Positive Coronavirus Disease 2019 Research Articles

Proportions of US Blood Donors With Serological Evidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Who Reported Survey-Based Diagnosed Infections During July 2020-December 2022.

The proportion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections diagnosed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests, including home antigen tests, is unknown. We detected infections among blood donors in the United States (US) by testing for nucleocapsid antibody (anti-N) seroconversion and administered a questionnaire to determine the proportion of those infections that were associated with a self-reported positive COVID-19 test. Among US blood donors with serologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection who completed a survey, 47.7% reported an associated self-reported positive COVID-19 test. This proportion changed from July-December 2020 (44.9%) to July-December 2022 (54.8%). This study suggests many SARS-CoV-2 infections in adults are not diagnosed with a test.

A multicentre study comparing post-mortem SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in Cape Town mortuaries.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was recognised as a global pandemic in 2019, yet the exact number of infections is still unclear. In addition, there is limited research on post-mortem antibody testing. This study sought to evaluate the use of the SureScreen COVID-19 immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM Rapid Test Cassette in deceased individuals by comparing it to the gold-standard antibody tests in South Africa, and to identify the most appropriate antibody testing method for post-mortem samples. Between May 2021 and February 2023, fifty cases, with suspected COVID-19 infection during their lifetime, were recruited from Tygerberg Mortuary and Salt River Mortuary, after obtaining informed consent from their next-of-kin. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was confirmed through antemortem positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (PCP) tests in 39 participants. Blood samples were collected during autopsies in serum separator tubes, which yielded better separation when centrifuged immediately after collection. The SureScreen test was performed alongside Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays. Among the confirmed PCP cases, Elecsys demonstrated the highest sensitivity (97.1%) followed by SureScreen IgG (82.1%). In a logistic regression analysis, PCP confirmation was significantly associated with the SureScreen IgG results (p < 0.05). Overall, Roche's Elecsys had the highest yield of positive results on our cohort of post-mortem serum samples, followed by SureScreen, and finally, Abbott's Architect assay. These results suggest that the SureScreen test has potential as a screening tool in mortuary settings, with Roche's Elecsys assay recommended for diagnostic confirmation.

Serological surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among students, faculty and staff within a large university system during the pandemic.

At the end of December 2019, the world faced severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which led to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), associated with respiratory issues. This virus has shown significant challenges, especially for senior citizens, patients with other underlying illnesses, or those with a sedentary lifestyle. Serological tests conducted early on have helped identify how the virus is transmitted and how to curb its spread. The study hypothesis was that the rapid serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could indicate the immunoreactive profile during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university population. To conduct active surveillance for serological expression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals within a university setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. This sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted in a large university in Niteroi-RJ, Brazil, from March 2021 to July 2021. The study population consisted of students, faculty, and administrative staff employed by the university. A total of 3433 faculty members, 60703 students, and 3812 administrative staff were invited to participate. Data were gathered through rapid serological tests to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG against SARS-CoV-2. The χ² or Fisher's exact test was used to conduct statistical analysis. A 0.20 significance level was adopted for variable selection in a multiple logistic regression model to evaluate associations. A total of 1648 individuals were enrolled in the study. The proportion of COVID-19 positivity was 164/1648 (9.8%). The adjusted logistic model indicate a positive association between the expression of IgM or IgG and age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.02-1.31] (P < 0.0024), individuals who had been in contact with a COVID-19-positive case (OR = 3.49, 95%CI: 2.34-5.37) (P < 0.001), those who had received the COVID-19 vaccine (OR = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.61-3.35) (P < 0.001) and social isolation (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.41-0.84) (P < 0.004). The likelihood of showing a positive result increased by 16% with every ten-year increment. Conversely, adherence to social distancing measures decreased the likelihood by 41%. These findings evidenced that the population became more exposed to the virus as individuals discontinued social distancing practices, thereby increasing the risk of infection for themselves.

