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Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... Jun 2024BackgroundSince its emergence in December 2019, over 700 million people worldwide have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to May 2024. While early rollout of mRNA...
A longitudinal study on SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion, reinfection and neutralisation spanning several variant waves and vaccination campaigns, Heinsberg, Germany, April 2020 to November 2022.
BackgroundSince its emergence in December 2019, over 700 million people worldwide have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to May 2024. While early rollout of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has saved many lives, there was increasing immune escape of new virus variants. Longitudinal monitoring of population-wide SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses from regular sample collection irrespective of symptoms provides representative data on infection and seroconversion/seroreversion rates.AimTo examine adaptive and cellular immune responses of a German SARS-CoV-2 outbreak cohort through several waves of infection with different virus variants.MethodsUtilising a 31-month longitudinal seroepidemiological study (n = 1,446; mean age: 50 years, range: 2-103) initiated during the first SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event (February 2020) in Heinsberg, Germany, we analysed acute infection, seroconversion and virus neutralisation at five follow-up visits between October 2020 and November 2022; cellular and cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants were also examined.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-specific IgAs decreased shortly after infection, while IgGs remained stable. Both increased significantly after vaccination. We predict an 18-month half-life of S IgGs upon infection. Nucleocapsid (N)-specific responses declined over 12 months post-infection but increased (p < 0.0001) during Omicron. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific TNF-alpha+/IFN-gamma+ CD4+ T-cells declined over 12 months after infection (p < 0.01). SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies and neutralisation titres were highest in triple-vaccinated participants infected between April 2021 and November 2022 compared with infections between April 2020 and January 2021. Cross neutralisation against Omicron BQ.1.18 and XBB.1.5 was very low in all groups.ConclusionInfection and/or vaccination did not provide the population with cross-protection against Omicron variants.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Seroconversion; Longitudinal Studies; Germany; Antibodies, Viral; Middle Aged; Adult; Male; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Female; COVID-19 Vaccines; Aged; Reinfection; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Aged, 80 and over; Vaccination
PubMed: 38940003
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.26.2300659 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar... Apr 2024Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), an infectious disease resulting from a virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), was discovered in...
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), an infectious disease resulting from a virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), was discovered in China in 2019 and causes several mild to moderate respiratory conditions. This study aimed to reveal the changes in serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and other parameters in Iraqi COVID-19 patients compared with healthy controls by studying the effects of enoxaparin and evaluating the potential of IL-10 as a disease activity marker.
METHODS
This was a case-control study that included 180 samples: 90 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from November 2022 to 20 April 2023 (40 patients had never used enoxaparin, whereas 50 patients had taken enoxaparin) and 90 healthy, age- and sex-matched control. There were 44 female patients and 46 male patients. The mean age of the patients and controls was 53.8 years 50.8 years, respectively. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure IL-10 levels, while other parameters were assessed using the colorimetric method.
RESULTS
The results of the study indicated highly significant changes between the patients and healthy controls in IL-10, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as liver and renal functions. These findings elucidated a significant change between enoxaparin patients and non-enoxaparin patients in IL-10, D-dimer, and CRP levels. However, the liver and renal functions were not significantly altered. The Spearman's rank correlation test investigated the relationship between serum IL-10 and CRP.
CONCLUSIONS
The results displayed a strong positive relationship between IL-10 and CRP. There were no significant differences between the other analyzed parameters; consequently, the patients had higher concentrations of IL-10, D-dimer, and some other parameters than the healthy controls. Additionally, IL-10 may be used as a marker of disease activity. Enoxaparin will likely help control IL-10 and D-dimer concentrations in patients since IL-10 levels decreased in patients treated with enoxaparin.
Topics: Humans; Interleukin-10; Enoxaparin; Male; Female; Case-Control Studies; COVID-19; Middle Aged; Iraq; Adult; C-Reactive Protein; SARS-CoV-2; Biomarkers; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Anticoagulants; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Aged
PubMed: 38939974
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbs1602009 -
JACC. Advances Jan 2024Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine type 2-receptor blockers (H2Bs) are commonly used for stress ulcer prophylaxis among patients requiring invasive mechanical...
BACKGROUND
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine type 2-receptor blockers (H2Bs) are commonly used for stress ulcer prophylaxis among patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Recent studies suggest an increased mortality associated with PPIs compared to H2Bs, but these studies poorly represent patients with cardiovascular disease or acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare outcomes related to stress ulcer prophylaxis with PPIs compared to H2Bs in patients with AMI requiring IMV.
METHODS
We queried the Vizient Clinical Data Base for adults aged ≥18 years admitted between October 2015 and December 2019 with a primary diagnosis of AMI and requiring IMV. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed for the association between stress ulcer prophylaxis and in-hospital mortality.
