ABSTRACT
Viral diagnostics was previously confined to research purposes, but with the advent of modern modalities it has transcended the limits and forayed into main stream diagnostics. It is now a significant contributor towards prognosis, management and prevention strategies. Since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more important to accurately diagnose and differentiate various viral infections as the clinical features can be overlapping and confusing many a times. A misdiagnosed viral infection can play havoc on a patient’s health, as the severity of the infection and its clinical features may not always be in sync. So, it is of utmost importance to diagnose a viral infection using either point of care tests or advanced expert systems based on the available resources rather than going with the instincts, in this era of diagnostic revolution. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the various diagnostic modalities and developments in the field of virology that may augment our decision-making capacity for the best possible patient outcome.
ABSTRACT
Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the important factors that could affect consumers' behavioural intention and use behaviour towards mobile payment services during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approach>The proposed model extends meta-Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (meta-UTAUT) model with perceived severity and self-efficacy factors affecting consumers' behavioural intention and use behaviour towards mobile payment services. A convenient sampling technique has been utilized to gather data from a self-administered questionnaire. The data collection was restricted to the online mode to avoid any physical contact considering the COVID-19 situation.Findings>The findings revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and perceived severity have a significant positive impact on consumers' attitude;facilitating conditions has a significant positive impact on effort expectancy;self-efficacy has a significant positive impact on effort expectancy;attitude has a significant positive impact on behavioural intention;and behavioural intention has a significant positive impact on use behaviour. Social influence did not confirm any significant relationship.Research limitations/implications>The current research study has utilized a non-probability convenient sampling technique to gather data through a self-administered questionnaire. The data collection was restricted to the online mode to avoid any physical contact considering the COVID-19 situation. The respondents were adopters of mobile payment services. The scope of the study is the COVID-19 context or related chronic diseases context where major preventive mechanisms such as social distancing and avoidance of physical contacts are vital.Originality/value>This study has extended the meta-UTAUT model with the COVID-19 context-specific constructs and relationships. The undertaken work has strengthened the explanability of the model. The inclusion of context relevant variables such as perceived severity and self-efficacy and their association with the existing meta-UTAUT framework have enriched the context of the study. The current study offers a holistic understanding of significant factors influencing Indian consumers’ adoption of mobile payment services in the COVID-19 context.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who suffer severe infection or comorbidities have an increased risk of developing fungal infections. There is a possibility that such infections are missed or misdiagnosed, in which case patients may suffer higher morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 infection, aggressive management strategies and comorbidities like diabetes render patients prone to opportunistic fungal infections. Mucormycosis is one of the opportunistic fungal infections that may affect treated COVID patients. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case series of four adult males who were diagnosed with mucormycosis post-COVID-19 recovery. All the patients had diabetes and a history of systemic corticosteroids for treatment of COVID-19. The mean duration between diagnosis of COVID-19 and development of symptoms of mucor was 15.5 ± 14.5 (7-30) d. All patients underwent debridement and were started on antifungal therapy. One patient was referred to a higher center for further management, but the others responded well to treatment and showed signs of improvement at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and management of mucormycosis with appropriate and aggressive antifungals and surgical debridement can improve survival.
ABSTRACT
A novel coronavirus infection, which began as an outbreak of unusual viral pneumonia in Wuhan, a central city in China, has evolved into a global health crisis. The outbreak is an unembellished reminder of the hazard coronaviruses pose to public health. Government and researchers around the world have been taking swift measures to control the outbreak and conduct aetiological studies to understand the various facets of the outbreak. This review is an attempt at providing an insight about the current understanding, knowledge gaps and a perspective on the future of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. All the authentic data published so far on COVID-19 has been systematically analysed. PubMed, NCBI, World Health Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases and bibliographies of relevant studies up to 22nd June 2020 have been included. The Wuhan outbreak is a stark reminder of the continuing threat posed by zoonotic diseases to global health. Despite an armamentarium of Government officials, researchers and medical fraternity working towards the containment of this novel coronavirus viral pneumonia continues to spread at an alarming rate infecting multitudes and claiming hundreds of lives.