The SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and the re‐emergence of COVID‐19 in Europe: An alarm for Bangladesh

Clin Med�Insights�Pathol

Nasreen

Anjum

et al. 2022

The discovery of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has sparked alarm globally because of its rapid rate of infection and trespassing acquired immunity due to vaccination or natural infection. This heavily mutated variant is rapidly spreading around the world. Infected individuals with the Omicron variant may suffer from flu-like symptoms, and infected with the Delta variant frequently report low oxygen levels, high pulse rates, and a loss of smell and taste. Also, the Omicron variant causes asymptomatic or mild disease so far, and not any severe illness as like Delta, and this new variant has a 15% to 80% reduced risk of hospitalization than the Delta variant. Scientists are worried about the possibility of escaping the immunity by the Omicron variants and subvariants among fully vaccinated and recovered COVID-19 patients. Two doses of available vaccines are found to be partially ineffective in protecting this new variant, therefore, the third dose as a booster is recommended to enhance antibody level. Moreover, some antiviral drugs significantly reduce hospitalization or death among mild to severe COVID-19 patients. All authorized antiviral drugs are effective against viral replication for most SARS-CoV-2 variants, and particularly some monoclonal antibodies may not now be effective in treating COVID-19 patients. There is an urgent need to update existing vaccines, develop more effective and newer vaccines as well as additional monoclonal antibodies to counter Omicron. Therefore, along with close monitoring of Omicron characteristics, the present study suggests that health safety guidelines, mass immunization, early diagnosis, and search for effective antiviral drugs should be the approaches to fight against newer SARS-CoV-2 variants.

“… 32 Some of the mutations detected in Omicron have high transmissibility for the dominating “D614G” and “P681H” mutations. 17 , 33 - 35 …”

Section: Genetic Mutation Of Sars-cov-2 Omicron Variantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Emerging Impact on Global Public Health

Clin Med�Insights�Pathol

Nasreen

Anjum

et al. 2022

“…Since the first outbreak of SARS‐CoV‐2 in China and the declaration of the pandemic, scientists all over the globe surged to develop treatment options and preventive measures for the Covid‐19. 1 People of all ages are prone to get infected by a coronavirus. However, most of the total cases occurred in middle‐aged adults aged 30–69 years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative evaluation of authorized drugs for treating Covid‐19 patients

Hasan

Rahman

et al. 2022

Health Science Reports

Self Cite

Background and Aims Vaccines are the first line of defense against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19). However, the antiviral drugs provide a new tool to fight the Covid‐19 pandemic. Here we aimed for a comparative evaluation of authorized drugs for treating Covid‐19 patients. Methods We searched in PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords and terms such as Covid, SARS‐CoV‐2, Coronavirus disease 2019, therapeutic management, hospitalized Covid‐19 patients, Covid‐19 treatment. We also gathered information from reputed newspapers, web portals, and websites. We thoroughly observed, screened, and included the studies relevant to our inclusion criteria. We included only the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized drugs for this review. Results We found that molnupiravir and paxlovid are available for oral use, and remdesivir is for only hospitalized patients. Paxlovid is a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, nirmatrelvir is a protease inhibitor (ritonavir increases the concentration of nirmatrelvir), and the other two (remdesivir and molnupiravir) are nucleoside analog prodrugs. Remdesivir and molnupiravir doses do not need to adjust in renal and hepatic impairment. However, the paxlovid dose adjustment is required for mild to moderate renal or hepatic impaired patients. Also, the drug is not allowed for Covid‐19 patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment. Preliminary studies showed oral antiviral drugs significantly reduce hospitalization or death among mild to severe patients. Moreover, the US FDA has approved four monoclonal antibodies for Covid‐19 treatment. Studies suggest that these drugs would reduce the risk of hospitalization or severity of symptoms. World Health Organization strongly recommended the use of corticosteroids along with other antiviral drugs for severe or critically hospitalized patients. Conclusion All authorized drugs are effective in inhibiting viral replication for most SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. Therefore, along with vaccines, these drugs might potentially aid in fighting the Covid‐19 pandemic.

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020 ( Cucinotta & Vanelli, 2020 ). Since its introduction, the coronavirus has heavily mutated over time and created challenges to the global healthcare systems ( Daria et al, 2022 ; M. R. Islam, 2022 ; S. Islam et al, 2022 ; M. R. Islam & Hossain, 2022 ; Mohapatra et al, 2022 ; Rahman, Ether, & Islam, 2021 ; Sohan et al, 2022 ). The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted physical, emotional, and social well-being worldwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Upsurge of Diarrhea Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Matter Worse in Bangladesh: A Call to Action

Rahman

Hossain

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine

2022

Self Cite

We have seen an alarming increase in diarrhea prevalence amid Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Bangladesh. Healthcare professionals might face difficulty in diagnosis as these two infectious diseases have some common symptoms. Though there are confirmatory diagnostic tests for individual cases, there are chances of misdiagnosis as co-infections occur. Here we presented distinct clinical features of diarrhea and COVID-19 for differential diagnosis. We demonstrated the common overlapping symptoms of these two infectious diseases to facilitate fast diagnosis of patients. Also, we have discussed possible reasons for this upsurge of diarrheal infections in Bangladesh. Finally, we have made some recommendations based on our findings for managing this upsurge of diarrheal disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The healthcare authorities should take immediate measures before the tremendous twin effects of these two infectious diseases.