Factors affecting disease severity of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Purpose: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome that occurs after SARS-Cov-2 infection with fever, cardiogenic shock and hyperinflammation in children, can be life threatening. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the complaint and duration at diagnosis on the severity of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Materials and methods: The medical records of 99 pediatric patients, who were diagnosed multisystem inflammatory syndrome between September 2020 and August 2021 according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic features, initial findings, and admission time of patients were noted. Patients were categorized according to intensive care necessity. Results: The median age of the patients was 10 (2-18) and 62 (62.6%) of patients were male. The median duration before admission was 4 (1-10) days. All patients has fever, 81.8% had gastrointestinal and 75.8% had cardiovascular involvement at admission. The patients (56.6%) who were accepted as severe and moderate MIS-C required intensive care. Prolonged fever, delayed admission, cardiovascular involvement, high inflammatory markers, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were found to key parameters determining the need for intensive care. Conclusion: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a new disease characterized by fever, signs of inflammation and organ dysfunction associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Delayed admission, high cardiac and inflammatory markers at diagnosis increase the need for intensive care. © 2022, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.

Are the Treadmill Test Results Reliable in Terms of Diagnosis when Performed Using a Surgical Mask?

Objectives: Mask use plays a substantial role in reducing the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 in confined spaces. However, the use of masks is controversial in cases where intense effort is required, such as in the treadmill exercise test. In this study, the diagnostic reliability of the treadmill exercise test performed using a mask was questioned. Material(s) and Method(s): Two groups (with and without mask) were compared concerning various characteristics to assess diagnostic reliability and safety. Result(s): The diagnostic reliability test performed using a mask was found to be similar to that of tests performed without a mask. Conclusion(s): The treadmill exercise test performed by wearing surgical masks results is reliable for diagnosis. Copyright © 2022 by Heart and Health Foundation of Turkey.

Evaluation of Serum Antibody Levels and Presence of Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with Mild and Moderate Coronavirus Disease-2019

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies are produced in persons who have been infected by the virus or have received the vaccine. Many features of these antibodies, including their dynamics and neutralization capacities, are still unclear. Understanding the immune response of the host is very important for the development of appropriate treatment methods, vaccines, and epidemiological control strategies. The present study aimed to monitor the change in antibody levels over time in individuals diagnosed with SARSCoV- 2 infections and to determine their neutralization capacity. Material(s) and Method(s): Anti-nucleocapsid and anti-spike antibody titers were measured using different kits on monthly obtained serum samples of patients of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neutralizing antibodies were evaluated using a microneutralization assay. Result(s): A total of 134 serum samples taken from 43 patients with a mild-moderate disease course were analyzed. Anti-spike antibody positivity was detected on day seven at the earliest and day 334 at the latest following a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The mean antibody levels were observed to increase gradually to a peak after three months, and then started to decrease after month six. Anti-nucleocapsid IgM and IgG antibodies were detected alone or in combination. The highest neutralizing antibody titer was 1/80 in the first month, which was seen to drop below 1/10 after four months. Conclusion(s): The combined use of kits for the detection of antibodies against different antigens or testing total antibodies would result in a more accurate and earlier detection of the antibodies that start to emerge on the seventh day and decrease six months after SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity. In addition, the dramatic decrease in neutralizing antibody titers after four months may be one of the causes of early reinfections. Copyright © 2022 by the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialty Society of Turkey.

Diagnosis and management of coronavirus disease-associated immune thrombocytopenia: a case series

Data on health problems and fatal complications associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have consistently been reported. Although immune thrombocytopenia has been associated with multiple viral infections, only few studies have shown its association with COVID-19. Here, we have reported a case series of two cases pertaining to patients diagnosed with COVID-19-associated immune thrombocytopenia, elaborating on the clinical course, management, and response to treatment.