Article Summary
March 27, 2020
Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Residents of a Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing Facility — King County, Washington, March 2020.
Symptom-based screening in Skilled Nursing Facilities, which often treat elderly and high-risk patients, could fail to identify approximately half of residents with COVID-19. The authors indicate that these and other long-term care facilities should take proactive steps to prevent introduction of SARS-CoV-2, and also provide recommendations for response after a facility has confirmed a COVID-19…
Haplotype networks of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Diamond Princess cruise ship outbreak.
The authors performed whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from PCR-positive specimens obtained from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, suggesting that dissemination likely originated from a single introduction event before quarantine was initiated. This study demonstrates the usefulness of haplotype network analysis in identifying potential infection routes. Sekizuka et al. (Mar 27, 2020). Haplotype networks of…
A Computational Model for Estimating the Progression of COVID-19 Cases in the US West and East Coasts
A computational model using data from the US East and West coasts predicts that number of new cases may peak in mid-April and begin to abate by July, and that new cases may be significantly mitigated by increased availability of testing kits. Yeo et al. (Mar 27, 2020). A Computational Model for Estimating the Progression…
Anaesthetic management and clinical outcomes of parturients with COVID-19: a multicentre, retrospective, propensity score matched cohort study.
This retrospective matched case-control study compared 89 parturients with COVID-19 to 173 non-COVID-19 parturients undergoing C-section delivery, and determined that COVID-19 parturient characteristics include: fever, cough, increased plasma CRP, and decreased lymphocyte count. Anaesthesia-related complications occurred more frequently in COVID-19 parturients, and their newborns had a higher risk of distress (low Apgar score and higher…
Anti-hypertensive Angiotensin II receptor blockers associated to mitigation of disease severity in elderly COVID-19 patients.
Findings from this retrospective study of 511 COVID-19 patients suggest that elderly (age 65+) patients with hypertension (HT) who are taking ARB anti-HT drugs may be less likely to develop severe lung disease when compared to patients taking no anti-HT drugs. Liu et al. (Mar 27, 2020). Anti-hypertensive Angiotensin II receptor blockers associated to mitigation…
Are patients with inflammatory bowel disease at increased risk for Covid-19 infection?
The authors discuss the theoretical biological mechanisms which could put inflammatory bowel disease patients at risk, with inflamed gut tissue representing an optimal doorway for viral entry. However, no published evidence suggest that COVID-19 occurs more frequently in IBD patients, and no IBD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported in Wuhan. Monteleone and Ardizzone (Mar…
Acute gastrointestinal injury in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan, China.
This clinical retrospective study of 83 critically ill COVID-19 patients found high rates of acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) (87%) and hospital mortality (48%). Organ failure, white blood cell counts, and duration of mechanical ventilation were risk factors for grade II AGI and above. Patients with worse AGI had worse clinical severity, higher septic shock incidence,…
Lactate dehydrogenase, a Risk Factor of Severe COVID-19 Patients
This retrospective observational study on 47 COVID-19 patients from Wuhan, China, showed that elevated lactate dehydrogenase could be a powerful predictor for lung injury and severe COVID-19 cases. Han et al. (Mar 27, 2020). Lactate dehydrogenase, a Risk Factor of Severe COVID-19 Patients. Pre-print downloaded Mar 27 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.24.20040162
A special case of COVID-19 with a long duration of viral shedding for 49 days.
The authors describe a mild COVID-19 family cluster, including a patient with a 49-day viral shedding period, the longest ever recorded. This cluster might have low toxicity and transmissibility but prolonged infective ability, contradicting known associations between viral shedding and prognosis. Infusion of plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients showed high efficiency in viral elimination. Tan…
Factors associated with prolonged viral shedding and impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
In this retrospective cohort study of 120 COVID-19 patients, risk factors for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding include older age and lack of Lopinavir/Ritonavir treatment. Earlier administration of Lopinavir/Ritonavir treatment could shorten the duration of viral shedding. Yan et al. (Mar 27, 2020). Factors associated with prolonged viral shedding and impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir treatment in patients with…
Previous page Next page