StemCell Therapy

Researchers at Georgia State University have found that auranofin, a drug approved for rheumatoid arthritis, may be an effective treatment against the coronavirus.

The team set out to study how drugs already approved by the Food & Drug Administration interact with the virus, known among scientists as SARS-CoV-2.

Drug repurposing is the fastest way to get a treatment for SARS-CoV-2, because its already been established that these medicines are safe to use in humans, says Mukesh Kumar, lead author of the study, in a press release on GSUs website. Kumar and his colleagues shared their work on bioRxiv for peer review.

Like all viruses, COVID-19 cannot self-reproduce. It needs host cells animal or human in order to make copies of itself.

Effective drugs need to interfere with this replication process, shutting down the virus ability to proliferate inside the host, says Hussin Rothan, a co-author of the study.

With auranofin, the coronavirus was cut down by 95% in human cells within 48 hours, and inflammation caused by the disease was significantly mitigated.

One of the primary causes of death in COVID-19 patients is a syndrome called a cytokine storm, wherein the bodys healing response to illness goes haywire, causing immune cells to attack healthy tissue, leading to organ failure. Cells treated with auranofin, however, saw a significant drop in cytokines, the proteins that signal immune cells to attack.

This shows that the drug not only could inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2, mitigating the infection, but also reduce the associated lung damage that often leads to severe respiratory distress and even death, says Kumar.

Auranofin, including the brand-name drug Ridaura, was approved by the FDA in 1985. The drug is unique for being partially composed of gold particles, which have been used for centuries for their anti-inflammatory properties. Treatments involving gold compounds have also been considered for use against HIV, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and parasitic and bacterial infections.

The team at Georgia State University says they plan to continue their study on how auranofin impacts the coronavirus in animal models.

Read more:
Researchers find rheumatoid arthritis drug is promising coronavirus treatment - New York Post

According to theArthritis Foundation, people with autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis with high disease activity generally have a higher risk of infections due to reduced immune function.

Regarding children with arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation suggests that factors such as arthritis type, disease activity, the involvement of organs, and the level to which their immune system is suppressed may all play a role in the risk of coronavirus infection.

Someresearchsuggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of infection because their immune system is impaired. This is typical in autoimmune conditions such as RA.

Furthermore, these people may take medications such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs that also affect immune function. This may increase their risk of contracting the virus.

The presence of other underlying conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, can further increase risk.

There is not yet enough evidence to confirm this, but it seems that people with autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis may be at higher risk of infection or severe COVID-19 symptoms.

TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)report that conditions or medications that weaken the immune system increase the risk of severe illness with COVID-19.

Expertssuggest that the main concerns for those with autoimmune conditions who develop COVID-19 include secondary bacterial infections and other complications that may result from the initial viral infection.

In general, those who take immunosuppressive medications, such as biologics or corticosteroids, are at higher risk of a severe viral infection. People who take immunosuppressive medications and who develop flu-like symptoms should call their doctor immediately.

Healthcare professionals typically do not recommend immunosuppressive treatments in those with active infections, but the risk of disease flares is also worth consideration. A person can determine whether to discontinue, taper, or maintain their medication by consulting their doctor.

Those who take immunosuppressive drugs and who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 should discuss their options with their doctor. In some cases, the risk of arthritis flares may outweigh the potential benefits of stopping treatment.

In either case, it is important that people do not adjust their dosage or stop taking their medication without first seeking medical advice.

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What To Know About COVID-19 And Arthritis - South Florida Reporter

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Veterinary Orthopedic Implants Market Global Report 2020-30" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global veterinary orthopedic implants market was worth $98.11 million in 2019. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.64% and reach $131.71 million by 2023. North America is expected to be the largest for the period 2019-2025.

The increase in the incidence of obesity and arthritis increases the demand for veterinary orthopedic implants market. As reported by Banfield Pet hospital in U.S, in 2017, 31 per 100 cases suffered from obesity and 450 per 10,000 suffered from arthritis in dogs. Further, 34 per 100 cases suffered from obesity and 90 per 10,000 suffered from arthritis in cats. Thus, the increase in health conditions affecting the bones of pets such as obesity and arthritis positively affect the growth of the veterinary orthopedic market.

The high cost of orthopaedic surgery inhibits the growth of veterinary orthopaedic implants market. The surgery cost includes the equipment, X-ray, and consumables among others, which many of the households cannot afford. For instance, in the USA, a typical examination of the problem costs around $400 and the cost of orthopaedic surgery ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. Thus, the high cost of orthopaedic surgery restricts the growth of the veterinary orthopaedic market.

The companies in veterinary orthopaedic implants market are investing in 3D printing technique for creating veterinary orthopaedic implants. 3D printing in veterinary orthopaedics market is being used for creating printed bone models, surgical guides and titanium implants. The use of 3D printing reduces the surgical time, cost and removes the engineering complexities in orthopaedic procedures. Following the trend, many dogs with bone deformities have been treated by Langford Veterinary Services, a UK based provider of veterinary services, through its collaboration with CBM.

The collaboration enabled CBM to create 3D printed models of animal implants using titanium Ti6AI4V EL material. The MRI or CT scans are sent from Langford Veterinary Services in Bristol to CBM who then produces 3D printed models using Arcam EBM Q10plus machine. CBM is a U.K based company focused on advanced research, product development, and batch manufacturing facility. Thus, the use of 3D printing is one of the latest trends in veterinary orthopaedic implants market and will contribute to the growth of the market.

In 2019, Infiniti Medical, a USA based designer and distributor of medical devices for the veterinary market, acquired Orthomed Ltd. for an amount undisclosed. Through the acquisition, Infiniti Medical aims to expand its product portfolio by adding products and services from Orthomed. Orthomed Ltd is a UK based provider of orthopedic products and systems in veterinary industry.

Major players in the market are KYON Pharma, Inc., Veterinary Orthopedic Implants Inc., BioMedtrix, LLC, IMEX Veterinary Inc., Orthomed (UK) Ltd, Securos Surgical, B.Braun Vet Care, Bluesao and DePuy Synthes Vet.

Key Topics Covered

1. Executive Summary

2. Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market Characteristics

3. Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market Size And Growth

3.1. Global Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Historic Market, 2015-2019, $ Billion

3.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

3.1.2. Restraints On The Market

3.2. Global Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Forecast Market, 2019-2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

3.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

3.2.2. Restraints On the Market

4. Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market Segmentation

4.1. Global Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market, Segmentation By Product Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

4.2. Global Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market, Segmentation By Animal, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

4.3. Global Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market, Segmentation By End-User, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5. Veterinary Orthopedic Implant Market Regional and Country Analysis

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/35hfp1

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Veterinary Orthopedic Implants Market Forecast, 2020-2030 - Increase in Incidence of Obesity and Arthritis is Spurring Demand - ResearchAndMarkets.com...

The report on the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market provides a birds eye view of the current proceeding within the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market. Further, the report also takes into account the impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market and offers a clear assessment of the projected market fluctuations during the forecast period. The different factors that are likely to impact the overall dynamics of the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market over the forecast period (2019-2029) including the current trends, growth opportunities, restraining factors, and more are discussed in detail in the market study.

The Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market study is a well-researched report encompassing a detailed analysis of this industry with respect to certain parameters such as the product capacity as well as the overall market remuneration. The report enumerates details about production and consumption patterns in the business as well, in addition to the current scenario of the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market and the trends that will prevail in this industry.

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The geographical reach of the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market has been meticulously segmented into United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India, according to the report.

The research enumerates the consumption market share of every region in minute detail, in conjunction with the production market share and revenue.

Also, the report is inclusive of the growth rate that each region is projected to register over the estimated period.

The Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market report Elucidated with regards to the competitive landscape of the industry:

The competitive expanse of this business has been flawlessly categorized into companies such as

The following manufacturers are covered:Alteogen Inc.Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyEpirus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.Johnson & JohnsonMomenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Mycenax Biotech Inc.Novartis AGOncobiologics, Inc.

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndia

Segment by TypeAdalimumab BiosimilarCanakinumabGolimumabTocilizumab BiosimilarOthers

Segment by ApplicationClinicHospitalOthers

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Exclusive details pertaining to the contribution that every firm has made to the industry have been outlined in the study. Not to mention, a brief gist of the company description has been provided as well.

Substantial information subject to the production patterns of each firm and the area that is catered to, has been elucidated.

The valuation that each company holds, in tandem with the description as well as substantial specifications of the manufactured products have been enumerated in the study as well.

The Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market research study conscientiously mentions a separate section that enumerates details with regards to major parameters like the price fads of key raw material and industrial chain analysis, not to mention, details about the suppliers of the raw material. That said, it is pivotal to mention that the Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market report also expounds an analysis of the industry distribution chain, further advancing on aspects such as important distributors and the customer pool.

The Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment market report enumerates information about the industry in terms of market share, market size, revenue forecasts, and regional outlook. The report further illustrates competitive insights of key players in the business vertical followed by an overview of their diverse portfolios and growth strategies.

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Some of the Major Highlights of TOC covers:

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COVID-19: Potential impact on Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis Treatment Market to Witness Widespread Expansion During 2019-2060 - Jewish Life...

Compared with patients without access restrictions to biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) only, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) whose insurance plans restrict access to these DMARDs have lower odds of treatment effectiveness, according to study results published in PharmacoEconomics Open.

According to the researchers, novel DMARDs can slow disease progression in RA and PsA; however, many health insurance plans require prior authorization or step therapy for access to these treatments. The objective of this study was to compare treatment effectiveness in patients with RA or PsA with and without plan-level access restrictions to biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs, and also to compare medication adherence between each group.

Researchers used the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database to analyze data from patients aged 18 to 64 years with RA or PsA with 1 claims for subcutaneous biologic DMARDs between January 2014 and December 2015. Patients included in the study were stratified into 1 of 2 cohorts: RA with or without PsA, and PsA only. The primary outcome was treatment effectiveness during the 12 months after the first DMARD claim; the secondary outcome was adherence to the index medication. Multivariate analysis was used to examine differences in the primary outcome of treatment effectiveness between patients with and without DMARD access restrictions.

Researchers revealed that among patients with RA (n=3993) and PsA (n=1713), 34.2% and 35.1%, respectively, had plan-level access restrictions. Among patients with access restrictions, 70.5% and 78.9% of patients with RA and PsA, respectively, had plans that required step therapy. The odds of treatment effectiveness during the 12-month follow-up were 19% lower among patients with RA (odds ratio [OR], 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98; P =.033) and 27% lower among patients with PsA whose plans included step therapy (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.5-0.98; P =.037) compared with patients whose plans did not include step therapy. The odds of medication adherence among patients enrolled in plans with vs without step therapy were 19% lower among patients with RA (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68-0.96; P =.014) and 29% lower among patients with PsA (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.94; P =.017).

Study limitations included possible miscoding or undercoding of the datasets used, lack of control for several baseline characteristics and medication use behaviors in patients, and the inability to generalize data for patients who were uninsured or had other types of insurance plans.

Researchers concluded, Compared with patients in plans without access restrictions or with PsA only, patients [with] RA and PsA in insurance plans with step therapy had lower odds of treatment effectiveness, mainly [because of] lower odds of adhering to treatment, during the 12 months [after] subcutaneous [biologic] DMARD initiation.

Disclosure: This clinical trial was supported by Elli Lilly and Company. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Reference

Boytsov N, Zhang X, Evans KA, Johnson BH. Impact of plan-level access restrictions on effectiveness of biologics among patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. Pharmacoecon Open. 2020;4(1):105-117.

This article originally appeared on Rheumatology Advisor

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Lower Treatment Effectiveness in Patients With RA and PsA With Insurance Restrictions for DMARDs - Medical Bag

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Like many clinicians, I find it daunting to stay current with the many evolving topics in veterinary medicine. Photobiomodulation (also referred to as low-level laser therapy [LLLT] or cold laser) represents a particularly challenging modality to approach for several reasons. For one, colleagues who know more about LLLT than I do have a wide range of often strong opinions regarding its effectiveness. Also, the biophysics involved are less familiar to me than are other aspects of veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, the use of LLLT is quickly becoming widespread for a wide range of applications, and I thought I should learn a bit more about it.

For those who can relate, what follows is my novice attempt to reach an evidence-based and open-minded opinion about the efficacy of LLLT in small animal patients.

As I started my inquiry, I found that an American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery exists, with an official journal: Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. This journal ranks in the top 25% for journal impact factor (which reflects frequency of citation) for both dermatology and surgery.

After reading articles in this journal and related others, two things stood out to me:

From what I did read, the benefits of LLLT in people and laboratory models are numerous: cosmetic skin applications, wound healing, edema reduction, return to function from sports injuries, improving vaginal health, dental healing, head trauma recovery and many more. The efficacy of LLLT did seem hard to discount after this reading. Of the studies that reported discouraging results, most generally concluded with confidence that optimization of protocols would improve outcomes.

Because I lacked a clear, evidence-based conclusion from my broad review, I turned specifically to the veterinary literature. Searching for small animal investigations from major journals, I found nine recent publications. All happened to study dogs, and applications of LLLT were identified in dermatology, tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).

Most of the veterinary research on LLLT relates to applications for the skin. Two recent articles evaluated the use of laser for wound healing in healthy skin. In the first study, the investigators created and then closed 20 incisions in intact male beagles.1 No differences were found between LLLT or sham treatment for epithelization, contraction or histopathology. The same study also looked at the effect of LLLT on 20 incisions that were left open to heal, and again found no effect.

In a second study,2 LLLT was used in 10 female dogs during bilateral flank spay procedures. The investigators found relatively less necrosis and fewer perivascular lymphocytes in the incisions in the LLLT group at day 7, but more perivascular lymphocytes in the LLLT group at day 14. No differences were found between groups visually during healing or with any other histologic variable. Taken together, these two studies of healing of healthy skin with LLLT are discouraging.

Two studies investigated LLLT use in abnormal skin. In a 2014 study published in Veterinary Dermatology, Olivieri et al.3 reported a dramatic improvement in canine noninflammatory alopecia using LLLT, in that much more fur grew with LLLT than in a control group. In the same journal and year, Stich and colleagues4 found no effect of LLLT on pedal pruritis due to atopy.

Three reports on the use of LLLT in promoting healing after TPLO surgery have been published since 2017. The largest study, reported in Veterinary Surgery in 2018,5 examined 95 dogs and found LLLT-associated improvement with regard to owner assessment of gait. No improvement was seen with regard to pain management or radiographic healing. Results of a 2017 study6 showed that LLLT was associated with improved surgical limb function eight weeks postoperatively in 27 dogs undergoing TPLO, as evidenced by more force applied to a plate. The smallest study,7 involving 12 dogs, found more lameness and more pain during the first postoperative month in the LLLT group. The investigators found no differences at 8 weeks, or at any time point, radiographically or cytologically. So, the two larger studies were encouraging, and the smallest one was discouraging.

Two reports on dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy examined postoperative use of LLLT. A 2012 study involving 36 dogs demonstrated dramatic shortening of time to return to ambulation with LLLT (median of 3.5 days vs. 14 days for controls).8 A study from 2017 compared 11 dogs treated with LLLT postoperatively with 10 dogs treated with sham LLLT.9 No differences were found between the LLLT and sham groups at several recovery benchmarks, including initial limb movement, ability to stand with some support, ability to walk at least three steps, and ability to walk at 10 days.

Making a broad conclusion about the effectiveness of LLLT based on the above nine canine studies is fraught on several levels, including that the studies involve different disease states and different protocols. Considering that substantial caveat, however, I can draw one conclusion: Five of these nine studies (55%) revealed at least one metric showing a benefit of LLLT compared with control.

Of note, the above text was reviewed at a well-regarded specialty facility that commonly uses LLLT. Feedback included the facts that several of the referenced discouraging studies were flawed by not reporting all critical parameters, and that such discouraging results could be attributed to underdosing, which is often a problem in the use of LLLT.

While this article was undergoing review, Veterinary Dermatology published an article on the use of LLLT in 36 dogs with interdigital pyoderma.10 The investigators found that LLLT shortened resolution of lesion time from 10.4 to 4.3 weeks.

Now at the end of my initial attempt to form an opinion on LLLT efficacy in small animal patients, I would emphasize my humility in the face of others expertise. That noted, following are my conclusions from exploring the recent articles about LLLT in major small animal publications:

I look forward to further research as it becomes available, of course, but I now feel comfortable referring cases for LLLT as long as the status of current research is made clear to clients.

Dr. Levinson became board certified in veterinary emergency and critical care in 2010. He practices at Brenford Animal Hospitals in Dover, DE, where his interests include echocardiography and fostering a Fear Free environment.

References

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Efficacy of laser therapy in veterinary medicine: thoughts from a novice - dvm360

LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) The following is a news release from Texas Tech University:

The faculty for the Texas Tech UniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillocontinues to take shape with the addition of Nancy Zimmerman as a professor of small animal surgery.

A native of Pennsylvania, Zimmerman comes to Texas Tech from Arena, Wisconsin. For the last 15 years she has helped teach veterinary students from the University of Wisconsin and other teaching hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, she has provided continuing education to domestic and international veterinarians.

When I learned about the opportunity to build a teaching program at Texas Tech that would focus on training students, that was very interesting to me, Zimmerman said. We have an opportunity to utilize the most current methods and technology to help students learn and grow through the training process of becoming a veterinarian. Im really keen on being a part of that and trying to impart some of the clinical experience Ive gained working in many different capacities as a veterinarian over the past 20 years

Zimmerman earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1998. She completed a Small Animal Surgery residency at Virginia Tech and earned her Master of Science degree in 2003. Zimmerman earned board certification and was named a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 2004.

After completing her surgery residency, Zimmerman worked as an associate in a private referral hospital in Dallas. In 2006, she relocated to Wisconsin and established a small animal locum surgery practice, Gentle Hands Veterinary Specialists. Zimmerman worked as a small animal surgeon at private referral practices and university teaching hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, providing care for patients and helping students, residents and interns learn clinical applications of veterinary surgery.

When Zimmerman was not working away from home, she helped manage the lamb and beef farm that she owned in Wisconsin. She hosted workshops and seminars on the farm several times each year to help veterinary students and regional livestock producers learn about small ruminant husbandry.

As a professor of small animal surgery for Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, Zimmerman will share her rich experience and surgical skills and knowledge with a broader audience.

It is important to focus on the patient and the client, Zimmerman said. My goal is to work with Texas Tech University practice partners, who will serve as clinical training centers for veterinary students, to develop programs that graduate veterinarians who will not only be competent and have the knowledge but also confident to do what they need to do to provide the best, most complete service to their patients and clients, with compassion.

Guy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said it is Zimmermans caring nature that makes her a great fit.

She cares about practicing high-quality, compassionate veterinary medicine, Loneragan said. She also has experience mentoring students in real-world settings, and she cares about helping them become the best they can be. Our students are going to benefit so much from her instruction and, in turn, the clients of our future graduates will benefit. We are so fortunate Dr. Zimmerman chose to join the Texas Tech family.

A strength Zimmerman feels she will bring veterinary students is the ability to be versatile, noting there is more than one way to accomplish a goal. The aim in veterinary practice is to determine the end goal of treatment and how best to achieve that goal. An important aspect of being a veterinarian is to be able to adapt, she says. Veterinarians need to be able to see the big picture and think through problems to find solutions based on an understanding and application of concepts and principles rather than memorized protocols.

Dr Zimmerman has a great reputation for providing continuing education and teaching surgical skills, said John Dascanio, senior associate dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. She is passionate about bringing those talents to Texas Tech to raise the bar to help veterinary graduates be practice-ready on day one. Dr. Zimmerman will help our students walk out our doors as confident, competent young surgeons.

Zimmerman joins Loneragan, Dascanio, associate dean for clinical programs Britt Conklin, large animal surgery professor David Dutton, assistant professor Bethany Schilling and large-animal medicine professor Lszl Hunyadi on the faculty for the School of Veterinary Medicine. Additional faculty members will be added over the summer and fall.

Having a broad scope of diverse experiences in veterinary medicine makes you a great practitioner, but more importantly, it makes you a better teacher, Conklin said. Dr. Zimmerman has had an enormous breadth of experiences that will allow her to deliver an unmatched educational experience to our student body and, additionally, will provide our practice partners with a wealthy resource.

About the School of Veterinary Medicine

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas, and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, established in 2018, is working to enroll its first class in the fall of 2021, pending approval by the AVMA Council on Education.

The School of Veterinary Medicine will recruit and select students with a passion to practice and succeed in small, agricultural and regional communities and utilize a curriculum focused on the competencies and skills necessary to be successful in practices that support these communities. Texas Techs innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the biennial state budget, which appropriated $17.35 million for the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo that will go toward operational needs in order to get the school up and running. The appropriation included language directing Texas Tech to move forward in establishing the school.

Donors and civic leaders have pledged more than $90 million toward infrastructure, construction and scholarships for the School of Veterinary Medicine on the site of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo.

(News release from Texas Tech University)

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Faculty for TTUs School of Veterinary Medicine continues to grow - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Animals in veterinary education were one of the key topics during several sessions at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges 2020 Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium, March 8-10 in Washington, D.C. The Use of Animals in Education symposium focused on how animals are used in veterinary colleges curricula.

We had a good open discussion, said Dr. Dean Hendrickson, Colorado State University, in an interview afterward with JAVMA News. The big thing is the excitement. Where do we want to go, and what do we want to do?

The event included several key goals for educators. Among them was starting a conversation on how each veterinary college is currently using animals in its curriculum and what the use of animals may look like in the future.

Read the AAVMC policy on Use of Animals in Education andthe AVMA policy on Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education.

Dr. Phillip Nelson, the dean of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, said it is necessary for leadership in veterinary academia to think about how the profession uses animals.

The founding faculty at the Western University veterinary college did just that. The Willed Deceased Animals for Veterinary Education program at the veterinary college encourages pet owners from 90 sites in Southern California to donate their pets remains to the veterinary college for anatomy and clinical skills education. The veterinary college uses models of animals and student-owned animals for routine procedures.

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University also has a willed-body program.

However, despite the success of the programs at these two universities, most veterinary colleges in the U.S. face challenges implementing similar programs because of the location of their campuses.

Unfortunately, there are a number of metro areas that would support a program, but veterinary schools are located in rural areas, and that creates separate challenges, Dr. Nelson said.

Western University is located in Pomona, California, about 30 minutes outside of Los Angeles, and Tufts University in Grafton, Massachusetts, is about 45 minutes west of Boston.

Although many veterinary colleges have had issues implementing willed-body programs, most have found it easy to include models of animals in the curriculum.

Dr. Julie Hunt, director of small animal clinical skills at the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, designed and developed the clinical skills curriculum at LMU.

Theres no question in my mind, Dr. Hunt said. You can absolutely teach and improve surgical skills using models. Early on, a huge amount of techniques can be used on models, and models can be used for practicing clinical skills repeatedly.

The models do not replace live surgery. But Dr. Hunt said she believes that animal models can be used instead of nonsurvival surgeries, which can cause stress and well-being issues for students.

The LMU curriculum includes a combination of live animals, cadavers, and models to teach students and for students to practice clinical skills.

Models may be a key tool for students, but cadavers are still important for early anatomy classes.

Dr. Jeremy Delcambre, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said he wanted symposium attendees to question themselves.

Do you know where you cadavers are coming from? Have you done an audit on use and sustainability? Dr. Delcambre said.

There is a shortage of dog and cat cadavers and currently only one commercial supplier. So it may be time to adapt, he added.

Educators and veterinary leadership involved in the symposium plan to hold another event to continue the conversation but have not yet set a date.

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What is the role of animals in veterinary education? - American Veterinary Medical Association

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Coronaviruses, so named for their knobby surface projections that create a crown-like appearance,1-3 were first identified in the 1930s but are thought to have originated more than 10,000 years ago.4,5 They and their associated illnesses have been observed in cattle, horses, cats, dogs, swine, rabbits, rodents and bats, among others.6,7

In humans, seven coronavirus strains have been identified, as have their bat and rodent reservoirs, and their intermediate hosts, including cattle, camels and civets.8-16 Most of these strains cause nothing more than the common cold in people, but threesevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS),17 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)18 and SARS-CoV-2have proven more daunting.

As the professionals with the most thorough understanding of One Health, veterinarians around the world have been working hard on COVID-19 diagnostic, prevention and treatment measures. Heres a look at some of the work being done.

At Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a group of researchers have shunted their work to focus on SARS-CoV-2. Virology professor and coronavirus expert Gary Whittaker, PhD, who has done extensive research on MERS, is investigating the SARS-CoV- 2 spike protein and its mechanisms for fusing with the host cell.19 He hopes to apply his findings to drug and vaccine development. The team also includes investigators who are working on diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2.

Researchers at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine are working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, slated to begin animal trials soon. The group, which includes investigators who study bovine coronaviruses, is collaborating with researchers at Tulane University, one of the first facilities to obtain samples of SARS-CoV-2 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The coronavirus that afflicts cats and causes deadly feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has long been a subject of research at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. Investigators at the school have used an antiviral drug shown to block virus replication in monkeys and mice as a springboard for developing a protocol to treat FIP in cats experimentally infected with feline enteric coronavirus.20

"Its the virus-infected cells that are producing all of these nasty cytokines that are causing this inflammation, explains Niels Pedersen, DVM, PhD, who has been studying feline coronavirus for the past five decades, so if you can stop the replication cold in its tracks, you're going to immediately stop the cytokines from being produced."

Treatment has been largely successful in feline studies, which gives Pedersen hope for the nearly identical remdesivir, now in clinical trials for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. If it can be done in cats, why can't it be done in humans?" he says.

The concept of drug repurposing might also be applied to the parasiticide ivermectin, an FDA-approved anti-parasitic agent for animals and humans that, in recent years, has been shown to have antiviral activity in vitro by interfering with virus replication.21-25 In vitro studies have demonstrated that ivermectin interferes with replication of many viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus 1,22 West Nile virus,23 dengue virus,22,24 Venezuelan encephalitis virus,25 simian virus,22,26 pseudorabies27 and influenza.21

A recent study,28 published in the journal Antiviral Research, demonstrates that ivermectin impedes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.* Previous reports on similar coronaviruses describe the role of specific proteins in viral transport into the host nucleus, suggesting that ivermectins nuclear transport inhibitory activity may be effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 were treated two hours post infection with a single dose of ivermectin at serial dilutions. At 24 hours, the addition of 5 M ivermectin produced a 99.8% reduction in cell-associated viral RNA, which increased to 99.98% at 48 hours; this equated to an approximately 5,000-fold reduction of viral RNA compared with control samples. No cell toxicity was observed at this concentration.

The studys Australian investigators, from Monash University and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, hypothesize that ivermectin inhibits the IMP/1-mediated nuclear import of viral proteins, but they hope to confirm this mechanism in the case of SARS-CoV-2. The identification of the specific SARS-CoV-2 and/or host component(s) impacted is an important focus their future work.

This research sets the stage for development of an effective antiviral drug that, if given to patients early in infection, could reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load, block disease progression and limit person-to-person transmission.

The answers to the COVID-19 pandemic will be shaped like medications and vaccines. And surely, they will be colored by extensive data established by the veterinary community.

*Editors note: The FDA has issued a public warning stating that people should not self-medicate with ivermectin in an effort to treat or prevent COVID-19. The warning reads, in part: FDA is concerned about the health of consumers who may self-medicate by taking ivermectin products intended for animals, thinking they can be a substitute for ivermectin intended for humans. People should never take animal drugs, as the FDA has only evaluated their safety and effectiveness in the particular animal species for which they are labeled. These animal drugs can cause serious harm in people. People should not take any form of ivermectin unless it has been prescribed to them by a licensed health care provider and is obtained through a legitimate source. For the full FDA letter, click here.

References

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Veterinary medicine at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 - dvm360

The anxiety of trying to stay safe through the COVID-19 pandemic is not reserved only for the humans enduring stay-at-home orders and social isolation.

Pets might be anxious, too at the same time most are probably glad their owners are home all day, every day. Even good change can be hard for domestic animals to adjust to, says M. Leanne Lilly, assistant professor-clinical of veterinary clinical sciences at The Ohio State University.

Lilly, who specializes in veterinary behavioral medicine, was among a panel of College of Veterinary Medicine experts who addressed questions submitted by pet owners during an April 9 webinar.

Treat your pets like family. Remember this is a hard change for them, too, so make sure their behavioral needs are met, she said. There are more chances for inappropriate interactions from a pet perspective. Dont overdo it.

Be gentle with yourselves as youre being gentle with your pets.

Many questions from viewers revolved around a recent study in China that revealed cats and ferrets appear to be susceptible to getting sick after being inoculated with the novel coronavirus. The findings also suggested that cats could infect each other. The study found that dogs, pigs, chickens and ducks are able to resist the viruss efforts to make copies of itself and cause infection.

Jeanette OQuin, assistant professor-clinical of veterinary preventive medicine, said that the results of that single study need to be considered along with the rarity of natural cases in animals. Pet owners probably neednt worry much about risk of coronavirus infection to cats and dogs in their homes, she said.

Researchers introduced a very high dose of the virus to animals in the study. And the cats that were infected recovered without incident after having mild symptoms: respiratory problems, fever and lethargy, which are symptoms linked to many common pet illnesses.

What that study tells us is whats possible, but it doesnt really tell us whats probable, said OQuin, a specialist in infectious disease control. This is a distinctly human virus that passes readily from person to person.

The risk to animals is very low, and the risk from animals to people is even lower.

Essentially, the experts said that what it takes for humans to stay safe right now is also good for pets: Shelter in place together, avoid pet play dates and when walking dogs, keep them on a leash and maintain a safe distance between yourself and your pet and other owners and their dogs.

Owners who have tested positive for COVID-19 and dont have assistance with pet care should avoid cuddles and kisses and are advised to wear a cloth mask and wash their hands before and after contact with their pets.

Private practices and hospitals are taking special precautions to protect animal and human health if a pet requires veterinary care during the pandemic, said Roger Fingland, executive associate dean and chief medical officer of the college.

The first thing pet owners should do, even in an emergency, is make a phone call to their veterinarian, Fingland said. Some veterinarians with existing relationships with their clients may be able to give advice via telemedicine.

If a pet requires in-person care or hospitalization, pet owners should expect curbside drop-offs and pickups of their animals and frequent phone, email or text contact about a care plan. Visitation generally isnt allowed except in end-of-life cases.

Veterinarians are seeing mostly urgent and emergent cases, Fingland said. Very few elective procedures are being done. Thats to save PPE (personal protective equipment) for human use.

Ideally, pet owners should be able to pull together a quarantine kit of food and medication if two weeks of isolation are required. Recommended supplies, as well as information updates as conditions change during the pandemic, are available on the colleges website.

College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Rustin Moore noted that about three-fourths of American households have pets and that during difficult times, the love and companionship of a pet can make a real difference in human health.

Interacting with a pet has been shown through scientific evidence to have positive benefits on the physical and mental well-being of people, Moore said. Petting, snuggling, cuddling and looking into the eyes of a pet has been shown to lead to physiological changes in the human body.

Ninety percent of us who have pets consider them as part of our family. They should be treated as such during COVID-19.

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Caring for pets during the COVID-19 pandemic - The Ohio State University News

Dean Eleanor M. Green speaks at a press conference at the the construction site of the Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach (VERO)facility on West Texas A&M Universitys (WT) campus.

Texas A&M College of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) completed a pivotal step in the development of its 2+2 veterinary program on April 13, when the college received official program approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE).

With this approval, the CVM has permission to implement the 2+2 program through its Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach (VERO)program on West Texas A&M Universitys (WT) campus. This means that additional veterinary students will be able to complete the first two years of their four-year veterinary curriculum in Canyon, Texas.

The 2+2 program helps fulfill a 10-year goal to increase large animal veterinary medicine in the Texas Panhandle, said Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Chancellor John Sharp. It makes West Texas A&M the gateway to one of the best veterinary schools in the nation.

We are extremely excited that our 2+2 program has been approved by the AVMA COE, said Dr. Eleanor M. Green, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. This is a benchmark step that puts Texas A&M and WT one step closer to fulfilling a plan we have been working on for over a decade now.

Through our VERO program, Texas A&M, the CVM and WT are fulfilling a promise we made to the citizens of Texas to further address the need for rural and food animal veterinarians, needs that affect our food supply, the State of Texas economy and citizens of the Texas Panhandle, as well as rural communities across the state, she said.

It also supports our Texas youth who have aspirations for careers in veterinary medicine. While the launch of the VERO program has already tripled the number applicants from WT being admitted to the CVMs veterinary curriculum, this approval brings us one step closer to being able to admit even more students from WT and the Texas Panhandle region who can then, close to home, receive an education from one of the best veterinary schools in the nation, Green said. We anticipate that many of these veterinary graduates will choose to return home to serve their hometown communities.

Through the 2+2 program, the first cohort of up to 18 Texas A&M first-year veterinary students will begin their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) education at the VERO facility in fall 2021.

Those students will spend their first two years in Canyon on WTs campus, where they will receive essentially the same basic DVM education provided in College Station but with convenient exposure to livestock and rural veterinary medicine, according to Green.

