By Tarun Sai LomteMar 25 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent study published in The Lancet Microbe, researchers investigated the effects of molnupiravir on the evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in immunocompromised patients.
Molnupiravir has been used worldwide in hospital and community settings as well as for immunocompromised patients. Nevertheless, it has been ineffective at reducing coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalization and mortality rates in high-risk groups, and consequently, it has been designated a third-line therapeutic option. The drug triggers mutagenesis by introducing β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine, the prodrug, into the viral ribonucleic acid .
About the study In the present study, researchers analyzed the sequencing data from immunocompromised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection to assess the effects of molnupiravir on viral evolution. The team sequenced around 100 genomes weekly from December 2021 to September 2022, specifically focusing on samples from reinfections, hospitalized patients, overseas travelers, and suspected residential care- and healthcare-related infections.
Findings The team noted that SARS-CoV-2 genomes acquired an average of 30 new low/mid frequency variants by 10 days post-molnupiravir treatment. These changes in viral diversity were not observed in patients who did not receive molnupiravir. On average, 3.3 mutations were acquired per day in the molnupiravir group.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vaccine monitoring is crucial as SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to evolve, says studyResearchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH have highlighted the importance of continued surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine performance as the virus continues to evolve.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »
Mutations do not predict the severity of current variants of SARS-CoV-2, finds studyNew research from UNC Charlotte's Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two most prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »
Severity of current SARS-CoV-2 variants is not linked to the number of mutationsNew research from UNC Charlotte's Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two most prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sensitizes nociceptors and evokes nociceptive behaviorsA study that investigated whether the spike protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can sensitize nociceptors and promote pain-like behaviors in mice was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and...
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »
Research highlights the need for continued surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccinesResearchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH have highlighted the importance of continued surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine performance as the virus continues to evolve.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »
SARS-CoV-2-associated ARDS can damage the heart without direct infectionSARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can damage the heart even without directly infecting the heart tissue, a National Institutes of Health-supported study has found.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »