Course Of COVID-19 In Patients Research Articles

Secretory IgA and course of COVID-19 in patients receiving a bacteria-based immunostimulant agent in addition to background therapy

Mucosal immunity plays a major role not only in the prevention but probably also in the outcomes of COVID-19. An enhanced production of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) might contribute to the activation of the immune response mechanisms. To assess the levels of sIgA produced by epithelial cells in the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa and those measured in salivary gland secretions and to study the course of COVID-19 following the combined scheme of intranasal and subcutaneous administration of a bacteria-based immunostimulant agent. This study included 69 patients, aged between 18 and 60, who had moderate COVID-19 infection. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (control group) included 39 patients who received only background therapy, and Group 2 was made up of 30 patients who received background therapy in combination with the Immunovac VP4 vaccine, a bacteria-based immunostimulant agent, which was given for 11 days starting from the day of admission to hospital. The levels of sIgA were measured by ELISA in epithelial, nasal and pharyngeal swabs, and salivary gland secretions at baseline and on days 14 and 30. The combined scheme of intranasal and subcutaneous administration of the Immunovac VP4 vaccine in the complex therapy of patients with COVID-19 is accompanied by increased synthesis of sIgA in nasal and pharyngeal swabs, more intense decrease in the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and reduction in the duration of fever and length of hospitalization compared to the control group. Prescribing a immunostimulant agent containing bacterial ligands in complex therapy for COVID-19 patients helps to enhance mucosal immunity and improves the course of the disease.

The impact of innovative glucose-lowering drugs on the course and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at high risk of adverse outcomes in coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Despite the gradual resolution of the pandemic, new strains of the virus are emerging, characterized by high contagiousness, and the risk of infection becoming a seasonal disease is increasing. In this connection, the issue of identifying risk factors that aggravate the course of COVID-19 in patients with T2DM, including the role of initial hypoglycemic therapy, remains relevant.The review presents and systematizes up-to-date information (according to randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses) on the effect of outpatient and inpatient use of metformin and innovative hypoglycemic drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors) on the course and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with T2DM. At the same time, the potential mechanisms of the pathogenetic effect of drugs on the course of COVID-19, positive and negative aspects of their administration are described.

The role of platelet large cell ratio in determining mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Inflammatory mechanisms have been implicated and have been subject to research in the clinical course of COVID-19 patients. In this study, platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) has been examined as a novel prognostic and inflammatory parameter. A total of 1992 COVID-19-positive patients admitted to COVID-19 unit of Infectious Diseases were included. In order to identify a potential relationship between P-LCR and mortality, surviving patients were compared with subjects who died as a result of the disease. Although P-LCR levels showed a steady increase in all COVID-19 patients after admission, they were significantly higher in those who eventually died (P < .001), indicating a positive correlation between mortality and P-LCR. The P-LCR levels of patients followed up in the intensive care unit were statistically significantly higher than those followed up in the ward (P < .001). P-LCR levels of patients intubated in intensive care unit were statistically significantly higher than those who were not intubated (P < .001). Also, P-LCR levels were subdivided into 3 categories as normal, low, and elevated. Elevated P-LCR was found to be positively correlated with leukocyte count, neutrophil count, D-dimer, troponin, ferritin, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and showed negative correlation with fibrinogen, lymphocyte count, and platelet count. As P-LCR was correlated with the severity of inflammation in all COVID-19 patients, it was significantly higher in those patients who died. Elevated P-LCR was considered to be associated with the risk of severe disease and death. This inexpensive, readily available test may be incorporated into our clinical practice as a novel marker of poor prognosis in addition to other valuable laboratory parameters.

COVID-19 Clinical Features and Outcome in Italian Patients Treated with Biological Drugs Targeting Type 2 Inflammation.

