Energy efficient ventilation and indoor air quality in the context of COVID-19 - A systematic review.

New COVID-19 ventilation guidelines have resulted in higher energy consumption to maintain indoor air quality (IAQ), and energy efficiency has become a secondary concern. Despite the significance of the studies conducted on COVID-19 ventilation requirements, a comprehensive investigation of the associated energy challenges has not been discussed. This study aims to present a critical systematic review of the Coronavirus viral spreading risk mitigation through ventilation systems (VS) and its relation to energy use. COVID-19 heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)-related countermeasures proposed by industry professionals have been reviewed and their influence on operating VS and energy consumption have also been discussed. A critical review analysis was then conducted on publications from 2020 to 2022. Four research questions (RQs) have been selected for this review concerning i) maturity of the existing literature, ii) building types and occupancy profile, iii) ventilation types and effective control strategies and iv) challenges and related causes. The results reveal that employing HVAC auxiliary equipment is mostly effective and increased fresh air supply is the most significant challenge associated with increased energy consumption due to maintaining IAQ. Future studies should focus on novel approaches toward solving the apparently conflicting objectives of minimizing energy consumption and maximizing IAQ. Also, effective ventilation control strategies should be assessed in various buildings with different occupancy densities. The implications of this study can be useful for future development of this topic not only to enhance the energy efficiency of the VS but also to enable more resiliency and health in buildings.

La producción socioeconómica de las pandemias y de las desigualdades

El impacto que ha tenido la pandemia de COVID-19 ha sido mayor en los estratos socioeconómicos de menor ingreso, a pesar de que se ha dicho que "el virus no distingue”. ¿Cuáles son los mecanismos económicos detrás de la relación entre enfermedad y desigualdad? Carlos López Morales ofrece una posible respuesta al analizar la diferencia entre ingreso y riqueza en México.

Ultrasound imaging assessment of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy participants: A cross-sectional pilot study.

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is associated with a decrease of respiratory, physical, and psychological function, subsequently affecting quality of life. The aim of the present pilot study was to use ultrasound imaging (USI) to evaluate and compare the thickness of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles between individuals recently diagnosed with moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy individuals. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed. A total sample of 24 participants were recruited from a private medical center (Madrid, Spain): Covid-19 (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 12). The external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), transversus abdominis (TrA), rectus abdominis (RA), interrecti distance (IRD) and diaphragm thickness were assessed using USI during inspiration, expiration and during contraction. RESULTS: USI measurements of the thickness of EO, IO, TrA, RA, IRD and the diaphragm did not differ significantly between groups during inspiration, expiration or during contraction (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the morphology of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm is not altered in people with a recent history of moderate Covid-19 infection.

Diet-Related Inflammation Is Associated with Worse COVID-19 Outcomes in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Diet, the most important modulator of inflammatory and immune responses, may affect COVID-19 incidence and disease severity. Data from 196,154 members of the UK biobank had at least one 24 h dietary recall. COVID-19 outcomes were based on PCR testing, hospital admissions, and death certificates. Adjusted Poisson regression analyses were performed to estimate the risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dietary inflammatory index (DII)/energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, smoking status, physical activity, and sleep duration. Between January 2020 and March 2021, there were 11,288 incident COVID-19 cases, 1270 COVID-19-related hospitalizations, and 315 COVID-19-related deaths. The fully adjusted model showed that participants in the highest (vs. lowest) DII/E-DII quintile were at 10-17% increased risk of COVID-19 (DII: RR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17, Ptrend < 0.001; E-DII: RR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.24, Ptrend < 0.001) and ≈40% higher risk was observed for disease severity (DII: RR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.40, 95% CI 1.18-1.67, Ptrend < 0.001; E-DII: RR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.39, 95% CI 1.16-1.66, Ptrend < 0.001). There was a 43% increased risk of COVID-19-related death in the highest DII quintile (RR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.43, 95% CI 1.01-2.01, Ptrend = 0.04). About one-quarter of the observed positive associations between DII and COVID-19-related outcomes were mediated by body mass index (25.8% for incidence, 21.6% for severity, and 19.8% for death). Diet-associated inflammation increased the risk of COVID-19 infection, severe disease, and death.

