Association between chemosensory dysfunctions and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that chemosensory dysfunctions, including smell and taste disorders, are common findings in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the underlying biological mechanisms and the role of inflammatory markers are still poorly understood. AIM: To investigate the inflammatory biomarkers levels in patients with COVID-19 presenting chemosensory dysfunctions. METHODS: This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. A systematic literature search was performed from January 1, 2020, to May 12, 2022. Observational studies that provided data on hematological, biochemical, infection-related indices and cellular immunity, and coagulation function in patients with COVID-19 experiencing smell and/or taste disorders were considered eligible. Effect sizes were reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A negative effect size indicated that the inflammatory biomarker levels were lower among patients with chemosensory dysfunctions. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included. Patients with chemosensory disturbances had lower levels of leukocytes (SMD - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.35 to - 0.01, p = 0.04), lactate dehydrogenase (SMD - 0.45, 95% CI - 0.82 to - 0.09, p = 0.01), IL-6 (SMD - 0.25, 95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.06, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein (SMD - 0.33, 95% CI - 0.58 to - 0.08, p < 0.01) than patients without chemosensory disturbances. CONCLUSION: Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who have olfactory and gustatory disorders have a lower inflammatory response than patients who do not have chemosensory alterations. The presence of these symptoms may indicate a more favorable clinical course for COVID-19.

Surveillance of adverse events associated with 145 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in a Brazilian municipality.

There is a lack of real-world surveillance studies on reports of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccination, as well as comparative analyses of adverse events from vaccines with different platforms. This observational, descriptive, retrospective study based on secondary data describes the adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) related to the first 145 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines delivered in Aracaju municipality, Sergipe state, northeast Brazil. Records of AEFIs were collected using the e-SUS Notifica database for January 19 to April 30, 2021. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for AEFIs and the type of COVID-19 vaccine, either CoronaVac (Sinovac-Butantan) or Oxford-AstraZeneca (Fiocruz). A total of 474 AEFIs (32.7 events/10 000 doses) from 254 individuals were reported and analyzed, and all of them were classified as non-serious. There was an association between the use of the CoronaVac vaccine and headache (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.2), pain at the injection site (OR = 9.6; 95% CI: 3.9-23.8), lethargy (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.8-14.8), fatigue (OR = 10.1; 95% CI: 2.4-42.3), diarrhea (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.5-12.5) and cold-like symptoms (OR = 8.0; 95% CI: 1.9-34.0). However, the proportion of individuals reporting fever was higher among those who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.4). This population-based observational study strengthens the evidence for the safety and tolerability of the CoronaVac and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines used against COVID-19.

Hay una carencia de estudios de vigilancia en el mundo real sobre la notificación de eventos adversos asociados a la vacunación contra la COVID-19, así como de análisis comparativos de los eventos adversos de vacunas con diferentes plataformas. En este estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo basado en datos secundarios se describen los eventos adversos supuestamente atribuibles a la vacunación o inmunización (ESAVI) relacionados con las primeras 145 000 dosis de vacunas contra la COVID-19 administradas en el municipio de Aracaju, estado de Sergipe, en la región Noreste de Brasil. Se recopilaron registros de los ESAVI del 19 de enero al 30 de abril del 2021 con la base de datos e-SUS Notifica. Se calcularon las razones de posibilidades (OR, por su sigla en inglés) y los intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95 % para los ESAVI y el tipo de vacuna contra la COVID-19 (CoronaVac [Sinovac-Butantan] o bien Oxford-AstraZeneca [Fiocruz]). Se notificaron y analizaron un total de 474 ESAVI (32,7 eventos/10 000 dosis) de 254 personas, y todos se clasificaron como no graves. Se encontró una relación entre el empleo de la vacuna CoronaVac y la cefalea (OR = 2,1; IC del 95 %: 1,4­3,2), dolor en el lugar de la inyección (OR = 9,6; IC del 95 %: 3,9­23,8), letargo (OR = 5,2; IC del 95 %: 1,8­14,8), cansancio (OR = 10,1; IC del 95 %: 2,4­42,3), diarrea (OR = 4,4; IC del 95 %: 1,5­12,5) y síntomas similares al resfriado (OR = 8,0; IC del 95 %: 1,9 a 34,0). Sin embargo, la proporción de pacientes que notificaron fiebre fue mayor entre los que recibieron la vacuna de Oxford-AstraZeneca (OR = 3,1; IC del 95 %: 1,5 a 6,4). Este estudio observacional poblacional refuerza la evidencia sobre la seguridad y tolerabilidad de las vacunas CoronaVac y Oxford-AstraZeneca empleadas contra la COVID-19.

Faltam estudos de vigilância no mundo real sobre relatórios de eventos adversos associados à vacinação contra a COVID-19, bem como análises comparativas de eventos adversos decorrentes de vacinas com diferentes plataformas. Este estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo baseado em dados secundários descreve os eventos adversos pós-vacinação (EAPV) relacionados com as primeiras 145 mil doses de vacinas contra a COVID-19 entregues no município de Aracaju, capital do estado de Sergipe, na região Nordeste do Brasil. Os registros de EAPV foram coletados usando o sistema e-SUS Notifica com referência ao período de 19 de janeiro a 30 de abril de 2021. Razões de chances (odds ratios, ORs) e intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% foram calculados para os EAPV e o tipo de vacina contra a COVID-19: CoronaVac (Sinovac-Butantan) ou Oxford-AstraZeneca (Fiocruz). Um total de 474 EAPV (32,7 eventos/10 mil doses) de 254 indivíduos foram relatados e analisados, e todos foram classificados como não graves. Houve uma associação entre o uso da vacina CoronaVac e cefaleia (OR = 2,1; IC 95%: 1,4-3,2), dor no local da injeção (OR = 9,6; IC 95%: 3,9-23,8), letargia (OR = 5,2; IC 95%: 1,8-14,8), cansaço (OR = 10,1; IC 95%: 2,4-42,3), diarreia (OR = 4,4; IC 95%: 1,5-12,5 e sintomas gripais (OR = 8,0; IC 95%: 1,9-34,0). Contudo, a proporção de indivíduos que relataram febre foi superior entre os que receberam a vacina Oxford-AstraZeneca (OR = 3,1; IC 95%: 1,5-6,4). Este estudo observacional de base populacional reforça as evidências da segurança e tolerabilidade das vacinas CoronaVac e Oxford-AstraZeneca usadas contra a COVID-19.

Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Northeast region of Brazil.

In this household-based seroepidemiological survey, we analyzed the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sergipe State, Northeast Brazil, the poorest region of the country. A total of 16,547 individuals were tested using a rapid IgM-IgG antibody test and fluorescence immunoassay (FIA). Seroprevalence rates were presented according to age, sex, and geographic region. A comparative analysis was performed between the results obtained in July 2020 (peak of the first wave), August - November 2020 (end of the first wave), and February - March 2021 (beginning of the second wave). Seroprevalence rates in the three phases were estimated at 9.3% (95% CI 8.5-10.1), 12.0% (95% CI 11.2-12.9) and 15.4% (95% CI 14.5-16.4). At the end of the first wave, there was a rise in seroprevalence in the countryside (p < 0.001). At the beginning of the second wave, we found an increase in seroprevalence among women (p < 0.001), adults aged 20 to 59 years (p < 0.001), and the elderly (p < 0.001). In this phase, we found an increase in estimates both in metropolitan areas and in the countryside (p < 0.001). This study showed an increase in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence over the first year of the pandemic, with approximately one in six people having anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the beginning of the second wave of COVID-19. Furthermore, our results suggest a rapid spread of COVID-19 from metropolitan areas to the countryside during the first months of the pandemic.

Efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.

PURPOSE: Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic that has been tested for COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory effects and in vitro antiviral activity. This study synthesized the best evidence on the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in COVID-19. METHODS: Searches for studies were performed in peer-reviewed and grey-literature from January 1, 2020 to May 23, 2022. The following elements were used to define eligibility criteria: (1) Population: individuals with COVID-19; (2) Intervention: nitazoxanide; (3) Comparison: placebo; (4) Outcomes: primary outcome was death, and secondary outcomes were viral load, positive RT-PCR status, serum biomarkers of inflammation, composite measure of disease progression (ICU admission or invasive mechanical ventilation), and any adverse events; (5) Study type: blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Treatment effects were reported as relative risk (RR) for dichotomous variables and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Five blinded, placebo-controlled RCTs were included and enrolled individuals with mild or moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found no difference between nitazoxanide and placebo in reducing viral load (SMD = - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.38 to 0.05) and the frequency of positive RTP-PCR results (RR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.06). In addition, there was no decreased risk for disease progression (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.38 to 1.04) and death (RR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.36 to 1.78) among patients receiving nitazoxanide. Patients with COVID-19 treated with nitazoxanide had decreased levels of white blood cells (SMD = - 0.15; 95% - 0.29 to - 0.02), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (SMD - 0.32; 95% - 0.52 to - 0.13), and D-dimer (SMD - 0.49; 95% CI - 0.68 to - 0.31) compared to placebo, but the magnitude of effect was considered small to moderate. CONCLUSION: This systematic review showed no evidence of clinical benefits of the use of nitazoxanide to treat patients with mild or moderate COVID-19. In addition, we found a reduction in WBC, LDH, and D-dimer levels among nitazoxanide-treated patients, but the effect size was considered small to moderate.

Oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in an intensive care unit: a case-series study.

This study evaluated the presence of oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). Data included demographic, clinical, and laboratory information. Clinical assessment of the oral cavity was performed on the 2 nd and 5 th days of orotracheal intubation. Thirty-eight patients were evaluated and 16 (42.1%) presented oral lesions during their ICU stay. The median age and length of stay were 75 years and 15 days, respectively. Among the patients with oral lesions, ulcerative oral lesions were reported in 14 (87.5%) patients, of which 11 (78.6%) were found on the lips. This study highlights the importance of oral examination for patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19.

Factors Associated with Mortality among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Information on the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in hospitalized patients in a poor area of Brazil. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with mortality, including gender, age, and the presence of underlying medical conditions. A total of 1,207 patients were included in the analysis, and a 1.5-fold increase in COVID-19 mortality was found among patients aged > 65 years with hypertension and diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02-2.19). Moreover, infectious disease (OR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.39-13.39), kidney disease (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.27-5.27), and heart disease (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.31-3.04) were also predictive for COVID-19 in-hospital death. This large cohort provides important data on potential factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in Brazil.

Delay in head and neck cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health outcomes

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes. Information was extracted from medical records and supplemented by telephone interviews. We compared the following health outcomes: self-perception of anxiety or sadness, fear of COVID-19 infection, cancer-related complications during social isolation, self-medication, diagnosis of COVID-19, and death between patients with and without delayed cancer care. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of continuous variables and the Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Thirty-one HNC patients were included in the study, and no case of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was found. Delayed cancer care due to restriction in health services was reported in 58.1% of cases, and there was no report of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic were described for most patients (67.7%) and included pain or discomfort, swelling, and dyspnea. Eight (25.8%) patients reported use of prescribed morphine or codeine to manage pain and six (19.4%) patients reported self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We found an association between delayed HNC care and the use of self-medication (p = 0.028). This study indicated that patients with delayed HNC care during the COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to use self-medication with NSAIDs for pain management. Better strategies to follow HNC patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities need to be discussed and implemented.

The need to strengthen Primary Health Care in Brazil in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: The emergence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its association with severe pneumonia and deaths has exposed gaps in the health systems of several countries worldwide. Although the necessary focus has been to care for hospitalized patients, the strengthening of Primary Health Care (PHC) actions is necessary. PHC is the gateway to the health system in several countries, including Brazil and it plays a role in preventing, protecting, promoting, and treating individuals and communities. Brazil, like other countries, has faced the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. As Brazil has a universal and decentralized health system, in which PHC has been the model of health re-organizing the health system;here we reflected the importance of strengthening PHC in Brazil in the times of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Family COVID-19 cluster analysis of an infant without respiratory symptoms

Diagnosing cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with only non-respiratory symptoms has been challenging. We reported the diagnosis of a child who tested positive for COVID-19 with abdominal pain/diarrhea and tracked his family cluster. One member of the family tested positive for COVID-19 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay and three other family members had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Primary Health Care in Brasil in the times of COVID-19: changes, challenges and perspectives

SUMMARY The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put pressure on countries'health systems. Although attention is mostly directed at the hospital sector, since many critically ill people will need intensive care, Primary Health Care (PHC) has also been disrupted. In Brasil, a universal and free health system has existed since the 1988 Constitution, which re-organized the PHC to attend the population. However, like other countries, the Brazilian health system is being overloaded with the increase in the large number of COVID-19 cases. It is worth reflecting on the changes and challenges in PHC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brasil.