Burtram C. Fielding

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Some human coronaviruses cause seasonal colds or other mild symptoms. Others can be severe and even fatal. Jdidi wassim/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Some coronaviruses kill, while others cause a common cold. We are getting closer to knowing why

Dewald Schoeman, University of the Western Cape; Burtram C. Fielding, University of the Western Cape, and Ruben Cloete, University of the Western Cape

The enigmatic envelope protein seems to hold the key to understanding why some human coronaviruses cause more severe disease than others.
By better communicating how vaccines boost the immune system’s long term “memory”, manufacturers could address vaccine hesitancy. i_am_zews/Shutterstock

COVID‑19 vaccines produce T‑cell immunity that lasts and works against virus variants

Dewald Schoeman, University of the Western Cape and Burtram C. Fielding, University of the Western Cape

Cell-mediated immunity is particularly effective at eradicating viruses, and more durable. This is important in the fight against COVID-19.
A healthcare worker performs a nasal swab as he tests a woman for COVID-19 in Bamako, Mali. Annie Risemberg/AFP via Getty Images

Poor nutrition changes the way a body fights infection: this might protect against severe COVID‑19

Burtram C. Fielding, University of the Western Cape and Dewald Schoeman, University of the Western Cape

Deficient leptin levels caused by malnutrition might protect against severe COVID-19 and related death. This could be another reason for the lower than expected COVID-19 deaths in Africa.
COVID-19 has not been as devastating in South Africa as initially feared. Dino Lloyd/Gallo Images via Getty Images

COVID‑19 and HIV: so far it seems the outcome is not what was feared

Burtram C. Fielding, University of the Western Cape

Some insights into previous outbreaks of human coronaviruses may be useful in explaining the comparatively ‘low’ numbers of COVID-19 infections and mortality in people with HIV in South Africa.

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