Description of perinatal results in COVID positive mothers assisted in public and private institutions in Montevideo, between March 2020 and June 2021 / Descripción de resultados perinatales en madres COVID positivas asistidas en un medio público y uno privado de Montevideo en el período marzo 2020-junio 2021 / Descrição dos resultados perinatais em mães COVID-positivo atendidas em instituições de saúde públicas e privadas em Montevidéu no período março de 2020-junho de 2021

Introducción: el SARS-CoV-2 produjo una pandemia afectando la salud de la población mundial desde el año 2019, lo que determinó cambios en las conductas sanitarias. Objetivos: describir resultados obstétricos-neonatales en madres COVID-19 positivas al momento del nacimiento en la asistencia pública y privada en el período desde marzo de 2020 a junio de 2021. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo, retrospectivo de las embarazadas COVID-19 positivas al momento del parto y sus neonatos en en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell y en Médica Uruguaya. Resultados: se obtuvo una muestra de 240 madres y 244 neonatos. El 0,42% (n=1) de las madres presentó sintomatología grave por COVID-19. El 46% (n=110) de los embarazos finalizaron por cesárea. El 3% (n=7) de las madres ingresaron a terapia intensiva, en su mayoría por complicaciones de la gestación. En cuanto a los recién nacidos, tuvieron contacto con su madre el primer día de vida el 86,5% (n=211), siendo la causa principal de ingreso a Terapia Intensiva no contar con cuidador. Se realizó PCR a todos sin identificar transmisión vertical. La internación fue mayor a tres días en 36,48% (n=89). Se registró una sola muerte neonatal por prematurez extrema. Fueron alimentados con pecho exclusivo el 19,67% (n=48) en la internación. Conclusiones: la pandemia afectó la asistencia inicial del binomio madre-hijo. No observamos ascenso en el número de cesáreas pero sí disminución en lactancia exclusiva, prolongación de la estadía hospitalaria y aumento del ingreso en áreas de cuidado intensivo sin detectar contagios en los neonatos.

Summary: Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 virus caused a pandemic that affected the health of the world´s population since 2019, what resulted in changes in health behaviors. Objectives: to describe obstetrical and neonatal results in mothers positive for COVID-19 at the time of birth in public and private institutions between March, 2020 and June, 2021. Method: observational, descriptive, retrospective study of pregnant women positive for COVID-19 at the time of delivery and their neonates at Pereira Rossell Hospital and Medica Uruguaya. Results: a sample of 240 mothers and 244 neonates was studied. 0.42% (n=1) of mothers evidenced severe symptoms for COVID-19. 46% (n=110) of pregnancies ended up in C-sections. 3% of mothers were admitted to ICU due to gestational complications in most cases. As to the newborns, 86.5% of them were in contact with their mother their first day of life, the first cause for their being admitted to ICU was absence of a caregiver. PCR tests were performed to all newborns and no vertical transmission was identified. Hospitalization was longer than three days in 36.48% of cases (n=89). Only one neonatal death was recorded as a consequence of extreme prematurity. Exclusively breastfed babies represented 19.67% (n=48) during hospitalization. Conclusions: the pandemic affected the initial assistance of the mother-child binomial. No increase was observed in the number of C-sections, although exclusive breastfeeding did decrease, hospitalization was longer and there was an increase in admission to the ICU although no neonate contagion was observed.

Introdução: o SARS-CoV-2 produziu uma pandemia afetando a saúde da população mundial desde 2019, o que determinou mudanças nos comportamentos de saúde. Objetivos: descrever os desfechos obstétrico-neonatais em mães positivas para COVID-19 no momento do parto na rede pública e privada no período de março de 2020 - junho de 2021. Metodologia: estudo observacional descritivo retrospectivo de gestantes positivas para COVID-19 no momento do parto e seus recém-nascidos no Hospital Pereira Rossell e Médica Uruguaya. Resultados: obteve-se uma amostra de 240 mães e 244 recém-nascidos. 0,42% (n=1) das mães apresentaram sintomas graves de COVID-19. 46% (n=110) das gestações terminaram por cesariana. 3% (n=7) das mães foi internada em terapia intensiva devido a complicações na gravidez. Em relação aos recém-nascidos, 86,5% (n=211) tiveram contato com a mãe no primeiro dia de vida, sendo a principal causa de internação em terapia intensiva a falta de cuidador. O teste PCR foi realizado em todos sem detecção de transmissão vertical. Em 36,48% (n=89) a internação foi superior a três dias. Foi registrado um único óbito neonatal por prematuridade extrema. 19,67% (n=48) foram amamentados exclusivamente durante a internação. Conclusões: a pandemia afetou o atendimento inicial do binômio mãe-filho. Não se registrou um aumento do número de cesáreas, porém observou-se diminuição do aleitamento materno exclusivo, prolongamento da internação e aumento das internações em unidades de terapia intensiva sem detecção de contágio em recém-nascidos.