Every year after, there will be two cohorts at one time cycling through the Canyon location before their third year at the CVM in College Station, with the option of returning to Canyon for a portion of their fourth-year clinical rotations.

The cohort will increase the total number of students enrolled in the CVMs DVM program to 180, the largest in the nation.

We are pleased that the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education sees the same potentialin our 2+2 program that we do, said Walter Wendler, WT president. Bringing excellent veterinary faculty and resources to theTexasPanhandlearea addresses critical needs andopens new opportunities for students in the Texas Panhandle to become Aggie veterinarians.

The 2+2 program is one of many programs the CVM has implemented in the Texas Panhandle since 2009. Through the CVMs VERO initiative, CVM faculty members live and work in the Texas Panhandle. They are housed at WTAMU, where they are actively recruiting and mentoring pre-veterinary students.

They also offer unique educational opportunities for current CVM veterinary students, including immersive externships, summer internships and food animal production-focused tours that introduce them to the region and the livestock industries. An essential focus is working with veterinarians and livestock industry leaders in the region. The College Station campus and VERO are seamlessly connected, bringing the resources of College Station to the Texas Panhandle and vice versa, CVM officials said.

All of these activities have been supported by more than $95 million in investments by The Texas A&M University System, including, most recently, a $5 million commitment to support additional faculty hires for the 2+2 program.

As part of the approval process, the AVMA COE will monitor the implementation of the 2+2 program through the CVMs subsequent interim reports, which will update the AVMA COE on the implementation of the program, including additional clinical resources identified and additional faculty and staff hires. The next interim report will be due Dec. 15.

The approval will also require a focused site visit that will occur in the second semester of the second year of the initial 2+2 class, during which a site team will visit the VERO facilities at WT and will interview students and VERO faculty.

For more information on the 2+2 program and the CVMs VERO initiative, visit the VERO webpage.

Read more:
Texas A&M CVM's 2+2 Program In Texas Panhandle Receives American Veterinary Medical Association Approval - Texas A&M University Today

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is making sure Mike the Tiger remains healthy during the global pandemic.

On April 7, a barricade was set up around the cage to create an extra four feet of distance between the beloved Bengal and his visitors, according to Communications Manager of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Ginger Guttner.

Mike is the Universitys seventh tiger mascot. He was donated from a wildlife sanctuary in Florida, and was introduced to the public on Aug. 21, 2017.

We ask that people follow the governors order to stay home and that Mikes fans view him on social media or the Tiger Cam, Guttner said.

The Tiger Cam features live video footage of Mike the Tiger throughout the day. Mike also has active social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

In addition to the barriers, Mikes caretakers discontinued direct contact with the tiger, and employees must wear gloves and a mask while working in the night house.

National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, in one tiger at a zoo in New York. As scientists learn how the virus spreads, how different animals are affected by the virus and if an animal can spread it to a human, the LSU Vet School will continue to take precautions so Mike isnt infected.

Right now, there are four veterinary students taking care of Mike, two primary and two in training, in addition to his veterinarian, Professor David Baker.

As Mikes caretakers, his health and wellbeing are our primary concern, Guttner said.

The LSU Vet School is also creating test kits to speed up coronavirus testing in the Baton Rouge area. The test lab, which can produce up to 200 tests per day, is run by a team of volunteers.

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LSU Vet School takes extra precautions to protect Mike the Tiger from coronavirus - The Reveille, LSU's student newspaper

Global Veterinary Medicine Market: Trends Estimates High Demand by 2026

This report studies the Veterinary Medicine market with many aspects of the industry like the market size, market status, market trends and forecast, the report also provides brief information of the competitors and the specific growth opportunities with key market drivers. Find the complete Veterinary Medicine market analysis segmented by companies, region, type and applications in the report.

The major players covered in Veterinary Medicine Market: Boehringer Ingelheim, Zoetis, Elanco Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Merck Animal Health, Virbac, Dechra Veterinary Products, Ceva, Vetoquinol, Meiji, Ouro Fino Saude, Animalcare Group, Parnell

The final report will add the analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 in this report Veterinary Medicine industry.

Get a Free Sample Copy @ https://www.reportsandmarkets.com/sample-request/global-veterinary-medicine-market-research-report-2020-segment-by-key-companies-countries-types-applications-and-forecast-2021-to-2026

Veterinary Medicine Market in its database, which provides an expert and in-depth analysis of key business trends and future market development prospects, key drivers and restraints, profiles of major market players, segmentation and forecasting. A Veterinary Medicine Market provides an extensive view of size; trends and shape have been developed in this report to identify factors that will exhibit a significant impact in boosting the sales of Veterinary Medicine Market in the near future.

This report focuses on the global Veterinary Medicine status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Veterinary Medicine development in United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and Central & South America.

Market segment by Type, the product can be split into

Market segment by Application, split into

The Veterinary Medicine market is a comprehensive report which offers a meticulous overview of the market share, size, trends, demand, product analysis, application analysis, regional outlook, competitive strategies, forecasts, and strategies impacting the Veterinary Medicine Industry. The report includes a detailed analysis of the market competitive landscape, with the help of detailed business profiles, SWOT analysis, project feasibility analysis, and several other details about the key companies operating in the market.

The study objectives of this report are:

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The Veterinary Medicine market research report completely covers the vital statistics of the capacity, production, value, cost/profit, supply/demand import/export, further divided by company and country, and by application/type for best possible updated data representation in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs. These data representations provide predictive data regarding the future estimations for convincing market growth. The detailed and comprehensive knowledge about our publishers makes us out of the box in case of market analysis.

Key questions answered in this report

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Global Veterinary Medicine Market Overview

Chapter 2: Veterinary Medicine Market Data Analysis

Chapter 3: Veterinary Medicine Technical Data Analysis

Chapter 4: Veterinary Medicine Government Policy and News

Chapter 5: Global Veterinary Medicine Market Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure

Chapter 6: Veterinary Medicine Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast

Chapter 7: Veterinary Medicine Key Manufacturers

Chapter 8: Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis

Chapter 9: Marketing Strategy -Veterinary Medicine Analysis

Chapter 10: Veterinary Medicine Development Trend Analysis

Chapter 11: Global Veterinary Medicine Market New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis

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Reports and Markets is not just another company in this domain but is a part of a veteran group called Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. It offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for a wide range of sectors both for the government and private agencies all across the world. The database of the company is updated on a daily basis. Our database contains a variety of industry verticals that include: Food Beverage, Automotive, Chemicals and Energy, IT & Telecom, Consumer, Healthcare, and many more. Each and every report goes through the appropriate research methodology, Checked from the professionals and analysts.

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Global Veterinary Medicine Market Research Report 2020, Segment by Key Companies, Countries, Types, Applications and Forecast to 2026 - Curious Desk

New guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association present a framework for safe anesthesia for dogs and cats from home to hospital and back to home.

