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Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in about 10-15 % of hospitalized patients and represents a significant cause of death. This percentage, during the Covid-19 pandemic, seems to have increased. A meta-analysis reports an overall incidence of AKI, in patients with SARS-CoV2 infection, of 20.4%. The determining cause is not yet clear: direct and indirect damage (from cytokines cascade, iatrogenic damage, organ cross-talk, sepsis, mechanical ventilation, endothelial dysfunction and hypercoagulation) participate in the determination of the loss of renal function. Material(s) and Method(s): We have selected all patients, including SARS-CoV2 infection, admitted to the AOU Polyclinic 'G.Martino' from February 2022 to April 2022, who needed renal replacement therapy (RRT). Result(s): Twelve patients (50%) had SARS-CoV2 infection. Table 1 reports the characteristics of the patients divided according to SARS-CoV2 infection at admission;no significant difference is present. In accordance to the know negative prognostic value of AKI stage 3, 18 patients (75%) died during hospitalization. We then divided the patients into two groups according to death (tab.2). In death patients median creatinine was higher than in survival patients, but, on the other hand, in death patients hemodialytic therapy was done later. Conclusion(s): Our data show the importance of timing in the start of renal replacement therapy and the impossibility of reducing the choice to laboratory indications. Patients with increased renal impairment may be clinically more stable so starting dialysis treatment may not be an emergency. Conversely, patients who do not have a major alteration of the laboratory parameters, but with a more complex clinical picture, may have a better prognosis if, after an overall evaluation, the renal replacement treatment is started early. Moreover, our data show that blood chemical analysis data at admission in Covid-19 patients are not different from patients without Covid-19. Additionally, patients with SARS-CoV2 infection, may have clinical features (related for example to organ cross-talk or the need for mechanical ventilation) that could benefit from an early start of hemodialytic treatment with better outcomes.
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A 33yo man, ex-convict, with a history of IV substance abuse, without previous cardiological history, was admitted at our emergency department in the clinical context of an acute pericarditis, intermittent fever in the last 10 days and non-itchy maculo-papular erythema of palms and thorax. EKG documented a diffuse ST-segment elevation, chest X-rays revealed a bilateral pleural effusion and echocardiography documented a normal biventricular morphology and function, normal valvular function, and a circumferential pericardial effusion (14mm). The patient was admitted at our Cardiology Unit after a negative PCR SARS-CoV-2 test. Blood chemistry showed elevated WBC count with an important neutrophilia (24.000/mm3;90% neutrophils), elevated TnI-HS (236 ng/L;n.v. <18 ng/L), elevated C-reactive protein (340 mg/L;n.v. < 5mg/L). A classic anti-inflammatory therapy was set up with indomethacin + colchicine with little clinical benefit. Blood cultures, bacterial serology (i.e., Tubercolosis, T.gondii, Syphilis, Leptospirosis) and viral serology (i.e., HIV, HCV, HBV, EBV, HSV) resulted negative. However, an empirical antibiotic coverage was set up: sequentially with Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Vancomycin, Linezolid and Ceftriaxone. None of the antibiotics improved patient's clinical status. On the contrary, the patient developed an allergic reaction to Vancomycin and Linezolid. All autoantibodies tested resulted negative. After 10 days of hospitalization, the patient's clinical status continued to deteriorate. The intermittent fever (max 41degreeC) was not responsive to any treatment. The evanescent skin rash had spread to the whole body and was concomitant with the fever peaks. The indexes of inflammation were rising (C-reactive protein 400 mg/ L) and so were the WBC count (36.000/mm3). The patient lost weight (-8kg), developed hand and feet arthralgia, diffuse myalgia, painful retronucal lymph nodes, pharyngodynia and abdominal pain. An abdominal echography and CT were performed with evidence of mild abdominal effusion and splenomegaly. Hepatic cytolysis indices began to rise (AST 100 U/L;ALT 150 U/L;LDH 385 U/L). At that point, on the basis of Yamaguchi's Criteria, we suspected our patient could be affected by Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) with an initial stage of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Prednisone (IV 2 mg/kg/die) was administered for 72h with an incomplete clinical and biochemical response (C-reactive Protein 180 mg/L). Subsequently, Anakinra (SC 100 mg/die) was administered with a complete clinical response in less than 72h. AOSD is very uncommon. The annual incidence is 0.16/100.000 with an equal distribution between sexes. HLH have been observed in 15% of patients, meanwhile myopericarditis is a rare complication. Although rare, it is fair to know and consider AOSD in the complicated and tricky diagnostic process of myopericarditis. A noteworthy point of this case report is the extreme efficacy of Anakinra in contexts of systemic inflammation and myopericarditis. A point still to be clarified concerns the duration of the treatment and the down-titration of Anakinra in these complicated contexts..
