Presence Of Co-infection Research Articles

Sex and sexual orientation as potential risk factors for co-infection with sexually transmitted infections in Surabaya, Indonesia: a single-center cross-sectional study

Objective: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through sexual contact. We conducted this study to evaluate the prevalence and the risk factors of co-infection because there hasn't been any research that thoroughly demonstrates its occurrence in Indonesia, particularly at the Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital in Surabaya. Methods: This research is a retrospective analytical study at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital in a period of 2019-2021 primarily to assess risk factors associated with co-infection events. Patient’s data included sex, age, occupation, marital status, comorbid factors, the patient's number of sexual partners, sexual orientation, and the patient's nonsexual behavior were taken from the secondary medical records for analysis. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlations between variables. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the presence of co-infections according to sex and sexual orientation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively), however, there was no statistically significant association of age, patient's occupation, marital status, commorbidity and sexual partner with co-infection in STDs. Conclusion: The incidence of co-infection is positively associated with both sex and sexual orientation in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Severe Clinical Outcomes Due to Human Adenoviral Respiratory Infections in Hospitalized Immunocompetent Adults

Background Human adenoviral infections typically result in upper respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, and gastroenteritis that is classically self-limiting but can be life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals. In relatively rare cases, adenovirus infections in immunocompetent patients can result in hospitalizations and severe outcomes that include need for critical care or death. The risk factors that are associated with severe adenoviral infections in immunocompetent hosts have not been thoroughly investigated and are currently poorly understood. Methods Retrospective cohort of 78 patients with ages ranging from 18–85 years who were admitted to Yale New Haven-affiliated hospitals over a period of 2 years with positive adenovirus tests on a nasopharyngeal respiratory viral panel. Immunocompromised patients were excluded from the study. Patient charts were reviewed to obtain demographic information, comorbid conditions, smoking history, and clinical outcomes. Results Of the 78 patients admitted, 15 (19.2%) were admitted as observation, 44 (56.4%) were admitted to the hospital for over 48 hours, 15 (19.2%) required critical care, and 4 (5.1%) expired during hospitalization. Pulmonary disease as a comorbidity in the form of asthma (33.3%) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12.8%), and smoking history (59.0%) were more common in those with severe adenoviral infections. With severe disease, 13 (16.7%) required mechanical ventilation, 10 (12.8%) required pressor support, and 2 (2.6%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusions This retrospective study characterizes severity of adenoviral infections in adult immunocompetent patients, highlights the lack of treatment available, and identifies potential risk factors for severe disease, including asthma, smoking, absence of fever, and presence of coinfection.

Changes in the epidemiological patterns of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus infection among pediatric patients and their correlation with severe cases: a long-term retrospective study.

We aim to investigate the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) among pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract illness (ARTI) in southern China both pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic, as well as identify associated risk factors for severe infections. The study conducted a real-time PCR analysis on hospitalized children with ARTI from 2012 to 2023, specifically targeting RSV, hMPV, and other respiratory pathogens. Additionally, demographic data was collected during this analysis. The prevalence of RSV occurs triennially, and likewise, the temporal pattern of hMPV outbreaks mirrors that of RSV. The peak infection rates of RSV and hMPV occurred during and following the implementation of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control measures. The incidence of RSV infection exhibited bimodal peaks in 2022, while hMPV demonstrated seasonal peaks during the spring, fall, and winter periods post-COVID-19 pandemic. After the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been an upward trend in the proportion of female patients and patients aged one year and older presenting with ARTI, RSV infections, and hMPV infections. Infant (OR = 4.767, 95%CI: [3.888-5.846], p < 0.0001), presence of co-infection (OR = 0.540, 95%CI: [0.404-0.722], p < 0.0001), and existence of comorbidities (OR = 1.582, 95%CI: [1.285-1.949], p < 0.0001) was the risk ratio for the severity of RSV infection. Children infected with hMPV under the age of 1 year (OR = 0.322, 95%CI: [0.180 - 0.575], p < 0.0001), as well as those with comorbidities (OR = 8.809, 95%CI: [4.493 - 17.272], p < 0.0001), have a higher risk of developing severe illness. The changing epidemiological patterns have the potential to lead to widespread severe outbreaks among children, particularly those with underlying medical conditions who may experience more severe symptoms. Conducting surveillance for pneumoviridae viruses in children is an imperative measure to establish a robust foundation for future epidemic prevention and treatment strategies.

Experimental Evolution Studies in Φ6 Cystovirus.

Experimental evolution studies, in which biological populations are evolved in a specific environment over time, can address questions about the nature of spontaneous mutations, responses to selection, and the origins and maintenance of novel traits. Here, we review more than 30 years of experimental evolution studies using the bacteriophage (phage) Φ6 cystovirus. Similar to many lab-studied bacteriophages, Φ6 has a high mutation rate, large population size, fast generation time, and can be genetically engineered or cryogenically frozen, which facilitates its rapid evolution in the laboratory and the subsequent characterization of the effects of its mutations. Moreover, its segmented RNA genome, outer membrane, and capacity for multiple phages to coinfect a single host cell make Φ6 a good non-pathogenic model for investigating the evolution of RNA viruses that infect humans. We describe experiments that used Φ6 to address the fitness effects of spontaneous mutations, the consequences of evolution in the presence of coinfection, the evolution of host ranges, and mechanisms and consequences of the evolution of thermostability. We highlight open areas of inquiry where further experimentation on Φ6 could inform predictions for pathogenic viruses.

Profile and Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in Pediatric Patients with and without Cancer: A Case–Control Study

Abstract Objectives Pediatric patients with cancer are considered a vulnerable population to the ill effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We hereby studied the difference between clinical characteristics, lab parameters, and outcomes of COVID-19 among children suffering from cancer and those without cancer. We also analyzed risk factors for the occurrence of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 disease in pediatric cancer patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective case–control study was carried out using the medical record review method over 6 months in a tertiary-care center in India. All patients below 18 years of age, with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) confirmed COVID-19, were screened for enrolment. Patients were split into two groups: Group A comprised of patients with cancer, while group B consisted of patients without any underlying comorbidity. Patients with other comorbidity except cancer and inadequately recorded case sheets were excluded. Details regarding demography, clinical features, investigations, treatment, and outcomes were recorded. Statistical Analysis Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 25 was used for data analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Two-hundred-five pediatric inpatients with RTPCR-established COVID-19 infection were screened and final analyses were performed on 97 patients, of which 31 children were classified into group A and 66 into group B. Median age of enrolled children was 5 years with 58.8% males. The prevalence of cancer as a comorbidity in pediatric inpatients with COVID-19 was 15%. Fifty-five percent of cancer patients had hematological malignancies, while 45% had solid tumors. Fever (p = 0.001) and gastrointestinal manifestations (p = 0.0001) were significantly less common among pediatric cancer patients. Children with cancer had significantly more leukopenia (p = 0.003), neutropenia (p = 0.003), and lymphopenia (p = 0.005). The case fatality rate was higher in children with cancer (3.2%) as compared to noncancer patients (1.5%, p = 1.0). Few risk factors for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 among children with cancer included age less than 2 years (p = 0.06), undernutrition (p = 0.33), advanced stage of cancer (p = 0.49), and presence of coinfection (p = 0.35) Conclusion Cancer is a significant comorbidity among pediatric COVID-19 patients. While children with cancer have less severe COVID-19, their case fatality rate is higher than those without cancer. Younger age, undernutrition, advanced stage of cancer, and presence of coinfections may predispose to the development of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 among pediatric cancer patients.

Effect of dolutegravir on ferritin, iron, and C-reactive protein among people living with HIV and co-infections.

Dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is currently recommended as the preferred first-line ART in many resource-limited settings. However, little is known about the clinical experience of dolutegravir within a context of prevalent co-infections. To assess virological outcomes, and iron, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among people living with HIV (PLWH) and co-infections after initiating or re-initiating dolutegravir-based ART. This prospective study was conducted between August 2022 and August 2023. Study participants were recruited from an HIV opportunistic infection clinic. Screening for co-infections (syphilis, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus) was performed at baseline, prior to ART initiation. Plasma HIV viral load (VL), CRP, ferritin and iron levels were measured at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up period. A total of 100 participants (51 women and 49 men) were enrolled in this study. The median age of the participants was 39 years. The prevalence of co-infections was 30%. Prior to ART initiation, participants with co-infections had higher VL, CRP and ferritin, and lower iron levels, compared to those without co-infections (P < 0.001). Following 6 months of ART, CRP and ferritin levels decreased while iron levels increased, regardless of co-infection status. However, CRP and ferritin remained significantly higher in those with co-infections despite similar and high rates of virologic suppression in both groups. The presence of co-infections in PLWH is associated with higher VL and with chronic inflammation. Ferritin and CRP decreased on dolutegravir-based ART but remained higher in people with co-infections despite similar rates of virologic suppression.

