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Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Jul 2024Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) caused by is an endemic disease in Israel and highly prevalent in military personnel. Prevention among the Israel Defense Force...
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) caused by is an endemic disease in Israel and highly prevalent in military personnel. Prevention among the Israel Defense Force soldiers is based on increased awareness mainly in hyperendemic areas and selective postexposure prophylaxis with doxycycline. In this study, we report the presence of a suspected outbreak of TBRF in four soldiers who spent 30 h inside a deserted bunker. Clinical data on TBRF suspected cases were retrieved from clinical records, soft ticks were collected using carbon dioxide (CO) traps and their DNA was extracted and analysed by PCR and nucleotide sequencing. Environmental conditions such as relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed, and type of soil, as well as presence or absence of animal traces inside the bunkers were documented. TBRF-like clinical symptoms in the patients included: tick bite scars, fever (37.5-39.2°C), rash, tachycardia, hypotension, myalgia, cough, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy and nausea. Microscopic search for in blood smears was performed in three patients and was negative. Out of the 255 ticks collected from the bunker, 198 were analyzed and 2 (1%) were infected with . To determine if tick infestation in military bunkers is a common phenomenon, we surveyed nine additional military bunkers located in four different geographical areas for the presence of soft ticks. Only one additional bunker was infested with two ticks, both negative for . Presence of earth that probably helped sustain a relatively big tick population was observed on the floor in the highly infested bunker. Environmental treatment with lambda-cyhalothrin at 9.7% was performed and showed efficacy with no ticks recovered in the infested bunker 124 days after intervention. This study shows that military bunkers may harbor soft ticks infected with and entrance into bunkers should be considered as a risk for acquiring this infection like entrance into natural caves and archeological ruins.
PubMed: 38946628
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2024.0041 -
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ Jul 2024The extremely contagious global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS- CoV-2) is... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The extremely contagious global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS- CoV-2) is causing concern worldwide since its emergence. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more susceptible for acquiring Covid-19 due to direct or indirect exposure to Covid-19 patients. Therefore, it is important to investigate demographic, clinical characteristics and outcome of affected persons and possible source of infection with exposure details. This study aimed at determining the demographic and clinical profile, outcome and possible risk factors for infection among the HCWs at Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH), Bangladesh. This retrospective observational study was done among the SARS-CoV-2 positive HCWs of Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH) from April 2020 to January 2021. Out of total 1323 HCWs, 180(13.9%) cases were detected Covid-19 positive. Among the infected HCWs, 76(42.2%) were male and 104(57.8%) were female. The mean age was 32.8±6.95 years. Eighty nine (89) were nurses (49.4%) and 67 were physicians (37.2%). Among them, 23(13.0%) had no definite symptoms. Mild symptoms had in 137(76.11%) and 40(22.22%) had moderate symptoms. Most common symptoms were fever 112(62.0%), weakness 108(60.0%), cough 102(57.0%) and myalgia 54(30.0%). Pre-existing comorbidities had 43(24.0%). Bronchial asthma 27(15.0%), HTN 24(13.0%) and DM 21(12.0%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. All completely were recovered ultimately. Fatigue 52(28.89%), shortness of breath 15(8.3%), cough 13(7.2%) were the most common long-term complications. Among them, 53(29.0%) pointed toward lack of maintaining a hygienicatmosphere, as their possible cause of being infected, whereas 37(21.0%) could not identify the cause. Maximum HCWs, 170 cases (94.44%) used PPE during their duty. Adequate training get 26(14.44%) on PPE use and Infection prevention and control (IPC). This study concludes almost 1.4 in 10 HCWs at KGH were infected with SARS-CoV-2 while working in hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. Affected HCWs have relatively female predominance with younger age, milder symptoms, and less underlying diseases in this study. Fatigue and shortness of breath are most common long-term complications, which hampers their working ability. Most of them did not get any training on PPE use and IPC.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Adult; Risk Factors; Retrospective Studies; Health Personnel; Bangladesh; SARS-CoV-2; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38944718
