ABSTRACT
Introduction: As of 29 July 2022, SARS-CoV-2 has infected 4.7 million Malaysians. Reinfection, defined as a new infection 90 days from initial infection is now rising due to the emergence of new variants. Studies have shown that healthcare workers (HCW) are 3.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19. This study aims to describe the reinfection rate of COVID-19 and protection effectiveness (PE) from past infection among HCWs in public hospitals in Malaysia. Method(s): A prospective cohort study was conducted from March 2021. HCWs were followed up to determine the post BNT162b2 vaccination humoral response to SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, participants were prompted to self-report a positive COVID-19 result. Reinfection rates were calculated using the total number of patients who had a prior infection as denominator. Infection rates were analysed at a predetermined period throughout our follow-up. Protection offered by prior infection was calculated as one minus the ratio of infection rate for COVID-19 positive patients and COVID-19 naive patients (1 - RR x 100%). Result(s): In this cohort, the cumulative incidence rate for SARS-CoV-2 is 44.6% (246/551). Reinfection rate is 6.5% (16/246). The PE at 3 and 6 months were 100% respectively while the PE at 9 and 12 months were 72.1% and 56.2%. Conclusion(s): Past infection offers 100% protection against reinfection up to 6 months but this protection steadily declines with the emergence of Omicron variant, even among vaccinated and boosted individuals. As variant-specific vaccines are still in development, reducing exposure and compliance to COVID-19 prevention guidelines are imperative to avoid infection.
ABSTRACT
Extrapulmonary complications in currently infected or recovered COVID-19 patients is a concerning problem. One of these complications is post-COVID nephrotic syndrome which usually requires anti-inflammatory agent for treatment. Among the various anti-inflammatory agents available, the combination of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (aaPRP) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a potential breakthrough therapy. It not only exerts an anti-inflammatory effect, but also a regenerative effect. To our knowledge, this is the first report of aaPRP and SVF therapy in post-COVID nephrotic syndrome patient. A 27-year-old type 1 diabetic female patient was admitted to Hayandra Clinic with symptoms of nephrotic syndrome after being recovered from COVID-19. The use of SVF and aaPRP combination therapy showedimmediate significant improvement in patient’s overall kidney function and clinical manifestations. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
As pregnant women are more susceptible to COVID-19 and have higher mortality rate, it is crucial to find a more efficacious and safer therapy for them. Among the various therapies available, intravenous autologous activated Platelet-Rich Plasma (aaPRP) is a potential candidate due to its well-known anti-inflammatory effect and autologous property. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which reported the aaPRP therapy in pregnant COVID-19 patients. Among these patients, two had severe to critical symptoms and two had mild to moderate symptoms. The analysis revealed that intravenous aaPRP was able to ameliorate the hyper-inflammatory and hypercoagulability state of the patients without any adverse events observed. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
In most people, COVID-19 presents as a mild disease. However, in many people, especially those with comorbidities, profound inflammation manifesting as a cytokine storm may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure. This novel study reports two severe COVID-19 patients from Koja Regional Hospital: a male aged 52 and a female aged 65. Both patients had poor prognoses based on prognostic biomarkers, disseminated intravascular coagulation, nosocomial infections, and were reintubated more than once. Both patients were treated with adjunct autologous activated platelet-rich plasma - a safe and promising therapy - and were ultimately discharged. Thus, this study reports the potential of autologous activated platelet-rich plasma as supportive therapy for severe COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, after the number of confirmed cases outside China increased 13-fold. As the epicentre of the initial outbreak, China has been updating the National COVID-19 Diagnostic and Treatment Guideline with up-to-date information about the disease. To facilitate the implementation of integrative Chinese-Western Medicine in COVID-19 management, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been recommended in recent editions of the national guideline. METHODS: The national guideline summarised the opinions and frontline experience of medical experts across the country to provide by far the best management for COVID-19. We extracted the case definition and clinical classifications of COVID-19 in China along with relevant TCM treatments cited in the seventh edition of the guideline, with an intent to disseminate practical information to TCM clinicians and researchers around the world. RESULTS: We present the most recent case definition, clinical classifications, and relevant TCM treatments of COVID-19 in accordance with the recommendations in the Chinese guideline. TCM treatments are stratified into two groups based on patients' disease status. Four types of Chinese patent medicines are recommended for suspected COVID-19 cases. Several herbal formulae are recommended for confirmed COVID-19 cases according to their clinical classification and TCM pattern diagnoses. Two herbal formulae are also recommended for rehabilitation of recovering cases. CONCLUSION: To control the waves of COVID-19 outbreak, countries must ensure the adherence of their citizens to local public health measures. Medical professionals should diagnose and treat patients according to up-to-date guidelines. Future evaluation of the outcomes of implementing TCM recommendations will strengthen the evidence base for COVID-19 management for the sake of public health and the internationalisation of TCM.