Human Pre-Implantation Embryos Are Permissive to SARS-CoV-2 Entry

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a devastating pandemic, with infections resulting in a range of symptoms collectively known as COVID-19. The full repertoire of human tissues and organs susceptible to infection is an area of active investigation, and some studies have implicated the reproductive system. The effects of COVID-19 on human reproduction remain poorly understood, and particularly the impact on early embryogenesis and establishment of a pregnancy are not known. In this work, we explore the susceptibility of early human embryos to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We note that ACE2 and TMPRSS2, two canonical cell entry factors for SARS-CoV-2, are co-expressed in cells of the trophectoderm in blastocyst-stage preimplantation embryos. Using fluorescent reporter virions pseudotyped with Spike (S) glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2, we observe robust infection of trophectoderm cells, and this permissiveness could be attenuated with blocking antibodies targeting S or ACE2. When exposing human blastocysts to the live, fully infectious SARS-CoV-2, we detected cases of infection that compromised embryo health. Therefore, we identify a new human target tissue for SARS-CoV-2 with potential medical implications for reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

Sample pooling, a population screening strategy for SARS-CoV2 to prevent future outbreak and mitigate the second-wave of infection of the virus

ProblemHow do we manage treatment and stabilization in clinical settings and static population communities like assisted living facility settings of their patient or resident populations during and post the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic? ScopeThis proposal explores the possible and predicted changes to standard operating procedures to the facility management and associated landscape and focuses on series of deployments, during and post peak SARS-CoV-2 activity, and will outline possible models for the current medical facility model that we operate with. This article primarily focuses on non-emergency facility management. Assumptions and understanding of the fieldWith a reduction in the numbers nationally, patients are highly motivated and likely to seek non-emergency and planned medical procedural treatment as early as possible as social distancing measures are eased and restrictions on non-urgent procedures are lifted. Conclusions and next stepsAn initial pan-national shutdown and suspension of services was necessary in an effort to ensure that essential medical services and resources were not strained. The authors feel that a strategic resumption of regular non-emergency treatments around the United States and continued provision of services at care facilities is possible with innovative testing strategies like pooled screening of large populations at a manageable price point. Moreover, pooling as a strategy when used widely, would be extremely effective at predicting outbreaks of the virus and as an effect help in mitigating the spread of the virus in its "second-wave". We have developed one such innovative pooling strategy that can be easily deployed across laboratories and reduce the cost of population wide COVID-19 testing significantly