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A silver lining is emerging amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza numbers are way down – 98 percent down, according to the CDC. Locally, during flu season last year, Houston Methodist’s system of eight hospitals saw 250 to 450 flu cases per week. This year the hospital system has seen only 2 to 5 flu cases per week so far. The numbers tell a striking story. Handwashing, masking and social distancing work.

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A new Houston Methodist study found males are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, have complications and die from the virus than females, independent of age. The peer-reviewed observational study appears in PLOS ONE, a multidisciplinary journal published by the Public Library of Science.

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Diego Martin, M.D., Ph.D., has joined Houston Methodist Hospital as Chair of the Department of Radiology.

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A husband and wife, a mother and son, two cousins, two sisters, and a boss and her direct report were strangers from different cities and diverse backgrounds. Now, after a successful, and rare, 5-way kidney swap at Houston Methodist, they are instant family.

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Trials include a model to create custom breast implants, a smarter method to recommend biopsy, a novel approach to preserve sensation in implant-based breast reconstruction, and a new clinical trial investigating a modified herpes virus as a tactic to trigger immune response.

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A follow-up Houston Methodist study of 351 COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma therapy concludes those patients receiving convalescent plasma with a very high antibody content – or high titer – within 72 hours of hospitalization were significantly more likely to survive SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. The results confirm and extend scientific evidence from an earlier interim study and show transfusion of high-titer convalescent plasma has maximum beneficial effect if given within 44 hours of hospitalization.

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Molecular analysis of COVID-19’s powerful second wave in Houston shows a mutated virus strain linked to higher transmission and infection rates than the coronavirus strains that caused Houston’s first wave. Gene sequencing results from 5,085 COVID-positive patients tested at Houston Methodist since early March show a virus capable of adapting, surviving and thriving – making it more important than ever for physician scientists to understand its evolution as they work to discover effective vaccines and therapies.

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A study released by Houston Methodist Sept. 10 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation takes researchers closer to developing a uniform, universal COVID-19 antibody test. The multicenter collaboration tested alternative ways to measure COVID-19 antibody levels that’s faster, easier and can inexpensively be used on a larger scale to accurately identify potential donors for plasma therapy with the best chance of helping patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

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A preliminary analysis of an ongoing study of more than 300 COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma therapy at Houston Methodist suggests the treatment is safe and effective. The results, published in The American Journal of Pathology, represent one of the first peer-reviewed publications in the country assessing efficacy of convalescent plasma and offer valuable scientific evidence that transfusing critically ill COVID-19 patients with high antibody plasma early in their illness reduced the mortality rate.

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The first convalescent plasma transfusion trial results from Houston Methodist have been published. Of the study’s 25 patients, 19 have improved and 11 discharged. With no adverse side effects caused by the therapy, the study concluded convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. This is the first peer-reviewed publication in the U.S. of convalescent plasma therapy results for COVID-19.

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COVID-19 has caused social isolation, a disruption in routine and a fear in many that they will catch the virus. This type of sudden change can induce stress and anxiety. However, Houston Methodist psychologist, William Orme, Ph.D., says there are ways you can manage during these turbulent times.

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The first convalescent plasma transfusion trial results from Houston Methodist have been released. Of the 25 patients in the study, 19 have improved and 11 have been discharged. With no adverse side effects caused by the therapy, the study concluded that convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. This is the largest cohort assessed for outcomes related to convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19.

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Houston Methodist released gene sequencing results from the first strains of the virus causing COVID-19 disease in Houston. Results reveal multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Houston followed by rapid community spread. No evidence was found of mutations making any strains of the virus more severe. Pathologists analyzed genomes of 320 SARS-CoV-2 strains collected from COVID-19 patients, making this the largest sample of SARS-CoV-2 genes sequenced from patients in the southern U.S.

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Necessity being the mother of invention, Houston Methodist clinicians, researchers and staff have collaborated on a number of clinical device and research innovations in response to COVID-19. Houston Methodist Academic Institute leadership has continually emphasized translational research in new technologies.

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COVID-19 patients in a clinical trial at Houston Methodist Hospital are responding quickly to the antiviral drug Remdesivir. Sponsored by Gilead Sciences, Houston Methodist was the fifth site in the U.S. to join the trials and the only trial site in Houston. Its clinicians are encouraged by the results.

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The FDA’s announcement Friday to approve convalescent serum therapy as a large-scale clinical trial opened the door for more patients to receive the potentially life-saving gift of a donor’s plasma.