Coronaviruses - Volume 7, Issue 1, 2026

The use of antiviral therapies in addressing COVID-19 infection has been subject to varying approaches across different jurisdictions during the initial two years of the pandemic, with ivermectin being permitted in some regions, while banned in others.

This study aimed to comprehensively review the evidence surrounding the efficacy of ivermectin, specifically in combating COVID-19 infection.

The efficacy of ivermectin has been assessed through an extensive review of scientific literature. Additionally, a comparative analysis has been conducted, evaluating cases and fatalities in states and countries that either have embraced or rejected ivermectin and other antiviral treatments.

A thorough examination of the scientific literature has revealed a predominantly positive trend supporting the utilization of ivermectin, evident in works published up to October 2021 and continuing in subsequent publications. Insights drawn from 217 studies have indicated improvements of 85%, 62%, and 41% for prophylaxis, early treatment, and late treatment, respectively. This positive effect, particularly in prophylaxis, has been further substantiated by analyzing cases and fatalities during the mid-2021 Indian outbreak. The success of the ivermectin-based Uttar Pradesh kit has been highlighted by the notably expedited reduction in cases and fatalities compared to other Indian states employing alternative approaches. Moreover, when contrasting countries that have prohibited ivermectin and other antivirals (e.g., the United States and the United Kingdom) with nations endorsing various antiviral strategies, including ivermectin, or with historical use of ivermectin (e.g., Africa, India, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates), the advantages of endorsing rather than discouraging antiviral therapies have become evident.

The majority of scientific literature has been found to support the use of ivermectin against COVID-19 infection, consistent with the lesser impact of COVID-19 infections observed in Indian states that have either utilized or abstained from ivermectin, as well as in countries that have either adopted or rejected antiviral treatments.

The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 has underscored the urgent need for effective treatment strategies to mitigate its impact on public health. Amidst this crisis, researchers have turned to synthetic drug approaches as potential therapeutic interventions. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the recent developments in synthetic drug treatments for COVID-19, exploring their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and challenges.

This review seeks to consolidate and evaluate the emerging synthetic drug approaches for COVID-19 treatment that have been investigated in recent studies. The objective is to present an up-to-date overview of the landscape of synthetic drug interventions and their potential implications in combating COVID-19.

A systematic literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, utilizing keywords related to COVID-19 treatment and synthetic drugs. Studies published from May 2020 to July 2023 were included, focusing on experimental and clinical investigations of synthetic compounds with potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.

The review highlights a range of synthetic drug approaches that have shown promise in COVID-19 treatment. Notably, certain antiviral agents and repurposed drugs have demonstrated inhibitory effects against viral replication and reduced disease severity. Additionally, the review underscores the significance of computational approaches in identifying potential drug candidates and optimizing their interactions with viral proteins. While several synthetic drug candidates are under investigation, challenges such as drug resistance, safety concerns, and global accessibility remain critical considerations.

This extensive review sheds light on the emerging synthetic drug approaches that hold potential for COVID-19 treatment. As the scientific community collaboratively addresses the challenges posed by this pandemic, the insights gleaned from these recent findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to identify effective therapeutic strategies against COVID-19.

One of the concepts that emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic is coronavirus anxiety. Additionally, the concept of work-related stress has become one of the prominent issues due to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. This study aims to investigate the potential impact of coronavirus anxiety on work-related stress among employees in the forest products industry, a sector that requires high levels of attention.

The study follows a quantitative research design and is cross-sectional in nature. The population of the study consists of employees working in three different businesses operating in Karaman province. No sample calculation was performed; instead, all individuals who volunteered and were eligible to participate were included in the research. A total of 121 valid questionnaires were collected using the survey technique. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, difference tests, and regression analysis in IBM SPSS software. For reliability, the Cronbach’s Alpha test was used, while confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS AMOS software for validity.

