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After years of intensified focus on <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, <keyword id="19992404" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuberculosis" source="keywords">tuberculosis</keyword> (TB) has once again emerged as the leading <keyword id="20564668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infectious-disease" source="keywords">infectious disease</keyword> killer worldwide. This resurgence is a sobering reminder that despite our pandemic response, TB has continued to claim lives, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are often stretched thin. According to the latest <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organization" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organization">World Health Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) report, approximately 8.2 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2023, marking the highest number of cases recorded since global monitoring began in 1995. <h2><keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> and Indonesia</h2>The recent spike in TB cases is largely driven by increases in two countries — India and Indonesia. Together, they accounted for 45% of the global rebound in TB diagnoses between 2021 and 2023, underscoring their critical role in the worldwide fight against TB. Three other countries, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Pakistan, also made significant contributions, collectively accounting for another 32% of the increase. This means that more than three-quarters of the global resurgence in TB can be traced to these five countries alone. One key reason for these increases is the “backlog” effect created by COVID-19 disruptions. During the pandemic, healthcare systems in many countries, including India and Indonesia, had to shift focus to COVID-19, which delayed TB diagnosis and treatment. In 2023, as these countries ramped up recovery efforts, many previously undetected TB cases surfaced, creating an apparent spike in reported numbers. This trend highlights the importance of sustainable healthcare infrastructure capable of handling simultaneous health crises. <h2>Gaps in TB case detection</h2>Despite the daunting increase in TB cases, some countries have made notable progress in <keyword id="23741990" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="treatment-coverage" source="keywords">treatment coverage</keyword>. Among the 30 high-burden TB countries, those with the highest levels of treatment coverage in 2023 included Brazil, India, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia, with coverage rates surpassing 80%. India’s <keyword id="21052657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-tuberculosis-elimination-program" source="keywords">National Tuberculosis Elimination Program</keyword> (NTEP) has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in this, aiming to eradicate TB by 2025 — five years ahead of the global target. By focusing on expanded testing, improved diagnostic tools, and more accessible treatment options, India has achieved high treatment coverage levels despite the challenges. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114732986" title="Air Quality Alert: Nearly 30% of asthma cases tied to fine particulate matter exposure from bad air" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, a significant treatment gap remains. The difference between estimated TB incidence and actual diagnoses still affects millions, especially in countries with large populations like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar. These five nations together account for about 50% of the global gap in reported TB cases, with India alone responsible for 16% of the discrepancy. <h2>India’s unique position in the global TB fight</h2>As the nation with the largest share of global TB cases, India has a unique and critical responsibility in addressing the disease. The high TB burden in India is tied to several factors, including undernutrition, poverty, and limited access to healthcare in rural areas. Moreover, with 26% of all TB cases globally, India’s battle against TB will significantly impact the global fight. The government’s financial support for TB-affected households also aims to reduce the economic burden of treatment. However, challenges remain, especially with <keyword id="22004277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="multidrug-resistant-TB" source="keywords">multidrug-resistant TB</keyword> (MDR/RR-TB). While treatment success rates for MDR/RR-TB have reached 68%, diagnosing and treating all drug-resistant cases is an ongoing challenge. In 2023, India’s coverage of preventive treatment for TB among people living with HIV and close contacts of TB patients also saw improvements, but underfunding continues to limit the full scope of TB elimination efforts. <h2>Global funding gaps</h2>Global funding shortages for <keyword id="21039793" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TB-prevention" source="keywords">TB prevention</keyword> and treatment are a significant hindrance to progress. Only $5.7 billion of the targeted $22 billion in funding was met in 2023, and for LMICs — where nearly all of the TB burden lies — the available funding falls well short of their needs. The United States remains the largest bilateral donor, and contributions from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria are crucial. However, these funds are not enough to meet essential TB service requirements, leaving healthcare systems under-resourced. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114646545" title="Doctors struggle to treat long Covid patients in India; researchers point to inadequate studies" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Even in 2022, only one-fifth of the $5 billion target for research funding was achieved, as per the report. This underfunding hampers the development of improved diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, which are crucial to TB prevention and treatment. Moreover, many of the drivers of TB are related to social factors, such as undernutrition, smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes, making it imperative to address these root causes. For instance, almost half of the TB-affected households globally face what the WHO calls "catastrophic costs" in seeking treatment. This burden is particularly severe in India, where low-income families often forgo treatment due to financial constraints. As WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus puts it, "The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it, and treat it.” The WHO’s Global tuberculosis report 2024 can be accessed <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024">here</a>.

