COVID-19 in 16 West African Countries: An Assessment of the Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 after Four Epidemic Waves DOI Creative Commons
Anna Julienne Selbé Ndiaye,

Mamadou Beye,

Aissatou Sow

et al.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 109(4), P. 861 - 873

Published: Aug. 28, 2023

West Africa faced the COVID-19 pandemic in early March 2020 and, as of 31, 2022, had more than 900,000 confirmed cases and 12,000 deaths. During this period, SARS-CoV-2 genomes evolved genetically, resulting emergence distinct lineages. This review was conducted to provide epidemiological profile COVID-19, mutational SARS-CoV-2, dynamics its lineages 16 west African countries by analyzing data from 33 studies seven situation reports. For a complete representation epidemiology genetic diversity we used reliable public addition eligible studies. As experienced four epidemic waves with variable intensities. Higher mortality noted during third wave case fatality rate (CFR) 1.9%. After these waves, Liberia recorded highest CFR (4.0%), whereas Benin lowest (0.6%). Through analysis, high heterogeneity observed, predominance mutations spike protein. From rate, different emerged. Our analysis evolutionary allowed us count 205 circulating Africa. study has provided good prevalence SARS CoV-2 beyond knowledge global countries.

Language: Английский

Severity of the Omicron SARS‐CoV‐2 variant compared with the previous lineages: A systematic review DOI Creative Commons
Maryam Arabi, Yousef Al‐Najjar, Nada Mhaimeed

et al.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(11), P. 1443 - 1464

Published: May 18, 2023

The Omicron variant was first detected in October 2021, which evolved from the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and found to possess many mutations. Immune evasion one of notable consequences these Despite exhibiting increased transmissibility, rates hospitalizations deaths among patients infected with this were substantially lower when compared other strains. However, concluding that is less severe than variants requires consideration multiple factors, including vaccination status as well any previous infections variants. This review compiled data about reported indicators severity Omicron-infected patients, studies comparing while adjusting for confounders. A comprehensive search conducted using different databases target Omicron. In total, 62 met our inclusion criteria included study. Many a significantly reduced risk hospitalization, ICU admission, need oxygenation/ventilation, death variants, such Delta. Some studies, however, comparable emphasizing substantial illness. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccines effective against relative lineages, except after receiving booster dose. One study recommended during pregnancy, may help prevent future cases pneumonia neonates young infants due transfer humoral response mother.

Language: Английский

Citations

62
The relative prevalence of the Omicron variant within SARS-CoV-2 infected cohorts in different countries: A systematic review DOI Creative Commons
Aparajita Sarkar,

Sara Omar,

Aya Alshareef

et al.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2023

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in October 2021 and exhibited high transmissibility, immune evasion, reduced severity when compared to the earlier variants. lesser vaccine effectiveness against its created vaccination hesitancy among public. This review compiled data reporting relative prevalence as early variants give an insight into existing variants, which may shape decisions regarding targets newly developed vaccines. Complied revealed more than 90% within infected cohorts some countries. BA.1 subvariant predominated over BA.2 during stages wave. Moreover, BA.4/BA.5 subvariants were South Africa, USA Italy between April 2022. It is therefore important develop vaccines that protect well are known cause severe complications.

Language: Английский

Citations

26
Safety and Efficacy of Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract (EFE) for Mild COVID-19: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Comparative Trial DOI Creative Commons
Hiroshi Odaguchi, Sumiko Hyuga, Mariko Sekine

et al.

Microorganisms, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 641 - 641

Published: March 12, 2025

Several Ephedra Herb-containing Kampo medicines are common initial treatments for various infections; however, the ephedrine alkaloids in Herb can cause side effects by stimulating adrenergic receptors. Accordingly, an alkaloids-free Extract (EFE) has been developed. This study aimed to evaluate whether EFE be used effectively and safely patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We randomized COVID-19 receive equivalent 6 g of per day or a placebo 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was non-aggravation rate up Day 15. allocated 41 40 groups, respectively. All participants were included mITT safety analysis populations [male ratio, mean age: 31.7%, 42.0 years (EFE); 17.5%, 43.2 (placebo)]. 15 100.0% 94.6% group, respectively, no between-group difference. number days improvement nausea symptoms significantly shorter group. One patient group discontinued trial due effect. Although demonstrated COVID-19, it did not show superior compared other than nausea.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Quantification of objective concentrations of DNA impurities in mRNA vaccines DOI Creative Commons
Stefanie Kaiser, Steffen Kaiser,

Jenny Reis

et al.

Vaccine, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 55, P. 127022 - 127022

Published: March 22, 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the benefits and advantages of mRNA technologies in combination with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems for vaccine development, revolutionizing field. Vaccine synthesis by vitro transcription (IVT) is a cell-free process to produce plasmid-encoded recombinant RNA polymerase activity. During manufacturing, linearized plasmid DNA serving as template IVT mRNA, enzymatically hydrolysed resulting short digestion products that are removed, residual amounts remain impurities product. These quantities defined process- product-related were subject several discussions on various social media platforms. A recent study claimed provide evidence vaccines exceeding permissible concentrations up 534-fold. Due potential risk foreign could pose safety vaccinees consequence an innate immune response, we set out investigate claims presented this publication attempting reproduce published data. We applied methods including Qubit fluorimetric quantitation liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) accurately quantify individual vials. Our results reproducibly confirm DNA:RNA mass ratios 1:1000 which consistent specifications approved demonstrate earlier 534-fold higher not correct extraordinary high concentrations. According our data, gathered applying different, orthogonal methods, concentration both vaccines, BNT162b2 (Comirnaty) mRNA-1273 (Spikevax) coincide specifications.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Role of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 in protecting against omicron reinfections and severe complications of COVID-19 compared to pre-omicron variants: a systematic review DOI Creative Commons
Maryam Arabi, Yousef Al‐Najjar, Omna Sharma

et al.

BMC Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: June 26, 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 virus elicited a major public concern worldwide since December 2019 due to the high number of infections and deaths caused by COVID-19. Omicron variant was detected in October 2021 which evolved from wild-type found possess many mutations. exhibited transmissibility immune evasion as well reduced severity when compared earlier variants. Although vaccinated individuals were largely protected against previous waves, prevalence both reinfections breakthrough with observed. aim this review is understand effectiveness infection on subsequent reinfection, given its significance driving health policy, including vaccination prioritization lockdown requirements.A comprehensive literature search conducted using several databases target studies reporting data related protecting variant. Screening studies, quality assessment extraction two reviewers for each study.Only 27 met our inclusion criteria. It observed that less effective preventing Delta irrespective status. Furthermore, being fully booster dose provided additional protection Additionally, most asymptomatic or mild rarely resulted hospitalizations death comparison wave.A majority reached consensus although provides some degree immunity it much lower Delta. Full doses more protective than Omicron. Receiving therefore clear neither nor alone provide optimal protection; hybrid has shown best results terms either However, research needed quantify how long versus lasts whether will benefit variant-specific vaccinations enhance infection.

Language: Английский

Citations

22
Changing epidemiology of COVID-19: potential future impact on vaccines and vaccination strategies DOI Creative Commons

Timo Ulrichs,

Morgane Rolland, Jian Wu

et al.

Expert Review of Vaccines, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 23(1), P. 510 - 522

Published: April 24, 2024

COVID-19 was an unprecedented challenge worldwide; however, disease epidemiology has evolved, and no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Nonetheless, remains global threat uncertainties remain, including definition the end pandemic transition to endemicity, understanding true rates SARS-CoV-2 infection/transmission.

Language: Английский

Citations

8
A comprehensive review on immunogen and immune-response proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and their applications in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 DOI
Daohong Zhang, Deepak Kukkar, Ki‐Hyun Kim

et al.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 259, P. 129284 - 129284

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

6
The Course of COVID-19 and Long COVID: Identifying Risk Factors among Patients Suffering from the Disease before and during the Omicron-Dominant Period DOI Creative Commons
Mateusz Babicki, Damian Kołat, Żaneta Kałuzińska‐Kołat

et al.

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 267 - 267

Published: March 20, 2024

SARS-CoV-2 has acquired many mutations that influence the severity of COVID-19's course or risk developing long COVID. In 2022, dominant variant was Omicron. This study aimed to compare COVID-19 in periods before and during dominance Omicron variant. Risk factors for COVID were also assessed. based on stationary visits patients after follow-up assessments 3 months. Clinical symptoms, comorbidities, vaccination status evaluated 1967 patients. Of analyzed group, 1308 (66.5%) affected by period dominance. The prevalence significantly lower among group (47.7% vs. 66.9%,

Language: Английский

Citations

6
Association of pre-existing depression and anxiety with Omicron variant infection DOI
Huazhen Yang, Lei Yang, Wenwen Chen

et al.

Molecular Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 29(11), P. 3422 - 3430

Published: May 16, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Long COVID across SARS‐CoV‐2 variants: Clinical features, pathogenesis, and future directions DOI Creative Commons
Laurence S. C. Lok,

Shuvam Sarkar,

Chi‐Ming Lam

et al.

MedComm – Future Medicine, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Abstract Long coronavirus disease (COVID) is characterized by persistent symptoms following severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and has emerged as a significant health concern. As SARS‐CoV‐2 evolved from the wild‐type strain to Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron variants, there may be variant‐specific influence on long COVID akin disease. This review aims summarize our current knowledge of influences in incidence, symptom profile well mechanisms pathogenesis. We highlight that incidence lower with variants. The also show some dependence different reduction cardiopulmonary more recent heterogeneity related differences affecting immune system, viral persistence, autoimmunity. However, emerging data suggest vaccinations play big role shaping presentation COVID. ongoing work profiles populations infected only will beneficial toward useful definitions development effective diagnostic therapeutic strategies.

Language: Английский

Citations

4