RESULTS
Including 11,252 patients with AMI requiring IMV, 66.7% (n = 7,504) received PPIs and 33.3% (n = 3,748) received H2Bs. Age, sex, and the proportion of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or cardiogenic shock were similar between groups (all, > 0.05). Compared to PPIs, patients receiving H2Bs had a lower mortality (41.5% vs 43.5%, = 0.047), which was not statistically significant after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio 0.97; 95% confidence interval: 0.89-1.06, = 0.49). In unadjusted and adjusted analyses, H2Bs use was associated with fewer ventilator days, less ventilator-associated pneumonia, and lower hospitalization cost but similar infections.
CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with AMI requiring IMV in this observation cohort study, there was no difference in mortality among patients receiving H2Bs vs PPIs for stress ulcer prophylaxis despite fewer ventilator days and lower ventilator-associated pneumonia in those receiving H2Bs.
PubMed: 38939822
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100750 -
Journal of Immunology Research 2024Vaccination is one of the most effective prophylactic public health interventions for the prevention of infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19).... (Review)
Review
Vaccination is one of the most effective prophylactic public health interventions for the prevention of infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Considering the ongoing need for new COVID-19 vaccines, it is crucial to modify our approach and incorporate more conserved regions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to effectively address emerging viral variants. The nucleocapsid protein is a structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 that is involved in replication and immune responses. Furthermore, this protein offers significant advantages owing to the minimal accumulation of mutations over time and the inclusion of key T-cell epitopes critical for SARS-CoV-2 immunity. A novel strategy that may be suitable for the new generation of vaccines against COVID-19 is to use a combination of antigens, including the spike and nucleocapsid proteins, to elicit robust humoral and potent cellular immune responses, along with long-lasting immunity. The strategic use of multiple antigens aims to enhance vaccine efficacy and broaden protection against viruses, including their variants. The immune response against the nucleocapsid protein from other coronavirus is long-lasting, and it can persist up to 11 years post-infection. Thus, the incorporation of nucleocapsids (N) into vaccine design adds an important dimension to vaccination efforts and holds promise for bolstering the ability to combat COVID-19 effectively. In this review, we summarize the preclinical studies that evaluated the use of the nucleocapsid protein as antigen. This study discusses the use of nucleocapsid alone and its combination with spike protein or other proteins of SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19 Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Animals; Phosphoproteins; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Antibodies, Viral; Nucleocapsid Proteins
PubMed: 38939745
DOI: 10.1155/2024/9313267 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health teams tried several approaches to circulate accurate health information and engage with community members to understand what...
BACKGROUND
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health teams tried several approaches to circulate accurate health information and engage with community members to understand what they need from public health services. Two such approaches were community champions and community participatory action research (CPAR). This study evaluates two champion programmes and a CPAR programme in terms of what worked, for whom, and in what contexts, including the funding and resourcing associated with implementation.
METHODS
Between June 2022 and June 2023, a realist evaluation of three distinct case studies (COVID-19 champions, Vaccine Champions, and CPAR programmes) in the city of Southampton in England was conducted in three stages: development of initial programme theories and collection of additional contextual information, including funding and resources associated with delivering each programme; initial programme theory testing; synthesis of final programme theories. Data was collected primarily through semi-structured interviews ( = 29) across programme and training leads, voluntary services, community organisations, volunteers, and local community members, and one focus group with local community members ( = 8).
RESULTS
The City Council used £642 k from two funding awards to deliver the programmes: COVID-19 Champions £41 k; Vaccine Champions £485 k; and CPAR programmes £115 k. Twenty-eight initial programme theories were generated, which were "tested" to support, refine, or refute context-mechanism-outcome relationships, resulting finally in a set of 22 programme theories across the three programmes. Six demi-regularities were generated, each featuring in multiple programme theories, and providing data on how and why these programmes can work, and in which contexts: (1) building trust through community connections; (2) fostering relationships and collaboration; (3) provision of training and resources; (4) local community knowledge and expertise; (5) community representation and leadership; (6) appropriate communication and information sharing.
CONCLUSION
This study provides new knowledge and understanding of the factors affecting the implementation of community champion and CPAR approaches during public health emergencies. These findings suggest that representation and involvement of community members, establishing and building on trust, adequate training and resources, and clear communication from trusted community members and organisations are catalysts for meaningful engagement with communities. Research Registry identifier: researchregistry8094.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; England; Community-Based Participatory Research; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Focus Groups
PubMed: 38939557
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1355944 -
International Journal of Public Health 2024The adoption of vaccines was a crucial factor in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination rates between rural and urban areas varied greatly. In this...
OBJETIVES
The adoption of vaccines was a crucial factor in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination rates between rural and urban areas varied greatly. In this paper, our objective is to understand the individual and institutional factors associated with the uptake of vaccines in remote rural areas in Colombia.
