Pandemic Infection Research Articles

Key issues in selecting an antibacterial drug for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children: A review

Аcute respiratory diseases in children remain an urgent problem in pediatric practice. Most respiratory infections are due to viruses, but some may be due to bacterial pathogens or associations. During the pandemic of a coronavirus infection the number of unjustified prescriptions of antibiotics increased, which significantly complicated the situation with drug resistance of microorganisms and changed the strategy for choosing a starting antibacterial drug in children. Under the current circumstances, timely diagnosis of bacterial inflammation and the adequate choice of drug are the key issues in the practice of a pediatrician. On an outpatient basis it is important for a pediatrician to determine the indications timely and empirically prescribe an effective antibacterial drug. In Russia, in recent years, Federal Clinical Guidelines for various nosologies have been approved, defining indications for systemic antibiotic therapy. According to clinical guidelines, amoxicillin is the first-line antibiotic for most bacterial acute respiratory infections. In addition, there are cohorts of children who are expected to have risk factor as drug-resistant organisms and these children are eligible for protected amoxicillin as a first-line medication. The indications for prescribing macrolides and third-generation oral cephalosporins have fundamentally changed. The article presents the defining indications for systemic antibiotic therapy and the features of the choice of the starting antibacterial drug in children with acute respiratory infections.

Characteristics of T-cell immunity and level of the natural killer cells content in COVID-19 convalescents with carbohydrate metabolism disorders

The pandemic of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection has created a public health emergency in the Russian Federation in 2020-2022. COVID-19 causes various consequences, often manifested by the endocrine system dysfunction. The rationale for our study is insufficient data on T and NK cell immunity in patients with hyperglycemia after COVID-19. The study was aimed at the features of T cell immunity in individuals with post-COVID syndrome and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, depending on the NK cells count. Materials and methods: Sixty-four post-COVID patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders were divided into three groups: with reduced, normal, or elevated NK cell counts. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders included impaired glucose tolerance (n = 36) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 28). The comparison group comprised 60 post-COVID persons with no history of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. The assessment of the lymphocytic link of immunity included the definition of: CD45+CD3+ (T lymphocytes), CD45+CD3+CD4+ (T helpers), CD45+CD3+CD8+ (T cytotoxic), CD45+CD3+CD16+CD56+ (T-NK cells), CD45+CD3-CD16+CD56+ (natural killers), CD45+CD3+CD4+CD25+ (T lymphocytes – early activation), CD45+CD3+HLA-DR+ (T lymphocytes – late activation). Results and Discussion. As the study showed, a decrease in the number of natural killers was accompanied by a higher level of T helpers in the group with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the latter is probably associated with a compensatory increase in T lymphocytes and dysregulation of the T cell link of the immune system. It can also be concluded that in patients with long-COVID and CMD, with normal NK cell counts, an altered subpopulation composition remains, namely, a significant increase in total T lymphocytes. Many authors associate the obtained data on a significant decrease in T-NK lymphocytes with a decrease in the antiviral activity of the immune system, which can lead to a poor response to new viral agents or contribute to the activation of chronic viral infections. Dysregulation of the T cell link in individuals with long-COVID and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism requires a more detailed study, including an assessment of the cytokine profile in this category of patients.

Совершенствование статистического учета как мера повышения эффективности профилактики болезней системы кровообращения.

