ABSTRACT
IntroductionCases of psychosis are being reported in people infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The relationship between psychosis and corticosteroids treatment is well known. However, there are relatively limited data so far correlating psychosis and SARS-CoV-2.ObjectivesTo describe a case of manic psychosis in a 55-year-old woman treated with corticosteroids for COVID-19 infection. Discuss the etiopathogenic factors involved in psychosis in patients infected by COVID-19.MethodsWe present the case of a 55-year-old woman, without previous psychiatric history, who was admitted to psychiatry due to a psychotic episode with maniac symptoms. Three weeks earlier, the patient had been admitted to Internal Medicine for bilateral SArs-CoV2 pneumonia, under treatment with high doses of corticosteroids. The patient presents a verbose and salty speech, euphoric mood with hyperergia, subjective increase of capacities, insomnia and delusional ideation with mystical-spiritual content with delusional interpretations and auditory hallucinations. The patient comes from Ukraine and she has been living in Spain for 20 years. She works as a household assistant. The patient relates various psychosocial stressors throughout her life.ResultsComplementary diagnostic tests were without alterations. Low-dose antipsychotic treatment is prescribed, with a rapid recovery within a week. Finally, the patient showed complete insight of the episode and was discharged from the hospital being asymptomatic.ConclusionsIt would be interesting to publish the reported cases of psychosis and infection by COVID-19 as well as to investigate the etiopathogenic factors that may be contributing to the development of psychosis in patients infected by the virus.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the widespread use and need for respirators and face masks for the healthcare workers and public. In this study, several generally available respirators and mask designs were fit tested, and their materials were evaluated for filtration efficiency using 250 nm polystyrene latex particles. Efficiency testing was performed for 2 and 0.5 h at low (2.6 L min(-1)) and high (7.4 L min(-1)) airflows, respectively, using similar to 17.4 cm(2) material area. As expected, all N95 and KN95 respirators passed the fit test, and their materials showed efficiencies > 95% for the entire experiment at both airflows. Of the three air filters used in the 3D-printed Montana masks, only the HEPA filter had a filtration efficiency > 95% at both airflows. Regardless of the insert material, the Montana mask failed all fit tests. Homemade duckbill masks made of Halyard H600 sterilization wrap and WypAll X80 reusable wipe also failed the fit test, and both filter materials had an average filtration efficiency < 95% at high airflows. To explain the filtration efficiency results, the structure and composition of all filter materials were determined using FE-SEM, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, when highly efficient materials are used in masks that do not fit the users properly, the potential of these materials to protect the users from aerosols is compromised. Therefore, the mask design is as important as the filtration efficiency of the mask material.