Immune Dysregulation in SARS-CoV-2 patients coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) or HIV in China

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infections usually cause immune dysregulation in the human body. Studies of immunological changes resulting from coinfections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) or HIV are limited.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study focusing on patients with COVID-19. A total of 550 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in our study and categorized into four groups based on the presence of coinfections; 166 Delta-infected patients, among whom 103 patients had no coinfections, 52 who were coinfected with Mtb, 11 who were coinfected with HIV, and 384 Omicron-infected patients. By collecting data on epidemiologic information, laboratory findings, treatments, and clinical outcomes, we analyzed and compared clinical and immunological characteristics.ResultsCompared with those in the Delta group, the median white blood cell, CD4 + T-cell and B-cell counts were lower in the Mtb group and the HIV group. Except for those in the Omicron group, more than half of the patients in the three groups had abnormal chest CT findings. Among the three groups, there were no significant differences in any of the cytokines. Compared with those in the Delta group, the disease duration and LOS were longer in the Mtb group and the HIV group. For unvaccinated Delta-infected patients, in the Mtb and HIV groups, the number of B cells and CD4 + T cells was lower than that in the Delta group, with no significant difference in the LOS or disease duration. In the Mtb group, three (6%) patients presented with a disease duration greater than four months and had decreased lymphocyte and IL17A counts, possibly due to double infections in the lungs caused by SARS-CoV-2 and M. tuberculosis.ConclusionsWe found that SARS-CoV-2 patients coinfected with Mtb or HIV exhibited a longer disease duration and longer LOS, with a decrease in B cells and CD4 + T cells, suggesting that these cells are related to immune function. Changes in cytokine levels suggest that coinfection with Mtb or HIV does not result in dysregulation of the immune response. Importantly, we discovered a chronic course of coinfection involving more than four months of Mtb and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Clinical Correlation of CD4 Count and Dry Eye Disease (DED) Severity Among HIV Patients: A Case Study in Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clinic Prof Ngoerah General Hospital, Bali

Abstract&#x0D; Introduction &amp; Objectives : Dry Eye Disease is a multi-factorial ocular surface and tear film instability disease. It has been reported as one of the most frequent anterior segment ocular manifestations in HIV patients, occurring late in the disease. The study aimed to investigate clinical correlation of CD4 count and severity of the disease.&#x0D; Methods : This study was a hospital based cross-sectional study where 75 HIV patients (150 eyes) aged 18-50 years old were referred to ophthalmology clinic in VCT for ocular surface related complaints and were included in the study.&#x0D; Results : The study showed significant moderate positive correlation between CD4 count with Tear Break Up Time (TBUT) (r-value=0.509;p-value=0.05) and negatively correlated with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score (r-value=-0.252, p-value=0.035). There were a significant difference in CD4 count between mild and moderate dry eyes (p-value=0.005) and between mild and severe dry eyes (p-value=0.005), however no significant difference was observed between moderate and severe dry eyes (p value=0.435). The severity of dry eye in HIV patients also tends to differ in-between clinical stage of the disease (p value=0.513) and with the presence of co-infection (p value=0.228), although the result was not statistically significant.&#x0D; Conclusion : There is a correlation between CD4 Count and Dry Eye Disease severity among HIV patients. The lower the CD4, the higher the risk for HIV patients to get severe dry eye disease. This shows the importance of CD4 control and monitoring to prevent various ocular disease and manifestations related to HIV.

Study on the correlation between IL-12p70, IL-17A and migraine in children.

