Clinical and laboratory factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Use of RT-PCR in conjunction with a respiratory pathogen assay to concurrently determine the prevalence of bacteria and SARS-CoV-2 from the nasopharynx of outpatients

Introduction

COVID-19 has emerged as a highly contagious and debilitating disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has claimed the lives of over 7.7 million people worldwide. Bacterial co-infections are one of many co-morbidities that have been suggested to impact the outcome of COVID-19 in patients. The goals of this study are to elucidate the presence of bacteria in the nasopharynx of SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients and to describe demographic categories that may be associated with the detection of these organisms during one of the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

To this end, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial co-detection from outpatient RT-PCR testing in Texas.

Results

The results indicate that Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae were the most frequently detected bacteria in both SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative patients and that these bacteria were present in these two patient populations at similar proportions. We also detected Staphylococcus aureus in a significantly larger proportion of males relative to females and people under 65 years of age relative to those 65 and over. Finally, we observed that SARS-CoV-2 was more commonly detected in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics; however, low disclosure rates make volunteer bias a concern when interpreting the effects of demographic variables.

Discussion

This study describes the bacteria present in the nasopharynx of SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients, highlights associations between patient demographics and SARS-CoV-2 as well as bacterial co-detection. In addition, this study highlights RT-PCR based molecular testing as a tool to detect bacteria simultaneously when SARS-CoV-2 tests are performed.

Effects of Smoking on COVID-19 Management and Mortality: An Umbrella Review

Introduction

Smoking status appears to lead to a poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, findings from the studies conducted on this topic have not been consistent, and further exploration is required.

Methods

The objective of this umbrella review was to examine the effects of smoking on COVID-19 management and mortality. Online databases that included PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using relevant keywords up to July 27, 2022. Articles were restricted to the English language, and the PRISMA protocol was followed.

Results

A total of 27 systematic reviews, published from 2020 to 2022, were included. Individual studies included in the systematic reviews ranged from 8 to 186, with various population sizes. The consensus from the majority of systematic reviews was that COVID-19 smoker patients experience greater disease severity, disease progression, hospitalization rate, hospital admission duration, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and mortality rate.

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients with a history of smoking (current and former) are vulnerable to adverse hospital outcomes and worse COVID-19 progression. Effective preventive and supportive approaches are required to decrease the risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in patients with a history of smoking.

Acute Viral Pericarditis Complicated by Cardiac Tamponade as a Result of COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly cause respiratory symptoms but cardiovascular complications from COVID-19 have been documented in the literature. Acute pericarditis has been known to be caused by COVID-19 but severe cardiac complications, such as cardiac tamponade, have rarely been reported. Early diagnosis and treatment with pericardiocentesis are imperative, as this can improve patient outcomes. A 56-year-old female presented with chest pain and recurrent episodes of presyncope. The patient tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The patient was hypotensive on arrival and the initial workup with electrocardiogram was significant for sinus tachycardia with low voltage QRS complexes in the precordial and limb leads. A transthoracic echocardiogram was also done and showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion with chamber collapse of the right atrium and right ventricle during diastole indicative of tamponade physiology. The patient's clinical course was complicated by pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest during which a pericardiocentesis was done. One hundred (100) mL of serous pericardial fluid was drained and a return of spontaneous circulation was obtained after roughly 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further infectious and noninfectious workups, including malignant and rheumatologic etiologies for acute pericarditis, were negative. The patient was subsequently treated with high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine for viral pericarditis. The patient's clinical course improved, and the patient was subsequently discharged after a prolonged hospital course to a subacute rehabilitation facility to undergo physical therapy.

Simple Symptom-Based Prediction of COVID-19: A Single-Center Study of Outpatient Fever Clinic in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms are not fully understood in non-hospitalized individuals in Japan, and COVID-19 differentiation by symptoms alone remained challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to examine COVID-19 prediction from symptoms using real-world data in an outpatient fever clinic.

METHODS

We compared the symptoms of COVID-19-positive and negative patients who visited the outpatient fever clinic at Imabari City Medical Association General Hospital and tested for COVID-19 from April 2021 to May 2022. This retrospective single-center study enrolled 2,693 consecutive patients.

RESULTS

COVID-19-positive patients had a higher frequency of close contact with COVID-19-infected patients compared with COVID-19-negative patients. Moreover, patients with COVID-19 had high-grade fever at the clinic compared with patients without COVID-19. Additionally, the most common symptom in patients with COVID-19 was sore throat (67.3%), followed by cough (62.0%), which was approximately twice as common in patients without COVID-19. COVID-19 was more frequently identified in patients having a fever (≥37.5℃) with a sore throat, a cough, or both. The positive COVID-19 rate reached approximately half (45%) when three symptoms were present.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that COVID-19 prediction by combinations of simple symptoms and close contact with COVID-19-infected patients might be useful and lead to recommendations for testing of COVID-19 in symptomatic individuals.

Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis Associated With Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis, also known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), is an immune complex-mediated inflammation of small blood vessels that leads to tissue destruction with or without organ damage. We described a case of a 41-year-old otherwise healthy female who presented with an ascending rash distributed on both lower extremities and arthralgia. Blood testing revealed high blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and inflammatory markers, as well as a negative autoimmune panel. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria and hematuria. A kidney biopsy was performed, which revealed abnormalities. She was started on intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Suddenly, she complained of epistaxis and became desaturated. Computed tomography revealed bilateral pleural effusion, and she was transferred to the ICU. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and was consistent with an increasing bloodier return. Plasma exchange was performed. The rash and clinical symptoms improved dramatically. This study reports a case of IgA vasculitis based on The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization/Pediatric Rheumatology European Society (EULAR/PRINTO/PRES) criteria associated with pulmonary-renal syndrome following a case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.