The new coronavirus
Low risk of severe COVID-19 in children
Sweden was one of only a few countries that kept preschools, primary and lower secondary schools open during the spring of the pandemic year of 2020. So far, little research has been done on the risk of children being seriously affected by COVID-19 when the schools were open. A study from Karolinska Institutet has now shown that one child in 130,000 was treated in an intensive care unit on account of COVID-19 during the period March-June. The work is published as a letter to the editor in New England Journal of Medicine.
Covid-19 tests: KI returns to regular laboratory activities but remains prepared
During the spring pandemic, the higher education sector, including Karolinska Institutet, received a temporary permit from the government to analyse covid-19 tests in connection with the increase in the spread of the infection. The number of analyses carried out increased rapidly, but now other operators have started up, which means that KI can go back to its regular laboratory activities. KI however still remains in a state of a preparedness to reorganize its operations should the need arise.
Ongoing anticoagulant treatment does not seem to protect against severe COVID-19
DOAC (direct oral anticoagulant) pills are used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation by preventing blood clots. Even though blood clots are thought to contribute to complications from the new coronavirus infection, users of this class of drug do not seem to be protected against severe COVID-19.
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.
No reduced risk of extremely preterm birth during the pandemic
Preterm Birth and Stillbirth During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Nationwide Cohort Study, Björn Pasternak et al, Annals of Internal Medicine, January 2021.
A molecular map of tissue-specific human innate lymphoid cells
Tissue-specific transcriptional imprinting and heterogeneity in human innate lymphoid cells revealed by full-length single-cell RNA-sequencing, Jenny Mjösberg et al, Cell Research, January 2021.
Biomarkers reveal early and late alterations in the course of Alzheimer's disease
Untangling the association of amyloid-β and tau with synaptic and axonal loss in Alzheimer’s disease, Joana B Pereira, Brain, December 2020.
Study suggests novel therapeutic strategy in AD at a molecular level
Inactive variants of death receptor p75NTR reduce Alzheimer’s neuropathology by interfering with APP internalization, Ibáñez CF et al, EMBO Journal, December 2020.
Both conventional and biologics treatment effective in early rheumatoid arthritis
Active conventional treatment and three different biological treatments in early rheumatoid arthritis: phase IV investigator initiated, randomised, observer blinded clinical trial
Merete Lund Hetland et al, BMJ, December 2020.
More high impact publications