Tuberculosis/COVID-19 co-infection detected in a single sputum sample using a rapid molecular test.

Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 affect the lungs and are transmitted mainly by aerosols or particles of saliva from infected persons. Clinical similarities between diseases can affect correct diagnosis. Individuals belonging to the population deprived of liberty (PDL) are at increased risk of contagion due to precarious sanitary conditions and overcrowded environments. A variety of specimens may be suitable for the diagnosis of COVID-19, using molecular diagnostic techniques; however, there is little data on the analysis of sputum samples with the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2® for the diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in this population group. The present study reports a case of TB and COVID-19 co-infection detected in sputum from an individual belonging to the PDL. For the detection, it used the GeneXpert platform (Cepheid, USA). Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) was detected using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra® cartridge and SARS-CoV-2 was detected using the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2® cartridge. The genes IS6110 and IS1081 were detected within 80 min indicating the presence of MTC, with no mutations related to resistance to rifampicin. The SARS-CoV-2 E and N2 genes were detected within 45 min. The result was confirmed by RT-qPCR with detection of E, N, and RdRP/S genes in the sputum and nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens. Rapid diagnoses that allow the identification and differentiation of such diseases are important for adequate epidemiological surveillance, isolation of infected individuals, and interruption of the transmission chain. Using the GeneXpert platform, specimens can be tested as soon as they are received, without the need for prior preparation. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency authorization for the use of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using specimens from a NP or nasal wash/aspirate. The case presented here gains an innovation with the use of the sputum to COVID-19 diagnosis.

D-dimer as an ICU Admission Risk Predictor in COVID-19 Patients, A Prospective Study

Background Since the onset of the 2019 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the rapid increase in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases has led to an excessive rate of intensive care units (ICU) admissions, a rate varying between 5-18%, depending on the country. Consequently, the study of serum biomarkers, such as D-dimer, have been utilized to identify patient with severe disease. However, further data is needed to confirm the association between this serum concentration of D-dimer and the risk of ICU admission. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if serum concentration of D-dimer predict the risk of ICU admission in patients with COVID-19 and CAP. Methods A prospective observational study was carried out at the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia. Patients older than 18 years old, hospitalized for COVID-19 or CAP were included. Then, patients were stratified into ICU and non-ICU patients. Plasma samples were collected within the first 24 hours of hospital admission to quantify D-dimer using the PATHFAST system. Concentrations were compared among groups and to assess the biomarker capacity to predict ICU admission risk, ROC curves were used. Finally, a DeLong test was applied to compare their differences. Results A total of 240 patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection were included in the study. 88 patients were COVID-19 negative (CAP) and 152 were positive. Plasma concentrations of D-dimer (µg/ml) were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU when compared with non-ICU COVID-19 admitted patients (Median [IQR];1.54 [0.9-3.25] Vs. 1.13 [0.69-1.69], p=0.005). The area under curve (AUC) ROC to predict ICU admission was 0.62 among COVID-19 patients. DeLong’s test p value was 0.24. Serum D-dimer an ICU admission Conclusion D-dimer seems to be a promising tool to identify COVID-19 patients with disease. However, this predicting capacity was not observed in CAP patients. Further studies are needed to identify the mechanisms underling the elevation of D-dimer in COVID-19 patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Determinants of endothelial dysfunction in noncritically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 109 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in noncritical status were cross-sectionally studied. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, and medications) and BMI were assessed. Laboratory tests included serum hemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine. Physical status was evaluated using a handgrip dynamometer. Endothelial function was assessed noninvasively using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) method. RESULTS: The sample average age was 51 years, 51% of patients were male, and the most frequent comorbidity was obesity (62%). Univariate analysis showed association of lower FMD with higher BMI, hypertension, use of oral antihypertensive, higher blood levels of creatinine, and larger baseline artery diameter. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate analysis showed BMI (95% CI: -0.26 to -0.11; p < 0.001) as the major factor associated with FMD. Other factors associated with FMD were baseline artery diameter (95% CI: -1.77 to -0.29; p = 0.007) and blood levels of creatinine (95% CI: -1.99 to -0.16; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI was the major factor associated with endothelial dysfunction in noncritically hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This may explain one of the pathways in which obesity may increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

Fungal co-infection in COVID-19 patients: Should we be concerned?

Critically ill COVID-19 patients have higher pro-inflammatory (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine levels, less CD4 interferon-gamma expression, and fewer CD4 and CD8 cells. This severe clinical situation increases the risk of serious fungal infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis or Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. However, few studies have investigated fungal coinfections in this population. We describe an update on published reports on fungal coinfections and our personal experience in three Spanish hospitals. We can conclude that despite the serious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 in many patients, the scarcity of invasive mycoses is probably due to the few bronchoscopies and necropsies performed in these patients because of the high risk in aerosol generation. However, the presence of fungal markers in clinically relevant specimens, with the exception of bronchopulmonary colonization by Candida, should make it advisable to early implement antifungal therapy.