ABSTRACT
Objective Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), characterized by fever, inflammation, and multiorgan dysfunction, was newly defined after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The clinical spectrum of MIS-C can be classified as mild, moderate, and severe. We aimed to evaluate demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, and treatment modalities of patients with MIS-C according to clinical severity. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed as having MIS-C between September 2020 and October 2021 in the Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye. Results A total of 48 patients (24 females and 24 males) with a median age at diagnosis of 10.3 years (range: 42 months-17 years) were enrolled, the most common clinical severity of MIS-C was moderate. The common presentations of patients were fever (97%), nonpurulent conjunctivitis (89.6%), rashes (81.3%), fatigue (81.3%), strawberry tongue (79.2%), and myalgia (68.8%). The most common laboratory findings were lymphopenia (81.2%), thrombocytopenia (54.1%), elevated D-dimer levels (89.5%), C-reactive protein (CRP;100%), procalcitonin (97%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (87.5%), ferritin (95.8%), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (86.1%), and probrain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) (97%). High levels of CRP, procalcitonin, pro-BNP, and urea were associated with the severity of MIS-C (p < 0.05). Fifteen of the patients were found to have pulmonary involvement. Ascites were the most common finding on abdominal ultrasonography (11 patients) and were not seen in a mild form of the disease. During the study period, two patients died. Conclusion It is important to make patient-based decisions and apply a stepwise approach in treating patients with MIS-C due to the increased risk of complications and mortality. © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Healthcare workers are at the forefront in the Pandemic war against COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). In this struggle, they have become high-risk by keeping in close contact with patients during their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with long working hours. The aim of this study was to contribute to epidemiological data of our country by examining the antibody status of our hospital healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM, COVID-19 ELISA kits were studied from sera samples of healthcare workers in Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital between June 1 and November 30, 2020. Nasopharyngeal swab samples of these persons were also tested with the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 741 healthcare workers included in our study was found to be 17%. Seropositivity was detected in 6.4% (33/515) of the healthcare workers with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and in 3.9% (5/130) of the healthcare workers who did not have PCR test. Among the healthcare workers, the highest seroprevalence was observed in nurses (39.6%) followed by doctors (%23). Conclusion: It was evaluated that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers is higher than in the population. This study shows that occupational exposure is a risk factor. 3.9% seropositivity was found in healthcare workers who never had a test. Considering that these workers have an asymptomatic or subclinical infection, there is a possible risk for nosocomial transmission. Therefore, healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment and apply hygiene rules correctly and effectively in infectious diseases, especially during pandemic periods, while working in the hospital.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a pandemic, a major global health concern. In this study, it was aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory and computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection followed up in our hospital. Materials and Methods: In this study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive patients hospitalized between 01.03.2020-31.05.2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Computed tomography images of the patients were grouped as typical, indeterminate, atypical, and no pneumonia based on the Radiological Society of North America. After recording patient information on SPSS, clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were analyzed by comparing them to CT findings. Results: Among 237 RT-PCR positive patients, 104 (43.9%) were female and 133 (56.1%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 50.46 +/- 17.26 (18-92) years and the mean symptom onset time of the patients was 3.75 +/- 2.72 (median: 3) days. Eighty-seven of the patients (36.7%) had contact stories. Twenty-three (9.7%) patients were healthcare professionals. Of the patients, 49.8% had a comorbid disease. The most common referral complaint was cough with 66.7%. The most common treatment that patients received was hydroxychloroquine (96.2%). Anemia was detected in 61 (25.7%) patients, leukopenia in 104 (43.9%), lymphopenia in 25 (10.5%) and thrombocytopenia in 14 (5.9%). High rates were detected for C-reactive protein (CRP) in 221 (84%) patients, ferritin in 190 (80.2%) patients, D-dimer in 144 (60.8%) patients, fibrinogen in 147 (62%) patients and sedimentation (SED) in 172 (72.6%) patients. Headache was detected higher in patients with typical pneumonia findings in thorax CT (p=0.006). A statistically significant difference wasn't detected between other symptoms and CT findings. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts, SED, CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.001) levels were observed to be higher in patients with typical pneumonia findings on thorax CT. Conclusion: Some laboratory parameters, especially acute phase reactants, were found to be higher in patients with typical pneumonia on thorax CT compared to patients without pneumonia. In this viral infection, patients should be evaluated together with clinical, laboratory and CT findings.