Special issue: The role of laboratory medicine in predicting the survival, progression and mortality of patients with corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (Special issue: The role of laboratory medicine in predicting the survival, progression and mortality of patients with corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19).)

This special issue contains 8 articles that explore various latest research on COVID-19, including the clinical presentation of the disease, the role of inflammation, the development of new treatments, and the long-term effects of the infection. The topics covered include the evaluation of white blood cell parameters and their significance in COVID-19 patients in Western Maharashtra, India;the association between acute phase reactants and COVID-19 severity and mortality in a tertiary care hospital in India;the clinico-hematological profile of COVID-19 patients from an Indian perspective;the correlation between C-reactive protein test results and clinical characteristics in COVID-19 patients;the effective binding affinity of an inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase;the assessment of absolute neutrophil count in COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care hospital;the analysis of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG response following the first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine;and a case report discussing the diagnostic dilemma of hypoplastic acute myeloid leukemia in a COVID-19 patient.

Misdiagnosis of Clostridioides difficile Infections by Standard-of-Care Specimen Collection and Testing among Hospitalized Adults, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, 2019-20201.

Although Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) incidence is high in the United States, standard-of-care (SOC) stool collection and testing practices might result in incidence overestimation or underestimation. We conducted diarrhea surveillance among inpatients >50 years of age in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, during October 14, 2019-October 13, 2020; concurrent SOC stool collection and CDI testing occurred independently. A study CDI case was nucleic acid amplification test‒/cytotoxicity neutralization assay‒positive or nucleic acid amplification test‒positive stool in a patient with pseudomembranous colitis. Study incidence was adjusted for hospitalization share and specimen collection rate and, in a sensitivity analysis, for diarrhea cases without study testing. SOC hospitalized CDI incidence was 121/100,000 population/year; study incidence was 154/100,000 population/year and, in sensitivity analysis, 202/100,000 population/year. Of 75 SOC CDI cases, 12 (16.0%) were not study diagnosed; of 109 study CDI cases, 44 (40.4%) were not SOC diagnosed. CDI incidence estimates based on SOC CDI testing are probably underestimated.

Treatment of high-risk bleeding with susoctocog alfa in a patient with acquired haemophilia A and a nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

We report the case of a man in his early 70s with idiopathic acquired haemophilia A and persistent high-titre type II inhibitors on immunosuppressive treatment to eradicate the inhibitor. As complications, he had a nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which caused severe pneumonia and an explosive inflammatory reaction that required tocilizumab and remdesivir treatment, and a high-risk retroperitoneal haematoma. Recombinant porcine factor VIII, susoctocog alfa, was requested from the Pharmacy Service in view of the extreme risk of thromboembolism resulting from the concomitant inflammatory storm caused by SARS-CoV-2. Improvement in the SARS-CoV-2 infection made it possible to complete the immunosuppressive treatment with rituximab. The patient was discharged with mycophenolate mofetil as immunosuppressive treatment after 89 days in hospital and 22 days of treatment with susoctocog alfa. His SARS-CoV-2 infection resolved and the haematoma evolved favourably.

Analytical and clinical validation of an LC-MS/MS method for carbamazepine, lamotrigine and levetiracetam in dried blood spots.

