Redox Imbalance and Its Metabolic Consequences in Tick-Borne Diseases.

One of the growing global health problems are vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Taking into account the metabolic effects in the patient's body, tick-borne diseases are a significant problem from an epidemiological and clinical point of view. Inflammation and oxidative stress are key elements in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, including tick-borne diseases. In consequence, this leads to oxidative modifications of the structure and function of phospholipids and proteins and results in qualitative and quantitative changes at the level of lipid mediators arising in both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS enzyme-dependent reactions. These types of metabolic modifications affect the functioning of the cells and the host organism. Therefore, links between the severity of the disease state and redox imbalance and the level of phospholipid metabolites are being searched, hoping to find unambiguous diagnostic biomarkers. Assessment of molecular effects of oxidative stress may also enable the monitoring of the disease process and treatment efficacy.

Inflammatory and thrombotic parameters associated with the COVID-19 course in Poland (SARSTer study).

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the coagulation and inflammatory markers connected with severe course of COVID-19 and no clinical improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population included 2590 adult patients, diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database - an ongoing project led by the Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists and supported by the Medical Research Agency. Clinical and laboratory parameters, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil and lymphocyte count, procalcitonin, ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer concentration and platelet (PLT) count were analyzed before and after treatment (remdesivir, tocilizumab, dexamethasone, anticoagulants). RESULTS: Significant differences between patients with mild and severe course of the disease were observed in all examined parameters before treatment (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). After treatment only ferritin concentration did not differ significantly. In patients with pulmonary embolism, CRP concentration, neutrophil count, D-dimer and IL-6 concentration were significantly higher than in patients without embolism (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). The significant differences between the groups with and without fatal outcome were observed within all analyzed parameters. Significant differences in all examined parameters before treatment were observed between patients with and without clinical improvement (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that no clinical improvement was associated with: IL-6>100 â€‹pg/ml (OR-2.14), D-dimer concentration over 1000 â€‹ng/ml (OR-1.62) and PLT count below 150,000/µl (OR-1.57). CONCLUSIONS: Severe course of the disease is associated with lower PLT and lymphocyte count, higher D-dimer, CRP, neutrophil count and IL-6 concentration. The best predictors of no clinical improvement in COVID-19 are: IL-6>100 â€‹pg/ml, D-dimer>1000 â€‹ng/ml and PLT<150,000/µl.

Corrigendum: Fogging With Peracetic Acid in Schools and Kindergartens.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.697917.].

Analysis of Clinical Course and Vaccination Influence on Serological Response in COVID-19 Convalescents.

Our goal was to assess the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies presence in COVID-19 convalescents and assess the differences in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies production regarding the disease severity, sex, vaccination, and assess the correlation between anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies production and inflammatory parameters. Three hundred twenty-two COVID-19 patients (282 hospitalized and 40 patients with oligosymptomatic COVID-19 isolated at homes) were included in the study. Blood was taken at 4 time points: during hospitalization, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was performed with LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG tests (DiaSorin, Italy). Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared. Significant differences between higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titer in symptomatic patients 3 months after infection (III sample) and significantly higher ratio II/I in symptomatic patients were observed. Subgroup analysis based on sex showed differences only in laboratory tests, not in serological. Analysis of the results of serological tests showed significant differences in ratio IV/I and a significant increase in antibodies level after vaccination. The most significant rise was observed between the 3rd and 6th month when the patients received a vaccination. Immunological response after COVID-19 infection lasted over 6 months in all patients, although antibodies titers were significantly higher in patients with a history of severe COVID-19 and vaccinated patients. Immunological response after COVID-19 infection did not depend on sex. There was a significant correlation between anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies production and the degree of inflammation in the acute phase of the disease (inflammatory parameters in blood and severity of lung affection in CT). IMPORTANCE The results of our study confirm the knowledge on immune response in the Polish population and add new information regarding correlations with the severity of the disease. The data in the literature concerning the correlation between antibodies response and sex are ambiguous, and we did not observe differences between antibodies production and gender, which also adds new information.

Is Peracetic Acid Fumigation Effective in Public Transportation?

The COVID-19 pandemic made more people aware of the danger of viruses and bacteria, which is why disinfection began to be used more and more often. Epidemiological safety must be ensured not only in gathering places, but also in home and work environments. It is especially challenging in public transportation, which is a perfect environment for the spread of infectious disease. Therefore, the aim of the study was the identification of bacteria in crowded places and the evaluation of the effect of fumigation with peracetic acid (PAA) in public transportation. Inactivation of microorganisms in buses and long-distance coaches was carried out using an automatic commercial fogging device filled with a solution of peracetic acid stabilized with acetic acid (AA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Before and after disinfection, samples were taken for microbiological tests. The most prevalent bacteria were Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus licheniformis.Staphylococcus epidermidis was only present in buses, whereas Staphylococcus hominis and Exiguobacterium acetylicum were only present in coaches. Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms in samples taken from different surfaces after disinfection in vehicles. The overall effectiveness of disinfection was 81.7% in buses and 66.5% in coaches. Dry fog fumigation with peracetic acid is an effective method of disinfecting public transport vehicles.

Serology in COVID-19: Comparison of Two Methods.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to examine the performance of two assays in detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. METHODS: A total of 127 COVID-19 disease contacts from the Infectious Diseases Department were included. Two serological tests were used: SARS-CoV-2 IgG CMIA on the Alinity system (Abbott) and LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG CLIA (DiaSorin). RESULTS: The assays exhibited a 96.85% (123/127 patients) test result agreement. In two cases, the positive results obtained by SARS-CoV-2 IgG CMIA on the Alinity system (Abbott) were negative based on the LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG CLIA (DiaSorin) test, and in two cases, negative results from the LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG CLIA (DiaSorin) test were positive with the SARS-CoV-2 IgG CMIA on the Alinity system (Abbott). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, we conclude that in population medicine, the assessments of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus based on spike protein or nucleocapsid protein show comparable effectiveness.