DOI: No ID Found -
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ Jul 2024Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) disease have been associated with significant mortality amongst doctors globally including Bangladesh. To delineate the...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) disease have been associated with significant mortality amongst doctors globally including Bangladesh. To delineate the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of the physician affected with Covid-19 was the objective of the study. This cross-sectional 'Facebook' based survey was conducted in the period of August 2020 to September 2020. Snowball sampling methods was followed. A total of 151 physicians affected with Covid-19 participated in this survey. Self-reported perceived severity scale (zero meaning not severe at all and ten denoting the most severe) was used. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 25.0. Among the participants, the majority were male, 98(64.9%). The most prevalent affected age groups were 24-35 years 131(86.8%). Approximately 45.0% worked in COVID dedicated hospital. Entry-level physicians (Medical Officer or Assistant Surgeon) were the most affected 117(94.4%). One-third of the physicians had at least the one co-morbidity. Bronchial asthma, obesity and diabetes were the most frequent. Predominate symptoms of the infection were fever 94(62.3%), cough 94(62.3%) and myalgia 92(60.9%). Half of the participants had sore throat, anosmia, gastro-intestinal symptoms and one-third of the patients developed dyspnea. Perceived severity of the symptoms ranged between 2 and 6. The pattern of drug use to prevent the Covid-19 showed no uniformity. However, intake of Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, antihistamine and Ivermectin was found in 74.8%, 67.5%, 41.7%, 49.0% and 37.7% respectively. As the current pandemic continues to evolve, physicians must be equipped with appropriate knowledge, skills and must be cautious on the prevention measures against Covid-19.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Bangladesh; Physicians; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult; Comorbidity; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38944716
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Cardiology Jun 2024Bempedoic acid exhibits promising potential in hyperlipidemia therapy and preventing cardiovascular events. However, investigations into its adverse drug reactions...
BACKGROUND
Bempedoic acid exhibits promising potential in hyperlipidemia therapy and preventing cardiovascular events. However, investigations into its adverse drug reactions remain scant. This study seeks to utilize data mining techniques with the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to assess adverse drug events (ADEs) linked to bempedoic acid.
METHODS
Based on the drug's market release timeline, we extracted data from the FAERS database covering the fourth quarter of 2020 through the fourth quarter of 2023 for disproportionality analysis.
RESULTS
This study gathered a total of 5,797,543 adverse event case reports, of which 735 were linked to bempedoic acid. These reports covered 19 System Organ Classes (SOCs) and 22 Preferred Terms (PTs). Predominantly, the musculoskeletal and nervous systems were implicated in these adverse events. By conducting PT-level screening, various signals for ADEs were detected, including myalgia (ROR 30.33, PRR 28.51, IC 4.83, EBGM 28.47), arthralgia (n = 34, ROR 6.34, PRR 6.09, IC 2.61, EBGM 6.09), tendon disorders (ROR 99.57, PRR 98.75, IC 6.62, EBGM 98.28), and dizziness (ROR 3.18, PRR 3.13, IC 1.65, EBGM 3.13). Particularly noteworthy was the hypertensive crisis (ROR 28.63, PRR 28.51, IC 4.83, EBGM 28.47), which exhibited a robust signal strength, an observation previously unreported in clinical studies and drug labeling.
CONCLUSION
While our results are largely consistent with the drug's specifications, several new adverse reaction signals, such as hypertensive crisis, have not been previously documented. Therefore, further investigations are necessary to assess these unlabeled adverse reactions, offering crucial support for the clinical utilization of bempedoic acid.
PubMed: 38944350
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132305 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024There are limited population-representative data that describe the potential burden of Post-COVID conditions (PCC) in Mexico. We estimated the prevalence of PCC overall...