Association between “D-dimeritis” in the emergency department and COVID-19 hospital burden

This study analyzed D-dimer tests requested by the two emergency departments of the University Hospital Trust of Verona during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our findings show that the aggregate monthly number of D-dimer test requests from both emergency departments increased significantly (+39%) in 2021 compared to 2019, followed by a steady decline until 2024, when the aggregate monthly test requests were nearly threefold lower than before the pandemic. A strong association was observed between monthly D-dimer test requests and ICU admissions for COVID-19 in Verona (r=0.90; p=0.037), whereas no significant correlation was found with COVID-19 positive cases (r=0.11; p=0.855) or COVID-19 hospitalizations (r=0.70; p=0.118) in Verona. These results suggest that the heightened severity of COVID-19 cases during the early pandemic phase was a key driver of increased D-dimer test requests, while the subsequent decline may reflect reduced disease burden, improved test appropriateness through enhanced healthcare staff education, and a better understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology.

Association of Clinicodemographic Factors and Vaccination Status with COVID-19 Positivity in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world during the past three years claiming millions of lives. Though the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 4th 2023 declared that it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, it continues to be a global threat with the possibility of emergence of new variants. Aim: To assess the clinicodemographic factors associated with COVID-19 infection and to determine the correlation between vaccination status and COVID-19 positivity. Materials and Methods: An electronic record-based crosssectional study was conducted from April 2021 to September 2021 in the Department of Microbiology, Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tumkur, Karnataka, India. Data pertaining to demographics, symptoms, presence of co-morbidities and vaccination status were collected from individuals whose samples were received for COVID-19 testing either by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). A bivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to identify factors that were associated with COVID-19 positivity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between variables after adjusting for potential confounders. Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the relationship between vaccination status and COVID-19 positivity. Results: A total of 14,846 patients were included in the study. Having at least one co-morbid condition increased the odds of COVID-19 positivity by 28% (AOR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.01-1.63, p-value=0.039) whereas female gender had 22% (OR: 0.78, 95% CI; 0.72-0.85, p-value=&lt;0.001) lower risk of association with COVID-19 positivity. A weak negative correlation was demonstrated between COVID-19 vaccination status and COVID-19 positivity (Spearman’s Rho ρs=-0.1209, p=&lt;0.01) showing decreased rate of COVID-19 positivity with increase in rate of vaccination. Bivariate analysis of COVID-19 positivity among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals revealed a significant reduction in odds of testing COVID-19 positive after vaccination (p-value &lt;0.001). Multivariate analysis after adjusting for the effects of age, gender and time of pandemic, showed that receiving a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine reduced the odds of having a COVID-19 positive status by 32% (AOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.56-0.82; p-value &lt;0.001) and receiving two doses lowered the odds by 59% (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.31-0.53; p-value &lt;0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that vaccination against COVID19 was associated with decreased rate of COVID-19 positivity and demonstrated that two-doses of vaccination was more effective than a single dose.

Decrease in RT-PCR Ct values among SARS-CoV-2 positive samples during the emergence of B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant in Malaysia.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) value in detecting the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is inversely proportionate to the virus load in the patient's specimen. These values could be beneficial in the epidemic trajectory at the population level. The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant which emerged in late 2020, caused an unprecedented exponential increase in SARS-CoV-2 infection cases worldwide. In Malaysia, the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and the inclining positivity rate contributed to the epidemic waves in late May 2021. Sudden surge in cases was suggested to be associated with increased transmission caused by the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant. In the present study, Ct value distribution of the positive COVID-19 samples from 2020 and 2021 was tabulated against SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants determined from genomic sequencing. A significant decreasing pattern of median Ct values from overall 2020 and 2021 samples was evident (p<0.01). However, notable variability was observed in the Ct values between 2020 and 2021, which samples showing lower median Ct values in 2021. The percentages of SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants B.1.36 and B.1.524 were 31.6% and 68.4%, respectively, for samples obtained in October and December 2020. Whereas samples obtained in June and July 2021 were 100% of the B.1.617.2 variant. The population neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 during the initial peak of B.1.617.2 was low, however, increased during the B.1.617.2 wave. A decreasing trend in the Ct value distribution from samples tested in our laboratory correlated well with the increasing weekly COVID-19 cases reported by the Malaysia national data, which was subsequently attributed to the emergence of B.1.617.2 variant. This study proposes that analyzing Ct value distribution in screened SARS-CoV-2 samples could reveal population-level transmission dynamics and emerging variants. Coupled with genomic sequencing, it supports early control strategies against new SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Risk Factors Associated with Post-COVID-19 Conditions Among Diabetes Patients in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundA substantial subset of individuals recovering from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to experience persistent symptoms. Individuals with type 2 diabetes face increased morbidity and mortality following COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to identify risk factors for developing post-COVID-19 conditions among COVID-19 patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes in the United Arab Emirates.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on a random sample of 400 patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n = 200/400 patients with diabetes versus n = 200 patients without diabetes). Participants were invited to a telephone interview to assess post-COVID-19 symptoms persisting for at least three months after their initial positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A total of 167 hospitalized patients participated, including 89 with pre-existing diabetes and 78 without diabetes.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported post-COVID-19 conditions among participants with diabetes was 34.9%, compared to 14.1% among those without diabetes. Patients with diabetes reported a significant decline in functional status post-COVID-19, with 34.8% experiencing impaired physical activity and 32.6% reporting pain and discomfort, compared to 15.4% and 11.5%, respectively, among participants without diabetes. Older age and female gender were associated with a higher prevalence of post-COVID-19 conditions in the diabetes group.ConclusionPatients with diabetes in this study self-reported a higher frequency and severity of post-COVID-19 conditions compared to those without diabetes. Risk factors predisposing to severe post-COVID-19 conditions included female gender, older age, and comorbidities. Self-reported depression was rare in both groups of this cohort.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Neonatal Outcomes in a Community Hospital.