Tuberculosis dethrones COVID-19 as world’s top infectious killer again; Half of all new cases from India, Indonesia

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19, the White House said.</li><li>Biden was set to speak at the UnidosUS conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-virtual-roll-vote-explainer-democratic-nomination-drop-out-election-2024-7">President Joe Biden</a> tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, according to the White House."Earlier today following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement provided to Business Insider. "The White House will provide regular updates on the President's status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation."The White House also provided a note from Biden's doctor that said the president tested after having a runny nose, cough, and general malaise. The note said Biden was experiencing mild symptoms and that his respiratory rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels were normal. It also said he had received a first dose of Paxlovid.Biden, 81, has been in Nevada since Monday night and was set to speak at a conference for UnidosUS in Las Vegas on Wednesday.Janet Murguía, CEO of UnidosUS, told conference attendees that Biden tested positive for COVID-19 after the president was an hour and a half late to his planned speaking event, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/17/politics/joe-biden-tests-positive-covid-19/index.html">CNN</a>."I was just on the phone with President Biden. And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for COVID," Murguía said at the conference.Biden departed Nevada, a key battleground state for the election in November, on Air Force One on Wednesday, telling reporters at the scene, "I feel good," according to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-las-vegas-ff29bb071f18b993d20dedccbe2c8fbf">Associated Press</a>.

Biden tests positive for COVID-19

A recent study suggests that lingering <keyword id="23667455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SARS-CoV-2-proteins" source="keywords">SARS-CoV-2 proteins</keyword> in the blood of <keyword id="20537242" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="long-COVID" source="keywords">long COVID</keyword> sufferers could be a key factor in their ongoing symptoms. This discovery offers new insights into the complex nature of long COVID and potentially points towards new treatment strategies. Researchers at Harvard-affiliated <keyword id="23667458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brigham-and-Womens-Hospital" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Brigham and Women’s Hospital" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Brigham and Women’s Hospital">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</keyword> analysed blood samples from 706 individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. They found that those experiencing a wide range of long COVID symptoms were twice as likely to have traces of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood compared to those without symptoms. The study, published in the journal <keyword id="23667460" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clinical-microbiology" source="keywords">Clinical Microbiology</keyword> and Infection, focused on individuals with long COVID symptoms affecting three major body systems: cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic. A staggering 43% of these patients tested positive for viral proteins within 1 to 14 months of their initial COVID infection. These findings suggest that a persistent viral infection may be contributing to long COVID symptoms in some patients. If this is the case, <keyword id="23667457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="antiviral-treatments" source="keywords">antiviral treatments</keyword> could potentially alleviate their suffering. The study’s lead author, Zoe Swank, emphasised the importance of identifying patients who may benefit from such interventions. However, the researchers also noted that persistent viral proteins were not detected in all long COVID patients. This suggests that other factors, such as <keyword id="21736950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="immune-system-dysfunction" source="keywords">immune system dysfunction</keyword>, may also play a role in the development of long COVID symptoms. To better understand the mechanisms underlying long COVID, researchers are conducting further studies to analyse blood samples and symptom data from larger groups of patients. These efforts aim to identify specific factors that may predispose individuals to persistent viral infections and long COVID symptoms. The discovery of a potential <keyword id="23667459" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viral-reservoir" source="keywords">viral reservoir</keyword> in long COVID patients offers hope for the development of targeted treatments. By addressing the underlying cause of symptoms, antiviral medications could provide relief for many individuals suffering from this debilitating condition. As research continues, a clearer picture of long COVID and its potential treatments is emerging, offering hope for a future where this persistent illness can be effectively managed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="105896840" title="Covid virus can persist in lungs for up to two years: Study" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

SARS-CoV-2 proteins have been found hiding in blood of long COVID patients. Can this explain the persistent infection?