OBJECTIVES: Therapeutic drug monitoring is performed routinely in patients on anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for optimisation and individualisation of therapy. The dried blood spot (DBS) sampling technique is a suitable, more patient-friendly alternative for conventional venous sampling methods. However, before DBS can be used in routine care, data are needed to establish the correlation between standard plasma concentrations obtained from venous puncture and concentrations measured through DBS obtained by finger prick. This study aims to investigate the correlation between carbamazepine, lamotrigine and levetiracetam drug concentrations in venous blood and DBS samples in the same patients at the same time. METHODS: Clinical validation was conducted by direct comparison of paired DBS and venous plasma samples. Method agreement was evaluated using Passing-Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots to provide insight into the relationship between the two analytically validated methods. For Bland-Altman analysis the acceptance limit required by both FDA and EMA guidelines is at least two-thirds (67%) of the paired samples within 80-120% of the mean of both methods. RESULTS: Paired samples from 79 patients were studied. For all three AEDs, plasma and DBS concentrations correlated highly (r=0.90 for carbamazepine, r=0.93 for lamotrigine and r=0.93 for levetiracetam), indicating a linear relationship. For carbamazepine and lamotrigine, no proportional or constant bias was revealed. For levetiracetam, concentrations were higher in plasma samples than in DBS (slope 1.21), implying a conversion factor is needed. The acceptance limit was met for carbamazepine and levetiracetam with a value of 72% and 81%, respectively. For lamotrigine, this acceptance limit was not met with a value of 60%. CONCLUSIONS: The method was successfully validated and will be used for therapeutic drug monitoring in patients using carbamazepine, lamotrigine and/or levetiracetam.

Ferritin in pediatric critical illness: a scoping review.

This scoping review aimed to elucidate and summarize the predictive role of serum ferritin in critical pediatric illness. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology was employed to conduct a scoping review of five databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Epistemonikos) from the date of inception through January 24, 2022. Primary research studies involving subjects aged <18 years and serum ferritin levels were screened and reviewed independently following an a priori defined protocol. Of the 1,580 retrieved studies, 66 were analyzed. Summary statistics of serum ferritin levels for overall and condition-specific studies were reported in 30 (45.4%) and 47 (71.2%) studies, respectively. The normal range was defined in 16 studies (24.2%), whereas the threshold was determined in 43 studies (65.1%). A value of <500 ng/mL was most often the upper limit of the normal range. Serum ferritin as a numerical variable (78.9%) was usually significantly higher (80.8%) in the predicted condition than in controls, while as a categorical variable with preset thresholds, ferritin was a significant predictor in 84.6% of studies. A total of 22 predictive thresholds predicted mortality (12/46 [26.1%]), morbidity (18/46 [39.1%]), and specific (16/46 [34.8%]) outcomes in 15 unique conditions. Increased precision in serum ferritin measures followed by close attention to the threshold modeling strategy and reporting can accelerate the translation from evidence to clinical practice.

Precision molecular diagnostic: a single strategy to investigate saRs-cov-2 and lineage b.1.1.7

Background: Detection and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is of eminent importance, particularly due to the rapid emergence of variants of concern (VOCs). Since September 2020, the TaqPath COVID-19 assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) has been used to identify viral strains of the new lineage B.1.1.7, since it previously failed to detect the S-gene 69/70 deletion. Rapid detection of these variants of concern can help to contain them and prevent widely spreading throughout the population. This study evaluated S-gene mutations screening with a commercially available qualitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay to detect likely variant of SARS-CoV-2 by the S gene amplification curve non-sigmoidal fluorescence profile. Method(s): The viral RNA of the samples was extracted using the Seegene STARlet automated system combined with StarMag 96x4 Viral DNA/RNA 200C. All samples were subjected to Real Time RT-PCR with the AllplexTM SARS-CoV-2 Assay kit (Seegene Inc, Seul, South Korea) for the qualitative detection of four target genes: E, N, RdRp, and S genes. PCR has been performed by a CFX-96 real-time thermocycler (Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc, Hercules, CA, USA) and Ct values were acquired from the fluorescence channels by the fluorophores FAM (E gene), Quasar 670 (N gene), Cal Red 610 (RdRp and S genes), and HEX (internal control). Gene target amplification curve analysis was performed using Seegene Viewer ver 3.24 (Seegene). The samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral genome, which presented abnormalities in the fluorescence profile of the amplification curve of the RdRP/S genes, were further subjected to the amplification protocol by the GSD NovaTYpe SARS-CoV-2 amplification kit (Nova Tec Immunodiagnostica, Dietzenbach, Hessen, Germany), and to definitively confirm the presence of the English variant (lineage B.1.1.7), subsequently subjected to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Result(s): Thirty respiratory samples subjected to amplification using the AllplexTM SARS-CoV-2 Assay in early January 2021, showed a reduction in amplification efficiency on the fluorescence profile of RdRP/S genes with slope and inflection point variations. The profile of the SARS-CoV-2 English variant (lineage B.1.1.7) for the 30 samples, was performed first by qualitative test in RT-PCR, GSD Nova TYpe SARS-CoV-2, and subsequently confirmed by NGS technology (analysis performed in an external laboratory). Both analytical methodologies identified all 30 samples with the B.1.1.7. lineage of SARS-CoV-2. This last diagnostic proof pushed our working group to evaluate the presence and degree of spread of the English variant in the area of the Napoli 3 Sud ASL, testing the viral genome of 900 samples to RT-PCR using the Allplex TM SARS-Cov-2 kit, alterations in the fluorescence profile of the amplification curves related to the S gene were observed and confirmed using the GSD NovaTYpe SARS-CoV-2 kit. Conclusion(s): Since late 2020, several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged around the world. The gold standard molecular method to detect a specific variant consists in the total or partial sequencing of the virus genome, but today the latter remains expensive and time-consuming, limiting its implementation in all diagnostic samples. PCR-based screening approaches are relatively cheaper, and results can be verified in a few hours. The indirect approach in RT-PCR, on SARS-Cov-2 diagnostic tests of positive samples, of the non-sigmoidal fluorescence profile of the S gene using AllplexTM SARS-CoV-2 PCR assay allows a quick and cheaper prediction of the lineage B.1.1.7. Therefore, using Allplex SARS-COV 2 can be used as an early and first-line screening, before eventually using the sequencing of the viral genome. Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.