Background: Despite considerable research on pregnancy outcomes affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the consequences for infants exposed to the virus in utero remain unclear. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 392 mother-infant pairs delivered between April 2020 and July 2021 at a community hospital network in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. Of these, 198 mothers had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, while 194 did not. Infant outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Pregnant women with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during their gestation exhibited higher rates of obesity (p = 0.04) with higher body mass indices (BMI) (p = 0.01), were more likely to be of Hispanic ethnicity (p = 0.01), and had a history of chronic hypertension (p = 0.05), as well as higher occurrences of postpartum depression (p = 0.01), gestational diabetes (p = 0.05), cesarean section (CS) rates (p< 0.001), and preeclampsia (p = 0.04). Among the infants reviewed, there was no statistical significance difference in developmental milestones at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age between infants of parturients who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and infants of parturients without a positive COVID-19 test result. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in developmental outcomes, as measured by Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) scores at 9 months (p = 0.76) and at 18 months (p = 0.89). Conclusions: This study corroborates the adverse impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women, characterized by increased maternal comorbidities and adverse birth outcomes. No significant disparities in neonatal developmental milestones or growth outcomes were observed at birth; first office visit, or at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age.

Network analysis of socioeconomic disparities and public transport in COVID-19 spread: a case study in northeast Brazil.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted public transportation systems worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the rate of COVID-19 positivity and its associated factors among users of public transportation in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Brazil during the pre-vaccination phase of the pandemic. This ecological study, conducted in Aracaju city in Northeast Brazil, is a component of the TestAju Program. This initiative was designed to expand COVID-19 testing to asymptomatic individuals in public spaces such as squares and bus terminals. Using logistic regression, we examined the relationship between COVID-19 positivity and factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, and travel frequency. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm was used to explore transmission pathways across neighborhoods with varying living conditions. Of the 1,420 public transport users tested via real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 249 were positive, indicating a 17.5% positivity rate (95% CI: 15.7-19.6). Our findings revealed a higher positivity rate during periods of increased viral spread (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 3.1-5.9) and in neighborhoods with poorer conditions (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1). Network analysis revealed affluent neighborhoods as significant transmission hubs of the disease. Our study highlights the vital role of urban mobility patterns in the spread of COVID-19. Neighborhoods with better living conditions that serve as hubs of activity and movement, enable gatherings and interactions among people from diverse regions, including those from areas with higher infection rates.

Impact of COVID-19 Omicron variant on lung transplantation patients with 1-year follow-up: A single tertiary medical center experience

Impact of COVID-19 Omicron variant on lung transplantation patients with 1-year follow-up: A single tertiary medical center experience

Incidence of Postoperative Complications among Patients with Active or Resolved COVID-19 Undergoing Elective Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Background: The incidence of postoperative complications among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity undergoing elective surgical operations is poorly understood. This study aimed to identify differences in postoperative complications after elective abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 compared with patients presenting prepandemic. Methods: A single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed of patients undergoing AWR between January 2017 and September 2022. Patients were stratified by date: pre-COVID-19 (January 2017 to December 2019) and post-COVID-19 (January 2020 to September 2022). Patients confirmed as COVID-19-positive were also identified. Data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, and complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: We included 168 patients. The mean age was 54 years, and the mean body mass index was 33 kg/m2. Seventy-five patients underwent surgery pre-COVID-19 and 93 patients after. Of 93 patients, 16 (17%) had a positive COVID-19 test before surgery or during the perioperative period. These 2 groups were risk-matched. Patients with COVID-19 had no significant increase in postoperative complications. Major complications occurred at 13.3% in the pre-COVID-19 group and 7.5% in the post-COVID-19 group. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to be younger (48 versus 57; P = 0.049) and more likely to have a shorter length of stay in the hospital (3 versus 5.8; P = 0.038). Conclusions: In our case series, there was an associated increase in the incidence of overall pulmonary-related complications in the postpandemic group. This study is limited by its small sample size. Further investigation should be carried out on this topic.

Impact of Diabetes on COVID-19 Susceptibility: A Nationwide Propensity Score Matching Study.

Prior research has highlighted poor clinical outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected patients with diabetes; however, susceptibility to COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes has not been extensively studied. Participants aged ≥30 years who underwent COVID-19 testing from December 2019 to April 2020 were analyzed using the National Health Insurance Service data in South Korea. In a cohort comprising 29,433 1:1 propensity score-matched participants, COVID-19 positivity was significantly higher in participants with diabetes than in those without diabetes (512 [3.5%] vs. 395 [2.7%], P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that diabetes significantly increased the risk of COVID-19 test positivity (odds ratio, 1.307; 95% confidence interval, 1.144 to 1.493; P<0.001). Patients with diabetes exhibited heightened COVID-19 infection rates compared to individuals without diabetes, and diabetes increased the susceptibility to COVID-19, reinforcing the need for heightened preventive measures, particularly considering the poor clinical outcomes in this group.

RANK-RANKL-OPG System in COVID-19: Examining the Pathway Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) influences bone metabolism by altering the RANK-RANKL-OPG system. However, this has not been validated, especially among Nigerians. Consequently, the current study explored the influence of the disease on this vital skeletal pathway among Nigerian healthcare workers (HCWs). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Methods&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted in the Department of Chemical Pathology of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital among HCWs in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. Eligible HCWs (n=76) with moderate RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited and compared with age and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained at baseline upon COVID-19 onset and followed up on days four and seven. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive/inferential statistics at a p-value &amp;lt;0.05. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; The HCWs with moderate COVID-19 had higher serum levels of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) but lower serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) t COVID-19 diagnosis compared to the healthy controls (p&amp;lt;0.05). Among the HCWs with positive COVID-19 status, an increasing trend of these inflammatory markers and RANKL was observed from day one to day four and day seven, but a decreasing trend of OPG levels was observed (p&amp;lt;0.05). On day seven following COVID-19 diagnosis among the HCWs, a positive relationship was established between serum RANKL and all the pro-inflammatory markers (p&amp;lt;0.001) while an inverse relationship was only observed between OPG and IL-1β pro-inflammatory marker (p&amp;lt;0.05). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusion:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; The study findings corroborate the negative influence of COVID-019 on the RANK-RANKL-OPG system in favor of exaggerated osteoclastogenesis.

