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Salton F, Biolo M, Trotta L, Mondini L, Andrisano AG, Reccardini N, Confalonieri P, Antonaglia C, Confalonieri M, Ruaro B. A novel technique for conducting flexible bronchoscopy cryobiopsy under conscious sedation: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38493. [PMID: 39029057 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a reliable method for obtaining histopathological findings in interstitial lung diseases. TBCB is traditionally performed during rigid bronchoscopy, positioning an endobronchial balloon blocker to facilitate bleeding management. Therefore, it can be challenging to implement in Centers without access to anesthesiologic support or dedicated beds for endoscopic procedures. We present a series of 11 patients who underwent 12 TBCBs using a flexible bronchoscope and a 5 Fr endobronchial blocker passing through an uncuffed endotracheal tube, under moderate sedation and spontaneous breathing. All procedures were carried out in an endoscopy suite, using fluoroscopy guidance but without requiring anesthesiologic assistance. TBCB was feasible in all cases, and it demonstrated similar or improved diagnostic yield (90.1%) and safety compared to rigid bronchoscopy. In 1 case, it was successfully repeated due to an inconclusive histological definition at the first attempt. The size of the samples was consistent with the literature, as it was the incidence of pneumothorax (16.6%). Four cases of moderate bleeding and 4 cases of severe bleeding were managed without further complications. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a technique allowing to perform TBCB through an artificial airway without need for either rigid bronchoscopy or general anesthesia. We believe this technique could make TBCB faster, cost-effective, and feasible even in resource-limited settings without compromising on safety. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Salton
- Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, Pulmonology Unit, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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You J, Huang R, Zhong R, Shen J, Huang S, Chen J, Chen F, Kang Y, Chen L. Serum AXL is a potential molecular marker for predicting COVID-19 progression. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1394429. [PMID: 38799467 PMCID: PMC11116689 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1394429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The severity, symptoms, and outcome of COVID-19 is thought to be closely linked to how the virus enters host cells. This process involves the key roles of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the Tyrosine protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) receptors. However, there is limited research on the circulating levels of ACE2 and AXL and their implications in COVID-19. Methods A control group of 71 uninfected individuals was also included in the study. According to the Guidance for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (10th edition), a cohort of 358 COVID-19 patients were categorized into non-severe and severe cases. Serum ACE2/AXL levels in COVID-19 patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points post-COVID-19 infection, including days 0-7, 8-15, 31-179 and >180 days. Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies in COVID-19 patients at the same intervals were assessed by using an iFlash 3000 Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic value of the biological markers, and the association between laboratory parameters and illness progression were explored. Results Compared with the uninfected group, the levels of ACE2 and AXL in the COVID-19 group were decreased, and the SARS-COV-2 IgG level was increased. AXL (AUC = 0.774) demonstrated a stronger predictive ability for COVID-19 than ACE2. In the first week after infection, only the level of AXL was statistically different between severe group and non-severe group. After first week, the levels of ACE2 and AXL were different in two groups. Moreover, in severe COVID-19 cases, the serum ACE2, AXL, and SARS-COV-2 IgM levels reached a peak during days 8-15 before declining, whereas serum SARS-COV-2 IgG levels continued to rise, reaching a peak at day 31-180 days before decreasing. In addition, the AXL level continued to decrease and the SARS-COV-2 IgG level continued to increase in the infected group after 180 days compared to the uninfected group. Conclusions The levels of serum ACE2 and AXL correlate with COVID-19 severity. However, AXL can also provide early warning of clinical deterioration in the first week after infection. AXL appears to be a superior potential molecular marker for predicting COVID-19 progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin You
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ruifang Zhong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shuhang Huang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Falin Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yanli Kang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Liangyuan Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Ding Z, Wei X, Pan H, Shi H, Shi Y. Unveiling the intricacies of COVID-19: Autoimmunity, multi-organ manifestations and the role of autoantibodies. Scand J Immunol 2024; 99:e13344. [PMID: 39007954 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a severe infectious disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has caused a global pandemic and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Beyond the respiratory system, the disease manifests in multiple organs, producing a spectrum of clinical symptoms. A pivotal factor in the disease's progression is autoimmunity, which intensifies its severity and contributes to multi-organ injuries. The intricate interaction between the virus' spike protein and human proteins may engender the generation of autoreactive antibodies through molecular mimicry. This can further convolute the immune response, with the potential to escalate into overt autoimmunity. There is also emerging evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccinations might elicit analogous autoimmune responses. Advanced technologies have pinpointed self-reactive antibodies that target diverse organs or immune-modulatory proteins. The interplay between autoantibody levels and multi-organ manifestations underscores the importance of regular monitoring of serum antibodies and proinflammatory markers. A combination of immunosuppressive treatments and antiviral therapy is crucial for managing COVID-19-associated autoimmune diseases. The review will focus on the generation of autoantibodies in the context of COVID-19 and their impact on organ health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zetao Ding
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyi Wei
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoyu Pan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Shi
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Muntean M, Briciu V, Lupse M, Colcear D, Macicasan RV, Csiszer A, Manole A, Radulescu A. Effects of COVID-19 on the Liver and Mortality in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia Caused by Delta and Non-Delta Variants: An Analysis in a Single Centre. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:3. [PMID: 38275989 PMCID: PMC10820137 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to ascertain patient characteristics, outcomes, and liver injuries in patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Data from consecutive adult patients with severe/critical COVID-19 admitted to our hospital during the peak month of the Delta wave were compared to the ancestral, Alpha, and Omicron waves. The dataset of 551 hospitalized patients was similar in the Delta/non-Delta waves. At admission and discharge, the median aminotransferase levels were normal or slightly increased. During the Delta wave (172 vs. 379 non-Delta patients), more patients died (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.09-2.56) or had liver injury at discharge (alanine aminotransferase, ALT ≥ 2 ULN) (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.08-3.54). In-hospital mortality was associated with age, lung injury, intensive care unit admission, number of and cardiovascular comorbidities, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and all inflammatory biomarkers. Serious liver injury at admission (ALT ≥ 5 × ULN) was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR = 7.9, 95%CI 2-28.9). At discharge, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) was found in patients treated with remdesivir, ALT ≥ 2 ULN (OR = 2.62, 95%CI 1.22-5.75). Treatment with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and immunomodulators showed improved survival, OR = 0.50 (95%CI 0.33-0.77). Regardless of the variant and treatment options, less than 2% of patients displayed serious liver injury, which was not found to be a death predictor in multivariable analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Muntean
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
- The Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Violeta Briciu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
- The Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Mihaela Lupse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
- The Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Doina Colcear
- The Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Raul Vlad Macicasan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Agnes Csiszer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexandra Manole
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Amanda Radulescu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (M.L.); (R.V.M.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
- The Teaching Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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Kim J, Qiao F, Singh AK, Won J, Singh I. Efficacies of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and GSNO reductase inhibitor in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induced acute lung disease in mice. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1304697. [PMID: 38143504 PMCID: PMC10748393 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1304697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which initially surfaced in late 2019, often triggers severe pulmonary complications, encompassing various disease mechanisms such as intense lung inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and pulmonary embolism. Currently, however, there's no drug addressing all these mechanisms simultaneously. This study explored the multi-targeting potential of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and N6022, an inhibitor of GSNO reductase (GSNOR) on markers of inflammatory, vascular, and thrombotic diseases related to COVID-19-induced acute lung disease. For this, acute lung disease was induced in C57BL/6 mice through intranasal administration of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 domain (SP-S1). The mice exhibited fever, body weight loss, and increased blood levels and lung expression of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) as well as increased vascular inflammation mediated by ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and lung infiltration by immune cells (e.g., neutrophils, monocytes, and activated cytotoxic and helper T cells). Further, the mice exhibited increased lung hyperpermeability (lung Evans blue extravasation) leading to lung edema development as well as elevated blood coagulation factors (e.g., fibrinogen, thrombin, activated platelets, and von Willebrand factor) and lung fibrin deposition. Similar to the patients with COVID-19, male mice showed more severe disease than female mice, along with higher GSNOR expression in the lungs. Optimization of GSNO by treatment with exogenous GSNO or inhibition of GSNOR by N6022 (or GSNO knockout) protects against SP-S1-induced lung diseases in both genders. These findings provide evidence for the potential efficacies of GSNO and GSNOR inhibitors in addressing the multi-mechanistic nature of SARS-CoV-2 SP-associated acute-lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Fei Qiao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Avtar K. Singh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jeseong Won
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Inderjit Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
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Maniscalco L, Genovese D, Ravazzolo B, Vella G, Sparacia B, Vitale F, Matranga D, Amodio E. Low Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection for Fully or Boosted mRNA Vaccinated Subjects in Sicily: A Population-Based Study Using Real-World Data. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1757. [PMID: 38140163 PMCID: PMC10748171 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Reinfections occur as a response to natural infections wanes and novel strains of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. The present research explored the correlation between sex, age, COVID-19 vaccination, prior infection hospitalization, and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in Sicily, Italy. Materials and Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was articulated using the vaccination flux from a regional registry and the Sicilian COVID-19 monitoring system of the Italian Institute of Health. Only adult Sicilians were included in the study, and hazard ratios were calculated using Cox regression. Results: Partial vaccination provided some protection (adj-HR: 0.92), when compared to unvaccinated individuals; furthermore, reinfection risk was reduced by full vaccination (adj-HR: 0.43), and the booster dose (adj-HR: 0.41). Males had a lower risk than females of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 (adj-HR: 0.75). Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 was diminished by hospitalization during the first infection (adj-HR: 0.78). Reinfection risk was higher among those aged 30-39 and 40-49 compared to those aged 18-29, whereas those aged 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ were statistically protected. Reinfection was significantly more frequent during the wild-type-Alpha, Delta, Delta-Omicron, and Omicron dominance/codominance waves compared to the wild type. Conclusions: This study establishes a solid base for comprehending the reinfection phenomenon in Sicily by pinpointing the most urgent policy hurdles and identifying some of the major factors. COVID-19 vaccination, one of the most effective public health tools, protects against reinfection, mostly caused by the Omicron strain. Elderly and hospitalized people's lower risk suggests stricter PPE use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Maniscalco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Dario Genovese
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Barbara Ravazzolo
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Epidemiologia Clinica con Registro Tumori, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Vella
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Benedetta Sparacia
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Epidemiologia Clinica con Registro Tumori, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Domenica Matranga
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Emanuele Amodio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.M.); (G.V.); (B.S.); (F.V.); (D.M.); (E.A.)
