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Globally, millions of documented SARS-CoV-2 infections with hundreds of thousands of deaths already reported. The majority of the fatal events have been reported in adults older than 70 years and those who have multiple co-morbidities. Despite the misery fatality of the virus, a significant number of peoples recovered from critical conditions also. Mild cases improved significantly with symptomatic management with strict maintenance of isolation. Therefore, many people believed that COVID-19 is a short-term illness, mild cases recovered completely within 2 weeks and severe or critical illness may require 3-6 weeks for complete recovery. However, the latest issue coming forward is delayed recovery in the surviving patients from severe or moderate COVID presenting with multisystem complications. We reported two cases of post COVID complications, newly named as "long COVID syndrome”. We described the common symptoms two patients experienced following recovery from acute phase of COVID-19 and how they were managed. We also discussed on the pathogenesis and management plan of common symptoms persisting after recovery of COVID-19.
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As the current global pandemic of the novel coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) continues to rage, the scientific and medical worlds are working to establish an effective therapy against the illness. Recently questions regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a potential therapeutic option for COVID-19 have surfaced. While some studies hint towards the possible benefit of NSAIDs against SARS-CoV-2 infection, the current body of evidence also sheds light on the potential risk of using NSAIDs in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the available literature does not provide conclusive evidence for or against the use of NSAIDs for treating COVID-19 patients. Given the limited data available, we suggest cautionary approaches for the public to avoid possible harm until further evidence emerges. NSAIDs should not be used as the first-line agents for COVID-19 unlessunder medical supervision. Moreover, patients with chronic inflammatory conditions should continue the NSAIDs as per their regular prescriptions.
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The deadly complication Scientists failed to find evidence that COVID-19 causes a "cytokine storm” leading to death in patients with COVID-19 but they did find that secondary bacterial pneumonia that does not resolve was a key driver of death in patients with COVID-19 and may have exceeded death rates from the viral infection itself. The approach grouped similar ICU patient-days into clinical states based on electronic health record data and allowed the scientists to discover how complications such as bacterial pneumonia impacted the course of illness. For more on complications in COVID19 see J Clin Investig 2023;published online April 27. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI170682 For more on efficacious monoclonal antibodies see Ann Intern Med 2023;published online April 18. https://doi.org/10.7326/M22-3428 For more on targets for herpes virus see Sci Adv 2023;9: eadf3977 For more on an RSV vaccine in pregnancy see N Engl J Med 2023;388: 1451–64 For more on Pillar[5]arene see Nat Commun 2023;14: 2141 For more on doxycycline for STIs see N Engl J Med 2023;388: 1296–306 For more on immunity in tuberculosis see Nat Immunol 2023;24: 753–54
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Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA;Pennsylvania State University College of Agriculture, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA Dobson AP, Carper ER. Infectious diseases and human population history: throughout history the establishment of disease has been a side effect of the growth of civilization. Nkuchia M. M'ikanatha Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA;Pennsylvania State University College of Agriculture, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Summit participants also noted that regulators must come to a consensus regarding requirements for clinical trial data, become more familiar with technology platforms through review of data across various pathogens over time, and provide guidance on the feasibility of alternative pathways to emergency use approval, especially in the context of the 100 Days Mission (10). Speakers shared reports of progress being made on several fronts: the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are setting up mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs in South America (12) and South Africa (13);Moderna (https://www.modernatx.com) plans to set up an mRNA manufacturing facility in Kenya (14);SK bioscience (https://www.skbioscience.com) plans to produce routine vaccines in preparation for Disease X that can quickly transfer to large-scale manufacturing if a new pandemic occurs;and WHO has designated South Korea as a biomanufacturing training hub (15). More tools and innovations that enable rapid R&D and manufacturing responses will, in turn, be needed, including standardized animal models and assays, accelerated trial designs, improved rapid diagnostics, laboratory and clinical trial networks that enable data sharing, and distributed manufacturing across regions. March 8, 2022 [cited 2022 Jun 7]. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-build-mrna-vaccine-manufacturing-facility-kenya-2022-03-07/ World Health Organization.
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The author highlights many challenges ahead that limit achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB strategy without substantial additional investments and development of new tools to combat TB (the WHO End TB strategy targets a 90% reduction in TB cases and 95% reduction in TB-related deaths by 2035). [...]perhaps the book ends prematurely, because after it was written, new treatments were developed for highly drug-resistant TB that shifted to all oral regimens (WHO recommendation);a ≈90% favorable outcome was recently reported for the BPaL regimen used to treat highly drug-resistant TB (2). Emory University School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA World Health Organization.
