An important call: Suggestion of using IL-10 as therapeutic agent for COVID-19 with ARDS and other complications.

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a detrimental impact on public health. COVID-19 usually manifests as pneumonia, which can progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) related to uncontrolled TH17 immune reaction. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic agent to manage COVID-19 with complications. The currently available anti-viral drug remdesivir has an effectiveness of 30% in SARS-CoV-2-induced severe complications. Thus, there is a need to identify effective agents to treat COVID-19 and the associated acute lung injury and other complications. The host immunological pathway against this virus typically involves the THαß immune response. THαß immunity is triggered by type 1 interferon and interleukin-27 (IL-27), and the main effector cells of the THαß immune response are IL10-CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, NK cells, and IgG1-producing B cells. In particular, IL-10 exerts a potent immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory effect and is an anti-fibrotic agent for pulmonary fibrosis. Concurrently, IL-10 can ameliorate acute lung injury or ARDS, especially those caused by viruses. Owing to its anti-viral activity and anti-pro-inflammatory effects, in this review, IL-10 is suggested as a possible treatment agent for COVID-19.

Clinical application of 222 nm wavelength ultraviolet C irradiation on SARS CoV-2 contaminated environments.

This was a preliminary study on ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation for SARS-CoV-2-contaminated hospital environments. Forty-eight locations were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR (33.3% contamination rate). After series dosages of 222-nm UVC irradiation, samples from the surfaces were negative at 15 s irradiation at 2 cm length (fluence: 81 mJ/cm2).

Clinical Application of Ultraviolet C Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Contaminated Hospital Environments.

To overcome the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, transmission routes, such as healthcare worker infection, must be effectively prevented. Ultraviolet C (UVC) (254 nm) has recently been demonstrated to prevent environmental contamination by infected patients; however, studies on its application in contaminated hospital settings are limited. Herein, we explored the clinical application of UVC and determined its optimal dose. Environmental samples (n = 267) collected in 2021 were analyzed by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and subjected to UVC irradiation for different durations (minutes). We found that washbasins had a high contamination rate (45.5%). SARS-CoV-2 was inactivated after 15 min (estimated dose: 126 mJ/cm2) of UVC irradiation, and the contamination decreased from 41.7% before irradiation to 16.7%, 8.3%, and 0% after 5, 10, and 15 min of irradiation, respectively (p = 0.005). However, SARS-CoV-2 was still detected in washbasins after irradiation for 20 min but not after 30 min (252 mJ/cm2). Thus, 15 min of 254-nm UVC irradiation was effective in cleaning plastic, steel, and wood surfaces in the isolation ward. For silicon items, such as washbasins, 30 min was suggested; however, further studies using hospital environmental samples are needed to confirm the effective UVC inactivation of SARS-CoV-2.

Desaturation and heme elevation during COVID-19 infection: A potential prognostic factor of heme oxygenase-1.

Increased heme levels, anemia, and desaturation occur during infection. We aimed to compare the levels of heme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), ferritin, and bilirubin in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients at different saturation levels. Heme and HO-1 enzyme levels significantly increased in the low SpO2 group, but further studies are required.

Masks and closed-loop ventilators prevent environmental contamination by COVID-19 patients in negative-pressure environments

Herein, we report that nosocomial infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be mitigated by using surgical masks and closed looped ventilation for both non-critical and critical patients. These preventive measures resulted in no viral contamination of surfaces in negative pressure environments.