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Frontiers in Public Health 2023This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the overall prevalence and co-infection rates for COVID-19, influenza A/B, and respiratory syncytial...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the overall prevalence and co-infection rates for COVID-19, influenza A/B, and respiratory syncytial virus in a large national population.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of 1,318,118 multi-component nucleic acid amplification tests for COVID-19, influenza A/B, and RSV performed at Labcorp sites from January 2018 to June 2023, comparing positivity rates and co-infection rates by age, sex, and seasonality.
RESULTS
In 2021-2023, 1,232 (0.10%) tested positive for COVID-19 and influenza A/B, 366 (0.03%) tested positive for COVID-19 and RSV, 874 (0.07%) tested for influenza A/B and RSV, and 13 (0.001%) tested positive for COVID-19, influenza A/B, and RSV. RSV positivity rates were particularly higher in Q2 and Q3 of 2021 and in Q3 of 2022. Higher influenza A positivity proportions were found in Q4 of 2021 and again in Q2 and Q4 of 2022. Influenza B positivity had been minimal since the start of the pandemic, with a slight increase observed in Q2 of 2023.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the need for adaptability in preparation for upper respiratory infection occurrences throughout the year as we adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic due to the observed changes in the seasonality of influenza and RSV. Our results highlight low co-infection rates and suggest heightened concerns for co-infections during peaks of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, which may perhaps be reduced.
Topics: Humans; Influenza, Human; Coinfection; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Prevalence; Pandemics; COVID-19; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
PubMed: 38162614
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1297981 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Virus infection closely associated with autoimmune disease. The study aimed to explore the autoantibody profiles and the correlation of autoantibodies with the disease...
OBJECTIVES
Virus infection closely associated with autoimmune disease. The study aimed to explore the autoantibody profiles and the correlation of autoantibodies with the disease severity and the prognosis of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
METHODS
Three hundred thirty-seven hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 6th to 23rd January 2023 were enrolled. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for the patient's disease severity and outcome. The association between Anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibody (ENA) positivity and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.
RESULTS
137 of COVID-19 patients were detected positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA), 61 had positive results for ENA, and 38 were positive for ANA and ENA. ANA positivity rate was higher in non-severe illness group ( = 0.032). COVID-19 patients who died during hospitalization had a high rate of ENA positivity than convalescent patients ( = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression showed that ANA positivity was a protective factor for the disease severity of COVID-19. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ENA positivity, white blood cells count (WBC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Creatinine (CREA), and CRP were independent risk factors for the outcome of COVID-19 patients, and that COVID-19 patients with ENA positivity had a lower cumulative survival rate ( = 0.002).
CONCLUSION
A spectrum of autoantibodies were expressed in COVID-19 patients, among which ANA and ENA positivity was associated with the severity and prognosis of COVID-19. Therefore, autoantibodies may help to assess the disease severity and prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 38107861
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1259960 -
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology Dec 2023To investigate the clinical manifestations, immunological characteristics, circulating lymphocyte subsets and risk factors of anticentromere antibody (ACA) positive...
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the clinical manifestations, immunological characteristics, circulating lymphocyte subsets and risk factors of anticentromere antibody (ACA) positive patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).
METHODS
Data of 333 patients with newly diagnosed pSS were collected and analysed retrospectively. The demographic features, glandular dysfunction, extraglandular manifestations, laboratory data, peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles and serum cytokines were compared between ACA-positive and ACA-negative pSS patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between ACA and pSS characteristics.
RESULTS
The prevalence of ACA among pSS patients was 13.5%. ACA-positive pSS patients were older at diagnosis and had longer disease duration. Xerostomia, xerophthalmia, parotid enlargement, Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), lung and digestive system involvement were more common in ACA-positive group, whereas haematological involvement such as leukopenia was more common in the ACA-negative group. Less frequency of rheumatoid factor, hypergammaglobulinaemia, anti-SSA and anti-SSB positivity, as well as higher positivity rate of ANA were observed in ACA-positive pSS patients, who exhibited a lower ESSDAI. In addition, decreased B cells and elevated NK cells were found in ACA-positive patients. Multivariate analysis identified that disease duration longer than 5 years, parotid enlargement, normal immunoglobulin and the absence of anti-SSA antibody were risk factors of ACA-positive pSS.
