Olfactory and taste disorders in healthcare workers with COVID-19 infection.

PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19 has spread globally for the last few months. Healthcare workers (HCW) are overexposed and infection rates are higher than in the rest of the population. Strict clinical assessment is paramount to detect suspicious cases. In this context, olfactory or taste dysfunction (OTD) appears as an early and frequent symptom. Evaluating its presence in early stages plays an important role nowadays. METHODS: We performed a descriptive observational single-center study among 256 HCW at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada affected by COVID-19 and confirmed using RT-PCR. A telephonic interview was performed, after obtaining oral informed consent. RESULTS: OTD was present in up to 70% of the cases as an early symptom, including mild-to-severe cases. The extent of these sensory deficits lasted an average of 11 days. In 26% of the patients, these sensory alterations persisted for over a month. CONCLUSION: OTD is reported as an early symptom among HCW with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its strong association with test positivity is useful in the management of the infection and should be enough to indicate preventive isolation. We consider that OTD needs to be included in clinical screening questionnaires in HCW.

Gestion de guantes sanitarios. Proteccion adecuada del profesional, coste-efectividad y responsabilidad ambiental / Management sanitary gloves, protection of the professional, cost-effectiveness and enviromental responsibility

Para minimizar el riesgo de exposición a sustancias químicas y de infección cruzada entre el paciente y el personal médico, es necesario utilizar medidas de protección individuales, como guantes. De acuerdo con las recomendaciones de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), siempre se deben usar guantes protectores en caso de contacto con sangre, mucosa, piel lesionada u otro material potencialmente infeccioso asi como contra agentes químicos y medicación peligrosa. Además, los profesionales que trabajan en el sector de la salud deben estar formados en la selección de guantes adecuados para el ejercicio de las actividades asistenciales y en la optimización del uso de guantes en toda la organización de la asistencia sanitaria. Objetivos: el objetivo de esta revisión es estructurar la elección del guante en función del riesgo específico de exposición a agentes médicos físicos, químicos, biológicos y peligrosos. Metodos: la información se basa en una revisión de la literatura científica y experiencias prácticas

To minimize the risk of chemicals exposure and cross-infection between the patient and the medical staff, it is necessary to use individual protective measures such as gloves. According to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), protective gloves should always be used upon contact with blood, mucosa, injured skin or other potentially infectious materia. In addition, professionals working in the health sector should be guided in the selection of suitable gloves for the exercise of health care activities and in the optimisation of the use of gloves throughout the health care organisation. Objectives: the aim of this review is to structure the choice of glove according to the specific risk of exposure to physical, chemical, biological and dangerous medicinal agents. Methods: the information are based on a review of the scientific literature and practical experiences

Cellular biomarkers of exposure and biological effect in hepatocytes of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) exposed to Cd, Cu and Zn and after depuration.

Cellular biomarkers of exposure and biological effects were measured in hepatocytes of turbot exposed to either Cd, Cu or Zn at concentrations of 1 and 10 mg/l seawater for 7 days and after depuration for 14 days. Metal content in hepatocyte lysosomes was determined by image analysis after autometallography (AMG) as volume density of autometallographed black silver deposits (Vv(BSD)). Metallothionein (MT) levels were quantified on liver sections by microdensitometry after immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal anti cod-MT antibody (MT-OD), and in the cytosolic fraction of hepatocytes by difference pulse polarography (MT-DPP). Lysosomal structural changes (lysosomal volume, surface and numerical densities--Vv(LYS), Sv(LYS) and Nv(LYS-), and surface-to-volume ratio S/V(Lys)) were quantified by image analysis after demonstration of beta-glucuronidase activity on liver cryotome sections. Vacuolisation produced by metal-exposure in hepatocytes was quantified by stereology as volume density of vacuoles (Vv(VAC)). Exposure time and metal concentrations significantly affected Vv(BSD) in lysosomes, MT levels and the degree of vacuolisation after 1 h and 1 day exposure to the three metals. The highest Vv(BSD), MT and Vv(VAC) values were recorded after 7 days exposure in all cases. MT-OD and MT-DPP were significantly correlated with Vv(BSD). Vv(LYS) in hepatocytes increased significantly after exposure to the metals. Exposure biomarkers returned to control values after depuration with the exception of those turbots that had been exposed to 10 mg Cd/l. Alike, Vv(LYS) and Sv(lys) (Cu exposure) and Nv(LYS) (Cd and Zn exposures) returned to control values after depuration. It has been therefore demonstrated that the biomarkers used are reversible and return towards control levels once metal exposure ceases. Overall, it is concluded that Vv(BSD), MT-levels and lysosomal responses are valuable biomarkers to assess metal exposure and its effects in turbot, although in quantitative terms the biomarker response varied between metals.