Not allowing yourself to be peer-pressured into downloading those tiresome dating apps may be the first best precaution you can take to protect your heart. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 may well be the second, it turns out. A new international study examining the effects of vaccines on millions of patients in the UK, Spain and Estonia found that being vaccinated may be the trick to a healthier heart. In the first month after infection, the researchers found that the risk of <keyword id="25186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blood-clotting" source="Orion">blood clotting</keyword> plummeted by a whopping 78% in the limbic veins and 47% in the arteries of the vaccinated individuals. Avoiding these complications helped more than halve the <keyword id="32031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-failure" source="Orion">heart failure</keyword> risk among vaxxers compared to the non-vaccinated. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?" comment="subhead" text="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?">What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?</cmsannotation> Unfortunately, just having blood inside your body isn’t enough to help you survive; the stuff needs to constantly move and slosh through your blood vessels, transporting and depositing oxygen and other nutrients around like silt on a river edge. However, certain conditions — such as diabetes and obesity — can cause some of your blood to abnormally coagulate, forming giant blockages that prevent your veins and arteries from moving blood around efficiently. This places an extra burden on your heart, which can lead it to fail. Research has shown that COVID-19 infections have the capability to cause unusual blood clots in multiple parts of the body, including the lungs and the legs. This can lead to organ failures, <keyword id="6357661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-attack" source="Orion">heart attack</keyword> and <keyword id="25191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stroke" source="Orion">stroke</keyword>. Fortunately, simply taking a wee bit of time off to get yourself jabbed by the <keyword id="24209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="Orion">vaccine</keyword> helps tremendously, it turns out. It wasn’t just heart failure and stroke; being vaccinated also reduced the risk of developing other heart-related diseases. This included scary conditions such as heart attacks and ventricular arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat), although this shield only persisted for the first 30 days after the infection. Despite not being at peak efficacy, the vaccine’s protection was potent enough to slash risk of heart failure by nearly 50% for up to a year after vaccination, the study found. This showed that even as the protective halo of the vaccine waned over time, it still continued to pack a punch. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?" comment="subhead" text="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?">Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?</cmsannotation> There has been a second-wave of reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccine, majorly due to concerns of long-term complications that can arise from them. The important thing to note is that while the vaccine can lead to heart issues in some people, it only takes place in extremely rare circumstances. Conversely, one study even showed that vaccination reduced the risk of long-COVID by a massive 67%. The researchers thus hope that these positive heart-related findings will help clear any vaccination hesitations among sceptics. However, more studies need to be conducted to conclusively understand the protection offered by booster doses in different populations. "Our findings probably reflect the fact that the vaccines are effective in reducing infection, and minimise the risk of severe COVID-19," explains study author Núria Mercadé-Besora. "These results could encourage COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant people who are worried about the potential risk of vaccine side effects." The findings of this study have been published in Heart and can be accessed <a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2024/01/24/heartjnl-2023-323483" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

COVID-19 vaccine can slash risk of post-infection heart failure by half, study finds

