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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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05/12/2021

Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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The epidemiological impact of the NHS COVID-19 App
C Wymant et al, Nature, May 12, 2021

We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 app from its launch on 24 September 2020 through to the end of December 2020. It was used regularly by 16.5 million users. We estimated that the fraction of app-notified individuals subsequently showing symptoms and testing positive was 6.0%, comparable to the SAR for manually traced close contacts. We estimated the number of cases averted by the app using two complementary approaches. We estimated that for every percentage point increase in app users, the number of cases can be reduced by 0.8% (modelling) or 2.3% (statistical analysis). These findings provide evidence for continued development and deployment of such apps in populations that are awaiting protection from vaccines.

SARS-CoV-2 escaped natural immunity, raising questions about vaccines and therapies
E Andreano et al, Nature Medicine, May 11, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been full of surprises. The causative coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 effortlessly spread across the world for almost a year with only minimal changes to its RNA genome. However, just as vaccines and therapies entered the clinic, viral variants began to stack up, which raised important questions about what might lie ahead as the immune system battles this evolving foe.

Is It Covid or the Flu? New Combo Tests Can Find Out. New tests for respiratory illnesses can look for more than 20 pathogens at a time.
R Khamsi, NY Times, May 11, 2021

Coronavirus variants are spreading in India — what scientists know so far Variants including B.1.617 have been linked to India’s surge in infections. Researchers are hurrying to determine how much of a threat they pose.
G Vaidyanathan, Nature News, May 11, 2021

Applying prospective genomic surveillance to support investigation of hospital-onset COVID-19
WL Hamilton et al, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, May 10, 2021

Genomic Variation, Origin Tracing and Vaccine Development of SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review
T Li et al, The Innovation, May 10, 2021

Although vaccines based on either DNA/mRNA or protein have been deployed, their efficacy against emerging variants requires ongoing study, with multivalent vaccines supplanting the first generation vaccines due to their low efficacy against new strains. Here, we provide a systematic review of studies on the epidemiology, immunological pathogenesis, molecular mechanisms and structural biology, as well as approaches for drug or vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2.

Catch me if you can: Superspreading of SARS-CoV-2
SS Lakdawala et al, Trends in Microbiology, May 11, 2021

Super spreading is the main driver of transmission for the majority of pandemic coronaviruses cases. The virus genetic sequence, severity of disease, and host conditions like age, sex, and co-morbidities are not linked to super spreading. The donor modification of the virion or the donor microbiome may play a potential role in super spreading. Physical constraints and environmental factors may also contribute to super spreading phenomena.

The performance of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test as a tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A survey of routine laboratory RT-PCR test results from the region of Muenster, Germany
A Stang et al, MEDRXIV, May 11, 2021

Identifying risk factors for COVID-19 severity and mortality in the UK Biobank
I Madalkatel et al, MEDRXIV, May 11, 2021

We use information on up to 421,111 UK Biobank participants to identify possible predictors for long-term susceptibility to severe COVID-19 infection (N =1,088) and mortality (N =376). We include 36,168 predictors in our analyses and use a gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) algorithm and feature attribution based on Shapley values, together with traditional epidemiological approaches to identify possible risk factors. Our analyses show associations between socio-demographic factors (e.g. age, sex, ethnicity, education, material deprivation, accommodation type) and lifestyle indicators (e.g. smoking, physical activity, walking pace, tea intake, and dietary changes) with risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Blood (cystatin C, C-reactive protein, gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase) and urine (microalbuminuria) biomarkers measured more than 10 years earlier predicted severe COVID-19.

Live virus neutralization testing in convalescent and vaccinated subjects against 19A, 20B, 20I/501Y.V1 and 20H/501.V2 isolates of SARS-CoV-2
C Gonzales et al, MEDRXIV, May 11, 2021

Magnetofluidic platform for rapid multiplexed screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants and respiratory pathogens
AY Trick et al, MEDRXIV, May 11, 2021

Management of individuals with germline variants in PALB2: a clinical practice resource of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)
M Tishkowitz et al, Genetics in Medicine, May 11, 2021

PALB2 heterozygotes should be offered BRCA1/2-equivalent breast surveillance. Risk-reducing mastectomy can be considered guided by personalized risk estimates. Pancreatic cancer surveillance should be considered, but ideally as part of a clinical trial. Typically, ovarian cancer surveillance is not recommended, and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy should only rarely be considered before the age of 50. Given the mechanistic similarities, PALB2 heterozygotes should be considered for therapeutic regimens and trials as those for BRCA1/2.

Randomized prospective evaluation of genome sequencing versus standard-of-care as a first molecular diagnostic test
DG Brockman et al, Genetics in Medicine, May 11, 2021

We conducted a prospective randomized study with pediatric and adult patients recruited from genetics clinics at Massachusetts General Hospital who were undergoing planned genetic testing. Participants were randomized into two groups: standard-of-care genetic testing (SOC) only or SOC and cGS.


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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