On clinical manifestations of the new coronavirus infection in newborns.

The aim of the research. To study the specifics in manifestations of the new coronavirus infection in newborns. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of observations of 28 newborns diagnosed with the new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 dated from June to December 2020 was performed. The infants were transferred from the perinatal centre for hospitalisation to the infectious department of a children's hospital. The patients were born to mothers with COVID-19 as well as mothers discharged from hospital and hospitalised later due to COVID-19 acquired through family contact. Clinical and laboratory data of 12 female and 16 male children aged 1 to 28 days were studied. Results. Clinical symptoms of the new coronavirus infection in newborns tend to be different: from asymptomatic course in 46.5 % of the patients to evident pneumonia in 50 % of the children. The newborns admitted with COVID-19 acquired through family contact had more severe disease manifestations. Conclusion. Amidst the pandemic rise of its incidence, the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 is not rare among newborns. COVID-19 newborns did not have a registered severe nosocomial infection, sepsis, multisystem inflammatory syndrome.Copyright © 2022, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University. All rights reserved.

Signs and symptoms commonly seen in COVID-19 in newborns, children, and adolescents and pediatric subjects

The recent findings reported that the most frequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical course in pediatric subjects ranged from mild to moderate form in with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and nasal congestion. On the contrary, a lower frequency of severe COVID-19 forms was reported, including refractory metabolic acidosis, coagulation disorders, tachypnea, severe pneumonia, and septic shock. Recent literature is associated with the COVID-19 pediatric subject to the acute multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) with abdominal symptoms and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The recent findings seem to support that the unvaccinated and comorbid children could present more severe clinical forms. Few data of COVID-19 hospitalization in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in schools were reported during the first wave. The main reasons could be correlated to the early school's closure, while the swabs were destined more frequently to adult symptomatic subjects. The pandemic state generated rise in psychological disorders, anxiety, and depression more frequently during the first year of the disease spread, with a higher prevalence in older adolescents. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The clinical manifestation and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with a history of ischemic heart disease; a retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered an independent risk factor for COVID-19. However, no study has specifically examined the clinical manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study between 20 March 2020 to 20 May 2020, the medical record of 1611 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was reviewed. IHD was defined as a history of an abnormal coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or chronic stable angina. Demographic data, past medical history, drug history, symptoms, vital signs, laboratory findings, outcome, and death were investigated from medical records. RESULTS: 1518 Patients (882 men (58.1%)) with a mean age of 59.3 ± 15.5 years were included in the study. Patients with IHD (n = 300) were significantly less likely to have fever (OR: 0.170, 95% CI: 0.34-0.81, P < 0.001), and chills (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.45-0.91, P < 0.001). Patients with IHD were 1.57 times more likely to have hypoxia (83.3% vs. 76%, OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13-2.19, P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in terms of WBC, platelets, lymphocytes, LDH, AST, ALT, and CRP between the two groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities and vital signs, the risk factors for mortality of these patients were older age (OR: 1.04 and 1.07) and cancer (OR: 1.03, and 1.11) in both groups. In addition, in the patients without IHD, diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.50), CKD (OR: 1.21) and chronic respiratory diseases (OR: 1.48) have increased the odds of mortality. In addition, the use of anticoagulants (OR: 2.77) and calcium channel blockers (OR: 2.00) has increased the odds of mortality in two groups. CONCLUSION: In comparison with non-IHD, the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as fever, chills and diarrhea were less common among patients with a history of IHD. Also, older age, and comorbidities (including cancer, diabetes mellitus, CKD and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases) have been associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with IHD. In addition, the use of anticoagulants and calcium channel blockers has increased the chance of death in two groups without and with IHD.

Pathophysiology and Management of Tongue Involvement in COVID-19 Patients.