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A nasal monoclonal antibody Investigations following a pilot trial of foralumab, the nasal monoclonal antibody a monoclonal antibody develop for inflammatory conditions and now repurposed for COVID-19, revealed decreased inflammatory markers and the same gene expression modulation seen in patients with multiple sclerosis. A subsequent gene expression analysis found changes in gene expression patterns (including NKG7, TGF beB1 and GIMAP7) involved with the anti-inflammatory effects of the drug, not only in COVID-19 patients, but also in a patient with multiple sclerosis, meaning the drug may be used for several diseases. For more on COVID-19 drug resistance see Sci Adv 2023;published online March 29. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade8778 For more on the new target for COVID-19 drugs see eLife 2023;published online March 21. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.83710 For more on the nasal monoclonal antibody see Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2023;published online March 7. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220272120 For more on antibodies for yellow fever see Sci Transl Med 2023;published online March 29. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.ade5795 For more on a new drug for mpox see J Med Virol 2023;published online March 10. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.28652 For more on the transmission of bacterial vaginosis see Cell Rep Med 2023;published online March 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100981 For more on endolysin see J Invest Dermatol 2023;published online March 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.039
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Background: Dengue fever as a mosquito-borne disease, has rapidly spread due to climate change, globalization, and human behavior. Iran is prone to dengue fever, as its vector recently has been found in the country. This study aimed to assess predictors of dengue preventive practices based on Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) factors in West Azerbaijan province, northwest of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 405 health professionals of communicable disease sector who were interested in study participation. Data-gathering instrument was an online researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics (11 items), questions based on PAPM, and dengue preventive practices (85 items). Content validity and reliability of the instrument, content validity ratio, content validity index, and Cronbach a were utilized, respectively. Descriptive, analytical, and regression analysis using SPSS and STATA were examined. Results: Regression analysis revealed that awareness of appropriate actions for dengue prevention was a stronger predictor of preventive practice in borderline and appropriate categories (ß= 4.09, p< 0.001) and (ß= 4.42, p< 0.001), re - spectively. Among factors of PAPM, beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty in borderline (ß= 1.04, p= 0.04) and appropriate (ß= 1.12, p= 0.03) groups had direct and significant relation with dengue preventive practice. Conclusion: The highest mean score of beliefs about hazard likelihood and severity factor was related to dengue prevention. Therefore, theory-based interventions that address beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty can lead to assistance in acting. To improve dengue preventive practices, a well-designed promotive intervention that addresses associated factors in a context-specific manner is essential.
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By contrast, most neutralising antibodies target the viral spike protein's relatively mutable S1 region, with which the virus binds to host-cell receptors. Known as the "Düsseldorf patient”, the 53-year-old man was treated at the University Hospital Düsseldorf for his HIV infection and received a stem cell transplant due to a blood cancer. Preventing maternal sepsis A multicountry clinical trial with more than 29 000 women in seven low and middle-income countries found only 1·6% of women who received a single dose of the antibiotic azithromycin during labour developed sepsis or died within six weeks after delivery, compared with 2·4% of those who received placebo.
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[...]what is the ethically appropriate role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)? [...]under which conditions should vaccines be mandated? [...]to what extent should democratic societies accept pandemic responses that curtail civil liberties for prolonged periods of time?
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The chapter "Disease by Decision – human-induced threats to biosafety and biosecurity” starts with the 2001 anthrax attack in the USA, which was the event that led to the Fink Report, and a range of prescient interventions, including the creation of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, a committee that later considered gain-of-function (GOF) controversies. The risk of a lab accident is discussed, but Gostin concludes that an incident with global catastrophic impact has not yet occurred, thus dismissing the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a laboratory leak. Because of the anthrax attack in 2001, the USA have been the most advanced country in considering biosecurity risks. Gostin provides a very comprehensive plan for health system strengthening, financing, research and development, governance, equitable access to pharmaceuticals, and global cooperation.
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Brain aging and COVID-19 Many biological pathways that change with natural aging in the brain also changed in patients with severe COVID-19, say researchers who used RNA sequencing to assess changes in gene expression profiles in the brain of COVID-19 patients compared with uninfected individuals. The scientists observed that gene expression in the brain tissue of patients who died of COVID-19 closely resembled that of uninfected individuals aged 71 years or older. In genetially modified mice, the emergency mode of haematopoiesis ran without any detectable infection or increased interferon levels and these genetically modified animals were better able to fight off infection with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes than normal mice.
