ABSTRACT
SARS‐CoV‐2 is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The disease presents different degrees of severity related to the antiviral response of the host. According to clinical manifestations, patients could show mild, moderate and severe COVID‐19. Regarding immunological aspects, an increased interferon (IFN) response in COVID‐19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms were observed;however, in severe COVID‐19, IFN response is decreased. Patients with severe COVID‐19 display a hyperinflammatory disorder that leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Interestingly, the expression and activation of AIM2, a receptor induced by IFN, play an important role in the onset of antiviral response. In this review, we discuss the possible role of AIM2 during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We summarize the studies reporting the expression and activity of proteins involved upstream and downstream of AIM2‐inflammasome activation, such as IFN, ASC, Caspase‐1, IL‐1β, IL‐18, free‐dsDNA, IFI16, as well as SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load, cell death in groups of COVID‐19 patients with different clinical outcomes to infer the possible contribution of AIM2 in antiviral response of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
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In this work, we analyze the spreading of Covid-19 in Mexico using the spatial SEIRD epidemiologic model. We use the information of the 32 regions (States) that conform the country, such as population density, verified infected cases, and deaths in each State. We extend the SEIRD compartmental epidemiologic with diffusion mechanisms in the exposed and susceptible populations. We use the Fickian law with the diffusion coefficient proportional to the population density to encompass the diffusion effects. The numerical results suggest that the epidemiologic model demands time-dependent parameters to incorporate non-monotonous behavior in the actual data in the global dynamic. The diffusional model proposed in this work has great potential in predicting the virus spreading on different scales, i.e., local, national, and between countries, since the complete reduction in people mobility is impossible.
ABSTRACT
Background and aim: Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported up to 50% in patients with COVID-19, and in 5% they can precede respiratory symptoms. The objective of this work is to describe the LFTs and GI symptoms of patients with COVID-19 and their association with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality. Material and Methods. We conducted a retrospective, cross sectional, descriptive study, using files from patients with a positive Gen Finder COVID-19 test, admitted to Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation between March 13th through May 14th, 2020. We performed descriptive analysis of data and its association with clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 108 patients with COVID-19 were identified;68.5% (n = 74) were men, the mean age was 53 ± 14 years and the body mass index was 28.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2. The most frequent comorbidity was hypertension with 24% (n = 26). The presence of comorbidities was associated with risk of ICU admission (OR 3.9 [95% CI 1.6-9.9], p = 0.002). The most frequent symptoms were cough (72.2%, n = 78), fever (69.4%, n = 75) and dyspnea (48.1%, n = 52). At least one abnormal LFT was present in 94% (n = 103) of patients at admission, the most frequent was LDH (88.9%, n = 96), AST and GGT (63%, n = 65), which are summarized in Table 1. Patients presented abnormal LFTs and respiratory symptoms in 48.1% (n = 52), while 16.6% (n = 18) presented abnormal LFTs without respiratory symptoms. Among GI symptoms, 37% (n = 4) reported at least one, including diarrhea (28.7%, n = 31), hyporexia (9.3%, n = 10), nausea (8.3%, n = 9) or vomiting (4.6%, n = 5). Of patients admitted to the ICU (n = 39), 27.5% (n = 10) presented at least one GI symptom. Mortality was 7.4% (n = 8). No associations were found between abnormal LFTs, GI symptoms, and outcomes of mortality and ICU admission. Conclusions: In patients with COVID 19, the presence of metabolic comorbidities confers a higher risk of ICU admission, in contrast to abnormal LFTs and GI symptoms that were not associated with clinical outcomes. Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic reached Santander on March 17, 2020. The first cases were imported and related, keeping a low occurrence in general, until the end of May. Since then the cases increased rapidly, consequence of the occupational flexibilization of mid-May and the lack of confinement since June 1. The objective of the study is to provide supplies to decision-makers to improve the response to the pandemic. Materials and methods: An analysis of the behavior of the COVID-19 pandemic in Santander was carried out, using data from official records and analysis of side effects from the public health perspective and a One Health approach.
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In recent months, COVID-19 has represented an important public health problem in Colombia, for that reason, state of emergency and national quarantine was declared. Despite the multiple strategies implemented to accomplish preventive isolation in the population, acts of public disobedience have been reported, some of these motivated by social conditions that have existed in the country for years and were exposed by the current situation. In the present work some of these social problems will be identified and how they have hampered population management during the crisis.
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Introduction. Acute cholecystitis is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admissions in the adult population and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for its management. Within the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the severity of presentation has been perceived in these patients. This study aims to compare the clinical and surgical presentation based on the different severity scales of acute cholecystitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between 2019 and 2020. A bivariate and Kaplan Meier analysis was performed with the time elapsed between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital, and between admission to hospital and performance of surgery. Results. A total of 302 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The time of evolution of symptoms until admission was 83.3 hours (95% CI: 70.95-96.70) vs. of 104.75 hours (95% CI: 87.26-122.24) before and during the pandemic, respectively. The time between admission to the hospital and the surgical procedure was significantly shorter in the current pandemic period (70.93 vs. 42.29) (p=<0.001). The patients with greater severity (Parkland 5) was the same before and during pandemic (29%). Conclusion. Similar clinical and surgical severity is reported before and during the COVID 19 pandemic, probably secondary to the results of a significantly shorter entry time to the operating room during the pandemic, due to a greater availability of operating rooms for urgent surgical pathologies. © 2022, Asociacion Colombiana de Cirugia. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The world is currently going through one of the worst health crises secondary to infection by a new coronavirus with high transmissibility and mortality, which has impacted multiple aspects. It has been generally established that the severity of the infection is associated with advanced age and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. On the other hand, obesity at this time represents one of the greatest threats in the health sector, due to its great relationship with morbidity and mortality at the cardiometabolic level, this entails a high cost of the disease. This article seeks to alert about what some experts have called the "shock of two pandemics", this given the increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide, where our country is not exempt,.