The genetic sequence, origin, and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2

Transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among household contacts of coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients: A community-based study in India

BACKGROUND

This study identified the risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among household contacts of index patients and determined the incubation period (IP), serial interval, and estimates of secondary infection rate in Kerala, India.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study in three districts of Kerala among the inhabitants of households of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-positive coronavirus disease 2019 patients between January and July 2021. About 147 index patients and 362 household contacts were followed up for 28 days to determine reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction positivity and the presence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 on days 1, 7, 14, and 28.

RESULTS

The mean IP, serial interval, and generation time were 1.6, 3, and 3.9 days, respectively. The secondary infection rate at 14 days was 43.0%. According to multivariable regression analysis persons who worked outside the home were protected (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.85), whereas those who had kissed the coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients during illness were more than twice at risk of infection (aOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.01-5.2) than those who had not kissed the patients. Sharing a toilet with the index patient increased the risk by more than twice (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.42-4.64) than not sharing a toilet. However, the contacts who reported using masks (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.4) were at a higher risk of infection in household settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Household settings have a high secondary infection rate and the changing transmissibility dynamics such as IP, serial interval should be considered in the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2.

Exploring the experiences of frontline nurses during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic: An integrated literature review

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of frontline nurses caring for patients during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

The JBI manual for evidence synthesis and the PRISMA guidelines for reporting.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, PsycINFO (EBSCO) and Scopus (Elsevier).

REVIEW METHODS

The JBI Mixed Methods Data Extraction Tool following a Convergent Integrated Approach.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were included in the review, comprising eight countries and 2525 frontline nurses. Six themes emerged encompassing frontline nurses' COVID-19 experiences including emotional experiences, physical symptoms, ethical and moral challenges, professional impact, risk factors for negative emotional experiences and protective factors for future pandemic events.

CONCLUSION

Frontline nurses have faced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing frontline nurses with the required resources and support to perform their roles in global healthcare crises allows for an empowered and resilient workforce ensuring nurses remain in their chosen profession.

A framework to guide research and practice response to emerging infectious diseases: Genomic-to-global considerations

Newly emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), like the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, are becoming increasingly common. Due to geographic, political, social, behavioral, and genomic differences, some populations are more vulnerable to infectious disease spread than others. The purpose of this article is to present a framework for research and practice response to emergent infectious diseases that addresses multiple transdisciplinary actions to limit exposure or mitigate adverse outcomes for individuals and communities. Recent experience with new strains of emergent infectious diseases reinforces the importance of intervening at multiple levels, from genomics to political messaging to create multipronged, transdisciplinary interventions to contain the threat. In particular, incorporation of genomics into public health nursing practice of infectious diseases management can enhance existing regional-, community-, and individual-level health promotion and protection efforts, thus impacting long-term health outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats is associated with contact to COVID-19-positive household members

Several domestic and wild animal species are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Reported (sero)prevalence in dogs and cats vary largely depending on the target population, test characteristics, geographical location and time period. This research assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive cats and dogs (PCR- and/or antibody positive) in two different populations. Dogs and cats living in a household with at least one confirmed COVID-19-positive person (household (HH) study; 156 dogs and 152 cats) and dogs and cats visiting a veterinary clinic (VC) (VC study; 183 dogs and 140 cats) were sampled and tested for presence of virus (PCR) and antibodies. Potential risk factors were evaluated and follow-up of PCR-positive animals was performed to determine the duration of virus shedding and to detect potential transmission between pets in the same HH. In the HH study, 18.8% (27 dogs, 31 cats) tested SARS-CoV-2 positive (PCR- and/or antibody positive), whereas in the VC study, SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was much lower (4.6%; six dogs, nine cats). SARS-CoV-2 prevalence amongst dogs and cats was significantly higher in the multi-person HHs with two or more COVID-19-positive persons compared with multi-person HHs with only one COVID-19-positive person. In both study populations, no associations could be identified between SARS-CoV-2 status of the animal and health status, age or sex. During follow-up of PCR-positive animals, no transmission to other pets in the HH was observed despite long-lasting virus shedding in cats (up to 35 days). SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats appeared to be clearly associated with reported COVID-19-positive status of the HH. Our study supports previous findings and suggests a very low risk of pet-to-human transmission within HHs, no severe clinical signs in pets and a negligible pet-to-pet transmission between HHs.

Cell death mechanisms involved in cell injury caused by SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) is an emerging novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) that rapidly spread worldwide. In addition to lung injury, Covid‐19 patients may develop extrapulmonary symptoms, including cardiac, liver, kidney, digestive tract, and neurological injuries. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is the major receptor for the entry of SARS‐CoV‐2 into host cells. The specific mechanisms that lead to cell death in different tissues during infection by SARS‐CoV‐2 remains unknown. Based on data of the previous human coronavirus SARS‐CoV together with information about SARS‐CoV‐2, this review provides a summary of the mechanisms involved in cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, provoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.