To compare the serum levels of 12 cytokines in migraine group, encephalitis with headache symptoms group, pneumonia without headache symptoms group and migraine subgroups to explore the cytokines associated with migraine in children and their levels. A total of 44 children with migraine, 27 children in the encephalitis group with headache symptoms and 44 children in the pneumonia group without headache symptoms were selected from January 2022 to August 2023 in Hebei Children's Hospital. They were all tested for serum cytokines by immunofluorescence assay. The migraine group was further divided into subgroups according to different age, gender, course of disease, and presence of coinfection. The differences of serum cytokine levels among the above groups were compared, and the correlation analysis was carried out. Except IL-5, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of other 11 inflammatory cytokines between migraine subgroups. Compared with encephalitis with headache symptoms group and pneumonia without headache symptoms group the serum levels of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-12p70 were higher in migraine group than in pneumonia group, and the levels of IL-12p70 were higher than those in encephalitis group (p < 0.05). An increase in serum IL-12p70 (OR = 1.267, 95%CI 1.054-1.523, p = 0.012) and IL-17A (OR = 1.066, 95%CI 1.016-1.119, p = 0.010) levels had a significant effect on migraine. Elevated serum levels of IL-12p70 and IL-17A may increase the risk of migraine in children, which has certain diagnostic and predictive value.

Enterobius vermicularis Infection in a Child Population with Evidence of Vulvovaginitis and Bacterial Coinfection in Girls in Oaxaca, México

Infection by the nematode Enterobius vermicularis (Enterobiasis) is the most common helminth parasitosis in humans. It is closely related to poverty, and a higher prevalence is observed in children, in those who can cause important complications. Due to this, we evaluated the prevalence of Enterobiasis in children from a marginalized community in southeastern Mexico. Additionally, we analyzed possible cases of ectopic infection in girls and the presence of coinfections with other pathogens. Of 904 children, we found a prevalence of 21%, being higher in girls than in boys. Additionally, we determined the presence of E. vermicularis in the vagina of 11 girls who had mild lesions and coinfections with bacteria. Our findings highlight the importance of developing prevention and surveillance programs in areas of extreme poverty.

ЦИРКУЛЯЦИЯ ОРВИ У ДЕТЕЙ Г. БЕРДСКА НОВОСИБИРСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В СЕЗОН 2022-2023 Г.

Вackground. Acute respiratory diseases are the most common among all infectious diseases, both in the world and in the Russian Federation. Prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and timely detection of the viral etiology of these diseases is an urgent public health task. Purpose of the study. The aim of this work was to identify the viral etiology of acute respiratory diseases in children's age group patients who sought medical help with signs of upper respiratory tract infections at the Berdsk Central City Hospital. Patient Characterization and Research Methods. The target group of the study was patients aged 0-17 years in the acute stage of upper respiratory tract disease who presented with signs of infection. Identification of the genetic material of respiratory viruses was carried out by real-time PCR using the AmpliSens “ARVI - FL” diagnostic kits (FBIS Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Russia). Methods of statistical analysis. Microsoft Office Excel program was used. Results and conclusion. The result of the research revealed that 81.33% of samples of biological material received a positive result for at least one infection. Identified: RNA viruses SARS-CoV-2, influenza A (Influenza virus A), influenza B (Influenza virus B), respiratory syncytial virus (hRSv), metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza types 1, 2, 4 (hPiv), RNA coronaviruses species OC43, E229, NL63, HKUI (HCoV), RNA of rhinoviruses (hr v), DNA of adenoviruses of groups B, C and E (HAdV), DNA of bokavirus (HBoV), and in 12.59% of cases of the number of positive samples, the presence of coinfections is observed. The results of this work are aimed at verifying the etiological factor of ARVI and strengthening the prevention of the spread of upper respiratory tract infections in the population.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Patients with Mono and Coinfection of Dengue and Scrub typhus.

Dengue is a neglected tropical disease, and Scrub typhus is an emerging tropical illness in Nepal. Coinfection between them is found in literature and clinical practice. The objective of this study is to describe and compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients with mono and coinfection of Dengue and Scrub typhus. This was a single-center hospital-based retrospective study, performed at Beni District Hospital, Nepal. The patient who was diagnosed with mono and coinfection of Dengue and Scrub typhus from 1st January 2020 to 16th September 2020 were included. Data regarding demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, and laboratory parameters were collected and analyzed. In 53 patients who fall under the inclusion criteria of our study, 12 patients had coinfection with dengue and Scrub typhus with headache being the most common symptom regardless of mono or coinfection followed by myalgia and arthralgia. Total platelet counts at the time of admission were lower in the coinfection group with increasing thrombocytopenia during the disease course in comparison to mono-infection. The maximum temperature recorded, elevation in hepatic enzymes, and duration of defervescence were more in the coinfection group in comparison to dengue and scrub mono-infection. Mono and coinfection of Dengue, Scrub typhus present with common clinical symptoms, laboratory findings. With limited resources for screening and diagnosis, clinical prediction based on symptoms alone or together with lab parameters is difficult which is further difficult in the presence of Co-infection.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcomes Predictors for Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Patients in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Retrospective Cohort Study.