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García-Escobar A, Vera-Vera S, Tébar-Márquez D, Rivero-Santana B, Jurado-Román A, Jiménez-Valero S, Galeote G, Cabrera JÁ, Moreno R. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio an inflammatory biomarker, and prognostic marker in heart failure, cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammatory diseases: New insights for a potential predictor of anti-cytokine therapy responsiveness. Microvasc Res 2023; 150:104598. [PMID: 37633337 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
In the 20th century, research focused on cholesterol and lipoproteins as the key mechanism in establishing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Given that some studies demonstrated subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects without conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels alone cannot account for the entire burden of atherosclerosis. Hence, large-scale clinical trials demonstrated the operation of immune and inflammatory pathways in ASCVD. In this regard, the evidence establishes that cells of the immune system, both the innate (neutrophils, macrophages) and adaptive (T cell and other lymphocytes) limbs, contribute to atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. Besides, basic science studies have identified proatherogenic cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-12, and IL-18. In this regard, some studies showed that antiinflammatory therapy targeting the immune system by modulating or blocking interleukins, also known as anti-cytokine therapy, can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular adverse events. The neutrophils play a key role in the innate immune system, representing the acute phase of an inflammatory response. In contrast, lymphocytes represent the adaptive immune system and promote the induction of autoimmune inflammation, especially in the chronic inflammatory response. Through the literature review, we will highlight the inflammatory pathway for the physiopathology of ASCVD, HF, and COVID-19. In this regard, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) integrates the innate immune and adaptive immune systems, making the NLR a biomarker of inflammation. In addition, we provided an update on the evidence showing that high NLR is associated with worse prognosis in heart failure (HF), ASCVD, and COVID-19, as well as their clinical applications showing that the normalization of NLR after anti-cytokine therapy is a potential predictor of therapy responsiveness and is associated with reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemio García-Escobar
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiology Department, Quirónsalud University Hospital Madrid, Spain.
| | - Silvio Vera-Vera
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Tébar-Márquez
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja Rivero-Santana
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Jurado-Román
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Jiménez-Valero
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Galeote
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Raúl Moreno
- Cardiology Department, Interventional Cardiology Section, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Health Research La Paz University Hospital (IDIPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Network Center on Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Saloň A, Neshev R, Teraž K, Šimunič B, Peskar M, Marušič U, Pišot S, Šlosar L, Gasparini M, Pišot R, De Boever P, Schmid-Zalaudek K, Steuber B, Fredriksen PM, Nkeh-Chungag BN, Sourij H, Šerý O, Goswami N. A pilot study: Exploring the influence of COVID-19 on cardiovascular physiology and retinal microcirculation. Microvasc Res 2023; 150:104588. [PMID: 37468091 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects the cardiovascular system. The current study investigated changes in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and microcirculation in patients recovering from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODOLOGY Out of 43 initially contacted COVID-19 patients, 35 (30 males, 5 females; age: 60 ± 10 years; and body mass index (BMI): 31.8 ± 4.9) participated in this study. Participants were seen on two occasions after hospital discharge; the baseline measurements were collected, either on the day of hospital discharge if a negative PCR test was obtained, or on the 10th day after hospitalization if the PCR test was positive. The second measurements were done 60 days after hospitalization. The vascular measurements were performed using the VICORDER® device and a retinal blood vessel image analysis. RESULTS A significant increase in systolic BP (SBP) (from 142 mmHg, SD: 15, to 150 mmHg, SD: 19, p = 0.041), reduction in HR (from 76 bpm, SD: 15, to 69 bpm, SD: 11, p = 0.001), and narrower central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) (from 240.94 μm, SD: 16.05, to 198.05 μm, SD: 17.36, p = 0.013) were found. Furthermore, the trends of increasing PWV (from 11 m/s, SD: 3, to 12 m/s, SD: 3, p = 0.095) and decreasing CRAE (from 138.87 μm, SD: 12.19, to 136.77 μm, SD: 13.19, p = 0.068) were recorded. CONCLUSION The present study investigated cardiovascular changes following COVID-19 infection at two-time points after hospital discharge (baseline measurements and 60 days post-hospitalization). Significant changes were found in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and microvasculature indicating that vascular adaptations may be ongoing even weeks after hospitalization from COVID-19 infection. Future studies could involve conducting additional interim assessments during the active infection and post-infection periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Saloň
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Ruslan Neshev
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Kaja Teraž
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boštjan Šimunič
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Manca Peskar
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia; Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Faculty V: Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uroš Marušič
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia; Department of Health Sciences, Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Saša Pišot
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Luka Šlosar
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia; Department of Health Sciences, Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Gasparini
- Department of General Surgery, General Hospital Izola, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Rado Pišot
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research, Koper, Slovenia
| | | | - Karin Schmid-Zalaudek
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Bianca Steuber
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Per Morten Fredriksen
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University PBX1, 5117 Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Harald Sourij
- Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Omar Šerý
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurobiology and Pathological Physiology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Austria; College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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9
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De Vito A, Moi G, Saderi L, Puci MV, Colpani A, Firino L, Puggioni A, Uzzau S, Babudieri S, Sotgiu G, Madeddu G. Vaccination and Antiviral Treatment Reduce the Time to Negative SARS-CoV-2 Swab: A Real-Life Study. Viruses 2023; 15:2180. [PMID: 38005858 PMCID: PMC10675806 DOI: 10.3390/v15112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials demonstrated the role of vaccines and antiviral treatments against SARS-CoV-2 in reducing the likelihood of disease progression and death. However, there are limited data available regarding the time to negativity of people who received these treatments. Further, several comorbidities and risk factors might affect the impact of vaccines and antiviral treatments. To this end, we aimed to evaluate and disentangle the impact of anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments and that of underlying clinical factors associated with a shortened length of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, we recorded the timeframe of positive nasopharyngeal swab in people infected while being hospitalized for reasons other than SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients who died or were discharged with a positive swab were excluded from the study. A total of 175 patients were included in this study. Clinical conditions encompass malignancies, immunological disorders, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and chronic kidney disease. Most of the participants (91.4%) were vaccinated before admission to the hospital, and 65.1% received antiviral treatment within three days after the symptom's onset. Unvaccinated patients had a longer median time to negativity than people who received at least two doses of vaccine (18 vs. 10 days). Concerning the clinical conditions of all patients, multivariate analysis highlighted a lower probability of 14-day conversion of antigenic test positivity in patients with hematological malignancy, including those vaccinated and those exposed to antiviral therapies. In conclusion, our data showed that prompt administration of antiviral treatments accelerates the clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Further, in the elderly patients under study, previous vaccination and antiviral treatment synergize to reduce time to negativity. This translates into a shorter hospitalization time and a lower risk of transmission through patients and connected healthcare workers in a hospital ward setting, with considerable improvement in cost-effective care management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.); (A.C.); (S.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Moi
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.); (A.C.); (S.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Laura Saderi
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.V.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariangela V. Puci
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.V.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.); (A.C.); (S.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Laura Firino
- Division of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.F.); (A.P.); (S.U.)
| | - Anna Puggioni
- Division of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.F.); (A.P.); (S.U.)
| | - Sergio Uzzau
- Division of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.F.); (A.P.); (S.U.)
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.); (A.C.); (S.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Sotgiu
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.V.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.); (A.C.); (S.B.); (G.M.)
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10
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Iwashita H, Kawabata Y, Hayashi H, Matsushita S, Yamashiro T, Matsumura M, Yoshimura Y, Kataoka T, Mitsui H, Suzuki T, Misumi T, Tanaka T, Ishijima S, Fukuoka J, Iwasawa T, Ogura T, Okudela K. Frequency of subclinical interstitial lung disease in COVID-19 autopsy cases: potential risk factors of severe pneumonia. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:408. [PMID: 37891495 PMCID: PMC10612296 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02692-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Risk factors of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been previously reported; however, histological risk factors have not been defined thus far. The aim of this study was to clarify subclinical hidden interstitial lung disease (ILD) as a risk factor of severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19. We carefully examined autopsied lungs and chest computed tomography scanning (CT) images from patients with COVID-19 for interstitial lesions and then analyzed their relationship with disease severity. Among the autopsy series, subclinical ILD was found in 13/27 cases (48%) in the COVID-19 group, and in contrast, 8/65 (12%) in the control autopsy group (p = 0.0006; Fisher's exact test). We reviewed CT images from the COVID-19 autopsy cases and verified that subclinical ILD was histologically detectable in the CT images. Then, we retrospectively examined CT images from another series of COVID-19 cases in the Yokohama, Japan area between February-August 2020 for interstitial lesions and analyzed the relationship to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. Interstitial lesion was more frequently found in the group with the moderate II/severe disease than in the moderate I/mild disease (severity was evaluated according to the COVID-19 severity classification system of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare [Japan]) (moderate II/severe, 11/15, 73.3% versus moderate I/mild, 108/245, 44.1%; Fisher exact test, p = 0.0333). In conclusion, it was suggested that subclinical ILD could be an important risk factor for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A benefit of these findings could be the development of a risk assessment system using high resolution CT images for fatal COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Iwashita
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kawabata
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, 1696, Itai, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama, 360-0197, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hayashi
- Division of Pathology, Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital, 1-1 Mitsuzawanishimachi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 221-0855, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Matsushita
- Department of Radiology, Yokohama City University Hospital, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Yamashiro
- Department of Radiology, Yokohama City University Hospital, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Mai Matsumura
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yoshimura
- Division of Infectious disease, Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital, 1-1 Mitsuzawanishimachi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 221-0855, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hideaki Mitsui
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takehisa Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Misumi
- Department of Biostatistics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Tomonori Tanaka
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Sosuke Ishijima
- Department of Pathology Informatics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan
| | - Junya Fukuoka
- Department of Pathology Informatics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan
| | - Tae Iwasawa
- Division of Radiology, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, 6-16-1 Tomioka- higashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0051, Japan
| | - Takashi Ogura
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, 6-16-1 Tomioka-higashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0051, Japan
| | - Koji Okudela
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
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11
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Lee T, Walley KR, Boyd JH, Cawcutt KA, Kalil A, Russell JA. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001810. [PMID: 37865420 PMCID: PMC10603472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic could impact frequency and mortality of non-COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Changes in frequency, patient mix, treatment and organ dysfunction could cascade together to increase mortality of CAP during compared with pre-COVID-19. METHODS Hospitalised CAP patients at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada pre-COVID-19 (fiscal years 2018/2019 and 2019/2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) were evaluated. RESULTS In 5219 CAP patients, there was no significant difference prepandemic versus during pandemic in mean age, gender and Charlson Comorbidity Score. However, hospital mortality increased significantly from pre-COVID-19 versus during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 12.1% respectively, (95% CI for difference: 3.0% to 6.3%), p<0.001), a 61% relative increase, coincident with increases in ICU admission (18.3% vs 25.5%, respectively, (95% CI for difference: 5.0% to 9.5%) p<0.001, 39% relative increase) and ventilation (12.7% vs 17.5%, respectively, (95% CI for difference: 2.8% to 6.7%) p<0.001, 38% relative increase). Results remained the same after regression adjustment for age, sex and Charlson score. CAP hospital admissions decreased 27% from pre-COVID-19 (n=1349 and 1433, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, respectively) versus the first COVID-19 pandemic year (n=1047 in 2020/2021) then rose to prepandemic number (n=1390 in 2021/2022). During prepandemic years, CAP admissions peaked in winter; during COVID-19, the CAP admissions peaked every 6 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This is the first study to show that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in hospital mortality, ICU admission and invasive mechanical ventilation rates of non-COVID-19 CAP and a transient, 1-year frequency decrease. There was no winter seasonality of CAP during the COVID-19 pandemic era. These novel findings could be used to guide future pandemic planning for CAP hospital care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Lee
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Keith R Walley
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John H Boyd
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kelly A Cawcutt
- Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Andre Kalil
- Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - James A Russell
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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12
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Di Maggio G, Confalonieri P, Salton F, Trotta L, Ruggero L, Kodric M, Geri P, Hughes M, Bellan M, Gilio M, Lerda S, Baratella E, Confalonieri M, Mondini L, Ruaro B. Biomarkers in Systemic Sclerosis: An Overview. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7775-7802. [PMID: 37886934 PMCID: PMC10604992 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by significant fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, with the main involvement of the lungs, kidneys, heart, esophagus, and intestines. SSc is also characterized by macro- and microvascular damage with reduced peripheral blood perfusion. Several studies have reported more than 240 pathways and numerous dysregulation proteins, giving insight into how the field of biomarkers in SSc is still extremely complex and evolving. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are present in more than 90% of SSc patients, and anti-centromere and anti-topoisomerase I antibodies are considered classic biomarkers with precise clinical features. Recent studies have reported that trans-forming growth factor β (TGF-β) plays a central role in the fibrotic process. In addition, interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), interleukin receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transducer and activator of transcription signal 4 (STAT4), pyrin-containing domain 1 (NLRP1), as well as genetic factors, including DRB1 alleles, are implicated in SSc damage. Several interleukins (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-35) and chemokines (e.g., CCL 2, 5, 23, and CXC 9, 10, 16) are elevated in SSc. While adiponectin and maresin 1 are reduced in patients with SSc, biomarkers are important in research but will be increasingly so in the diagnosis and therapeutic approach to SSc. This review aims to present and highlight the various biomarker molecules, pathways, and receptors involved in the pathology of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Maggio
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Liliana Trotta
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Luca Ruggero
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Metka Kodric
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Pietro Geri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Michael Hughes
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M6 8HD, UK;
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Disease (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria, Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Michele Gilio
- Infectious Disease Unit, San Carlo Hospital, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Selene Lerda
- Graduate School, University of Milan, 20149 Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Baratella
- Department of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucrezia Mondini
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.D.M.); (M.K.); (P.G.); (L.M.)
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Stoicescu ER, Lovrenski J, Iacob R, Cerbu S, Iacob D, Iacob ER, Susa SR, Ciuca IM, Bolintineanu (Ghenciu) LA, Ciornei-Hoffman A, Oancea C, Manolescu DL. COVID-19 in Infants and Children under 2 Years-Could Lung Ultrasound Score Be Correlated with Biomarkers and Symptoms? Biomedicines 2023; 11:2620. [PMID: 37892994 PMCID: PMC10604022 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is already well known that infants and children infected with COVID-19 develop mild to moderate forms of the disease, with fever and oropharyngeal congestion being the most common symptoms. However, there are instances when patients claim to be experiencing respiratory symptoms. Because of the repeated lung examinations required in these situations, non-irradiating imaging techniques are preferred. This study's objective is to ascertain the value of lung ultrasonography (LUS) in the medical management of these specific cases. METHODS Infants and children under two years old with SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated using LUS. Patients with other respiratory pathologies were excluded by using specific tests. The LUS score (LUSS) was correlated with biomarkers and clinical findings using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation rho. RESULTS The LUSS for each patient varied from 1 to 8 points out of a maximum of 36 points. The arithmetic mean was 4.47 ± 2.36 (S.D), while the 95% CI for the arithmetic mean was 3.33 to 5.61. Sparse B-lines were present in all enrolled infants and children (100%), while only 36.84% developed alveolar syndrome (confluent B-lines). The lung changes were correlated with their biomarkers, specifically inflammatory markers. The correlation between LUSS and LDH, D-dimers, and IL-6 was a strongly positive one with rho = 0.55 (p = 0.001, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.80) between the LUSS and D-dimer levels and rho = 0.60 (p = 0.03, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.87) between LUSS and D-dimer levels at symptomatic infants and children (with respiratory involvement). CONCLUSIONS Infants and children under the age of two are prone to develop mild forms of COVID-19 disease with a B-line pattern on LUS, although inflammatory markers have elevated blood levels. Despite the small sample, D-dimer levels and O2 saturation were correlated with LUSS in patients with respiratory involvement, while similar results were also found in the entire lot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Robert Stoicescu
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Jovan Lovrenski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Institute for Children and Adolescent Health Care of Vojvodina, Hajduk Veljkova 10, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Roxana Iacob
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Simona Cerbu
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
| | - Daniela Iacob
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Emil Radu Iacob
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Septimiu Radu Susa
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Mihaiela Ciuca
- Pediatric Department, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Laura Andreea Bolintineanu (Ghenciu)
- IOSUD/Ph.D. School, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Ciornei-Hoffman
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Oancea
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases (CRIPMRD), ‘Victor Babeș’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pulmonology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Luminita Manolescu
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.R.S.); (D.L.M.)
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases (CRIPMRD), ‘Victor Babeș’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
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14
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Gęgotek A, Zarkovic N, Orehovec B, Jaganjac M, Sunjic SB, Skrzydlewska E. Short Survey on the Protein Modifications in Plasma during SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14109. [PMID: 37762413 PMCID: PMC10531908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, it is important to understand the pathology of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with respiratory failure and high mortality. The plasma proteome, including protein modification by lipid peroxidation products in COVID-19 survivors (COVID-19; n = 10) and deceased individuals (CovDeath; n = 10) was compared in samples collected upon admission to the hospital, when there was no difference in their status, with that of healthy individuals (Ctr; n = 10). The obtained results show that COVID-19 development strongly alters the expression of proteins involved in the regulation of exocytosis and platelet degranulation (top 20 altered proteins indicated by analysis of variance; p-value (False Discovery Rate) cutoff at 5%). These changes were most pronounced in the CovDeath group. In addition, the levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) adducts increased 2- and 3-fold, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) adducts increased 7- and 2.5-fold, respectively, in COVID-19 and CovDeath groups. Kinases and proinflammatory proteins were particularly affected by these modifications. Protein adducts with 15-deoxy-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) were increased 2.5-fold in COVID-19 patients, including modifications of proteins such as p53 and STAT3, whereas CovDeath showed a decrease of approximately 60% compared with Ctr. This study for the first time demonstrates the formation of lipid metabolism products-protein adducts in plasma from survived and deceased COVID-19 patients, significantly distinguishing them, which may be a predictor of the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gęgotek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-069 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Neven Zarkovic
- Ruder Boskovic Institute, Div. Molecular Medicine Laboratory for Oxidative Stress Bijenicka 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.Z.); (M.J.); (S.B.S.)
| | | | - Morana Jaganjac
- Ruder Boskovic Institute, Div. Molecular Medicine Laboratory for Oxidative Stress Bijenicka 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.Z.); (M.J.); (S.B.S.)
| | - Suzana Borovic Sunjic
- Ruder Boskovic Institute, Div. Molecular Medicine Laboratory for Oxidative Stress Bijenicka 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.Z.); (M.J.); (S.B.S.)
| | - Elżbieta Skrzydlewska
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-069 Bialystok, Poland;
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15
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Al-Momani H, Mashal S, Al Balawi D, Almasri M, Al-Shudifat AE, Khasawneh AI, Pearson J, Ward C. A prospective study of extraesophageal reflux and potential microaspiration in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Jordan. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:341. [PMID: 37697259 PMCID: PMC10496175 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lung infection has represented a global challenge. Intriguingly, it has been shown that the alveolar lung epithelium expresses little Angiotensin Converting Enzyme receptor protein (ACE2), the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Upper airway establishment of infection and translocation to the lung is well documented but other anatomical niches may be relevant to potentially serious lung infection. ACE2 is heavily expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and gastrointestinal symptoms support a clinical diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This suggests a research question and the need to gather patient data exploring potential aerodigestive links in SARS-CoV-2 tranlocation and infection which may be relevant in the peripheral lung. This recognizes anatomical proximity and concepts of bi-directional movement between the Gastrointestinal and lung systems in normal physiology and disease. We have therefore explored the potential for gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) micro aspiration and aeorodigestive pathophysiology in a novel prospective investigation of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS This is a prospective descriptive cohort study of 210 patients who were hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The cohort was divided into three groups of patients based on symptom severity and radiological results. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) was used to evaluate the presence and severity of GOR. An RSI greater than 13 is considered to be abnormal. Patients' saliva samples were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the level of salivary pepsin among the cohort of patients. RESULTS A total of 210 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study with 55.2% (116/210) classified as mildly ill, 31.9% (67/210) moderately ill and 12.9% (27/210) as severely ill. 34% (72/210) of the patients had an RSI score of over 13 and a median salivary pepsin value of 54 ± 29 ng/ml which suggested an incidence of extraesophageal reflux (EOR) in around a third of patients. The presence of respiratory comorbid conditions, an RSI score of over 13 and a salivary pepsin level of > 76ng/ml increased the risk of developing a more severe COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION The study showed a high prevalence of EOR among the study cohort and provide the first prospective evidence suggesting the potential for aerodigestive pathophysiology including microaspiration in COVID-19 disease. We believe that the results of our study support the need for more extensive research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafez Al-Momani
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan.
