Rick Moss, MD, CF clinician and researcher at Stanford, answers CF and COVID-19-related questions submitted by our community over the past week related to antibody tests, impacts on those with CF, and much more. This most recent (and probably final) session was recorded on May 27, 2020.
We thank Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, Genentech, Chiesi USA, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals for their support of these podcasts.
Track: Woods Artist: Federico Fabbiano Music provided by Oak Studios
Index of Questions
The following information is current as of Wednesday, May 27th, 2020
2:22
What is the current report for the US on the number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19?
4:01
What can you share regarding recent reports of COVID-19 cases in the CF?
8:33
There has been talk about getting a vaccine ready for everybody in the US by January. Can you share any current information on the development of a vaccine and/or treatments for COVID-19?
11:07
Assuming someone with CF might be able to get into a vaccine trial, are there extra concerns about vaccines in development interacting with CF in some way? On the other hand, if no one with CF or any health issues can get into the trials, how will we know the vaccine is safe and effective in our population?
15:59
A triple combo anti-viral treatment of interferon-beta1, lopinavir/ritonavir, and ribavirin has been found to assist recovery of covid-19. Can you tell us more about this?
18:52
Remdisivir has been given an emergency approval. Can you please tell us more about how this drug works, what evidence supports it’s use, what side effects it may have, and what impact it may have on the pandemic?
20:12
Are there any known issues with CF and antiviral drugs? With all the talk about Hydroxychloroquine, are there additional risks for those with CF who take this drug?
21:04
I’m a 65-year-old with CF. I also have an undifferentiated connective tissue disease for which I take Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine). Two years ago, I was diagnosed with MOG antibody disease, a demyelinating disorder. Has anyone suggested that people like me should stay in quarantine until a vaccine is available? I live alone and miss being around people. But surely don’t want to aggravate any of my disease.
23:47
I understand that there are only two types of COVID-19 tests, serology tests and viral tests. What is the purpose of having two types of tests,
and which one would you recommend? Do these tests have different limitations or identify the presence of this virus differently?
28:36
I have heard there is a correlation in outcomes when people are infected with a “small” viral load compared to patients infected with a “large” viral load. Patients infected with a smaller initial viral load seem to do better. Is this correct, and why does this make a difference?
31:17
We have a child with CF and believe that she as well as others in our household may have either had, or have been exposed to, COVID-19. After hearing about all the problems with antibody testing, is it worth it to get antibody tested? Can we trust the results from antibody testing? Furthermore, if we knew we do have antibodies, would that mean that we have a defense against this virus and can relax our strict quarantine measures?
32:47
I have heard about correlations between higher vitamin D levels and better health outcomes in folks facing COVID-19. Can you please discuss the validity of this correlation, and explain why vitamin D helps folks facing COVID-19? For those of us in the CF community, would vitamin D possibly help to keep us relatively safe?
35:00
Do you anticipate a larger amount of CF exacerbations in the CF community (esp pediatrics) due to the lack of care we are getting now concerning PFTs and sputum cultures not given to well patients, and well patients being put on the back burner?
38:33
Do you anticipate when CF clinics open back up for all CF patients that there will be greater wait time to get an appointment because everyone will be making appointments at the same time?
39:00
Do you see the above issues as things that need solutions now, or is it just a hidden side effect of a pandemic and unfortunately we have to just do the best we can in the unprecedented circumstances?
40:04
What options are there for contact tracing COVID-19 and how can we participate? Which organization is responsible for the information gathered by this, and how is this information transparent or released in real-time to help protect community?