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Using a Disposable Bronchoscope.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) remains underutilized in the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. The exact cause of this under-utilization remains unclear; however, identified barriers to LCBDE implementation include lack of training and unavailability of dedicated instruments. LCBDE is an attractive alternative for stone retrieval in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass given the anatomical difficulty in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopaneatography (ERCP). Direct visualization through choledochoscopy is the method of choice for LCBDE. However, dedicated choledoscopes are expensive and not widely available, which may lead surgeons to seek for alternatives at their particular environment. With the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable bronchoscopes have become widely accessible at our institution, raising the possibility of using one for direct vision of the biliary tract. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with past medical history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, who presented to the emergency department with a CBD stone. Successful LCBDE was achieved with the aid of a disposable bronchoscope for direct visualization of the biliary tract. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12262-022-03642-7.

Association between RNAm-Based COVID-19 Vaccines and Permanency of Menstrual Cycle Alterations in Spanish Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to delve more deeply into the medium and long-term relation between mRNA-based vaccines and changes in menstrual pain, cycle length, and amount of bleeding in Spanish women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 746 women (63% between 18-30 and 37% between 31-45 years old) participated in the study. A numerical rating scale was used for recording pain intensity, a pictorial chart for menstrual bleeding, and data from menstrual cycle duration, type of vaccine, number of doses and time from vaccination. RESULTS: Sixty-five per cent of the women perceived changes in their menstrual cycle after receiving the vaccines, irrespective of type of vaccine or number of doses; all p values were >0.05. Most of them (n = 316 out of 484) reported more than one alteration in their menstrual cycle. Almost half of the participants had been vaccinated over 5 months (45%), 3-4 months (15%) 2-3 months (26%), and one month or less (13%) before. The percentage of women that reported alterations remained strongly constant across time, p > 0.05, ranging from 64 to 65%. CONCLUSIONS: Reported alterations in Spanish women after COVID vaccination remained more than 5 months after the last dose.

Modificación de estilos de vida de adolescentes chilenos durante el primer confinamiento por COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Confinement is an effective measure to control COVID-19, but it can have repercussions on lifestyle-related behaviors, especially among adolescents. Poor quality diet and low physical activity could trigger weight gain and the appearance of chronic non-communicable diseases at an early age. AIM: To investigate the changes in eating and physical activity patterns before and during the first COVID-19 confinement in Chilean adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chilean adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years were invited to answer an online survey with 47 questions about dietary habits and physical activity. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 420 participants and only four adolescents declined to answer it. Changes in eating patterns were evidenced, such as an increase in lunch consumption from 54.1 to 83%, and a decrease in the consumption of both healthy and unhealthy foods. Also, significant changes were observed in physical activity patterns, and an increase in the time spent sitting, from 4.7 to 5.8 hours during confinement. CONCLUSIONS: The first confinement for COVID-19 modified eating and physical activity patterns in Chilean adolescents towards unhealthy habits, which if maintained, could negatively affect their health and quality of life.

Lung ultrasound as a screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection in surgical patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of lung ultrasound (LUS) in screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients requiring surgery. METHODS: Patients underwent a LUS protocol that included a scoring system for screening COVID-19 pneumonia as well as RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was determined for the relationship between LUS score and PCR test results for COVID-19. The optimal threshold for the best discrimination between non-COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 patients was calculated. RESULTS: Among 203 patients enrolled (mean age 48 years; 82 males), 8.3% were COVID-19-positive; 4.9% were diagnosed via the initial RT-PCR test. Of the patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, 64.7% required in-hospital management and 17.6% died. The most common ultrasound findings were B lines (19.7%) and a thickened pleura (19.2%). The AUC of the ROC curve of the relationship of LUS score with a cutoff value >8 versus RT-PCR test for the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was 0.75 (95% CI 0.61-0.89; sensitivity 52.9%; specificity 91%; LR (+) 6.15, LR (-) 0.51). CONCLUSION: The LUS score in surgical patients is not a useful tool for screening patients with potential COVID-19 infection. LUS score shows a high specificity with a cut-off value of 8.

Leukocyte glucose index as a novel biomarker for COVID-19 severity.

