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Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are frequently observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals at distinct time intervals after the initial diagnosis. Psychological distress in the form of anxiety, burnout, and depression is regarded as a common complication of COVID-19, but also as a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is highly prevalent among COVID-19 patients and the general population. The pathophysiological mechanisms culminating in the diagnosis of IBS are yet to be fully understood, however, factors including gut–brain interaction, COVID-19-related intestinal damage, and other external influences might play a role in this process. While long-term GI complications of COVID-19 such as IBS are speculated to develop as a result of a multifaceted interaction between the virus itself with the host, in addition to the effects of psychological distress, further research on this topic is warranted. The purpose of this study was to explore possible factors correlating with the development of IBS and depression during the follow-up period post-COVID-19 infection. © 2023 Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
ABSTRACT
Contexte: Les epidemies constituent des menaces majeures dans les pays en developpement ou les outils de surveillance pour leur detection precoce et de reponse sont souvent inadequats. Au Senegal, depuis 2012, le Ministere de la sante en association avec l'Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), a mis en place un systeme integre de surveillance sentinelle. Nous decrivons les etapes de developpement d'un systeme de surveillance sentinelle et les informations qu'il fournit au bon moment pour ameliorer la prise de decision en sante publique. Methodes: Le reseau 4S au Senegal repose sur des donnees de syndromes febriles et diarrheiques recueillies par des praticiens generalistes sentinelles (PGS). Les PGS communiquent a temps reel des donnees epidemiologiques (consultation totale, cas de fievre, paludisme, syndromes grippaux/COVID-19, suspicions d'arboviroses et les cas diarrhees) via une application androide. Les definitions utilisees sont celles de l'OMS et s'appuient sur des criteres cliniques. Les donnees sont validees et analysees a temps reel via une plateforme de detection precoce (EWS). Resultats: En 2021, le reseau 4S, qui comprenait 25 sites sentinelles, a identifie plusieurs alertes epidemiques qui ont ete ensuite confirmees. Cinq alertes etaient liees aux epidemies saisonnieres de la grippe et les vagues de COVID-19, deux avec des suspicions d'arboviroses. Sur un total de 205 000 consultations toutes causes confondues, 12,0 % etaient lies a des syndromes febriles. Parmi ces fievres, 33,0 % etaient lies a des syndromes grippaux/COVID-19, 9,2 % aux suspicions d'arboviroses, 13,6 % a des acces palustres confirmes et 4 % a des diarrhees febriles. Discussion/Conclusion: Le reseau 4S represente le premier systeme national de surveillance en << temps reel >> du Senegal. Il a demontre la faisabilite d'ameliorer la capacite de surveillance des maladies a potentiel epidemique grace a des systemes innovants en depit des contraintes de ressources avec des mesures de controle qui limitent leur impact et aident a prevenir d'autres epidemies. Declaration de liens d'interets: Les auteurs declarent ne pas avoir de liens d'interets.Copyright © 2022
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Background: The Omicron variant B.1.1.529 has led to a new dynamic in the COVID-19 pan-demic, with an increase in cases worldwide. Its rapid propagation favors the emergence of novel sub-lineages, including BA.4 and BA.5. The latter has shown increased transmissibility compared to other Omicron sub-lineages. In Senegal, the emergence of the Omicron variant in December 2021 characterized the triggering of a short and dense epidemiological wave that peaked at the end of February. This wave was followed by a period with a significant drop in the number of COVID-19 cases, but an upsurge in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been noted since mid-June. Objective(s): The purpose of this brief report is to give an update regarding the genomic situation of SARS-CoV-2 in Dakar during this phase of recrudescence of cases. Method(s): We performed amplicon-based SARS-CoV-2 sequencing on nasopharyngeal swab samples from declared COVID-19 patients and outbound travelers that tested positive. Result(s): Ongoing genomic surveillance activities showed that more than half of recent COVID-19 cases were due to the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages that share two critical mutations associated with increased transmissibility and immune response escape. The circulation of recombinants between Omicron sub-lineages was also noted. Conclusion(s): Despite the lack of proven severity of BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages, their increased transmis-sibility causes a rapid spread of the virus, hence a surge in the number of cases. This rapid spread consti-tutes a greater risk of exposure for vulnerable patients. To tackle this issue, any increase in the number of cases must be monitored to support public health stakeholders. Therefore, genomic surveillance is an ever-essential element in managing this pandemic.Copyright © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Contexte Les épidémies constituent des menaces majeures dans les pays en développement où les outils de surveillance pour leur détection précoce