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Background SARS-CoV-2, which appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China (1) in the first pandemic wave (from February 24 to June 11, 2020) infected more than 236,000 people, in the second wave (from September 14 to December 31, 2020) the number of infected was more than 1,822,000 (2). During the first wave, in our P.O., the number of deceased, as well as hospitalizations in intensive care were higher. Purpose of the work In our study we evaluated haematological alterations in hospitalized COVID 19 patients and, often in critical condition, for a hyperinflammatory state secondary to cytokine storm related to alterations of CD4/CD8 T lymphocytes. Materials and methods In the period between March and December 2020, 160 patients (97 males, 63 females average age 63.33 years + / -10.2) were enrolled in the COVID department of the P.O. S.Giuliano, because they were positive for the molecular swab in RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2. For each patient, blood count with smear, routine blood chemistry tests and in particular c-reactive protein, ferritin, ves, LDH, procalcitonin, troponin, fibrinogen, D-Dimer were performed. Results In COVID 19 patients with more severe symptoms, there was an increase in the value of white blood cells with an average of 20.0+/-5.0X103/microlitre (increase in neutrophils and monocytes, reduction in lymphocytes with NLR>5.92). Cytofluorimetric analysis has shown that CD3 T lymphocytes are significantly reduced. Patients with more severe syntoms showed a significant increase in C-Reactive Protein (10.6+/-7.5mg/dl), Troponin (433+/-400pg/ml), Myoglobin (3700+/-3000ng/ml),Fibrinogen(800+/-500mg/ dl),D-Dimer(800-5800ng/ml),Ferritin(950+/-450ng/ ml),LDH (850+/-250U/L)) Discussions and conclusions From our study it is evident that the hematological parameters associated with specific biomarkers of inflammation are useful to identify and differentiate covid positive patients with more severe and critical pathology even in the second pandemic wave. The severity of the pathology is positively correlated with the percentage values of neutrophils and NLR and negatively with the percentage of lymphocytes.
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Microbial secondary infections can contribute to an increase in the risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients, particularly in case of severe diseases. In this study, we collected and evaluated the clinical, laboratory and microbiological data of COVID-19 critical ill patients requiring intensive care (ICU) to evaluate the significance and the prognostic value of these parameters. One hundred seventy-eight ICU patients with severe COVID-19, hospitalized at the S. Francesco Hospital of Nuoro (Italy) in the period from March 2020 to May 2021, were enrolled in this study. Clinical data and microbiological results were collected. Blood chemistry parameters, relative to three different time points, were analyzed through multivariate and univariate statistical approaches. Seventy-four percent of the ICU COVID-19 patients had a negative outcome, while 26% had a favorable prognosis. A correlation between the laboratory parameters and days of hospitalization of the patients was observed with significant differences between the two groups. Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently isolated microorganisms from all clinical specimens. Secondary infections play an important role in the clinical outcome. The analysis of the blood chemistry tests was found useful in monitoring the progression of COVID-19.
