ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been implicated in a variety of vulnerable bacterial and fungal diseases. Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection caused by fungi belonging to the class Zygomycetes and the order Mucorales. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the level of serum ferritin level in mucormycosis patients and to prognosticate them based on those values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Tiruchirappalli, in 50 diagnosed mucormycosis patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 44 had prior COVID-19 illness (post-COVID). Six patients had mucormycosis with no prior COVID-19 illness. Rhino-orbital involvement was found in 44 of the 50 cases, with three of them having cerebral extension. Forty-one cases recovered and were discharged, six cases remained sick and were hospitalized, and three died. The post-COVID patients (554.13 ± 371.60) have greater serum ferritin levels than non-COVID patients (259.95 ± 110.15), which are statistically significant. Conclusion: Mucormycosis patients tend to have higher serum ferritin values, especially among non-survivors and sick patients than survivors. For a better chance of recovery and survival, early identification, surgical debridement, and antifungal medications are essential.
ABSTRACT
COVID19 emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 spread all across the world. It affects mainly the lungs and produce typical findings in CT Chest. CT SEVERITY SCORE derived from CT chest can be used as a prognostic marker in COVID-19. As a result, we would like to observe whether there is a link between presenting blood sugar levels and CT findings, as well as disease severity, because past research have shown that diabetic patients have higher disease severity This retrospective study consist of 100 radiologically positive COVID 19 patients admitting to Mahathma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu, India) from September 2020 to October 2020. 75% were males;25% females. Mean age was 58 years. 68% had comorbidities (58% DM, 28% Hypertension, 13% cardiovascular diseases and 2% bronchial asthma). All were symptomatic (Dyspnoea 70%, Cough 68%, Fever 63%, Sore throat 23%, Diarrhoea 6%, Myalgia 5%). Around half of the patients were in severe disease as per WHO criteria. More than 60% patients had 50% lung involvement (CT Severity score>20/40). Mortality rate was 17%. CT severity score had significant correlation with disease severity (P value 0.028). While presenting random blood sugar (RBS) values had substantial significant correlation with diseases severity and CT severity score (P value 0.047 and 0.008 respectively). CT severity score can be used as risk stratifying tool assessing the disease severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. And presenting blood sugar values had significant correlation with disease severity and CT findings. So adequate glycemic control is paramount in preventing further COVID-19 complications
ABSTRACT
The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global threat for healthcare management and the economic system, and effective treatments against the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus responsible for this disease have not yet progressed beyond the developmental phases. As drug refinement and vaccine progression require enormously broad investments of time, alternative strategies are urgently needed. In this study, we examined phytochemicals extracted from Avicennia officinalis and evaluated their potential effects against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. The antioxidant activities of A. officinalis leaf and fruit extracts at 150 microg/mL were 95.97% and 92.48%, respectively. Furthermore, both extracts displayed low cytotoxicity levels against Artemia salina. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis confirmed the identifies of 75 phytochemicals from both extracts, and four potent compounds, triacontane, hexacosane, methyl linoleate, and methyl palminoleate, had binding free energy values of -6.75, -6.7, -6.3, and -6.3 Kcal/mol, respectively, in complexes with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The active residues Cys145, Met165, Glu166, Gln189, and Arg188 in the main protease formed non-bonded interactions with the screened compounds. The root-mean-square difference (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuations (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and hydrogen bond data from a molecular dynamics simulation study confirmed the docked complexes' binding rigidity in the atomistic simulated environment. However, this study's findings require in vitro and in vivo validation to ensure the possible inhibitory effects and pharmacological efficacy of the identified compounds.