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Man had rare Covid infection that lasted 613 days, showed extensive mutations – South China Morning Post

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Researchers from the Netherlands have reported an extremely long Covid-19 infection in a man who died last year and warn of the emergence of more dangerous variants of the coronavirus.

The elderly man, who was immunocompromised due to previous illnesses, was admitted to a hospital in Amsterdam in February 2022 with a Covid-19 infection, according to a statement.

He was continuously positive for the coronavirus until his death in October 2023 for a total of 613 days.

Other cases of very long infections in people whose immune systems were unable to adequately fight the virus have previously been reported.

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Like drinking milk tea: China launches worlds first inhalable Covid vaccine

Like drinking milk tea: China launches worlds first inhalable Covid vaccine

The researchers led by Magda Vergouwe from the University of Amsterdam plan to present the results at a congress of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona on April 27-30.

The case is also interesting for researchers because the coronavirus can change particularly strongly in such long-term infected people. This harbours the risk of variants of the virus emerging that can more easily overcome the immune systems of healthy people.

The researchers in the Netherlands repeatedly took samples from the man to analyse the genetic material of the coronavirus. They found a total of more than 50 mutations compared to the Omicron variant BA.1 that was circulating at the time, including those that would allow the virus to evade the immune defence.

Just 21 days after the man had received a certain anti-coronavirus drug, the virus also developed signs of resistance to it.

German with comically large number of Covid jabs 217 had no side effects

The man eventually died from a flare-up of one of his previous illnesses. As far as is known, he had not infected anyone with his mutated version of the coronavirus, also known under its scientific name Sars-CoV-2.

This case highlights the risk of new immune-evasive Sars-CoV-2 variants emerging in immunocompromised patients, the researchers are quoted as saying in the press release.

The extensive development of the virus in a single patient could lead to the emergence of unique variants, they warn.

It is important to closely monitor the evolution of the coronavirus in immunocompromised individuals. There is a risk that variants could emerge and spread in society that are less susceptible to the immune systems of healthy people, they added

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Man had rare Covid infection that lasted 613 days, showed extensive mutations - South China Morning Post

The Longest Case of COVID-19 Lasted 613 Days – Healthnews.com

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For most, COVID-19 symptoms last for a few weeks before passing. New research from the Netherlands finds a patient suffered from the respiratory virus for nearly two years before his death.

A Dutch man with a poor immune system lived with a high-mutated novel variant of COVID-19 for 613 days, according to the University of Amsterdams Centre for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM). The case is known as the longest bout of COVID-19.

Healthy patients diagnosed with COVID-19 typically recover from mild cases of the virus within a few weeks. However, immunocompromised individuals may develop a persistent infection with increased adverse effects that can evolve such as the Omicron variant, which originated in a patient with a weakened immune system.

A European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases release says the study led by Magda Vergouwe of the CEMM describes a male patient who was admitted to the Amsterdam University Medical Center in February 2022 due to COVID-19. He was infected with the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.1.17.

The patient suffered from myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative overlap syndrome due to a stem cell transplant. In myelodysplastic diseases, immature blood cells in bone barrow do not mature and become healthy blood cells. Meanwhile, myeloproliferative diseases result in a total number of blood cells slow increasing.

This case underscores the risk of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompromised individuals as unique SARS-CoV-2 viral variants may emerge due to extensive intra-host evolution, study authors said. We emphasise the importance of continuing genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 evolution in immunocompromised individuals with persistent infections given the potential public health threat of possibly introducing viral escape variants into the community.

The 72-year-old patient had previously received multiple COVID-19 vaccinations. He was treated with multiple antibody medications without any response and within 21 days, the man developed a mutation that resisted sotrovimab, one of the antibody medications. In the full genome sequencing of the virus that persisted for 613 days, researchers uncovered it had undergone 50 genetic code mutations.

The ESCMID Global release says study authors note there must be a balance between protecting the masses from new variants and providing care for these terminally ill patients. Also, scientists emphasize while there is an increased chance of novel variants in those with weakened immune systems, it is not the case for each patient.

The duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this described case is extreme, but prolonged infections in immunocompromised patients are much more common compared to the general community. Further work by our team includes describing a cohort of prolonged infections in immunocompromised patients from our hospital with infection durations varying between 1 month and 2 years.

The complete research of this unique COVID-19 case will be presented at the ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona which runs from April 27-30.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidelines in March, no longer recommending isolation following a positive test. Those who are infected should wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others, monitor symptoms, and contact a healthcare provider for possible treatments. The CDC reported 6,406 COVID-19 hospitalizations last week, a 13.8% drop.