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A male Munchkin cat was brought to a small animal teaching hospital at Mahanakorn University of Technology. The patient presentation with vomiting, chronic diarrhea, and intermittent fever. From history-taking, the owner previously had a cat that was diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) living in the same house but had isolated in a separate area. Fecal examination revealed bacterial enteritis. Hematology and blood chemistry results shown lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and low serum albumin/globulin ratio (0.3 A: G ratio). Abdominal ultrasound revealed mesenteric lymph node (MLN) enlargement and cholecystitis. Cell cytology from the liver and MLN revealed suppurative inflammation. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was negative for the Feline coronavirus (FCoV) in the blood sample. On the 4th day of treatment, the cat developed pleural and peritoneal effusion. Thoracentesis and abdominocentesis were performed and submitted for analysis. The fluid's results were classified as modified transudate, low A: G ratio (0.3), Rivalta's test (positive), and positive for FCoV by using RT-PCR. On the 8th day of treatment, the cat died from systemic hypotension. Viscous straw yellow-colored fluid and pyogranulomatous lesions at the liver, lung, kidney, and MLN were observed from the necropsy. Histopathology's results shown severe suppurative inflammation in all the above organs. FIP was confirmed by detected FCoV antigen in the cytoplasm of macrophages in the kidney and lung tissue by immunohistochemistry staining.
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Background: Arthritis by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a remarkably unusual etiology of infectious joint disease. While osseous lesions can be present in systemic disease, intra-articular-restricted disease without typical lung or lymph node involvement is mostly anecdotal1,2. Objectives: We hereby describe a case of this fungal arthritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without signifcant immunosuppression. Methods: Patient records review. Written informed consent was obtained. Results: A 65-year-old female Brazilian patient with a 35-year history of seropositive RA complained of a painful knee edema for the last three weeks. Skin surrounding the joint was erythematous, warm, and tender to the touch, which initially raised the suspicion of cellulitis. She had already received a 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate, with no improvement. C-reactive protein was 17.8 mg/L, rest of blood chemistry panel was within reference range. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed joint effusion, and a diagnostic arthrocentesis was performed. Synovial fluid was slightly turbid, with 10,100 cells per mm3, of which 80% were lymphocytes. Cultures for bacteria and mycobacteria yielded negative results, but culture for fungi detected growth of P. brasiliensis. The patient had been solely on prednisone 5 mg once daily for the last year, given that, due to covid-19 pandemics, she lost regular follow-up and abandoned treatment with immunosuppressants. Aside from mild RA-related interstitial lung disease, she had no other comorbidity. She denied local trauma to the knee, which made hematogenous dissemination of the fungi the most probable source. Comprehensive work-up to search for organic involvement of paracoccid-ioidomycosis, including chest computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiogram, did not evidence any visceral compromise. Voricona-zole 200mg t.i.d. was started, with good response. Three months after the beginning of the azole, tofacitinib was started for moderate RA disease activity, which also responded satisfactorily. Repeat arthrocentesis and synovial biopsy were performed eight months after the start of antifun-gal treatment, the former being normal (770 cells per mm3, negative cultures), and the later only demonstrating non-specific chronic synovitis with fibrosis. Conclusion: We reported an exceedingly rare presentation of P. brasiliensis infection with exclusive joint involvement.
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The role of infectious agents derived antigens including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been recognized as a trigger for development of autoimmune mediated disorders following natural infection or immunization. However, there is a scarcity of reports of occurrence of autoimmune associated kidney disorders or flare ups following exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. A 65-year-old female presented to a nephrology clinic for evaluation of worsening renal dysfunction. The patient is well known to have systemic sarcoidosis under complete remission on low dose prednisone and likely membranous nephropathy (no previous kidney biopsy) with mildly elevated phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies. Her membranous nephropathy was in partial remission on angiotensin receptor blockage, with urine to protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 1.5 g/g . Five months after receiving the single dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson®), she started having a flare up of her systemic sarcoidosis with worsening joint, skin and respiratory symptoms. Blood chemistry revealed worsening renal dysfunction with elevated creatinine up to 1.7 mg/dL from her baseline of 1.0 mg/dL. UPCR was also elevated at 3.4 g/g. Urine sediment revealed no red blood cells or casts, only several calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals. A kidney biopsy was performed and showed a combination of membranous nephropathy (PLA2R positive) along with granulomatous interstitial nephritis with well-formed epithelioid granulomas characteristic of sarcoidosis. She was started on high dose prednisone and her renal function improved to 1.2 mg/dL, UPCR decreased to 1.8 g/g and serum PLA2R antibodies became undetectable. She is still being monitored. After many years of renal sarcoidosis and membranous nephropathy remission, the relapse of renal disease after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson®) suggests the association between receiving the vaccine and the recurrence of renal sarcoidosis and membranous nephropathy.