This is a multicentric investigation involving two Italian centers that examined the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients receiving biological therapy targeting type 2 inflammation and those not receiving biologicals. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the management of respiratory and allergic disorders and the potential impact of biological therapy in the most severe forms has been a point of uncertainty. Our multicentric investigation aimed to compare the clinical course of COVID-19 and the impact of vaccination in an Italian cohort of patients with atopic disorders caused by a type 2 inflammation, such as eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), atopic dermatitis (AD), and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). A questionnaire was given to patients coming to our outpatient clinic for the first evaluation or follow-up visit, asking for the clinical characteristics of the infection, the ongoing therapy during the infection, any relevant change, and the patient's vaccination status. We enrolled 132 atopic patients from two Italian centers; 62 patients were on biological therapy at the time of infection (omalizumab 31%, mepolizumab 26%, benralizumab 19%, and dupilumab 24%). The median age was 56 (IQR 22.8) for patients on biologicals and 48 (IQR 26.5) for those not on biologicals (p = 0.028). The two groups were comparable in terms of sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, and systemic oral corticosteroid use (OCS). There were no significant differences in non-biological therapy and comorbidity between the two groups. The patients not on biological therapy had a prevalence of 87% for asthma, 52% for CRSwNP, 10% for CSU, and 6% for AD. The patients on biologicals had a prevalence of 93% for asthma, 17% for CRSwNP, and 10% for CSU. In our work, we observed that mAbs targeting type 2 inflammation in patients with COVID-19 appeared to be safe, with no worsening of symptoms, prolongation of infection, or increase in hospitalizations. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in the duration of swab positivity (p = 0.45) and duration of symptoms (p = 0.38). During COVID-19, patients on biologicals experienced a significant increase in common cold-like symptoms (p = 0.038), dyspnea (p = 0.016), and more, but not significant, asthma exacerbations, with no significant differences between the different biologicals. Regarding the vaccination status, we observed that there was an increased number of hospitalizations among unvaccinated patients in both groups, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. No patients on biologicals reported safety issues or adverse effects associated with the use of biological treatments during COVID-19. Our investigation showed that mAbs against type 2 inflammation given during Coronavirus Disease 2019 are safe and do not impact the clinical course or main outcomes. Therefore, we found no signals suggesting that anti-Th2 biological therapy should be discontinued during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Controlled studies and analysis, including data from registries and real-life studies, are required to draw firm conclusions regarding the safety or possible advantages that anti-type 2 mAbs could offer in particular clinical contexts, such as infections.

Coronavirus infection after blood stem cell transplantation

Background. In March 2020, oncohematologists faced the problem of severe COVID-19 coronavirus infection in patients after a high-dose chemotherapy and autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. This required a review of issues related to the selection of patients for blood stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the development of new preventive and therapeutic tactics aimed at treating infectious and immunological complications in patients of this category, depending on the nature and status of the underlying disease and the timing of treatment.Aim. To assess the severity, most typical complications and course of COVID-19 in patients during early and late posttransplant periods.Materials and methods. We analyzed the data of patients after HSCT with active coronavirus infection hospitalized in the hematology department from 2020 to 2021. A total of 25 patients were hospitalized: 4 after allogeneic transplantation, 21 after autologous transplantation. According to the timing of HSCT, patients were divided into 2 groups: early period (ETP) (2-90 days after HSCT) - 14 patients, late period (LTP) (3-24 months after HSCT) - 11 patients.Results. Severe coronavirus infection (grades III-IV according to computed tomography) was more often observed in patients in the ETP group (65 %) than in the LTP group (18 %). The incidence of respiratory failure was 70 and 36 % in the ETP and LTP groups, respectively. In the ETP group, agranulocytosis and the development of severe infectious complications (bacterial, fungal and viral) were observed significantly more often than in the LTP group, which required the appointment of reserve groups antibacterial therapy and antifungal therapy. Mortality in the ETP group was 35 %, while no deaths were recorded in the LTP group. The median duration of hospitalization for patients in the ETP and LTP groups was 20 and 13 days, respectively.Conclusion. Patients early after HSCT are at higher risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections, are more likely to require hospitalization in the intensive care unit, and have a greater risk of death from COVID-19. Therapy with genetically engineered biological drugs is not contraindicated in the case of leukopenia and agranulocytosis in this group of patients.

A Retrospective Analysis of Azvudine in Patients with COVID-19 and Pre-existing Cancer.

