SARS-CoV-2: Current Perspective on Control, Prevention, and Therapeutic Promise

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has halted activities throughout the globe because of its rapid spread. COVID-19  is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a β-coronavirus first detected in China. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to be transmitted via direct contact, fomite, respiratory droplets, and possibly aerosol. The spread of the disease is complicated due to the slow onset of symptoms and asymptomatic infected patients. Methods: This narrative communication summarizes the recent researches sourced using sensitive search strategies to identify COVID-19 current perspectives on the control, prevention, and therapeutic promise. Result: Several strategies and multiple control measures have been implemented around the globe to contain COVID-19. Considering the   exponential spread of the pandemic, several scientists and physicians have been racing to discover possible therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. There are clinical trials to investigate the vaccine designed to protect against the infection and also to substantiate the claim made for BCG protection against COVID-19. Although, there is currently no universally approved medication to treat SARS-CoV-2, there have been random reports of existing medications ameliorating the infection, and these regimens are still under clinical trial. There is also the potential therapeutic prospect of rhinothermy to fight SARS-CoV-2 judging from its success in fighting upper respiratory tract viral infection. Conclusion: The information provided in this communication gives a reliable intellectual grounding regarding the current perspective on COVID-19  control, progress made in the development of vaccines and therapeutic regimen, and where future research in this area should be focused. Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; control; WHO; respiratory; cases; trac

Intravenous versus intramuscular oxytocin injection for preventing uterine atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage in third stage of labour: A double-blind randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous and intramuscular oxytocin in preventing atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage in the third stage of labour. Methods: A double-blind randomised clinical study on consenting women without risk factors for primary postpartum haemorrhage in labour at term. Two hundred and thirty-two women were randomly allotted into intravenous ( n  = 115) and intramuscular ( n  = 117) oxytocin groups in the active management of the third stage of labour. All participants received 10 IU of oxytocin, either IV or IM, and 1 ml of water for injection as a placebo via a route alternate to that of administration of oxytocin within 1 min of the baby’s delivery. The primary outcome measures were mean postpartum blood loss and haematocrit change. Trial Registration No.: PACTR201902721929705. Results: The baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups ( p  > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regards to the mean postpartum blood loss (254.17 ± 34.85 ml versus 249.4 ± 39.88 ml; p  = 0.210), haematocrit change (2.4 (0.8%) versus 2.1 (0.6%); p  = 0.412) or adverse effects ( p  > 0.05). However, the use of additional uterotonics was significantly higher in the intravenous group (25 (21.73%) versus 17 (14.53%); p  = 0.032). Conclusion: Although oxytocin in both study groups showed similar efficacy in terms of preventing atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage, participants who received intravenous oxytocin were more likely to require additional uterotonics to reduce their likelihood of having an atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage. However, both routes have similar side effect profiles