According to the findings of the frequency analysis, it was determined that the participants' perceptions of coronavirus anxiety and work-related stress were below average. The results of the correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant, moderate positive relationship between coronavirus anxiety and work-related stress. The difference tests indicated that individuals in the 41-50 age group had higher levels of coronavirus anxiety and work-related stress. It was also found that individuals with a primary school education had higher levels of coronavirus anxiety compared to those with a high school education. No significant differences were found between the other groups. According to the results of the regression analysis, it was determined that coronavirus anxiety has a statistically significant and positive effect on work-related stress.

It was concluded that as coronavirus anxiety increases among employees in the forest products manufacturing sector, work-related stress also increases. The findings of the study are limited by the small sample size.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented human suffering but has taught the human race several lessons on survival as well.

In this narrative review, we discuss how humanity implemented the lessons it learned from the pandemic to ultimately win over it.

Literature with documented evidence-based findings was searched using ‘Litcovid’ and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as ‘positive lessons’, ‘learnings’, ‘beneficial effects’, and ‘COVID-19 pandemic’. Relevant peer-reviewed human studies published between 2020 and June 2023 were included, along with pertinent reports from newspapers and global health bodies.

The pandemic has spurred technological progress, heightened public health awareness, and increased investment in public health infrastructure, surveillance, and research. International collaboration to meet global needs has been strengthened. Public health and healthcare workers' roles were redefined, emphasising health as an investment. This pandemic has presented new perspectives for healthcare research. Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased, and green energy has been promoted. Lockdowns have allowed nature to recover, giving wildlife the opportunity to repopulate. Improved air and water quality, better work-life balance, and increased self-growth have led to paradoxical improvements in lifestyle disorders. Interpersonal and intersectoral collaboration was valued more, and food security, reduced crime rates, and increased self-reliance were observed.

The world experienced immense suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while the pandemic has left indelible marks in terms of emptying the glass of life, somewhere, as evident, it has also helped fill it up in a never-before manner.

COVID-19 had devastating effects on both physical and mental well-being, prompting the need for interventions. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of MBSR on mental health, mindfulness, and sleep disorders in the post-COVID period.

In this interventional parallel study, the sample was selected from university students in nursing and midwifery faculties using total population sampling. The intervention included providing counseling on mindfulness methods by trained experts. General health, mindfulness, and sleep quality questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS22, descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was considered as 0.05.

In this study, the mean age of the students was 20.29 ± 2.03 years. About 69.5% of the participants were female, and 96% were single. About 71.3% were studying nursing, and 67% had a history of Corona infection. The intervention was only effective on the general health of students, and the mean score of this questionnaire was 1.7 higher than the control group.

The study indicated that MBSR intervention improved mental health, and there were no significant differences in mindfulness and sleep quality after intervention in the post-COVID period. Hence, regular assessment and use of this intervention, in combination with other mindfulness interventions, can help address long-term challenges and improve overall well-being.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory risk factors associated with mortality in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Iran.

This retrospective study analyzed data from 867 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan (west of Iran) from September 2020 to March 2022. The association between demographic, clinical, and laboratory factors and mortality rates was assessed using univariable and multiple logistic regression analysis.

During the study period, 512 (59.1%) patients were deceased from COVID-19. According to the adjusted logistic regression, the odds of death in patients with an age higher than 60 years were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01- 1.24; p=0.026). The OR estimate of death in patients with bradycardia and tachycardia was 2.32 (95% CI: 1.72- 3.12; p < 0.001) and 2.40 (95% CI: 1.67- 3.42; p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, SPO2 lower than 88%, WBC over 11 ×1000µL, K over 5.2 mEq/L, and LDH above 942 U/L were significantly associated with increased odds of death (p < 0.05).

The study identified several demographic, clinical, and laboratory risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU in Iran. These findings can help healthcare providers identify patients at higher risk of poor outcomes and tailor interventions accordingly.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic primarily affected human health and medicine, it has also had positive and negative impacts on various aspects of life. Hence, this review aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on lifestyle behaviors.