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quickly progresses with unfavorable outcomes due to the host immune response and metabolism alteration. Hence, we hypothesized that leukocyte glucose index (LGI) is a biomarker for severe COVID-19. This study involved 109 patients and the usefulness of LGI was evaluated and compared with other risk factors to predict COVID 19 severity. LGI was identified as an independent risk factor (odds ratio [OR] = 1.727, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026-3.048, P = 0.041), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.749 (95% CI: 0.642-0.857, P < 0.0001). Interestingly, LGI was a potential risk factor (OR = 2.694, 95% CI: 1.575-5.283, P_corrected < 0.05) for severe COVID-19 in female but not in male patients. In addition, LGI proved to be a strong predictor of the severity in patients with diabetes (AUC = 0.915 (95% CI: 0.830-1), sensitivity = 0.833, and specificity = 0.931). The AUC of LGI, together with the respiratory rate (LGI + RR), showed a considerable improvement (AUC = 0.894, 95% CI: 0.835-0.954) compared to the other biochemical and respiratory parameters analyzed. Together, these findings indicate that LGI could potentially be used as a biomarker of severity in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Northern California Jails: Perceived Deficiencies, Barriers, and Unintended Harms.

Background: Carceral facilities are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Little is known about the hidden burden of infection or practical barriers to infection control in these settings, especially in jails. There is also limited research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic among people living and working in carceral facilities. Methods: Between July 8, 2020 and April 30, 2021, we performed SARS-CoV-2 rapid antibody testing and administered a questionnaire among residents and staff of four Northern California jails. We utilized multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographic and carceral characteristics, to analyze factors associated with prior infection, including perceived likelihood of prior infection and access to new masks. We additionally assessed the implementation of, perceptions toward, and impacts of COVID-19 policies in practice. We engaged stakeholder representatives, including incarcerated individuals, to guide study design, procedures, and results interpretation. Results: We enrolled 788 jail residents and 380 jail staff. Nearly half of residents and two-thirds of staff who were antibody-positive had not previously tested positive for COVID-19. Among residents without a prior COVID-19 diagnosis, antibody positivity was significantly associated with perceived likelihood of prior infection (adjusted OR = 8.9; 95% CI, 3.6-22.0). Residents who had flu-like illness in jail cited inadequate responses to reported illness and deterrents to symptom reporting, including fears of medical isolation and perceptions of medical neglect. Residents also disclosed deficient access to face masks, which was associated with antibody positivity (adjusted OR = 13.8, 95% CI, 1.8-107.0). Worsened mental health was pervasive among residents, attributed not only to fear of COVID-19 and unsanitary jail conditions but also to intensified isolation and deprivation due to pandemic restrictions on in-person visitation, programs, and recreation time. Conclusion: Carceral settings present significant challenges to maintaining infection control and human rights. Custody officials should work diligently to transform the conditions of medical isolation, which could mitigate deterrents to symptom reporting. Furthermore, they should minimize use of restrictive measures like lockdowns and suspension of visitation that exacerbate the mental health harms of incarceration. Instead, custody officials should ensure comprehensive implementation of other preventive strategies like masking, testing, and vaccination, in conjunction with multisector efforts to advance decarceration.

Telematics program of breathing exercises and mindfulness for post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an economic, social, and health challenge. During the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown, a telematics platform for respiratory physiotherapy and mindfulness was created, aiming to reduce dyspnea and anxiety and to increase quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patient. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed on post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients, with breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision by a respiratory physiotherapist. Dyspnea on exertion (Mahler Scale), quality of life (EuroQol-5D score), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: A total of 20 subjects completed the program, with a significant decrease in the measures of dyspnea on exertion (p<0.001), state anxiety (p=0.004), and trait anxiety (p=0.001) and a significant increase in quality of life (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Coronavirus disease 2019 should be treated using a multidisciplinary approach that includes respiratory rehabilitation. At present, there are few studies on respiratory rehabilitation and mindfulness in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The results of this study showed that the implementation of breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision was effective in decreasing dyspnea and anxiety and in increasing quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients during confinement.