Improving the provision of medical care for diseases of the circulatory system, including disease prevention, is an urgent problem, the solution of which is carried out in the Russian Federation at the state level. Purpose of the study is to evaluate information on the features of accounting for peripheral artery diseases and the level of their prevalence on the basis of information contained in official statistical reporting forms. Materials and methods. Based on the information of medical organizations contained in official statistical reporting forms No. 12 and No. 14, an assessment of the features of accounting for peripheral artery diseases and their prevalence in St. Petersburg for the period from 2015 to 2020 was carried out. In order to neutralize the influence of regional peculiarities of the organization of medical care during the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, 2019 was chosen as the main research period. Extensive and intensive indicators were calculated with an assessment of the reliability of their difference, a correlation analysis was carried out. Results. The official statistical forms take into account a limited list of diseases of the peripheral arteries, which accounts for only 1,2% in the structure of diseases of the circulatory system in St. Petersburg. The proportion of other diseases of the circulatory system that are background is high: high blood pressure – 38,7%, cerebrovascular diseases – 25,5%, coronary heart disease – 22,5%. At the same time, the contribution of peripheral artery diseases in assessing their long–term consequences is significant – there is an increase in the level of surgical interventions, including amputations. In addition, a strong correlation was established between the prevalence of peripheral artery diseases and background diseases (p = 0,78; p < 0,01), which indicates a “cumulative effect” of peripheral artery diseases in the population. Conclusions. It is necessary to develop separate preventive programs for patients with peripheral artery diseases, the instrument of which can be the organization of their effective accounting by means of a register specially created for these purposes.

Study of pulmonary hypertension in post-COVID-19 patients by transthoracic echocardiography

BackgroundA devastating medical disorder, the coronavirus pandemic infection (COVID-19), produced by the coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), is primarily characterized by severe pneumonia. Pulmonary hypertension (PH), which may cause right ventricular (RV) involvement and dysfunction, can occur as a result of lung parenchymal injury and disturbed pulmonary circulation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a very reliable noninvasive approach to determining the severity of PH. Similar to that, thorax computer tomography (TCT) can effectively detect the severity of lung damage during the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection.AimsThe goal of this research is to examine PH and altered right ventricular function by TTE in post-COVID-19 cases.Patients and methodsThis retrospective case–control study was conducted at Tanta Chest University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt. The study started from October 2021 to September 2022 on 50 post-COVID-19 cases with one or more clinical manifestations of PH. These cases underwent TTE (group I showed normal PAP “control group,” groups II & III with PH further subdivided according to PaO2).ResultsRisk factors of age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were substantially raised in group III, but sex and hypertension were insignificant. Symptoms of chest pain, dyspnea, and palpitation were worse in group III. Levels of LDH, d-dimer, ESR, and serum bilirubin were substantially increased in group III in comparison to the other groups. Post-COVID-19-associated lung fibrosis and embolism were higher in group III. Mean values of estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (esPAP) and right atrial and right ventricular diameters were substantially increased in groups III and II in comparison to group I. Mean values of RV-GLS and TAPSE were lower in groups III and II in comparison to group I. FEV1, FVC, PEFR, and FEF25–75% percentage of the predicted were significantly low in groups II and III. FEV1/FVC ratio was substantially lower in group II in comparison to groups I and III.ConclusionsThe incidence of pulmonary hypertension in post-COVID-19 patients with suspected manifestations of PH is 70%. Increased age, BMI, DM, smoking, decreased PaO2, increased CORADS score, and abnormal spirometry are risk factors for PH in post-COVID-19 patients. Patients with post-COVID-19 PH stay more either in ICU or ward.

Nasal cytology in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection: occurrence of atypical lymphocytes

SARS-CoV-2 is a new pandemic infection that affects at the beginning the upper respiratory system, and, successively, all the organisms, due to cytokine storm, with serious consequences that can reach death. The aim of this work was the observation of the nasal mucosa of enrolled 60 patients, resulting negative for two weeks to the molecular swab for SARS-CoV-2, versus the control group. Rhino-fibroscopy and nasal cytology of nasal mucosa were performed for both the investigated groups. The observation of the samples showed the occurrence of plasmablastic lymphocytes and Downey II lymphocytes type. The former type of lymphocytes was prevalent against the second one, probably because of an immunological “scar”. The rhino-fibroscopy showed a “pseudo ischemia of nasal submucosa” at pre and pericranial levels, not occurred in the control group. The occurrence of atypical lymphocytes in the nasal smear was analog to that observed in the blood peripheral smear, probably caused by mechanisms of local immune reaction and dysregulation like those observed in other virus infections. Our findings suggest that the nasal mucosa study through the nasal cytology, can represent an important predictive tool of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Ретинальные изменения после коронавирусной инфекции

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection pandemic has caused 667 million cases. COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system and runs the gamut from respiratory infection, to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Various ophthalmologic manifestations in both the anterior and posterior segment of the eye are increasingly reported in the literature. Purpose. Present clinical cases of retinal changes after coronavirus infection. Material and methods. We present two clinical observations of patients with ophthalmic manifestations in the posterior segment of the eyes that developed after a coronavirus infection. All patients underwent ophthalmological examination including visometry, anterior segment biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy with non-contact Volk 78D lens, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of macular area and angioregim OCT (DRI OCT Triton plus, Japan). Treatment and recommendations were individualized according to ophthalmological indications. Results. Stabilization of retinal changes after coronavirus infection. There was an increase in maximum corrected visual acuity (MCOZ), reduction of macular edema. Conclusion. It is necessary to pay attention to complaints of the visual organ in patients with coronavirus infection in the early stages of the disease and in the nearest months after recovery. Our clinical observations show the need for further study of pathogenesis, clinic and treatment methods of ophthalmologic complications associated with coronavirus infection. Keywords: coronavirus disease, postthrombotic retinopathy, macular neovascular membrane

Service availability and readiness assessment of COVID-19 disease management at different tiers of health service delivery in Bangladesh

Background: The world is passing through a hard time due to the highly infectious COVID-19 pandemic. Like other countries in the world, the Bangladesh government has taken various preventive measures. As part of this, the availability and readiness of different health facilities is crucial. Objective: The study aimed to assess availability and readiness based on logistics, workforce, clinical management, and IPC. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from August 20 to September 30, 2021, which comprised a health facility survey with a sample of 210. The health facilities included all three tiers of hospitals, covering 24 districts of eight divisions. All COVID-19 dedicated hospitals were included in this survey. The questionnaire consisted of a standard checklist developed by WHO, DGHS, and CDC. Results: The overall scores for ICU, HDU, and ventilation service were 76.8%, 87.5%, and 85.7%, respectively, but they were almost missing in Upazila health complex and below the average in non-dedicated hospitals. All (100%) secondary and tertiary level hospitals had a 24-hour staffed emergency unit, with dedicated hospitals outperforming non-dedicated hospitals (99.2% vs 98.7%). Above 90% of hospitals in different tiers had hand hygiene supplies and respiratory hygiene supplies for staff and patients, 98% of the primary level hospitals displayed instructions on hand and respiratory hygiene practices. On the other hand, 94.9% of secondary level hospitals had clearly identified and separated COVID-19 isolation areas from non-COVID-19 areas; 82.1% of secondary level hospitals had service providers (MOs) who used PPE; 97.4% had routine cleaning and disinfection of ambulances done according to IPC guidelines; and 64.1% had staff of laboratory, laundry, food services, and waste management teams who used appropriate PPE. Secondary level hospitals had a better availability of PPE compared to primary and tertiary level hospitals, which consisted of protective gowns (87.8%), disposable latex gloves (examination) (92.5%), goggles, protective (82.9%), face shields (72.5%), respirator masks (N95 or FFP2) (75.0%), and masks, medical/surgical (97.6%) available for all health service providers. Almost 26.2% facility have PCR testing lab and almost all (96.7%) the facilities have specimen collection system in their facility. Conclusion: The service availability and readiness regarding COVID-19 among different tiers of health facilities in Bangladesh are not adequate. We need more support for disease detection capacities through provision of technical expertise, laboratory equipment and increase capacity of the secondary and primary health care tier along with national capacity for covid-19 testing. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2022; 48: 160-171

ANTIVIRAL DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT FOR COVID-19

Introduction. Covid-19 is an infectious contagious disease of viral etiology caused by SARS-COv-2.
 Covid-19 is a highly infectious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The management of Covid-19 presents significant challenges, and the decision regarding the level of medical care provided, whether in outpatient or hospital settings, relies primarily on the clinical assessment of the patient's condition.
 The aim of this paper is to review and analyze the pharmacological properties of antiviral drugs used in the treatment regimens for Covid-19.
 Materials and Methods: In this research, internet resources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and CrossRef were utilized. The focus was on providing an up-to-date review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of antiviral drugs used in the treatment of Covid-19.
 Monlupiravir is an antiviral prodrug with activity against SARS-CoV-2. It is prescribed for patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 who are at high risk of developing severe forms of the disease or death. Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Remdesivir is a direct-acting antiviral drug that inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and it is indicated for seriously ill Covid-19 patients with pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy, as well as for patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, immunosuppressive conditions, and renal failure.
 Favipiravin is a direct-acting synthetic antiviral drug, selective RNA polymerase inhibitor, which is indicated for the treatment of moderate and severe COVID-19, pandemic infections caused by influenza virus, and also when other drugs are ineffective.
 Lopinavir/ritonavir is a combination drug, a protease inhibitor, which is used in the treatment charts for seriously ill patients with COVID-19.
 Conclusion. The search for effective etiotropic drugs for treatment of patients with COVID-19 is still continuing. Monlupiravir, ribavirin, remdesivir, favipiravin, plitidepsin, lopinavir / ritonavir are used for treatment. Mechanism of drugs’ action, peculiarities of their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, possible side effects, dosage forms are required for the choice of the drug.
 Favipiravir is a synthetic antiviral drug that acts as a selective RNA polymerase inhibitor. It is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Covid-19, as well as for pandemic influenza infections when other drugs are ineffective. Lopinavir/ritonavir is a combination drug and a protease inhibitor used in the treatment of severely ill patients with Covid-19.

Clinical significance of ADAMTS-13/vWF axis in pregnant women at different trimesters of gestation

Introduction. The pandemic of a novel coronavirus infection has demonstrated the importance of assessing the ADAMTS-13/vWF axis in patients with COVID-19, because a decline in this ratio mirrors disease severity. However very few data in the global literature on crosstalk and ADAMTS-13/vWF levels in pregnant women remaining very contradictory are available. Taking into consideration an impact of the ADAMTS-13/vWF axis on prevalence of thrombosis and disorders in the hemostasis system, investigation of this issue is highly demanded.Aim: to assess the functioning of the ADAMTS-13/vWF axis during physiological pregnancy.Materials and Methods. A controlled non-randomized study was conducted: main group included 44 women with physiologically occurring pregnancies at I, II and III trimesters; the control group consisted of 45 healthy non-pregnant women. The plasma level of ADAMTS-13 inhibitor (ADAMTS-13:i), ADAMTS-13 antigen (ADAMTS-13:Ag), vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), and ADAMTS-13 activity (ADAMTS-13:Ac) as well as relevant ratio (ADAMTS-13:Ac/vWF:Ag) were measured.Results. It was shown that in parallel with increasing gestational age, significant changes occurred in the ADAMTS-13:Ac/vWF:Ag ratio. In main group, patients at II trimester were found to have level of ADAMTS-13:Ac/vWF:Ag 0.359 ± 0.121, in III trimester –0.253 ± 0.741, which significantly differed (p < 0.01) compared to control group with non-pregnant women (1,134 ± 0,308).Conclusion. Our study provides new insights into the functioning of the ADAMTS-13:/vWF axis in women with physiologically occurring pregnancy at I, II and III trimesters. Decline in ADAMTS-13:Ac was demonstrated along with increasing vWF:Ag level observed in parallel with increasing gestational age. Apparently, the progressive decrease of ADAMTS-13 concentration during pregnancy is associated with its increased consumption due to high vWF level. However, due to the small single-center patient cohort, further studies with larger-scale studies are needed.

External validation of triage tools for adults with suspected COVID-19 in a middle-income setting: an observational cohort study

BackgroundTools proposed to triage ED acuity in suspected COVID-19 were derived and validated in higher income settings during early waves of the pandemic. We estimated the accuracy of seven risk-stratification...

Assessment of the quality of life of patients who have had COVID-19 infection, in mild and moderate forms

The COVID-19 infection pandemic is characterized by high morbidity, unclear prognosis of complications and a decrease in the quality of life of patients. The article presents the results of a prospective single-center cohort study of the quality of life of 134 patients who suffered from COVID-19 infection in mild and moderate forms. 99 patients reported the presence of any disorders at the time of the survey, 35 patients reported the absence of problems. 53,7% of respondents were concerned about moderate pain and/or discomfort, 41,8% of patients experienced a feeling of anxiety and/or depression and moderate mobility disorders. The median for EQ-VAS in patients with no symptoms was significantly higher compared to the median for EQ-VAS in patients with any problems (80 points versus 65 points, respectively). After a COVID-19 infection, mild to moderate forms of pain and/or discomfort, anxiety and/or depression, impaired mobility are present in half of the subjects, which leads to a decrease in the quality of life of patients.

Skin mucormycosis in dermatological practice: Dangerous coinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic (current state of the issue)

The coronavirus SARS-COV-2 pandemic has caused an increase in the incidence of the population and significant losses that have claimed more than 6.8 million lives worldwide. In recent years, secondary microbial co-infections have caused serious concern: influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, mucormycosis, etc. At the beginning of the catastrophic wave of coronavirus disease, there were reports of a rare but deadly mucormycosis, which quickly spread throughout the world. Currently, the relevance of this complication has increased significantly due to the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and the massive use of glucocorticosteroids for the treatment of COVID-19.
 It is proposed to revise diagnostic strategies to detect secondary co-infection. First-line therapy is amphotericin B in combination with surgery. Delaying antifungai therapy and surgical excision of diseased tissue increases mucormycosis-related mortality, requiring a high level of medical skill in both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Vaccine hesitancy among the nursing officers working in a tertiary care hospital, Puducherry – A mixed-method study

BackgroundVaccination was considered one of the vital moves in controlling the spread of highly infectious COVID-19 pandemic. But, the initial acceptance level was highly improbable among nursing professionals (57%) in India.1 Thus, it was necessary to explore the reasons behind this reluctance, as they can act as trusted advisors for general population in decision-making. ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the proportion of nursing officers with COVID- 19 vaccine hesitancy during the phase one drive (15th January to 28th February 2021) of vaccination and the various factors contributing to it. MethodsA cross-sectional analytical mixed-method study was done among 422 nursing officers working in a tertiary care hospital, Puducherry. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire along with WHO -SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale for the quantitative component and an interview guide for qualitative part. ResultsMore than half of the participants were found to be COVID- 19 vaccine hesitant based on the operational definition, with fear of side effects being the most reported reason. Factors like work experience of five years or less, previous history of COVID- 19 infection, and delayed receipt of the first dose of the vaccine were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. ConclusionImproper flow of evidence-based information was identified as one of the major concerns related to vaccine acceptance. Measures should be taken for proper awareness generation through dependable channels and at the same time for the prevention of spread of infodemics pertaining to the new interventions for better penetration and utilization.

Exploring Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being in Recovered Jordanian Individuals With COVID-19: A Phenomenological Study.

COVID-19-related healthcare services focus primarily on medical and physical treatments. Related treatments for psychosocial and mental health needs have not been a priority for healthcare professionals. Understanding the process by which individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 adapt psychologically will allow better planning for mental healthcare and healthcare outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore how recovered individuals with COVID-19 adapted to related psychological and social stressors during the infection period. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to investigate a purposive sample of 13 individuals in Jordan who had recovered from COVID-19. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Perceptions related to being diagnosed with COVID-19 were distinguished into four major themes: conscious awareness (acceptance, victimization, and normalizing), uncertainty (apprehension and poor communication), sources of psychosocial support (caring family, healthcare professionals' support, and self-grieving), and resilience (optimism, positive thinking, and spirituality). The findings of this study indicate the need to integrate psychosocial and mental healthcare services into healthcare plans provided to individuals with COVID-19 and similar pandemic infections.

80 years of the Faculty of training doctors for Missile, Land and Airborne Troops of the Military Medical Academy and its first graduation

November 25, 2022 marked the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Training Doctors for Missile, Land and Airborne Troops of the Military Medical Academy, and June 22, 2023 will mark the 80th anniversary of its first graduation. A real historical study is devoted to these anniversary events. Based on archival and literary data, the main stages of the development and formation of the faculty are traced, its contribution to the training of military medical personnel is shown. The faculty is essentially the same age as the Academy, for this reason, the analysis of the modern views of the historians of the Academy on the date of its foundation was carried out. Based on previously published data, it is shown that the starting point of the academys existence is the decisions of Peter I on the establishment of general hospitals and medical schools in 1715. Brief biographical references of the heads of faculties are given, many details have been clarified in recent years and were absent in earlier editions. The role of Major General of the medical service L.N. is separately indicated. Obraztsova participated in the collection and preservation of historical data about the faculty, the creation of a museum and first editions and articles. The service and scientific achievements of graduates of the faculty, their contribution to science and education are described. Special attention is paid to participation in armed conflicts and Special military operations, as well as the fight against the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection. The actual data on graduates of the faculty, which can be used in military-historical work, are also given. The work complements and expands both the general information about the faculty and supplements the information accumulated over the past 10 years, since the last publication about the faculty.

Early Discharge, Outpatient Evaluation, and Home Management of Acute Respiratory Failure from COVID-19 in Martinique.

A worldwide pandemic of viral infection due to SARS-CoV-2 (and its resultant disease, COVID-19) has been ongoing since 2019. Martinique was affected by a major wave in summer 2021, with saturation of the health system forcing the implementation of home care management. We conducted a retrospective, observational study that included patients treated in the KOVIDHOM 972 program. We included adult patients with SARS-CoV2 hypoxemic pneumonia and requiring 4 L per minute or less of oxygen. In total, 418 were discharged to home with oxygen therapy after hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 hypoxemic acute pneumonia, and 416 were analyzed. Half (50.2%) were women. Mean age was 58.8 ± 13.0 years. Time from onset of symptoms to hospitalization was 9.1 ± 3.5 days, and average length of stay was 10.5 ± 7.4 days. Maximum oxygen flow during hospitalization was 6.9 ± 4.5 L/min in patients who did not require intensive care. Average oxygen flow at discharge was 1.8 ± 07 L/min. At 30 days after discharge, the readmission rate was 0.5% (95% CI: 0-1.18), and the death rate was 0.5% (95% CI 0-1.18). Our study shows a very low rate of readmission or death in COVID-19 patients discharged to home with oxygen therapy. These results highlight the possibility of safe home care in carefully selected patients. Such programs could be useful in pandemic or wide-scale emergency situations.

Strategy for the Choice of Disinfectants in Practical Medicine and Production.

The problem of the strategy for choosing disinfectants in practical medicine is considered. The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection posed new problems for disinfectology. The expanded spectrum of disinfectants and antiseptics offered by the chemical industry in recent years requires justification for the choice in favor of any product. The goals and types of disinfection considered from current positions and the main groups of disinfectants used in Russia and their properties and spectra of activity are presented.