The guidelines are laid out to emphasize the importance of anesthesia as a continuum of care, beginning with the pet at home, transitioning through the four phases of anesthesiapre-anesthesia, induction, maintenance, recoveryand ending with the patient back at home, physiologically stable, calm, and pain free, said Dr. Tamara Grubb, co-chair of the task force that prepared the guidelines. We call it doorknob to doorknob.

The 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are an update to the 2011 AAHA anesthesia guidelines. Dr. Grubb, an assistant clinical professor at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, said the 2020 guidelines and accompanying website offer the following:

It is very important to realize that anesthesia is not defined solely as the period when the patient is unconscious, Dr. Grubb said. Thinking of all phases of anesthesiastarting at home and ending at homeimproves patient safety and comfort along with pet owner satisfaction and understanding.

Jennifer Sager, a veterinary technician specialist in anesthesia and co-chair of the guidelines task force, wrote the section on staff education and safety training. The section highlights the importance of veterinary technicians in anesthesia.

The guidelines appeared in the March/April issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. The website also has more tables, diagrams, flow charts, dosing charts, photos, checklists, and other resources.

Read more here:
AAHA updates guidelines on anesthesia for dogs and cats - American Veterinary Medical Association

Maj. Gen. Marion Garcia, chief of staff of U.S. Army Reserve Command, will retire from the Army this month after 32 years of service to the nation.

Garcia became Army Reserve chief of staff in 2019, with the responsibility for the Army Reserve Headquarters at Fort Bragg, Army Reserve staff at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Army Reserve staff at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

She is a 1987 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.

Garcia is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a graduate of St. Pius X High School.

During her career, Garcia has served in every leadership position, from platoon leader to numerous command and key staff assignments.

She is a combat veteran with deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Cuba, Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq, Operation Restore Hope Somalia and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Southwest Asia.

Her military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the United States Army War College, and the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education School.

She holds a bachelors degree in science from the United States Military Academy, a masters in strategic studies from the United States Army War College, a Master of Science in veterinary epidemiology and public health from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University.

Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Parachutist Badge and the bronze German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Garcia will be succeeded by Brig. Gen. Robert S. Cooley Jr.

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Army Reserve chief of staff to retire after more than 30 years of military service - The Fayetteville Observer

There are a lot of myths out there about how to fight the novel coronavirus, and many of them are going to prove to be really harmful. Its important to ensure you have access to accurate information before making any decisions about your health or well-being, especially during a pandemic. If something sounds too good to be true, investigate. But even if something sounds reasonable, investigate that, too. Right now its important not only to protect and bolster your immune system, but also to understand how your immune system actually works so you can make reasonable adjustments to your lifestyle and diet to protect it.What Does Novel Mean?You may have noticed some people calling the new coronavirus novel. This doesnt mean its special or amusing, but rather it means its a brand new virus that has never occurred within humans before, so humans have zero immunity to it at this point. Thats an important distinction because its not like a strain of influenza that looks like other strains of influenza that weve been exposed to in the past and our immune systems have at least some blueprint for fighting off. This is a virus that our immune systems have no blueprint for, which is one of the reasons it is so virulent and so deadly.How Does Immunity Work?Your immune system works to block antigens like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses from entering your body and making you sick. When one of these antigens does successfully get through, your body produces white blood cells to fight them off. After your immune system fights off an antigen, it produces antibodies as a sort of blueprint to fight off similar things in the future. For some of the population, COVID-19 will result in antibodies in their immune system that could help them fight off future mutations of this virus (its too soon to tell, though). For people with compromised immune systems, however, the risk of death or serious complications is very high.What Does Immunocompromised Mean?For some people this is an especially scary time because they have an immune system that has been damaged or compromised. Problems with your immune system can come from certain diseases, such as diabetes, which can cause your wounds to heal more slowly and infection to set in more easily. People with autoimmune disorders have immune systems that overreact to normal stimuli, which can lead to exacerbations in their disorders if they arent being treated. If they are being treated, oftentimes the treatment is to suppress the immune system to prevent exacerbations, which leaves them open to more infections and more severe infections. A similar thing happens when someone undergoes an organ transplant - in order to ensure their body doesnt reject the transplanted organ, they have to be immunosuppressed for the rest of their lives, which also makes it easier and more devastating for infections to take place. Diseases like AIDS and HIV, cancer, and anything that requires chemo or radiation therapy can decimate a persons natural defenses, leaving them extremely vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19.Keeping Your Immune System StrongThe myths about your immune system are persistent. No, heavy doses of vitamin-C arent going to make everything better. Your immunity is about achieving balance. Too much stress, too much sugar, too little water, and too little sleep can all affect your immunity. Too many or not enough nutrients can affect your immunity, and not getting the right combination of nutrients can affect your immunity. Also read: The Future Of Space-Age Digital Therapeutics (infographic)Something else that is important, especially right now, is to make sure you are up to date on vaccinations. This isnt because a flu vaccine can help you fight off COVID-19, but rather there are two more important reasons. First, preventing other illnesses right now takes strain off the medical system. Second, not being sick already when you come in contact with COVID-19 gives your immune system one less thing to fight off.

Learn more about protecting your immune system below.

Read next: Practicing Social Distancing Without Feeling Isolated (infographic)

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Protecting Your Immune System (infographic) - Digital Information World

The immune system. Nutritional Therapist Maxine Johnson explains it as A very complex system that is made of multiple sub-systems containing: the innate immune system (the one you were born with), the acquired/adaptive immune system (remembers and catalogues pathogen exposure), the lymphatic system (re-circulation and waste disposal), the gut biome with trillions of beneficial bacteria, the virome containing trillions of viruses in us and on us, and the gut brain axis.

If youre thinking that sounds like a lot, youre not alone. In her nutritional therapy practice, TempleFit, in Olympia she helps you make sense of the bodys complex systems and can help you bring them to optimal health, holistically, through a whole foods diet and exercise, among other things.

Nutritional therapy is part of the growing field of alternative medicine, says Maxine. Like acupuncture, naturopathy, chiropractic, and biofeedback, it is holistic in nature, meaning that the whole body is acknowledged while supporting the strengths and strengthening the weaknesses rather than just chasing symptoms.

Nutritional Therapy protocols were developed from the work of pioneer thinkers and practitioners of the past century, such as Dr. Royal Lee, Dr. Weston A. Price, and Dr. Frances Pottenger. Maxines own work includes her certification as a nutritional therapist, and NRT Practitioner, but also as a fitness trainer and coach. Her extensive background of over three decades in fitness, and as a former NPC Figure Champion, uniquely positions her to have a deep understanding of diet and exercise.