BACKGROUND
There are limited population-representative data that describe the potential burden of Post-COVID conditions (PCC) in Mexico. We estimated the prevalence of PCC overall and by sociodemographic characteristics among a representative sample of adults previously diagnosed with COVID-19 in Mexico. We additionally, characterized the PCC symptoms, and estimated the association between diagnosed type-2 diabetes and hypertension with PCC.
METHODS
We used data from the 2021 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Mexico, a nationally and regionally representative survey, from August 1st to October 31st, 2021. Using the WHO definition, we estimated the prevalence of PCC by sociodemographics and prevalence of PCC symptoms. We fit multivariable log-binomial regression models to estimate the associations.
RESULTS
The prevalence of PCC was 37.0%. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue (56.8%), myalgia or arthralgia (47.5%), respiratory distress and dyspnea (42.7%), headache (34.0%), and cough (25.7%). The prevalence was higher in older people, women, and individuals with low socioeconomic status. There was no significant association between hypertension and PCC or diabetes and PCC prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS
About one-third of the adult Mexican population who had COVID-19 in 2021 had Post-COVID conditions. Our population-based estimates can help assess potential priorities for PCC-related health services, which is critical in light of our weak health system and limited funding.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Mexico; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Prevalence; Aged; Survivors; Young Adult; Hypertension; Adolescent; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Sociodemographic Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38943168
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19274-3 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar... Jun 2024Several inherited metabolic fatty acid disorders present with myopathies. Skeletal muscle accounts for 40% of the body and is important for metabolism, exercise, and... (Review)
Review
Several inherited metabolic fatty acid disorders present with myopathies. Skeletal muscle accounts for 40% of the body and is important for metabolism, exercise, and movement. Muscle energy failure is manifested by metabolic crises with muscle weakness, sometimes associated with muscle fatigue and failure resulting in acute necrosis or rhabdomyolysis/myoglobinuria episodes. Lack of energy leads to muscle necrosis. Other presentations are weakness and myalgias with lipid storage myopathies in the biopsy. The biomarkers of such disorders are acyl-carnitine with various profiles and need to be carefully evaluated to plan supplementary therapy and specific diets. If red flags are not distinctly followed and diagnosed in time they might lead to a metabolic or cardiac failure.
Topics: Humans; Muscular Diseases; Carnitine; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Dystrophies
PubMed: 38939976
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbs1602012 -
Cureus May 2024The novel SARS-CoV-2 introduced several new inflammatory conditions including SARS-CoV-2-associated rhabdomyolysis and viral myositis. We present a 22-year-old man who...
The novel SARS-CoV-2 introduced several new inflammatory conditions including SARS-CoV-2-associated rhabdomyolysis and viral myositis. We present a 22-year-old man who noted a week of cough followed by myalgias, dark-colored urine, and decreased oral intake. He was found to have acute nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis after an acutely positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Initial creatine kinase (CK) level was above the reference range as were liver enzymes reflective of muscle breakdown. Treatment involved fluid resuscitation and pain control, with close monitoring of kidney, liver, and skeletal markers over five days of hospitalization till there was clinical and symptomatic improvement.
PubMed: 38933630
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61172 -
Vaccines Jun 2024Enhancing our comprehension of mRNA vaccines may facilitate the future design of novel vaccines aimed at augmenting immune protection while minimising reactogenic...
Association between Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity in a Vaccinated Cohort with Two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines at a High-Complexity Reference Hospital: A Analysis on Immunology Aspects of a Prospective Cohort Study.