| | - Safaa Mashal
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Dua'a Al Balawi
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Muna Almasri
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Abdel-Ellah Al-Shudifat
- Department of Internal and family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Ashraf I Khasawneh
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Jeffrey Pearson
- Translational and clinical research and Biosciences institutes, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Christopher Ward
- Translational and clinical research and Biosciences institutes, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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16
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Cifaldi R, Salton F, Confalonieri P, Trotta L, Barbieri M, Ruggero L, Valeri G, Pozzan R, Della Porta R, Kodric M, Baratella E, Bellan M, Lerda S, Hughes M, Confalonieri M, Cova MA, Gandin I, Mondini L, Ruaro B. Pulmonary Sarcoidosis and Immune Dysregulation: A Pilot Study on Possible Correlation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2899. [PMID: 37761266 PMCID: PMC10530165 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by an altered inflammatory response. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether immune system alterations detected by lymphocyte typing in peripheral blood correlate with the severity of sarcoidosis, calculated according to two separate severity scores proposed by Wasfi in 2006 and Hamzeh in 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one patients were recruited, and clinical data and laboratory tests at the time of diagnosis were obtained in order to assess the severity index score and investigate any statistically significant correlation with the cytofluorimetry data. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that none of the two scores show an association with the level of total lymphocytes or lymphocyte subclasses. LIMITATIONS First of all, the sample taken into consideration is small. The assessment was performed only at disease onset and not during the disease. Furthermore, the severity scores do not take into account disease activity (measured by PET/CT or gallium scintigraphy). CONCLUSIONS Lymphocyte subpopulation values at the time of diagnosis do not appear to correlate with disease severity at onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cifaldi
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Liliana Trotta
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mariangela Barbieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Ruggero
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Valeri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pozzan
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossana Della Porta
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Metka Kodric
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Baratella
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Disease (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Selene Lerda
- Management Specialization School, University of Milan, 20149 Milano, Italy
| | - Michael Hughes
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M6 8HD, UK
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Cova
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gandin
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Mondini
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Healt Sciencies, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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17
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Giani M, Pozzi M, Rona R. Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5791. [PMID: 37762732 PMCID: PMC10531926 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global crisis that significantly impacted around the world [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Giani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Matteo Pozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Roberto Rona
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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18
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Rolland-Debord C, Piéroni L, Bejar F, Milon A, Choinier P, Blin E, Bravais J, Halitim P, Letellier A, Camuset J, Parrot A, Fajac A, Cadranel J. Cell and cytokine analyses from bronchoalveolar lavage in non-critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1723-1732. [PMID: 37353659 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Cell and cytokine analyses from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in non-critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia are poorly described. This study focused on patients hospitalized in the non-intensive care unit for either suspected COVID-19 pneumonia or persistent respiratory symptoms following proven COVID-19 pneumonia. Overall, 54 patients who underwent BAL between April 2020 and February 2021 for suspected or follow-up of proven COVID-19 pneumonia were included. Based on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test results and clinical follow-up, three pulmonary disease groups were defined: non-COVID-19 (n = 20), acute COVID-19 (n = 13), and post-COVID-19 (n = 24) pneumonia patients. Cytological and cytokine analyses were performed on BAL fluid (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, HGF, and TGF-β), with investigators blinded to the patient groups. Lymphocytic alveolitis with plasmocytes was observed in acute COVID-19 pneumonia, returning to normal post-COVID-19. The highest cytokine levels were observed in COVID-19 patients, with significantly increased IFN-γ, IL-10, and HGF levels compared to non-COVID-19 patients, while significantly decreased IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and HGF levels were noted in post-COVID-19 patients. In COVID-19 patients, correlations between IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ concentrations were found. Lymphocytic alveolitis with plasmacytosis was found in non-critical COVID-19 pneumonia This alveolitis is associated with the presence of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and HGF. Alveolitis and cytokines levels decreased in post-COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Rolland-Debord
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Department of Pneumology, Service de Pneumologie, CHU Gabriel Montpied, Université Clermont Auvergne, 53 rue Montalembert, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Laurence Piéroni
- Department of Biochemistry, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Farah Bejar
- Department of Biochemistry, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Milon
- Department of Radiology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Pascaline Choinier
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Blin
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Bravais
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Halitim
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Alice Letellier
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Camuset
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Parrot
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Anne Fajac
- Department of Pathology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Cadranel
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, AP-HP Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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19
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Soto J, Linsley C, Song Y, Chen B, Fang J, Neyyan J, Davila R, Lee B, Wu B, Li S. Engineering Materials and Devices for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of COVID-19 and Infectious Diseases. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2455. [PMID: 37686965 PMCID: PMC10490511 DOI: 10.3390/nano13172455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Following the global spread of COVID-19, scientists and engineers have adapted technologies and developed new tools to aid in the fight against COVID-19. This review discusses various approaches to engineering biomaterials, devices, and therapeutics, especially at micro and nano levels, for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, serving as a resource for scientists to identify specific tools that can be applicable for infectious-disease-related research, technology development, and treatment. From the design and production of equipment critical to first responders and patients using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to point-of-care devices for rapid diagnosis, these technologies and tools have been essential to address current global needs for the prevention and detection of diseases. Moreover, advancements in organ-on-a-chip platforms provide a valuable platform to not only study infections and disease development in humans but also allow for the screening of more effective therapeutics. In addition, vaccines, the repurposing of approved drugs, biomaterials, drug delivery, and cell therapy are promising approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Following a comprehensive review of all these topics, we discuss unsolved problems and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Soto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chase Linsley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Binru Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jun Fang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Josephine Neyyan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Raul Davila
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Brandon Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Benjamin Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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20
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Zhou G, Verweij S, Bijlsma MJ, de Vos S, Oude Rengerink K, Pasmooij AMG, van Baarle D, Niesters HGM, Mol P, Vonk JM, Hak E. Repurposed drug studies on the primary prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the pandemic: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001674. [PMID: 37640510 PMCID: PMC10462970 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current evidence on the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis is inconclusive. We aimed to systematically evaluate published studies on repurposed drugs for the prevention of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 among healthy adults. DESIGN Systematic review. ELIGIBILITY Quantitative experimental and observational intervention studies that evaluated the effectiveness of repurposed drugs for the primary prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 disease. DATA SOURCE PubMed and Embase (1 January 2020-28 September 2022). RISK OF BIAS Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tools were applied to assess the quality of studies. DATA ANALYSIS Meta-analyses for each eligible drug were performed if ≥2 similar study designs were available. RESULTS In all, 65 (25 trials, 40 observational) and 29 publications were eligible for review and meta-analyses, respectively. Most studies pertained to hydroxychloroquine (32), ACE inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (11), statin (8), and ivermectin (8). In trials, hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis reduced laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (risk ratio: 0.82 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.90), I2=48%), a result largely driven by one clinical trial (weight: 60.5%). Such beneficial effects were not observed in observational studies, nor for prognostic clinical outcomes. Ivermectin did not significantly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR: 0.35 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.26), I2=96%) and findings for clinical outcomes were inconsistent. Neither ACEi or ARB were beneficial in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most of the evidence from clinical trials was of moderate quality and of lower quality in observational studies. CONCLUSIONS Results from our analysis are insufficient to support an evidence-based repurposed drug policy for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis because of inconsistency. In the view of scarce supportive evidence on repurposing drugs for COVID-19, alternative strategies such as immunisation of vulnerable people are warranted to prevent the future waves of infection. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021292797.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiling Zhou
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Verweij
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten J Bijlsma
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn de Vos
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Debbie van Baarle
- Virology and Immunology Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert G M Niesters
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Mol
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelko Hak
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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21
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Werter DE, Schuster HJ, Schneeberger C, Pajkrt E, de Groot CJM, van Leeuwen E, Kazemier BM. Changes in the Prevalence of Infection in Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Lockdown. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1973. [PMID: 37630533 PMCID: PMC10459395 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, strict mitigation measures and national lockdowns were implemented. Our objective was to investigate to what extent the prevalence of some infections in pregnancy was altered during different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This was a single centre retrospective cohort study conducted in the Netherlands on data collected from electronic patient files of pregnant women from January 2017 to February 2021. We identified three time periods with different strictness of mitigation measures: the first and second lockdown were relatively strict; the inter-lockdown period was less strict. The prevalence of the different infections (Group B Streptococcus (GBS)-carriage, urinary tract infections and Cytomegalovirus infection) during the lockdown was compared to the same time periods in previous years (2017-2019). RESULTS In the first lockdown, there was a significant decrease in GBS-carriage (19.5% in 2017-2019 vs. 9.1% in 2020; p = 0.02). In the period following the first lockdown and during the second, no differences in prevalence were found. There was a trend towards an increase in positive Cytomegalovirus IgM during the inter-lockdown period (4.9% in 2017-2019 vs. 12.8% in 2020; p = 0.09), but this did not reach statistical significance. The number of positive urine cultures did not significantly change during the study period. CONCLUSIONS During the first lockdown there was a reduction in GBS-carriage; further studies are warranted to look into the reason why.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique E. Werter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen J. Schuster
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Schneeberger
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Pajkrt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christianne J. M. de Groot
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth van Leeuwen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda M. Kazemier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics, Division Women and Baby, Birth Centre Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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De Juana C, Herrera S, Ponce S, Calvache S, Dahmazi L, Vitale R, Ferrer AJ, Valentín V, Acosta M, López I, Martínez-Moragón E. Health-related quality of life and radiological and functional lung changes of patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia 3 and 10 months after discharge. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:231. [PMID: 37370050 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the long-term impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. Specific follow-up should be carried out to detect and treat possible pulmonary abnormalities, and the worsening of HRQoL should be estimated to target necessary resources for care of these patients after acute phase. The objective was to know the impact on HRQoL of patients who have been admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia, and to evaluate the clinical-radiological and functional changes of patients who have overcome COVID-19 pneumonia at 3 and 10 months of follow-up. METHODS Prospective observational study of patients who required hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia between April and December 2020. All patients filled out the EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire with the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (E-VAS) for self-assessment of health status. Respiratory function tests and chest X-ray were carried out at 3 and 10 months of follow-up. RESULTS 61 patients were included in the study. The need for ventilatory support was associated with anxiety/depression on the EQ-5D scale, as well as patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean EQ-5D and E-VAS index scores decreased with hospitalization time, the number of days spent in intermediate respiratory care unit (IRCU) and the level of dyspnoea at the beginning of the hospitalization period. Pulmonary sequelae were observed in 25 patients (41%) at 3 months and 17 (27.9%) at 10 months. Patients improve their forced vital capacity (FVC) by 196 ml (p = 0.001) at 10 months as well as 9% in diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (p = 0.001) at 10 months. DLCO was found to be correlated to lymphopenia and time spent in IRCU. Low FVC values were detected 10 months after discharge for subjects exhibiting high levels of dyspnoea at 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia affects the HRQoL of patients, with greater anxiety/depression in those who were more serious affected and are younger. A significant percentage of patients present fibrotic abnormalities and lung function impairment at the first and second follow-up after discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina De Juana
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Susana Herrera
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Silvia Ponce
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Calvache
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Loubna Dahmazi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Verónica Valentín
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Acosta
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene López
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Moragón
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Universitary Hospital Doctor Peset of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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23
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Salton F, Confalonieri P, Meduri GU, Mondini L, Trotta L, Barbieri M, Bozzi C, Torregiani C, Lerda S, Bellan M, Confalonieri M, Ruaro B, Tavano S, Pozzan R. Theory and Practice of Glucocorticoids in COVID-19: Getting to the Heart of the Matter-A Critical Review and Viewpoints. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:924. [PMID: 37513836 PMCID: PMC10385094 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged, low-dose glucocorticoids (GCs) have shown the highest efficacy among pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for COVID-19. Despite the World Health Organization's recommendation against their use at the beginning of the pandemic, GCs at a dose equivalent to dexamethasone 6 mg/day for 10 days are now indicated in all COVID-19 cases who require respiratory support. However, the efficacy of the intervention depends on the timing of initiation, the dose, and other individual factors. Indeed, patients treated with similar GC protocols often experience different outcomes, which do not always correlate with the presence of comorbidities or with the severity of respiratory involvement at baseline. This prompted us to critically review the literature on the rationale, pharmacological principles, and clinical evidence that should guide GC treatment. Based on these data, the best treatment protocol probably involves an initial bolus dose to saturate the glucocorticoid receptors, followed by a continuous infusion to maintain constant plasma levels, and eventually a slow tapering to interruption. Methylprednisolone has shown the highest efficacy among different GC molecules, most likely thanks to its higher ability to penetrate the lung. Decreased tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids is thought to be the main mechanism accounting for the lower response to the treatment in some individuals. We do not have a readily available test to identify GC resistance; therefore, to address inter-individual variability, future research should aim at investigating clinical, physiological, and laboratory markers to guide a personalized GC treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Umberto Meduri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Lucrezia Mondini
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Liliana Trotta
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mariangela Barbieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Bozzi
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Torregiani
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Selene Lerda
- Business School, University of Milano, 20149 Milano, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Disease (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- A.O.U. Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Tavano
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pozzan
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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24
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Hwang SM, Jung Y, Seo J, Jung Y, Park S, Seo H. Validity of Rapid Antibody Testing for COVID-19 Vaccine in Homeless People. Viruses 2023; 15:1400. [PMID: 37376699 DOI: 10.3390/v15061400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: There is a paucity of data regarding the validity of rapid antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response in homeless people worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate a rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibody detection kit as a qualitative screen for vaccination in homeless people. (2) Methods: This study included 430 homeless people and 120 facility workers who had received one of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, AZD1222/ChAdOx1, or JNJ-78436735/AD26.COV2.5 vaccines. They were tested for IgM/IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the STANDARD™ Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Plus Test (QNCOV-02C). ELISA/competitive inhibition ELISA (CI-ELISA) was subsequently run to assess the validity of the serological antibody test. (3) Results: The sensitivity of homeless people was 43.5%. The status of homelessness was related to a lower agreement between serological antibody testing and CI-ELISA (adjusted OR (aOR), 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.70). However, the Heterologous boost vaccine presented higher agreement between serological antibody testing and CI-ELISA (adjusted OR (aOR), 6.50; 95% CI, 3.19-13.27). (4) Conclusions: This study found weak agreement between the rapid IgG results and confirmatory CI-ELISA testing in homeless people. However, it can be used as a screening test for the acceptance of homeless people with heterologous boost vaccination in facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Min Hwang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Public Health & Welfare, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
- Myunggok Medical Research Center, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Jung
- Health Promotion Division, Guro Public Health Center, Seoul 08299, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Seo
- Health Examination Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seobuk Hospital, Seoul 03433, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoomi Jung
- Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy, Daejeon 34059, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinae Park
- Health Examination Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seobuk Hospital, Seoul 03433, Republic of Korea
| | - Haesook Seo
- Seoul Infectious Disease Research Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul 04524, Republic of Korea
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25
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Harless WW, Lewis B, Qorri B, Abdulkhalek S, Szewczuk MR. Novel Therapeutic Target Critical for SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity and Induction of the Cytokine Release Syndrome. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091332. [PMID: 37174732 PMCID: PMC10177205 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We discovered a novel therapeutic target critical for SARS-CoV-2, cellular infectivity and the induction of the cytokine release syndrome. Here, we show that the mammalian enzyme neuraminidase-1 (Neu-1) is part of a highly conserved signaling platform that regulates the dimerization and activation of the ACE2 receptors and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) implicated in the cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Activated Neu-1 cleaves glycosylated residues that provide a steric hindrance to both ACE2 and TLR dimerization, a process critical to both viral attachment to the receptor and entry into the cell and TLR activation. Blocking Neu-1 inhibited ACE2 receptor dimerization and internalization, TLR dimerization and activation, and the expression of several key inflammatory molecules implicated in the CRS and death from ARDS. Treatments that target Neu-1 are predicted to be highly effective against infection with SARS-CoV-2, given the central role played by this enzyme in viral cellular entry and the induction of the CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beth Lewis
- ENCYT Technologies Inc., Membertou, NS B1S 0H1, Canada
| | - Bessi Qorri
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Samar Abdulkhalek
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 25026, United Arab Emirates
| | - Myron R Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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26
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Sarhan RM, E Altyar A, Essam Abou Warda A, Saied YM, Ibrahim HSG, Schaalan MF, Fathy S, Sarhan N, Boshra MS. Pentoxifylline Effects on Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Cytokine Storm Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040631. [PMID: 37111389 PMCID: PMC10142327 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a fatal, fast-spreading pandemic, and numerous attempts are being made around the world to understand and manage the disease. COVID-19 patients may develop a cytokine-release syndrome, which causes serious respiratory diseases and, in many cases, death. The study examined the feasibility of employing legally available anti-inflammatory pentoxifylline (PTX), a low toxicity and cost medication, to mitigate the hyper-inflammation caused by COVID-19. Thirty adult patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV2 were hospitalized owing to the cytokine storm syndrome. They were given 400 mg of pentoxifylline orally TID according to the standard COVID-19 protocol of the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Besides this, a group of thirty-eight hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received the standard COVID-19 protocol was included in the study as a control group. The outcomes included laboratory test parameters, clinical improvements, and number of deaths in both groups. After receiving PTX, all patients showed a significant improvement in C reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels at p < 0.01 and p = 0.004, respectively, while there was an increase in total leukocyte count (TLC) and neutrophil-to-leucocyte ratio (NLR) at p < 0.01 compared to their baseline levels. The D-dimer level showed a significant increase in the treatment group at p < 0.01, while showing no statistically significant difference in the control group. The median initial ALT (42 U/L) in the treatment group showed a decrease compared to the control group (51 U/L). No statistical significance was reported regarding clinical improvement, length of stay, and death percentages between the two groups. Our results showed no significant improvement of PTX over controls in clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, PTX displayed a positive effect on certain inflammatory biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania M Sarhan
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Altyar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80260, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Essam Abou Warda
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Mohamed Saied
- Microbiology and Immunology Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11828, Egypt
| | | | - Mona F Schaalan
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo 11828, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Fathy
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo 11828, Egypt
| | - Neven Sarhan
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo 11828, Egypt
| | - Marian S Boshra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
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27
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Genzor S, Pobeha P, Šimek M, Jakubec P, Mizera J, Vykopal M, Sova M, Vaněk J, Praško J. Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Needing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Following a Critical Course of COVID-19. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041054. [PMID: 37109583 PMCID: PMC10143867 DOI: 10.3390/life13041054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe respiratory failure is one of the most serious complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a small proportion of patients, mechanical ventilation fails to provide adequate oxygenation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed. The surviving individuals need long-term follow-up as it is not clear what their prognosis is. AIM To provide a complex clinical picture of patients during follow-up exceeding one year after the ECMO therapy due to severe COVID-19. METHODS All subjects involved in the study required ECMO in the acute stage of COVID-19. The survivors were followed-up for over one year at a specialized respiratory medical center. RESULTS Of the 41 patients indicated for ECMO, 17 patients (64.7% males) survived. The average age of survivors was 47.8 years, and the average BMI was 34.7 kg·m-2. The duration of ECMO support was 9.4 days. A mild decrease in vital capacity (VC) and transfer factor (DLCO) was observed on the initial follow-up visit (82.1% and 60%, respectively). VC improved by 6.2% and by an additional 7.5% after 6 months and 1 year, respectively. DLCO improved by 21.1% after 6 months and remained stable after 1 year. Post-intensive care consequences included psychological problems and neurological impairment in 29% of patients; 64.7% of the survivors got vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 within 12 months of hospitalization and 17.6% experienced reinfection with a mild course. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the need for ECMO. Patients' quality of life after ECMO is temporarily significantly reduced but most patients do not experience permanent disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Genzor
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Center for Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavol Pobeha
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University Kosice and University Hospital Kosice, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Šimek
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Jakubec
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mizera
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vykopal
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Sova
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Masaryk University Brno and University Hospital Brno, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Vaněk
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Praško
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Jessenia Inc. Rehabilitation Hospital Beroun, Akeso Holding, 155 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
- Department of Psychotherapy, Institute for Postgraduate Training in Health Care, 100 05 Prague, Czech Republic
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28
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Rizzi M, D'Onghia D, Tonello S, Minisini R, Colangelo D, Bellan M, Castello LM, Gavelli F, Avanzi GC, Pirisi M, Sainaghi PP. COVID-19 Biomarkers at the Crossroad between Patient Stratification and Targeted Therapy: The Role of Validated and Proposed Parameters. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087099. [PMID: 37108262 PMCID: PMC10138390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 pathophysiology have enormously increased during the pandemic. Nevertheless, because of the great heterogeneity of disease manifestations, a precise patient stratification at admission is still difficult, thus rendering a rational allocation of limited medical resources as well as a tailored therapeutic approach challenging. To date, many hematologic biomarkers have been validated to support the early triage of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to monitor their disease progression. Among them, some indices have proven to be not only predictive parameters, but also direct or indirect pharmacological targets, thus allowing for a more tailored approach to single-patient symptoms, especially in those with severe progressive disease. While many blood test-derived parameters quickly entered routine clinical practice, other circulating biomarkers have been proposed by several researchers who have investigated their reliability in specific patient cohorts. Despite their usefulness in specific contexts as well as their potential interest as therapeutic targets, such experimental markers have not been implemented in routine clinical practice, mainly due to their higher costs and low availability in general hospital settings. This narrative review will present an overview of the most commonly adopted biomarkers in clinical practice and of the most promising ones emerging from specific population studies. Considering that each of the validated markers reflects a specific aspect of COVID-19 evolution, embedding new highly informative markers into routine clinical testing could help not only in early patient stratification, but also in guiding a timely and tailored method of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rizzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Davide D'Onghia