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Forget friendship bracelets — some Swifties are calling Covid-19 their new concert souvenirs.</li><li>Some fans who got COVID-10 after attending her Eras Tour are calling it a "gift" from "Mother."</li></ul>It's been years since the pandemic times of COVID-19 lockdowns and the era of mandated masking. But while the virus is still circulating, some Swifties have become wildly optimistic about what it means to catch an infection at one of their idol's concerts. So much so that some Swifties on social media are playfully dubbing the COVID-19 infection they think they got from her concerts a "souvenir" and a "gift" from "Mother."A post on X from a Spanish Taylor Swift fan account asked followers: "Did you go to <a target="_blank" class="css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1loqt21" href="https://x.com/hashtag/MadridTStheErasTour?src=hashtag_click">#MadridTStheErasTour</a> and take COVID, a virus, or a cold with you as a souvenir? I open a survey."Of the nearly 10,800 votes, 35% voted yes. People in the poll's comments section described their symptoms and showed their positive COVID-19 tests — but also raved about how they thought it was worth it. The poll has been viewed nearly 144,000 times at press time.One X user <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RaquellvsRhett/status/1797947023641247766">commented</a>: "Going to Taylor's concert has meant losing my voice, losing my mental health and, well, my health in general, I'm more dead than alive (but I would go to the concert a thousand more times)."Earlier in February, an Australian concertgoer posted a TikTok of herself dressed up in her concert outfit and glam makeup. The video then cut straight to her holding up a positive COVID-19 test kit in bed. She captioned the post: "The Eras Tour souvenir no ones talking about. if youre heading to the sydney shows this weekend, wash your hands regularly!"However, other X users have voiced their disbelief at Swifties calling the virus a souvenir.One X user <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/pot8um/status/1799513266265166174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1799513266265166174%7Ctwgr%5E823e04af52763fad2f3a84db8d34b05f9516778a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmuse.insider.com%2Fstory%2F666a622b074e87bb00f6cf0e">wrote:</a> "Taylor Swift's concert attendees are calling their Covid infections 'souvenirs' and 'gifts' from 'Mother,' and I'm supposed to NOT wanna launch myself into the sun???"Concerts have gained notoriety as COVID-19 superspreader events. In 2021, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsweek.com/over-2200-people-catch-covid-after-spain-music-festivals-catalonia-1616207">over 2,200 people caught the virus</a> after going to music festivals in northeast Spain.And while the virus is treated more like the common flu now, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/august-flu-vs-covid-infection-rate-2023-8">COVID-19 is still circulating</a> — and people are getting infected across the US.Virus-spreading or not, Swift's Eras Tour has been widely successful, propelling the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tortured-poets-department-taylor-swift-new-album-earnings-eras-tour-2024-4">singer-songwriter to billionaire status</a>. Swift is now in the UK for her next leg of the tour. Swift's representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The COVID-19 infection you caught at a Taylor Swift concert is not a gift from 'Mother'

With hundreds of finger-licking preparations, India loves chicken in a way that may be indescribable to a non-resident. However, with the way things are progressing in the avian world, we could soon see a surge in disdain for the delectable meat, and in perhaps the same way the masses denounced bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a surprising and alarming twist, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07849-4">new research</a> has found that <keyword id="20633083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avian-influenza" source="keywords">avian influenza</keyword>, or <keyword id="20396857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bird-flu" source="keywords">bird flu</keyword>, has jumped from birds to dairy cattle across many parts of the United States. Initially detected in wild birds, the <keyword id="21348322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5N1" source="keywords">H5N1</keyword> had led to symptoms like reduced appetite, respiratory distress, and a significant drop in milk production. "This is one of the first times that we are seeing evidence of efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1," said Diego Diel, a virology expert who has written extensively about the topic. As per the new report, significant amounts of the virus has now been identified in the mammary glands of infected cows, meaning their milk itself has the ability to infect others. Researchers have even documented cases where cats and a raccoon became infected, likely from consuming the raw milk from infected cows. Although pasteurisation has shown the ability to kill the virus, the newfound ability to jump from cows to other mammals remains particularly troubling, especially considering how reliant we are on cow products such as beef and milk. <h2>Human cases and <keyword id="22448349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-potential" source="keywords">pandemic potential</keyword></h2>If you’re feeling comfortable in the thought that the virus has some ways to go before humans need to be concerned, you might want to think again. So far, 11 human cases have already been reported in the US, primarily linked to cattle and <keyword id="20524711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="poultry-farms" source="keywords">poultry farms</keyword>. While these cases have resulted in mild symptoms, experts worry that the virus could mutate, enhancing its transmissibility among humans. This possibility is a significant concern for scientists and health authorities. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109054967" title="Scientists warn of bird flu pandemic that could be &amp;#39;100 times worse&amp;#39; than COVID after rare human case found in US" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, as viruses do, H5N1 is already evolving at a rapid pace. A <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.14.603367">separate study </a>led by researchers at UNC Charlotte found that the latest variants of H5N1 are getting better at evading antibodies, including those in humans. According to the researchers, these mutations could potentially lead the virus towards pandemic status if it continues to adapt and spread among mammals. <h2>Will developing nations be able to cope?</h2>Given these developments, continuous monitoring of the virus in both animals and humans is critical. The US Department of Agriculture has funded H5N1 testing programs to detect and manage outbreaks early. Enhanced biosecurity measures and quarantine protocols will undoubtedly be critical to prevent the virus from spreading to pandemic levels. However, this is a task much easier said than done for developing countries, who often lack the infrastructure and resources needed for such robust surveillance and response. Many of these countries have limited access to advanced diagnostic tools, vaccines, and antiviral treatments. This disparity leaves large portions of the global population vulnerable to the spread of H5N1. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110941217" title="WHO confirms human case of bird flu in India! H9N2 virus detected in a four-year child in West Bengal" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed the need for global cooperation and support to strengthen health systems in underprepared regions. Without adequate resources, these countries may struggle to detect and contain the virus, potentially allowing it to spread unchecked. This not only endangers local populations but also increases the risk of a global pandemic. The implications of these studies are clear: the H5N1 virus is moving closer to pandemic potential. As it spreads among mammals, the risk of it adapting to humans increases. The world needs to prepare now to avoid being caught off guard, as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cows are now spreading bird flu to each other — here's why that's problematic for humans

The Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl on Monday criticised a recently published study on the long-term safety analysis of the <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> in adults and adolescents for its poor methodology and design, and clarified the article misleadingly and erroneously "acknowledges" <keyword id="19918794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="keywords">ICMR</keyword>. Dr Bahl said the study had no control arm of unvaccinated individuals for comparing the rates of events between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Hence, the reported events in the study cannot be linked or attributed to COVID-19 vaccination. He added that the ICMR is not associated with the study and has not provided any financial or technical support for the research. The ICMR DG has written a letter to the authors of the paper and Editor of the journal to immediately remove the acknowledgement to ICMR and publish an erratum. A research paper, titled 'Long-Term Safety Analysis of the BBVl52 <keyword id="21730391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccine" source="keywords">Coronavirus Vaccine</keyword> in Adolescents and Adults: Findings from a l-Year Prospective Study in North India' stated that nearly one-third of the 926 participants in the study who received Bharat Biotech's anti-Covid vaccine Covaxin reported 'adverse events of special interest,' or AESI. Dr Bahl said that ICMR was acknowledged for research support without any prior approval of or intimation to ICMR, which is inappropriate and unacceptable. He stated that ICMR cannot be associated with this poorly designed study which purports to present a "safety analysis" of Covaxin due to several critical flaws. He said the study does not even provide background rates of observed events in the population, making it impossible to assess the change in incidence of observed events in the post-vaccination period. Baseline information of study participants is missing. The study tool used is inconsistent with 'Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESI)' as defined in the reference provided in the paper for AESI. The method of data collection has a high risk of bias, he said. Study participants were contacted telephonically one year after vaccination and their responses were recorded without any confirmation with clinical records or by physician examination, he pointed out. Dr Bahl also noted that similar acknowledgements to ICMR have been made in previous papers without permission, raising concerns about the authors' practices. "The authors have been urged to immediately rectify the acknowledgment to ICMR and publish an erratum. Additionally, they are asked to address the methodological concerns raised. Failure to do so may prompt ICMR to consider legal and administrative action," he said. The Editor has been asked to retract the paper which implicitly makes conclusions on <keyword id="21495684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine-safety" source="keywords">vaccine safety</keyword> which are not supported by evidence. The study, conducted by researchers from the Banaras Hindu University from January 2022 to August 2023, stated that nearly 50 per cent of 926 study participants in the study complained of infections during the follow-up period, predominated by viral upper respiratory tract infections. Serious AESI, which included stroke and Guillain-Barre syndrome, were reported in one per cent of individuals, the study, which looked at long-term safety of the BBV152 (Covaxin) vaccine in adolescents and adults, claimed. The study involved 635 adolescents and 291 adults, who received the BBV152 vaccine.