et de réponse sont souvent inadéquats. Au Sénégal, depuis 2012, le Ministère de la santé en association avec l'Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), a mis en place un système intégré de surveillance sentinelle. Nous décrivons les étapes de développement d'un système de surveillance sentinelle et les informations qu'il fournit au bon moment pour améliorer la prise de décision en santé publique. Méthodes Le réseau 4S au Sénégal repose sur des données de syndromes fébriles et diarrhéiques recueillies par des praticiens généralistes sentinelles (PGS). Les PGS communiquent à temps réel des données épidémiologiques (consultation totale, cas de fièvre, paludisme, syndromes grippaux/COVID-19, suspicions d'arboviroses et les cas diarrhées) via une application androïde. Les définitions utilisées sont celles de l'OMS et s'appuient sur des critères cliniques. Les données sont validées et analysées à temps réel via une plateforme de détection précoce (EWS). Résultats En 2021, le réseau 4S, qui comprenait 25 sites sentinelles, a identifié plusieurs alertes épidémiques qui ont été ensuite confirmées. Cinq alertes étaient liées aux épidémies saisonnières de la grippe et les vagues de COVID-19, deux avec des suspicions d'arboviroses. Sur un total de 205 000 consultations toutes causes confondues, 12,0 % étaient liés à des syndromes fébriles. Parmi ces fièvres, 33,0 % étaient liés à des syndromes grippaux/COVID-19, 9,2 % aux suspicions d'arboviroses, 13,6 % à des accès palustres confirmés et 4 % à des diarrhées fébriles. Discussion/Conclusion Le réseau 4S représente le premier système national de surveillance en « temps réel » du Sénégal. Il a démontré la faisabilité d'améliorer la capacité de surveillance des maladies à potentiel épidémique grâce à des systèmes innovants en dépit des contraintes de ressources avec des mesures de contrôle qui limitent leur impact et aident à prévenir d'autres épidémies. Déclaration de liens d'intérêts Les auteurs déclarent ne pas avoir de liens d'intérêts.
ABSTRACT
Human adenovirus serotype 26 (Ad26) is used as a gene-based vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and HIV-1. However, its primary receptor portfolio remains controversial, potentially including sialic acid, coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR), integrins, and CD46. We and others have shown that Ad26 can use CD46, but these observations were questioned on the basis of the inability to cocrystallize Ad26 fiber with CD46. Recent work demonstrated that Ad26 binds CD46 with its hexon protein rather than its fiber. We examined the functional consequences of Ad26 for infection in vitro and in vivo. Ectopic expression of human CD46 on Chinese hamster ovary cells increased Ad26 infection significantly. Deletion of the complement control protein domain CCP1 or CCP2 or the serine-threonine-proline (STP) region of CD46 reduced infection. Comparing wild-type and sialic acid-deficient CHO cells, we show that the usage of CD46 is independent of its sialylation status. Ad26 transduction was increased in CD46 transgenic mice after intramuscular (i.m.) injection but not after intranasal (i.n.) administration. Ad26 transduction was 10-fold lower than Ad5 transduction after intratumoral (i.t.) injection of CD46expressing tumors. Ad26 transduction of liver was 1,000-fold lower than that ofAd5 after intravenous (i.v.) injection. These data demonstrate the use of CD46 by Ad26 in certain situations but also show that the receptor has little consequence by other routes of administration. Finally, i.v. injection of high doses of Ad26 into CD46 mice induced release of liver enzymes into the bloodstream and reduced white blood cell counts but did not induce thrombocytopenia. This suggests that Ad26 virions do not induce direct clotting side effects seen during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination with this serotype of adenovirus. IMPORTANCE The human species D Ad26 is being investigated as a low-seroprevalence vector for oncolytic virotherapy and gene-based vaccination against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. However, there is debate in the literature about its tropism and receptor utilization, which directly influence its efficiency for certain applications. This work was aimed at determining which receptor(s) this virus uses for infection and its role in virus biology, vaccine efficacy, and, importantly, vaccine safety.
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Emergency Department (ED) visits result from urgent conditions and instances caused by disease, disaster, accidents, or injury and require immediate medical attention. Today, emergency dental services are becoming an integral and crucial facet of properly functioning healthcare systems. Dental emergency visits are a risky undertaking when the COVID-19 epidemic is decimating global health systems. Emergencies in dental care are possibly life-threatening occurrences and demand instant attention to curb infection, severe pain, and tissue bleeding. Examples of these conditions include trauma affecting different facial bones, bacterial infection on soft tissues or cellulitis, and uncontrolled bleeding. Today, given the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, all providers need to use their professional judgment to determine the need for emergency or urgent care for a patient. Consequently, this systematic review of literature reviews the implications of the COVID-19 epidemic on the use of dental services in different care facilities across the nation.
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Objective: The objective of the study is to identify associations between the sociodemographic characteristics and the level of knowledge, scope of attitudes, and self-reported practices among adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Riyadh. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study of adults was conducted using a multistage participatory approach between May 31 and June 7, 2020, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: Of 1364 study participants, 73.9% knew the descriptive type of COVID-19. Females showed a statistically significant higher knowledge composite (P < 0.0001), and the majority had higher sufficient knowledge scores than males. Only 24.9% agreed that individuals could be tested positive for influenza and COVID-19 at the same time. Negative attitudes were highly prevalent among younger, unmarried, non-Saudi, male participants (P < 0.05). 72.9% reported placing masks on infants or children under 2 years. Similarly, older age groups and Saudi females were better at practicing risk-based preventive controls for COVID-19 than younger age groups and non-Saudi males (P < 0.0001). 60% expressed that if a vaccine would be available this year, they would feel it was rushed, while 56% would consider receiving it but would wait to see what happens to others. Conclusion: These findings could be helpful in guiding machine learning models in groups more affected by knowledge insufficiency, gaps in attitudes, and behavioral compliance. © 2021 Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine.
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Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is both a consequence and determinant of outcomes in COVID-19. The kidney is one of the major organs infected by the causative virus SARS-CoV-2. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is required for viral entry into cells and is present in the urine of patients with COVID-19 and AKI. The present study examined cellular effects that result from transfecting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in HEK293 kidney cells. Methods: HEK293-ACE2+ cells stably overexpressing ACE2 were used. Codon optimized pcDNA encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike (7788bp) or empty vector (4033bp) plasmid was transfected using Lipofectamine LTX. For studies examining the effect of quercetin (an inducer of heme oxygenase-1, HO-1), full media containing quercetin or vehicle was added at 4-6 hours post transfection. mRNA and protein expression was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blot respectively. Syncytium formation was assessed by acquiring phase contrast images using Olympus CK40 microscope and the area covered by syncytia was measured using ImageJ software. Results: HEK293-ACE2+ cells expressed SARS-CoV-2 spike protein upon spike transfection. Such expression led to syncytia formation, the sloughing of sheets of cells, and focal denudation of the cell monolayer. Spike protein expression upregulated potentially nephrotoxic genes such as TNF-α, MCP-1, and ICAM1. Spike protein expression also upregulated potentially cytoprotective genes such as HO-1, as demonstrated by HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and relevant signaling pathways (p-Akt, p-STAT3, and p-p38) involved in inducing the HO-1 gene. Quercetin, a naturally occurring compound that induces HO-1, markedly reduced syncytia formation and spike protein expression. Conclusions: These findings introduce a clinically relevant, spike protein-induced, in vitro model for the study of AKI in COVID-19. The major conclusions of the study are: 1) Spike protein expression in kidney cells provides a useful and timely model for the study of maladaptive and adaptive responses in these cells relevant to AKI observed in COVID-19;2) spike protein expression in kidney cells upregulates HO-1;and 3) quercetin, an inducer of HO-1, may provide a clinically relevant/feasible protective strategy in AKI occurring in the setting of COVID-19.
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Objective: To compare the effects of coronaviruses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), on pregnant women in Saudi Arabia, and to understand the disease dynamics of these coronaviruses so as to konw how to provide care and management of infected pregnant women and infants. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of all published papers on MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnant women in Saudi Arabia to identify knowledge gaps. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the PRISMA system. The search included all papers which were published between September 1, 2012 and November 29, 2020 on pregnant women with MERS-CoV and/ or COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Of 26 papers screened, five were included in the analysis. Results: A total of 11 pregnant women with MERS-CoV and four with COVID-19 were reported in Saudi Arabia in the medical literature during the review period. The mean ages of the women were 33 and 31 years old for MERS-CoV and COVID-19, respectively. Maternal and fetal mortality in cases of MERS-CoV were 35% and 30%, respectively, while no maternal or fetal mortalities were reported in COVID-19 cases. Conclusions: Very limited data has emerged from Saudi Arabia on pregnant women MERS-CoV and COVID-19. With such high mortality observed with MERS-CoV compared to COVID-19, there is a need for greater reporting of cases to truly grasp the extent of these infections in pregnant women in a country where both coronaviruses are circulating.