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Stelvio Tonello
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Donato Colangelo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Luigi Mario Castello
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Francesco Gavelli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Gian Carlo Avanzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
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29
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Arias-Londoño JD, Moure-Prado Á, Godino-Llorente JI. Automatic Identification of Lung Opacities Due to COVID-19 from Chest X-ray Images-Focussing Attention on the Lungs. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13081381. [PMID: 37189482 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13081381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the primary affection of the respiratory system, COVID-19 leaves traces that are visible in plain chest X-ray images. This is why this imaging technique is typically used in the clinic for an initial evaluation of the patient's degree of affection. However, individually studying every patient's radiograph is time-consuming and requires highly skilled personnel. This is why automatic decision support systems capable of identifying those lesions due to COVID-19 are of practical interest, not only for alleviating the workload in the clinic environment but also for potentially detecting non-evident lung lesions. This article proposes an alternative approach to identify lung lesions associated with COVID-19 from plain chest X-ray images using deep learning techniques. The novelty of the method is based on an alternative pre-processing of the images that focuses attention on a certain region of interest by cropping the original image to the area of the lungs. The process simplifies training by removing irrelevant information, improving model precision, and making the decision more understandable. Using the FISABIO-RSNA COVID-19 Detection open data set, results report that the opacities due to COVID-19 can be detected with a Mean Average Precision with an IoU > 0.5 (mAP@50) of 0.59 following a semi-supervised training procedure and an ensemble of two architectures: RetinaNet and Cascade R-CNN. The results also suggest that cropping to the rectangular area occupied by the lungs improves the detection of existing lesions. A main methodological conclusion is also presented, suggesting the need to resize the available bounding boxes used to delineate the opacities. This process removes inaccuracies during the labelling procedure, leading to more accurate results. This procedure can be easily performed automatically after the cropping stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián D Arias-Londoño
- ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda. Ciudad Universitaria, 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Moure-Prado
- ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda. Ciudad Universitaria, 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan I Godino-Llorente
- ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avda. Ciudad Universitaria, 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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30
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Mondini L, Salton F, Trotta L, Bozzi C, Pozzan R, Barbieri M, Tavano S, Lerda S, Hughes M, Confalonieri M, Confalonieri P, Ruaro B. Host-Based Treatments for Severe COVID-19. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3102-3121. [PMID: 37185727 PMCID: PMC10136924 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has been a global health problem since 2020. There are different spectrums of manifestation of this disease, ranging from asymptomatic to extremely severe forms requiring admission to intensive care units and life-support therapies, mainly due to severe pneumonia. The progressive understanding of this disease has allowed researchers and clinicians to implement different therapeutic alternatives, depending on both the severity of clinical involvement and the causative molecular mechanism that has been progressively explored. In this review, we analysed the main therapeutic options available to date based on modulating the host inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with severe and critical illness. Although current guidelines are moving toward a personalised treatment approach titrated on the timing of presentation, disease severity, and laboratory parameters, future research is needed to identify additional biomarkers that can anticipate the disease course and guide targeted interventions on an individual basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Mondini
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Salton
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Liliana Trotta
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Bozzi
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pozzan
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mariangela Barbieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Tavano
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Selene Lerda
- Graduate School, University of Milan, 20149 Milano, Italy
| | - Michael Hughes
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M6 8HD, UK
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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Rajasegaran T, How CW, Saud A, Ali A, Lim JCW. Targeting Inflammation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer through Drug Repurposing. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030451. [PMID: 36986550 PMCID: PMC10051080 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Lung cancers can be classified as small-cell (SCLC) or non-small cell (NSCLC). About 84% of all lung cancers are NSCLC and about 16% are SCLC. For the past few years, there have been a lot of new advances in the management of NSCLC in terms of screening, diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, most of the NSCLCs are resistant to current treatments and eventually progress to advanced stages. In this perspective, we discuss some of the drugs that can be repurposed to specifically target the inflammatory pathway of NSCLC utilizing its well-defined inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Continuous inflammatory conditions are responsible to induce DNA damage and enhance cell division rate in lung tissues. There are existing anti-inflammatory drugs which were found suitable for repurposing in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treatment and drug modification for delivery via inhalation. Repurposing anti-inflammatory drugs and their delivery through the airway is a promising strategy to treat NSCLC. In this review, suitable drug candidates that can be repurposed to treat inflammation-mediated NSCLC will be comprehensively discussed together with their administration via inhalation from physico-chemical and nanocarrier perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiviyadarshini Rajasegaran
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee Wun How
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anoosha Saud
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Azhar Ali
- Cancer Science Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Chee Woei Lim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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32
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Lung fibrosis: Post-COVID-19 complications and evidences. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109418. [PMID: 36736220 PMCID: PMC9633631 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID 19, a lethal viral outbreak that devastated lives and the economy across the globe witnessed non-compensable respiratory illnesses in patients. As been evaluated in reports, patients receiving long-term treatment are more prone to acquire Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF). Repetitive damage and repair of alveolar tissues increase oxidative stress, inflammation and elevated production of fibrotic proteins ultimately disrupting normal lung physiology skewing the balance towards the fibrotic milieu. AIM In the present work, we have discussed several important pathways which are involved in post-COVID PF. Further, we have also highlighted the rationale for the use of antifibrotic agents for post-COVID PF to decrease the burden and improve pulmonary functions in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION Based on the available literature and recent incidences, it is crucial to monitor COVID-19 patients over a period of time to rule out the possibility of residual effects. There is a need for concrete evidence to deeply understand the mechanisms responsible for PF in COVID-19 patients.
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Teymouri S, Pourbayram Kaleybar S, Hejazian SS, Hejazian SM, Ansarin K, Ardalan M, Zununi Vahed S. The effect of Fingolimod on patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01039. [PMID: 36567519 PMCID: PMC9791159 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyper-inflammation, cytokine storm, and recruitment of immune cells lead to uncontrollable endothelial cell damage in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling is needed for endothelial integrity and its decreased serum level is a predictor of clinical severity in COVID-19. In this clinical trial, the effect of Fingolimod, an agonist of S1P, was evaluated on patients with COVID-19. Forty patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 were enrolled and divided into two groups including (1) the control group (n = 21) receiving the national standard regimen for COVID-19 patients and (2) the intervention group (n = 19) that prescribed daily Fingolimod (0.5 mg) for 3 days besides receiving the standard national regimen for COVID-19. The hospitalization period, re-admission rate, intensive care unit (ICU) administration, need for mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate were assessed as primary outcomes in both groups. The results showed that re-admission was significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients who received Fingolimod compared to the controls (p = .04). In addition, the hemoglobin levels of the COVID-19 patients in the intervention group were increased compared to the controls (p = .018). However, no significant differences were found regarding the intubation or mortality rate between the groups (p > .05). Fingolimod could significantly reduce the re-admission rate after hospitalization with COVID-19. Fingolimod may not enhance patients' outcomes with moderate COVID-19. It is necessary to examine these findings in a larger cohort of patients with severe to critical COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil Teymouri
- Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Siamak Pourbayram Kaleybar
- Kidney Research CenterFaculty of MedicineTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Student Research CommitteeTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | | | | | - Khalil Ansarin
- Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Mohammadreza Ardalan
- Kidney Research CenterFaculty of MedicineTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Sepideh Zununi Vahed
- Kidney Research CenterFaculty of MedicineTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
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Shmakova AA, Popov VS, Romanov IP, Khabibullin NR, Sabitova NR, Karpukhina AA, Kozhevnikova YA, Kurilina EV, Tsokolaeva ZI, Klimovich PS, Rubina KA, Vassetzky YS, Semina EV. Urokinase System in Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Hidden Threat of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021382. [PMID: 36674896 PMCID: PMC9867169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a common and threatening post-COVID-19 complication with poorly resolved molecular mechanisms and no established treatment. The plasminogen activator system, including urokinase (uPA) and urokinase receptor (uPAR), is involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and contributes to the development of lung injury and post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis, although their cellular and molecular underpinnings still remain obscure. The aim of the current study was to assess the role of uPA and uPAR in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. We analyzed uPA and uPAR expression in human lung tissues from COVID-19 patients with pulmonary fibrosis using single-cell RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry. We modeled lung fibrosis in Plau-/- and Plaur-/- mice upon bleomycin instillation and explored the effect of uPAR downregulation in A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelial cells. We found that uPAR expression drastically decreased in the epithelial airway basal cells and monocyte/macrophage cells, whereas uPA accumulation significantly increased in tissue samples of COVID-19 patients. Lung injury and fibrosis in Plaur-/- vs. WT mice upon bleomycin instillation revealed that uPAR deficiency resulted in pro-fibrogenic uPA accumulation, IL-6 and ACE2 upregulation in lung tissues and was associated with severe fibrosis, weight loss and poor survival. uPAR downregulation in A549 and BEAS-2B was linked to an increased N-cadherin expression, indicating the onset of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and potentially contributing to pulmonary fibrosis. Here for the first time, we demonstrate that plasminogen treatment reversed lung fibrosis in Plaur-/- mice: the intravenous injection of 1 mg of plasminogen on the 21st day of bleomycin-induced fibrosis resulted in a more than a two-fold decrease in the area of lung fibrosis as compared to non-treated mice as evaluated by the 42nd day. The expression and function of the plasminogen activator system are dysregulated upon COVID-19 infection, leading to excessive pulmonary fibrosis and worsening the prognosis. The potential of plasminogen as a life-saving treatment for non-resolving post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Shmakova
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir S. Popov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Iliya P. Romanov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Nailya R. Sabitova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Ella V. Kurilina
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zoya I. Tsokolaeva
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina S. Klimovich
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Kseniya A. Rubina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Ekaterina V. Semina
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Rizzi M, Tonello S, D’Onghia D, Sainaghi PP. Gas6/TAM Axis Involvement in Modulating Inflammation and Fibrosis in COVID-19 Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020951. [PMID: 36674471 PMCID: PMC9861142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gas6 (growth arrest-specific gene 6) is a widely expressed vitamin K-dependent protein that is involved in many biological processes such as homeostatic regulation, inflammation and repair/fibrotic processes. It is known that it is the main ligand of TAMs, a tyrosine kinase receptor family of three members, namely MerTK, Tyro-3 and Axl, for which it displays the highest affinity. Gas6/TAM axis activation is known to be involved in modulating inflammatory responses as well as fibrotic evolution in many different pathological conditions. Due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, this review will focus on Gas6/TAM axis activation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where de-regulated inflammatory responses and fibrosis represent a relevant feature of severe disease manifestation. Furthermore, this review will highlight the most recent scientific evidence supporting an unsuspected role of Axl as a SARS-CoV-2 infection driver, and the potential therapeutic advantages of the use of existing Axl inhibitors in COVID-19 management. From a physiological point of view, the Gas6/TAM axis plays a dual role, fostering the tissue repair processes or leading to organ damage and loss of function, depending on the prevalence of its anti-inflammatory or profibrotic properties. This review makes a strong case for further research focusing on the Gas6/TAM axis as a pharmacological target to manage different disease conditions, such as chronic fibrosis or COVID-19.
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36
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Sh Y, Dong J, Chen Z, Yuan M, Lyu L, Zhang X. Active regression model for clinical grading of COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1141996. [PMID: 37026015 PMCID: PMC10071017 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1141996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the therapeutic process of COVID-19, the majority of indicators that physicians have for assisting treatment have come from clinical tests represented by proteins, metabolites, and immune levels in patients' blood. Therefore, this study constructs an individualized treatment model based on deep learning methods, aiming to realize timely intervention based on clinical test indicator data of COVID-19 patients and provide an important theoretical basis for optimizing medical resource allocation. Methods This study collected clinical data from a total of 1,799 individuals, including 560 controls for non-respiratory infectious diseases (Negative), 681 controls for other respiratory virus infections (Other), and 558 coronavirus infections (Positive) for COVID-19. We first used the Student T-test to screen for statistically significant differences (Pvalue<0.05); we then used the Adaptive-Lasso method stepwise regression to screen the characteristic variables and filter the features with low importance; we then used analysis of covariance to calculate the correlation between variables and filter the highly correlated features; and finally, we analyzed the feature contribution and screened the best combination of features. Results Feature engineering reduced the feature set to 13 feature combinations. The correlation coefficient between the projected results of the artificial intelligence-based individualized diagnostic model and the fitted curve of the actual values in the test group was 0.9449 which could be applied to the clinical prognosis of COVID-19. In addition, the depletion of platelets in patients with COVID-19 is an important factor affecting their severe deterioration. With the progression of COVID-19, there is a slight decrease in the total number of platelets in the patient's body, particularly as the volume of larger platelets sharply decreases. The importance of plateletCV (count*mean platelet volume) in evaluating the severity of COVID-19 patients is higher than the count of platelets and mean platelet volume. Conclusion In general, we found that for patients with COVID-19, the increase in mean platelet volume was a predictor for SARS-Cov-2. The rapid decrease of platelet volume and the decrease of total platelet volume are dangerous signals for the aggravation of SARS-Cov-2 infection. The analysis and modeling results of this study provide a new perspective for individualized accurate diagnosis and treatment of clinical COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Sh
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jierong Dong
- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongqing Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Meiqing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiuli Zhang, ; Lingna Lyu, ; Meiqing Yuan,
| | - Lingna Lyu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiuli Zhang, ; Lingna Lyu, ; Meiqing Yuan,
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiuli Zhang, ; Lingna Lyu, ; Meiqing Yuan,
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37
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Bellan M, Apostolo D, Albè A, Crevola M, Errica N, Ratano G, Tonello S, Minisini R, D’Onghia D, Baricich A, Patrucco F, Zeppegno P, Gramaglia C, Balbo PE, Cappellano G, Casella S, Chiocchetti A, Clivati E, Giordano M, Manfredi M, Patti G, Pinato DJ, Puricelli C, Raineri D, Rolla R, Sainaghi PP, Pirisi M. Determinants of long COVID among adults hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection: A prospective cohort study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038227. [PMID: 36601115 PMCID: PMC9807078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale Factors associated with long-term sequelae emerging after the acute phase of COVID-19 (so called "long COVID") are unclear. Here, we aimed to identify risk factors for the development of COVID-19 sequelae in a prospective cohort of subjects hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and followed up one year after discharge. Methods A total of 324 subjects underwent a comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation one year after hospital discharge for COVID-19. A subgroup of 247/324 who consented to donate a blood sample were tested for a panel of circulating cytokines. Results In 122 patients (37.8%) there was evidence of at least one persisting physical symptom. After correcting for comorbidities and COVID-19 severity, the risk of developing long COVID was lower in the 109 subjects admitted to the hospital in the third wave of the pandemic than in the 215 admitted during the first wave, (OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.51-0.93, p=0.01). Univariable analysis revealed female sex, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) value, body mass index, anxiety and depressive symptoms to be positively associated with COVID-19 sequelae at 1 year. Following logistic regression analysis, DLCO was the only independent predictor of residual symptoms (OR 0.98 CI 95% (0.96-0.99), p=0.01). In the subgroup of subjects with normal DLCO (> 80%), for whom residual lung damage was an unlikely explanation for long COVID, the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms was significantly associated to persistent symptoms, together with increased levels of a set of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-1β, IL-17. In logistic regression analysis, depressive symptoms (p=0.02, OR 4.57 [1.21-17.21]) and IL-12 levels (p=0.03, OR 1.06 [1.00-1.11]) 1-year after hospital discharge were independently associated with persistence of symptoms. Conclusions Long COVID appears mainly related to respiratory sequelae, prevalently observed during the first pandemic wave. Among patients with little or no residual lung damage, a cytokine pattern consistent with systemic inflammation is in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bellan
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy,*Correspondence: Mattia Bellan,
| | | | - Alice Albè
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Martina Crevola
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Nicolò Errica
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Ratano
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Alessio Baricich
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Filippo Patrucco
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Patrizia Zeppegno
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Carla Gramaglia
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | | | | | - Sara Casella
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | | | | | - Mara Giordano
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Patti
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - David James Pinato
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Puricelli
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Rolla
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Novara, Italy,”AOU Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy
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Van Delen M, Janssens I, Dams A, Roosens L, Ogunjimi B, Berneman ZN, Derdelinckx J, Cools N. Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Induce Apoptosis-Independent T Cell Hyporesponsiveness of SARS-CoV-2-Specific T Cells in an Antigen-Specific Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315201. [PMID: 36499533 PMCID: PMC9740551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the global pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still ongoing, there are currently no specific and highly efficient drugs for COVID-19 available, particularly in severe cases. Recent findings demonstrate that severe COVID-19 disease that requires hospitalization is associated with the hyperactivation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. In this study, we aimed to counteract this high inflammatory state by inducing T-cell hyporesponsiveness in a SARS-CoV-2-specific manner using tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC). In vitro-activated SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were isolated and stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 peptide-loaded monocyte-derived tolDC or with SARS-CoV-2 peptide-loaded conventional (conv) DC. We demonstrate a significant decrease in the number of interferon (IFN)-γ spot-forming cells when SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were stimulated with tolDC as compared to stimulation with convDC. Importantly, this IFN-γ downmodulation in SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells was antigen-specific, since T cells retain their capacity to respond to an unrelated antigen and are not mediated by T cell deletion. Altogether, we have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 peptide-pulsed tolDC induces SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell hyporesponsiveness in an antigen-specific manner as compared to stimulation with SARS-CoV-2-specific convDC. These observations underline the clinical potential of tolDC to correct the immunological imbalance in the critically ill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Van Delen
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ibo Janssens
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Amber Dams
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laurence Roosens
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Benson Ogunjimi
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Modeling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Antwerp Center for Translational Immunology and Virology (ACTIV), VAXINFECTIO, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Antwerp Unit for Data Analysis and Computation in Immunology and Sequencing (AUDACIS), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zwi N. Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Judith Derdelinckx
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Cools
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Yao TT, Zhang Y, He RL, Lv X, He YJ, Li MY, Han YY, Long LZ, Jiang GL, Cheng XY, Hu GY, Li QB, Tao LJ, Meng J. Mefunidone ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway and enhancing Nrf2 pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109263. [PMID: 36334370 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening disease which has high mortality and lacks effective pharmacological treatments. Excessive inflammation and oxidative stress are the key pathogenesis of ALI. Mefunidone (MFD), a novel small molecule compound, displayed anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress effects on streptozocin (STZ) and db/db mice in our previous studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MFD on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and explore the potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS We investigated the effects of MFD on LPS-induced ALI mouse model and LPS-stimulated immortalized mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDMs). RESULTS MFD could alleviate pulmonary structure disorder and attenuate pulmonary neutrophils infiltration induced by LPS. MFD could also decreased proinflammatory cytokines release and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation stimulated by LPS. Further, MFD could significantly reduce LPS-induced phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), increase expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and restore the expressions of antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION Our results firstly supported that MFD effectively protected LPS-induced ALI against inflammation and oxidative stress through inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway and activating Nrf2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Yao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rong-Ling He
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Lv
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi-Jun He
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meng-Yu Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Han
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling-Zhi Long
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Liang Jiang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Cheng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gao-Yun Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, China
| | - Qian-Bin Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, China
| | - Li-Jian Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Meng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, China; National International Collaborative Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Changsha, China.
