ABSTRACT
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a benzydamine-containing drug in children with COVID-19. Patients and methods. This observational randomized study included 88 children with confirmed mild or moderate COVID-19. The experimental group comprised 44 children who received drugs containing benzydamine, whereas the control group comprised 44 children who received other local treatments. The groups were matched for age, sex, disease severity, main manifestations, and systemic therapy received. Results. Children in the experimental group demonstrated faster recovery than those from the control group (after 6.20 ± 2.93 days vs 7.36 ± 3.17 days, respectively;р < 0.05). Virus elimination occurred earlier in children receiving benzydamine than in controls (3.93 ± 2.48 days vs 5.27 ± 3.64 days, respectively;р < 0.05. Benzydamine significantly reduced the duration of pharyngeal hyperemia (by 2.29%), sore throat (by 1.77 days;р < 0.05), and fever (by 0.93 days;р < 0.05) compared to other local treatments. Conclusion. Benzydamine significantly increases the efficacy of COVID-19 treatment.
ABSTRACT
The article presents a clinical case of reactivation of chronic Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) infection complicated by the development of hepatitis in a 15-year-old teenager with COVID-19, which is of interest to infectious disease practitioners, pediatricians and other specialists in terms of the clinical course and differential diagnosis of these two viral diseases. It is shown that the reactivation of EBV against the background of the current new coronavirus infection COVID-19, accompanied by an increase in the level of aminotransferases in the blood, leads to a more severe course and prolonged stay of the patient in the hospital, as well as the appointment of additional drug therapy with subsequent rehabilitation measures.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To show the clinical and epidemiological significance of diarrhea and SARS-CoV-2 excretion in the feces of COVID-19 patients in children. Patients and methods. 42 case histories of children with COVID-19 hospitalized and examined by PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, as well as in feces were ana-lyzed. Design: retrospective analysis of patient medical records. Results. It was shown that watery diarrhea was observed in 2.4% of children with verified COVID-19, vomiting and abdominal pain – in 4.8%. In the blood test, lymphocytosis prevailed. In all the examined patients, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected not only in nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, but also in feces, while in 4.8% of children, the virus was excreted in feces for a longer time than in the respiratory tract. In the epidemiological history of 100% of patients, there was no indication of contact with a patient with acute diarrhea. Conclusion. These facts indicate that, despite the infrequently registered diarrhea in COVID-19 in childhood, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the feces of a significant number of such patients may have important clinical and epidemiological significance, contributing to the fecaloral transmission of this infection, which requires additional study due to the small number and incon-sistency of currently known data.
ABSTRACT
The article presents a literature review, which provides data on the role of interferons in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 and the clinical efficacy of drugs based on recombinant interferon-alpha 2b in the treatment of children with new coronavirus infection. Shown the leading role of interferons as factors of the first line of defense against various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Numerous studies have proven the feasibility of including interferon preparations in COVID-19 therapy regimens in children, both as combinations with antiviral agents and as monotherapy.