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Close RM, Lutz CS, Jones TS, Stone M, Bratsch N, Thompson T, Jentoft C, McAuley JB. Characteristics and outcomes of a hospitalized cohort with reduced mortality from COVID-19, White Mountain apache tribal lands, April 1 - July 31, 2020. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:648. [PMID: 38424548 PMCID: PMC10905852 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18098-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widespread transmission of COVID-19 continues to threaten public health, particularly of rural, American Indian communities. Although COVID-19 risk factors for severe disease and clinical characteristics are well described in the general population, there has been little shared on hospitalized American Indian populations. METHODS In this observational study, we performed chart extractions on all persons hospitalized with COVID-19 from April 1 through July 31, 2020 among an exclusively American Indian population living on or near Tribal lands in eastern Arizona. We provide descriptive statistics for the cohort stratified by presentation, comparing those who self-presented or were referred by an outreach program. Exploratory analyses were performed to identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality. RESULTS During the observation period, 2262 persons were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 490 (22%) were hospitalized. Hospitalized persons had a median age of 54 years; 92% had at least one comorbidity, 72% had greater than one comorbidity, and 60% had a BMI of > 30. Most persons required supplemental oxygen (83%), but the majority (62%) only required nasal cannula and only 11% were intubated. The case fatality rates were 1.7% for the population, 7.1% among hospitalizations, and 9.3% among hospitalized patients 50 years and older. All rates that are significantly lower than those reported nationally during the same period. CONCLUSIONS We observed a cohort of American Indian patients hospitalized secondary to COVID-19 with greater number of comorbidities compared to the general population but with lower mortality rates. We posit that the primary driver of mortality reduction for this population and the hospitalized cohort was a community-based referral program that led to disproportionately lower fatality rates among the oldest persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Close
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA.
- Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth, Portland, ME, USA.
| | - Chelsea S Lutz
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - T Shaifer Jones
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA
| | - Myles Stone
- United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Bratsch
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA
| | - Trevor Thompson
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA
- United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Jentoft
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA
| | - James B McAuley
- Whiteriver Service Unit, Indian Health Service, 200 W. Hospital Drive, Whiteriver, AZ, 85941, USA
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Connolly DJ, Eraslan E, Gilchrist G. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men: a systematic review. Sex Health 2023; 20:375-384. [PMID: 37460309 DOI: 10.1071/sh23071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug-related harms, including harms from sexualised drug use (SDU), are disproportionately experienced by sexual and gender minority people, relative to their majority counterparts. Chemsex, a type of SDU practiced mainly by MSM, is associated with methamphetamine use and increased HIV seropositivity or risk of acquisition. Therefore, participants are at increased risk of immunocompromise. Existing evidence suggests that drug use increases following natural disasters. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on chemsex is unknown. A PRISMA-adherent systematic review was conducted to synthesise reports of changes in the prevalence, frequency, or characteristics of drug use (and factors associated with these changes) following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report presents findings related to SDU/chemsex among MSM. A comprehensive search across nine databases, supplemented with backward-forward citation searching and contact with key opinion leaders, was conducted. Two reviewers carried out title-abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Following a final, single database search, nine studies were included in the narrative synthesis. More than half the sample were studies investigating HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use. Twenty percent of participants in most studies reported chemsex participation. In four, participants reported a net increase or maintenance of chemsex participation during the pandemic and five reported a net decrease. Increased chemsex participation was associated with loneliness, cravings, and working during the pandemic. Decreased chemsex practice was associated with COVID-19-related fear. This synthesis suggests that chemsex practice continued, and for some MSM increased, throughout COVID-19 pandemic 'lockdowns'. This may have increased COVID-19 transmission and severity among potentially vulnerable MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean J Connolly
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Ece Eraslan
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Gail Gilchrist
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
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Antwi I, Watkins D, Pedawi A, Ghrayeb A, Van de Vuurst C, Cory TJ. Substances of abuse and their effect on SAR-CoV-2 pathogenesis. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:301-316. [PMID: 38013836 PMCID: PMC10474379 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2023-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, various reports suggest that there has been a significant increase in substance abuse due to social distancing and related issues. Several reports have suggested the impact of chronic substance use on individuals' physiological and psychological health. Therefore, there is a need to know the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on persons with substance use disorders. Individuals with substance use disorders are the most vulnerable groups and are at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their already existing health issues associated with substance use. This review discusses some of the molecular and systemic/organic effects chronic substance use such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana (cannabis), opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine have on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and its potential cause for worsened disease outcomes in persons with substance use disorder. This will provide healthcare providers, public health policies, and researchers with the needed knowledge to address some of the many challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic to facilitate treatment strategies for persons with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Antwi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Destiny Watkins