Enhancing our comprehension of mRNA vaccines may facilitate the future design of novel vaccines aimed at augmenting immune protection while minimising reactogenic responses. Before this design is carried out, it is important to determine whether adaptive immunity correlates with the reactogenicity profile of vaccines. We studied a large cohort that was vaccinated with mRNA vaccines to answer this question. This was an observational study with real-world data. Reactogenicity data were obtained from the VigilVacCOVID study. Immunogenicity (humoral and cellular) data were retrieved from health records. One main population (n = 215) and two subpopulations were defined (subpopulation 1, n = 3563; subpopulation 2, n = 597). Sensitivity analyses were performed with subpopulations 1 and 2 to explore the consistency of results. We analysed the association of the intensity and types of adverse reactions with the development and quantity of elicited antibody titres. As an exploratory analysis in subpopulation 1, we assessed the association between reactogenicity and cellular immunogenicity. A higher incidence of fever, malaise, and myalgia including severe cases was significantly associated with the development and quantity of positive antibody titres. No significant findings were observed with cellular immunity. We observed a positive association between immunogenicity and reactogenicity. These findings can be relevant for the future development of our understanding of how mRNA vaccines function.
PubMed: 38932394
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060665 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024SARS-CoV-2 continually mutates, with five identified variants. Many neurological manifestations were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences between...
SARS-CoV-2 continually mutates, with five identified variants. Many neurological manifestations were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences between virus variants. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and characteristics of neurological manifestations during COVID-19 in hospitalized patients over three waves in Poland with comparison and analysis correlation with the course of infection. This retrospective single-center study included 600 consecutive adults with confirmed COVID-19, hospitalized during 3 waves (pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron) in Poland. Demographic and clinical information and neurological manifestations were collected and compared across three periods. The median age of the study group was 68, lower during the Delta wave. In the Omicron period, the disease severity at admission and inflammatory markers concentration were the lowest. Neurological manifestations were observed in 49%. The most common were altered mentation, headache, myalgia, mood disorder, ischemic stroke and encephalopathy. Smell and taste disturbances (STDs) were less frequent in the Omicron period. Neurological complications were predominant in the pre-Delta and Omicron periods. Ischemic stroke was observed more often in pre-Delta period. Altered mentation was related to higher severity at admission, worse lab test results, higher admission to ICU and mortality, while headache reduced mortality. Pre-existing dementia was related to higher mortality. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are frequent, with a lower rate of STDs in the Omicron period and more often cerebrovascular diseases in the pre-Delta period. Headache improves the course of COVID-19, while altered mentation, stroke and neurological comorbidities increase severity and mortality.
PubMed: 38930003
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123477 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2024Medical and public recognition of "long-COVID or post-COVID syndrome", as well as its impact on the quality of life (QoL), is required to better address the disease... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Medical and public recognition of "long-COVID or post-COVID syndrome", as well as its impact on the quality of life (QoL), is required to better address the disease burden. Objectives: We aimed to describe the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms and QoL among patients at three and twelve months after their discharge from the hospital. We conducted an observational, prospective, and longitudinal analytic study from September 2021 to April 2022. To measure QoL, we used a validated version of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). We included 68 patients in the study. A total of 54 (79.4%) patients reported at least one persistent symptom at three months vs. 52 (76.4%) at twelve months ( = 0.804). Some persistent symptoms (myalgia, alopecia, and cough) decreased significantly at twelve months (50% vs. 30.9%, 29.4% vs. 13.2%, and 23.5% vs. 7.4%; respectively, = 0.007); in contrast, other persistent symptoms (sleep-wake and memory disorders) were more frequent (5.9% vs. 32.4% and 4.4% vs. 20.6%; respectively, = ≤0.001). Regarding QoL, a statistically significant improvement was observed in some scores over time, = ≤0.037. At twelve months, dyspnea, myalgia, and depression were risk factors associated with a poor physical component summary (PCS), = ≤0.027, whereas anxiety, depression, and fatigue were associated with a poor mental component summary (MCS), = ≤0.015. As the proportion of persistent symptoms at twelve months is high, we suggest that patients must continue under long-term follow up to reclassify, diagnose, and treat new onset symptoms/diseases.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Quality of Life; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Patient Discharge; Longitudinal Studies; Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Adult; Myalgia; Time Factors; Cough; Alopecia
PubMed: 38929561
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060944