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) increased the demand for intensive care unit (ICU) services. Mortality and morbidity rates among ICU COVID-19 patients are affected by several factors, such as severity, comorbidities, and coinfections. In this study, we describe the demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted to an ICU in Saudi Arabia, and we determined the predictors for mortality and prolonged ICU length of stay. Additionally, we determined the prevalence of bacterial coinfection and its effect on the outcomes for ICU COVID-19 patients. We retrospectively studied the medical records of 142 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU at a tertiary hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data on demographics, medical history, mortality, length of stay, and presence of coinfection were collected for each patient. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and intubation were reliable predictors of mortality and ICU length of stay among these ICU COVID-19 patients. Moreover, bacterial coinfections were detected in 23.2% of the patients and significantly (p < 0.001) prolonged their ICU length of stay, explaining the 10% increase in the length of stay for these patients. Furthermore, mortality reached 70% among the coinfected patients, and 60.8% of the isolated coinfecting pathogens were multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus. Increased NLR and intubation are predictors of mortality and prolonged length of stay in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Coinfection with MDR bacterial strains potentially results in complications and is a high-risk factor for prolonged ICU length of stay.

Procalcitonin as a Sepsis Marker in Patients of Critical Care Unit

Introduction: The aim of this study was to observe the diagnostic role of procalcitonin to evaluate sepsis and assess the level of inflammation for the patients of Critical Care Unit of different departments. Methods: This cross sectional, prospective and observational study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology on the patients at Critical Care Unit of Paediatric, Surgery, Gynae and Medicine department in a tertiary care hospital (Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka) from June, 2020 to May, 2021. Total 106 patients were enrolled in this study. As the study was conducted during corona pandemic, RT-PCR test for Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with serum procalcitonin and bacterial culture and sensitivity tests for different samples were prescribed for all 106 patients. Result: Out of 106 patients, 30.2% (32) patients were found positive and 69.69% (74) were found negative for COVID- 19 and 14.15% (15) patients had clinical documentation of bacterial co-infection, confirmed by blood, respiratory, or urine culture. After PCT test, 20.75 % (22) samples were found with severe sepsis or septic shock, 7.54% (08) samples were found with systemic infection, 18.06% (20) samples were with possible systemic infection, 31.13 % (33) samples were with local infections and 21.69% (23) were found within normal ranges of PCT. Conclusion: This study supports the importance of the diagnostic role of PCT to assess the level of sepsis as well as presence of co-infection which suggests that PCT level is a good biomarker for early diagnosis, assessment and treatment of patients in CCU. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2023; 41: 198-204

Diversity of picornaviruses detected in diarrheal samples from children in Belém, Brazilian Amazon (1982-2019).

In this investigation, fecal specimens from children with diarrhea were collected from four community studies conducted between 1982 and 2019 in Belém, Brazilian Amazon. A total of 234 samples were tested by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)to detect infections by picornaviruses of the Enterovirus (EV),Parechovirus (HPeV),Cosavirus (HCoSV),Kobuvirus (Aichivirus - AiV) and Salivirus (SalV) genera. The positive samples were subjected to different amplification protocols of the VP1 region of the genome, such as nested PCR or snPCR, and were subsequently genotyped by sequencing VP1 and VP3 of the viral genome. Positivity was observed in 76.5% (179/234) of the samples tested using RT-qPCRfor at least one virus, and co-infection was observed in 37.4% (67/179) of the cases. EV was detected in 50.8% (119/234), HPeV in 29.9% (70/234), HCoSV in 27.3% (64/234), and AiV/SalV in 2.1% (5/234) of the specimens tested by RT-qPCR.Using nested PCR and/or snPCR techniques, the positivity rates were 94.11% (112/119) for EV, 72.85% (51/70) for HPeV, and 20.31% (13/64) for HCoSV. It was not possible to amplify the samples that were positive for AiV/SalV. Sequencing revealed 67.2% (80/119) EV, 51.4% (36/70) HPeV, and 20.31% (13/64) HCoSV. Forty-five different types of EV were found among species A, B, and C; HCoSV identified five species, including a possible recombinant strain; all HPeV were identified as belonging to species A, in two samples a possible recombination involving three different strains was verified. This study demonstrated the high circulation and diversity of different types of picornaviruses in fecal samples, including those collected more than 30 years ago. This endorsed the evaluation of important points in the epidemiology of these viruses, such as the presence of co-infection and the possibility of knowing more about these agents, considering that some were recently described; therefore, their detection in older samples can provide more data about their ancestry.