METHODS
We interviewed a random sample of 800 households (1,592 individuals) in remote rural areas of Antioquia (Colombia) during February 2022 when vaccinations were available. Then, we use a linear probability model to explain the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
RESULTS
The results indicate that the probability of having at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is positively associated with access to information, trust in police and army, and the perceived risk of contracting COVID-19. Trust in the church is negatively related to vaccination.
CONCLUSION
Institutions can play a critical role in the management of pandemics. Timely information on the risks associated with the disease and perceived riskiness are key factors that mobilize the population to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Topics: Humans; Colombia; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Rural Population; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Young Adult; Adolescent; Trust
PubMed: 38939517
DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606689 -
Acta Medica Philippina 2024Based on the 2017-2020 annual report of the Department of Health-Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program, significant resistance patterns have been observed for...
BACKGROUND
Based on the 2017-2020 annual report of the Department of Health-Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program, significant resistance patterns have been observed for common disease-causing pathogens. In the hospital setting, antimicrobial stewardship programs have been implemented to optimize the use of antimicrobials. Drug utilization review studies provide essential feedback to improve prescribing and use of medications.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to review drug utilization of monitored parenteral antimicrobials among patients admitted from January to December 2019.
METHODS
The study employed a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive research design. A retrospective chart review of drugs administered to patients was conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 821 patients charts met the inclusion criteria. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 98 years old and 52% were females. General Internal Medicine practitioners (28%) were the top prescribers of monitored parenteral antimicrobials primarily for the management of moderate-risk community-acquired pneumonia (39%). They were mostly indicated for empirical treatment of infections (94%) and were given for an average of 5.73 days.Only 58% of the total cases had orders for culture and sensitivity testing. Of which, principally 47% had colony cultures. Blood (29%) and sputum (27%) were the most common specimens taken for culture and sensitivity testing. The microorganisms often isolated were (19%), (18%), and (9%). In addition, extended-spectrum beta lactamase-producing gram-negative pathogens (4%) and methicillin-resistant (1%) were also isolated. All the microorganisms isolated showed most resistance to ampicillin (81%) and most susceptibility to colistin (100%). There were drug therapy-related problems encountered. There was one case of an adverse drug reaction (0.1%) and two cases of contraindications (0.2%). Therapeutic duplication was also observed in 5% of the cases. Moreover, 39% had instances of drug-drug interactions.Piperacillin-tazobactam had the highest consumption (79.50 defined daily doses/1,000-patient days) among the monitored parenteral antimicrobials.Some prescriptions were deemed inappropriate upon evaluation. 12% of cases were inappropriate based on the justification indicator. As for the critical indicators, duration of therapy (78%) was the main reason. Only four components of the DUE criteria indicators have met or exceeded the established threshold level.The cost analysis indicated that the total actual cost of therapy with the monitored parenteral antimicrobials amounted to ₱17,645,601.73. Considering Department of Health National Antibiotic Guidelines recommendations, ideal total cost of treatment was ₱14,917,214.29. Potential cumulative cost savings of ₱2,728,387.44 could have been achieved for patients admitted last 2019.
CONCLUSION
Consumption of piperacillin-tazobactam was relatively high as compared to the other monitored parenteral antimicrobials covered in this study. Physicians at the study site seldom prescribe monitored parenteral antimicrobials as recommended by the National Antibiotic Guidelines. This is evidenced in the incidence of inappropriate therapy regimens, with inapt duration of therapy as the leading explanation.From the patient's perspective, the main economic implication was on the direct medical costs, particularly the increased cost of the actual antimicrobial therapy prescribed to manage various infections. Adherence of physicians to the established guidelines and selection of the most cost-effective therapy could have resulted in considerable cost savings.
PubMed: 38939423
DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.7249 -
Acta Medica Philippina 2024To describe the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent tube thoracostomy for pleural complications in patients with COVID-19 and determine the association between...
Outcomes of Tube Thoracostomies in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital COVID-19 Referral Center.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent tube thoracostomy for pleural complications in patients with COVID-19 and determine the association between patient profile and treatment outcomes.
METHODS
A single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent tube thoracostomy for complications of COVID-19 infection in the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from March 30, 2020, to March 31, 2021, was performed. These patients' demographic and clinical profiles were evaluated using median, frequencies, and percentages. The association between patient profile, and mortality and reintervention rates was assessed using univariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.
RESULTS
Thirty-four (34) of 3,397 patients (1.00%) admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia underwent tube thoracostomy. Of these, 34, 47.06% were male, 52.94% were female, the median age was 51.5 years old, 85.29% had comorbid conditions, and 29.41% had a previous or ongoing tuberculous infection. The most common indication for tube thoracostomy was pleural effusion (61.76%), followed by pneumothorax (29.41%), and pneumo-hydrothorax (8.82%). The mortality rate was 38.24%, and the reintervention rate was 14.71%. Intubated patients had 14.84 times higher mortality hazards than those on room air. For every unit increase in procalcitonin levels, the mortality hazards were increased by 1.06 times.