However, COVID-19 can still be a threat to those with weak immune systems like the 72-year-old Dutch man. The CDC highlights those who are immunocompromised have lesser defenses against infections. Those six months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive at least one dose of the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC says people with weakened immune symptoms may reach out to their healthcare provider for possible antiviral medications. Recovering from COVID-19 for immunocompromised patients may take longer than the normal few weeks

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The Longest Case of COVID-19 Lasted 613 Days - Healthnews.com

‘Wonder’ nanotech material that will change the world declared safe Earth.com – Earth.com

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In an era where technological advancements are rapidly transforming lives, scientists have made a significant stride in nanotechnology, focusing on graphene a material renowned for its exceptional properties and vast potential in various applications.

This revolutionary nanomaterial, celebrated for being the thinnest, strongest, and most flexible material known, is now being developed with a keen eye on human health safety.

Recent research reveals that controlled inhalation of a specific form of graphene, known as graphene oxide, does not present short-term health risks to lung or cardiovascular functions.

This finding comes from the first-ever controlled exposure clinical trial involving human participants, emphasizing the materials safety under specific conditions.

Graphene oxide, a water-compatible form of graphene, was used in this pioneering study to ensure ultra-purity and compatibility for potential medical applications.

The study, a collaborative effort by researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester, signifies a critical step in understanding graphenes interaction with the human body.

Despite the promising results, the researchers advocate for further investigations to explore the effects of higher doses or prolonged exposure to graphene, considering its incredibly fine structure.

Graphenes allure as a wonder material stems from its discovery in 2004 and its potential to revolutionize industries ranging from electronics to water purification.

Its application in developing targeted therapies for cancer and other health conditions, as well as its use in implantable devices and sensors, underscores the need for rigorous safety assessments before clinical use.

The research involved 14 volunteers who were exposed to graphene oxide under meticulously controlled conditions.

Participants breathed in the material through a mask while cycling within a mobile exposure chamber, ensuring precise monitoring of any health effects.

The study meticulously measured impacts on lung function, blood pressure, blood clotting, and inflammation markers, with follow-up tests conducted to compare responses to different sizes of graphene oxide and clean air.

Remarkably, the study found no significant adverse effects on lung function or blood pressure, with only a minimal suggestion of impact on blood clotting a finding that underscores the need for careful material design in nanotechnology applications.

Dr. Mark Miller, from the University of Edinburgh, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe manufacture of nanomaterials like graphene to harness their full potential safely.

Nanomaterials such as graphene hold such great promise, but we must ensure they are manufactured in a way that is safe before they can be used more widely in our lives, explained Dr. Miller.

Being able to explore the safety of this unique material in human volunteers is a huge step forward in our understanding of how graphene could affect the body. With careful design we can safely make the most of nanotechnology.

Similarly, Professor Kostas Kostarelos of the University of Manchester and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in Barcelona highlighted the decade-long journey to this research milestone.

He reflected on the comprehensive approach combining materials science, biology, and clinical expertise.

This is the first-ever controlled study involving healthy people to demonstrate that very pure forms of graphene oxide of a specific size distribution and surface character can be further developed in a way that would minimize the risk to human health, said Kostarelos.

It has taken us more than 10 years to develop the knowledge to carry out this research, from a materials and biological science point of view, but also from the clinical capacity to carry out such controlled studies safely by assembling some of the worlds leading experts in this field.

The British Heart Foundations Professor Bryan Williams lauded the studys implications for the development of new medical devices and treatments, expressing anticipation for future studies that could pave the way for the safe use of nanomaterials in life-saving applications.

The discovery that this type of graphene can be developed safely, with minimal short term side effects, could open the door to the development of new devices, treatment innovations and monitoring techniques, Williams said.

We look forward to seeing larger studies over a longer timeframe to better understand how we can safely use nanomaterials like graphene to make leaps in delivering lifesaving drugs to patients.

In summary, this exciting and long overdue study on graphene, particularly its oxide form, marks a significant milestone in the journey towards harnessing nanotechnologys full potential while prioritizing human health.

Researchers have demonstrated that controlled exposure to graphene oxide poses no immediate threat to lung or cardiovascular health, laying a foundation for future innovations in various fields, from medicine to environmental technologies.

This research reassures the public and scientific community about the safety of emerging nanomaterials and encourages continued exploration and development, ensuring that the incredible promise of graphene can be realized safely and effectively.

As we venture further into the realm of nanotechnology, this study serves as a pivotal reminder of the importance of meticulous research and responsible application in unlocking the transformative power of materials like graphene.

The full study was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

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'Wonder' nanotech material that will change the world declared safe Earth.com - Earth.com