A multi-population-based genomic analysis uncovers unique haplotype variants and crucial mutant genes in SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Rigorous detection and treatment strategies against SARS-CoV-2 have become very challenging due to continuous evolutions to the viral genome. Therefore, careful genomic analysis is sorely needed to understand transmission, the cellular mechanism of pathogenicity, and the development of vaccines or drugs. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we intended to identify SARS-CoV-2 genome variants that may help understand the cellular and molecular foundation of coronavirus infections required to develop effective intervention strategies. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were downloaded from an open-source public database, processed, and analyzed for variants in target detection sites and genes. RESULTS: We have identified six unique variants, G---AAC, T---AAC---T, AAC---T, AAC--------T, C----------T, and C--------C, at the nucleocapsid region and eleven major hotspot mutant genes: nsp3, surface glycoprotein, nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, ORF8, nsp6, nsp2, nsp4, helicase, membrane glycoprotein, 3'-5' exonuclease, and 2'-O-ribose methyltransferases. In addition, we have identified eleven major mutant genes that may have a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. CONCLUSION: Studying haplotype variants and 11 major mutant genes to understand the mechanism of action of fatal pathogenicity and inter-individual variations in immune responses is inevitable for managing target patient groups with identified variants and developing effective anti-viral drugs and vaccines.

Clinicodemographic profile, intensive care unit utilization and mortality rate among COVID-19 patients admitted during the second wave in Bangladesh.

Introduction: The second wave of COVID-19 arrived in Bangladesh in March 2021. This pilot research from a tertiary care COVID-dedicated hospital observed the clinicodemographic profile, intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, and mortality rate among COVID-19 patients admitted during the second wave. Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or chest high-resolution computed tomography confirmed 972 COVID-19 cases included in this cross-sectional study from 24 March to 23 June 2021, recruited using convenience sampling. Data regarding clinicodemographic profile, ICU utilization and mortality rate were analyzed. Results: The mean study cohort age was 54.47±12.73 years, with most patients (48.3%) aged 41-60; 64.1% were men. Fever (77.9%) and cough (75.9%) were the most common symptoms, and hypertension (43.6%) and diabetes (42.15%) the most common comorbidities. Nearly half of patients had total lung involvement of 26%-50%, and 23.8% required ICU. Overall mortality was 16.5%, whereas the mortality rate among ICU admitted patients was 56.1%. The most important predictors of mortality were older age, chronic renal illness, the proportion of lung involvement and ICU requirement. Conclusions: We found higher mortality and ICU utilization rate and greater total lung involvement during the second wave. The mortality rate among the elderly and ICU patients was also higher than earlier.

Asymptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients in orthopaedic pre-operative evaluation during the peak of the second wave.

Introduction: Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are the most challenging and feared obstacles in resuming these surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proportion of asymptomatic carriers detected by RT-PCR in pre-operative orthopaedic evaluation during the peak of the second wave. Methods: 514 asymptomtomatic COVID-19 patients, negative for TOCC (Travel, Profession, Cluster, Contact) risk factors were observed retrospectively. A nasopharyFngeal RT-PCR test was obtained 48 to 72 h before the surgery in all cases. Possible risk factors for a positive test was identified. Results: The detected asymptomatic COVID-19 infection rate during the peak of the second wave among the pre-operative orthopaedic patients was 12.3%. Younger age, female gender, longer duration of admission to RT-PCR test interval were found to be significant (p= < 0.05) risk factors for asymptomatic RT-PCR to be positive. The hazard ratio (HR) for being asymptomatic RT-PCR positive was 4.3 (p = 0. 025), while the RT-PCR was performed at 14 days, but the HR increased to 9.2 (p = 0.049) when the test was performed after 45 days. Conclusion: According to our findings, pre-operative testing to rule out COVID-19 should be regarded as a critical step in preventing the disease clusters in hospitals.

Demographic profile and outcome of patients admitted to a COVID dedicated hospital in Bangladesh during the second wave.

ABSTRACT: In December 2019, with pneumonia-like clinical manifestations, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged and quickly escalated into a pandemic. Since the first case detected in early March of last year, 8668 have died with an infection mortality rate of 1.52%, as of March 20, 2021. Bangladesh has been struck by the 2nd wave from mid-march 2021. As data on the second wave are sparse, the present study observed the demographic profile, symptoms, and outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during this wave.The study was conducted at Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute on 486 admitted cases during the 2nd wave of COVID-19 in Bangladesh (March 24-April 24, 2021) using a cross-sectional study design and a convenient sampling technique.Out of 486 cases, 306 (62.9%) were male, and 180 were female, with a mean age of 53.47 ±â€Š13.86. The majority of patients (32.5%) were between the ages of 51 and 60. While fever and cough being the predominant symptoms (>70% cases), the most common co-morbidities were hypertension (41.4) and diabetes mellitus (39.4). Intensive care unit utilization rate was 25%, and a half of the patients had 51% to 70% tomographic lung involvement with an overall mortality rate of 19.3%. Older age, chronic renal disease, percentage of lung involvement, and intensive care unit necessity were important mortality determinants.The present study gives an insight into the demographic profiles and outcomes of admitted patients with COVID-19 during the second wave at a covid dedicated hospital in Bangladesh.

Perception, Preventive Practice, and Attitude Towards Vaccine Against COVID-19 Among Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are one of the vital and persuading means of information, prevention and control, and incentive of vaccination to content a pandemic. Therefore, knowing the status of HCPs' perception about symptoms, transmission, preventive measures, and attitudes towards a vaccine against COVID-19 is crucial. METHODS: This multi-center cross-sectional descriptive study was one of the first and foremost ones in Bangladesh among the HCPs - doctors, nurses, and other subordinates (MLSS) engaged at COVID-dedicated hospitals. The study was conducted from February 5, 2021, to March 7, 2021, using a convenience sampling method among 550 HCPs using structured questionnaire with twenty-five questions on a three-point scale of responses. RESULTS: The age range of the respondents were 18 to 64 years with the mean 36.17 ±10.94 years of 524 HCPs, of which the majority of the respondents were female 323 (61.6%) and 201 (38.4%) were male with the 95.27% response rate. Almost all participants had "high" or more than sufficient perception (94.34%) about the symptoms of COVID-19. But all categories of HCPs expressed their poor or fair practice about restraining from shaking hands, and only 6.84% of nurses, 8.33% doctors, and 11.59% of MLSS avoided crowded public gatherings as a practice of prevention. A majority (95.99%) of the HCPs showed positive attitudes about the availability of vaccines free of cost, and 87.40% showed trust in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine against COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The majority of the HCPs from the COVID-dedicated hospitals have a good perception and positive attitude towards vaccination; nevertheless, have a poor practice of prevention toward COVID-19. This may play a vital role in motivation and wide acceptance of vaccine among the general population and contribute in comprehensive strategic planning to fight back against the pandemic in the country with the restricted resource.