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Last Posted: Nov 20, 2023
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The Ethics of Using COVID-19 Host Genomic Information for Clinical and Public Health Decision-making: A Survey of US Health Professionals.
Sheethal Jose et al. HGG Adv 2023 11 100255

From the abstract: "In 2021, a cross-sectional online survey was fielded to US health professionals. The survey explored how they view the value and ethical acceptability of using COVID-19 host genomic information in three main decision-making settings: (1) clinical, (2) public health, and (3) workforce. The survey also assessed participants' personal and professional experience with genomics and infectious diseases and collected key demographic data. A total of 603 participants completed the survey. A majority (84%) of participants agreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to make decisions about clinical care and 73% agreed that genetic screening has an important role to play in the public health control of COVID-19. However, more than 90% disagreed that it is ethically acceptable to use host genomics to deny resources or admission to individuals when hospital resources are scarce. "

mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Before vs During Pregnancy and Omicron Infection Among Infants.
Orlanda Goh et al. JAMA Netw Open 2023 11 (11) e2342475

From the abstract: "s maternal vaccination associated with a lower risk of infection with Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants, including XBB, among infants up to 6 months of age? In this national population-based cohort study of 7292 infants aged 6 months or younger in Singapore, the estimated vaccine effectiveness in infants against Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants, including XBB, from maternal messenger RNA (mRNA) SARS-COV-2 vaccination was 42%. A lower risk of infection was only found in infants when the vaccine was administered during pregnancy. "

Changes in SARS-CoV-2 Sequence Linked With Antiviral Use.
Emily Harris et al. JAMA 2023 10 (16) 1515

From the article: " The antiviral drug molnupiravir was linked with a pattern of genomic changes in SARS-CoV-2, based on an analysis of more than 15 million global sequences. Molnupiravir is converted in the body to a nucleotide that is incorporated into the virus’ genome, introducing errors into the sequence. These errors tend to reduce the number of surviving viral progeny, giving the immune system a better chance of clearing the virus. However, if a person is unable to fully clear the virus, some of the viral progeny with genomic changes can be passed along to other hosts. "

Distinguishing features of Long COVID identified through immune profiling.
Jon Klein et al. Nature 2023 9

From the abstract: "Here, 273 individuals with or without LC were enrolled in a cross-sectional study that included multi-dimensional immune phenotyping and unbiased machine learning methods to identify biological features associated with LC. Marked differences were noted in circulating myeloid and lymphocyte populations relative to matched controls, as well as evidence of exaggerated humoral responses directed against SARS-CoV-2 among participants with LC. Further, higher antibody responses directed against non-SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogens were observed among individuals with LC, particularly Epstein-Barr virus. "


Disclaimer: Articles listed in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the 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 update, 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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