Suspected adverse events following immunization against SARS-CoV2 in a university hospital in 2021: Observational study.

AIM: Vaccination against SARS-CoV2 has been proposed as a fundamental element for the control of the pandemic. This study aimed to describe the suspected adverse reactions (ADR) reported by vaccinated hospital workers. METHODS: A descriptive study of suspected ADR was conducted between January and March 2021. The suspected ADR were identified using a specifically designed electronic form and spontaneous reporting. Data were also collected regarding the characteristics of the professionals, vaccine administered, severity, and outcome of ADR. RESULTS: 8169 professionals received 2 doses of SARS-CoV2 vaccine (6672 Comirnaty® and 1497 Spikevax®) and 894 reports of suspected ADR were reported (762 for Comirnaty® and 132 for Spikevax®), resulting in a cumulative ADR incidence of 10.94% (95%CI: 10.27-11.62). The majority of ADR were reported only after the second dose, 497 (56.2%), while 211 (23.6%) were reported only after the first dose and 186 (21%) after both doses. The symptoms were mostly mild, did not require medical assistance, and disappeared within approximately 3 days. One hundred and seventeen professionals had a history of COVID-19 infection. These studies reported, statistically significant, more suspected ADR after the first dose (42.7%) than those with no history of COVID-19 (20.7%). Among professionals, more ADR occurred after the first dose with the Spikevax® vaccine (41.6%) than with the Comirnaty® vaccine (20.5%). CONCLUSION: The majority of suspected ADR reported were described in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Professionals with a history of COVID-19 reported more suspected ADR after the first dose than did those without a history.

Effects of malnutrition on mortality in oldest-old inpatients with COVID-19 in the GERIA-COVID cohort.

We assessed the impact of malnutrition on 14-day, 28-day, and 3-month mortality risk in oldest-old inpatients aged ≥80 years with COVID-19 in the hospital-based GERIA-COVID cohort. Malnutrition was assessed on hospital admission using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Potential confounders were age, sex, functional abilities, number of acute health issues, CRP level, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, malignancies, use of antibiotics, and respiratory treatments. Seventy-eight participants (88.9 ± 4.3 years old, 55% women) were included. Of these, 82.1% had survived at day 14, 78.2% at day 28, and 70.5% after 3 months. No association between malnutrition according to the GNRI and 14-day (P = 0.324), 28-day (P = 0.166), or 3-month mortality (P = 0.109) was found. Thus, malnutrition according to the GNRI was not associated with mortality within the first 3 months of diagnosis of COVID-19 among oldest-old inpatients.

Architecture of torovirus replicative organelles.

Plus-stranded RNA viruses replicate in the cytosol of infected cells, in membrane-bound replication complexes. We previously identified double membrane vesicles (DMVs) in the cytoplasm of cells infected with Berne virus (BEV), the prototype member of the Torovirus genus (Nidovirales Order). Our previous analysis by transmission electron microscopy suggested that the DMVs form a reticulovesicular network (RVN) analogous those described for the related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1). Here, we used serial sectioning and electron tomography to characterize the architecture of torovirus replication organelles, and to learn about their biogenesis and dynamics during the infection. The formation of a RVN in BEV infected cells was confirmed, where the outer membranes of the DMVs are interconnected with each other and with the ER. Paired or zippered ER membranes connected with the DMVs were also observed, and likely represent early structures that evolve to give rise to DMVs. Also, paired membranes forming small spherule-like invaginations were observed at late time post-infection. Although resembling in size, the tomographic analysis show that these structures are clearly different from the true spherules described previously for coronaviruses. Hence, BEV shows important similarities, but also some differences, in the architecture of the replication organelles with other nidoviruses.

Unmet needs, health policies, and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a report from six European countries.

PURPOSE: The United Nations (UN) has published a Policy Brief on the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that identifies policies and responses to protect older adults. Our objective was to summarize actions, health policies and clinical guidelines adopted by six European countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom) during the pandemic, and to assess the impact of national policies on reducing adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in older populations. METHODS: Reports by geriatricians on the measures and actions undertaken by governmental institutions in each country between March and July 2020, as well as the role of primary care during the pandemic, covered three areas: (a) general health strategies related to the pandemic; (b) impact of COVID-19 on health inequity; and (c) initiatives and challenges for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. RESULTS: In the six countries, COVID-19 mortality in nursing homes ranged from 26 to 66%. Although all countries endorsed the World Health Organization general recommendations, the reports identified the lack of harmonized European guidelines and policies for nursing homes, with competencies transferred to national (or regional) governments. All countries restricted visits in nursing homes, but no specific action plans were provided. The role of primary care was limited by the centralization of the crisis in hospital settings. CONCLUSIONS: The older population has been greatly affected by COVID-19 and by the policies initiated to control its spread. The right to health and dignity are transgenerational; chronological age should not be the sole criterion in policy decisions.