Natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats and dogs of humans diagnosed with COVID-19 in Valle de Aburra, Antioquia

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent of the health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although humans are the main susceptible host, experimental studies and reported cases of natural infection have evidenced scenarios of SARS-CoV-2 reverse zoonosis in animals. Objective: To evaluate the natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs of owners diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Aburra Valley, Antioquia, Colombia. Materials and methods: The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by RT-qPCR and RT-PCR in samples of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal smears from cats and dogs whose owners had latency due to COVID-19 infection. The positive cases were verified by amplifying fragments of the RdRp, N and E genes;and the RdRp amplicon was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Results: Six cats and three dogs were confirmed cases of natural infection for SARS-CoV-2 from 80 tested animals. The animals did not show clinical signs;and their owners, who suffered from the infection, reported only mild signs of the disease without clinical complications. In the analysis of one of the sequences, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found with a change in position 647 substituting the amino acid serine (S) for an isoleucine (I). The cases occurred in the municipalities of Caldas, Medellin and Envigado. Conclusions: It is inferred that natural infection in cats and dogs is associated with direct contact with a COVID-19 patient.

A Bayesian Classifier Combination Methodology for Early Detection of Endotracheal Obstruction of COVID-19 Patients in ICU

Due to COVID-19 related complications, many of the diagnosed patients end up needing intensive care. Complications are often severe, to such an extent that mortality rates in these patients may be high. Among the wide variety of complications, we find necrotizing tracheobronchitis, which appears suddenly with the obstruction of the endotracheal tube. This complication can cause severe damage to the patient or even death. In order to help clinicians with the management of this situation, we propose a Machine Learning-based methodology for detecting and anticipating the obstruction phenomenon. Through the use of Bayesian classifiers, classifier combination, morphological filtering and a track-while-scan detection mode we are able to establish an indicator function that serves as a reference to clinicians. Our experiments show promising results and lay the foundations of an intelligent system for early detection of endotracheal obstruction. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

[From in-person didactic sessions to videoconferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic: satisfaction survey among participants]. / Cambio de sesiones docentes presenciales a virtuales durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en un servicio de neurología: descripción del proceso y satisfacción de los usuarios.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed many hospital activities, including medical education. We describe the switch from in-person didactic sessions to videoconferencing in a Neurology department. We analyse the opinions and satisfaction of participants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Narrative description of the adopted measures; Online survey among participants. RESULTS: One of the three weekly sessions was cancelled, and two switched to videoconferencing. There were more participants online than in the conference hall. 49 users answered the survey, 51% women, mean age 40.5 years (range 25-65). Satisfaction was higher for previous face-to-face meetings (8.68) than for videoconferencing (8.12) (p=0.006). There was a significant inverse correlation between age and satisfaction with virtual sessions (r=-0.37; p=0.01), that was not found for in-person attendance. Most users (75.5%) would prefer to continue with online sessions when the pandemic is over, and 87.8% support inter-hospital remote meetings, but the safety of web platforms is a concern (53.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The change from in-person to virtual sessions is an easy measure to implement in a neurology department, with a good degree of satisfaction among users. There are some unsolved problems with the use of commercial web platforms and inter-hospital connection. Most users recommend leadership and support from educational and health authorities.

TITLE: Cambio de sesiones docentes presenciales a virtuales durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en un servicio de neurología: descripción del proceso y satisfacción de los usuarios.Introducción y objetivo. La pandemia de COVID-19 ha trastornado la actividad hospitalaria, incluyendo la docente. Se describe el cambio de un sistema presencial a otro de sesiones en línea en un servicio de neurología, y se analizan la satisfacción y las opiniones de los usuarios. Material y métodos. Exposición de las medidas adoptadas para pasar a modalidad en línea y análisis de una encuesta entre los participantes. Resultados. Se pasó de tres a dos sesiones semanales, con restricción del público presencial. El público virtual superó al presencial. Contestaron la encuesta 49 participantes, un 51% mujeres, con una media de 40,5 años (rango: 25-65). La satisfacción de los asistentes fue mayor para las sesiones presenciales (8,68) que para las en línea (8,12) (p = 0,006). Existía una correlación inversa significativa entre la edad y la satisfacción con las sesiones en línea (r = ­0,37; p = 0,01) que no se daba para las sesiones presenciales. El 75,5% fue partidario de mantener las sesiones virtuales cuando se eliminaran las restricciones de aforo. Una mayoría (87,8%) apoyó sesiones interhospitalarias y recomienda que las autoridades sanitarias faciliten aplicaciones informáticas seguras (53,1%). Conclusiones. La introducción de sesiones virtuales es una medida fácil de implementar en un servicio de neurología, con un alto grado de satisfacción de los usuarios, aunque menor que con las sesiones presenciales. Existen problemas no resueltos respecto al uso de plataformas comerciales y conexión interhospitalaria. Sería recomendable que las autoridades sanitarias y educativas desarrollaran aplicaciones seguras y fomentaran la educación médica en línea.

Serum and CSF alpha-synuclein levels do not change in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can associate diverse neurological manifestations. Several studies have provided proof to support the theory of neurotropic involvement of SARS-CoV-2. Alpha-synuclein has been described as a native antiviral factor within neurons, and upregulation of this protein can be seen in animals that suffered other neuroinvasive infections. To assess if increased expression of this protein takes place in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, we analyzed serum total alpha-synuclein levels in three groups: seven COVID-19 patients with myoclonus, Parkinsonism and/or encephalopathy; thirteen age- and sex-matched COVID-19 patients without neurological involvement and eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We did not find differences among them. In a subset of four patients, the change in serum alpha-synuclein before and after the onset of neurological symptoms was not significant either. Cerebrospinal fluid alpha-synuclein levels were also similar between neurological COVID-19 and healthy controls. Overall, these results cannot support the hypothesis of alpha-synuclein upregulation in humans with neurological symptoms in COVID-19. Further research taking into account a larger group of COVID-19 patients including the whole spectrum of neurological manifestations and disease severity is needed.

Using virtual learning environment in a call center for effective responses in COVID-19 pandemic context

The Phone Line 148 (in spanish, Centro de Atencion Integral Telefonica-linea 148, CAIT) of the de Government of Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) is the telephone communication channel with citizens for consultations about general provincial procedures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the phone line 148 is one of the first contacts between a person that believes to be infected and the Health Care System. It is the principal place of the registry of suspected cases of infection and close contact cases. In addition, it provides general information about situations related to the pandemic the use of a virtual learning tool as Moodle, facilitated the formation of a community to establish a uniform discourse before citizens and guarantee immediate communication in the face of new guidelines or emerging situations. © 2020 IEEE.

Pharmacologic management of patients with hepatic and pancreatic diseases that involve immunosuppressive therapies. Position statement within the framework of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. / Manejo farmacológico de pacientes con enfermedades hepáticas y pancreáticas que involucran terapias inmunosupresoras. Posicionamiento en el marco de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. COVID-19 affected more than 6million persons worldwide in fewer than 4 months, after the report of the first cases in China in December 2019. The relation of the disease caused by SARS-Cov-2 to immunosuppressive treatment used in different gastrointestinal disorders is uncertain, resulting in debate with regard to suspending immunosuppressive therapy to improve infection outcome. Said suspension implies the inherent risk for graft rejection or autoimmune disease exacerbation that can potentially worsen the course of the infection. Based on the presently available evidence, a treatment stance has been established for patients with gastrointestinal diseases that require immunosuppressive therapy.

Pharmacologic management of patients with hepatic and pancreatic diseases that involve immunosuppressive therapies. Position statement within the framework of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. COVID-19 affected close to 2 million persons worldwide in fewer than 4 months, after the report of the first cases in China in December 2019. The relation of the disease caused by SARS-Cov-2 to immunosuppressive treatment used in different gastrointestinal disorders is uncertain, resulting in debate with regard to suspending immunosuppressive therapy to improve infection outcome. Said suspension implies the inherent risk for graft rejection or autoimmune disease exacerbation that can potentially worsen the course of the infection. Based on the presently available evidence, a treatment stance has been established for patients with gastrointestinal diseases that require immunosuppressive therapy. Resumen La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) es causada por el virus de Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave - Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID 19 afectó cerca de 2 millones de personas en todo el mundo en menos de 4 meses posterior al reporte de los primeros casos en China en diciembre 2019. La relación que guarda la enfermedad por SARS-Cov-2 con el tratamiento inmunosupresor utilizado en diversos trastornos gastrointestinales es incierta, esto genera el debate sobre suspender el tratamiento inmunosupresor para mejorar el pronóstico de la infección, lo cual incluye el riesgo inherente de rechazo de injerto o agudización de enfermedades autoinmunes que potencialmente pudieran agravar el curso de la infección. En base a la evidencia disponible se logra establecer una postura de tratamiento en pacientes con enfermedades gastrointestinales que requieren terapia inmunosupresora.