Nursing students' perception of the covid- 19 disease and attitudes toward vaccination

Background: The COVID-19 is globally the most critical public health concern of our age. Raising awareness in fighting pandemics, society's perception of COVID-19 in acquiring herd immunity in society, attitudes toward vaccines, and the role of health-care professionals in vaccine acceptance is all important. Aim: This study aimed to determine nursing students' perceptions of the COVID-19 disease and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 263 nursing students between December 2021 and April 2022. Data were collected using the COVID-19 Disease Perception Scale and the Attitudes toward the COVID-19 Vaccine Scale. Results: The nursing students had high levels of perceptions of COVID-19 and positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Based on the subscales, the nursing students had high scores in the dangerousness and infectious subscales regarding their perception of the disease. In addition, they had higher scores in the positive subscale than in the negative subscale concerning their attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: Results of this study, planned training programs should be organized, curricula should be revised to help nursing students in order to be prepared for the future pandemics.

A retrospective and comparative study between quick sequential organ failure assessment, CURB-65, and early warning scorings in COVID-19 patients to predict the disease severity and outcome

Background: Predicting the severity of COVID-19 infection in advance is the key to success of its treatment outcome. Various scoring systems are used to detect the severity of this disease but this study targets three simple scoring systems based on the vital parameters and basic routine laboratory tests. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the predictability of three scoring systems (Quick sequential organ failure assessment [q SOFA], CURB-65, and Early Warning scoring system) for disease severity at presentation in a rural-based tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted at Diamond Harbour Government Medical College Covid Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 to assess the predictability of q SOFA, CURB-65, and Early Warning scoring system for disease severity at presentation. Results: The total number of participants was 561 among total admitted 1367 patients. A short descriptive analysis obtained from the variables to analyze the scorings howed among total sample collected, 57% were male and 43% were female. In this study, 87% of patients were survived and the rest 13% succumbed (death). There is no statistically significant difference in mortality between both genders. Age, pulse rate, and respiratory rate have a significant correlation with the outcome and altered sensorium is also highly associated with mortality. The accuracy was also found to be little higher for National Early Warning score (NEWS) score than CURB-65 scoring and q SOFA scoring (0.919, 0.914 and 0.907). Although all the scoring systems have high sensitivity (>90%) (CURB 65: Most sensitive [0.99]), the specificities of all three scoring systems are below 50%. Among these three-scoring systems, NEWS showed the highest specificity (0.492) than q SOFA (0.423) and CURB 65 (0.394). Conclusion: We suggest NEWS score and CURB-65 as a better predictor for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients as it is significantly sensitive and reasonably specific. It can be recommended in less equipped hospitals where only basic laboratory facilities are available. qSOFA can be utilized where no laboratory facility is available like in safe home and isolation centers.

Efectos del aislamiento social en el estado cognitivo de personas mayores de 65 años durante la pandemia SARS-CoV-2: estudio comparativo longitudinal / Effects of social isolation on the cognitive status of people over 65 years of age during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A longitudinal comparative study

Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected the entire population, especially vulnerable people with risk factors, such as people over 65 years. Globally and nationally, health protection measures were established to reduce transmission and the impact of the disease on the healthcare system, such as using face masks, hand washing, and social distancing, among others. This led to restrictions on activities outside the home, which affected the cognitive sphere of the population, especially people over 65 years of age. Objective To demonstrate that social isolation causes changes in the cognitive status of people over 65 years of age. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, with the participation of 37 older adults in a parish club of support activities who voluntarily agreed to participate by signing the informed consent form. The Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination was administered to all of them at two points in the study: before the pandemic and after six months of strict social isolation established as a control measure for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We looked for cognitive status differences during this period and studied qualitative-quantitative sociodemographic variables. Results The club members were older people, predominantly women. Mean age of the participants was 75.4 years; 89.2% had little schooling (less than ten years of formal education). Identified prevalent diseases were arterial hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus. In the first evaluation, six out of thirty-seven participants had slight cognitive deficits (16.2%), all females; there were no cases of cognitive impairment; the rest had normal cognitive status (31 out of 37, or 83.8%). After the second evaluation (at the end of strict isolation due to the pandemic), we observed that 11 (29.7%) participants had slight cognitive deficits (ten female and one male), which represents an increase of 13.5%. In addition, four participants (10.8%) showed mild cognitive impairment, all females. Such changes were statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). We conclude that social isolation due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was related to changes in the cognitive status of the elderly.

