Both Cervical and Systemic Innate Immunity Predictors of HIV Risk Are Associated With HSV-2 Acquisition

3D illustration of herpes simplex virus (HSV) on plain blue background

Building on previous findings, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers report that the immunity imbalance predisposing to herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) isn’t limited to the cervix but rather extends to the systemic circulation. HSV-2 may alter both mucosal and peripheral innate immunity to contribute to HIV-1 risk.

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Relative Hyperglycemia Is a Marker of Disease Severity in COVID-19

Patient in hospital bed with COVID, two nurses in PPE stand beside bed writing on clipboard

The “glycemic gap” has previously been validated as a predictor of severe acute illness. Now, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers have extended the glycemic index’s utility to COVID-19.

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Meta-analysis: Stroke Response Times Early in COVID-19 Depended on Metric, Type of Center

Elderly man in wheelchair in front of hospital windows, with female nurse wearing mask and gloves

Delays in stroke treatment were inevitable during the early months of the COVID-19 epidemic, given virus-related precautions and the massive influx of COVID-19 patients into hospitals. Understanding the precise extent of those delays is important to learn what factors lead to late care.

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Novel Approach Protects Animal Model Against Bacterial Pneumonia After Influenza A Infection

3D rendering of human lung anatomy, showing rod-shaped bacteria inside lung aveoli

Brigham researchers believe a new host-directed treatment approach to secondary bacterial pneumonia, a serious and common complication of infection with the influenza A virus (IAV) that can also occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection, might complement antibiotic therapy.

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Prospective RCT Finds Full-Dose Anticoagulation Better Than Standard Dose in Severe COVID-19

Female patient on respirator in hospital bed with two doctors monitoring

In COVID-PACT, a 2×2 factorial, randomized, controlled trial that enrolled critically ill patients with COVID-19, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital determined full-dose anticoagulation was superior to standard-dose prophylaxis in reducing the proportion of patients experiencing a thrombotic event.

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Brigham Researchers Create COVID-19 Genome Catalog of the Human Microbiome

3D rendering of the human gut microbiome, with different gut species

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital analyzed whole-metagenome shotgun (WMS) sequencing data by reconstructing microbial population genomes directly from microbiome samples of COVID-19 patients and controls. They report the creation of the first high-quality COVID-19–related genome catalog of the gut microbiome.

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STEMI Rare in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19, but Prognosis Is Poor

Close up of white graph paper from electrocardiogram showing ST-elevation

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently completed the first large multicenter study of the incidence of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a complication of COVID-19. STEMI was rare in 0.35% of patients but was associated with poor in-hospital outcomes and high mortality.

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Galectin-mediated Immunity Is Dysregulated in Protozoan–Viral–Bacterial Female Genital Tract Infections

3D Rendering Galectin-3

Raina N. Fichorova, MD, PhD, and Hidemi S. Yamamoto, BA, of the Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Brigham, and colleagues have discovered concurrent exposure to Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis dysregulates the expression of galectins.

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Interest in COVID-19 Vaccination High Among Patients With Systemic Rheumatic Disease

Doctor administers COVID-19 vaccine to patient

Daniel H. Solomon, MD, MPH, Sara K. Tedeschi, MD, MPH, and colleagues surveyed patients with systemic rheumatic disease (SRD) about their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. They report high interest and a high trust in physician recommendations about vaccination.

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Brigham Clinicians Help Develop COVID-19 Clinical Guidance

“Who knew that rheumatology patients would be right in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis?”

This question was posed by rheumatologist Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH, director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Lupus Program and chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council for the Lupus Foundation of America. In these roles, she has found herself at the center of the controversy around the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and other rheumatology medications in COVID-19. Read More