CONCLUSIONS
ACA positive pSS patients have distinctive clinical manifestations and less severe immunological features, present a lower disease activity and lower activation of the humoral immune system. Physicians should pay attention to RP, lung and liver involvement in this subset of pSS.
Topics: Humans; Sjogren's Syndrome; Retrospective Studies; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Risk Factors; Rheumatoid Factor
PubMed: 36995331
DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/o3pxq0 -
PloS One 2023Zimbabwe has high cervical cancer (CC) burden of 19% and mortality rate of 64%. Zimbabwe uses Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) for CC...
Prevalence of Cervical Cancer and Clinical Management of Women Screened positive using visual inspection with acetic acid and Cervicography in selected public sector health facilities of Manicaland and Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe, 2021.
BACKGROUND
Zimbabwe has high cervical cancer (CC) burden of 19% and mortality rate of 64%. Zimbabwe uses Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) for CC screening. Manicaland and Midlands provinces recorded low VIAC positivity of 3% (target 5-25%) and treatment coverage of 78% (target = 90%) between October 2020 and September 2021.
OBJECTIVES
We explored VIAC positivity rate and clinical management of clients screening positive in Manicaland and Midlands provinces.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using routine VIAC and CC management data for period October 2020 to September 2021. Two samples were used, 1) a sample drawn from 48,000 women VIAC screened to measure positivity rate, and 2) a sample of 1,763 VIAC positive women to assess clinical management. Kobo-based tool was used to abstract data from facility registers, and data were analyzed using STATA 15.
RESULTS
We analyzed data for 2,454 out of 48,000 women screened through VIAC. About 82% (2,007/2,454) were HIV positive, median ages were 40 and 38 years for HIV positives and negatives respectively. Most (64% and 77%) of HIV positive and negative clients respectively were married. VIAC positivity was 5.9% and 3.4% among HIV positive and negative women screened for the first time, and 3.2% and 5.6% for repeat visits respectively. Overall, 89.1% (1,571/1,763) of VIAC positive women received treatment. Most (41%) of those treated received thermocoagulation. Overall, 43.1% of clients received treatment on VIAC day, and 77.4% within 30 days. Six-month post-treatment coverage was 3.8%.
CONCLUSION
VIAC positivity among HIV positive women screening for the first time was 5.9%, within the expected 5-25%. Treatment coverage was high, and turnaround time from diagnosis to treatment met national standards. Post-treatment coverage was suboptimal. We recommend continued implementation of quality improvement initiatives, capacity building of clinicians, and optimization of post-treatment review of clients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Acetic Acid; Zimbabwe; Retrospective Studies; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Public Sector; Mass Screening; HIV Seropositivity; Early Detection of Cancer; Health Facilities; HIV Infections
PubMed: 38019889
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294115 -
Journal of Dental Sciences Jul 2023Oral lichen planus (OLP) is generally considered as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). Previous studies have shown significantly higher serum...
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is generally considered as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). Previous studies have shown significantly higher serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma-antigen (SCC-Ag), and ferritin levels in patients with OPMDs such as oral submucous fibrosis, oral leukoplakia, oral erythroleukoplakia, or oral verrucous hyperplasia. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were significantly higher serum levels and positive rates of CEA, SCC-Ag, and ferritin in OLP patients than in healthy control subjects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The serum CEA, SCC-Ag, and ferritin levels in 106 OLP patients and 187 healthy control subjects were measured and compared. Patients with serum CEA level ≥3 ng/mL, SCC-Ag level ≥2 ng/mL, and ferritin level ≥250 ng/mL were scored as serum positive for CEA, SCC-Ag, and ferritin, respectively.