SARS-CoV-2: Challenges in Reconverting Diagnostic Laboratories to Combat the Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in Mexico in February 2020. Even though health authorities did not perceive then the value of viral detection tests, we anticipated the demand for them. We set up to develop an expeditious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) molecular diagnostic service through the implementation of standardized protocols for biospecimen sampling, transportation, biobanking, preanalytical validation, and nucleic acids (NA) testing (NAT). Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected in a special transportation medium were the biospecimens from which NAs were purified either manually or automatically. Viral RNA genome presence was determined using commercial SARS-CoV-2 detection kits (based on reverse transcription coupled with real-time PCR [RT-PCR]). Improvements in laboratory processing speed and reliability resulted from semi-automatizing laboratory processes and adopting a quality control/quality assurance system (QC/QA), respectively. NAs that were purified, either manually or automatically, were validated by preanalytical spectrophotometric characterization. Automated purification was less prone to contamination and reduced the processing time. The following six RT-PCR kits were evaluated for their convenience, specificity, sensitivity, time consumption, and required materials (in order, starting with the kit with the best results): RIDA gene and Viasure (tied), Vircell, LightMix, 1copy, and Logix Smart. Redesigning the laboratories' working areas, equipment, fluxes of personnel and material, and personnel skills, and overemphasizing biosafety safeguards were major challenges encountered in the middle of the sanitary crisis. Adopting a QC/QA system, utilizing automatization processes, and working closely with health authorities were key factors in our success. IMPORTANCE Rearranging our diagnostic laboratories to improve the fight against a new unexpected, unpredictable, and sudden public health threat demanded that we move quickly to redesign not only the laboratory processes but also the distribution of space, personnel activities, and fluxes of material coming in and out. We also had to work closely with governmental health authorities to gain their trust in our technical competence. Gaining the confidence of the clients, i.e., mainly individuals, the human resource departments of factories and corporations sending employees for testing, and medical institutions, and implementing as much automatization as possible of processes, in which only officially approved reagents (for extraction and analysis of NA) were used to generate opportune trustable testing results, were key factors. Our laboratories have gathered a considerable amount of experience and significant number of solutions, considering our geographic contexts alongside this continuously morphing pandemic, validating many techniques that might help other laboratories find a better and more precise workflow.