Leading Pathogens Involved in Co-Infection and Super-Infection with COVID-19: Forensic Medicine Considerations after a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the potential for co-infection or over-infection with other respiratory infections, as they can complicate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the disease. This is also a challenge for forensic pathologists, who may come across cases where the presence of co-infection or over-infection is suspected or confirmed, and it is important that they take this into account when determining the cause of death. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the prevalence of each specific pathogen co-infecting or over-infecting patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In total, 575 studies were selected from the Scopus and Pub-Med online databases and 8 studies were included in a meta-analysis. Male gender, advanced age and nursing home care are risk factors associated with the development of co-infection, whereas age, tachypnoea, hypoxaemia and bacterial infection are predictors of mortality. Overall, however, having a SARS-CoV-2 infection does not represent a real risk for the development of co-infections/super-infections.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children: A 24 months experience with focus on risk factors in a pediatric tertiary care hospital in Milan, Italy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children is characterized by a wide variety of expressions ranging from asymptomatic to, rarely, critical illness. The basis of this variability is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and genetic risk factors predisposing to disease susceptibility and progression in children. We enrolled 181 consecutive children aged less than 18 years hospitalized with or for SARS-CoV-2 infection during a period of 24 months. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and microbiological data were collected. The development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related complications and their specific therapies were assessed. In a subset of 79 children, a genetic analysis was carried out to evaluate the role of common COVID-19 genetic risk factors (chromosome 3 cluster; ABO-blood group system; FUT2, IFNAR2, OAS1/2/3, and DPP9 loci). The mean age of hospitalized children was 5.7 years, 30.9% of them being under 1 year of age. The majority of children (63%) were hospitalized for reasons different than COVID-19 and incidentally tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while 37% were admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chronic underlying diseases were reported in 29.8% of children. The majority of children were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic; only 12.7% developed a moderate to critical disease. A concomitant pathogen, mainly respiratory viruses, was isolated in 53.3%. Complications were reported in 7% of children admitted for other reasons and in 28.3% of those hospitalized for COVID-19. The respiratory system was most frequently involved, and the C-reactive protein was the laboratory test most related to the development of critical clinical complications. The main risk factors for complication development were prematurity [relative risk (RR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4-6.1], comorbidities (RR 4.5, 95% CI 3.3-5.6), and the presence of coinfections (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.75). The OAS1/2/3 risk variant was the main genetic risk factor for pneumonia development [Odds ratio (OR) 3.28, 95% CI 1-10.7; p value 0.049]. Our study confirmed that COVID-19 is generally less severe in children, although complications can develop, especially in those with comorbidities (chronic diseases or prematurity) and coinfections. Variation at the OAS1/2/3 genes cluster is the main genetic risk factor predisposing to COVID-19 pneumonia in children.

Virulence evolution of Toxoplasma gondii within a multi-host system.