[Clinical Characteristics and outcomes of adults with COVID-19 admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit]. / Características y resultados clínicos de adultos graves hospitalizados por COVID-19 en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a cohort of critically ill adult patients suffering from COVID-19, admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit managed by a pediatric intensive care team (ICU-MP). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective observational study of adults admitted to the ICU-MP due to COVID-19 from May 11 to July 26, 2020. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, ventilatory support characteris tics, and complications were recorded. Disease severity was characterized by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) using data from the first 24 hours of admission to the ICU-MP. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients over 18 years with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to the ICU-MP. The median age was 60.3 years (SD 13.9), and 59 (63.4%) patients were male. Eighty-two (88.1%) patients had at least 1 medical comorbidity. The median APACHE II score was 9.4 points (SD 5.6). Fifty-one (54.8%) patients were invasively ventilated, for a median of 13.7 days (SD 17.9). Inotropic support was used in 45 (48%) patients. Thirty-three (35.5%) patients presented acute kidney injury (AKI) and 14 (15.1%) patients received continuous renal replacement therapy. Twenty-nine (31.2%) patients had healthcare-associated infections. The median ICU-MP stay was 10.8 days (SD 11.8). 25 (26.9%) patients died, ten of them (40%) had adequacy of thera peutic effort. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate of critically ill patients with COVID-19 is high. Older patients (> 70 years), those who require invasive mechanical ventilation and who develop AKI are at increased risk of death. Although this is not a comparative study, our mortality rate and complica tions seem to be similar to those reported in adult case series.

The association between a lifestyle score, socioeconomic status, and COVID-19 outcomes within the UK Biobank cohort.

BACKGROUND: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) impacts disadvantaged groups most. Lifestyle factors are also associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes. To inform COVID-19 policy and interventions, we explored effect modification of socioeconomic-status (SES) on associations between lifestyle and COVID-19 outcomes. METHODS: Using data from UK-Biobank, a large prospective cohort of 502,536 participants aged 37-73 years recruited between 2006 and 2010, we assigned participants a lifestyle score comprising nine factors. Poisson regression models with penalised splines were used to analyse associations between lifestyle score, deprivation (Townsend), and COVID-19 mortality and severe COVID-19. Associations between each exposure and outcome were examined independently before participants were dichotomised by deprivation to examine exposures jointly. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic/health factors. RESULTS: Of 343,850 participants (mean age > 60 years) with complete data, 707 (0.21%) died from COVID-19 and 2506 (0.76%) had severe COVID-19. There was evidence of a nonlinear association between lifestyle score and COVID-19 mortality but limited evidence for nonlinearity between lifestyle score and severe COVID-19 and between deprivation and COVID-19 outcomes. Compared with low deprivation, participants in the high deprivation group had higher risk of COVID-19 outcomes across the lifestyle score. There was evidence for an additive interaction between lifestyle score and deprivation. Compared with participants with the healthiest lifestyle score in the low deprivation group, COVID-19 mortality risk ratios (95% CIs) for those with less healthy scores in low versus high deprivation groups were 5.09 (1.39-25.20) and 9.60 (4.70-21.44), respectively. Equivalent figures for severe COVID-19 were 5.17 (2.46-12.01) and 6.02 (4.72-7.71). Alternative SES measures produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy lifestyles are associated with higher risk of adverse COVID-19, but risks are highest in the most disadvantaged, suggesting an additive influence between SES and lifestyle. COVID-19 policy and interventions should consider both lifestyle and SES. The greatest public health benefit from lifestyle focussed COVID-19 policy and interventions is likely to be seen when greatest support for healthy living is provided to the most disadvantaged groups.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among residents of Northern California jails.

Carceral facilities are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among incarcerated individuals are poorly understood, especially among jail residents. Here, we conducted a retrospective review of electronic health record (EHR) data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake in custody and additionally administered a survey to assess reasons for vaccine hesitancy, sources of COVID-19 information, and medical mistrust among residents of four Northern California jails. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine associations with vaccine acceptance. Of 2,564 jail residents offered a COVID-19 vaccine between March 19, 2021 and June 30, 2021, 1,441 (56.2%) accepted at least one dose. Among vaccinated residents, 497 (34.5%) had initially refused. Vaccine uptake was higher among older individuals, women, those with recent flu vaccination, and those living in shared housing. Among 509 survey respondents, leading reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns around side effects and suboptimal efficacy, with cost and the need for an annual booster being other hypothetical deterrents to vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy was also associated with mistrust of medical personnel in and out of jail, although this association varied by race/ethnicity. Television and friends/family were the most common and most trusted sources of COVID-19 information, respectively. Overall, vaccine acceptance was much lower among jail residents than the local and national general population. Interventions to increase vaccination rates in this setting should utilize accessible and trusted sources of information to address concerns about side effects and efficacy, while working to mitigate medical and institutional mistrust among residents.

Oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea en el paciente COVID-19: resultados del Registro Español ECMO-COVID de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) Extracorporeal Membrane Oxigenation in COVID-19 patients: results of the ECMO-COVID Registry of the Spanish Society of Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery (SECCE)

Introducción y objetivos: la oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) ha resultado ser una opción terapéutica en los pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria y/o cardiaca severa por COVID-19. Las indicaciones y manejo de estos pacientes están aún por determinar. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar los resultados de la terapia ECMO en pacientes COVID-19 incluidos en un registro prospectivo e intentar optimizar los resultados. Métodos: en marzo de 2020 se inició un registro multicéntrico anónimo prospectivo de pacientes COVID-19 tratados mediante ECMO veno-arterial (V- A) o veno-venosa (V-V). Se registraron las variables clínicas, analíticas y respiratorias pre-implante, datos de implante y evolución de la terapia. El evento primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria de cualquier causa y los eventos secundarios fueron la recuperación funcional y el evento combinado de recuperación funcional y mortalidad de cualquier causa a partir de los 3 meses de seguimiento post-alta. Resultados: se analizaron un total de 365 pacientes procedentes de 25 hospitales, 347 V-V y 18 V-A (edad media 52.7 y 49.4 años respectivamente). Los pacientes con ECMO V-V fueron más obesos, presentaban menos fracaso orgánico diferente al pulmonar y precisaron menos terapia inotrópica previa al implante. El 33.3% y 34.9% de los pacientes con ECMO V-A y V-V respectivamente fueron dados de alta del hospital (p=NS) y la mortalidad fue similar, del 56.2% y 50.9% de los casos respectivamente, la inmensa mayoría durante la ECMO y predominantemente por fracaso multiorgánico. El 14.0% (51 pacientes) permanecían ingresados. El seguimiento medio fue de 196+/-101.7 días. En el análisis multivariante, resultaron protectores de evento primario en pacientes con ECMO V-V el peso corporal (OR 0.967, IC 95% 0.95-0.99, p=0.004) y la procedencia del propio hospital (OR 0.48, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.018), mientras que la edad (OR 1.063, IC 95% 1.005-1.12, p=0.032), la hipertensión arterial (3.593, IC 95% 1.06-12.19, p=0.04) y las complicaciones en ECMO globales (2.44, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.019), digestivas (OR 4,23, IC 95% 1.27-14.07, p=0.019) y neurológicas (OR 4.66, IC 95% 1.39-15.62, p=0.013) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. El único predictor independiente de aparición de los eventos secundarios resultó el momento de seguimiento del paciente. Conclusiones: la terapia con ECMO permite supervivencias hospitalarias hasta del 50% en pacientes con COVID-19 grave. La edad, la HTA y las complicaciones en ECMO son los predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con ECMO V-V. Un mayor peso corporal y la procedencia del propio hospital son factores protectores. La recuperación funcional sólo se ve influenciada por el tiempo de seguimiento transcurrido tras el alta. La estandarización de los criterios de implante y manejo del paciente con COVID grave, mejoraría los resultados y la futura investigación clínica

The Usefulness of Peripheral Blood Cell Counts to Distinguish COVID-19 from Dengue during Acute Infection.

COVID-19 and dengue disease are challenging to tell apart because they have similarities in clinical and laboratory features during the acute phase of infection, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. The present study evaluated peripheral blood cell count accuracy to distinguish COVID-19 non-critical patients from non-severe dengue cases between the second and eleventh day after symptom onset. A total of 288 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 105) or dengue virus (n = 183) were included in this study. Neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts were used to calculate the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the neutrophil-lymphocyte*platelet ratio (NLPR). The logistic regression and ROC curves analysis revealed that neutrophil and platelet counts, NLR, LPR, and NLPR were higher in COVID-19 than dengue. The multivariate predictive model showed that the neutrophils, platelets, and NLPR were independently associated with COVID-19 with a good fit predictive value (p = 0.1041). The neutrophil (AUC = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.84-0.91), platelet (AUC = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85-0.93) counts, and NLR (AUC = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.84-0.91) were able to discriminate COVID-19 from dengue with high sensitivity and specificity values (above 80%). Finally, based on predicted probabilities on combining neutrophils and platelets with NLR or NLPR, the adjusted AUC was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.94-0.98) to differentiate COVID-19 from dengue during the acute phase of infection with outstanding accuracy. These findings might suggest that the neutrophil, platelet counts, and NLR or NLPR provide a quick and cost-effective way to distinguish between dengue and COVID-19 in the context of co-epidemics in low-income tropical regions.

Oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea en el paciente COVID-19: resultados del Registro Español ECMO-COVID de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE)

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: la oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) ha resultado ser una opción terapéutica en los pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria y/o cardiaca severa por COVID-19. Las indicaciones y manejo de estos pacientes están aún por determinar. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar los resultados de la terapia ECMO en pacientes COVID-19 incluidos en un registro prospectivo e intentar optimizar los resultados. Métodos: en marzo de 2020 se inició un registro multicéntrico anónimo prospectivo de pacientes COVID-19 tratados mediante ECMO veno-arterial (V- A) o veno-venosa (V-V). Se registraron las variables clínicas, analíticas y respiratorias pre-implante, datos de implante y evolución de la terapia. El evento primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria de cualquier causa y los eventos secundarios fueron la recuperación funcional y el evento combinado de recuperación funcional y mortalidad de cualquier causa a partir de los 3 meses de seguimiento post-alta. Resultados: se analizaron un total de 365 pacientes procedentes de 25 hospitales, 347 V-V y 18 V-A (edad media 52.7 y 49.4 años respectivamente). Los pacientes con ECMO V-V fueron más obesos, presentaban menos fracaso orgánico diferente al pulmonar y precisaron menos terapia inotrópica previa al implante. El 33.3% y 34.9% de los pacientes con ECMO V-A y V-V respectivamente fueron dados de alta del hospital (p=NS) y la mortalidad fue similar, del 56.2% y 50.9% de los casos respectivamente, la inmensa mayoría durante la ECMO y predominantemente por fracaso multiorgánico. El 14.0% (51 pacientes) permanecían ingresados. El seguimiento medio fue de 196+/-101.7 días. En el análisis multivariante, resultaron protectores de evento primario en pacientes con ECMO V-V el peso corporal (OR 0.967, IC 95% 0.95-0.99, p=0.004) y la procedencia del propio hospital (OR 0.48, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.018), mientras que la edad (OR 1.063, IC 95% 1.005-1.12, p=0.032), la hipertensión arterial (3.593, IC 95% 1.06-12.19, p=0.04) y las complicaciones en ECMO globales (2.44, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.019), digestivas (OR 4,23, IC 95% 1.27-14.07, p=0.019) y neurológicas (OR 4.66, IC 95% 1.39-15.62, p=0.013) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. El único predictor independiente de aparición de los eventos secundarios resultó el momento de seguimiento del paciente. Conclusiones: la terapia con ECMO permite supervivencias hospitalarias hasta del 50% en pacientes con COVID-19 grave. La edad, la HTA y las complicaciones en ECMO son los predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con ECMO V-V. Un mayor peso corporal y la procedencia del propio hospital son factores protectores. La recuperación funcional sólo se ve influenciada por el tiempo de seguimiento transcurrido tras el alta. La estandarización de los criterios de implante y manejo del paciente con COVID grave, mejoraría los resultados y la futura investigación clínica Background and aim: COVID-19 patients with severe heart or respiratory failure are potential candidates for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Indications and management of these patients are unclear. Our aim is to describe the results of a prospective registry of COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO. Methods: an anonymous prospective registry of COVID-19 patients treated with veno-arterial (V-A) or veno-venous (V-V) ECMO was created on march 2020. Clinical, analytical and respiratory pre-implantation variables, implantation data and post-implantation course data were recorded. The primary endpoint was all cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary events were functional recovery and the combined endpoint of mortality and functional recovery in patients followed at least 3 months after discharge. Results: Three hundred and sixty-six patients from 25 hospitals were analyzed, 347 V-V ECMO and 18 V-A ECMO patients (mean age 52.7 and 49.5 years respectively). Patients with V-V ECMO were more obese, had less frequently organ damage other than respiratory failure and needed less inotropic support. Thirty three percent of V-A ECMO and 34.9% of V-A ECMO were discharged (p=NS). Hospital mortality was non-significantly different, 56.2% versus 50.9% respectively, mainly during ECMO therapy and mostly due to multiorgan failure. Other 51 patients (14%) remained admitted. Mean follow-up was 196+/-101.7 days (95% IC 95170.8-221.6). After logistic regression, body weight (OR 0.967, IC 95% 0.95-0.99, p=0.004) and ECMO implantation in the own centre (OR 0.48, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.018) were protective for hospital mortality. Age (OR 1.063, IC 95% 1.005-1.12, p=0.032), arterial hypertension (3.593, IC 95% 1.06-12.19, p=0.04) and global (2.44, IC 95% 0.27-0.88, p=0.019), digestive (OR 4,23, IC 95% 1.27-14.07, p=0.019) and neurological (OR 4.66, IC 95% 1.39-15.62, p=0.013) complications during ECMO therapy were independent predictors of primary endpoint occurrence. Only the post-discharge day at follow-up was independent predictor of both secondary endpoints occurrence. Conclusions: hospital survival of severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO is near 50%. Age, arterial hypertension and ECMO complications are predictors of hospital mortality, and body weight and implantation in the own centre are protective. Functional recovery is only predicted by the follow-up time after discharge. A more homogeneous management of these patients is warranted for clinical results and future research optimization.

Cholesterol-Rich Lipid Rafts as Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 Entry.

Since its appearance, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), represents a global problem for human health that involves the host lipid homeostasis. Regarding, lipid rafts are functional membrane microdomains with highly and tightly packed lipid molecules. These regions enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol recruit and concentrate several receptors and molecules involved in pathogen recognition and cellular signaling. Cholesterol-rich lipid rafts have multiple functions for viral replication; however, their role in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. In this review, we discussed the novel evidence on the cholesterol-rich lipid rafts as a platform for SARS-CoV-2 entry, where receptors such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), human Toll-like receptors (TLRs), transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSS), CD-147 and HDL-scavenger receptor B type 1 (SR-B1) are recruited for their interaction with the viral spike protein. FDA-approved drugs such as statins, metformin, hydroxychloroquine, and cyclodextrins (methyl-ß-cyclodextrin) can disrupt cholesterol-rich lipid rafts to regulate key molecules in the immune signaling pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, better knowledge on cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in the SARS-CoV-2-host interactions will provide valuable insights into pathogenesis and the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Thromboembolic Risk in Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Self-Controlled Case Series Analysis of a Nationwide Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and thromboembolism including myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A self-controlled case-series study was conducted covering the whole of Scotland's general population. The study population comprised individuals with confirmed (positive test) COVID-19 and at least one thromboembolic event between March 2018 and October 2020. Their incidence rates during the risk interval (5 days before to 56 days after the positive test) and the control interval (the remaining periods) were compared intrapersonally. RESULTS: Across Scotland, 1449 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced a thromboembolic event. The risk of thromboembolism was significantly elevated over the whole risk period but highest in the 7 days following the positive test (incidence rate ratio, 12.01; 95% CI, 9.91 to 14.56) in all included individuals. The association was also present in individuals not originally hospitalized for COVID-19 (incidence rate ratio, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.83 to 5.85). Risk of MI, stroke, PE, and DVT were all significantly higher in the week following a positive test. The risk of PE and DVT was particularly high and remained significantly elevated even 56 days following the test. CONCLUSION: Confirmed COVID-19 infection was associated with early elevations in risk with MI, ischemic stroke, and substantially stronger and prolonged elevations with DVT and PE both in hospital and community settings. Clinicians should consider thromboembolism, especially PE, among people with COVID-19 in the community.