Worsening of asthma control after COVID-19

Background SARS-CoV-2 enters lung cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Several studies suggest that interleukin-13, an important cytokine involved in T2 inflammation, reduces ACE2 expression, and therefore, asthma would not be a significant risk factor for the development of severe COVID-19. However, several asthma-related risk factors should be valued during the concurrent occurrence of asthma and COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to compare the evolution of asthma in patients who had COVID-19 with those who did not have the disease. Methods This was an observational and retrospective study involving asthmatic patients followed up at a tertiary center. Patients were assessed for severity of asthma, atopy, comorbidities, and COVID-19. Worsening of asthma was considered when, during the period of Sept 2020 to Oct 2021, patients referred an increasing of asthma symptoms and a need to increment their maintenance therapy. Results This study included 208 asthmatic patients, the mean age was 52.75 years, 79.81% were atopic asthmatics, and 59 (28.37%) had laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease. Of all patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2, eleven (18.64%) needed hospitalization and required oxygen supply with an O2 mask. Comparing the worsening of asthma between patients who had COVID-19 and those who had not the disease, there was a statistically significant difference, 33.90 vs. 11.41%, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no statistical significance regarding asthma comorbidities. Conclusion This study assessed a group of asthmatic patients that had COVID-19, and that although the respiratory symptoms related to COVID-19 were mild to moderate, a subgroup of these asthmatic patients evolved with a chronic worsening of their asthma requiring an increment in asthma medication to control the disease.

Adherence to non-pharmacological preventive measures among healthcare workers in a middle-income country during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Hospital and community setting.

This study assessed, using a self-reported questionnaire, the adherence to PPE (mask, gowns, and gloves) at the workplace, as well as to non-pharmacological preventive measures (NPPM) (physical distance defined as hardly ever and/or never approaches other people within 1.5 meters, social isolation as leaving home less than once a week, hand hygiene was defined as performing hand hygiene ≥ 6 times per period, and adherence to the use of a mask outside of the workplace was defined as on all outings and hardly ever and/or never removes the mask) outside of the workplace among 1,296 health care workers (HCWs), including if NPPM adherence was associated with COVID-19 in HCWs. High adherence to PPE was independently associated with younger age, professional category, work in an area of direct patient assistance; use of public transportation, or adherence to NPPM outside of the workplace.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Among Oligo/Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers: Estimating the Impact of Community Transmission.

We evaluated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors among 4987 oligo/asymptomatic healthcare workers; seroprevalence was 14% and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were lower educational level (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.03-3.60), using public transport to work (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.07-2.62), and working in cleaning or security (aOR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03).

May polyethylene glycol be the cause of anaphylaxis to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines?

Vaccination against coronavirus is essential to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rare cases of anaphylaxis associated with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are being described, and the mechanisms involved in these reactions are poorly understood. A potential culprit agent of these vaccine-induced anaphylaxis events is polyethylene glycol, which has been reported as a cause of anaphylaxis. However, a cause-effect association has not been demonstrated, and the cases of anaphylaxis to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be further investigated. In this scenario, the recommendations are inaccurate and can lead to misinterpretation. At the moment, a more accurate recommendation would be the contraindication of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in patients with immediate hypersensitivity reaction to polyethylene glycol or polysorbate. Patients with history of anaphylaxis to other or unknown causes should be referred to an allergist-immunologist for further orientation.