The current review was conducted in 2023. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched using standard keywords. Related articles were included in the study after qualitative review and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and data were extracted.

In the current review, 32 articles were included. Most reviewed studies referred to decreased physical activity (78.12%), unhealthy dietary habits (65.62%), and sleep disturbance (56.25), as the most affected lifestyle behaviors following the COVID-19 situation. Among the age groups, the 18-89-year-old group reported more smoking and alcohol consumption than the other groups, and the 1-21-year-old group reported the least smoking and alcohol consumption. Also, the age groups of 1 to 21 years and 18 to 69 years reported psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, compared to other age groups. There has been a relationship between overweight and reduced physical activity, increased consumption of fast food and sweets, and also between decreased income and increased mental problems, increased consumption of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, and decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's lifestyles, which can negatively affect overall health and well-being. The combination of reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep has become a common consequence of the pandemic. By recognizing the potential negative impacts of reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep, individuals can take steps to mitigate these effects.

This umbrella review offers a comprehensive analysis of the association between age and other risk factors in the incidence and severity of COVID-19.

This umbrella review aims to compare age with other risk factors of COVID-19 infection. Literature featuring systematic reviews and the English language in electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was considered for this purpose. Appropriate articles were selected following two separate steps, and after meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria, they went through data extraction. This umbrella review coheres with the PRISMA checklist and the AMSTAR-2 tool specified for quality assessment.

A total of 55 articles met the inclusion criteria. For risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity, the most relevant were age and underlying comorbidities, each identified in 45 cases. Obesity was noted in 12 cases, making it the least prevalent risk factor in the studies. Other factors included sex, smoking, and conditions during hospitalization. For clinical outcomes, in addition to issues such as discharge, ICU, death, etc., other issues such as renal and cardiovascular disorders were observed.

The collective evidence presented in this review underscores various risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes, which can be used to update clinical management guidelines and assist in determining patients’ prognoses.

This article investigates the effects of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the math and science test scores of basic school students in Ho Municipality, Ghana.

The study used data collected from four schools: two public schools with 286 students and two private schools with 253 students, for the period 2018–2021. STATA (version 17.0) was used for the main analysis. The data were analyzed by comparing the pre-COVID-19 years (2018 and 2019) to the COVID-19 years (2020 and 2021). The data collection procedure followed ethical guidelines and data protection regulations, with permission and authorization granted by the relevant educational authorities.

This study establishes that COVID-19 negatively affected the test results of students, reducing math scores by 25% and science scores by 6.8%. Public schools were the most affected, with a 23% reduction in math scores and 39% reduction in science scores. These findings suggest a drop in student performance due to the increased impact of the pandemic.

The study recommends that educational institutions invest in and enhance remote learning programs, by developing interactive online platforms, providing learning materials, and training educators to deliver effective virtual instruction.

Since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, clinicians have been seeking alternative therapies to improve patient conditions due to limited ventilator availability. The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) remains a debate regarding its potential to reduce intubation rates or worsen patient conditions.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of HFNC on ventilator usage in severe to critical COVID-19 patients.

This is an observational analytical study with a retrospective cohort design using medical record data of patients with severe to critical COVID-19 at Airlangga University Hospital from March, 2021 to August, 2021.

Out of 137 data, no significant relationship was found between the use of HFNC and ventilator usage in severe to critical COVID-19 patients (p-value=0.337). The difference in oxygen therapy has a significant impact on patient survival rates and duration of patient care (p-value=<0.001).