Evaluation of sample pooling method for SARS CoV-2 RNA detection;A laboratory based simulated study

Real time RT-PCR is considered as the gold standard test to detect COVID-19. The use of sample pooling strategy increases testing capacity and spares resources. However, the effectiveness of sample pooling should be evaluated in the setting before being implemented. Forty five samples including 20 high positives (Ct<20), 20 low positives (Ct 20-40) and 05 negative samples were used to prepare 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5 simulated sample pools which were then subjected to viral RNA extraction followed by real time RT-PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of sample pooling technique in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was 100% without significant variation of Ct values. According to our results, pooling of up to 6 samples will not have an effect on the final result in clinical samples and hence can be adopted in the given context for the diagnosis of COVID-19 by RT-PCR.

Rational and effective use of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics

The sensitive and specific detection of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 is the basis of all infection control management. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the discussion has primarily focused on the availability of diagnostic options, then on correct material collection and effective handling of the scarce test resource, and finally on the value of individual procedures and the use of rapid test methods. The following overview attempts to summarize in a compact form the current state of knowledge on the rational and effective working with laboratory diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infections using predominantly scientific review articles.

Potential role of biochemical markers in the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

The global pandemic due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed an overall threat to modern medicine. The course of the disease is uncertain with varying forms of presentation that cannot be managed solely with clinical skills and vigor. Since its inception, laboratory medicine forms a backbone for the proper diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prediction of the severity of the disease. Clinical biochemistry, an integral component of laboratory medicine, has been an unsung hero in the disease prognosis and severity assessment in COVID-19. This review attempts to highlight the biomarkers which have shown a significant role and can be used in the identification, stratification, and prediction of disease severity in COVID-19 patients. It also highlights the basis of the use of these biomarkers in the disease course and their implications.

Influence of three different nucleic acid extraction methods on 2019-nCoV

Objective To study the difference in the extraction efficiency of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) nucleic acid by using magnetic beads method, centrifugal column method and one-step method. Methods On March 5, 2021, 10 throat swabs were collected from the staff working in the nucleic acid sampling room in Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University. The positive quality control samples were mixed into the swabs and used as mock positive samples. The RNA was extracted from simulated positive samples and their diluted samples by using magnetic beads method, centrifugation column method and one-step method. The purity (A260/A280 ratio) and concentration of the nucleic acid obtained were measured by micro-uv photometry, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to compare the CT value and extraction efficiency. The three methods were used to extract the simulated weak positive specimens and to compare the difference of CT values after amplification. The measurement data that followed normal distribution were expressed by x ± s, the t test was used for comparing in the same group, and single factor analysis of variance was used for comparing among multiple groups. A P value smaller than 0.05 indicated a significant difference. Results 2019-nCoV nucleic acid extracted by magnetic bead method, centrifugal column method and one-step method could amplify positive results. There was no significant difference between the CT value of RNA amplification extracted by magnetic bead method and one-step method (t=- 0.995, P=0.376). The CT values of orf1ab gene amplified by centrifugal column method, magnetic bead method and one-step method were 29.28±0.06, 30.82±0.14 and 29.79±0.01 respectively (F=11.196, P=0.041). The CT values of E gene were 28.52±0.40, 27.33±0.78 and 27.38±0.13 respectively (F= 3.407, P=0.169). The CT values of N gene were 28.61±1.02, 27.24±0.20 and 27.25±0.47, respectively (F=2.880, P=0.020). The CT values of human genes extracted by centrifugal column method, magnetic bead method and one-step method were 19.68±0.36, 20.14±0.06 and 20.58±0.49 respectively, which was statistically significant (F=4.904, P=0.048). The CT value of amplified human gene was affected by the dilution of human samples twice. The CT value of undiluted samples was smaller than that of diluted samples twice, with a difference of 2.95±0.22, which was statistically significant (t=-3.025, P=0.039). The extraction time of one-step method, magnetic bead method and centrifugal column method were (15.00±1.50), (20.00±1.50) and (40.00±5.5) min respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=688, P=0.027). Conclusions Magnetic bead method, centrifugal column method and one-step method can be used to extract 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, for the centrifugal column method has a higher extraction efficiency than the magnetic bead method and the one-step method. The one-step method is the fastest, followed by the magnetic bead method and the centrifugal column method. A large number of clinical samples can be processed using the magnetic bead method and one-step method. One-step rapid nucleic acid test can also be performed on samples from emergency and fever clinics. It is not recommended to dilute specimens for testing. In order to improve the detection rate, extracting RNA from highly suspected samples with negative initial nucleic acid test by centrifugal column method is suggested. © 2022 Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co.Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic utility of rapid tests to detect IgG/IgM antibodies against COVID-19.

