ABSTRACT
Introduction: The need for therapeutic regimens for non-critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unmet. Previous work has shown that a combination of three aromatic plants’ essential oil (CAPeo) (Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Origanum dictamnus L., Salvia fruticosa Mill.) has remarkable in vitro antiviral activity. Given its properties, it was urgent to explore its potential in treating mild COVID-19 patients in primary care. Methods: 69 adult patients were included in a clinical, Proof-of-Concept (PoC) intervention study. Family physicians implemented the observational study in two arms (intervention and control group) during three study periods (IG2020, n=13, IG2021/22, n=25 and CG2021/22, n=31). The SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by real-time PCR. The CAPeo mixture, was administered daily for 14 days, per os in the intervention group, while the control group received usual care. Results: The PoC study, found that the number and frequency of general symptoms, including general fatigue, weakness, fever and myalgia, decreased following CAPeo administration. The average presence (number) of symptoms decreased in IG (4.7 to 1.4) as well as in CG (4.0 to 3.1) by Day 7 compared to Day 1, representing a significant decrease in cumulative presence in IC (-3.3 vs. -0.9, p<0.001; η2=0.20) on Day 7 and on Day 14 (-4.2 vs. -2.9, p=0.027; η2=0.08). Discussion/Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CAPeo, possesses potent antiviral activity, in addition tο the Influenza A and B and the human rhinovirus HRV14 strains against SARS-CoV-2. The early and effective impact in alleviating key symptoms of COVID-19 may suggest this mixture can act as a complementary natural agent for mild COVID-19 patients
Subject(s)
Fever , Muscle Weakness , Myalgia , COVID-19 , FatigueABSTRACT
How will the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic develop in the coming months and years? Based on an expert survey, we examine key aspects that are likely to influence COVID-19 in Europe. The future challenges and developments will strongly depend on the progress of national and global vaccination programs, the emergence and spread of variants of concern, and public responses to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In the short term, many people are still unvaccinated, VOCs continue to emerge and spread, and mobility and population mixing is expected to increase over the summer. Therefore, policies that lift restrictions too much and too early risk another damaging wave. This challenge remains despite the reduced opportunities for transmission due to vaccination progress and reduced indoor mixing in the summer. In autumn 2021, increased indoor activity might accelerate the spread again, but a necessary reintroduction of NPIs might be too slow. The incidence may strongly rise again, possibly filling intensive care units, if vaccination levels are not high enough. A moderate, adaptive level of NPIs will thus remain necessary. These epidemiological aspects are put into perspective with the economic, social, and health-related consequences and thereby provide a holistic perspective on the future of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Many countries hit by the COVID-19 epidemic consider the introduction of vaccination passes. So far, no thorough impact assessment of vaccination passes and of lower restrictions for their holders has been conducted. Here, we propose the VAP-SIRS model that accounts for susceptible, infected, and recovered subpopulations, also within the group of vaccinated pass holders. The model accounts for imperfect vaccination effectiveness, revaccinations and waning immunity. Different restrictions for pass holders and the rest of the population result in different scenarios of the epidemic evolution, some of which yield unfavourable COVID-19 dynamics and new waves. We identify critical variables that should be considered by policymakers and show how unfavourable outcomes can be avoided using adaptive policies. In particular, while pass holders could initially be allowed large freedoms, the gradual loss of immunity will require either increased restrictions for pass holders, or accelerated revaccination. In the long-term, common restrictions for both the pass holders and the rest of the population will have to be kept to avoid epidemic resurgence. Such minimum required restrictions depend on vaccination effectiveness, revaccination rate, waning rate and fraction of never-vaccinated population, and, for realistic combinations of these parameters, range between 29% and 69% reduction of contacts.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
The need for therapeutic regimens for the non-critically ill patients of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unmet. In this line, repurposing existing drugs, against known or predicted SARS-CoV-2 protein actions, has been advanced, while natural products have also been tested. Previous work has shown that a Cretan Aromatic Plant (Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Salvia fruticosa Mill. and Origanum dictamnus L.) essential oil mixture (CAPeo) has a remarkable in vitro antiviral activity against Influenza A & B and Rhinovirus 14 strains, decreasing the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, while proven safe in experimental animals and humans. Here, we tested CAPeo in VERO cells infected with SASR-CoV-2. We report that this mixture, at similar concentrations as those previously reported, exhibits a remarkable antiviral activity. Administration of 1 ml of a 1.5% CAPeo in olive oil, in a Proof-of-Concept intervention study in SARS-CoV-2-positive, exhibiting mild COVID-19 symptoms, humans resulted in a significant amelioration of general and local symptoms of the disease. We conclude that CAPeo may be a valuable addition for the prevention and/or treatment of mild COVID-19 ambulatory patients, pending a confirmation through a prospective randomized controlled trial in humans (NCT04705753).