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1.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1175482, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20242162

ABSTRACT

Background: Disseminated tuberculosis is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and a poorer prognosis. Objectives: To describe case series of disseminated TB and diagnosis delay in a low TB burden country during the COVID-19 period. Methodology: We consecutively included all patients with of disseminated TB reported from 2019 to 2021 in the reference hospital of the Northern Crown of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. We collected socio-demographic information, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. Results: We included all 30 patients reported during the study period-5, 9, and 16 in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively-20 (66.7%) of whom were male and whose mean age was 41 years. Twenty-five (83.3%) were of non-EU origin. The most frequent system involvement was central nervous system (N = 8; 26.7%) followed by visceral (N = 7; 23.3%), gastro-intestinal (N = 6, 20.0%), musculoskeletal (N = 5; 16.7%), and pulmonary (N = 4; 13.3%). Hypoalbuminemia and anemia were highly prevalent (72 and 77%). The median of diagnostic delay was 6.5 months (IQR 1.8-30), which was higher among women (36.0 vs. 3.5 months; p = 0.002). Central nervous system involvement and pulmonary involvement were associated with diagnostic delay among women. We recorded 24 cured patients, two deaths, three patients with post-treatment sequelae, and one lost-to-follow up. We observed a clustering effect of patients in low-income neighborhoods (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a substantial delay in the diagnosis of disseminated TB in our study region, which might impacted the prognosis with women affected more negatively. Our results suggest that an increase in the occurrence of disseminated TB set in motion by diagnosis delay may have been a secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Tuberculosis , Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Delayed Diagnosis , Pandemics , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , Europe , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , COVID-19 Testing
2.
BMC Infect Dis ; 23(1): 286, 2023 May 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2312424

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Shorter duration of symptoms before remdesivir has been associated with better outcomes. Our goal was to evaluate variables associated with the need of ICU admission in a cohort of hospitalized patients for COVID-19 under remdesivir including the period from symptoms onset to remdesivir. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicentric study analysing all patients admitted with COVID-19 in 9 Spanish hospitals who received treatment with remdesivir in October 2020. The main outcome was the need of ICU admission after 24 h of the first dose of remdesivir. RESULTS: In our cohort of 497 patients, the median of days from symptom onset to remdesivir was 5 days, and 70 of them (14.1%) were later admitted into ICU. The clinical outcomes associated with ICU admission were days from symptoms onset (5 vs. 6; p = 0.023), clinical signs of severe disease (respiratory rate, neutrophil count, ferritin levels and very-high mortality rate in SEIMC-Score) and the use of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs before ICU. The only variable significatively associated with risk reduction in the Cox-regression analyses was ≤ 5 days from symptoms onset to RDV (HR: 0.54, CI95%: 0.31-0.92; p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: For patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, the prescription of remdesivir within 5 days from symptoms onset diminishes the need of ICU admission.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Intensive Care Units
3.
iScience ; 26(4): 106457, 2023 Apr 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2276879

ABSTRACT

The elicitation of cross-variant neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 represents a major goal for current COVID-19 vaccine strategies. Additionally, natural infection may also contribute to broaden neutralizing responses. To assess the contribution of vaccines and natural infection, we cross-sectionally analyzed plasma neutralization titers of six groups of individuals, organized according to the number of vaccines they received and their SARS-CoV-2 infection history. Two doses of vaccine had a limited capacity to generate cross-neutralizing antibodies against Omicron variants of concern (VOCs) in uninfected individuals, but efficiently synergized with previous natural immunization in convalescent individuals. In contrast, booster dose had a critical impact on broadening the cross-neutralizing response in uninfected individuals, to level similar to hybrid immunity, while still improving cross-neutralizing responses in convalescent individuals. Omicron breakthrough infection improved cross-neutralization of Omicron subvariants in non-previously infected vaccinated individuals. Therefore, ancestral Spike-based immunization, via infection or vaccination, contributes to broaden SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity.

4.
Microbiol Spectr ; : e0415922, 2023 Mar 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2272926

ABSTRACT

Most individuals acutely infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibit mild symptoms. However, 10 to 20% of those infected develop long-term symptoms, referred to as post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition (PCC). One hypothesis is that PCC might be exacerbated by viral persistence in tissue sanctuaries. Therefore, the accurate detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 are not only necessary for viral load monitoring but also crucial for detecting long-term viral persistence and determining whether viral replication is occurring in tissue reservoirs. In this study, the sensitivity and robustness of reverse transcription (RT)-droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques have been compared for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNAs from oropharyngeal swabs taken from confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive, SARS-CoV-2-exposed, and nonexposed individuals as well as from samples from mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our data demonstrated that both techniques presented equivalent results in the mid- and high-viral-load ranges. Additionally, RT-ddPCR was more sensitive than RT-qPCR in the low-viral-load range, allowing the accurate detection of positive results in individuals exposed to the virus. Overall, these data suggest that RT-ddPCR might be an alternative to RT-qPCR for detecting low viral loads in samples and for assessing viral persistence in samples from individuals with PCC. IMPORTANCE We developed one-step reverse transcription (RT)-droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) protocols to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and compared them to the gold-standard RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method. RT-ddPCR was more sensitive than RT-qPCR in the low-viral-load range, while both techniques were equivalent in the mid- and high-viral-load ranges. Overall, these results suggest that RT-ddPCR might be a viable alternative to RT-qPCR when it comes to detecting low viral loads in samples, which is a highly relevant issue for determining viral persistence in as-yet-unknown tissue reservoirs in individuals suffering from post-COVID conditions or long COVID.

5.
Mol Oncol ; 17(4): 686-694, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2258934

ABSTRACT

Patients with solid tumors have been a risk group since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic due to more significant complications, hospitalizations or deaths. The immunosuppressive state of cancer treatments or the tumor itself could influence the development of post-vaccination antibodies. This study prospectively analyzed 89 patients under chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, who received two doses of the mRNA-1237 vaccine, and were compared with a group of 26 non-cancer individuals. Information on adverse events and neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 (WH1) have been analyzed. Local reactions accounted for 65%, while systemic reactions accounted for 46% of oncologic individuals/cancer patients. Regarding the response to vaccination, 6.7% of cancer patients developed low neutralizing antibody levels. Lower levels of neutralizing antibodies between cancer and non-cancer groups were significant in individuals without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not in previously infected individuals. We also observed that patients receiving chemotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy have significantly lower levels of neutralizing antibodies than non-cancer individuals. In conclusion, our study confirms the importance of prioritizing cancer patients receiving anticancer treatment in SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programs.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Neoplasms , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Antibodies, Neutralizing , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , COVID-19/prevention & control , Immunotherapy , Neoplasms/drug therapy , RNA, Messenger
6.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) ; 13: 1009028, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2198764

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia are important risk factors for poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the present study was to analyze the factors associated with the composite outcome of the necessity of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in subjects with severe COVID-19 infection treated with dexamethasone comparing patients with DM vs. patients without DM. Research design and methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was performed, including hospitalized subjects with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥18 years old with severe COVID-19 disease requiring daily intravenous 6 mg dexamethasone treatment for 10 days. Exclusion criteria were: <18 years old, non-severe illness and/or patients in charge of ICU. Variables related to clinical and analytical parameters, glycemic control, acquired-hospital superinfections, mortality, IMV requirement, ICU admission and length of stay were included. Results: Two hundred and nine individuals with COVID-19 disease treated with dexamethasone were included. One hundred twenty-five out of these subjects (59.8%) were patients with DM. Overall, from the 209 subjects, 66 (31.6%) required IMV or were admitted to the ICU, with significant differences between patients with DM (n=50) vs. patients without DM (n=16) (76% vs. 24%, p=0.002). Among the group of subjects with DM (n=125), those who required IMV or were admitted to the ICU showed higher serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, D-dimer, ferritin and pro-calcitonin and significantly lower serum concentrations of albumin compared to those who did not require IMV or were not admitted to the ICU. Besides, between these two groups of patients with DM, we observed no differences in glycemic parameters, including median capillary blood glucose values, glycosylated hemoglobin, coefficient of variability and hypoglycemic episodes. In the multinomial analysis, factors independently associated with the composite outcome of IMV or admission to the ICU in the insulin-treated group were the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2 score (OR 1.55 [1.17-2.17], p=0.005) and the presence of hospital-acquired superinfections (OR 35.21 [5.11-386.99], p=0.001). Conclusions: In our study, parameters related to glycemic control were not associated with IMV requirement nor admission to the ICU in patients with DM and severe COVID-19 disease receiving daily 6 mg of dexamethasone for 10 days. However, hospital-acquired superinfections and disease severity at admission were independent factors associated with this composite outcome.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus , Superinfection , Humans , Adolescent , COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Critical Care , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Dexamethasone/therapeutic use
7.
Pathogens ; 11(11)2022 Nov 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2115977

