Researchers studying tissue removed from patients noses during surgery believe they may have discovered the reason why so many people with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell, even when they have no other symptoms. In their experiments they found extremely high levels of angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE-2) only in the area of the nose […]
Category: Infectious diseases
Prepare now for a winter COVID-19 peak, warns Academy of Medical Sciences
The UK must prepare now for a potential new wave of coronavirus infections this winter that could be more serious than the first, says a new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences released. Combined with the disruption already created in the health service by COVID-19, a backlog of patients needing NHS assessment and treatment, […]
First comparison of dangers of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes and water pipes
Any smoking and vaping technique may increase risk of COVID-19 infection and death Smoking and vaping, whether by means of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes or waterpipes, stiffens the arteries, causes inflammation and damages DNA, leading to a variety of health problems, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In addition, smoking and […]
High blood pressure linked to increased risk of dying from COVID-19
Patients with raised blood pressure have a two-fold increased risk of dying from the coronavirus COVID-19 compared to patients without high blood pressure, according to new research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In addition, the study found that patients with high blood pressure who were not taking medication to control the condition were […]
Men’s blood contains greater concentrations of enzyme that helps COVID-19 infect cells
Finding may explain why men with heart failure suffer more from the coronavirus than women Evidence from a large study of several thousand patients shows that men have higher concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in their blood than women. Since ACE2 enables the coronavirus to infect healthy cells, this may help to explain why […]
Androgen-deprivation treatments for prostate cancer could protect men from COVID-19
A study of 4532 men in the Veneto region of Italy has found that those who were being treated for prostate cancer with androgen-deprivation therapies (ADT) were less likely to develop the coronavirus COVID-19 and, if they were infected, the disease was less severe. The authors of the study, published in the leading cancer journal […]
Risk of severe COVID-19 could be increased in people with COPD and smokers due to higher levels of ‘entry point’ enzyme in lungs
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who currently smoke may have higher levels of a molecule, called angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE-2), in their lungs according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. [1] Previous research shows that ACE-2, which sits on the surface of lung cells, is the ‘entry point’ […]
Newborns infected with COVID-19 in China experienced mild symptoms
Researchers have identified a total of four cases of newborn babies with COVID-19 infection in China. In all cases the babies experienced only mild symptoms with none requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation according to research published in in the European Respiratory Journal. [1] The study was carried out by Dr Zhi-Jiang Zhang and colleagues […]
Cheap, quick test identifies pneumonia patients at risk of respiratory failure or sepsis
Madrid, Spain: Spanish researchers in Valencia have identified specific fragments of genetic material that play a role in the development of respiratory failure and sepsis in pneumonia patients. Presenting the research at the European Respiratory Society International Congress [1], Dr Francisco Sanz said the findings could enable doctors to test quickly for these biological markers […]
Treatment with long term, low dose antibiotic could help people born with chronic lung condition
Madrid, Spain: Taking a low dose of the antibiotic azithromycin for six months reduces symptoms for patients with the chronic lung condition primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] PCD is a rare inherited disease that affects people from birth. It causes coughing, a build-up of […]