Introducción La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, ha afectado a toda la población, especialmente a personas vulnerables y con factores de riesgo, como las personas mayores de 65 años. A nivel mundial y nacional se establecieron medidas de protección sanitaria como medio para reducir la transmisión y el impacto de la enfermedad en el sistema de salud como uso de mascarilla, lavado de manos, distanciamiento social, entre otros. Esto generó restricciones en las actividades fuera del hogar, lo que afectó el aspecto cognitivo de la población, especialmente a las personas mayores de 65 años. Objetivo Demostrar que el aislamiento social genera cambios en el estado cognitivo de las personas mayores de 65 años. Metodología Se realizó un estudio longitudinal en el periodo de 2019 a 2020, con la participación de 37 personas mayores pertenecientes a un club parroquial de actividades de apoyo, quienes aceptaron participar voluntariamente mediante firma del consentimiento informado. A todos se les aplicó el en dos momentos del estudio: previo a la pandemia y al cabo de seis meses del aislamiento social estricto establecido como medida de control de la pandemia por SARS- CoV-2. En dicho período se buscaron diferencias en el estado cognitivo y también se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas cuali-cuantitativas. Resultados Los integrantes del club son personas mayores, predominantemente mujeres. El promedio de edad de los participantes fue de 75,4 años; el 89,2% tenía escolaridad baja (menos de 10 años de educación). Las enfermedades prevalentes identificadas fueron: hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus tipo-2. En la primera evaluación se observó que 6 de 37 participantes presentaron ligero déficit cognitivo (16,2%), todas de sexo femenino; no hubo casos con deterioro cognitivo; los demás tuvieron estado cognitivo normal (31 de 37, es decir 83,8%). Tras la segunda evaluación (al finalizar el aislamiento estricto por la pandemia), se observó que 11 (29,7%) personas registraron ligero déficit cognitivo (10 mujeres y 1 hombre), lo que implica un incremento de 13,5%. Además, se identificaron cuatro casos (10,8%) de los participantes que presentaron deterioro cognitivo leve, todas fueron de sexo femenino. Tales cambios fueron estadísticamente significativos (valor p < 0,05). Se concluye que el aislamiento por la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 está relacionado con cambios en el estado cognitivo de las personas mayores.

Salivary Diagnosis in Covid-19 Infection-A Brief Review

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and the consequent COVID-19 disease rolled over the globe sweeping human lives and national health systems. Early diagnosis plays an important role in stopping its further escalation. Saliva as a Diagnostic Tool: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard in the diag- nosis of COVID-19 disease. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs are the recommended specimen types for identification of viral RNA. However, false negative results may occur due to inadequate or improper oropharyngeal sampling. Saliva, as a prom- ising alternative, circumvents the limitations associated with the use of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs and lessens the exposure risk of health care professionals. Salivaomics or salivary diagnostics includes the study of salivary proteins, salivary RNAs, salivary metabolites, salivary microR- NAs and salivary microbiota. Saliva sample collection is easy, non-invasive and more acceptable for repeat testing and can be performed by non-healthcare professionals or even be self-sampled. Recent studies suggest that the sensitivity of saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection methods seem to be comparable to or better than that of nasopharyngeal swabs. Conclusion: This paper reviews the role of saliva in the diagnosis of covid-19 infection, with special emphasis on its advantages, limitations and clinical implications.

Asociación de biomarcadores y severidad de COVID-19: estudio transversal / Association of biomarkers and severity of COVID-19: a crosssectional study

Introducción COVID- 19, es una enfermedad que ha cobrado la vida de muchas personas. Sin embargo, las alteraciones en los perfiles de labora-torio en la ciudad de Tacna, no han sido establecidas de manera precisa en asociacion a su gravedad para apoyo en el diagnostico y tratamiento. Objetivo Determinar los biomarcadores que esten relacionados al grado de severidad de los pacientes COVID- 19 atendidos en el hospital de la seguridad social, en Tacna durante 2020. Métodos Estudio observacional, transversal y analitico. Conformado por 308 pacientes con COVID- 19 del hospital de la seguridad social de la ciudad de Tacna, Peru, durante el golpe de la "primera ola" (de julio a agosto de 2020). Se recolectaron resultados de marcadores inmunologicos, hematologicos, gases arteriales, hemostasia y bioquimicos. Los pacientes se categorizaron en leves, moderados y severos, basandonos en el criterio medico ­ clinico de la historia clinica. Las correlaciones y fuerza de correlacion fueron realizadas segun coeficiente Rho de Spearman. El rendimiento de los biomarcadores asociado a la gravedad, se realizo con curva Receiver Operating Characteristic. Resultados En marcadores hematologicos existe correlacion positiva con recuento de monocitos (coeficiente de correlacion: 0,841; area bajo la curva 97,0%; p < 0,05) y correlacion negativa con recuento de linfocitos (coeficiente de correlacion: -0,622; area bajo la curva 8.27%; p < 0,05). En marcadores bioquimicos, gases arteriales y hemostasia, no se hallaron correlaciones significativas. En marcadores in-munologicos, encontramos correlacion positiva con ferritina (coeficiente de correlacion: 0,805; area bajo la curva 94,0%; p < 0,05), y proteina C reactiva (coeficiente de correlacion: 0,587; area bajo la curva 87,4%; p < 0,05). Conclusiones Los biomarcadores que pueden considerarse como parametros asociados a la gravedad de COVID- 19, son el recuento sanguineo absoluto de monocitos y la concentracion serica de ferritina.

Introduction COVID- 19 is a disease that has claimed the lives of many people. However, alterations in labo-ratory profiles in the city of Tacna have not been accurately established in association with its severity to support diagnosis and treatment. Objective To determine biomarkers related to the severity of COVID- 19 in patients treated at the social security hospital in Tacna during 2020. Methods We performed an observational, cross- sectional, and analytical study that included 308 patients with COVID- 19 from the social security hospital in Tacna, Peru, during the "first wave" of the pandemic (from July to August 2020). Immunological, hematological, arterial gas, hemostasis, and biochemical markers were collected. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe based on the clinical criteria found on clinical records. Correlation strength was per-formed according to Spearman's Rho coefficient. The performance of the biomarkers associat-ed with severity was analyzed with the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. Results Regarding hematological markers there was a positive correlation with monocyte count (correla-tion coefficient: 0.841; area under the curve 97.0%; p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with lymphocyte count (correlation coefficient: -0.622; area under the curve 82.7%; p < 0.05). Regarding biochemical markers, arterial gases and hemostasis, no significant correlations were found. In immunological markers, we found positive correlation with ferritin (correlation coef-ficient: 0.805; area under the curve 94.0%; p < 0.05), and C- reactive protein (correlation coeffi-cient: 0.587; area under the curve 87.4%; p < 0.05). Conclusions The biomarkers that can be considered as parameters associated with the severity of COVID- 19 are the absolute blood count of monocytes and serum ferritin concentration.

Fatores associados aos determinantes para a confirmação da notificação pela COVID-19 / Fatores associados aos determinantes para a confirmação da notificação pela COVID-19 / Factors associated with confirmation determinants for COVID-19 notification

Objetivo: analisar os fatores associados aos determinantes para a confirmação dos casos notificados pela Corona virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Método: estudo transversal com a utilização dos dados de acompanhamento das notificações no estado de Pernambuco, entre fevereiro e agosto de 2020. Realizou-se estatística descritiva e regressão logística binária com razões de chance como medida de associação. Resultados: foram notificados 38.178 casos, sendo 59,9% confirmados. Fatores associados aos determinantes da confirmação: homens (OR:1,08; IC95%=1,02-1,14), idosos (OR 1,15; IC95%=1,09-1,22) e raça/cor branca (OR:1,10; IC95%=1,03-1,17). Alteração de olfato/paladar isolado ou associado na sintomatologia (OR 2,41; IC95%=2,13-2,72) e os óbitos no desfecho (OR:2,74; IC95%=2,57-2,92) tiveram mais chance de terem a confirmação para a COVID-19. Conclusão: os determinantes para a confirmação dos casos notificados demonstraram a importância de sintomas clínicos como a perda de olfato e paladar, assim como evolução para óbito como desfecho.

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with the confirmation determinants of notified Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases. Method: A cross-sectional study using two accompanying data for notifications in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between February and August 2020. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed with odds ratios as the association measure. Results: A total of 38,178 cases were reported, of which 59.9% were confirmed. Factors associated with confirmation determinants included: male (OR: 1.08; 95% CI=1.02-1.14), older adults (OR 1.15; 95% CI=1.09-1.22) and race/white (OR:1.10; CI95%=1.03-1.17). Change in smell/taste isolated or associated with symptomatology (OR 2.41; 95% CI=2.13-2.72) and unreported deaths (OR: 2.74; 95% CI=2.57-2.92) have more chance of confirmation for COVID-19. Conclusion: The confirmation determinants for the notified cases demonstrate the importance of clinical symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, as well as evolution to death as an outcome.