Objectives: Azvudine has been recommended as a potential treatment for the recently discovered Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2019. However, the effectiveness of Azvudine in individuals who have both COVID-19 and pre-existing cancer remains uncertain. Consequently, we undertook a retrospective analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Azvudine therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and pre-existing cancer. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, selected from patients admitted to a specialist oncology hospital between June 1, 2022 to June 31, 2023 with positive RT-PCR and pre-existing cancer. After exclusion and propensity score matching, patients in the test group treated with Azvudine and control patients treated with standard antiviral therapy were included. The primary outcome is the interval time from the first dose of Azvudine to the attainment of the first negative result for nucleic acid. Secondary outcomes included the rate of nucleic acid conversion, the duration of hospitalization, and the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) of event outcomes and to assess whether cancer types and Azvudine treatment will affect the course of COVID-19, specifically the time it takes for primary symptoms to alleviate. Results: In this study, a total of 84 patients were included for analysis. Among them, 42 patients received Azvudine treatment after hospitalization, and the rest were treated with standard antiviral therapy. The results expressed that the time taken for the first negative nucleic acid test was significantly shorter in the Azvudine group compared to the control group [5 (IQR3-7) d vs 12 (IQR9-15) d], p<0.0001. This difference was statistically significant. Furthermore, a multivariate COX analysis indicated that Azvudine treatment could effectively reduce the time required for nucleic acid conversion in cancer patients (HR 1.994, 95% CI 1.064-3.736, p=0.031). And the type of cancer also had an impact on the course of COVID-19 in patients. (HR 3.442, 95%CI 1.214-9.756, p=0.020; HR 3.246, 95% CI 1.925-7.209, p=0.036). Conclusion: Azvudine was correlated with a reduced duration for achieving nucleic acid conversion in individuals diagnosed with cancer. And different types of cancer have a certain impact on the course of COVID-19 for patients.

Features of the course of COVID-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

To identify the features of the course of COVID-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), depending on the intake of hypoglycemic therapy at the prehospital stage, in conjunction with the functional state of the kidneys. A retrospective analysis of 291 case histories of patients with COVID-19 and T2DM hospitalized in the infection department of Semashko Regional Clinical Hospital from January to December 2021, including the main clinical and laboratory parameters.Results. Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, patients with T2DM had a higher mortality rate. An analysis of the case histories of deceased patients with COVID-19 and T2DM showed that at admission, body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein, and creatinine were higher than those of survivors and amounted to BMI - 33 [30; 39] and 33 [28; 36] kg/m3; p=0.039, C-reactive protein - 77 [47.5; 106.0] and 57 [27.0; 89.0] mg/l; p=0.015, in terms of creatinine level - 89 [70.0; 144.0] and 82 [66.0; 101.0] µmol/l; p=0.039, respectively. It was found that in the second week of hospitalization in the group of deceased patients with COVID-19 and T2DM, the creatinine level was statistically significantly higher than in surviving patients and amounted to 94.5 [71.5; 141.0] and 72.5 [57.0; 88.0] µmol/L; p<0.001, respectively. The probability of death in hospitalized patients with type 2 COVID-19 and T2DM depended on BMI and creatinine levels at the second week of hospitalization. Patients with prehospital correction of hyperglycemia dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (iDPP-4)/ glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (agGLP-1)/ sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (iSGLT-2) had significantly lower creatinine levels at week 2 of hospitalization. In patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 with concomitant T2DM, special attention should be paid to the combination of high BMI and creatinine in the second week of hospitalization, which is a prognostically unfavorable predictor of death in such patients.

Prothrombotic course in COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Prothrombotic course in COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Clinical particulars of acute coronary syndrome course in patients with COVID-19