Current research on the virulence evolution of Toxoplasma gondii is mainly conducted via experiments, and studies using mathematical models are still limited. Here, we constructed a complex cycle model of T. gondii in a multi-host system considering multiple transmission routes and cat-mouse interaction. Based on this model, we studied how the virulence of T. gondii evolves with the factors related to transmission routes and the regulation of infection on host behavior under an adaptive dynamics framework. The study shows that all factors that enhance the role of mice favored decreased virulence of T. gondii, except the decay rate of oocysts that led to different evolutionary trajectories under different vertical transmission. The same was true of the environmental infection rate of cats, whose effect was different under different vertical transmission. The effect of the regulation factor on the virulence evolution of T. gondii was the same as that of the inherent predation rate depending on its net effect on direct and vertical transmissions. The global sensitivity analysis on the evolutionary outcome suggests that changing the vertical infection rate and decay rate was most effective in regulating the virulence of T. gondii. Furthermore, the presence of coinfection would favor virulent T. gondii and make evolutionary bifurcation easy to occur. The results reveal that the virulence evolution of T. gondii had a compromise between adapting to different transmission routes and maintaining the cat-mouse interaction thereby leading to different evolutionary scenarios. This highlights the significance of evolutionary ecological feedback to evolution. In addition, the qualitative verification of T. gondii virulence evolution in different areas by the present framework will provide a new perspective for the study of evolution.

Risk Factors of Acute and Chronic Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya

Background: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection and is one of the neglected diseases caused by Mycobacterium leprae. ENL is a complex syndrome, that caused inflammation of the skin, nerves, and other organs due to an inflammatory immune response to Mycobacterium leprae antigens. Acute ENL was defined as the first episode of ENL with a duration of less than 24 weeks. Chronic ENL was defined as ENL that persisted for more than 24 weeks. These types of ENL can have different risk factors and require different therapeutic interventions. Purpose: The onset of ENL is acute, but may progress to a chronic or recurrent phase and require long-term therapy. Early detection of leprosy is very important, because the infection is curable and prompt treatment can reduce nerve damage and associated stigma. Chronic ENL patients require prolonged high doses of corticosteroids to control inflammation in ENL and cause severe complications and side effects associated with morbidity and mortality. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using a non-probability sampling technique consecutively using a casecontrol formula in leprosy patients with ENL in the Leprosy Division of the Outpatient Dermatology and Venereology Unit RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya for the period 2015 – 2020, using secondary data in the form of medical record data. Result: The results of this study obtained leprosy patients with ENL as many as 234 patients, 56 patients with acute ENL and 89 patients with chronic ENL. 45 patients with acute ENL and 45 patients with chronic ENL were obtained from the case-control minimal sample size formula. Conclusion: The results of the bivariate analysis test showed that there was a relationship between risk factors for coinfection and steroid therapy with the type of ENL. The presence of coinfection and steroid therapy showed that patients tend to be chronic ENL, conversely, in the absence of coinfection and without steroid therapy, patients tend to be acute ENL. The multivariate logistic regression analysis test showed a significant association between risk factors for ENL onset before MDT and the presence of coinfection with chronic ENL, whereas ENL onset after MDT and absence of coinfection were associated with acute ENL.

Health Related Quality of Life and Psychopathological Symptoms in People with Hemophilia, Bloodborne Co-Infections and Comorbidities: An Italian Multicenter Observational Study.

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with hemophilia (PWH) is an important issue, especially considering people suffering from chronic diseases beyond hemophilia. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the presence and relevance of psychological symptoms, both internalizing and externalizing, lifestyle, and HRQoL in a group of Italian PWH with chronic bloodborne co-infections and comorbidities. Furthermore, the research describes the association between psychological aspects and the impact of disease-related characteristics (type of hemophilia, presence of co-infections, and comorbidities) on them. Seventy patients (mean age 46.77±11.3), 64 with severe hemophilia A (Factor VIII: C < 1 IU/dL) and 6 with severe hemophilia B (Factor IX <1 IU/dL), were consecutively recruited from seven Hemophilia Centers in Italy of Italian Association of Hemophilia Centers (AICE). In order to assess psychological symptoms, HRQoL, and lifestyle, three psychological questionnaires were administered (the SCL-90-R, SF-36, and PSQ, respectively). A general decline in the quality of life and an increase in the tendency to adopt a lifestyle characterized by hyperactivity emerged. Inverse correlations were found between HRQoL and psychological distress. Although the SCL-90-R did not reveal symptoms above the clinical cut-off, co-infections significantly increased anxiety, depression, somatizations, paranoia, and social withdrawal. Lastly, HRQoL is impaired by co-infections as well as comorbidities. Our preliminary results must be confirmed to deepen the findings between mental health and hemophilia.