The body knows full well how to protect itself, she says. It just needs you to give it the tools to do it with. However, when its weakened, it will continue to respond to invader viruses and bacteria, but the problem here is that it will often over-react, attacking healthy tissue anywhere that it thinks its finding pieces of the invader. Maxine says. Whether caused by genetics, epigenetics, nutritional deficiencies from eating fake food most of your life, too much sugar, some other underlying health condition, or your age, all of those factors can compromise your immune system.

She further reports that As we age, our thyroids dont produce enough vitamin A, which acts like a hormone and literally builds walls around our cells to protect them from invaders trying to get in. Additionally, if youre not getting enough vitamin D from the sun (best source), or fish fat, your body is not able to create cathelicidins which are like little bullets that blow holes in viruses and destroys them.

Fortunately, there are many ways to support this very complex and vital system. Maxine gives her best tips for supporting our immune systems:

Life is stressful. If you need help getting on track, staying on track, losing weight, or you have an underlying health condition that wont go away, contact Maxine at TempleFit. She is now providing virtual visits for long distance clients, and those who cannot make it to the office.

Your body is your temple, Maxine says, Keep it fit for life.

TempleFitMaxine Johnson, CCWFN605 11th Avenue SE, Suite 202, Olympia360-338-0481206-276-3534 voice/textmaxine@templefit.com

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Maxine Johnson from TempleFit Talks About the Amazing Immune System and How To Keep It Strong - ThurstonTalk

One of the many unknowns about the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is how we might become immune to it. When you get infected with viruses, along with other baddies like bacteria, your immune system fights back by producing proteins called antibodies. These stick around for the long haul, and your body is prepared to churn out more of them if you come into contact with the pathogen again.

It's how vaccines work: By introducing a dead or weakened version of a virus to your immune system, you trick it into producing antibodies in response. Then if you come into contact with the real virus, your body will be ready.

Viruses vary widely in terms of the immune response they elicit. For instance, if you got chicken pox as a kid, you are likely to be immune to reinfection for the rest of your life. With whooping cough, immunity might last for up to 20 years, and for the H1N1 flu strain, up to 10. With the seasonal coronaviruses that cause the common cold, immunity fades after a few months, which is why you can pick up new infections year after year.

But when it comes to SARS-CoV-2, because this is such a new infection, were not sure how long those antibodies hang around for, says Dr. Seema Yasmin, director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative.

Our best bet may be to compare it to the original SARS coronavirus, SARS-CoV. In patients infected with this virus, antibody levels peaked between two and four months after infection and offered protection for two to three years. I think the glimmer of hope might be that theres so much genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, adds Yasmin.

Read all of our coronavirus coverage here.

Speaking of genetics, another virus to consider as a comparison is HIV. This virus is so difficult to treat because it mutates like mad as it multiplies. The human body might develop an antibody, but it's one that will become less effective as the virus changes. Some good news on the coronavirus front is this virus does not seem to mutate anywhere near as frequently as HIV mutates, says Yasmin. That means it stays much more consistent, and it means we have far less of a moving target.

Discovering more about how immunity to this new coronavirus works will be key to fighting the pandemic. The more people who become immuneeither from beating an infection or from receiving a vaccinethe closer we get to herd immunity, or the point at which most members of the population have antibodies. Then well start to slow and eventually stop the pandemic.

To learn more about how antibodies work, and how they might help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, check out our video with Yasmin above.

WIRED is providing free access to stories about public health and how to protect yourself during the coronavirus pandemic. Sign up for our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the latest updates, and subscribe to support our journalism.

More From WIRED on Covid-19

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Here's How Covid-19 Immunity Compares to Other Diseases - WIRED

The truth is, the best strategy to safeguard yourself against sickness is prevention

ABOVE VIDEO: With the public health crisis were all facing with COVID-19, many of us are wondering what we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

BREVARD COUNTY. FLORIDA With the public health crisis were all facing with COVID-19, many of us are wondering what we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Beyond social distancing and staying at home, is it possible to boost our immune systems?

In the latest installment of Health Firsts Healthy at Home video series, theyre offering some smart but simple tips on how to stay as healthy as possible during this pandemic.

The truth is, the best strategy to safeguard yourself against sickness is prevention.

Here are some helpful tips:

Follow a healthy diet. This may consist of leafy greens, fruit and lean meats, such as chicken and fish.

Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and staying away from sugary, carbonated drinks will help to flush your body of toxins.

Controlling chronic diseases. Staying in touch with your primary care provider is important to maintain any other diseases that may compromise your immune system.

Get plenty of sleep. On average, an adult should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and children should get 11 to 13.

Try to reduce your stress. An easy way to do this could be keeping a daily routine and trying to stay positive.

Health First hopes these tips help you and your family during this trying time.

Remember, theyre here for you when you need them during this public health crisis and beyond. Stay safe and be well.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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Health First Healthy at Home: Tips on How to Boost Your Immune System and Protect Yourself | - SpaceCoastDaily.com

Eating a "diverse and varied" diet provides the best chance of boosting the immune system to fight Covid-19, according to a scientist.

Philip Calder, a professor of nutritional immunology at the University of Southampton, has produced a report advising the public to ensure they eat a mixed diet to help combat the virus.

His research also shows that supplements are a "safe, effective and low cost way to support an optimal immune system".

A university spokesman said: "A diet with a diverse and varied mixture of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and pulses, along with some meat, fish and dairy products provides the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients the immune system needs for optimal function."

Prof Calder said: "The strength of somebody's immune systems will not influence whether they get coronavirus; handwashing and social distancing are the best ways to avoid that.

"However, the immune system helps the body deal with the virus if they are infected and what we want is a system that functions properly when it's challenged with bacteria and viruses."

The university spokesman added: "Among the foods Professor Calder recommends are a variety of fruits and vegetables which are a good source of vitamins and minerals that are important for supporting the immune system.

"Foods that are high in fibre are also important as some of the undigested fibre in the gut can promote the growth of good bacteria which interact with the immune system to make it work better.

"The third recommendation is oily fish which is a source of omega 3 fatty acids that help to regulate and control the immune system.

"Finally, meat is important as a good source of nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12, so people who do not eat meat should consider supplements.

"Whilst consuming commercial probiotic products can have a role to play - by seeding good bacteria in the gut - Professor Calder recommends plant-based food and fibre as an alternative as these provide an environment to grow the good bacteria that are already in the large intestine."

Professor Calder added: "The present situation with Covid-19 shows that we cannot just rely on vaccinations to limit the impact of respiratory infections.

"Improving our nutrition is a very straightforward step that we can all take to help our bodies deal with infections and limit the emergence of new, more virulent strains of viruses.

"We therefore strongly encourage public health officials to make sure nutritional strategies are included in all their messaging about coping with viral infections."

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Top foods that will help boost immune system in coronavirus outbreak - Mirror Online