Exploring the characteristics and antecedents of clinically significant long COVID: A longitudinal cohort study

Exploring the characteristics and antecedents of clinically significant long COVID: A longitudinal cohort study

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of COVID-19 Prevention among Medical Undergraduates of a Higher Institution in Enugu Metropolis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has posed a global health crisis since its emergence in late 2019. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 prevention among medical undergraduates in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving undergraduate medical students from the University of Nigeria, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla campuses. A total of 450 participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic information, COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices. Data were analyzed using the Social Package for Social Science version 28, with statistical significance set at P &lt; 0.05. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19 prevention (89.6%), with significant associations observed between knowledge and the level of study (P = 0.001). A significant relationship was also noted between knowledge and attitude (P = 0.000). In terms of practice, 24.2% of medical students reported good COVID-19 prevention practices. Additionally, a majority of participants (n = 405; 90%) had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, largely influenced by vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Efforts should focus on transforming knowledge into positive attitudes and encouraging better COVID-19 preventive practices among medical undergraduates. Addressing vaccine hesitancy through targeted education and awareness campaigns is imperative to mitigate the risks associated with the pandemic and potential future waves.

Impact on the nervous system of long COVID-19 infection in children.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound global impact, raising concerns about its long-term effects, particularly neurological complications. While studies have highlighted such complications in adults, there is a paucity of research focusing on children. To examine the medium- to long-term neurological and cognitive symptoms in 18 year old children and below with positive versus negative COVID-19 antigens and to identify the probable risk factors to promote specific health actions. An observational study was carried out to determine neurological symptoms in the medium and long terms after COVID 19. A random sample of 124 children, both symptomatic or asymptomatic, tested positive or negative for COVID-19 through swab tests. Neurological symptoms were assessed between 6 to 12 months and 2 years after the infection. Acute symptoms, including headache, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia, were observed in more than 20% of the children, but they generally resolved within 6 to 12 months. Persistent functional difficulties, such as in studying, paying attention, and socializing, were reported in 3% of the cases. Behavioral symptoms at baseline were noted in 7.8% of children, but they were remitted in most cases, except for those with prior involvement. These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of children following COVID-19 infection and the importance of tailored health interventions.

Assessing the safety of ureteral stent placement for obstructive urolithiasis in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients with an active severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] infection are at a higher risk of post-operative mortality. In this retrospective case-control study, we analyzed the post-operative safety of patients undergoing cystoscopy with ureteral stent placement for obstructing ureteral calculi who tested positive for COVID-19. We retrospectively identified patients who underwent cystoscopy and ureteral stent placement between June 5, 2020 and December 31, 2022 as an add-on case. Patients were stratified by whether they had a positive COVID-19 test on admission. Baseline characteristics were compared using Students t-test for continuous variables and Pearson chi-square test for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of postoperative 30-day mortality. A total of 1,408 patients underwent add-on cystoscopy with ureteral stent placement for an obstructing calculus, of which 55 (3.9%) patients had a positive COVID-19 test. When stratified by COVID-19 status, both groups were similar with regards to age, sex, race, co-morbidities, indications, procedure duration, and type of anesthesia administered. Of the 137 patients that were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), 9 patients were COVID-19 positive (16.4% vs. 9.5%, P=0.09). On multivariate logistic regression, patients with COVID-19 had a higher odds of 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) =7.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03-24.47; P=0.002] when controlling for age, co-morbidities, vaccination status, anesthesia type, and indication for the stent. Patients that underwent cystoscopy and ureteral stent placement for an obstructing ureteral stone with a concurrent COVID-19 diagnosis had an increased risk of perioperative 30-day mortality.

Sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northwestern Iran

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite on our planet that causes toxoplasmosis. This study evaluated the seroprevalence and related risk factors for T. gondii infection in a population referred to healthcare centers in Meshkin-Shahr, Northwest Iran.MethodsA total of 400 blood samples were randomly collected from the general population and assessed using the anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, Immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kits in two steps before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 2019–2020. The results were analyzed through logistic regression via SPSS 26 software.ResultsBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 39% of individuals (IgG: 38%, IgM: 0.5%, and IgG-IgM: 0.5%). Among the eleven risk factors evaluated, contact with soil and people awareness were significantly associated with T. gondii infection (p < 0.05). However, factors such as females, 20–39 age groups, junior high schools, housewives, rural areas, raw meat or vegetable consumption, vegetable or fruits washed by water, not detergent, and cat owners did not show a significant relationship with seropositivity (p > 0.05). After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall seroprevalence for anti-T. gondii antibody increased to 49.7% (IgG: 47.7%, IgM: 0.5%, and IgG and IgM: 1.5%). Among these patients, 26% were positive for COVID-19. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 40 samples were negative for anti-T. gondii antibodies but later became positive. The crude and adjusted models suggested that toxoplasmosis may be a possible risk factor for increased susceptibility to COVID-19, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–1.99; P < 0.05). Conversely, a non-significant protective effect against latent toxoplasmosis was observed in COVID-19-positive individuals (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.51–1.92; P > 0.05), and COVID-19 positivity did not increase the levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies.ConclusionsThe general population in this region had a moderate seroprevalence of T. gondii. The increased number of COVID-19-positive patients with latent toxoplasmosis highlights the need to pay attention to the early diagnosis and proper treatment of toxoplasmosis in these patients and implement preventive programs in these areas for future possible viral infections.

