ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 is associated with cytokine storm and hypercoagulability, indicating elevated risk for thrombotic events. Thromboelastography (TEG6s) assay has been used to demonstrate hypercoagulability in patients with COVID-19. Total Thrombus formation Analysis System (T-TAS) is a novel microfluidic assay that can be used to assess thrombogenicity in the presence of high shear as present in coronary arteries (PL chip) and 600/s shear stress indicating shear at large arteries (AR chip). Aim(s): To demonstrate the prothrombotic state in COVID-19 patients using a novel T-TAS assay and TEG6s. Method(s): Blood samples were collected from 111 patients with COVID-19 during hospitalization for TEG6s and T-TAS analysis, and from 155 healthy volunteers who were not on any antithrombotic agents for TEG6s analysis. Previously published normal ranges for T-TAS assays were used in the analysis. Result(s): 57% of COVID-19 patients were male and 65% were African American. All COVID-19 patients were on prophylaxis or full dose heparin during hospitalization. With the T-TAS AR chip, COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly shorter values in initial occlusion time (T10) and occlusion time and higher area under the curve (AUC) (p < 0.001 for all), indicating a prothrombotic state. There were no differences in PL chip parameters. In COVID-19 patients, TEG6s assay demonstrated reaction time within the normal range despite anticoagulant therapy, higher platelet-fibrin clot strength, fibrinogen clot strength and fibrinogen levels compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001 for all). There were no differences in total platelet function parameters (PL chip) between COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects. Conclusion(s): Our data indicate that COVID-19 patients exhibit a prothrombotic state that can be assessed by a novel T-TAS assay and TEG6s. This study also indicated that prothrombotic state in COVID-19 patients may be driven by significantly higher fibrinogen levels in the presence of normal platelet function.
ABSTRACT
Mucormycosis is an infrequent infectious disease engendered by Mucorales fungi that primarily affects COVID-19-positive patients in India. Corticosteroids are frequently used to treat COVID-19. Corticosteroids vanquish the body's immune response and raise blood sugar levels in diabetic COVID-positive patients and are often found with the Rhino-orbital cerebral Mucormycosis. Neutropenia, solid organ, and stem cell grafting, excessive intake of iron, and deferoxamine therapy are associated risk factors. The saprophytic fungus initially attacks the sinuses before spreading to the oral cavity, lungs, and eye orbit, causing an acute phase of inadequate blood supply to the tissue which finally led to Necrosis. If left untreated, it can result in temporary or permanent loss of vision, fever, headache, reddened and swollen skin near the nose or eyes, facial pain, and eventually death. Laboratory parameters, tissue biopsy, CT scan, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction are few investigations. Amphotericin B and Micafungin are the commonest advisable anti-fungal medication. Surgical debridement or removal of contaminated tissue, particularly in infections of the rhino-orbito-cerebral, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal Mucormycosis, is required. © 2021 MEDIC SCIENTIFIC. All right reserved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To understand the dynamics of infectivity of COVID-19 and allay the fear and anxiety associated with it in healthcare workers and the society. CASE PRESENTATION: Three individuals accompanied their pediatric patients in the COVID ward but did not develop infection. Information about their knowledge and perspective about the disease and the protective measures undertaken by them during their stay in the hospital was gathered by administering a questionnaire 14 days after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that use of proper precautionary measures like wearing a mask and regular hand sanitization helped in prevention from COVID-19 infection even after having close contact with confirmed cases. Such facts/observation will help in sensitizing the public about COVID-19 and eliminate panic in the society.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/transmission , COVID-19/virology , SARS-CoV-2 , Adult , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Immunoassay/methods , Male , SARS-CoV-2/classification , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Symptom AssessmentABSTRACT
This work details the outbreak and factors affecting the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Indian state of Maharashtra, which is considered as one of the most massive and deadly pandemic outbreaks. Observational data collected between 14 March 2020 and 4 May 2020 is statistically analyzed to determine the nonlinear behaviour of the epidemic. It is followed by validating predicted results with real-time data. Proposed model is further used to obtain statistical summaries in which Grubbs tests for outlier detection have justified high values of evaluation metrics. Outliers are found to be pilot elements in an outbreak under considered region. Statistically, a significant correlation has been observed between dependent and explanatory variables. Transmission pattern of this virus is very much different from the SARS-CoV-1 virus. Key findings of this work will be predominant in maintaining environment conditions at healthcare facilities to reduce transmission rates at these most vulnerable places. KEY WORDS-: SARS-CoV-1; COVID-19, Humidity, Polynomial, Temperature, Confirmed cases; Tests; Maharashtra.