New Delhi: With the novel coronavirus continuing to claim lives across the world, scientists are racing against the clock to finds ways of treating and managing Covid-19 infection.
Here are some of the latest research studies on the Covid-19 front.
Low doses of HCQ reduces mortality in Covid patients
An observational study conducted in 33 hospitals of Italy has shown that use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduces the risk of death in hospitalised Covid-19 patients by as much as 30 per cent.
The research, published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, was conducted on 3,451 patients.
The drug efficacy was evaluated in various subgroups of patients. The positive results of hydroxychloroquine treatment remained unchanged, the researchers have said, especially in those patients who showed a more evident inflammatory state at the time of admission to the hospital.
The researchers have also said that doses of hydroxychloroquine adopted in Italy (200 mg, twice a day) was lower than what was administered in studies carried out in other countries, where efficacy of the drug was not observed.
Also read: Blood pressure drugs may improve survival rates in Covid-19 patients, finds study
Obese people, with BMI over 30, at higher risk of severe Covid
A review of Covid-19 studies has revealed that obese people are more vulnerable to severe forms of Covid-19. The team of researchers from University of North Carolina at the Chapel Hill has also suggested that the prevalence of obesity may have implications on the effectiveness of a future Covid-19 vaccine.
The team looked at the published literature on individuals infected with the virus and found that those with BMI over 30 were at an increased risk of hospitalisation, more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, and had a higher risk of death from the virus.
Obesity is already associated with numerous underlying risk factors for Covid-19, including hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney and liver illnesses.
Metabolic changes caused by obesity — such as insulin resistance and inflammation — make it difficult for individuals with obesity to fight some infections, the study had found. A similar trend is also seen in other infectious diseases, such as influenza and hepatitis.
During times of infection, uncontrolled serum glucose, which is common in individuals with hyperglycemia, can impair immune cell function.
Nitric oxide can improve outcomes for pregnant patients
Inhaling nitric oxide (NO) can serve as a supporting respiratory therapy for pregnant women with severe and critical Covid-19, a study has suggested.
Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have treated six Covid-19 pregnant patients. The therapy reduced breathlessness in these patients and also lowered levels of proteins linked to inflammation.
The team has reported that the therapy also helped clear the virus in five of the six patients. They have said that the findings may have important implications for treating SARS-CoV-2.
The treatment started within 48 hours of admission at a high, but safe, dosage of 160 to 200 parts per million (ppm) of inhaled NO for 30 to 60 minutes twice a day.
Inhaled NO increases oxygenation in the body by opening up constricted blood vessels. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.
Healthcare should prepare to support recovered patients
People experiencing long-term post-Covid symptoms may put additional strain on health care systems, scientists have said. They have also said that hospitals need to develop ways of supporting people in the community who are recovering from Covid-19.
Although Covid-19 starts as an acute infection of the lungs, it is now known to affect other organs. This can leave people with symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, weakness, pain, cardiac problems, cognitive and psychological issues that can last for months.
More than one-third of the people who have been severely ill with the disease can have long-term symptoms, the study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine has suggested.
The team has also said that up to one million people will have after effects that will last for many months and possibly years.
Scams leeching off Covid fear does the rounds on Twitter, Instagram
Thousands of social media posts on Twitter and Instagram linked to financial scams, possible counterfeit products specific to Covid-19 and unapproved treatments were circulated during the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have said.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Public Health and Surveillance found that from March to May 2020 there were nearly 2,000 fraudulent posts tied to fake Covid-19 health products and financial scams.
The fraudulent posts came in two waves, one which was focused on unproven marketing claims for prevention or cures and another about fake testing kits. The team of researchers has said that a third wave of fake pharmaceutical treatments is now materialising.
Also read: Israel develops new Covid pool testing method that can screen nearly 50 samples at once
The ICMR was always vouching for HCQ and had even made a point about the high dosage of HCQ used in flawed studies. In fact, ICMR recommended weekly doses of HCQ of only 400 mg for prophylactic purpose. Only on Day 1 did it recommend 400 mg drug to be consumed twice. It seems, people who were hell bent on proving inefficacy of HCQ conveniently ignored the dosage info and acted like agents of vested interests!