Outcome of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and newborns-is there a new kid in the TORCH block?

Objective. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of existing literature to assess the outcomes of pregnancy in women with COVID-19 infection and their newborns while estimating the possibility of vertical transmission. Materials and methods. We conducted a systematic literature research using Pubmed and Google Schol-ar covering the period from December 2019 to 20th of November 2020. The review was conducted in ac-cordance with PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes. We included 16 studies – systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between May 2020 and November 2020 – which focused on perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 and 7 case reports of neonates with congenital transmission of COVID-19. Overall, the rate of COVID-19 cases in neonates of COVID-19 positive mothers was 3% with 95% CI [1.86, 4.24]). The preterm birth rate was 16.4% with 95% CI [10.5, 22.3] and the rate of stillbirths and foetal deaths was 1.4% (11 studies, 0 to 4.8%). From the 7 newborns with proved vertical transmission, majority were born preterm, with good birth weight and APGAR score and heterogenous symptoms;4 developed severe symptoms. Overall progress and evolution for both mother and newborn was good. Conclusions. COVID-19 impact on pregnancy outcome is similar to general population in regard to preterm rate and stillbirth rate. Vertical transmission is possible and it seems to occur in about 3% of cases. Overall maternal and perinatal outcome is favourable and clinical presentation of in utero transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in newborns is heterogenous. © 2021, Amaltea Medical Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Cutaneous involvement in COVID-19 patients

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health organization in early March 2020. The disease typically presents with viral respiratory symptoms that could progress to acute respiratory dis-tress syndrome. Emerging evidence suggests different possible dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19, including: acral lesions (pernio-like, pseudo-chillblain), vesicular eruptions, macular and papular exanthema, urticaria, livedoid, purpuric and petechial rashes. However, specific skin manifestations of the COVID-19 disease have not yet been clearly established and the relationship between the appearance of skin lesions and SARS-CoV-2 infection is still unclear. These highly variable skin changes could represent a direct con-sequence of the viral infection, an immunological response to viral nucleotides, adverse reactions to drugs frequently used for the treatment of COVID-19, or other disorders. In a global effort to comprehend the exact cutaneous features of COVID-19, several international dermatological societies have initiated nationwide studies to analyze COVID-19 cutaneous manifestations during this pandemic. This paper represents a literature review of the scientific data available on the clinical characteristics and symptoms of the cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19. Such findings are extremely useful in establishing if dermatological manifestations in COVID-19 patients could harbor a diagnostic significance and subsequently be used as prognostic factors for outcomes of COVID-19. © 2020, Amaltea Medical Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Responsible Research and Innovation Associated With Risk Communication and Public Engagement on Health Emergency Preparedness at the Local Level

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) associated with public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) and response pose major challenges to the scientific community and civil society because a multistakeholder and interdisciplinary methodology is needed to foster public engagement. In 2017, within “Action plan on Science in Society related issues in Epidemics and Total pandemics”, twenty-three initiatives in eleven cities—Athens, Brussels, Bucharest, Dublin, Geneva, Haifa, Lyon, Milan, Oslo, Rome, and Sofia—represented effective opportunities for Mobilization and Mutual Learning on RRI issues in the matter of PHEP with different community-level groups. These experiences show that to effectively address a discourse on RRI-related issues in PHEP it is necessary to engage the local population and stakeholders, which is challenging because of needed competencies and resources. Under coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we are proven that such a diversified multistakeholder engagement on RRI related to PHEP locally needs further elaboration and practical development. Copyright © 2022 Possenti, De Mei, Kurchatova, Green, Drager, Villa, d'Onofrio, Saadatian-Elahi, Moore, Brattekas, Karnaki, Beresniak, Popa and Greco.

Animal models used in the research and development of treatments and vaccines against COVID-19

The purpose of this review is to carry out an overall evaluation of the scientific literature on the selection of the best candidate as an animal translation model. We used the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection and medRxiv/BioRxiv (preprint materials) databases for original research published in English to September 2020. Review research was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). The inclusion criteria were: establishing animal models (mouse, ferret, dog, cat, primates, etc.) for SARS-CoV-2, prophylaxis, therapy and vaccines. The exclusion criteria were: books, guidelines and protocols, population genetics. This review highlights the distinct advantages and limitations of each animal model, which should be taken into account in the design of studies, the interpretation of pathogenic mechanisms or extrapolation of the results of therapy or vaccines in humans. In order to generate results that are consistent, reproducible and comparable between studies, it is necessary to harmonize the protocols for experimentation on animal models.