Seminal fluid changes in the COVID-19 era: During infection and Post-vaccination

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predilection for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors allows its entrance and replication;however, they are not biochemically required for viral fusion into the cell membrane. Testicular tissue has abundant ACE2 receptors, making it a target for the COVID-19 virus. Seminal fluid parameters are measures of male fertility. Changes in semen parameters have been caused by coronavirus disease and vaccines. Some attribute that effect to direct hematogenic spread to the testis;others propose that the excessive immunological response triggered by the infection causes a deleterious effect. An unsubstantiated claim questioned whether the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could trigger an unintentional immunological response that would impair male fertility once receiving the vaccine. Extensive research confirms the transient nature of those changes that affect sperm motility and count with full recovery post-COVID-19 infection and after vaccination. The vaccine's safety was reaffirmed;however, there are currently no recommendations for screening sperm donors. Research is warranted to guarantee the safety of couples undergoing assisted reproduction.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with neurological presentations of COVID-19: a single-center experience.

The study aimed to assess the frequency of neurological presentations of pediatric COVID-19 patients and compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the outcomes of those who presented with neurological complaints and those without complaints. A cross-sectional study enrolled 84 children diagnosed with COVID-19 at the emergency department over 12 months. All previously healthy children with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by positive PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included COVID-19 patients with neurological complaints, and group 2 included COVID-19 patients with non-neurological complaints. Demographical, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were compared among groups. During the study period, 84 children aged 2 months-15years were diagnosed with COVID-19. Only 17 patients (20.2%) presented with new-onset neurological complaints. Seizure was the most common neurological complaint (58.8%), and febrile convulsion was the most frequent diagnosis of COVID-19 patients with neurological presentation (47.1%). C-reactive protein (CRP) and duration of hospitalization were higher in patients with neurological presentations, with P values of 0.002 and 0.001, respectively. All patients with neurological complaints survived the acute illness. Neurological symptoms were present in 20% of the COVID-19 pediatric patients, having higher CRP than patients with non-neurological presentations. CRP can be used as a reliable indicator for neurological symptoms in COVID-19 pediatric patients.

Omicron targets upper airways in pediatrics, elderly and unvaccinated population.

Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variant, has spread around the globe, causing dramatic increases in infection rates. Viral mutant antigens were responsible for the strong infectivity, fast replication, and high reinfection rates reported from all ages. Omicron causes clinical symptoms mostly related to the upper respiratory tract with minimal symptoms from the lower respiratory tract besides an urgent presentation of cases that resembled a fatal illness, epiglottitis. Not to mention the long coronavirus disease 2019, which rises exponentially in the Omicrons era. Apparently, the disease has a less aggressive course than earlier variants with lower death rates; however, the infection is not trivial. Severe infection was raised among pediatrics, unvaccinated, and the elderly. Complete vaccine protection is urgently needed to protect the most vulnerable community members. Additionally, self-protective strategies such as wearing a mask and safe social distancing cannot be omitted.

C-Reactive protein role in assessing COVID-19 deceased geriatrics and survivors of severe and critical illness.

Numerous risk variables, including age, medical co-morbidities, and deranged inflammatory response, lead to higher mortality in a senior population with coronavirus disease 2019. C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase inflammatory protein secreted by the liver, was tested in the elderly, showing a diagnostic and prognostic role. However, recent research has shed light on new applications for CRP in geriatrics. It was used as a follow-up marker and as a therapeutic target. Early and accurate identification of patients' risks may mitigate the devastation of the invading virus in older cases and permit the implementation of a quick treatment plan for those most likely to deteriorate.

Effect of gender on the reliability of COVID-19 rapid antigen test among elderly.

Defining con-founders that affect the reliability of diagnostic tests for coronavirus disease 2019 is vital to breaking the chain of infection. The elderly population is a higher risk group for the emerging virus. However, gender seems to exert a critical role in modifying the infection risk among women owing to hormonal changes. The menopause transition is an exceptional period for older women where the protective and immunomodulatory effects of the estrogen hormone are lost. Accordingly, attention should be given to postmenopausal women since they will have an increased risk compared to their pre-menopausal peers.

Can Fetal Heart Lie? Intrapartum CTG Changes in COVID-19 Mothers.