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Alahn Pedawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Atheel Ghrayeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christine Van de Vuurst
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Theodore J. Cory
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Rydberg A, Dodoo CA, Schneekloth TD, Abulseoud OA. No difference in COVID-19 treatment outcomes among current methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol users. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:23. [PMID: 37337275 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor outcomes of COVID-19 have been reported in older males with medical comorbidities including substance use disorder. However, it is unknown whether there is a difference in COVID-19 treatment outcomes between patients who are current cannabis users, excessive alcohol drinkers and those who use a known hazardous stimulant such as methamphetamine (METH). METHODS Electronic medical records (EMR) of COVID-19 patients with current METH (n = 32), cannabis (n = 46), and heavy alcohol use (n = 44) were reviewed. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, current drug use was confirmed by positive urine drug testing, and alcohol use was identified by a blood alcohol concentration greater than 11 mg/dl. Multivariate linear regression models as well as the firth logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of substance use group (METH, cannabis, or alcohol) on treatment outcome measures. RESULTS A total of 122 patients were included in this analysis. There were no significant differences found between drug groups in regards to key SARS-CoV-2 outcomes of interest including ICU admission, length of stay, interval between SARS-CoV-2 positive test and hospital discharge, delirium, intubation and mortality after adjusting for covariates. About one-fifth (21.9% in METH users, 15.2% in cannabis users, and 20.5% in alcohol users) of all patients required ICU admission. As many as 37.5% of METH users, 23.9% of cannabis users, and 29.5% of alcohol users developed delirium (P = 0.4). There were no significant differences between drug groups in COVID-19 specific medication requirements. Eight patients in total died within 10 months of positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Two patients from the METH group (6.3%), two patients from the cannabis group (4.3%), and four patients from the alcohol group (9.1%) died. DISCUSSION The study outcomes may have been affected by several limitations. These included the methodology of its retrospective design, relatively small sample size, and the absence of a COVID-19 negative control group. In addition, there was no quantification of substance use and many covariates relied on clinical documentation or patient self-report. Finally, it was difficult to control for all potential confounders particularly given the small sample size. CONCLUSION Despite these limitations, our results show that current METH, cannabis, and heavy alcohol users in this study have similar treatment outcomes and suffer from high morbidity including in-hospital delirium and high mortality rates within the first-year post COVID-19. The extent to which co-morbid tobacco smoking contributed to the negative outcomes in METH, cannabis, and alcohol users remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Rydberg
- Alix School of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA
| | | | - Terry D Schneekloth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA
| | - Osama A Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 58054, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, CRB, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA.
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Development of Methamphetamine Conjugated Vaccine through Hapten Design: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020340. [PMID: 36851217 PMCID: PMC10004339 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine (METH) substance-use disorder is an ever-growing global health issue with no effective treatment. Anti-METH vaccines are under investigation as an alternative to existing psychological interventions. This platform has made significant progress over past decades mainly in preclinical stages, and efforts to develop an anti-METH vaccine with a high antibody response are of utmost importance. METHODOLOGY A novel conjugated anti-METH vaccine was developed using METH HCl as the starting material for the design of hapten, a peptide linker consisting of five lysines and five glycines, and finally immunogenic carrier mannan, which is novel to this platform. All the chemical reaction steps were confirmed by several analytical techniques, and the immunogenicity of the developed vaccine was investigated in a mouse model. RESULTS Thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography confirmed the reaction between METH and peptide linker. UV, NMR and color tests were used to confirm the presence of the aldehyde groups in oxidized mannan (OM). The final conjugated vaccine was confirmed by UV and LC-MS. The stability of mannan, the METH hapten, and the final vaccine was evaluated by UV and LC-MS and demonstrated satisfactory stability over 3 months in various storage conditions. Animal studies supported the immunogenicity of the novel vaccine. CONCLUSIONS We successfully developed and characterized a novel METH vaccine in vitro and in vivo. The present study findings are encouraging and will form the basis of further exploration to assess its effectiveness to prevent METH addiction in preclinical models.
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Hossain MK, Davidson M, Kypreos E, Feehan J, Muir JA, Nurgali K, Apostolopoulos V. Immunotherapies for the Treatment of Drug Addiction. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111778. [PMID: 36366287 PMCID: PMC9697687 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a serious public health concern globally. Existing treatment platforms suffer from a lack of effectiveness. The development of immunotherapies against these substances of abuse for both prophylactic and therapeutic use has gained tremendous importance as an alternative and/or supplementary to existing therapies. Significant development has been made in this area over the last few decades. Herein, we highlight the vaccine and other biologics development strategies, preclinical, clinical updates along with challenges and future directions. Articles were searched in PubMed, ClinicalTrial.gov, and google electronic databases relevant to development, preclinical, clinical trials of nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioid vaccines. Various new emerging vaccine development strategies for SUD were also identified through this search and discussed. A good number of vaccine candidates demonstrated promising results in preclinical and clinical phases and support the concept of developing a vaccine for SUD. However, there have been no ultimate success as yet, and there remain some challenges with a massive push to take more candidates to clinical trials for further evaluation to break the bottleneck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kamal Hossain
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Majid Davidson
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Erica Kypreos
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Jack Feehan
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Joshua Alexander Muir
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Kulmira Nurgali
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Department of Medicine Western Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
- Immunology Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, VIC 3021, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Methamphetamine Induces Systemic Inflammation and Anxiety: The Role of the Gut–Immune–Brain Axis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911224. [PMID: 36232524 PMCID: PMC9569811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug abused by millions of users worldwide, thus becoming a global health concern with limited management options. The inefficiency of existing treatment methods has driven research into understanding the mechanisms underlying METH-induced disorders and finding effective treatments. This study aims to understand the complex interactions of the gastrointestinal–immune–nervous systems following an acute METH dose administration as one of the potential underlying molecular mechanisms concentrating on the impact of METH abuse on gut permeability. Findings showed a decreased expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and EpCAm in intestinal tissue and the presence of FABP-1 in sera of METH treated mice suggests intestinal wall disruption. The increased presence of CD45+ immune cells in the intestinal wall further confirms gut wall inflammation/disruption. In the brain, the expression of inflammatory markers Ccl2, Cxcl1, IL-1β, TMEM119, and the presence of albumin were higher in METH mice compared to shams, suggesting METH-induced blood–brain barrier disruption. In the spleen, cellular and gene changes are also noted. In addition, mice treated with an acute dose of METH showed anxious behavior in dark and light, open field, and elevated maze tests compared to sham controls. The findings on METH-induced inflammation and anxiety may provide opportunities to develop effective treatments for METH addiction in the future.
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Kamal Hossain M, Davidson M, Feehan J, Deraos G, Nurgali K, Matsoukas J, Apostolopoulos V. Development and characterization of a novel conjugated methamphetamine vaccine. Vaccine 2022; 40:5882-5891. [PMID: 36041942 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a major public health concern globally with limited management options. The development of a METH vaccine through hapten design has received significant attention as a promising platform for the potential treatment of METH addiction and overdose, however there is yet to be a successful candidate in human trials. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this study, we developed a novel conjugated METH vaccine using oxidized mannan (a polymannose) as an immunogenic carrier. A METH hapten was synthesized by using amphetamine and conjugated to mannan with a (Lysine-Glycine-Lysine-Glycine-lysine-Glycine-Lysine-Glycine-Lysine-Glycine) (KG)5 peptide linker. RESULTS The reaction between amphetamine and (KG)5, oxidation of mannan, and conjugation of amphetamine-(KG)5 with oxidized mannan were confirmed by color tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, and ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Additionally, the ability of the vaccine to generate antibodies was confirmed in C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSIONS The successful development and characterization of the METH-mannan conjugate vaccine, provides a potential therapeutic intervention to curb METH substance use disorders. Each step of vaccine development was characterized to aid in future research on these vaccines, and the immunogenicity shown in the animal models supports future evaluation of the approach. Future studies of the conjugated METH vaccine should evaluate the efficacy in animal models of acute and chronic METH to pave the way for human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kamal Hossain
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Majid Davidson
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jack Feehan
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | | | - Kulmira Nurgali
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Matsoukas
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Newdrug, Patras Science Park, 26500 Patras, Greece; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Pandolfo G, Genovese G, Iannuzzo F, Bruno A, Pioggia G, Gangemi S. COVID-19 Vaccination and Mental Disorders, What Has Been Accomplished and Future Direction. Brain Sci 2022; 12:292. [PMID: 35204055 PMCID: PMC8870203 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The consequences of the pandemic on mental health are among the most important side effects of COVID-19. Wide concerns have emerged both regarding vaccine hesitation in the general population, and the vaccine's implementation plan. The aim of this study is to evaluate how the scientific community has investigated the relationship between the COVID-19 vaccine and mental disorders. Contrary to expectations, having a full-blown psychiatric pathology seems to positively affect the attitude towards the vaccine, except for PTSD. The intense fear that accompanied the current world emergency has made this pandemic unique; we discuss how it might be one of the factors involved in this result. Further experimental investigations are needed to estimate how personality traits, hyperarousal, and negative emotions influence vaccine compliance both in the general population and in people living with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Pandolfo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (F.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Giovanni Genovese
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (F.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Fiammetta Iannuzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (F.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Antonio Bruno
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy; (G.P.); (F.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
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Hossain MK, Hassanzadeganroudsari M, Feehan J, Apostolopoulos V. The race for a COVID-19 vaccine: where are we up to? Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:355-376. [PMID: 34937492 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2021074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A novel strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has triggered a global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late 2019. In January 2020, the WHO declared this pandemic a public health emergency. This pandemic has already caused over 5.3 million deaths from more than 272 million infections. The development of a successful vaccine is an urgent global priority to halt the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and prevent further fatalities. Researchers are fast-tracking this process, and there have already been significant developments in preclinical and clinical phases in a relatively short period of time. Some vaccines have been approved either for emergency use or mass application in recent months. AREAS COVERED Herein, we provide a general understanding of the fast-tracked clinical trial procedures and highlight recent successes in preclinical and clinical trials to generate a clearer picture of the progress of COVID-19 vaccine development. EXPERT OPINION A good number of vaccines have been rolled out within a short period a feat unprecedented in medical history. However, the emergence of new variants over time has appeared as a new threat, and the number of infections and casualties is still on the rise and this is going to be an ongoing battle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kamal Hossain
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Jack Feehan
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Karila L, Benyamina A. Addictions en temps de pandémie. LA PRESSE MÉDICALE FORMATION 2021. [PMCID: PMC8223019 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpmfor.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
L’Organisation mondiale de la santé a déclaré la maladie causée par le coronavirus 2 comme pandémie en mars 2020. Via les différentes mesures prises, un phénomène stressant psychosocial induit par cette épidémie a, dès lors, émergé en raison des difficultés financières, de l’isolement social et du caractère incertain du futur. L’ensemble des études nationales et internationales a mis en évidence une augmentation des usages de tabac, d’alcool et de substances illicites. Outre les comportements de consommation excessive, voire les décompensations addictives liées aux substances, il faut également prendre en considération l’usage excessif de la pornographie, des jeux de hasard et d’argent, des jeux vidéo essentiellement via Internet et l’exercice physique. La COVID-19 peut être à l’origine d’un certain nombre de conséquences et de complications chez les personnes souffrant de troubles liés à l’usage de substances licites ou illicites, population particulièrement vulnérable. Dans cette revue de la littérature narrative, nous analyserons les données concernant les comportements de consommation excessive et les addictions aux substances psychoactives licites et illicites et à certains types de comportements de la vie quotidienne. Nous avons, pour ce faire, utilisé les combinaisons de mots-clés pour sélectionner les articles scientifiques de langue anglaise et française publiés entre 2019 et 2021 en consultant les bases de données Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Google Scholar.
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Abstract
Thus far, in 2021, 219 countries with over 175 million people have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus, and is the causal agent for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Due to the urgency of the situation, virtual screening as a computational modeling method offers a fast and effective modality of identifying drugs that may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. There has been an overwhelming abundance of molecular docking against SARS-CoV-2 in the last year. Due to the massive volume of computational studies, this systematic review has been created to evaluate and summarize the findings of existing studies. Herein, we report on computational articles of drugs which target, (1) viral protease, (2) Spike protein-ACE 2 interaction, (3) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and (4) other proteins and nonstructural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Based on the studies presented, there are 55 identified natural or drug compounds with potential anti-viral activity. The next step is to show anti-viral activity in vitro and translation to determine effectiveness into human clinical trials.
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Hossain MK, Hassanzadeganroudsari M, Kypreos E, Feehan J, Apostolopoulos V. Immune to addiction: how immunotherapies can be used to combat methamphetamine addiction. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:707-715. [PMID: 33970739 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1927725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The concept of anti-methamphetamine (METH) immunotherapies is a few decades old. A substantial amount of information has been generated on the development of anti-METH immunotherapies, particularly in the preclinical stages of development of vaccines and monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments. However, the concept of treating METH use addiction with anti-METH immunotherapies is not well understood by many researchers or general readers. A series of questions commonly arise regarding the concept: how does it work? What is the antigen used? How exactly does the vaccine prevent METH addiction?Areas covered: This paper reviews the published articles relating to the mechanisms of METH use disorders, strategies used in the development of anti-METH immunotherapies, and the mechanism of action of these treatments. It provides clear explanations to questions surrounding the basis of anti-METH immunotherapies and contextualizes their development. It also identifies areas for future investigation to speed their translation into clinical use.Expert opinion: While METH immunotherapies, including vaccines and mAbs, have progressed significantly in the last 30 years, there are newer approaches that should be evaluated to improve their translatability. Approaches including nanoparticle vaccines, virus-like particles, and other novel methods should be fully evaluated as means of generating anti-METH immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Kamal Hossain
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Erica Kypreos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jack Feehan
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
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