RESULTS
This study found significantly higher mean serum CEA and ferritin levels in 106 OLP patients than in 187 healthy control subjects. Moreover, 106 OLP patients had significantly higher serum positive rates of CEA (12.3%) and ferritin (33.0%) than 187 healthy control subjects. Although the mean serum SCC-Ag level was higher in 106 OLP patients than in 187 healthy control subjects, the difference was not statistically significant. Of the 106 OLP patients, 39 (36.8%), 5 (4.7%), and 0 (0.0%) had serum positivities of one, two, or three tumor biomarkers including CEA, SCC-Ag, and ferritin, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our findings indicate significantly higher serum levels and positive rates of CEA and ferritin in OLP patients than in healthy control subjects.
PubMed: 37404654
DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2023.03.005 -
Laryngoscope Investigative... Apr 2024Although large retrospective database studies have associated extranodal extension (ENE) with worse survival in several head and neck cancers, the prognostic...
OBJECTIVE
Although large retrospective database studies have associated extranodal extension (ENE) with worse survival in several head and neck cancers, the prognostic significance of ENE in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. Our study examines ENE and overall survival (OS) in LSCC.
METHODS
The 2006-2017 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with LSCC undergoing surgical resection and neck dissection, with or without adjuvant therapy. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression survival analyses were implemented to identify the independent impacts of pathologic nodal (pN) classification and ENE on OS.
RESULTS
Of 4208 patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 2343 (55.7%) were pN0/ENE-negative, 1059 (25.2%) were pN1-2/ENE-negative, and 806 (19.2%) were pN1-2/ENE-positive. The 5-year OS of pN0/ENE-negative, pN1-2/ENE-negative, and pN1-2/ENE-positive patients was 62.8%, 56.7%, and 32.9%, respectively ( < .001). Among pN1-2/ENE-positive patients undergoing no adjuvant therapy, adjuvant radiotherapy alone, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 5-year OS was 24.1%, 30.7%, and 36.7%, respectively ( < .001). After adjusting for patient demographics, clinicopathologic features, and adjuvant therapy, ENE-positivity was associated with worse OS than ENE-negativity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-2.02, < .001). pN1/ENE-positivity (aHR 1.82, 95% CI 1.31-2.54) and pN2/ENE-positivity (aHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.49-2.40) were associated with worse OS than pN1/ENE-negativity ( < .001). Microscopic (aHR 1.83, 95% CI 1.54-2.18) and macroscopic ENE-positivity (aHR 1.75, 95% 1.35-2.26) were associated with worse OS than ENE-negativity ( < .001).
CONCLUSION
ENE-positivity has prognostic significance in LSCC and is associated with worse OS than ENE-negativity. pN classification did not have prognostic significance independent of ENE. ENE should be carefully considered when determining the prognosis of LSCC and selecting adjuvant therapy.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
4.
PubMed: 38529341
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1232 -
Journal of the Endocrine Society Apr 2024Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs), rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells, present a significant diagnostic challenge due to their clinical...
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs), rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells, present a significant diagnostic challenge due to their clinical rarity and polymorphic symptomatology. The clinical cases demonstrate the importance of an integrated approach that combines clinical assessment, biochemical testing, and imaging to distinguish PPGLs from mimicking conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea and interfering medication effects, which can lead to false-positive biochemical results. Although a rare condition, false-negative metanephrine levels can occur in pheochromocytomas, but imaging findings can give some clues and increase suspicion for a pheochromocytoma diagnosis. This expert endocrine consult underscores the critical role of evaluating preanalytical conditions and pretest probability in the biochemical diagnosis of PPGLs. Moreover, a careful differentiation of PPGLs from similar conditions and careful selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests, with focus on understanding and reducing false positives to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes, is crucial.
PubMed: 38737592
DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae078 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023This study explores the impact of positive parenting on adolescents' life satisfaction and the mediating role of parent-adolescent attachment, based on the family...