Background: Rapid tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 are attractive options due to their simplicity, speed and cost-effectiveness;but they have different degrees of sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. Objective: to evaluate the analytical performance of rapid tests to detect IgG/IgM antibodies against COVID-19. Methods: descriptive study, carried out with patients admitted to the Héroes de Playa Girón Specialized Ambulatory Center, in Cienfuegos, with a presumptive, probable or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during two periods of time. All of them underwent a rapid test to detect anti-COVID-19 antibodies, in addition to a confirmatory molecular biology test. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, and rapid test efficiency were calculated within a 95% confidence interval. Results: excellent specificity (98.75%) and regular sensitivity (54.54%) were obtained, as well as good predictive values and overall diagnostic efficiency. Conclusion: The rapid anti-COVID-19 tests evaluated showed adequate diagnostic performance. They constitute an affordable and valuable diagnostic alternative to assess previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Its clinical use is restricted to certain medical situations;however, they constitute a useful epidemiological tool. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Fundamento: Las pruebas rápidas para el diagnóstico del SARS-CoV-2 constituyen opciones atractivas por su simplicidad, rapidez y rentabilidad;pero poseen diferentes grados de sensibilidad y especificad diagnóstica. Objetivo: evaluar el desempeño analítico de pruebas rápidas para detectar anticuerpos IgG/IgM anti COVID-19. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, realizado con los pacientes ingresados en el Centro Especializado Ambulatorio Héroes de Playa Girón, de Cienfuegos, con diagnóstico presuntivo, probable o confirmado de COVID-19 durante dos períodos de tiempo. A todos se les realizó la prueba rápida para detectar anticuerpos anti COVID-19, además de un ensayo confirmatorio por biología molecular. Se calcularon la sensibilidad y especificidad diagnósticas, los valores predictivos y la eficiencia de la prueba rápida dentro de un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: se obtuvo una excelente especificidad (98,75%) y regular sensibilidad (54,54%), así como buenos valores predictivos y eficiencia diagnóstica global. Conclusión: Las pruebas rápidas anti COVID-19 evaluadas mostraron un desempeño diagnóstico adecuado. Resultan una alternativa diagnóstica asequible y valiosa para evaluar exposición previa al SARS-CoV-2. Su uso clínico está restringido para ciertas situaciones médicas;sin embargo, constituyen una herramienta epidemiológica útil. (Spanish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of MediSur is the property of Centro Provincial de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas de Cinfuegos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Special Issue: International society for laboratory hematology 2021 education issue. (Special Issue: International society for laboratory hematology 2021 education issue.)

This special issue consists of 20 articles presenting the latest innovations and approaches to investigations in laboratory hematology. The updated laboratory hematology and COVID-19-related laboratory hematology-related guidelines are included.

