pandemic
Passive immunisation for COVID-19
Passive immunisation for COVID-19 There is currently no specific treatment for SARS-CoV-2. However, a number of treatments have been explored in patients with life-threatening COVID-19 (such as antimalarial drugs, antivirals, immunomodulatory agents, and glucocorticoids) with varying results. Convalescent plasma collected from recovered COVID-19 patients, containing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, could potentially be an effective therapeutic tool. ...
An expert’s opinion: An interview with Ludo Waltman on the surge in COVID-19 research papers
We speak with Ludo Waltman, Professor of Quantitative Science Studies and Deputy Director of the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University, on how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way we assess the quality of scientific literature. What are you working on at the moment? Ludo Waltman: I am looking at ...
An expert’s opinion: An interview with Adam Marcus on scientific publishing in times of COVID-19
Adam Marcus, Co-founder of Retraction Watch and managing editor of Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, highlights the need to be vigilant about the quality of COVID-19 research papers and encourages publishers to publish fewer but better-quality papers. How many COVID-19 papers have been retracted so far this year? Adam Marcus: Our latest count is 37 retractions ...
Covid-19: What are the consequences of the unprecedented rush for knowledge?
The surge in COVID-19 research papers has put the spotlight on the peer review process and is changing the way we assess the quality of scientific literature.
Tocilizumab : a treatment alternative in COVID-19 pneumonia
Patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia often need to be mechanically intubated and have an increased mortality risk. Tocilizumab, a drug used against the cytokine storm underlying this clinical condition, has shown positive effects in clinical trials.
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Prof Cristina Mussini about covid-19 treatment
Interview with Professor Cristina Mussini, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy and member of the European AIDS Clinical Society. She has been actively involved in various recent studies on the clinical use of tocilizumab in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. First a ...
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr Andrew Ip about covid-19 treatment
Interview with Dr Andrew Ip, a specialist in hematology/oncology at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, USA, who has been involved in research on tocilizumab use in COVID-19 patients. Why did you choose tocilizumab to treat patients with COVID-19 pneumonia? Andrew Ip: Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the interleukin-6 ...
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr Juan Victor San-Martin Lopez about covid-19 treatment
Interview with Dr Juan Victor San-Martín López, a physician specialising in infectious diseases and a member of the task force coordinating responses to the leishmaniasis outbreak in 2011 and to COVID-19 at the Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Spain. He reports on his experience with tocilizumab use in COVID-19 patients. What is the so-called cytokine storm? ...