BHU study on Covaxin side effects poorly designed, critically flawed: ICMR Director General

New York, Scientists have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19, triggers a dangerous immune response in hardened fatty deposits (plaques) lining the heart's largest blood vessels, leading to the risk of heart attack, stroke. Experts have long observed that the <keyword id="8868539" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-coronavirus" source="Orion">Covid-19 coronavirus</keyword> increases the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke for up to a year after infection, particularly for those who already have underlying heart conditions. However, the specific mechanisms that account for these risks had until now remained unclear. Researchers at New York University's (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine in the US explored how the coronavirus behaves in those with atherosclerosis -- a disease in which plaque collects in major arteries and prompts chronic inflammation. For the study, published online in the journal <keyword id="17676926" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nature-cardiovascular-research" source="Orion">Nature Cardiovascular Research</keyword>, the team detected the virus within the arteries of eight men and women with a history of atherosclerosis who had died of Covid-19. Besides colonising arterial heart tissue itself, the coronavirus was also spotted inside local immune cells called macrophages, which normally protect the heart by "swallowing" and disposing of excess fat molecules in arteries. The experiments further showed that in response to the infection, the macrophages release inflammatory signalling proteins called cytokines that promote a chronic immune response. Notably, the researchers said, two of the identified cytokines, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6, have already been linked to heart attacks. "Our findings provide for the first time a direct mechanistic link between Covid-19 infection and the heart complications it provokes," said lead author Natalia Eberhardt, Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Medicine at <keyword id="7092848" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nyu-langone-health" source="Orion">NYU Langone Health</keyword>. "The virus creates a highly inflammatory environment that could make it easier for plaque to grow, rupture, and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other key organs." For the analysis, the research team collected 27 artery tissue samples from autopsies of patients who had died of severe Covid-19 between May 2020 and May 2021. All had been previously diagnosed with heart disease. They team trained an artificial intelligence (AI) computer programme to measure coronavirus levels in plaque cells. It was able to count thousands of viral features on a cell-by-cell basis. The team also examined samples of plaque-covered tissue collected from patients who had received surgery to remove the fatty buildup from their arteries. Using a new technique that allowed them to study coronavirus infection of live tissue in the lab, the researchers showed that exposing plaque to the virus boosts inflammation levels in blood vessels. Together the experimental findings revealed that macrophages rich in engulfed fat were invaded more frequently and for longer periods than those containing less fat. According to the researchers, this suggests that the coronavirus flourishes more easily in people who already have large amounts of plaque buildup in their arteries, explaining in part why those with atherosclerosis are more vulnerable to Covid-19. The research team next plans to more closely explore this potential link between the coronavirus's behaviour during atherosclerosis and long Covid, which includes heart palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue, among other issues.