CONCLUSION
An increasing level of oxygen support on admission and a level of procalcitonin were directly related to mortality risk in COVID-19 patients who underwent tube thoracostomy for pleural complications. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that patient-related, COVID-19 pneumonia-related, and procedure-related factors included in this study were significantly associated with reintervention risk.
PubMed: 38939415
DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.7240 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the lives of thousands of patients worldwide with many patients having residual symptoms...
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the lives of thousands of patients worldwide with many patients having residual symptoms months after the acute infection. The severity of lung involvement ranges from mild asymptomatic to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which may lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis increases the long-term morbidity of post-COVID-19 patients in the form of restrictive lung disease. The six-minute walk test (6MWT), Borg scale, and spirometry are simple and low-cost tests used to evaluate a patient's exercise capacity and functional status. This study was conducted to assess the residual symptoms and functional status using spirometry and 6MWT in COVID-19 patients of moderate to severe category after three months of discharge. Methods This was an observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center in North India, aiming to enroll a minimum of 50 patients who recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia. These patients were previously hospitalized with moderate to severe disease severity as defined by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) criteria, and the assessment occurred at least three months after their discharge. Individuals who were under 18 years of age or pregnant or had any respiratory or cardiac illness in the past were excluded from the study. Results A total of 50 patients were included in the study for final analysis. After a three-month follow-up, 40 (80%) patients were still symptomatic. The most commonly reported symptom was exertional dyspnea in 21 (42%), dyspnea at rest in 16 (32%), and fatigue in three (6%) patients. Of the total patients, 37 (74%) covered a distance less than expected in the six-minute walk test. The mean distance covered by patients was 426.1 ± 115.01 m, in contrast to the expected mean distance of 537.22 ± 37.61 m according to standard equations for Indian males and females. A fall in oxygen saturation by more than or equal to 3% was observed in approximately 24 (48%) patients after the six-minute walk test. The mean value of fatigue and dyspnea score was 3.2 ± 1.7 (moderate score). Among patients with moderate disease during their hospital stay, a higher proportion exhibited a normal pattern on pulmonary function tests (PFT) compared to those severely affected, 23 (69.70%) versus two (11.76%), respectively. Conclusion The persistence of symptoms and functional limitation of activities should be anticipated in patients with COVID-19. Spirometry and 6MWT can be a valuable tool in determining the prevalence of functional limitation in recovered patients of COVID-19. It can potentially help in determining and further planning the rehabilitative measures in the management of COVID-19 survivors. It can also be concluded that it is important to have a long-term follow-up in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
PubMed: 38939290
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61221 -
Cureus May 2024Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection has been linked to increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, as...
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection has been linked to increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, as evidenced by numerous studies. Given the potential exacerbation of autoimmune diseases during viral infections, maternal and fetal complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or preeclampsia, often observed in pregnancies involving autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism, may be further aggravated. This study seeks to ascertain whether the association between viral infection and hypothyroidism contributes to an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods This study included a cohort of 145 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. The participants were divided into two groups depending on the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis with hypothyroidism. We examined the maternal and fetal demographic parameters, paraclinical laboratory parameters, and outcomes, aiming to identify disparities between the two groups. Results Among the 145 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 8.96%, with 13 cases reported. In the hypothyroidism group, the mean age of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients was higher (34.07 ± 5.18 years vs. 29.25 ± 6.23 years), as was the number of cases of investigated pregnancies, 12 (92.31%) vs. 91 (68.94%). There was no statistically significant correlation observed between fetal weight at birth, one-minute Apgar score, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, or intrauterine growth restriction between the two groups. Nevertheless, a case of stillbirth was recorded in the hypothyroidism group. The presence of thyroid pathology did not exacerbate the progression of the viral infection, as evidenced by the absence of cases of preeclampsia, ICU admission, or SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Conversely, the presence of hypothyroidism in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with lower uric acid levels and a slight decrease in international normalised ratio (INR) values. Additionally, there was a significant negative association between uric acid levels and the one-minute Apgar score in the hypothyroidism group, while no such correlations were observed in the other group. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between intrauterine growth restriction and uric acid values, as well as between the one-minute Apgar score and INR parameters, in both groups. Conclusion The link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypothyroidism does not appear to increase the risk of preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, or low fetal weight at birth. However, it may be associated with a higher risk of stillbirth. The presence of hypothyroidism in pregnant women with COVID-19 correlates with lower maternal uric acid levels and a slight decrease in INR values. The one-minute Apgar score correlates with the level of uric acid in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypothyroidism.
PubMed: 38939242
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61206