Has COVID-19 influenced on tick-borne epidemiology?

no abstract available.

The first SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants of concern (VOC) in Poland: The concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 genome using our integrated genome analysis system and present the concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 69 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples (with Ct value â€‹≤ â€‹28) were tested. Samples included in this study were selected from 7 areas of eastern Poland. All samples were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform using a 300-cycle MiSeq Reagent Kit v2. BWA was used for reads mapping on the reference SARS-CoV-2 sequence. SAMTools were used for post-processing of reads to genome assembly. Pango lineage and Nexstrain were used to identify variants and amino acid mutations. Statistical analysis was performed with R 4.0.2. RESULTS: This study shows the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in Poland with the lineage B.1.351 (known as 501Y.V2 South African variant), as well as another 18 cases with epidemiologically relevant lineage B.1.1.7, known as British variant. Supplementary analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences deposited in GISAID shows that the share of a new variant can change rapidly within one month. In addition, we show a complete, integrated concept of a networked system for analyzing the variability of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, which, used in the present study, generated data and a variant report within 6 days. CONCLUSION: The analyzed viral genomes showed considerable variability with simultaneous clear distinction of local clusters of genomes showing high similarity. Implementing real-time monitoring of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in Poland is urgently needed, and our developed system is available to be implemented on a large scale.

Convalescent Plasma Transfusion for the Treatment of COVID-19-Experience from Poland: A Multicenter Study.

Because the optimal treatment for COVID-19 is still unknown, it is important to explore every potential way of improving the chances of survival for COVID-19 patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of convalescent plasma on COVID-19 patients. The study population consisted of 78 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database, who received convalescent plasma. The impact on clinical and laboratory parameters was assessed. A clinical improvement was observed in 62 (79%) patients, and 10 (13%) patients died from COVID-19. No side effects of the convalescent plasma treatment were observed. When plasma was administered earlier than 7 days from diagnosis, the total hospitalization time was shorter (p < 0.05). Plasma efficacy was inferior to remdesivir in endpoints such as the necessity and duration of oxygen therapy, the duration of hospitalization, and mortality rate, and inferior to other drugs in the case of the duration of hospitalization and the necessity of constant oxygen therapy, but comparable in most other measured endpoints. A comparison of a 30-day mortality rate in patients who received plasma and remdesivir (4/25, 16%) and who received only plasma (6/53, 11%) showed no significant difference. Convalescent plasma efficacy is inferior to remdesivir when treating COVID-19 patients but the addition of remdesivir to plasma does not improve the treatment effectiveness. In most endpoints, plasma was comparable to other treatment options. In our opinion, convalescent plasma may be used as a supportive treatment in COVID-19 patients because of the low frequency of adverse effects and availability, but must be given as early from the diagnosis as possible.

Convalescent Plasma Transfusion for the Treatment of COVID-19—Experience from Poland: A Multicenter Study

Because the optimal treatment for COVID-19 is still unknown, it is important to explore every potential way of improving the chances of survival for COVID-19 patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of convalescent plasma on COVID-19 patients. The study population consisted of 78 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database, who received convalescent plasma. The impact on clinical and laboratory parameters was assessed. A clinical improvement was observed in 62 (79%) patients, and 10 (13%) patients died from COVID-19. No side effects of the convalescent plasma treatment were observed. When plasma was administered earlier than 7 days from diagnosis, the total hospitalization time was shorter (p <0.05). Plasma efficacy was inferior to remdesivir in endpoints such as the necessity and duration of oxygen therapy, the duration of hospitalization, and mortality rate, and inferior to other drugs in the case of the duration of hospitalization and the necessity of constant oxygen therapy, but comparable in most other measured endpoints. A comparison of a 30-day mortality rate in patients who received plasma and remdesivir (4/25, 16%) and who received only plasma (6/53, 11%) showed no significant difference. Convalescent plasma efficacy is inferior to remdesivir when treating COVID-19 patients but the addition of remdesivir to plasma does not improve the treatment effectiveness. In most endpoints, plasma was comparable to other treatment options. In our opinion, convalescent plasma may be used as a supportive treatment in COVID-19 patients because of the low frequency of adverse effects and availability, but must be given as early from the diagnosis as possible.

A 63-Year-Old Woman with SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Who Developed Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia and Was Supported with Convalescent Plasma Therapy.

BACKGROUND There is no evidence-based treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia and was treated with convalescent plasma. CASE REPORT A 63-year-old woman who presented with severe and prolonged course of COVID-19 disease (fever up to 39.4°C, persistent cough, and dyspnea) received a convalescent plasma transfusion, which led to complete recovery. The diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR testing using the CFX96 Real-Time System (Bio-Rad, USA) from nasopharyngeal swabs. In laboratory tests, an increase in acute-phase parameters was observed. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed abnormalities typical for COVID-19. On days 9 and 11 of the disease, she received the convalescent plasma prepared from a single plasmapheresis donation from a male donor. This male donor was qualified as a convalescent plasma donor according to Polish guidelines, which are compliant with European guidelines. He donated plasma at the Regional Centre for Transfusion Medicine in Bialystok, Poland. The therapy with convalescent plasma led to clinical improvement and normalization of inflammatory parameters. CONCLUSIONS This report presents a case of severe COVID-19 pneumonia in a 63-year-old woman who was given supportive treatment with convalescent plasma. Ongoing clinical trials will determine whether convalescent plasma therapy is an effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection.