ABSTRACT
Background: Although many aspects of the COVID-19 disease have not yet been clarified, dysregulation of the immune system may play a crucial role in the progression of the disease. In this study, the lymphocyte subsets were evaluated in patients with different severities of COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): In this prospective study, the frequencies of peripheral lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells;CD19+ and CD20+ B cells;CD16+/CD56+ NK cells, and CD4+/CD25+/FOXP3+ regulatory T cells) were evaluated in 67 patients with confirmed COVID-19 on the first day of their admission. Result(s): The mean age of patients was 51.3 +/- 14.8 years. Thirty-two patients (47.8%) were classified as severe cases, and 11 (16.4%) were categorized as critical. The frequencies of blood lymphocytes, CD3+ cells, CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, and absolute count of CD3+ T cells, CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD16+56+ lymphocytes were lower in more severe cases compared to the milder patients. The percentages of lymphocytes, T cells, and NK cells were significantly lower in the deceased patients. (p= 0.002 and p= 0.042, p=0.006, respectively). Conclusion(s): Findings of this cohort study demonstrated that the frequencies of CD4+, CD8+, CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, and NK cells differed in the severe cases of COVID-19. Moreover, lower frequency of T cells and NK cells could be predictors of mortality in these patients.Copyright © 2022, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Considering the increasing prevalence and burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and false-negative results in routine reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, additional diagnostic methods are needed to diagnose active cases of this disease. This prospective study was conducted on patients, in whom clinical and radiological symptoms/signs were in favor of COVID-19 while their first PCR test was negative. Later on, a second RT-PCR was performed and serological evaluation was carried out and results were compared with each other. Out of 707 patients who had been referred to the hospital and were clinically and radiologically suspicious of disease, 137 patients with negative RT-PCR tests entered the study. RT-PCR assay became positive for the second time in 45 (32.8%). Anti-COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies were positive in 83 (60.6%) and 86 (62.8%) patients, respectively. Finally, it was determined that serological test was diagnostic in 73% of patients and the diagnostic yield of serology was significantly higher after the first week of illness (54.8% in the first week and 88% after that). Taking advantage of both serological tests and RT-PCR helps in diagnosing 83.9% of cases. Based on the present study, the serology may be useful as a complementary test and in parallel to RT-PCR assay for diagnosis of COVID-19 among admitted symptomatic cases.
ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that about two years have passed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still no curative treatment for the disease. Most cases of COVID-19 have mild or moderate illness and do not require hospitalization. This guideline released by the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Masih Daneshvari Hospital COVID-19 Expert Group to provide a treatment guide for outpatient management of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 leads to mild symptoms within the majority of infected patients, but can cause severe multiple organ failure and death. There is only limited information regarding the consequences of this new emerging infection with congenital disorders. According to the previous studies, many people with Down syndrome are considered high risk for complications related to respiratory diseases. We report two trisomy 21 patients who suffered from COVID-19 and summarize the early experience with COVID-19 and Down syndrome. The course of the disease was severe in these two cases, and our concern is close monitoring of the patients with Down syndrome for early signs of COVID-19. © 2020 NRITLD, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Iran.