Memory CD4 T cell recall following Influenza A Virus infection is unaltered by the pregnancy environment

Abstract The risk of severe influenza A virus (IAV) infection increases during pregnancy. A widely accepted paradigm suggests that this increased severity is resultant from immunity that is shifted towards Th2- versus Th1-immune responses, the latter of which is essential for control of virus. While this concept is accepted for primary immune responses, whether memory T cell responses are similarly shifted during pregnancy is unclear. Using a reductionist murine model, here we explore whether and how adoptively transferred, Th1-polarized IAV-specific memory CD4 T cells responding against IAV are impacted by pregnancy. Following infection, we find that donor cell migration to the lung, surface marker phenotype, T-BET transcription factor expression, multi-cytokine production capacity in terms of IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2, and ability to control virus in the lung are comparable between non-gravid and gravid hosts. A significant increase in donor CD4 T cell Th2-associated GATA-3 transcription factor expression and cytokine production following IAV infection was not observed in gravid hosts. Enhancement of Th2-associated IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 cytokine production was only observed in infected hosts when IAV-specific Th2-polarized CD4 T cells already poised to produce these cytokines were adoptively transferred. These findings suggest that in context of an IAV infection during pregnancy, preexisting Th1-polarized IAV-specific memory cells retain their protective recall potential. Furthermore, they support that employment of vaccination strategies that induce universal T cell immunity prior to pregnancy are a potential means to protect the vulnerable pregnant population from severe seasonal as well as pandemic IAV infection. The Solomon Klotz Excellence in Immunology Award Florida Education Fund McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Supported by grants from the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) (5R21HD093948-02)

Assessment of medical staff adherence to infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic

The organization of an effective infection control system is one of the main tasks of medical organizations to prevent the occurrence and spread of infections associated with the provision of medical care (ISMP). In connection with the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) that has engulfed all countries of the world, the problem of ISMP and infection control (IC) in medical organizations has become particularly relevant. The aim of the study was to assess the adherence of medical workers to the principles of IC in the departments for patients with COVID-19 and to determine the occupational risk factors of infection of personnel during the pre-vaccination period of the pandemic. The study included medical workers of «covid» hospital departments (n = 216; age 25–54 years), of which 105 doctors (41.7 %), average medical workers (nurses and nurses) — 111 people (58.3 %). All employees were trained in biological safety and conducting sanitary and anti-epidemic measures with COVID-19 before starting work in the hospital. In most of the staff (114 people, 52.8 ± 8.7 %), the compliance of the IC was assessed as high in the absence of detection of violations of the requirements of infectious safety. The average degree of adherence to IR measures was found in 102 observed medical workers (47.2 ± 9.9 %). In the cohort of medical workers with a high degree of adherence to IR measures, 2 people suffered a new coronavirus infection, which is 1.8 ± 0.5 %, while among the staff with a moderate degree of adherence (n = 102) 10 people (9.8 ± 2.2 %). The difference between the indicators is statistically significant at p < 0.001 and indicates a smaller (5.4 times) number of COVID-19 cases in the cohort of health workers with a high degree of compliance with IR measures. There was no dependence of the degree of adherence of medical personnel to the principles of IC on the age, gender, medical experience and functionality of medical workers. Nosocomial cases of COVID-19 that occurred during monitoring of compliance with the requirements of the IC were characterized by polymorphism of clinical manifestations with leading respiratory syndrome, the presence of mild and moderate forms and the predominance of average medical staff among the sick. Thus, IC in the conditions of global biological threats requires constant, complete and adequate training of medical personnel in various forms, systematic professional development of all personnel on issues of hospital hygiene and infectious occupational safety, including regular annual refresher courses.

A Time Series Forecast of COVID-19 Infections, Recoveries and Fatalities in Nigeria

The study investigated COVID-19 pandemic infections, recoveries, and fatalities in Nigeria to forecast future values of infections, recoveries, and fatalities and thus ascertain the extent to which the pandemic appeared to be converging with time. The prediction of COVID-19 infections, recoveries, and fatalities was necessitated by the impact that the pandemic had exerted in world economies since its outbreak in late 2019. The quantitative method was employed, and a longitudinal research design was applied. Data were obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The least-squares test and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) tests were performed to forecast infections, recoveries, and fatalities. The results of the predicted infections for the last five months of the year (August–December 2020) shows that the cases of infections will narrow down within the period. The need for policymakers to implement complete unlocking of the economy for speedy economic recovery was suggested, among others.