Molnupiravir Inhibits Replication of the Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in a Hamster Infection Model

News Item Multidisciplinary Sciences

COVID-19 New mutations raise specter of 'immune escape'

Kai Kupferschmidt

SCIENCE (2021)

Article Microbiology

Therapeutically administered ribonucleoside analogue MK-4482/EIDD-2801 blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission in ferrets

Robert M. Cox et al.

Summary: Treating SARS-CoV-2-infected ferrets with nucleoside analogue MK-4482/EIDD-2801 reduced viral load and suppressed virus spread. This therapeutic approach shows promise in breaking transmission chains of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NATURE MICROBIOLOGY (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Microbiology

Human Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Molnupiravir, a Novel Broad-Spectrum Oral Antiviral Agent with Activity against SARS-CoV-2

Wendy P. Painter et al.

Summary: Molnupiravir showed rapid appearance and dose-proportional increase in plasma, with good tolerability in healthy volunteers. The study evaluated single and multiple doses of molnupiravir and the impact of food on pharmacokinetics in subjects, showing no accumulation following multiple doses and a decrease in absorption rate when administered with food, but no decrease in overall exposure.

ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

The variant gambit: COVID-19's next move

Jessica A. Plante et al.

Summary: Despite the development of vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a global concern due to the emergence of new variants, raising worries about increased spread and potential impacts on immunity.

CELL HOST & MICROBE (2021)

Add to Collection

Editorial Material Medicine, General & Internal

Resurgence of COVID-19 in Manaus, Brazil, despite high seroprevalence

Ester C. Sabino et al.

LANCET (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

SARS-CoV-2 infection is effectively treated and prevented by EIDD-2801

Angela Wahl et al.

Summary: The study suggests that bats may be the source of coronaviruses that can be directly transmitted to humans. Using the LoM model, efficient replication of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and two SARS-like bat coronaviruses in human lung tissue was demonstrated. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 predominantly targets human lung epithelial cells and induces a sustained inflammatory response. The broad-spectrum antiviral agent EIDD-2801 significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vivo, showing potential for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

NATURE (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Antibody resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and B.1.1.7

Pengfei Wang et al.

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had global repercussions, with promising vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies. However, newly detected variants of SARS-CoV-2 present challenges to these treatment options.

NATURE (2021)

Add to Collection

News Item Medicine, General & Internal

Covid-19: The E484K mutation and the risks it poses

Jacqui Wise

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Virology

Structure and function of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase

Hauke S. Hillen

Summary: Coronaviruses use RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to replicate their genome. Recent structural data on SARS-CoV-1 RdRp and SARS-CoV-2 polymerase have provided insight into coronavirus genome expression and replication mechanisms.

CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Comparing infectivity and virulence of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in Syrian hamsters

Rana Abdelnabi et al.

Summary: The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 108 million infections and 2.4 million deaths within a year, with new variants of concern emerging. Research on prototypic VoC from B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants in hamsters revealed efficient infection of the lower respiratory tract and highlighted the need for assessing vaccine and therapeutic efficacy against these variants.

EBIOMEDICINE (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Medicine, General & Internal