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Together, we create educational materials, develop practice and policy recommendations, and honor the careers of our members with the APIC-SHEA Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Field of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, which is jointly selected and presented at both societies' national meetings. Together, we have efforts planned for the coming year to develop expert guidance related to staffing and resources necessary for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship programs to assist you in advocating for support from institutional leadership. For now, you can help to recruit the next generation of professionals who will enter this field as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals by introducing students to infection prevention and epidemiology roles, by inspiring them with stories of your own career path, and by involving them in this work.
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In mice and ferrets, the vaccine produced high levels of cross-reactive and subtype-specific antibodies and could protect animals against disease symptoms and death after infection with both antigenically matched and mismatched strains of influenza virus. According to the researchers, this "immunologic memory” of the original HIV infection is why people living with HIV are susceptible to prolonged inflammation, putting them at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities. The researchers isolated human immune cells in vitro and exposed them to the HIV protein Nef and then introduced a bacterial toxin to generate an immune response from the Nef-exposed cells.
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Lawrence Gostin’s Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future comes along at an opportune time, as a pandemic reminds humankind of the importance of public health response to our wellbeing and security (Figure). The book addresses the types of infectious disease outbreaks and actions needed to prepare and respond, emphasizing the roles of multinational agreements and international cooperation. For readers knowledgeable about global health security, the content might serve as a refresher, for persons unfamiliar with the subject, as an introduction. Gostin, director of Georgetown Law School’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, shaped by experiences as a lawyer and interactions with the World Health Organization, examines scientific and policy approaches. He discusses COVID-19 throughout the book and emphasizes health equity, drawing attention towards disadvantaged populations in low- and middle-income countries
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As the new year begins, one cannot help but recall the start of 2020, when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and public health experts and scientists realized that a situation with possible major impact worldwide was emerging. At this time, there were many uncertainties about the virus itself, its abilities to spread and the disease it might cause. Much progress has been made since and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is much better understood and mitigated. Irrespectively, at the start of 2023 there are new challenges. Following the lifting of the stringent COVID-19 measures (zero-COVID strategy) in Sep 2022 in China, the country is experiencing a massive surge of cases while the new, highly transmissible Omicron variant sublineage XBB.1.5 continues to spread at a high pace in parts of the US. Public health experts are watching and analyzing the situation in both China and the US closely. Based on 564 sequences collected since Dec 1, 2022 from China and deposited by Jan 3, 2022 in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) EpiCoV database, there are no clear signs of new variants circulating in the country.
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The COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists was born with an aim to support those on the ground who wanted to showcase the impact of the virus within their communities, and over 300 projects were funded from 70 countries. Pictured here are healthworkers whose day-to-day experience was at the mercy of the virus: a doctor in Belgium tries to explain the importance of testing to a distressed patient in a care-home (p 118), whilst staff in Ambikapur, India, tend to a woman who has fainted as samples are taken from her husband (p 132). [...]the collection concludes with the chapter Grief/Hope.
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To inform the efficient allocation of testing resources, we evaluated the characteristics of those tested for COVID-19 to determine predictors of a positive test. Recent travel and exposure to a confirmed case were both highly predictive of positive testing. Symptom-based screening strategies alone may be inadequate to control the ongoing pandemic.
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[...]antimicrobials are being used in empirical or targeted treatment for co- or superinfection outside the respiratory tract. [...]most data regarding bacterial and fungal respiratory co- and superinfections in the context of a viral respiratory pandemic are derived from previous influenza pandemics,4 and data from previous coronavirus epidemics are limited.5–7 In any case, bacterial and fungal respiratory co- and superinfections during large outbreaks of viral respiratory illnesses are probably underdiagnosed due to a shortage of trained healthcare personnel and/or supplies, infection control requirements, high workload, and the emergent nature of the primary viral disease that make the diagnosis complex and laborious. Data from the current COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with previous coronavirus epidemics, show that the rate of bacterial and fungal co- or superinfection is relative low, but the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials is very common.1 Specifically, in the current literature, bacterial and fungal co- and superinfections have been reported in 8% of COVID-19 cases, while 72% of these patients received broad-spectrum antibacterials.1 Finally, in the era of COVID-19, the liberal use of antimicrobials adds an unnecessary risk for possible unfavorable outcomes due to their potential toxicity.8 In addition, their empirical use based on local patterns of resistance has an undetermined probability of failure because during pandemics, significant changes in the pattern of endemic pathogens may evolve.7 Antimicrobial stewardship programs are imperative components of a successful response to COVID-19, and interventions to support the optimal use of antimicrobials are urgently needed. [...]results from further research emerge and stronger evidence is available, the following antimicrobial stewardship strategies should be implemented: