Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40763307›Full record

ArticlePLoS computational biology2025

Modelling the potential use of pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Lauren Stewart, Stephanie Evans, Teresa Brevini, Fotios Sampaziotis, Christopher J R Illingworth

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS computational biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lauren StewartMRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Stephanie EvansFungal, HCAI, AMU & Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom.
Teresa BreviniCambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Fotios SampaziotisCambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Christopher J R IllingworthMRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-0030-2784

Funding

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)Medical Research Council (MRC) MC_UU_00034/6
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The nosocomial transmission of respiratory pathogens is an ongoing healthcare challenge, with consequences for the health of vulnerable individuals. Outbreaks in hospitals can require the closure of bays or entire wards, reducing hospital capacity and having a financial impact upon healthcare providers. Here we evaluate a novel strategy of pre-exposure prophylaxis as a means to reduce the nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We model the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) upon levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression, SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, and ultimately the probability of an infection. We then implement this model within simulations describing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections within a hospital context, simulating an intervention in which UDCA is given to patients on a ward for 10 days following the detection of a case of SARS-CoV-2 on that ward. Under default model parameters we infer a potential 17% reduction in the nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to patients, with increased importation of cases into the hospital increasing the effectiveness of the intervention, and of the order 1000-2000 patient treatment days per nosocomial patient infection prevented. Our study provides preliminary evidence of the value of pre-exposure prophylaxis with UDCA as a strategy to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Indexed as

COVID-19Cross InfectionPre-Exposure ProphylaxisSARS-CoV-2Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2Computer SimulationHumansModels, BiologicalVirus InternalizationACE2 protein, humanAngiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2

Identifiers

PMID40763307
PMCPMC12370187

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.