COVID-19 Roundup: Vaccine Trial Paused, Antibody Test, Outcomes in Young Adults
AstraZeneca’s Vaccine Trial
The presence of neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis in a participant lead to the pausing of the Phase 3 trial, according to statements from Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca that were reported to STAT.
The story goes on to say that the participant, a woman in the United Kingdom, was confirmed to have been injected with the vaccine and not placebo, and that the trial had been halted at another time, when a participant experienced neurological symptoms in July. However, that patient was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which was deemed unrelated to the vaccine.
Antibody Test
A new antibody test developed by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Houston Methodist, as well as other institutions, “is more accurate and can handle a much larger number of donor samples at lower overall cost than standard antibody tests currently in use,” according to a press release.
The test can also be used to identify candidates for convalescent plasma donation and measure the responses elicited by potential therapies.
“This is potentially game-changing when it comes to serological testing for COVID-19 immunity,” said Jason Lavinder, a research associate in the Cockrell School of Engineering. “We can now use highly scalable, automated testing to examine antibody-based immunity to COVID-19 for hundreds of donors in a single run. With increased levels of automation, limited capacity for serological testing can be rapidly addressed using this approach.”
Outcomes Among Young Adults
Rates of adverse outcomes among young adults hospitalized with COVID-19 are significant, according to a recent study. Among 3222 patients aged 18 to 34 years hospitalized for COVID-19 in the US, 21% required intensive care, 10% required ventilation, and 2.7% died. Median length of stay was 4 days. Morbid obesity and hypertension, in addition to male sex, were associated with increased risk of death or ventilation. Overall, 41% of the patients who died or required ventilation were morbidly obese.
—Michael Potts
References:
- Feuerstein A. Covid-19 vaccine trial participant had serious neurological symptoms, but could be discharged today, AstraZeneca CEO says. STAT. September 9, 2020. https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/09/astrazeneca-covid19-vaccine-trial-hold-patient-report/
- Antibody test developed for COVID-19 that is sensitive, specific and scalable. News release. September 11, 2020. Austin, Texas.
- https://news.utexas.edu/2020/09/11/antibody-test-developed-for-covid-19-that-is-sensitive-specific-and-scalable/