The new coronavirus
Brain injury in COVID-19 is revealed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography
Injuries in the nervous system of patients with severe COVID-19 are revealed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. In a study of 185 patients, researchers at KI and Karolinska University Hospital show an affection of microscopic blood vessels and inflammation in the brain, meninges and nerves. The results are published in Radiology.
New insights into the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 infection
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has created an unprecedented public health challenge globally. Little was known about how the infecting cells respond to the virus and how the virus hijacks the host cellular machinery. A study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in Emerging Microbes & Infection gives new insights into the virus-host interplay enabling newer ideas to tackle the virus.
Immunity to COVID-19 is probably higher than tests have shown
New research from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital shows that many people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 demonstrate so-called T-cell-mediated immunity to the new coronavirus, even if they have not tested positively for antibodies. According to the researchers, this means that public immunity is probably higher than antibody tests suggest. The article is freely available on the bioRxiv server and has been submitted for publication in a scientific journal.
New 3D imaging method to be used for studying COVID-19
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a new method for analysing intact tumour samples in 3D on a molecular level. The study is a collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital and is published in Nature Biomedical Engineering. Now the researchers are planning to use the method to study tissue samples from COVID-19 patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis drug shows promise against COVID-19, study finds
A drug against rheumatoid arthritis called baricitinib could potentially be repurposed to treat patients with COVID-19, according to a study conducted by an international research team including researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings are published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.
Find out more at the COVID-19 Resource Hub
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are responding to the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, through a myriad of initiatives. For more news and features on the work being conducted at Karolinska Institutet, including vaccine and drug development, please see the COVID-19 Resource Hub.
Top-publications list
A limited selection of recent publications in high impact journals to which researchers at KI have contributed.
New method reveals more genetic links to human traits and diseases
High-definition likelihood inference of genetic correlations across human complex, Ning Z, Pawitan Y, Shen X, Nature Genetics, June 2020.
Decreased mortality in patients diagnosed with aortic dissection
Sex differences and temporal trends in aortic dissection: a population-based study of incidence, treatment strategies, and outcome in Swedish patients during 15 years, Smedberg C et al, European Heart Journal, June 2020.
Patients with chronic kidney disease may benefit from more fruit and vegetables
Plant-based diets to manage the risks and complications of chronic kidney disease, Carrero JJ et al, Nature Reviews Nephrology, June 2020.
Environmental factors do not explain increased prevalence of autism
Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Autistic Traits Over Time, Taylor MJ et al, JAMA Psychiatry, May 2020.