Explained: How Covid-19 heightens risk of heart attack, stroke

Ever since the virus reared its ugly head and briefly sent the world into despair, the coronavirus has remained a staple, albeit almost sidelined, part of the news cycle. Despite this, the topic has come to the forefront of controversy once again, with an extremely popular <keyword id="20040659" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-vaccine" source="keywords">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> now under scrutiny. Considering that the world is still healing from the scars left behind by the coronavirus tragedy, it is imperative that we gauge the situation to avoid any unwarranted public paranoia. Let’s look at the facts behind the ongoing <keyword id="19910149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AstraZeneca" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AstraZeneca" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AstraZeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword> (or <keyword id="19960109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covishield" source="keywords">Covishield</keyword>, as it is known in India) vaccine controversy, and determine if there really is a cause for worry. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What happened?" comment="subhead" text="What happened?">What happened?</cmsannotation> Shortly after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, UK-based <keyword id="21472612" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jamie-scott" source="keywords">Jamie Scott</keyword> experienced a harrowing ordeal. He developed a brain clot and severe bleeding, resulting in permanent brain injury. This condition, known as <keyword id="21475609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thrombosis-with-Thrombocytopenia-Syndrome" source="keywords">Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome</keyword> (<keyword id="20218859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tts" source="keywords">TTS</keyword>), can lead to dangerously low blood clot and platelet levels, posing a grave risk to those affected. Jamie's struggles with memory loss, impaired vision, and diminished cognitive abilities compelled him to seek legal recourse against the pharmaceutical company in 2023. Jamie's legal representative contends that AstraZeneca minimized the potential risks linked to their vaccines. Moreover, reports indicate that over 50 vaccinated individuals experienced similar adverse conditions, with numerous cases resulting in fatalities or severe injuries. Despite these assertions, the pharmaceutical company refutes the allegations, stating that they do not acknowledge a causal relationship between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) on a generic level. However, a year of court wrangling later, legal documents submitted by AstraZeneca have now admitted that their vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases, although the causal mechanism is still not well known. This revelation has led to renewed uproar against the vaccine’s side-effects. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Is there cause for worry?" comment="subhead" text="Is there cause for worry?">Is there cause for worry?</cmsannotation> In short words, not really. Links between the <keyword id="21483117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AstraZeneca-vaccine" source="keywords">AstraZeneca vaccine</keyword> and vaccine-induced immune TTS have been scientifically identified since early 2021, soon after the first COVID-19 vaccines had come out. However, it is so very rare — a few dozen reported cases among the millions administered — that even the World Health Organisation has deemed the vaccine “safe and effective” for all individuals aged 18 and above. Moreover, even influenza, H1N1 and rabies vaccines can cause TTS in very rare instances. Further, it is important to note that an infection with COVID-19 is itself a major cause for clot, heart attacks and strokes. Being vaccinated actually lowers these risks. There is also the fact that all vaccines or drugs carry potential side-effects, and these medical interventions are only cleared for release after determining that their benefits vastly outweigh any complications. Finally, the <keyword id="21483118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TTS-side-effects" source="keywords">TTS side-effects</keyword> — which include symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, leg swelling or tiny blood spots under the skin — manifest between 1-6 weeks of vaccination. Considering that most Indians received their Covishield jab a couple of years ago, there should be no reason to panic now. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?" comment="subhead" text="Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?">Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?</cmsannotation> There is no particular hard evidence that suggests the supremacy of one vaccine over another, considering that they all carry varying degrees of side-effects. That being said, <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> boasts a higher efficacy than Covishield, and has better research data among Indian subjects. However, it may also be important to know that the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been discontinued in many countries, mainly due the aforementioned risk of blood clotting in certain age groups. Whatever the choice, the fact of the matter remains that these vaccines have saved millions since their introduction, and it is pertinent that we continue taking them diligently, unless any premier health authorities recommend otherwise.

Should you be worried about the potential side-effects of the Covishield vaccine?

Data from the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) indicates that more than 80% of <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>-related deaths between 2020 and 2021 occurred in people aged 60 and above. Subsequent studies consistently highlighted the increased vulnerability of those over 65 to severe COVID-19 symptoms, and now researchers may have uncovered the reason behind this trend. To comprehend how the corona<keyword id="19994619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="virus" source="keywords">virus</keyword> attacks our bodies, a study investigated the role of our noses, which are the initial point of contact with the virus. Researchers aimed to understand how nasal cells react to the <keyword id="20249557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SARS-CoV-2" source="keywords">SARS-CoV-2</keyword> virus, hoping to uncover insights for tailored treatment approaches for different age demographics. The study focused on the early impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human nasal epithelial cells (NECs). Epithelial cells, abundant throughout our bodies, play crucial roles in bodily functions and protection. Researchers cultured NECs to replicate the nasal cavity's cellular environment and infected them with SARS-CoV-2. Analysing cells from participants across various age brackets, including children (0-11 years), adults (30-50 years), and the <keyword id="19948381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elderly" source="keywords">elderly</keyword> (over 70 years), the study identified age-specific responses to the virus. Children's NECs quickly increased interferon production upon SARS-CoV-2 exposure, effectively limiting viral replication. In contrast, NECs from older individuals exhibited increased viral replication, accompanied by heightened cell shedding and damage. This disparity may explain why <keyword id="21324937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="older-people" source="keywords">older people</keyword> face a higher risk of severe COVID-19, despite widespread vaccination efforts. Lead author Claire Smith explains, "Our research highlights age-related changes in nasal cells and their impact on our ability to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. This insight is crucial for developing targeted antiviral treatments, especially for older adults who are at greater risk of severe COVID-19." Understanding age-specific differences in nasal cell response to SARS-CoV-2 could lead to targeted antiviral therapies that boost interferon production in older adults, potentially reducing the severity of COVID-19 and lowering mortality rates in this demographic. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of considering age as a significant factor in researching and treating infectious diseases. Beyond COVID-19, future studies should explore how <keyword id="19900302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ageing" source="keywords">ageing</keyword> affects the body's response to other viral infections, informing preventive measures and therapeutic interventions across different age groups. The research findings have been published in Nature Microbiology and can be accessed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41564-024-01658-1" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

The ageing of nasal tissues may explain why older people are more affected by COVID-19: research

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dogs could be our best friends when it comes to flagging COVID-19 infections.</li><li>New research finds they can diagnose COVID quickly, even at levels too low for tests. </li></ul>If you're tired of sticking swabs up your nose to test for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/august-flu-vs-covid-infection-rate-2023-8">COVID-19</a>, rest assured that a much friendlier (and furrier) option may be on the horizon.New research suggests COVID-sniffing dogs are as effective or even better at detecting infections compared to currently-available tests in at-home kits and clinics — so much so they could replace <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-test-rapid-antigen-test-lateral-flow-pcr-explained-2021-1">PCR tests as the "gold standard" for diagnosis</a>, according to researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara.Scientists already know that dogs can probably <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323620">sniff out various types of cancer</a> — colon, prostate, breast skin — and may be able to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/can-dogs-sense-pregnancy">sense pregnancy</a>. At first, there was little research on whether they could detect COVID, too, but a new research review has found a large body of evidence suggesting how helpful dogs can be in diagnosing the infectious illness. The authors of the new review, published last month in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2023-0104/html">Journal of Osteopathic Medicine</a>, looked at 29 studies — including more than 30,000 samples across 31 countries. They said they found extensive evidence that trained dogs can accurately identify positive cases of COVID-19 through smell, which could be a less-invasive and more environmentally-friendly testing strategy than relying on plastic kits and disposable swabs. In some cases, dogs were able to identify COVID-19 infections in patients who had a viral load too low for other tests to work, the review found.The specially-trained canines could also diagnose quicker than other testing methods, after just a quick sniff of a person, and could also flag the virus in sweat samples in a process that takes only minutes. Dogs have incredibly sensitive noses that make them uniquely suited to sniffing out disease, according to Tommy Dickey, co-author of the paper, professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, and a certified <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/emotional-support-animal">therapy dog</a> handler."They can detect the equivalent of one drop of an odorous substance in 10.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools," Dickey said in a press release. "For perspective, this is about three orders of magnitude better than with scientific instrumentation."And when it comes to snooting out COVID, all dogs are good dogs, according to the review. While scent dogs like hounds would be ideal, studies found that weeks of training could turn dogs of different ages, breeds, and backgrounds into virus-detecting pros. Diagnostics could even be a career option for rehabilitating troubled pups, as one study found a so-called "problem" pit bull from an abusive home got a fresh start as a COVID detector. Still, there are some logistical challenges to training and deploying the dogs on a large scale before we can toss out our test kits in favor of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/benefits-of-having-a-dog">four-legged friends</a>, according to the researchers."There's quite a bit of research, but it's still considered by many as a kind of a curiosity," Dickey said.

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