by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group.
<22 Jan.>
[key info]
The novel variant may be more deadly than the original virus.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/boris-johnson-evidence-new-covid-variant-associated-with-higher-mortality-.html
3.
Journal of the American Medical Association
:
All US census regions experienced decreases in the nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) adherence index from early Apr. to late Nov. 2020. Reported protective behaviors that had the largest decreases in adherence were remaining in residence except for essential activities or exercise, having no close contact with non-household members, not having visitors over, and avoiding eating at restaurants.
<22 Jan.>
[key info]
The US has experienced a nationwide decrease in NPI adherence.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775686
4. WHO:
The recommended schedule of mRNA-1273 vaccination is two doses (100 µg, 0.5 ml each) given intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle. An interval of 28 days between doses is recommended. As for countries considering delaying the administration of the second dose as a pragmatic approach to maximizing the number of individuals benefiting from the first dose, the interval between doses may be extended to 42 days.
<25 Jan.>
[key info]
Interval between two doses of mRNA-1273 may be extended from 4 to 6 weeks.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/interim-recommendations-for-use-of-the-moderna-mrna-1273-vaccine-against-covid-19
5. bioRxiv:
In a study where blood samples were collected from 8 people and 24 macaques that had received 2 doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine, all samples contained neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies were as effective against VOC-202012/01 as against an older form of the virus, but only about one-fifth to one-tenth as effective at neutralizing the 501Y.V2 variant. Even so, the antibodies were effective enough to provide protection against both variants.
<25 Jan.>
[key info]
mRNA-1273 is able to protect against 501Y.V2 and VOC-202012/01.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.25.427948v1
6.
Science
:
The drug plitidepsin (aplidin) possesses antiviral activity 27.5-fold more potent than remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, with limited toxicity in cell culture. Through the use of a drug-resistant mutant, scientists show that the antiviral activity of plitidepsin against SARS-CoV-2 is mediated through inhibition of the known target eEF1A. The in vivo efficacy of plitidepsin treatment was demonstrated in two mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection with reduction of viral replication in the lungs by two orders of magnitude using prophylactic treatment.
<25 Jan.>
[key info]
Plitidepsin is a promising therapeutic candidate for COVID-19.
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/01/22/science.abf4058