Background: Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 result in challenges for differential diagnosis, patients referral and treatment, which negatively affect the outcomes.&#x0D; Aim: To identify clinical particulars of various types acute coronary syndrome course in patients with COVID-19.&#x0D; Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 202 patients with COVID-19 and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to a primary vascular medicine center from September to December 2020. Their medical records were used for the analysis of ACS and COVID-19 clinical course, including physical and history data, laboratory and instrumental work-up. For the analysis, the patient sampling was divided into three study groups: 50 patients with unstable angina (UA), 107 patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI), and 45 patients with acute myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation (non-STEMI).&#x0D; Results: There were no differences in clinical manifestations of ACS in the study groups. As far as clinical manifestations of coronavirus infections are concerned, the patients differed significantly as per prevalence of fever and dry cough. Fever was present in 22 (44%) UA patients, 18 (17%) of STEMI patients and in 10 (22%) of non-STEMI patients (p 0.001 for comparison of 3 groups, Kruskall-Wallis test), whereas dry cough was present in 18 (36%), 19 (18%), and 14 (31%) patients, respectively (p = 0.029). Paired comparison (Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni adjustment) showed significant differences between US and STEMI groups for both symptoms. The number of involved vessels (median [25%; 75%]) in UA patients was 0 [0; 2], in STEMI and non-STEMI patients 2 [1; 3] (p 0.001). A left coronary artery stenosis was detected in 2 (6%) of the UA patients, 13 (14%) of the STEMI and 4 (13%) of the non-STEMI patients (p = 0.452); left anterior descending artery stenosis, in 12 (36%), 67 (72%) and 23 (72%) patients, respectively (p 0.001). In the pairwise comparison, there were differences between UA and STEMI groups and between UA and non-STEMI groups. A left circumflex artery stenosis was found in 7 (21%) of the UA patients, 45 (48%) of the STEMI and 18 (56%) of the non-STEMI patients (p = 0.008); the pairwise comparisons showed the difference between UA and non-STEMI study groups. A right coronary artery stenosis was identified in 9 (27%), 64 (69%) and 18 (56%) of the study patients, respectively (p 0.001); in the pairwise comparison the difference was found between the UA and STEMI group. There were significant differences in the percentage of the right descendent and right coronary artery stenosis: the right descending artery stenosis was 70% [45; 80] in the UA patients, 90% [70; 100] in the STEMI and 95% [70; 100] in the non-STEMI patients (p = 0.013), whereas the right coronary artery stenosis was 50% [45; 80], 90% [70; 100], 90% [60; 100], respectively (p = 0.018). In the pairwise comparison, the differences were found between the UA and STEMI patients in both arteries. The STEMI patients had higher TIMI thrombus grade scores than those with non-STEMI: 3 [0; 5] vs 0 [0; 4] (p = 0.023). The rates of successful percutaneous coronary intervention and achievement of TIMI flow grade 3 between them was not significantly different (p = 0.170).&#x0D; Conclusion: The ACS patients with ACS and COVID-19 have high thrombotic load according to coronary angiography and TIMI score in the case of STEMI and more frequent absence of hemodynamically significant stenosis in those with UA and non-STEMI. The absence of any difference in clinical manifestations of ACS and viral infection between the study groups (except fever and dry cough difference between the UA and STEMI patients) indicates that specific characteristics of the ACS course in COVID-19 patients can be identified only by coronaroangiography.

Frequency and course of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases (according to the data of V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology)

The aim of the study was to assess frequency and severity of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) who were on inpatient treatment at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology. Patients and methods. The study included information on the presence or absence of COVID-19 in the medical history of 6911 patients with immunoinflammatory RD (IIRD) and 362 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who were on inpatient treatment at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology from September 21, 2021 to April 28, 2023. Results. The incidence of COVID-19 in the analyzed IIRD was significantly higher compared to OA (p&lt;0.001). All IIRD included in the analysis are characterized by an increased risk of COVID-19 incidence when compared with OA by 2.7–6.3 times. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, microcrystalline arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ANCA-associated vasculitis were significantly more likely (p&lt;0.02) to receive COVID-19 therapy compared with the control group. Patients with these diseases are characterized by an increased risk of treatment for COVID-19 by 1.9–3.7 times compared with OA. Also, patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and systemic vasculitis (SV) were hospitalized with COVID-19 more often than patients with OA (p=0.01, p=0.007 and p=0.024, respectively). Patients with IJD, CTDs and SV are characterized by an increased risk of hospitalization with COVID-19 by 4.3– 4.7 times compared with OA. In addition, elderly patients with IIRD are characterized by an increasing risk of treatment, hospitalization and use of biologics or targeted synthetic disease-modifying drugs for COVID-19. Conclusion. According to the results obtained, the problem of COVID-19 is significant for patients with RD, which dictates need for further research on vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 among this cohort of patients.

Retrospective analysis of epidemiologic features and clinical course of COVID-19 patients and comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

At our Pneumology Department, we dealt with three waves of COVID-19 pandemics. The purpose of this study is to compare patients' epidemiological and clinical characteristics across waves and to assess the effect of vaccination on clinical presentation, course, and prognosis. From March 2020 to March 2022, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare patient characteristics. Based on the time of hospital admission, data from 456 patients were collected and divided into three groups (IW, IIW, and IIIW). In addition, we looked at the link between vaccination and clinical presentation and hospitalization outcome. The average age and comorbidities of patients increased, as did the worsening of respiratory conditions at admission (PaO2/FiO2 median 207 in IW, 95.5 in IIW, and 99 in IIIW). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was the primary respiratory support during the first wave, but an increase in the use of high flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation was later observed, resulting in a higher hospital discharge rate and a lower intubation rate. Vaccinated patients had less severe COVID-19-related respiratory failure, a better clinical course, and a higher hospital discharge rate (71.4% in V-group vs 44.7% in NV-group, p<0.001). Patients' characteristics changed over the three waves, possibly due to virus mutations. The advancement of clinical and therapeutic management knowledge has contributed to a reduction in the severity of respiratory failure. The vaccination campaign improved the clinical course and reduced mortality.

Developing a COVID-19 Mortality Prediction (CoMPred) Indicator for ICU Diabetic Patients Treated with Tocilizumab in Saudi Arabia: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts have been made to underline its discourse and identify factors contributing to its severe forms. Clinically, many physicians depended on subjective criteria to determine its severe forms, which varied significantly between practices. However, they did not rely on objective laboratory findings. This study aimed to present a novel and objective laboratory-based indicator to predict mortality among COVID-19 patients. The study included 249 COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the ICU, of which 80 did not survive. The COVID-19 Mortality Prediction (CoMPred) indicator was developed by including the age and the following lab investigations: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), D-Dimer, PT, aPTT, ESR, CRP, and urea levels. A CoMPred score of 7.5 or higher carries a sensitivity of 81.10% in predicting mortality, i.e., a patient with a CoMPred score of 7.5 or higher has an 81.10% chance of dying. The CoMPred indicator score directly correlates with mortality, i.e., the higher the score, the higher the possibility of the patient dying. In conclusion, the CoMPred indicator is an objective tool that is affordable and widely available, will assist physicians, and limit the burden on clinical decisions on an unpredicted course of COVID-19 in patients.

Omicron variant dominance and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are key determinants for a milder course of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases

IntroductionThis study aimed to determine whether the introduction of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the dominance of the omicron variant had a significant impact on the outcome of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SAIRDs).MethodsUsing data entered to the Greek Rheumatology Society COVID-19 registry, we investigated the incidence of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, during the successive periods of the pandemic according to the prevalent strain (wild-type, Alpha, Delta, Omicron) in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Variables independently associated with hospitalization and death were explored using multivariate regression analyses, while Kaplan–Meier curves were used to depict survival data.ResultsFrom August 2020 until June 30, 2022, 456 cases (70.2% females) of COVID-19 with a mean age (± SD) of 51.4 ± 14.0 years were reported. In unvaccinated patients, the proportions of hospitalization and death were 24.5% and 4%, compared to 12.5% and 0.8% in the vaccinated group (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The rates of hospitalization for the wild-type, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron periods were 24.7%, 31.3%, 25.9%, and 8.1% respectively (p < 0.0001), while the case fatality rates were 2.7%, 4%, 7%, and 0%, respectively (p = 0.001). Using multivariable regression analysis, factors independently associated with hospitalization were infection by a non-Omicron variant, being non-vaccinated, exposure to rituximab, older age, and respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Independent predictors for death were contracting COVID-19 during the Alpha or Delta period, pulmonary disease, and older age, while being vaccinated was protective.ConclusionsIn this 2-year analysis, the rates of hospitalization and death among patients with SAIRDs have declined significantly. Vaccination and the dominance of the Omicron variant appear to be the major determinants for this shift.Key points• During the late phase of the pandemic, the proportion of severe COVID-19 cases, defined as requiring hospitalization or resulting in death, in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases has declined.• Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and the dominance of the Omicron strain are the key factors that have independently contributed to this shift.

The Effect of Oral Silymarin on Remdesivir-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Clinical Course in Covid-19 Patients; A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effect of Oral Silymarin on Remdesivir-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Clinical Course in Covid-19 Patients; A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Prevalence of Abnormal Liver Functions in Covid-19 Patients