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Minmin, a 1-year-old male local cat weighing 4.3 kg has decreased appetite and an enlarged abdominal cavity. Based on physical examination, there was abdominal distension. Routine hematology and blood biochemical examinations were performed which showed chronic inflammation and abnormal liver and kidney function. Radiographic examination and abdominocentesis showed fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascites) with pale yellow fluid and thickened liquid consistency. The results of the rivalta test showed a positive accumulation of exudate which was characterized by a jellyfish-like formation. The cat was diagnosed with effusive feline infectious peritonitis. The therapies given are diuretic furosemide 5 mg/kg BW (twice a day) intravenously, antibiotic cefotaxime sodium 30 mg/kg BW (twice a day) intravenously, anti-inflammatory dexamethasone 0,5 mg/kg BW (twice a day) subcutaneously, hepato-protector betaine 2.5 mg/kg BW (every two days) subcutaneously, and keto acid 11 mg/kg BW orally (every two days). The results of treatment for one week only provide temporary results in reducing the degree of abdominal distension. The cat died in the sixth month after therapy.
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Objective: To investigate the clinical features of the two cases presenting neurological syndrome after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, who were diagnosed with mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS). Background: Neurological symptoms can occur after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. However, its etiology hasn't been fully revealed. Design/Methods: A 23-year-old previously healthy man (Patient 1) and a 33-year-old woman with a history of depression (Patient 2) developed neurological symptoms approximately one week after receipt of the first standard dose (0.3 mL, intramuscular injection) of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination (Coronavirus Modified Uridine RNA Vaccine (SARS-CoV-2)) (Day 1) and deteriorated over the next week. Clinical course, laboratory and MRI findings were serially analyzed. Results: Patient 1 presented with headache, low-grade fever and memory disturbance (Day 3). Intravenous acyclovir and meropenem were administered under a possible diagnosis of aseptic meningitis but not effective. Patient 2 presented with visual disturbance, headache, dysarthria, a left forearm tremor, dysesthesia of the mouth and distal limbs, and visual agnosia (Day 10). In both patients, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were negative. Complete blood cell count, blood-chemistry including electrolytes and antibody titers, and cerebrospinal fluid test findings were unremarkable initially. However, second cerebrospinal fluid test of Patient 1 (Day 8) showed pleocytosis (942 cells/μL, normal ≤ 5 cells/μL) and elevated protein levels (181 mg/dL, normal 10-40 mg/dL). Brain MRI on Day 17 in Patient 1 and Day 15 in Patient 2 after receiving the vaccination showed high signal intensity lesions at the midline of the splenium of the corpus callosum. Based on the typical imaging features, the patients were diagnosed with MERS. Intravenous methylprednisolone therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) improved their symptoms and MRI lesion disappeared. Conclusions: MERS should be considered in patients with neurological manifestation after COVID-19 vaccination, even though symptoms were mild and nonspecific.
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Cardiovascular complications are a frequent occurrence in Sars-CoV-2 infection. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a possible cause of transient ST segment elevation (1- 3% of total cases) and is characterized by a reversible left ventricular dysfunction with coronary arteries free from critical stenosis. The predominant echocardiographic pattern is an akinesia of the mid-apical myocardial segments with preserved kinetics of the basal segments. The incidence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy showed a marked increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three factors mainly contribute to the onset of cardiomyopathy in patients with COVID-19: cytokine storm, adrenergic hyperactivation and microvascular dysfunction. A 79-year-old woman was hospitalized in the Pneumology department of our hospital for bilateral interstitial pneumonia Sars-CoV-2 related. In remote medical history: in 2010 diagnosis of breast cancer with negative follow-up for disease recovery, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and syndrome of reduced mobility as a result of a previous ischemic stroke. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation with c-PAP was started and, for the detection of anterolateral electrocardiographic anomalies (diffuse symmetrical negative T waves) and an increase in myocardionecrosis markers, echocardiographic evaluation was performed, which revealed an akinesia of the mid-apical segments of the left ventricle with preserved kinetics of the basal segments and severely depressed global systolic function (ejection fraction: 30%). BNP (18.100 pg /mL), interleukin-6 (339 pg /mL) and CRP (136mg /L) were elevated on blood chemistry tests. In the suspicion of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (InterTAK Score: 67, probability: 79.8%), cardioprotective therapy with ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, diuretics, low molecular weight heparin, double antiaggregation and statin was started, deferring coronary angiography to improved clinical conditions. In the following days, due to the respiratory and haemodynamic worsening, the patient was transferred to an intensive setting, where she was intubated and treated with levosimendan and noradrenaline. Serial echocardiograms showed a progressive improvement of the global systolic function (ejection fraction at the last checkup: 55%), with complete regression of the kinetic anomalies, confirming of the diagnostic hypothesis of stress cardiomyopathy. For a pulmonary mycotic superinfection, complicated by iatrogenic pneumothorax, in the following days the patient died. (Figure Presented).
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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns, many events occurred, such as supply chain disruption, shielding and working from home restrictions along with diminished incomes and people's extra time spent in their own homes;all these have led to broad changes in consumer attitudes and behaviour. Therefore, people spent more time at home in all countries, and there was a significant increase in the number of people who enjoyed experiencing cooking at home, having a regular schedule for their meals. Pasta represents one of the most consumed food products in the world, their consumption increasing from year to year, experiencing a boost demand during the pandemic, because it has many important advantages such as: low cost, easy to cook, high nutritional value and long shelf life. Properly cooked pasta has a low potential to increase blood sugar, it slows down digestion and give a feeling of satiety for a longer period. The purpose of this study was to obtain information on consumer perceptions towards pasta consumption in order to develop new products that are adapted to current consumer requirements and preferences.
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Objective: To explore the early warning signs of deterioration of patients with COVID-19. Methods: The data of thirty-six patients who were admitted to Handan Infectious Disease Hospital was collected. The clinical features and laboratory testing were analyzed retrospectively. The initial laboratory testing included blood chemistries, blood routine, D-dimer, coagulation function, etc. The patients were divided into mild/common group and severe/critical group. Results: The lymphocyte count, monocyte count, hemoglobin, and albumin levels in severe/critical group were lower compared with those in mild/common group, while the fibrinogen was higher. The lymphocyte count and monocyte count were positively correlated with hemoglobin, pre-albumin respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with lower initial prealbumin and hemoglobin level were more likely to progress into severe conditions. Decreased prealbumin and hemoglobin, combined with lymphocyte count and monocyte count, could be the early warning signs of deterioration of patients with COVID-19.
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The incidence of infectious bronchitis (IB) in chickens has increased in Russian Federation during 2020- 2021 despite the widespread vaccination of the susceptible poultry. The effectiveness of vaccinations against IB virus and Newcastle disease can be significantly affected by vesicular enteritis (runting stunting syndrome) accompanied by malabsorption. The study presented demonstrated that virally induced malabsorption in broilers is accompanied by the synchronous decreases in the concentrations of magnesium and zinc in blood serum. Evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination by RT-PCR for the presence of IB viral RNA in the intestine at day 2 after the vaccination indicates a sharp decrease in the PCR prevalence in individuals with vesicular enteritis and allows for the exclusion of possible population-wide decrease in post-vaccination immunity. When considering biochemical parameters as markers of organopathologies the population-based approach to data analysis should be applied.
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This issue contains 14 articles on students' self-study and self-assessment during the veterinary anatomy course at the University of Zagreb, Croatia;cost-effectiveness of 3d printing of anatomical models;solving the formalin issue in the veterinary anatomy teaching;alternative methods for vasopuncturing in veterinary medicine using an artificial rabbit ear;humane innovations in veterinary anatomy education in India;glycaemia as a reliable indicator for diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats;humane innovations and the advantages of replacing animal experiments and dissection;anatomical learning materials for the digital age;usage of dummies for training purposes in laboratory animal science;enhancing veterinary education and training through the use of the Elnady Technique (et) specimens;virtual reality (vr) in veterinary anatomy teaching;smart 3D meat inspection;educational animal use and alternatives;students' perspectives and attitude about the shift to emergency remote learning of veterinary anatomy during the COVID-19 pandemic;a new way of education-virtual reality;sonography as educational tool for recognition of anatomical structures in bovine ovaries;the sketchfab platform as a tool in veterinary anatomy education and students' assessment of the use of different neuroanatomical specimens in veterinary anatomy practical classes.
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Background: Considering the role of the data that indicate the importance of Vitamin D adequacy in protecting human being against different pathogens in patients exposed to infectious agents, the role of this Vitamin in Covid-19 patients is a matter of debate. Objectives: to identify the association between vitamin D level and infection with SARS-COV-2 of adult patients attending or admitted to Merjan Teaching Hospital, Babylon, Iraq. Methodology: this was a cross sectional comparison study of 240 participants, the total sample mean ..SD age was 46.9..15.4 years, 120 confirmed diagnosed cases and admitted to coronavirus unit and 120 negative cases (comparison group). The study carried out from January to June 2021 in Merjan Teaching Hospital, Babylon, Iraq. A pretested questionnaire used to interview patients after obtaining their verbal consents. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D measured to both groups of participants using immunoassay method (maglumi instrument) and body mass index (BMI) measured. The questionnaire included demographic information, clinical symptoms, unhealthy habits, and underlying health conditions, (comorbidities related to each participant elicited and recorded).
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 are not fully understood. We aimed to determine the long-term lung pathology and blood chemistry changes in Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were inoculated with 105 PFU of SARS-CoV-2, and changes post-infection (pi) were observed for 20 days. On days 5 and 20 pi, the lungs were harvested and processed for pathology and viral load count. Multiple blood samples were collected every 3 to 5 days to observe dynamic changes in blood chemistry. Infected hamsters showed consistent weight loss until day 7 pi At day 5 pi, histopathology of the lungs showed moderate to severe inflammation and the virus could be detected. These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 has an acute onset and recovery course in the hamster infection model. During the acute onset, blood triglyceride levels increased significantly at day 3 pi During the recovery course, uric acid and low-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly, but the total protein and albumin levels decreased. Together, our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters not only causes lung damage but also causes long-term changes in blood biochemistry during the recovery process. IMPORTANCE COVID-19 is now considered a multiorgan disease with a wide range of manifestations. There are increasing reports of persistent and long-term effects after acute COVID-19, but the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 are not fully understood. This study reported for the first time the use of blood samples collected continuously in a SARS-CoV-2-infected hamster model, which provides more information about the dynamic changes in blood biochemistry during the acute and recovery phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters not only causes lung damage but also causes long-term changes in blood biochemistry during the recovery process. The study may be used by several researchers and clinicians, especially those who are studying potential treatments for patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Animals , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/pathology , COVID-19/virology , Cricetinae , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Lipoproteins, LDL/blood , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Male , Mesocricetus , Uric Acid/bloodABSTRACT
The study was conducted over a period of 2 months, between March and May 2020, in collaboration with 3 private clinics in Moldova region on 23 dogs of different breeds, sex and ages, paraclinically examined by hematological and biochemical tests. The inclusion criterion in the study was the ownership of all subjects by elderly persons affected.by COVID 19 limitations during the emergency state in Romania. The study aimed to establish the correlation between the limited walking time in dogs and the level of stress induced by it. Each subject underwent 2 paraclinical check-ups in term of hematological testing and cortisol dosage at the end of March and beginning of May. Also, a control group of 13 dogs owned by active people was examined in a similar manner, both at the beginning of the experiment and also at the end of it. Compared with the initial values which were highly elevated (10,89..1,66 g/dl) in all dogs owned by elderly people, the second testing revealed values comparable to normal, but still increased (4,85..1,22 g/dl). The study demonstrates the impact of COVID 19 limitations in terms of outdoor time for dogs which produced transitional changes in cortisol levels, but also the adaptive compensatory mechanisms used to cope with modified environmental conditions.
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Introduction: A disastrous disease, the COVID-19, continues its spread, this, coupled with its severity, led to a initial global lockdown. Early evidence identified Black counties where mortality risk was higher than in white counties, even more evident in Latin America. In Brazil, with multiple forms of social inequalities, where color/race takes high relevance in this debate, it is even more relevant in Rio de Janeiro. We aimed to analyze these socio economic factors and its correlation with COVID 19 mortality. Hypothesis: Patients hospitalized with COVID 19 with a high social vulnerable background would had greater in-hospital mortality Methods: Prospective study of 274 confirmed adult COVID 19 hospitalized patients in the UHCFF. Clinical features/blood chemistry information were obtained from the clinical record. Using the individual address, we correlated it with the Census Code Area (CCA), using a novel methodology, we geoprocessed each home on the Division map. Giving a high relevance to the socio-economic variables for inequity and vulnerability markers, also analyzing the fact to be transferred from another primary care institution, for its delay potential of advanced medical care. We performed a logistic regression, with in-hospital mortality as our primary outcomeResults: Patients living in low adequacy households(p=0.030) with high in-house individual agglomeration markers (p=0.017), and the fact to have been transferred from another primary care institution (p=0.047) presented high in-hospital mortality, with high ICU admission and Mechanical Ventilation rates. Conclusions: In hospital mortality due to COVID 19 was influenced by social individual background characteristics of vulnerability. Among other clinical parameters, these markers should be taken into account to predict the individual likelihood of complications related to the pandemic, prioritizing the attention and vaccination for those at higher risk should be paramount.
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Coronavirus diseases, especially infections in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic, currently make up most of the medical work in the private practice area of internal medicine and general medicine. There is a therapeutic dilemma as to which strategies are successful in prevention and treatment. Regardless of this, therapies for prophylaxis and treatment of infections using strategies from phytotherapy are hardly considered in the general hectic pace. Protective but still experimental strategies suggest that a blockade of specific viral adhesion factors by natural substances can change the viral entry point. This could significantly change both the docking behavior of the virus particles and the disposition to disease. From the field of natural substances, there are many plants that contain a large amount of tannins. These secondary phytonutrients contain so-called proanthocyanidins, hydrolyzable tannins and lamiacene tannins. In particular, proanthocyanidins (green tea, sorrel herb, rockrose herb, etc.) occur frequently in medicinal plants and can be used for prophylaxis and, if necessary, therapy, so that the use of highly concentrated tannin extracts in local therapy can significantly inhibit the docking behavior of viruses. With this knowledge, 125 patients have been in a family doctor's practice (male=68, female=57, average age 54.6 years;diseases: hypertension, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, etc.) since February 2020 for a period of at least 6 weeks treated (Cystus 052 organic throat lozenges 3 x 2, Nisita nasal ointment 2 x daily). Patients were regularly checked clinically using laboratory tests. This collective could be subdivided into a prophylactic group (n=81) of fewer and into a group of highly endangered (n=44) patients (medical staff, nursing staff, fire fighters, rescue services, etc.). In addition to regular temperature measurements by the patients themselves, but also by means of laboratory parameters (blood count, CRP, procalcitonin, etc.), the mode of infection (if infection occurred: yes-no) was checked regularly.