All About COVID19 Research and Results
Researches in India
Looking at launching the country’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine for public health use latest by August 15, 2020 after completion of all clinical trials, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)--testing in clinis from 7th July 2020.”
In its letter, the ICMR said that the Council had partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to fast-track clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine.
These are the only two vaccine prototypes which have been approved for the testing phase so far.
While over seven other candidates are developing their vaccine models, Patanjali group's 'Coronil', marketed as a COVID-19 cure has only been approved by the officials as an immunity booster, after a lot of murky trials.
Apart from this, global candidates like Moderna Inc.'s mRNA 1273, CanSino BioTech's SinoVac and Oxford-Astrazeneca's ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 are currently in trials.
Treatments under evaluation for COVID ‐19
Management of the complications of COVID‐19 relies on supportive care and oxygen supplementation via non‐invasive or mechanical ventilation. Patients who are critically ill may require vasopressor support and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections.
The search for drugs and vaccines to treat or prevent COVID‐19 began quickly but, with many studies carried out independently in small numbers of people, there is a risk that the trials will lack statistical rigour. WHO has launched a non‐blinded clinical trial (SOLIDARITY) to evaluate four candidate treatments (remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir/interferon beta‐1a, and chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine) versus standard of care in 18 countries worldwide. France is co‐ordinating the Discovery trial to compare the same drugs with standard care in 3200 patients in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. This will be randomised but non‐blinded and will assess outcomes at 15 days.
Drugs under investigation for the treatment of COVID19
| Candidate | Possible mechanism(s) of action | Development status |
|---|---|---|
| Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine | • Impairs virus release after cell entry • Impairs virus binding to cell receptor • Modulates immune response • Hydroxychloroquine is associated with fewer adverse effects than chloroquine | Given FDA Emergency Use Authorisation in the USA, but the MHRA states it should only be used within a clinical trial. Being investigated in the WHO SOLIDARITY trial |
| Hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin | • Hydroxychloroquine as above • Azithromycin – possible antiviral activity and prevention of secondary bacterial infection | One trial suggests reduction in viral nasopharyngeal carriage at 6 days in 20 patients compared with unmatched untreated cohort, with azithromycin reinforcing the effect of hydroxychloroquine34 |
| Lopinavir/ritonavir | • Viral protease inhibitors • May inhibit SARS virus and reduce adverse outcomes of infection | Randomised trial (n=200) suggested no benefit.36 Trial now underway in combination with steroids. Being investigated in the WHO SOLIDARITY trial |
| Interferon beta‐1a | • May counter suppression of interferon beta by SARS‐CoV‐2 | Administered by inhalation; trial underway to determine impact on severity of complications |
| Remdesivir | • Blocks viral RNA synthesis • Broad‐spectrum activity against coronaviruses | Given Emergency Use Authorisation in the USA; EMA rolling review underway. Clinical trials now reporting preliminary results;38, 39 ACTT trial indicates beneficial effect on time to recovery. One of the drugs in the WHO SOLIDARITY trial |
| Tocilizumab | • Blocks interleukin‐6 signalling, which may counter cytokine release syndrome in severe COVID‐19 | Trial supported by US FDA underway (COVACTA) in patients with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia |
| Favipiravir + interferon alpha | • Blocks viral RNA synthesis • Stimulates innate antiviral response | Trials underway in China |
| Favipiravir + baloxavir marboxil | • Blocks viral RNA synthesis • Baloxavir licensed in USA for flu | |
| Favipiravir vs umifenovir | • Blocks viral RNA synthesis • Blocks virus‐cell fusion | In an unreviewed randomised non‐blinded trial (n=240), clinical recovery rates at 7 days were similar for favipiravir and umifenovir.40 Trials of favipiravir underway in India |
| Ribavirin + interferon alpha, lopinavir/ritonavir + interferon alpha, and ribavirin + lopinavir/ritonavir + interferon alpha | • Ribavirin may reduce viral replication • Triple therapy recommended by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (Trial Version 5) 2020 | Trials underway in China41 |
Symptoms of COVID
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers a person to have a fever when he or she has a measured temperature of at least 100.4 °F [38 °C]. These symptoms may occur 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus. Most people who come down with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. These symptoms can make you feel like you have the flu. However, some people have more severe symptoms. In these cases, the virus may lead to pneumonia.
- Most common symptoms:
- fever
- dry cough
- tiredness
- Less common symptoms:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- diarrhoea
- conjunctivitis
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
- Serious symptoms:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest pain or pressure
- loss of speech or movement
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.
- People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
- On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
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