Several immune mechanisms activate in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Usually, coronavirus infection is characterized by dysregulated host immune responses, interleukine-6 increase, hyper-activation of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Interestingly, Vitamin D deficiency has been often associated with altered immune responses and infections. In the present study, we evaluated Vitamin D plasma levels in patients affected with different lung… Continue reading Circulating Vitamin #D levels status and clinical prognostic indices in #COVID-19 patients
Category: Infectivology
Assessment of protection against #reinfection with #SARS-CoV-2 among 4 million PCR-tested individuals in Denmark in 2020: a population-level observational study
The degree to which infection with SARS-CoV-2 confers protection towards subsequent reinfection is not well described. In 2020, as part of Denmark's extensive, free-of-charge PCR-testing strategy, approximately 4 million individuals (69% of the population) underwent 10·6 million tests. Using these national PCR-test data from 2020, we estimated protection towards repeat infection with SARS-CoV-2. Methods In… Continue reading Assessment of protection against #reinfection with #SARS-CoV-2 among 4 million PCR-tested individuals in Denmark in 2020: a population-level observational study
Impact of the #COVID-19 Vaccine on Asymptomatic #Infection Among Patients Undergoing Pre-Procedural COVID-19 Molecular Screening
Several vaccines are now clinically available under emergency use authorization in the United States and have demonstrated efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19. The impact of vaccines on asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection is largely unknown. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive, asymptomatic adult patients (n = 39,156) within a large United States healthcare system who… Continue reading Impact of the #COVID-19 Vaccine on Asymptomatic #Infection Among Patients Undergoing Pre-Procedural COVID-19 Molecular Screening
Low #Zinc Levels at Admission Associates with Poor Clinical Outcomes in #SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient that impacts host–pathogen interplay at infection. Zinc balances immune responses, and also has a proven direct antiviral action against some viruses. Importantly, zinc deficiency (ZD) is a common condition in elderly and individuals with chronic diseases, two groups with an increased risk for severe severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)… Continue reading Low #Zinc Levels at Admission Associates with Poor Clinical Outcomes in #SARS-CoV-2 Infection
#Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents major infective episodes in patients with systemic #lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressants: A non-concurrent cohort study
Prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prevents pneumocystis jirovecii infection in SLE on immunosuppression. Its role in preventing other major infections in immuno suppressed SLE patients is unknown. Methods A non-concurrent cohort study was conducted on patients of SLE fulfilling SLICC and/or ACR 1997 criteria, who received tapering dose of steroid starting with ≥0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisolone or equivalent… Continue reading #Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents major infective episodes in patients with systemic #lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressants: A non-concurrent cohort study
Short-Course #Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired #Pneumonia The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common occurrence in childhood; consequently, evidence-based recommendations for its treatment are required. Objective To determine whether 5 days of high-dose amoxicillin for CAP was associated with noninferior rates of clinical cure compared with 10 days of high-dose amoxicillin. Design, Setting, and Participants The SAFER (Short-Course Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Respiratory… Continue reading Short-Course #Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired #Pneumonia The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial
Association between antecedent #statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with #COVID-19
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in a hyperinflammatory state, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), myocardial injury, and thrombotic complications, among other sequelae. Statins, which are known to have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties, have been studied in the setting of other viral infections, but their benefit has not been assessed in COVID-19.… Continue reading Association between antecedent #statin use and decreased mortality in hospitalized patients with #COVID-19
The #SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain preferentially recognizes #blood group A
Key Points The RBD of SARS-CoV-2 shares sequence similarity with an ancient lectin family known to bind blood group antigens. SARS-CoV-2 RBD binds the blood group A expressed on respiratory epithelial cells, directly linking blood group A and SARS-CoV-2. https://bit.ly/3sRfU1l
A living WHO guideline on drugs to prevent #covid-19
..The linked systematic review and network meta-analysis (6 trials and 6059 participants) found that hydroxychloroquine had a small or no effect on mortality and admission to hospital (high certainty evidence). There was a small or no effect on laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (moderate certainty evidence) but probably increased adverse events leading to discontinuation (moderate certainty… Continue reading A living WHO guideline on drugs to prevent #covid-19
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