Abstract Background Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are known to cause both respiratory and intestinal diseases in various animal species and humans. These viruses tend to target the upper respiratory tract, causing anywhere from moderate to severe illnesses, such as the cold or in more extreme cases, pneumonia. To date, 7 human coronaviruses have been identified, including the 3 epidemic viruses of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and the newest, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). Aim of the Work To evaluate the incidence of concurrent elevation of liver function tests (AST, ALT, Bilirubin), examine dynamic changes of it and its relationship with disease throughout the course of COVID-19 patients. Patients and Methods We retrospectively evaluated and analyzed the liver enzymes and total bilirubin results (Ast, Alt, bilirubin) along with the medical history obtained from 105 adult patients of both genders with confirmed COVID-19, moderate group (62) patients, severe group (43) patients from 15 March 2020 to 15 June 2020 admitted at Ain Shams University isolation hospitals. Results AST was significantly higher in patients with severe disease on admission compared to moderate cases, however it's median level did not show marked elevation from normal values (median AST level 45 u/l, range 12-2228), normal value of AST less than 40 U/L. During hospital stay AST also was significantly higher in severe group compared to moderate group with p value 0.022. ON discharge patients had almost normal AST level as patients were improved (2 COVID PCR were negative). Conclusion Liver injury not a frequent finding in patients with COVID-19. Any rise in liver function may indicate severe COVID disease. Monitoring liver functions during course of severe disease till recovery.

Skeletal and muscular manifestations of post-COVID syndrome: literature review

The 2019 outbreak of a novel coronavirus infection in Wuhan City has resulted in a pandemic that has not only brought about global social change, but has also been a challenge for the entire medical community. The accumulation of material on this disease has revealed the multisystemic nature of internal organ damage with the development of new associated conditions, particularly those related to immunopathology and rheumatologic diseases. This review describes the literature on musculoskeletal symptoms during different periods of new-onset coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The paper defines the terms post-COVID syndrome and Long COVID, and describes clinical observations and the most common symptoms in adults and children. Clinical cases of joint syndrome are described in patients who have had a new coronavirus infection and no history of rheumatologic disease. Possible molecular pathogenesis of autoimmunity activation (cellular and humoral immune response as well as direct cytotoxic effect of the virus) both in acute period of coronavirus infection as well as during recuperation is also considered. Literature analysis of peculiarities of course of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatological diseases was carried out, in particular the risk of infection, its severe course and unfavourable outcome. In general, according to the analysis of the literature, musculoskeletal lesions occur more frequently between 3 and 10 weeks after the end of the acute stage of infection, most often manifested by muscle and joint pain, while the incidence of true reactive arthritis associated with COVID-19 is low. The pathogenesis of musculoskeletal damage requires further investigation and patients should be followed up for a longer period of time.

Level of cell-free DNA in plasma as an early marker of hospital course of covid-19 in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity

The progression of COVID-19 varies significantly among individuals; the severity and mortality rate are correlated with obesity, pre-existing type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, not all patients from highrisk groups are characterized by severe passing of disease. Finding precise and rapid prognostic indicators is one of the main aims of our study. The study used plasma samples from 103 patients and volunteers. A retrospective analysis was performed on 93 COVID-19 patients classified by the severity of the disease as mild (n = 14), moderate (n = 42), and severe (n = 37). The distribution into groups was conducted after the completion of treatment in patients. The severity of COVID-19 was retrospectively assessed at the time of hospital discharge. Upon admission, all patients presented with similar symptoms of the disease. Glucocorticosteroids were not administered during the pre-hospital treatment phase. Demographic data and parametric indicators were registered. Clinical analysis and quantification of extracellular DNA (cfDNA) were performed and the levels of NETosis, the concentration of human myeloperoxidase (MPO) and human neutrophil elastase in blood plasma were measured. Statistical analyses were provided in the R environment (www.R-project.org, V.4.0). Our data illustrates that the severity of coronavirus disease among subjects largely correlates with the initial cell-free DNA in plasma and NETs formation activity. The plasma cfDNA levels in the early period of the disease were statistically significantly different in the subsequent course of the disease in patients with diabetes. The cfDNA value of 4297 ng/ml and higher corresponded to a more severe passing of disease in patients with COVID-19 from a high-risk group with 82% sensitivity and 72% specificity (AUC0.856, 95% CI 0.778-0.935, P &lt; 0.001). The level of elastase in the blood plasma of patients with severe COVID-19 shows a statistically significant difference from the level of mild and moderate patients (P &lt; 0.001), as well as compared with the level of elastase in healthy donors. In addition, the data demonstrate statistically significant differences in MPO levels between all groups of patients with COVID-19. We found an association between circulating NET formation markers at the disease’s initial stage and clinical outcome. This demonstrates the potential importance of assessing plasma levels of cfDNA for clinical decision-making in the early stages of the disease.