This study explores the impact of positive parenting on adolescents' life satisfaction and the mediating role of parent-adolescent attachment, based on the family systems theory and attachment theory. The sample included 5,047 adolescents (2,353 males, 2,694 females) with a mean age of 16.65 (SD = 1.21) from Henan Province, China. This study used the Positive Parenting Scale, the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment and the Satisfaction with Life Scale to survey 5,047 adolescents. The results showed that: (1) father's positive parenting positively predicted adolescent life satisfaction, while mother's positive parenting did not significantly predict adolescent life satisfaction; (2) Father-adolescent attachment and mother-adolescent attachment play a mediating role in the relationship between fathers' positive parenting, mothers' positive parenting, and adolescent life satisfaction, respectively; (3) Differences in the mechanisms of father's positive parenting and mother's positive parenting on adolescent life satisfaction. Among them, mothers' positive parenting positively predicts mother-adolescent attachment, which in turn affects adolescent life satisfaction. On the other hand, fathers' positive parenting can influence adolescent life satisfaction through two pathways: by positively predicting father-adolescent attachment and by positively predicting mother-adolescent attachment. The research findings indicate that father's and mother's positive parenting have different direct effects on adolescent's life satisfaction, and both can indirectly influence adolescent life satisfaction through the mediating variables of father-adolescent and mother-adolescent attachment. These findings have important theoretical and practical implications for promoting family education and adolescent psychological well-being.
PubMed: 37465493
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1183546 -
Current Research in Parasitology &... 2023Bats are known to harbour various pathogens and are increasingly recognised as potential reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. This paper reviews the genetic diversity and... (Review)
Review
Bats are known to harbour various pathogens and are increasingly recognised as potential reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. This paper reviews the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of and in bats. The risk of zoonotic transmission of from bats to humans appears low, with bat-specific genotypes accounting for 91.5% of positive samples genotyped from bats worldwide, and and accounting for 3.4% each of typed positives, respectively. To date, there have only been sporadic detections of in bats, with no genetic characterisation of the parasite to species or assemblage level. Therefore, the role bats play as reservoirs of zoonotic spp. is unknown. To mitigate potential risks of zoonotic transmission and their public health implications, comprehensive research on and in bats is imperative. Future studies should encompass additional locations across the globe and a broader spectrum of bat species, with a focus on those adapted to urban environments.
PubMed: 38149267
DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100155 -
Journal of Global Health Mar 2024Positive viral severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cultures indicate shedding of infectious virus and corresponding transmission risk of...
BACKGROUND
Positive viral severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cultures indicate shedding of infectious virus and corresponding transmission risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The research question of this systematic review was: Is there a discernible pattern in the timing of SARS-CoV-2 virus isolation, and what is the proportion of positive and negative results for isolation of SARS-CoV-2 virus with viral culture relative to the onset of clinical symptoms or the day of diagnosis, as indicated by longitudinal studies?
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and Embase from inception to 16 February 2023 for English-language studies with serial viral culture testing within symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected persons during the post-vaccination period. Outcomes of interest were the daily culture status per study and the overall daily culture positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2. We critically appraised the selected studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.
RESULTS
We included 14 viral shedding studies in this systematic review. Positive viral SARS-CoV-2 cultures were detected in samples ranging from 4 days before to 18 days after symptom onset. The daily culture SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate since symptom onset or diagnosis showed a steep decline between day 5 and 9, starting with a peak ranging from 44% to 50% on days -1 to 5, decreasing to 28% on day 7 and 11% on day 9, and finally ranging between 0% and 8% on days 10-17.
CONCLUSIONS
Viral shedding peaked within 5 days since symptom onset or diagnosis and the culture positivity rate rapidly declined hereafter. This systematic review provides an overview of current evidence on the daily SARS-CoV-2 culture positivity rates during the post-vaccination period. These findings could be used to estimate the effectiveness of public health control measures, including treatment and preventive strategies, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Longitudinal Studies
PubMed: 38547496
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.05005