Assessing the impact of severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus2infection on hematological parameters.

The current study is a retrospective study designed to evaluate changes in complete blood count and coagulation parameters in adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients at a prominent Saudi tertiary center to predict disease severity and mortality. The cohort consisted of 74 800 adult patients divided into four groups based on a COVID-19 test and the patient's sex: 35 985 in the female negative COVID-19 group, 23 278 in the male negative COVID-19 group, 8846 in the female positive COVID-19 group and 6691 in the male positive COVID-19 group. Patients with COVID-19 demonstrated decreased white blood cell counts and increased red blood cell counts. Also, COVID-19-positive participants exhibited more prolonged partial thromboplastin time and lower D-dimer levels than those of COVID-19-negative subjects (p<0.05). The study also revealed gender-dependent impacts on platelet counts, implying a possible relationship with the greater infection mortality rate in men than in women (p<0.001). In addition, the study found a link between changes in coagulation test results and death in COVID-19 patients (p<0.001). The evidence regarding the effects of COVID-19 on blood cell counts and coagulation, on the other hand, is conflicting, most likely due to variances in study populations and the timing of testing postinfection. According to the findings, COVID-19-related alterations in blood cell count and clotting ability may be risk factors for death.

Risk Predictors of Severity in Egyptian Patients with Covid-19 Infection

Abstract Background In modern human history, infectious diseases have posed a threat to public health several times, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a global public health crisis. Objective Identification of demographic, laboratory and radiological predictors of progression of COVID-19 infection in Egyptian patients. A special concern is focused on the poor prognostic factors associated with mortality, this will help to classify and monitor COVID-19 patients to deliver best medical care in order to decrease mortality and morbidity in Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods A single-center, retrospective cohort study. This study was conducted in Almaza Fever Hospital after obtaining approval from the Research Ethical Committee. Results The current study conducted on (325) known positive COVID-19 patients divided into 2 groups: Group I (204) patients and Group II (121) patients. It was found that an increase in age among Group II (mean age was 66.22 ± 12.18) in comparison to Group I (mean age was 47.78 ± 14.73) with a statistically significant difference (p-value &amp;lt;0.001). There was no statistically significant difference (p-value 0.432) between Sex and severe disease patients. Among Group II (121) out of the total study population 103 (85%) of these were found to have co-morbidities (highly significant, p value &amp;lt; 0.001. Moreover, there was a higher prevalence of co-morbidities among non survivors however this didn’t reach the level of statistical significance (p-value 0.174). The current study showed that there was an increase in hematological parameters (TLC, Neutrophils), biochemical parameters (Urea, Creatinine, AST, D-Dimer, Ferritin, CRP, LDH, IL-6) and a decrease in Lymphocytes within Group II in comparison with Group I with statistically Significant difference (p-value &amp;lt; 0.001), also there was a trend toward higher levels of ALT in group II, however this didn’t reach the level of statistical significance (p-value 0.068). Statistically significant difference (p-value &amp;lt; 0.001) was found between disease severity and CT findings as from a total of (121) severe disease patients 105(86.8%) had CORADS (4-5). Conclusion The current study shows old age, elevated biochemical parameters (creatinine, urea, AST, D-dimer, IL-6, CRP, ferritin and LDH), hematological parameters (TLC) and extensive lung affection could be considered predictors of severity and mortality among Covid-19 patients. Also lymphopenia and associated co-morbidities are considered predictors of severity.