COVID-19 in patients with congenital bleeding disorders in Russia

Background. Internationally published data about the course of COVID-19 in patients with congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs) are limited. There are questions about how COVID-19 affects the course of CBDs and, conversely, how CBDs affect the course of coronavirus infection.Aim — to analyze the course of COVID-19 in patients with CBDs in Russia.Materials and methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the National Medical Research Center for Hematology (Moscow) for the period from June 25 to July 31, 2022. A cluster of 187 patients from different regions and cities of Russia were interviewed with a questionnaire based on survey administration software (Google forms) containing 27 questions.Results. COVID-19 affected 115 (62 %) of 187 surveyed patients and 22 (19 %) patients suffered from coronavirus infection twice. Hospitalization was required for 14 (12 %) patients with an average age of 42 years (10 patients with severe hemophilia A, 1 patient with moderate hemophilia B, 2 patients with von Willebrand disease and 1 patient with hypoproconvertinemia). During COVID-19 bleeding was observed in 9 (8 %) patients and was represented by hemarthrosis, ecchymosis, hematomas, nosebleeds, menorrhagia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, hemorrhage in the eyeball. There were no cases of thrombosis among 115 COVID-19 patients. Among patients with CBDs who had COVID-19, compared with patients who had not COVID-19, von Willebrand disease was statistically significantly more common (p = 0.04). Changes in the course of CBD after COVID-19 were noted by 21 (18 %) of 115 patients: 11 (10 %) of those who were ill noted increased joint pain, 9 (8 %) complained of joint pain that had not been previously experienced; 10 % of patients described changes of hemorrhagic syndrome.Conclusion. The probability of hospitalization of patients with CBDs and COVID-19 older than 40 is statistically significantly higher. Von Willebrand disease can be considered as a potential risk factor for COVID-19. Given the absence of cases of thrombosis in the interviewed group of patients, the results of the study suggest that the presence of hypocoagulation in patients with CBDs may be a protective pathophysiological mechanism that prevents the development of COVID-19-associated thrombotic complications.

The course of patients with hairy cell leukemia during the omicron surge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this study, we aim to explore the outcomes of Covid-19 infection in patients with Hairy cell leukemia (HCL). The cohort is based on data obtained from electronic medical records. It includes 218 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCL between 16 June 1998, and 20 September 2022, out of which the coronavirus has infected 85 patients during the Omicron surge. Out of 85 patients with HCL who were infected by Covid-19; 7 patients (8.2%) have been hospitalized, and the mortality rate was 2.3% (two patients). Thirteen of the 85 patients had been infected by Covid-19 in previous waves, including 9/13 after vaccination, and none of them developed a severe disease. Humoral immune response after three doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination regimen was evaluated in 40 patients and was attained in 67.5%. Based on multivariate analysis: unfavorable outcome was significantly more common in patients with HCL above 65years old, who had at least one cytopenia, and with comorbidity of cardiovascular disease or asplenia. Our results indicates that the course of COVID-19 in patients with HCL during the Omicron wave has been improved relatively favorable.

Investigating the Relationship Between High Levels of Angiotensin II in Plasma and the Rate of Deterioration in Hypertensive Patients to COVID-19

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis poses a heightened risk to vulnerable populations. Considering factors influencing deterioration, complications, and mortality, it is especially important to pay attention to these groups, including persons with hypertension (HTN) and diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the angiotensin II (ANG II) level and the disease severity and clinical course in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 COVID-19 patients (mean age 59.1±20) admitted to Sinai hospital in Hamedan. The blood samples of the patients were taken during hospitalization and discharge, and the plasma ANG II level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The quantitative comparison was analyzed with paired t test and qualitative comparison with the chi-square test. The correlation of variables was checked with the Pearson test, and P&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 44%, 16%, and 10% of COVID-19 patients had HTN, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 10% diabetes, respectively. The oxygen level of 82% of the patients was below 90, of which 68% were intubated, and the lowest oxygen levels were observed in patients with HTN and CVD with 2 deaths. The primary and secondary examination of the ANG II level demonstrated that its level was significantly higher during illness compared to full recovery and decreased during recovery. Conclusion: The ANG II level is related to the severity of the disease in the early stages of 2019- nCoV infection. Therefore, HTN or other diseases that affect the level of ANG II in the blood can increase the severity of the disease.