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July 1, 2020
The Association of Hypertension with the Severity and Mortality of COVID-19 Patients: Evidence Based on Adjusted Effect Estimates
A systematical review and meta-analysis (19 studies, 15,302 COVID-19 cases) shows that adjusted for relevant confounders, hypertension is significantly associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients (OR=1.44; 95% CI 1.24-1.66). Liang et al. (June 23, 2020). The Association of Hypertension with the Severity and Mortality of COVID-19 Patients: Evidence Based on Adjusted Effect Estimates. Journal of Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.06.060
The Effect of Frailty on Survival in Patients with COVID-19 (COPE): A Multicentre, European, Observational Cohort Study
A large study of patients from the UK (10 hospitals) and Italy (1 hospital) found that a clinical frailty scale was a better predictor of COVID-19 disease outcomes among hospitalized patients than either age or comorbidity. The clinical frailty scale could inform decision making about medical care in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Hewitt et al. (June…
Viral Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva from Infected Patients
Zhu et al. evaluated the clinical performance of saliva specimens in comparison to paired respiratory tract specimens in a cohort of 442 patients with COVID-19 and positive respiratory tract specimens. RT-PCR testing of saliva specimens had a sensitivity of 86% (95%CI 83%, 89%) and specificity of 97% (95%CI 95, 98%). There was no significant difference regarding the temporal viral load profile between mild and severe cases. Zhu et al. (June 23, 2020). Viral…
A Handheld Point-of-Care System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in under 20 Minutes
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A rapid point-of-care diagnostic test (< 20 min) using reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and semiconductor technology to test extracted RNA samples has 90.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity when compared to RT-qPCR on 183 clinical samples. The portable diagnostic platform is paired with a smartphone for results visualization and geo-localization. Rodriguez-Manzano et al. (June 30, 2020). A Handheld Point-of-Care System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2…
Heat Inactivation of Serum Interferes with the Immunoanalysis of Antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2
SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels decreased significantly after heat inactivation of serum at 56 C, which is a proposed method of reducing exposure risk for laboratory personnel. The IgM levels decreased in all 34 serum samples by mean of 54%. IgG levels decreased in 22 of 34 samples (65%) by a mean of 50%. Hu et al….
Assessment of Sensitivity and Specificity of Patient-Collected Lower Nasal Specimens for Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing
Sensitivity and specificity were equivalent for patient–collected lower nasal specimens, physician-collected lower nasal specimens, and physician–collected oropharyngeal specimens in participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=30) for detection by RT-PCR. Sensitivity of patient–collected specimens was 100% (95% CI: 72%-100%), and the specificity was 95% (95% CI: 74%-100%). Altamirano et al. (June 12, 2020). Assessment of Sensitivity and Specificity of Patient-Collected Lower Nasal Specimens for Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing. JAMA…
Distribution of Transmission Potential during Non-Severe COVID-19 Illness
Shrestha et al. examined SARS-CoV-2 viral load over time among 230 health care personnel with COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization. Viral loads in the upper respiratory specimens (n=528) peaked by 2 or 3 days from symptom onset and decreased rapidly thereafter, with >85% of the area under the curve occurring in the first five days. Shrestha et al. (June 29, 2020). Distribution of Transmission Potential during Non-Severe COVID-19 Illness. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa886
Culture-Competent SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharynx of Symptomatic Neonates, Children, and Adolescents
Among 23 children infected with SARS-CoV-2, L’Huillier et al. found that symptomatic neonates, children, and teenagers shed infectious, culture-competent SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that transmission from children is plausible. L’Huillier et al. (June 30, 2020). Culture-Competent SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharynx of Symptomatic Neonates, Children, and Adolescents. Emerging Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2610.202403
June 30, 2020
A Modelling Study for Designing a Multi-Layered Surveillance Approach to Detect the Potential Resurgence of SARS-CoV-2
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Liu et al. explored RT-PCR testing–based surveillance strategies for COVID-19 containment in Beijing, China. This study assumed that all healthcare workers, hospital patients, and community members with clinical illness would be captured either at fever clinics or in respiratory departments in hospitals. Fever clinics are telephone-based triage systems combined with drive-through testing that…
Effects of Coronavirus 19 Pandemic on Maternal Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Prospectic Observational Study
In a survey of 178 pregnant women in Italy, Mappa et al. found that 47% feared that COVID-19 could induce fetal structural anomalies, 65% feared it could cause fetal growth restriction, and 51% feared it would cause preterm birth. In addition, 38% of women had elevated anxiety scores. Higher anxiety was associated with higher educational attainment. Mappa et al….
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