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic vaccination has proven to be the most effective strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study involving 30 predominantly antibody deficiency disorders (ADD)-afflicted adult patients on immunoglobulin replacement therapy vaccinated with three doses of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine, and 10 healthy controls. Anti-RBD IgG antibodies were determined in plasma samples collected just before the first dose of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and on weeks 4, 8, 24, and 28 following the first vaccination. Patients were categorized based on the levels of anti-RBD antibodies determined on w8 as non-, low-, and responders. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to see if any variables correlated with humoral response levels. Any adverse effects of the mRNA-based vaccine were also noted. RESULTS: The COVID-19 vaccine was safe and well-tolerated. The humoral response elicited at w8 after vaccination depended on the type of ADD, the type of immunoglobulin deficiency, the presence of granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, recent use of immunosuppressive drugs, and the switched memory B cells counts. The third vaccine dose boosted humoral response in previous responders to second dose but seldom in non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The humoral response of patients with predominant ADD depends mostly on the type of immunodeficiency and on the frequency of B and T cell populations.

8.
iScience ; 25(11): 105455, 2022 Nov 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2086329

ABSTRACT

Mass vaccination campaigns reduced COVID-19 incidence and severity. Here, we evaluated the immune responses developed in SARS-CoV-2-uninfected patients with predominantly antibody-deficiencies (PAD) after three mRNA-1273 vaccine doses. PAD patients were classified based on their immunodeficiency: unclassified primary antibody-deficiency (unPAD, n = 9), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID, n = 12), combined immunodeficiency (CID, n = 1), and thymoma with immunodeficiency (TID, n = 1). unPAD patients and healthy controls (HCs, n = 10) developed similar vaccine-induced humoral responses after two doses. However, CVID patients showed reduced binding and neutralizing titers compared to HCs. Of interest, these PAD groups showed lower levels of Spike-specific IFN-γ-producing cells. CVID individuals also presented diminished CD8+T cells. CID and TID patients developed cellular but not humoral responses. Although the third vaccine dose boosted humoral responses in most PAD patients, it had limited effect on expanding cellular immunity. Vaccine-induced immune responses in PAD individuals are heterogeneous, and should be immunomonitored to define a personalized therapeutic strategies.

9.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 14772, 2022 08 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2016839

ABSTRACT

Limited data exists on SARS-CoV-2 sustained-response to vaccine in patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aims to evaluate neutralizing antibodies (nAB) induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccine after 3 to 6 months from administration in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients, as a surrogate of sustained-immunological response. This cross-sectional study compared nAB titre of 39 SLE patients and 37 Healthy individuals with no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, who had all received a complete regimen of a mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine within the last 3 to 6 months. We included four lines of SLE treatment including Not-treated, Hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressive drugs and biological therapy. Glucocorticoids were allowed in all groups. Healthy and Not-treated individuals showed the highest levels of nAB. Treated patients presented lower nAB titres compared to Healthy: a 73% decrease for First-Line patients, 56% for Second-Line treatment and 72% for Third-Line. A multivariate analysis pointed to Glucocorticoids as the most associated factor with declining nAB levels (75% decrease) in treated SLE. Furthermore, a significant reduction in nAB titres was observed for Rituximab-users compared to Healthy subjects (89% decrease). Medium-term response of SLE patients to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines is negatively impacted in Glucocorticoids and Rituximab users. These findings might help to inform recommendations in vaccination protocols for SLE patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cross-Sectional Studies , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Rituximab/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccines, Synthetic , mRNA Vaccines
10.
Life Sci Alliance ; 5(12)2022 08 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1994892

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect individuals with haematologic malignancies against severe COVID-19, while eliciting limited vaccine responses. We characterized the humoral responses following 3 mo after mRNA-based vaccines in individuals at different plasma-cell disease stages: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and multiple myeloma on first-line therapy (MM), compared with a healthy population. Plasma samples from uninfected MM patients showed lower SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels and neutralization capacity compared with MGUS, SMM, and healthy individuals. Importantly, COVID-19 recovered MM individuals presented significantly higher plasma neutralization capacity compared with their uninfected counterparts, highlighting that hybrid immunity elicit stronger immunity even in this immunocompromised population. No differences in the vaccine-induced humoral responses were observed between uninfected MGUS, SMM and healthy individuals. In conclusion, MGUS and SMM patients could be SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated following the vaccine recommendations for the general population, whereas a tailored monitoring of the vaccine-induced immune responses should be considered in uninfected MM patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance , Paraproteinemias , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance/pathology , Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination
11.
Front Immunol ; 13: 815041, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1952315

ABSTRACT

The role of T cells in the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been underestimated in favor of neutralizing antibodies. However, cellular immunity is essential for long-term viral control and protection from disease severity. To understand T-cell immunity in the absence of antibody generation we focused on a group of SARS-CoV-2 Non-Seroconvertors (NSC) recovered from infection. We performed an immune comparative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals stratified by the absence or presence of seroconversion and disease severity. We report high levels of total naïve and low effector CD8+ T cells in NSC. Moreover, reduced levels of T-cell activation monitored by PD-1 and activation-induced markers were observed in the context of functional SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses. Longitudinal data indicate the stability of the NSC phenotype over three months of follow-up after infection. Together, these data characterized distinctive immunological traits in NSC including skewed cellular distribution, low activation and functional SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses. This data highlights the value of T-cell immune monitoring in populations with low seroconversion rates in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Immunity, Cellular , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination
13.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 10(6)2022 May 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1939035

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of the post-COVID condition is usually achieved by excluding other diseases; however, cognitive changes are often found in the post-COVID disorder. Therefore, monitoring and treating the recovery from the post-COVID condition is necessary to establish biomarkers to guide the diagnosis of symptoms, including cognitive impairment. Our study employs a prospected cohort and nested case-control design with mixed methods, including statistical analyses, interviews, and focus groups. Our main aim is to identify biomarkers (functional and structural neural changes, inflammatory and immune status, vascular and vestibular signs and symptoms) easily applied in primary care to detect cognitive changes in post-COVID cases. The results will open up a new line of research to inform diagnostic and therapeutic decisions with special considerations for cognitive impairment in the post-COVID condition.

14.
Age Ageing ; 51(5)2022 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1860799

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect older residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) against severe COVID-19, but primary vaccine responses are less effective in older adults. Here, we characterised the humoral responses of institutionalised seniors 3 months after they had received the mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccine. METHODS: plasma levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific total IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were measured before and 3 months after vaccination in older residents of LTCF. Neutralisation capacity was assessed in a pseudovirus neutralisation assay against the original WH1 and later B.1.617.2/Delta variants. A group of younger adults was used as a reference group. RESULTS: three months after vaccination, uninfected older adults presented reduced SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels and a significantly lower neutralisation capacity against the WH1 and Delta variants compared with vaccinated uninfected younger individuals. In contrast, COVID-19-recovered older adults showed significantly higher SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels after vaccination than their younger counterparts, whereas showing similar neutralisation activity against the WH1 virus and an increased neutralisation capacity against the Delta variant. Although, similarly to younger individuals, previously infected older adults elicit potent cross-reactive immune responses, higher quantities of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies are required to reach the same neutralisation levels. CONCLUSIONS: although hybrid immunity seems to be active in previously infected older adults 3 months after mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccination, humoral immune responses are diminished in COVID-19 uninfected but vaccinated older residents of LTCF. These results suggest that a vaccine booster dose should be prioritised for this particularly vulnerable population.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Aged , Antibodies, Viral , BNT162 Vaccine , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , Immunoglobulin G , Long-Term Care , RNA, Messenger , Vaccination
15.
Cell Rep Med ; 3(2): 100523, 2022 02 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1751231

ABSTRACT

To understand the determinants of long-term immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the concurrent impact of vaccination and emerging variants, we follow a prospective cohort of 332 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over more than a year after symptom onset. We evaluate plasma-neutralizing activity using HIV-based pseudoviruses expressing the spike of different SARS-CoV-2 variants and analyze them longitudinally using mixed-effects models. Long-term neutralizing activity is stable beyond 1 year after infection in mild/asymptomatic and hospitalized participants. However, longitudinal models suggest that hospitalized individuals generate both short- and long-lived memory B cells, while the responses of non-hospitalized individuals are dominated by long-lived B cells. In both groups, vaccination boosts responses to natural infection. Long-term (>300 days from infection) responses in unvaccinated participants show a reduced efficacy against beta, but not alpha nor delta, variants. Multivariate analysis identifies the severity of primary infection as an independent determinant of higher magnitude and lower relative cross-neutralization activity of long-term neutralizing responses.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Severity of Illness Index , Adult , Aged , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Immunologic Memory , Kinetics , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Treatment Outcome , Vaccination/methods , Young Adult
16.
Biomed Opt Express ; 13(3): 1609-1619, 2022 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1741990

ABSTRACT

Current diagnostics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection heavily rely on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or on rapid antigen detection tests. The former suffers from long time-to-result and high cost while the latter from poor sensitivity. Therefore, it is crucial to develop rapid, sensitive, robust, and inexpensive methods for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Herein, we report a novel optofluidic technology, a flow-virometry reader (FVR), for fast and reliable SARS-CoV-2 detection in saliva samples. A small microfluidic chip together with a laser-pumped optical head detects the presence of viruses tagged with fluorescent antibodies directly from saliva samples. The technology has been validated using clinical samples with high sensitivity (91.2%) and specificity (90%). Thanks also to its short time-to-result (<30 min) and small size (25 × 30 × 13 cm), which can be further reduced in the future, it is a strong alternative to existing tests, especially for point-of-care (POC) and low resource settings.

17.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 298, 2022 01 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1612205

ABSTRACT

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a common observation in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) but has not yet been fully described to date. To investigate the prevalence and the mechanisms underlying IST in a prospective population of PCS patients. Consecutive patients admitted to the PCS Unit between June and December 2020 with a resting sinus rhythm rate ≥ 100 bpm were prospectively enrolled in this study and further examined by an orthostatic test, 2D echocardiography, 24-h ECG monitoring (heart rate variability was a surrogate for cardiac autonomic activity), quality-of-life and exercise capacity testing, and blood sampling. To assess cardiac autonomic function, a 2:1:1 comparative sub-analysis was conducted against both fully recovered patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and individuals without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among 200 PCS patients, 40 (20%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for IST (average age of 40.1 ± 10 years, 85% women, 83% mild COVID-19). No underlying structural heart disease, pro-inflammatory state, myocyte injury, or hypoxia were identified. IST was accompanied by a decrease in most heart rate variability parameters, especially those related to cardiovagal tone: pNN50 (cases 3.2 ± 3 vs. recovered 10.5 ± 8 vs. non-infected 17.3 ± 10; p < 0.001) and HF band (246 ± 179 vs. 463 ± 295 vs. 1048 ± 570, respectively; p < 0.001). IST is prevalent condition among PCS patients. Cardiac autonomic nervous system imbalance with decreased parasympathetic activity may explain this phenomenon.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , Tachycardia, Sinus/etiology , Adult , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/pathology , COVID-19/physiopathology , Female , Heart Rate , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardium/pathology , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Tachycardia, Sinus/diagnosis , Tachycardia, Sinus/pathology , Tachycardia, Sinus/physiopathology , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
18.
Glob Epidemiol ; 4: 100071, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1611740

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The changes in shield strategies, treatments, emergence variants, and healthcare pathways might shift the profile and outcome of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in successive waves of the outbreak. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of all patients admitted with COVID-19 in eight university hospitals of Catalonia (North-East Spain) between Feb 28, 2020 and Feb 28, 2021. Using a 7-joinpoint regression analysis, we split admissions into four waves. The main hospital outcomes included 30-day mortality and admission to intensive care unit (ICU). FINDINGS: The analysis included 17,027 subjects admitted during the first wave (6800; 39.9%), summer wave (1807; 10.6%), second wave (3804; 22.3%), and third wave (4616; 27.1%). The highest 30-day mortality rate was reported during the first wave (17%) and decreased afterwards, remaining stable at 13% in the second and third waves (overall 30% reduction); the lowest mortality was reported during the summer wave (8%, 50% reduction). ICU admission became progressively more frequent during successive waves. In Cox regression analysis, the main factors contributing to differences in 30-day mortality were the epidemic wave, followed by gender, age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and neoplasms. INTERPRETATION: Although in-hospital COVID-19 mortality remains high, it decreased substantially after the first wave and is highly dependent of patient's characteristics and ICU availability. Highest mortality reductions occurred during a wave characterized by younger individuals, an increasingly frequent scenario as vaccination campaigns progress. FUNDING: This work did not receive specific funding.

