Patients with heart failure should take more precautions against COVID-19
Patients with acute heart failure nearly double their risk of dying if they get COVID-19, according to research published today in
ESC Heart Failure, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
The small, single-center study highlights the need for patients with heart failure to take extra precautions to avoid catching COVID-19. Our results support prioritizing heart failure patients for COVID-19 vaccination once it is available, said study lead investigator Dr. Amardeep Dastidar, a consultant interventional cardiologist at North Bristol NHS Trust and Bristol Heart Institute, UK. In the meantime, heart failure patients of all ages should be considered a high-risk group and be advised to maintain social distance and wear a face mask to prevent infection.
Researchers test the effects of growth molecules exuded by oral bacteria
The human body is filled with friendly bacteria. However, some of these microorganisms, such as
Veillonella parvula, maybe too nice.
These peaceful bacteria engage in a one-sided relationship with pathogen
Porphyromonas gingivalis, helping the germ multiply and cause gum disease, according to a new University at Buffalo-led study.
The research sought to understand how
P. gingivalis colonizes the mouth. The pathogen is unable to produce its own growth molecules until it achieves a large population in the oral microbiome (the community of microorganisms that live on and inside the body).