With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

First Covid-19 diagnostic test using breath samples gets FDA nod

InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, the first COVID-19 diagnostic test that rapidly detects five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in exhaled breath has been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) status by the US FDA. A presumptive positive result needs to be confirmed with a molecular test. However, a negative result does not rule out Covid-19 and has to be viewed in context of the history of exposure and compatible signs and symptoms…(US FDA, April 14, 2022)

BA.4 and BA.5: The new sublineages of Omicron variant

Two new sublineages of the omicron coronavirus variant, named BA.4 and BA.5 have been discovered, which are now being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) in addition to the BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 sublineages. BA.4 has been found in South Africa, Denmark, Botswana, Scotland and England, while BA.5 has been detected in South Africa and Botswana. As per the 87^th Edition of the WHO Weekly Epidemiological Update, BA.4 and BA.5 have additional mutations in the Spike region (S:L452R, S:F486V) and unique mutations outside of Spike. The S:L452R and S:F486V mutations have potential immune escape. Most BA.4 and BA.5 sequences have the 69-70 deletion leading to S gene target failure …(Source: Medscape & WHO, April 12, 2022).

Pfizer Covid-19 booster safe and effective in children aged 5-11 years

Pfizer-BioNTech have said that a booster dose of their Covid-19 vaccine was safe and elicited an immune response in children aged 5 to 11 years. Based on these findings, Pfizer-BioNTech will apply for  the emergency use authorization (EUA) of their vaccine in this age group. A 36-fold rise in the neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant was observed following the third dose in a subgroup analysis of 30 children in the phase II/III clinical trial. A six-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies was seen 1 month after the booster vs immune response seen one month after the second dose  in the phase II/III trial of 140 children… (Source: Medpage Today, April 14, 2022)

Fourth dose of Pfizer vaccine effectively decreases risks of Covid-related outcomes

In a study from Israel, the fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 74% effective against Covid-19-related death within four weeks after the administration of the third dose. The vaccine effectiveness against PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 45% against symptomatic Covid-19 it was 55% and against Covid-19–related hospitalization it was 68%... (Source: New England Journal of Medicine, April 13, 2022)

CDC recommends tracking of new coronavirus variants in animals

Emphasizing the “One Health” approach, the CDC has now recommended regular tracking of the spread of the coronavirus in animals and watching for new variants that could mutate in wildlife and spread back to humans in an update to its earlier recommendation of avoiding routine animal testing. The CDC has said that now the state public health veterinarians, state animal health officials, and wildlife health specialists could test pets, livestock, zoo animals, or wild animals "as part of an epidemiologic investigation" of the coronavirus. It stays, “veterinarians should use their clinical judgement, including considering other common causes of illness, when deciding whether to test animals for SARS-CoV-2” … (Source: Medscape, April 12, 2022)