Lymphocyte subgroup analysis by flow cytometric method in patients diagnosed with covid 19

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Multiparametric flow cytometry method is considered as the gold standard for the determination of lymphocyte subgroup analysis. In this study, it was aimed to perform lymphocyte subgroup analysis in patients with COVID-19 and to compare it with the healthy group. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with COVID-19 who applied to Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital after approval of the ethics committee. All COVID-19 patients (n=50) and healthy controls (n=30) are equal in age and gender. Whole blood samples were taken into an EDTA tube and measured by a hemogram analyzer within 2 hours. Lymphocyte subgroup analyses (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56, CD16) and activated T lymphocytes(HLADR) were performed using the flow cytometric method in the same samples. Lymphocyte counts were calculated using the dual platform. RESULTS: White blood cell and lymphocyte counts were significantly low in the patients with COVID- 19 (respectively, p=0.036). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the CD3+ T lymphocyte counts and CD19+ B lymphocytes counts and percentage were significantly lower (p=0.008, <0.001, 0.004) in disease group compared to the controls but no difference observed in NK cells. In T lymphocytes, CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were significantly lower (p=0.007, <0.05), but their percentages and CD4/CD8 ratios was not significantly different. The percentage of HLADR expression in T lymphocytes was significantly increased compared to the healthy group (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: T and B lymphocyte counts were low in COVID 19 patients. Activated T lymphocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Molecular docking demonstration of the liquorice chemical molecules on the protease and ace2 of covid-19 virus

Background: COVID-19 has spread rapidly in many countries of the world and poses a serious threat to global public health, yet no specific drug has been identified or currently available for its treatment. Since it may take years to design a drug for its treatment, the shortest and most effective way now is to screen the available drugs or active substances by molecular docking methods. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential for use in COVID-19 treatment by investigating the inhibitory effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra, main active ingredients on COVID-19, main protease (SARS-CoV-2,), SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 Complex and ACE-2 by molecular docking method, which are known to have antiviral effects on SARS-CoV. Material and Methods: Molecular docking was performed by using Autodock 4.2 to analyse the proba-bility of docking. Several compounds extracted from the root of the licorice plant (glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin and mycophenolic acid) were docked to inhibit COVID-19 Mpro and docking results were analysed by Autodock 4.2 and Biovia Discovery Studio Visualizer 2020. The evalu-ation was based on the docking score (binding energies) calculated by Autodock 4.2. Nelfinavir was used as standards for comparison. Results: As a result of the study, the compounds of Glabridin in COVID-19 main protease (6LU7), ACE-2 (1R4L) and SARS-CoV-2,-ACE2 Complex (6LZG) have very low binding energy (-8.75 to-7.64) and low potential to inhibition constant has been found. Conclusion: These results suggest that Glabridin appeared to have the best potential to act as a COVID-19 Mpro inhibitor. However, further research is necessary to investigate their potential medicinal use.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results from a pandemic hospital according to demographic data.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China at the end of 2019 has resulted in a global pandemic. On 11 March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test results from the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of a pandemic hospital according to demographic data. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results of 413,013 samples from 194,062 patients were retrospectively analysed. Tests were carried out between 27 March and 31 December 2020 using two commercial kits. The patient's age and gender were recorded, in addition to the percentage of positive test results per month (i.e. monthly positivity). Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to analyse statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity in the pandemic hospital was 19.9%. Female gender and younger age (0-18 years) had a statistically significant higher positivity (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant higher positivity in August and September. CONCLUSIONS: Higher positivity among the younger population and females may be the leading cause of low COVID-19 mortality rates in Turkey as these population groups are less likely to die from the disease. Governments should disaggregate COVID-19 data by age and gender, and vaccine studies focussing on younger populations should be accelerated because this population group represents an important source of infection.

No association of anti-osteoporosis drugs with COVID-19-related outcomes in women: a nationwide cohort study.

This study was performed to evaluate whether the use of drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis in women is associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The results showed that the risk of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mortality was not altered in individuals taking anti-osteoporosis drugs, suggesting no safety issues during a COVID-19 infection. INTRODUCTION: Whether patients with COVID-19 receiving anti-osteoporosis drugs have lower risk of worse outcomes has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of anti-osteoporosis drug use with COVID-19 outcomes in women. METHODS: Data obtained from a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 11th to May 30th, 2020 was retrieved from the Turkish Ministry of Health Database. Women 50 years or older with confirmed COVID-19 who were receiving anti-osteoporosis drugs were compared with a 1:1 propensity score-matched COVID-19 positive women who were not receiving these drugs. The primary outcomes were hospitalization, ICU (intensive care unit) admission, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1997 women on anti-osteoporosis drugs and 1997 control patients were analyzed. In the treatment group, 1787 (89.5%) women were receiving bisphosphonates, 197 (9.9%) denosumab, and 17 (0.9%) teriparatide for the last 12 months. Hospitalization and mortality rates were similar between the treatment and control groups. ICU admission rate was lower in the treatment group (23.0% vs 27.0%, p = 0.013). However, multivariate analysis showed that anti-osteoporosis drug use was not an independent associate of any outcome. Hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality rates were similar among bisphosphonate, denosumab, or teriparatide users. CONCLUSION: Results of this nationwide study showed that preexisting use of anti-osteoporosis drugs in women did not alter the COVID-19-related risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality. These results do not suggest discontinuation of these drugs during a COVID-19 infection.

An electrochemical label-free DNA impedimetric sensor with AuNP-modified glass fiber/carbonaceous electrode for the detection of HIV-1 DNA

Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, neurologic manifestations have been increasingly reported including encephalopathy;however, the underlying patho-physiology remains mostly unclear [1]. Neurotropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been suspected [2], though neuropathological studies did not show specific brain changes [3]. Besides the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a dysregulated immune response resulting in a massive release of proin-flammatory cytokines is involved in pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 manifestations and multi-organ failure [4]. This systemic hyperinflammatory state may be involved in neu-rologic impairment, as well. We report a case of COVID-19-related encephalopathy, questioning temporal relations between infection, cytokine storm, and neurologic involvement. A 77-year-old female, with no history of neurological disease , presented with impaired consciousness after 18-days history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute respiratory distress requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (Fig. 1). Patient was placed on hydroxychloroquine, levofloxacin, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Despite a remarkable respiratory improvement, at time of first neurologic evaluation, patient presented awake but mutacic, without any goal-directed behavior. No meningeal irritations or focal signs were found. Stimulus-induced myo-clonus and positive primitive reflexes (blinking, left grasp) were observed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recording showed a generalized slowing activity, prevalent in frontal regions. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed diffuse white-matter lesions consistent with chronic small vessel disease without contrast enhancement (Fig. 2). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis detected normal white blood cell counts and mild increase of the blood-brain barrier permeability (CSF protein = 56 mg/dl, reference range < 50;CSF/serum albumin ratio = 15,6, reference range < 7,4). CSF reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 was negative. Additional CSF studies, including oli-goclonal bands, neurotropic virus, bacterial cultures, and autoimmune encephalitis antibody panel, were all negative. Cytokines levels were tested both in CSF and blood documenting a significant increase of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (55.1 and 9.1 pg/ml respectively, reference range < 5,9) and inter-leukin-8 (IL-8) (106 and 2721 pg/ml, respectively, reference range < 70) (Fig. 1). 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG-PET/CT) scan showed a spread frontal lobe hypo-metabolism (Fig. 2). She was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone 60 mg for 10 days.