Evaluate the lingual manifestations of COVID-19, and provide a clinical guide in managing these symptoms. Electronic databases, such as PubMed/Medline, and Scopus were searched until November 1, 2020, and only randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional and cohort studies, as well as case reports and series, and review articles in English were considered. A total of 40 studies were included in this study. Lingual involvement has been extensively reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The most common features of lingual involvements were red or light red, yellow coating, and greasy coating tongue, though other complications, such as pale, purple, white coating, grayish-black coating, rough, tender, puffy, spotty, prickles, fissured, and tooth-marked tongue was also reported. Poor oral hygiene, opportunistic infections (OIs), medications, and hyper-inflammatory response to infection are the most common predisposing factors for the onset of oral lesions in patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, the current review described the lingual manifestations of COVID-19, and as oral complaints are relatively common in COVID-19 patients, an intraoral examination should be conducted in all suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Lassa Fever. Part 2. Laboratory Diagnostics, Treatment, Development of Medications

Globalization and high-speed means of transportation contribute to the spread of infections dangerous to humans. Airborne pathogens have pandemic potential as currently shown in case of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Natural focal Lassa fever (LF) common in West African countries, in 35 cases was registered in non-endemic geographical areas because any person infected with Lassa virus (LASV) is a long-term source of infection (up to two months). Cases of person-to-person infection in endemic territories are described. In Germany, the facts of secondary virus transmission from patients to doctors have been recorded during the examination and blood collection from an apparently healthy person as well as during the autopsy of a deceased subjects due to severe LF course. Nonspecific malaise symptoms in LF are also characteristic of numerous other diseases common on the African continent, e.g., malaria and typhoid fever or viral infections such as yellow fever, Chikungunya, dengue and Zika, monkey pox and Ebola virus disease. In this regard, there may be similar dermatological manifestations. Timely detection of cases and differential diagnosis are crucial to ensure safe patient care and use of affordable antiviral therapy for LL provided by the drug Ribavirin. Research methods for studying LASV use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting viral RNA, electron microscopy, isolation of infectious virus cultured sensitive cells, indirect immunofluorescence reaction, enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and immuno-chromatographic assays for the detection of antibodies and/or antigen as well as immunoblotting. Currently, test kits based on molecular and genetic methods are mainly used for LF laboratory diagnostics. Since the 1980s, ribavirin has been used to treat patients with LF. The serum accumulation of the drug in large quantities causes hemolysis, development of anemia and impaired renal function. In this regard, treatment options are being considered with decline in its concentration due to combined use with other antiviral drugs. A search for new therapeutic agents capable of inhibiting viral replication at disease early stage has been in progress due to lack of any approved vaccines.

Comparison of pulmonary computed tomography scan findings and clinical symptoms of COVID-19 in three outbreak peaks in Isfahan, Iran.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the relationship between the anatomical distribution of pulmonary lesions in computed tomography scan of patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was performed in 2020-2021 in Isfahan on 300 patients infected with COVID-19 pneumonia. We collected data on the age, gender, and comorbidities of patients. In addition, we gathered data on the clinical manifestations of the patients from their medical records. Results: We noted a significant decline in symptoms such as fever and sputum production in the second and third peak in comparison to the first peak (P < 0.05). Moreover, cough and muscular pain were higher in the second and third peaks compared to the first peak (P < 0.05). Cough was the most common clinical manifestation related to the peripheral distribution of the involvements, bilateral lung disease, and right lower lobe (RLL) involvements in the first peak. In the second COVID-19 peak, fever and cough were the most common clinical findings, respectively, that were mostly associated with peripheral distribution and left lower lobe involvement. Conclusion: Cough was the most common clinical manifestation related to the peripheral distribution of the involvements, bilateral lung disease, and RLL involvements in the first peak. In the second COVID-19 peak, fever and cough were the most common clinical findings.

Evaluation of clinical manifestations of coronavirus delta variant in neonates admitted to a hospital in northern Iran during the sixth wave: A case series.

Eleven newborns infected with COVID-19 delta variant admitted to a hospital in northern Iran during the sixth wave were evaluated. Fever, poor breastfeeding, lethargy, and lung involvement were the most prevalent symptoms in COVID-19 delta variant infected neonates. Infected mothers may be a main cause of infection for neonates.

