Latest Updates

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Coronaviruses: HCoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19

    • Specific features on high resolution CT imaging for the more severe coronavirus syndromes are now accepted for clinical diagnosis in the appropriate context, followed by RT-PCR confirmation. This includes ground-glass opacity, with lower-lobe and bilateral involvement, and septal thickening. Other characteristics make diagnosis more or less likely.
    • Molecular studies of the evolution of the S protein affinity for COVID-19 allow more complete understanding of the mechanism of transmission and predisposing factors. These attachment proteins have highest affinity for ACE2 receptors on type II pneumocytes. What remains to be explained is the presence of virus in saliva, blood, urine and gastrointestinal tract: Are these potential modes of transmission?
    • Two clinical trials have demonstrated promise for SARS-CoV-2 immunization; humoral and cellular immune responses are elicited. The preliminary data of these studies were published on July 20, 2020.

Viral Infections in Pregnancy – Part 2: Viral Influenza, Mononucleosis, Mumps, Parvovirus, Rubella, Rubeola. Varicella-Zoster, and Zika Virus

Patrick Duff, MD
    • Viral influenza – Immunization is 70-90% effective in prevention or diminishing severity of influenza infection. Annual vaccination with the quadrivalent influenza vaccine is recommended for every pregnant patient. It does not cause congenital anomalies and can be administered in any trimester of pregnancy.
    • Parvovirus – Maternal parvovirus B19 infection cannot be prevented. Once maternal infection is confirmed (by detecting IgM and viral DNA in maternal serum by PCR), the fetus should be evaluated weekly for a minimum of 8 weeks for evidence of anemia using sonographic middle cerebral artery Doppler velocimetry.
    • Rubella – Individuals are contagious from several days before to 7 to 10 days after the appearance of the rash. Detailed ultrasound examination is the best test to determine whether serious fetal injury has occurred as a result of maternal rubella infection, although injury can be missed antenatally.
    • Varicella zoster – A history of chickenpox infection as a child is reassuring since second infections are extremely unlikely and, should it occur, the risk to the fetus is negligible. Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and, as such, is contraindicated during pregnancy.                 
    • Zika virus– A mosquito borne disease, Zika virus is asymptomatic or causes a mild febrile illness in the mother, but is associated with a significant risk of birth defects, including microcephaly and other neurologic abnormalities.
« Previous | Next »
Updates per yearSpecialty updatesNumber of sections