Written by: Sean Brady Edited by: Esther Melamed Introduction The presence and quantity of pathogen-specific antibodies (such as SARS-CoV-2) can be an indicator of prior exposure to disease as well as an indicator of how well someone may be able to respond to that pathogen if they encounter it again. In a recent research letter in JAMA by Zoé L. E. van Kempen et al, a group of researchers analyzed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a large cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This analysis enabled the authors to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic cases as well as the antibody …
Understanding Post-Covid 19 Neurological Manifestations in Non-hospitalized Patients
Written by: Sean Brady Edited by: Esther Melamed Who is commonly impacted and what are the common symptoms? It has been reported that between 36.4 – 82.3% of hospitalized Covid-19 patients present with neurological manifestations [1] (e.g., headache, brain fog, loss of smell, etc.). As the pandemic continues into 2021, It is becoming increasingly clear that many patients go on to have long-term neurological symptoms post initial COVID infection. This long-lasting condition has been called by many names, including “post-COVID syndrome”, “Long-COVID”, and most recently Post-Acute …
A perspective: the COVID pandemic’s negative impact on our microbiome
Written by: Nadia Siles Edited by: Esther Melamed As we observe the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on how the pandemic changed and continues to shape our lives. We need to carefully assess how the pandemic control measures implemented worldwide to reduce transmission and save lives: social distancing, lockdowns, 20-second handwashing, and mask-wearing; may negatively impact our future health. In a perspective research article, Finlay et al. explore the many ways that COVID-19 related societal practices may be affecting our microbiome and indirectly influencing …