Impact of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Pregnant Women: A Review

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency. Since its outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the infection has spread at an alarming rate across the globe and humans have been locked down to their countries, cities and homes. As of now, the virus has affected over 20 million people globally and has inflicted over 7 lac deaths. Nevertheless, the recovery rate is improving with each passing day and over 14 million people have recuperated so far. The statistics indicate that nobody is immune to the disease as the virus continues to spread among all age groups, newborns to the elders, and all compartments including pregnant women. However, pregnant women may be more susceptible to this infection as they are, in general, highly vulnerable to respiratory infections. There is no evidence for vertical transmission of the COVID-19 virus among pregnant women, but an increased prevalence of preterm deliveries. Be-sides this, the COVID-19 may alter immune response at the maternal-fetal interface and affect the well-being of mothers as well as infants. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence available in the open literature regarding coronavirus infection during pregnancy and it now appears that certain pregnant women have been infected during the present 2019-nCoV pandemic. In this perspective, we study the impact of the COVID-19 infection on vertical transmission and fetal outcomes among pregnant women.Copyright © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.

Deep Network Analysis and Prediction of Ophthalmic Disorders

Everybody, around the globe, is aware that their kids, relatives, and family are suffering from the pandemic COVID-19. S everal people are still facing post-COVID-19 issues. During COVID-19's second wave, mucormycosis, sometimes known as "black fungus, " plagued people, especially those who had previously been infected with the virus. The clinical manifestations of mucormycosis are quite varied, the disease affects the skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue, and visceral organs such as the eyes and brain. This paper surveys the Mucormycosis-affected eye diseases due to post-COVID-19 complications and leverages the Machine learning model to differentiate it from other eye diseases. COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis carries a very high mortality rate and timely detection that can assist people in starting therapy at an early stage of the disease, increasing their chances of recovery. Though it was evaluated for a specific disease (COVID-19-associated mucormycosis) we ended up developing a framework that can detect other eye diseases. Thus, the goal of this research is to distinguish Mucormycosis from other eye diseases such as Bulging Eyes, Cataracts, Crossed Eyes, Glaucoma, and Uveitis. This study implies Deep learning techniques with a Convolutional Neural Network based on the TensorFlow and Keras model to detect and make use of computer vision to accurately classify eye diseases. We achieved a precision of 70% in this study by developing a webpage using the trained model for an eye diseases evaluation. © 2022 IEEE

Vitamin D and COVID-19 Infection

Objective: The COVID-19 epidemic resulted in a global crisis of public health. Therefore, the possibility of prevention, leading to reduced infection and/or an improved disease state, is the subject of intensive attention. The novelty of this study is the direct evaluation of vitamin D levels with the risk of COVID-19 infection. Background(s): Currently, several nutraceuticals, including vitamin D, beta-glucan, and some minerals, are being studied for their role in stimulating immunity. Our study focused on the relationship between levels of vitamin D in immunodeficient patients and the risk of the development of COVID-19. Method(s): In this study, patients were supplemented with vitamin D. Result(s): In a group of 71 patients, we found that patients with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml had an increased risk of COVID-19 development and more severe disease progress. In patients with blood levels over 40 ng/ml, we consistently found high levels of protection against COVID-19 infection. Conclusion(s): The most important finding is that vitamin D levels above 40 ng/ml result in the reduction of risks of serious clinical manifestation of COVID-19 infection.Copyright © 2023 Richter et al.

Clinical characteristics of Guillain-Barre syndrome in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a complication that occurs in patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infection. The spectrum of symptoms varies from mild to severe symptoms, even death. The study aimed to compare the clinical manifestations in GBS patients with and without COVID-19 comorbidity. Results: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and cross-sectional studies was conducted comparing the characteristics and course of GBS disease in the COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative groups. Four articles were selected with a total sample of 61 COVID-19 positive and 110 COVID-19 negative GBS patients. Based on clinical manifestations, COVID-19 infection increased the likelihood of tetraparesis (OR: 2.54; 95% CI 1.12-5.74; p = 0.03) and the presence of facial nerve involvement (OR: 2.34; 95% CI 1.00-5.47; p = 0.05). Demyelinating type GBS or AIDP was more common in the COVID-19 positive group (OR: 2.32; 95% CI 1.16-4.61; p = 0.02). COVID-19 in GBS significantly increased the need for intensive care (OR: 3.32; 95% CI 1.48-7.46; p = 0.004) and the use of mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.42; 95% CI 1.00-5.86; p = 0.05). Conclusions: GBS following COVID-19 infection showed more severe variations in clinical characteristics compared to the group of GBS patients without COVID-19. Early detection of GBS, especially the typical manifestations post COVID-19 infection, is very important to carry out intensive monitoring and early management before the patient's condition worsens.

Influencing factors of nucleic acid negative conversion in patients with mild and common COVID-19 induced by the Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical characteristics of mild and common COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant, and to analyze related factors affecting the time to negative conversion of viral nucleic acid detection. METHODS: Clinical data of 1781 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to a cabin hospital in Shanghai from April 12 to May 26, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed, including age, gender, height, weight, clinical symptoms, comorbid diseases, COVID-19 vaccination, treatment, and nucleic acid negative conversion time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the influencing factors of nucleic acid negative conversion time. RESULTS: Among the 1781 patients, 995 were male and 786 were female, with a median age of 39 (30, 52) years. There were 727 patients (40.8%) with overweight and obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 24 kg/cm 2) and 413 patients (23.2%) had comorbid diseases. 205 cases (11.5%) were not vaccinated while 1576 cases were vaccinated. There were 1233 cases (69.2%) with one or more symptoms. The main clinical symptoms were cough (60.3%), expectoration (50.4%) and fever (36.9%). 1444 cases (81.0%) were treated with Chinese medicine, 78 cases (4.4%) were treated with western medicine, 14 cases (0.8%) were treated with integrated Chinese and western medicine, and 245 cases (13.8%) did not receive any medical treatment. All patients improved and were discharged. The median nucleic acid negative conversion time was 10.3 (7.4, 12.4) d. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that, age ≥ 60 years ( OR＝1.537, 95% CI: 1.116 - 2.115, P<0.01), BMI > 24 kg/cm 2 ( OR＝1.344, 95% CI: 1.106 - 1.634, P<0.01 ) and hypertension ( OR＝1.518, 95% CI: 1.094 - 2.106, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for prolonged nucleic acid negative conversion. COVID-19 vaccination ( OR=0.548, 95% CI: 0.398 - 0.755, P<0.01) was a protective factor, that is, vaccination shortened the time for the nucleic acid test to become negative. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of the Omicron variant infection were relatively mild and occult. Age ≥ 60 years old, comorbid hypertension, no vaccination and BMI > 24 kg/cm 2 are independent influencing factors for prolonged nucleic acid negative conversion.

Gastrointestinal manifestations in children with COVID-19 infection: Retrospective tertiary center experience.

Objective: The majority of pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) cases demonstrate asymptomatic, mild or moderate disease. The main symptoms in children with COVID-19 are respiratory symptoms but some patients develop gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury. We aim to review gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury in children with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Method: This is a retrospective case note review of children with positive COVID-19 nasal Polymerase Chain Reaction aged 0-18 years admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital from March 1st till June 1st 2020. Results: 180 children were identified. Mean age was 5 years (Range: 0.01-17), the majority of patients were school aged (30%). Patients were mainly from East Asia 81 (45%) and Arabs 67 (37%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were encountered in 48 (27%) patients and 8 (4%) patients had only Gastrointestinal symptoms with no associated fever or respiratory symptoms. Liver injury was seen in 57 (32%) patients. Patients with fever and cough were more likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms (P = <0.001 and 0.004 respectively). Fever was more likely to be associated with liver injury (P = 0.021). Children with abdominal pain were more likely to have elevated C-Reactive Protein (P = 0.037). Patients with diarrhea and vomiting were more likely to have elevated procalcitonin (P = 0.034 and 0.002 respectively). Children with Gastrointestinal symptoms were not more likely to be admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (P = 0.57). Conclusion: COVID-19 infection in children can display gastrointestinal symptoms at initial presentation. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms can be the only symptoms patients display. We demonstrated that children with gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury can develop more severe COVID-19 disease and are more likely to have fever, cough, and raised inflammatory markers. Identifying children with gastrointestinal manifestations needs to be part of the initial screening assessment of children.What is known?• Pediatric COVID-19 cases mostly demonstrate asymptomatic, mild or moderate disease.• The symptoms in children are mainly respiratory but some display gastrointestinal symptoms.• Children with COVID-19 display increased gastrointestinal symptoms when compared to adults.What is new?• Children with COVID-19 displaying gastrointestinal symptoms are more likely to have fever, cough and elevated inflammatory markers.• Children with liver injury are more likely to develop fever.• Children with gastrointestinal involvement in COVID-19 are more likely to demonstrate more severe disease but are not more likely to be admitted to PICU.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibody in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical data on patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant are limited, especially on clinical status after the application of antibody therapy. METHODS: We evaluated clinical status in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant after BRII-196 and BRII-198 treatment in an infectious disease hospital in China. We collected data on clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, radiological characteristics, viral load, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: In mid-June 2021, 36 patients with delta variant infection were identified in Shenzhen. The most common symptoms at illness onset were cough (30.6%), fever (22.2%), myalgia (16.7%), and fatigue (16.7%). A small number of patients in this study had underlying diseases, including diabetes (5.6%) and hypertension (8.3%). The application of BRII-196 and BRII-198 can rapidly increase anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The median peak IgG levels in the antibody treatment group were 32 times higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The time from admission to peak IgG levels in the antibody treatment group (mean: 10.2 days) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (mean: 17.7 days). Chest CT score dropped rapidly after antibody therapy, with a mean duration of 5.74 days from admission to peak levels. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the application of BRII-196 and BRII-198 antibody therapy improved clinical status in patients with SARS-CoV-2 delta variant infection.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status Among Healthcare Workers and Its Effect on Disease Manifestations: A Study From Northeast India.

Background and objective Since being declared a global pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to millions of cases and deaths worldwide. Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to wreak havoc on individuals, healthcare systems, and economies, the intensive vaccination strategies adopted by several countries have significantly slowed the progress and the severity of the disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the COVID-19 vaccination status among healthcare workers (HCWs) and examine the effects of vaccination on disease manifestations. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital in Northeast India from April 2021 to September 2021, during the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. HCWs employed in the hospital who were laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 based on semiquantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) on oropharyngeal samples were included in the study. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) Results A total of 178 HCWs reported positive for COVID-19 infection during the study period. Of these, 42 (23.59%) were males and 136 were females (76.40%). Among them, 86 (48.32%) HCWs were fully vaccinated, 58 (32.58%) were partially vaccinated, and 34 (19.10%) were not vaccinated. Most of the HCWs experienced mild disease (145, 81.46%), and only four (2.24%) reported moderate to severe disease. Compared with unvaccinated HCWs, individuals who have had either one or two doses of vaccines were less likely to have moderate to severe disease or seek treatment at the hospital. On symptoms analysis, shortness of breath was found to be more common in unvaccinated individuals than in vaccinated patients, and anosmia and loss of taste were more common in vaccinated than in unvaccinated individuals. No deaths were reported among the participants included in this study. Conclusions Following the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial proportion of HCWs were infected with SARS-CoV-2, likely as a result of the acquisition of the virus in the community during the early phase of local spread. Fully vaccinated individuals with COVID-19 were more likely to be completely asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic compared to unvaccinated HCWs.

[A case report of neonatal severe coronavirus disease 2019]. / æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿é‡åž‹æ–°åž‹å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’è‚ºç‚Ž1例报告.

A 7-day-old male neonate was admitted due to testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. The neonate was born through cesarian section at 40 weeks and 2 days of gestation. His mother was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Omicron variant infection 1 day before delivery. The neonate was separated from his mother after birth and was taken care of by his father. Three days after the neonate was born, his father was also diagnosed with COVID-19. The neonate was diagnosed with COVID-19 on day 7 of life. The neonate presented with hyperpyrexia, dyspnea, hypoxia, and feeding difficulties, and the chest CT showed the coexistence of consolidation and ground glass-like changes mainly located below the posterior pleura. He was given symptomatic support treatment such as low flow oxygen therapy and posture management after admission. He was cured and discharged after 10 days of hospitalization. This is the first reported case of neonatal severe COVID-19 caused by Omicron variant infection in China. It is necessary to take appropriate protective measures for the neonate to prevent infection when the mother or caregiver of the neonate is a suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

LASSA FEVER. PART 2. LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS, TREATMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICATIONS.

Globalization and high-speed means of transportation contribute to the spread of infections dangerous to humans. Airborne pathogens have pandemic potential as currently shown in case of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Natural focal Lassa fever (LF) common in West African countries, in 35 cases was registered in non-endemic geographical areas because any person infected with Lassa virus (LASV) is a long-term source of infection (up to two months). Cases of person-to-person infection in endemic territories are described. In Germany, the facts of secondary virus transmission from patients to doctors have been recorded during the examination and blood collection from an apparently healthy person as well as during the autopsy of a deceased subjects due to severe LF course. Nonspecific malaise symptoms in LF are also characteristic of numerous other diseases common on the African continent, e.g., malaria and typhoid fever or viral infections such as yellow fever, Chikungunya, dengue and Zika, monkey pox and Ebola virus disease. In this regard, there may be similar dermatological manifestations. Timely detection of cases and differential diagnosis are crucial to ensure safe patient care and use of affordable antiviral therapy for LL provided by the drug Ribavirin. Research methods for study ing LASV use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting viral RNA, electron microscopy, isolation of infectious virus cultured sensitive cells, indirect immunofluorescence reaction, enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and immunochromatographic assays for the detection of antibodies and/or antigen as well as immunoblotting. Currently, test kits based on molecular and genetic methods are mainly used for LF laboratory diagnostics. Since the 1980s, ribavirin has been used to treat patients with LF. The serum accumulation of the drug in large quantities causes hemolysis, development of anemia and impaired renal function. In this regard, treatment options are being considered with decline in its concentration due to combined use with other antiviral drugs. A search for new therapeutic agents capable of inhibiting viral replication at disease early stage has been in progress due to lack of any approved vaccines. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Глобализация и скоростные средства передвижения способствуют распространению инфекций, опасных для человека. Патогены, передаваемые воздушно-капельным путем, обладают пандемическим потенциалом, как в настоящее время показано на примере нового коронавируса SARS-CoV-2. Природно-очаговая лихорадка Ласса (ЛЛ), распространенная в странах западной Африки, в 35 случаях была зарегистрирована на неэндемичных географических районах, так как человек, инфицированный вирусом Ласса (Lassa virus, LASV), является источником инфекции длительное время (до двух месяцев). На эндемичных территориях описаны случаи заражения при передаче вируса «от человека к человеку». В Германии зафиксированы факты вторичной передачи вируса от пациентов врачам при осмотре и взятии крови у внешне здорового человека, а также при вскрытии погибшего в результате тяжелого течения ЛЛ. Неспецифические симптомы недомогания при ЛЛ характерны и для других многочисленных заболеваний, распространенных на африканском континенте, например, при малярии и брюшном тифе или при вирусных инфекциях - это желтая лихорадка, лихорадки Чикунгунья, денге и Зика, оспа обезьян и болезнь, вызванная вирусом Эбола. При протекании этих болезней могут быть и схожие дерматологические проявления. Своевременное выявление заболевших и дифференциальная диагностика имеют решающее значение для обеспечения безопасного ухода за пациентами и применения доступной противовирусной терапии (при ЛЛ это препарат рибавирин). Методы научных исследований LASV включают: анализы на основе полимеразной цепной реакции (ПЦР) по определению вирусной РНК, электронную микроскопию, выделение инфекционного вируса на культуре чувствительных клеток, реакцию непрямой иммунофлуоресценции (РНИФ), иммуноферментный (ИФА) и иммунохроматографический (ИХА) анализы по выявлению антител и/или антигена, а также иммуноблоттинг. Для диагностики ЛЛ в настоящее время, в основном, используют тест-системы на основе молекулярно-генетических методов. С 80-х гг. XX в. и до сих пор для лечения пациентов с ЛЛ используют рибавирин, но накопление этого препарата в плазме в больших количествах вызывает гемолиз, развитие анемии и нарушение функции почек. В связи с этим рассматриваются варианты лечения при уменьшении его концентрации за счет сочетанного использования с другими противовирусными препаратами. Идет поиск новых терапевтических средств, способных ингибировать вирусную репликацию на ранней стадии болезни, так как зарегистрированные вакцины отсутствуют. (Russian) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Russian Journal of Infection & Immunity is the property of National Electronic-Information Consortium and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Clinical Manifestation and Obstetric Outcomes in Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infection at Delivery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations, complications, and maternal-fetal outcomes in patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during delivery. The cohort included 61 pregnant women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of delivery. Patients were divided into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic. We found a significantly higher rate of leukocytosis (p < 0.00078) and lymphopenia (p < 0.0024) in symptomatic women compared with asymptomatic ones. Other laboratory parameters, such as CRP (p = 0.002), AST (p = 0.007), LDH (p = 0.0142), ferritin (p = 0.0036), and D-dimer (p = 0.00124), were also significantly more often increased in the group of symptomatic pregnant women. Overall, symptomatic pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection at the delivery show more often altered laboratory parameters compared with asymptomatic ones; nevertheless, they have a slightly higher but non-significant rate of preterm delivery, cesarean section, as well as lower neonatal birth weight and Apgar score, compared with asymptomatic women.

Clinical characteristics and epidemiological significance of coronavirus disease 2019 in children and adolescents. / 儿童和青少年2019å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’ç— çš„ä¸´åºŠè¡¨çŽ°åŠæµè¡Œç— å­¦æ„ä¹‰.

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in late December 2019, and spread rapidly throughout the world. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared global epidemic of COVID-19. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 13 million children have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the outbreak. In general, children and teens have milder symptoms and fewer deaths from COVID-19 than adults. Understanding the symptoms, infectivity, and transmission patterns of COVID-19 in children and adolescents is of great significance for timely identifying suspected patients and developing effective control measures. Considering that some children will not be vaccinated for quite some time in the future, it is more important to improve the understanding of the clinical and epidemiological significance of COVID-19 in children and adolescents. This article summarizes the current understanding of the clinical manifestations and epidemiological significance of COVID-19 in children and adolescents to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment and the formulation of epidemic prevention and control strategies in children's gathering institutions such as kindergartens and schools.

Prediction Models for COVID-19 in Children

COVID-19 can also be acquired by children and compared to adults, most of the time they have only mild cases. Moreover, clinical manifestations in children are non-specific and can also be seen in other viral infections. Nonetheless, they are also susceptible to acquire the severe form of the disease requiring urgent hospitalization. In our study, we applied several machine learning models for COVID-19 prediction among children using only the clinical laboratory findings. The best performing models were obtained with random forest, decision tree, AdaBoost, and XGBoost with a 95–98% accuracy, 96–100% sensitivity and 92–96% specificity. Because of data imbalance, random oversampling was applied resulting to the improvement of performance metrics particularly of the best performing models. The top three important features for the best performing model (random forest) were leukocytes, platelets, and eosinophils. Our study has generated useful insights of using widely available, simple, and readily measurable laboratory blood counts in the development of robust models to predict COVID-19 in children with high reliability. These models can be used as decision-support tools in clinical practice when to request a COVID-19 diagnostic test, particularly in cases of limited RT-PCR tests. Tools aided with machine learning can thus be utilized to optimize constrained resources. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.