Background: COVID-19 infection has raised multiple concerns in pregnant mothers; many questioned the risk of vertical transmission and the implication on the feto-maternal outcome. Cardiotocogrm (CTG) is the principal method to observe intrapartum fetal well-being. This paper aims to verify intrapartum CTG changes seen in seropositive COVID-19 mothers versus healthy controls and looks into their relation to subsequent delivery mode and neonatal outcome. Methods: A case-control study recruited 90 pregnant women at the labor word of AL Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. All were term pregnancy admitted for delivery. They were grouped into 2: seropositive COVID-19 confirmed by real-time RT-PCR test (30/90) and healthy controls (60/90). We recorded their demographic criteria, laboratory results, CTG changes, delivery mode, and indication. Results: COVID-19 cases showed significantly higher pulse rate, temperature, and leukocyte counts. Cesarian deliveries (CS) were higher in cases versus healthy controls (70 % vs. 53.3 %) and P = 0.45. Analysis of the CS indications showed that abnormal fetal heart tracing accounts for 33.3 % versus 15.6 % (P-value = 0.015) for cases versus healthy controls. 60 % of COVID-19 cases exhibited abnormal CTG changes versus 19.4 % in healthy controls. These changes were primarily fetal tachycardia and reduced variabilities. Conclusions: The higher incidence of abnormal CTG in COVID-19 cases, alongside infection signs and symptoms, underlies the exaggerated inflammatory reactions inside the pregnant mother. These inflammatory reactions are the main causes of CTG changes and higher CS rates. Therefore, obstetricians are advised to optimize the maternal condition to rectify reactive CTG changes rather than proceeding into urgent CS. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13224-022-01663-6.

COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Implication on Platelets and Blood Indices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the hematological changes, the platelet indices in particular, in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to healthy pregnant women. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study conducted at the Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, in Baghdad, Iraq, involving 100 pregnant women, 50 with positive viral DNA for COVID-19 (case group), and 50 with negative results (control group); both groups were subjected to a thorough hematological evaluation. RESULTS: Among the main hematological variables analyzed, the platelet indices, namely the mean platelet volume (MPV) and the platelet distribution width (PDW), showed statistically significant differences (MPV: 10.87 ± 66.92 fL for the case group versus 9.84 ± 1.2 fL for the control group; PDW: 14.82 ± 3.18 fL for the case group versus 13.3 ± 2.16 fL for the controls). The criterion value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for PDW at a cutoff point of > 11.8 fL showed a weak diagnostic marker, while the MPV at a cutoff value of > 10.17 fL showed a good diagnostic marker. CONCLUSION: The MPV and PDW are significantly affected by the this viral infection, even in asymptomatic confirmed cases, and we recommend that both parameters be included in the diagnostic panel of this infection.

OBJETIVO: Descrever as alterações hematológicas, em particular os índices plaquetários em gestantes com doença coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) em comparação com gestantes saudáveis. MéTODOS: Estudo caso-controle retrospectivo realizado no Hospital Universitário Al Yarmouk, em Bagdá, Iraque envolvendo 100 gestantes, 50 com DNA viral positivo para COVID-19 (grupo caso) e 50 com resultados negativos (grupo controle); ambos os grupos foram submetidos a uma avaliação hematológica completa. RESULTADOS: Entre as principais variáveis hematológicas analisadas, os índices plaquetários, nomeadamente o volume plaquetário médio (VPM) e a largura de distribuição plaquetária (PDW), apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas (VPM: 10,87 ± 66,92 fL para o grupo caso versus 9,84 ± 1.2 fL para o o grupo controle; PDW: 14,82 ± 3,18 fL para o grupo caso versus 13,3 ± 2,16 fL para os controles). O valor de critério da curva de característica de operação do receptor (ROC) para PDW em um ponto de corte de> 11,8 fL mostrou um marcador diagnóstico fraco, enquanto o do VPM em um valor de corte de> 10,17 fL mostrou um bom marcador de diagnóstico. CONCLUSãO: O MPV e PDW são significativamente afetados por esta infecção viral, mesmo em casos confirmados assintomáticos, e recomendamos que ambos os parâmetros sejam incluídos no painel de diagnóstico desta infecção.