COVID-19 and Candida auris co-infection: an increasing threat

Candida auris has emerged in recent years as an important cause of hospital infection outbreaks around the world. C. auris is an intensive care unit (ICU) environmental colonizer and many hospital environments may harbor C. auris transmission. In addition, in 2020, other countries: Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia and the United States - documented cases of C. auris infection, mostly in patients with a history of COVID-19 infection, highlighting that in the first three countries no isolates were reported prior to this period. Therefore, it is noteworthy that both COVID-19 and C. auris share at least six characteristics that should be highlighted: (a) both pathogens may remain on surfaces, including hospital floors, beds, bedrails, poles, air conditioners and windows;(b) both may present high mortality rates;(c) both pathogens require standard laboratory methods for diagnosis;(d) both present treatment difficulties due to multidrug resistance (C. auris) or no effective medical therapy (SARS-Cov-2);(e) both are globally distributed causing outbreaks in healthcare facilities;(f) both present risk factors, including in cases of mechanical ventilation, diabetes mellitus, protracted ventilator-assisted management, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, etc. There is much to be learned about these infectious diseases, particularly in countries with poor hygiene, high population density and intense migratory flows, not to mention international travel contributing substantially to both pandemics. Vigilance practices by hospital committees for infection control and routine diagnostic processes for determining C. auris fungal infection in COVID-19 patients should be implemented. Modern diagnostic tests must be made available worldwide, as well as access to adequate antifungal therapy to manage C. auris infection. All of the aspects mentioned will effectively contribute to reducing mortality by COVID-19 and enable monitoring the emergence of C. auris.

Biomarkers of severe COVID-19 pneumonia on admission using data-mining powered by common laboratory blood tests-datasets.

In the epidemiological COVID-19 research, artificial intelligence is a unique approach to make predictions about disease severity to manage COVID-19 patients. A limitation of artificial intelligence is, however, the high risk of bias. We investigated the skill of data mining and machine learning, two advanced forms of artificial intelligence, to predict severe COVID-19 pneumonia based on routine laboratory tests. A sample of 4009 COVID-19 patients was divided into Severe (PaO2< 60 mmHg, 489 cases) and Non-Severe (PaO2 ≥ 60 mmHg, 3520 cases) groups according to blood hypoxemia on admission and their laboratory datasets analyzed by the R software and WEKA workbench. After curation, data were processed for the selection of the most influential features including hemogram, pCO2, blood acid-base balance, prothrombin time, inflammation biomarkers, and glucose. The best fit of variables was successfully confirmed by either the Multilayer Perceptron, a feedforward neural network algorithm that performed machine recognition of severe COVID-19 with 96.5% precision, or by the C4.5 software, a supervised learning algorithm based on an objective-predefined variable (severity) that generated a decision tree with 89.4% precision. Finally, a complex bivariate Pearson's correlation matrix combined with advanced hierarchical clustering (dendrograms) were conducted for knowledge discovery. The hidden structure of the datasets revealed shift patterns related to the development of COVID-19-induced pneumonia that involved the lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein and leukocyte-to-C-protein ratios, neutrophil %, pH and pCO2. The data mining approaches to the hematological fluctuations associated with severe COVID-19 pneumonia could not only anticipate adverse clinical outcomes, but also reveal putative therapeutic targets.

Impact of COVID-19 on ongoing & ensuing dental research.

The current global COVID-19 pandemic has almost marked its one year of existence and influenced everyone either at an individual or community level. There are plenty of clinical recommendations and guidelines for the practitioners, and beyond doubt, the treating clinicians and other healthcare providers who have been in the frontline of this battle might have been significantly affected as a direct consequence of this pandemic. However, most of the clinical recommendations and guidelines are pivoted on intense research, and thus it is entirely reasonable to foretell that if dental research is impacted, the care-providers and consequently the patients will inevitably be affected. The present paper attempts to narratively summarize the potential disruptions on dental research due to the pandemic and endeavours to forewarn the dental researchers and scientific communities about the impact of COVID-19 on ongoing and ensuing dental research in the coming years. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected laboratory and clinical research globally and will probably change the course of individuals and organizations engaged in dental research for some time. Tailor-made contingency plans by the individuals and organizations and sustaining the momentum of dental research by maintaining the flexibility in administration and utilization of research grants, extensions of grants and funding deadlines, adaption of study designs and procedures, pause or delay enrolment of participants, innovation in research collaborations and scholarly communications across different fields are some of the suggested measures that can be utilized to minimize the disruption during this pandemic.