19.
Open forum infectious diseases ; 8(Suppl 1):S369-S370, 2021.
Article in English | EuropePMC | ID: covidwho-1564696

ABSTRACT

Background There are few real-world data on the use of remdesivir (RDV) looking at timing of initiation in relation to symptom onset and severity of presenting disease. Methods We conducted multi-country retrospective study of clinical practice and use of RDV in COVID-19 patients. De-identified medical records data were entered into an e-CRF. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality at day 28 and hospitalization duration. We assessed time from symptom onset to RDV start and re-admission. We included adults with PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 who were hospitalized after Aug 31, 2020 and received at least 1 dose of RDV. Descriptive analyses were conducted. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to calculate the mortality rate, LogRank test to compare groups defined by severity of disease. Competing risk regression with discharge and death as competing events was used to estimate duration of hospitalization, and Gray’s test to compare the groups. Results 448 patients in 5 countries (12 sites) were included. Demographics are summarized (table) by 3 disease severity groups at baseline: no supplemental oxygen (NSO), low flow oxygen ≤6 L/min (LFO), and high-flow oxygen > 6L/min (HFO). No demographic differences were found between groups except for the higher percentage of cancer/chemotherapy patients in NSO group. Corticosteroids use was HFO 73.6%, LFO 62.7%, NSO 58.0%. Mortality rate was significantly lower in NSO, and LFO groups compared with HFO (6.2%, 10.2%, 23.6%, respectively;Fig1). Median duration of hospitalization was 9 (95%CI 8-10), 9 (8-9), 13 (10-15) days, respectively (Fig2). Median time from first symptom to RDV start was 7 days in all 3 groups. Patients started RDV on day 1 of hospitalization in HFO and LFO and day 2 on NSO groups. And received a 5 day course (median). Readmission within 28-days of discharge was < 5% and similar across all 3 groups. Table 1. Patients baseline characteristics and primary and secondary outcomes Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality Figure 2. Competing-risks regression of discharge from hospital Conclusion In this real-world cohort of COVID-19 positive hospitalized patients, RDV use was consistent across countries. RDV was started within a median of 7 days from symptom within 2 days of admission and given for a median of 5 days. Higher mortality rate and duration of hospitalization was seen in the HFO group and similar rates seen in the LFO and NSO groups. Readmission was consistently low across all 3 groups. Disclosures François Raffi, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member)Janssen (Consultant)MSD (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member)Roche (Consultant)Theratechnologies (Advisor or Review Panel member)ViiV (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member) Nadir Arber, MD, MSc, MHA, Check cap (Consultant)Coved cd 24 (Board Member)Israel Innovation Authority (Research Grant or Support)Nucleix (Advisor or Review Panel member)Zion Pharmaceuticals (Advisor or Review Panel member) Casper Rokx, MD PhD, Gilead Sciences (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)Merck (Grant/Research Support, Research Grant or Support)ViiV (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support) Ameet Bakhai, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FESC, Bayer AG (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Boehringer Ingelheim (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Bristol-Myers Squibb (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Daiichi-Sankyo Europe (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Gilead Sciences (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator)Janssen (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Johnson & Johnson (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)MSD (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Novartis (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Pfizer (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Roche (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor)Sanofi (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau, Independent Contractor) Alex Soriano, MD, Angelini (Speaker's Bureau)Gilead Sciences (Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau)Menarini (Speaker's Bureau)MSD (Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau)Pfizer (Research Grant or Support, Speaker's Bureau)Shionogi (Speaker's Bureau) Carlos Lumbreras, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences (Grant/Research Support)MSD (Consultant) Vicente Estrada, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Janssen (Advisor or Review Panel member)MSD (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Theratechnologies (Consultant)ViiV (Consultant) Adrian Curran, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)Janssen (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)MSD (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)ViiV (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support) Essy Mozaffari, PharmD, MPH, MBA, Gilead Sciences (Employee, Shareholder) Richard Haubrich, MD, Gilead Sciences (Employee, Shareholder) Paul Hodgkins, PhD, MSc, Gilead Sciences (Employee, Shareholder) Anton Pozniak, MD, FRCP, Gilead Sciences (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)Janssen (Grant/Research Support, Research Grant or Support)Merck (Advisor or Review Panel member)Theratec (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)ViiV (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support)

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