Objetivo: Analizar los factores asociados a los determinantes para la confirmación de casos notificados por Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Método: Estudio transversal con datos del seguimiento de notificaciones en el estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, entre febrero y agosto de 2020. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y regresión logística binaria con razones de probabilidad como medida de asociación. Resultados: Se notificaron 38.178 casos, de los cuales se confirmó el 59,9%. Factores asociados a determinantes de confirmación: hombres (OR: 1,08; IC95%=1,02-1,14), adultos mayores (OR 1,15; IC95%=1,09-1,22) y raza blanca/color (OR:1,10; IC95%=1,03-1.17). La alteración aislada o asociada del olfato/gusto en los síntomas (OR 2,41; IC95%=2,13-2,72) y las muertes no declaradas (OR: 2,74; IC95%=2,57-2,92) tenían más probabilidades de confirmación por COVID-19. Conclusión: Los determinantes para la confirmación de los casos notificados demostraron la importancia de los síntomas clínicos como la pérdida del olfato y del gusto, así como la evolución a la muerte como resultado.

Association of COVID-19 severity with vitamin D and blood group

Abstract: Vitamin D is a hormone which plays a vital role in immune response regulation, including the prevention of inflammation and autoimmunity. Insufficient vitamin D may increase the risk of infection. Vitamin D deficiency is not the only factor linked to an elevated risk of COVID-19 infection. Recent studies have discovered a link between SARS-COV-2 infection risk and blood type. This study was aimed to examine the association of vitamin D and blood groups with the severity of COVID-19. A retrospective study was conducted on 224 confirmed COVID-19 patients, aged between 18 and 89 years old. Patients were divided into three groups (asymptomatic, moderate, and severe cases), and serum 25(OH)D concentration and blood group were analyzed for all the patients. Data of the severe cases were obtained from Souq Althalath Isolation Center, Tripoli, Libya, while moderate and asymptomatic cases were obtained from Abushusha Polyclinic and Aldahmani COVID Filtration Center, during 22nd February 2021 and 28th April 2021 and serum 25(OH)D concentration and blood group were statistically analyzed for all the patients. The percentages of males andfemales were found to be 47.3% and 52.7%, respectively. Disease severity was distributed as follows: 12.5% asymptomatic, 44.6 % moderate and 42.9% severe. Most of the severe cases had vitamin D deficiency (88.5%). Among the severely ill patients, 39.6% had blood group A and 09.4% had group O, while 22.9%, and 28.1% had blood group B and AB, respectively. In contrast, among the asymptomatic patients, only 7.1% had group A and 85.7% had group O. Overall, the difference in the distribution pattern of blood group in the three severity categories was highly significant (p < 0.001). The prevalence of Rh positivity among asymptomatic, moderate and severe cases was 78.6%, 76.0%, and 60.4%, respectively. This study concludes that insufficient vitamin D levels might influence the severity of COVID-19. COVID-19 patients with blood group A and those who are Rh-positive could be more vulnerable to developing COVID-19 severity

COVID-19 Pandemic as a mass killer and existential public health emergency in Nigeria remains unproven: A viewpoint

Framing COVID­19 pandemic as mass killer and existential public health emergency/threat in Nigeria with 2,120 COVID­19­related deaths in over 14 months of the pandemic in the country is problematic, especially as other public health conditions kill more Nigerians annually. In 2018, for example, malaria and road traffic accident caused 97,200 and 38,902 deaths, respectively, while HIV/AIDS caused 43,000 deaths in 2019. Therefore, rushing into an extensive vaccination campaign projected to cost 540 billion naira when 76.03 billion naira was allocated for primary health services nationwide including other major immunization programs in the 2021 federal health budget could raise question of priority/effective spending. Especially with COVID-19 deaths relative to reported cases(case fatality ratio) declining to 1.30% by June 30, 2021 from 3.45% in April 2020 and daily mass deaths non-evident. Temporizing to understand how the pandemic evolves especially in jurisdictions with higher need could be cost­effective.

La propagación de la COVID-19 en España y Brasil según tiempo y clima / Tempo, clima e propagação da COVID-19 na Espanha e no Brasil / The spread of COVID-19 in Spain and Brazil according to weather and climate

Objetivo: Este artículo de investigación busca conocer la influencia de la propagación del virus COVID-19 a través de la temperatura y de la humedad en España y Brasil. Métodos: Para el cálculo de la variación mensual del índice de propagación del virus COVID-19 por provincias en España se han utilizado, en primer lugar, las series climáticas de la AEMET de España e INMETRO de Brasil. Se han extraído las medias correspondientes y después se han sometido los datos a un proceso de homogenización, para posteriormente poder calcular el incremento mensual de temperatura y de humedad por provincias y estados. Este proceso metodológico establece una relación directamente proporcional entre el aumento de la temperatura y de la humedad con el índice de propagación del virus COVID-19. Resultados: En España, las condiciones climáticas favorecerán la disminución o aumento del índice reproductivo del virus. En Brasil las condiciones climáticas no favorecerán la disminución del índice reproductivo del virus y, climatológicamente, no existe un periodo óptimo para una desescalada y vuelta a la normalidad. Las variaciones de las condiciones climáticas en Brasil no son significativas, por lo que el clima de Brasil no influye en la disminución de propagación del virus. Conclusión: El clima influye en la propagación del virus. Descriptores: COVID-19; Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa; Clima; Temperatura; Humedad.

Objetivo: Este artigo de pesquisa busca conhecer a influência da propagação do vírus COVID-19 através da temperatura e umidade na Espanha e no Brasil. Métodos: Para calcular a variação mensal do índice de propagação do vírus COVID-19 por províncias da Espanha, primeiramente, utilzaram-se as séries climáticas da AEMET da Espanha e do INMETRO do Brasil. Extraíram-se as médias correspondentes, para posterior submissão dos dados a um processo de homogeneização, com o intuito de calcular o aumento mensal de temperatura e umidade por províncias e estados. Esse processo metodológico estabeleceu uma relação diretamente proporcional entre o aumento da temperatura e da umidade com a taxa de disseminação do vírus COVID-19. Resultados: Na Espanha, as condições climáticas favoreceram a diminuição ou aumento do índice reprodutivo do vírus. No Brasil, entretanto, as condições climáticas não favorecem a diminuição do índice reprodutivo do virus, comprovando que climatologicamente não existe um período ideal para uma desaceleração e retorno à normalidade. As variações nas condições climáticas no Brasil não são significativas, portanto o clima não influencia na diminuição da propagação do vírus neste país. Conclusão: O clima influencia a disseminação do vírus. Descritores: COVID-19; Transmissão de Doença Infecciosa; Clima; Temperatura; Umidade.

Objective: This research article seeks to know the influence of the spread of the COVID-19 virus through temperature and humidity in Spain and Brazil. Methods: In order to calculate the monthly variation in the COVID-19 virus spread index by provinces in Spain, at first, the climatic series of the AEMET of Spain and INMETRO of Brazil were used. The corresponding means have been extracted and then the data have been subjected to a homogenization process, to later be able to calculate the monthly increase in temperature and humidity by provinces and states. This methodological process establishes a directly proportional the climatic conditions favored the decrease or increase of the reproductive index of the virus. In Brazil, however, the climatic conditions do not favor the decrease in the reproductive index of the virus, proving that climatologically there is no optimal period for de-escalation and return to normality. The variations in climatic conditions in Brazil are not significant, so the climate does not influence the decrease in the spread of the virus. Conclusion: Climate influences the spread of the virus. Descriptors: COVID-19; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Climate; Temperature; Humidity. relationship between the increase in temperature and humidity with the spread rate of the COVID-19 virus. Results: In Spain the climatic conditions favored the decrease or increase of the reproductive index of the virus. In Brazil, however, the climatic conditions do not favor the decrease in the reproductive index of the virus, proving that climatologically there is no optimal period for de-escalation and return to normality. The variations in climatic conditions in Brazil are not significant, so the climate does not influence the decrease in the spread of the virus. Conclusion: Climate influences the spread of the virus.