This study included 137 research samples: 69 males and 68 females, with an average age of 52.3 years, the majority presenting with diabetes and hypertension. Common symptoms included dyspnea, cough, and fever. Physical examination showed an average heart rate (HR) of 104 bpm, median respiratory rate (RR) of 30 breaths/minute, median blood oxygen level (SpO2) of 86%, average systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 138 mmHg, median diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 mmHg, and median body temperature of 37.5°C. The median duration of patient care in this study was 8 days. No significant influence was reported between the use of HFNC and ventilator usage in severe to critical COVID-19 patients. A significant impact of HFNC administration on patient survival rates and duration of patient care was also reported.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted global health systems, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment strategies. This article aims to provide an assessment of the pandemic's current status and examines the effectiveness of traditional treatments against innovative synthetic approaches.

The article explores synthetic strategies involving repurposed antiviral drugs, supportive care, and vaccinations. It emphasizes the role of computational modeling and artificial intelligence in engineering molecules with potent antiviral properties. In-silico methods were utilized to accelerate chemical library screenings, predict efficacy, and assess interactions between viral proteins and potential treatments.

Studies employing molecular docking analysis have evaluated the efficacy of approved antiviral drugs and natural compounds. Notably, Azithromycin was found to have a potential inhibitory effect with a binding energy of -9.69, while natural compounds like Camphor and Curcumin displayed binding energies of -5.18 and -6.16, respectively.

Synthetic treatments showed effectiveness in inhibiting viral proteins and facilitating rapid development, while natural products were more effective in preventing virus entry.

Based on in-silico docking studies, it can be concluded that natural products have more therapeutic effects than synthetic drugs.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with the challenge of health literacy of patients and the care burden of family caregivers.

The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between the health literacy of patients discharged with the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the care burden of family caregivers.

This descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 290 people who were COVID-19 patients and 290 people who were their family caregivers in 2022. The study used the convenience sampling method in hospitals located in 22 Bahman Khaf and Allameh Bohlol Gonabadi. The data were collected using the health literacy questionnaire of Montazeri et al. (2005) and the burden of care questionnaire of Zarit et al. (1998). The data were analyzed using SPSS-22 statistical software and Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA tests at a significance level of 0.05.

The level of health literacy in most patients was weak. The burden of care for most family caregivers was severe. There was a negative and significant relationship between the health literacy of patients in general and the care burden of family caregivers in general (p<0.001). For an increase of one health literacy score in general, the care burden score decreases by 0.44.

As the health literacy of patients increases, the care burden of their family caregivers decreases. Therefore, scientific and practical training plans for patients are recommended to health policymakers to improve health literacy and ultimately reduce the care burden of family caregivers.

This study aimed to identify scientific evidence on the zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic felines in order to observe the relationship between the susceptibility of cats to SARS-CoV-2, the infection of humans to cats regarding the virus, and the relationship between cat-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. Four scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science) were used for article search, and the review was limited until July 1, 2023.

A total of 2327 articles were identified from the four databases, of which 16 were finally included in the review. Eight articles provided information on the high susceptibility of cats to SARS-CoV-2, 7 articles described the characteristics of clinical signs presented in both humans and cats, and only 1 article discussed the infection from a cat to a human.

It is important to consider isolating pets during the latency period of the disease within medical recommendations, reinforce the use of eye protection, and adopt the concept of “One Health” to prevent public health problems.

In December 2019, a group of patients in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, presented with severe illness and pneumonia of unknown origin. Subsequently, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause and named “2019 novel coronavirus” (2019-nCoV), later defined as “SARS-CoV-2” (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2), leading to the development of the disease known as COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma as a potential therapy for patients with COVID-19.

Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or CT-Scan symptoms were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (n = 29, received convalescent plasma) or the control group (n = 29). Clinical manifestations and pulmonary involvement were monitored three times during the study. At the end of the intervention, patients were evaluated for clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, and length of hospital stay.

Among the 58 patients who completed the study, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the treatment and control groups upon admission to the hospital. However, the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (9.54 days) in the convalescent plasma group compared to the control group (12.88 days).

The findings from this study indicate that the use of convalescent plasma therapy, in addition to standard treatment, did not result in reduced mortality or improved clinical outcomes at day 7 when compared to a placebo or control group.

IRCT20210714051887N1.