Detection of SARS-COV-2-S antibody in solid organ transplantation recipients of Mongolia after mRNA vaccination / Эрүүл мэндийн лаборатори

Introduction@#The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 has a major impact in solid organ transplant recipients and the effect of established mRNA based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have to be evaluated for solid organ transplant patients (SOT) since they are known to have poor responses after vaccination. @*Method@#We investigated the SARSCoV-2 immune response via SARS-CoV-2 S IgG detection in the serum of 17 renal transplant recipients and 11 liver transplant recipients after two doses of the mRNA based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 following the standart protocol.@*Result@#The median age was 52.5±12 years. Nineteen (67.8%) of the 28 patients were male, and 9 (32.2%) were female. The mean time after organ transplantation was 6.3±5 years (5 months-16 years). The immunosuppressive regimen included mycophenolate (19 of 28; 67.8%), tacrolimus (27 of 28; 96.4%), and corticosteroids (15 of 28; 53.6%).</br> The antibody response was evaluated once with an anti- SARS-CoV-2-S IgG CLIA (Elecsys Roche, Germany) 30±2 days after the second dose. Only 19 of 28 (67.8%) SOTRs were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-S IgG after the second dose of vaccine and median titer was 119.5±106.4 Н/мл. @*Conclusion@#Thus, the humoral response of SOTRs after two doses of the mRNA based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 is impaired. Individual vaccination strategies and third dose of vaccine might be beneficial in these vulnerable patients.

Prevalence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies among hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Objective: To describe the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and to find potential associations between antiphospholipid antibody positivity and clinical outcomes. Methods: From September to November 2020, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 50 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang, Indonesia. Antiphospholipid antibodies were measured by finding IgM anti-β2 glycoprotein, lupus anticoagulant, and IgM/IgG anticardiolipin. Clinical characteristics, thrombotic events, ICU admission, and mortality during hospitalization were recorded. Disease severity was defined by the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19, Indonesia. Results: Among 50 patients, 5 patients (10.0%) were positive for antiphospholipid antibodies: 4 patients (80.0%) had IgM anti-β2 glycoprotein and 1 patient had IgG anti-cardiolipin (20.0%) and IgM anti-cardiolipin (20.0%), none of lupus anticoagulant was detected. Antiphospholipid antibodies were associated with anosmia (OR 8.1; 95% CI 1.1-57.9; P=0.018), nausea and vomiting (OR 12.4; 95% CI 1.2-122.6; P=0.010), diarrhea (OR 9.8; 95% CI 1.3-70.9; P=0.010), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0-1.9; P=0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR 12.0; 95% CI 1.6-90.1; P=0.05), acute coronary syndrome (OR 29.3; 95% CI 2.0-423.7; P=0.001), moderate (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01-1.10; P=0.031) and severe (OR 18.5; 95% CI 1.8-188.4; P=0.002) disease severity, and in-hospital mortality (OR 8.1; 95% CI 1.1-57.9; P=0.018). However, there is no correlation between the presence of antiphospholipid antibody and ICU admission. Conclusions: In summary, the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 patients is low, mainly against IgM anticardiolipin, and is associated with an acute coronary syndrome, gastrointestinal manifestations, moderate and severe disease severity, and increased risk of mortality.

Signo del atolón o signo del halo invertido en covid-19: a propósito de un caso / Covid-19 Atoll sign or inverted halo sign: about a case

La Sociedad Fleishner define el signo del halo invertido o signo del atolón como un área focal redondeada con la densidad de un "vidrio esmerilado", rodeada por un anillo más o menos completo de consolidación. Este signo fue descrito inicialmente en pacientes con neumonía organizada criptogénica por Voloudaki y Kim. Ha sido descrito en: 1) enfermedades infecciosas (la paracoccidioidomicosis, la aspergilosis, la mucormicosis y virales), 2) síndromes linfoproliferativos (la granulomatosis linfomatoidea), y 3) enfermedades inflamatorias no infecciosas ni neoplásicas (el síndrome de Churg-Strauss, la neumonía intersticial no específica y la granulomatosis de Wegener).

The Fleishner Society defines the inverted halo sign or Atoll sign as a rounded focal area with a "ground glass" density, surrounded by a more or less complete ring of consolidation. This sign was initially described in patients with organizing cryptogenic pneumonia by Voloudaki and Kim. It has been described in: 1) infectious diseases (paracoccidioidomycosis, aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and virals), 2) lymphoproliferative diseases (lymphomatoid granulomatosis), and 3) non-infectious and neoplastic inflammatory diseases (Churg-Strauss syndrome, non-specific interstitial pneumonia, and Wegener's granulomatosis).