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Wen Y, Yang Y, Wen Y, Xi J, Chen T, Lu Y, Wang L, Liu Y, Si F. Ultrasound evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in immunoglobulin-resistant children with acute Kawasaki disease. Clin Rheumatol 2022; 41:3797-3805. [PMID: 35982351 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the evidence that brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is declined in children later after the onset of Kawasaki disease (KD), we hypothesized that indicators that detect the situation of the endothelium are useful parameters that can accurately reflect subclinical dysfunction in resistant patients and assist in differentiating patients with KD at a higher risk of IVIG resistance, which may be valuable in better understanding how to protect patients from endothelial and thrombotic complications. METHODS Fifty IVIG-resistant KD children, 120 IVIG-responsive KD children, 35 febrile children with acute upper respiratory infection, and 50 healthy controls were recruited, and indicators reflecting endothelial inflammation, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to determine the threshold values of these indicators of IVIG resistance. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether FMD was an independent predictor of IVIG-resistant patients. RESULTS In comparison with the lab data, PCT, Na + , and FMD exhibited AUCs of 0.727, 0.653, and 0.698 (P < 0.05), respectively, in predicting IVIG resistance in KD through ROC analysis. PCT > 1.69 ng/ml, Na + < 133.2 mmol/l, and FMD < 5.79% were independent predictors of IVIG resistance in KD (OR 4.257, 3.516, 3.563, 95% CI 1.549 ~ 11.700, 1.277 ~ 9.680, 1.299 ~ 9.772, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION More severe endothelial dysfunction, especially lower FMD, was present in IVIG-resistant patients than in IVIG-responsive patients. It is a helpful diagnostic tool that provides supportive criteria to detect KD patients at a higher risk of IVIG resistance when FMD < 5.79% in children. Key Points • IVIG-resistant KD patients have more severe endothelial dysfunction than IVIG-sensitive patients. • FMD < 5.79% may indicate an increased risk of IVIG resistance in children with Kawasaki disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Wen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Yanfeng Yang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Yang Wen
- Ultrasonography Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Jimei Xi
- Ultrasonography Department, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yaheng Lu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yiling Liu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Feifei Si
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1617 Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, China
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Salton F, Confalonieri P, Centanni S, Mondoni M, Petrosillo N, Bonfanti P, Lapadula G, Lacedonia D, Voza A, Carpenè N, Montico M, Reccardini N, Meduri GU, Ruaro B, Confalonieri M. Prolonged higher dose methylprednisolone vs. conventional dexamethasone in COVID-19 pneumonia: a randomised controlled trial (MEDEAS). Eur Respir J 2022; 61:13993003.01514-2022. [PMID: 36356972 PMCID: PMC9650195 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01514-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionDysregulated systemic inflammation is the primary driver of mortality in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Current guidelines favor a 7–10-day course of any glucocorticoid equivalent to dexamethasone 6 mg·day−1. A comparative RCT with a higher dose and a longer duration of intervention was lacking.MethodsWe conducted a multi-center, open-label RCT to investigate methylprednisolone 80 mg as a continuous daily infusion for 8 days followed by slow taperingversusdexamethasone 6 mg daily for up to 10 days in adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen or noninvasive respiratory support. Primary outcome: reduction in 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes: mechanical ventilation-free days at 28 days, need for ICU referral, length of hospitalisation, need for tracheostomy, changes in PaO2:FiO2 ratio, C-reactive protein levels and WHO clinical progression scale at days 3, 7, and 14.Results677 randomised patients were included. Findings are reported as methylprednisolone (n=337)versusdexamethasone (n=340). By day 28, there were no significant differences in mortality (35[10.4%]versus41[12.1%]; p=0.49), nor in the median mechanical ventilation-free days (23[14]versus24[16]; p=0.49). ICU referral was necessary in 41[12.2%]versus45[13.2%]; p=0.68 and tracheostomy in 8[2.4%]versus9[2.6%]; p=0.82. Survivors in the methylprednisolone group required a longer median hospitalisation (15[11]versus14[11] days; p=0.005) and experienced an improvement in C-reactive protein levels, but not in PaO2:FiO2ratio, at days 7 and 14. There were no differences in disease progression at the prespecified timepoints.ConclusionProlonged, higher dose methylprednisolone did not reduce mortality at 28 days compared to conventional dexamethasone in COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Guo J, Liu QZ, Zhu FJ, Li M, Li J, Guo L, Sun QY, Yang QX. Acteoside attenuates acute lung injury following administration of cobra venom factor to mice. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11622. [PMID: 36411899 PMCID: PMC9674544 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acteoside, a water-soluble active constituent of diverse valuable medicinal vegetation, has shown strong anti-inflammatory property. However, studies on the anti-inflammatory property of acteoside in complement-induced acute lung injury (ALI) are limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of acteoside in cobra venom factor (CVF)-stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) and in ALI mice model. Methods In this study, we investigated the effects of acteoside (20, 10, and 5 μg/mL) in vitro in CVF induced HMECs and the activity of acteoside (100, 50, and 20 mg/kg/day bodyweight) in vivo in CVF induced ALI mice. Each eight male mice were orally administered acteoside or the positive drug PDTC (100 mg/kg/day) for 7 days before CVF (35 μg/kg) injection. After injection for 1 h, the pharmacological effects of acteoside were investigated by spectrophotometry, pathological examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Results In vitro, acteoside (20, 10, and 5 μg/mL) reduced the protein expression of adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcriptional activity of NF-κB (P < 0.01). In vivo studies showed that acteoside dose-dependently alleviated lung histopathologic lesion, inhibited the production of the protein content of BALF, leukocyte cell number, lung MPO activity, and expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ICAM-1, and suppressed the C5b-9 deposition and NF-κB activation in CVF-induced acute lung inflammation in mice (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that acteoside exerts strong anti-inflammatory activities in the CVF-induced acute lung inflammation model and suggests that acteoside is a potential therapeutic agent for complement-related inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University/State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
- Mordern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Qiao-Zhou Liu
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University/State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
- Guyuan No. 8 Middle School, Guyuan, China
| | - Fang-Juan Zhu
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University/State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Min Li
- General Ward, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Li Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Qian-Yun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Center for Pharmacology and Bioactivity Research, The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Qing-Xiong Yang
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University/State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guiyang, China
- Corresponding author.
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Kuo KC, Chen CH, Wang CJ, Wu JC, Chung HP, Chen YT, Tang YH, Chang WK, Lin CY, Wu CL. Clinical benefits of inhaled ciclesonide for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection: a retrospective study. BMC Pulm Med 2022; 22:368. [PMID: 36171597 PMCID: PMC9517967 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02168-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The successful management of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with inhaled ciclesonide has been reported, however few studies have investigated its application among hospitalized patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled all adult patients admitted to our hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection from May to June 2021. Critical patients who received mechanical ventilation within 24 h after admission and those who started ciclesonide more than 14 days after symptom onset were excluded. The in-hospital mortality rate was compared between those who did and did not receive inhaled ciclesonide. Results A total of 269 patients were enrolled, of whom 184 received inhaled ciclesonide and 85 did not. The use of ciclesonide was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (7.6% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.0003) and a trend of shorter hospital stay (12.0 (10.0–18.0) days vs. 13.0 (10.0–25.3) days, p = 0.0577). In subgroup analysis, the use of inhaled ciclesonide significantly reduced mortality in the patients with severe COVID-19 infection (6.8% vs. 50.0%, p < 0.0001) and in those with a high risk of mortality (16.4% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.0037). The use of inhaled ciclesonide also reduced the likelihood of receiving mechanical ventilation in the patients with severe COVID-19 infection. After multivariate analysis, inhaled ciclesonide remained positively correlated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 0.2724, 95% confidence interval: 0.087–0.8763, p = 0.0291). Conclusions The use of inhaled ciclesonide in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection can reduce in-hospital mortality. Further randomized studies in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection are urgently needed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-02168-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Chih Kuo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hsien Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Jen Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan. .,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Jou-Chun Wu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Pei Chung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Chen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsiang Tang
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Kuei Chang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Yi Lin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Liang Wu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamshui District, New Taipei City, 25160, Taiwan
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Thromboembolic Disease and Cardiac Thrombotic Complication in COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12100889. [PMID: 36295791 PMCID: PMC9611930 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has affected many healthcare systems worldwide. While acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been well-documented in COVID-19, there are several cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism, leading to disability and death. The link between COVID-19 and increasing thrombogenicity potentially occurs due to numerous different metabolic mechanisms, ranging from endothelial damage for direct virus infection, associated excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), pathogenic activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), direct myocardial injury, and ischemia induced by respiratory failure, all of which have measurable biomarkers. A search was performed by interrogating three databases (MEDLINE; MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, and EMBASE). Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT), prospective series, meta-analyses, and unmatched observational studies were evaluated for the processing of the algorithm and treatment of thromboembolic disease and cardiac thrombotic complications related to COVID-19 during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies out with the SARS-Cov-2 infection period and case reports were excluded. A total of 58 studies were included in this analysis. The role of the acute inflammatory response in the propagation of the systemic inflammatory sequelae of the disease plays a major part in determining thromboembolic disease and cardiac thrombotic complication in COVID-19. Some of the mechanisms of activation of these pathways, alongside the involved biomarkers noted in previous studies, are highlighted. Inflammatory response led to thromboembolic disease and cardiac thrombotic complications in COVID-19. NETs play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory response. Despite moving into the endemic phase of the disease in most countries, thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 remain an entity that substantially impacts the health care system, with long-term effects that remain uncertain. Continuous monitoring and research are required.
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Ivan AP, Odajiu I, Popescu BO, Davidescu EI. COVID-19 Associated Guillain–Barré Syndrome: A Report of Nine New Cases and a Review of the Literature. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58080977. [PMID: 35893091 PMCID: PMC9332472 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58080977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS)—a rare condition characterized by acute-onset immune-mediated polyneuropathy—has been registered as a neurological manifestation of COVID-19, suggesting a possible link between these two conditions. Methods: We report a case series of patients with COVID-19-related GBS hospitalized in the Neurology Department of Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between March 2020 and March 2021. Several variables were analyzed, such as the mean interval between the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and neurological ones, clinical features, treatment course, and outcome. Further on, we conducted a thorough literature review based on the PubMed and ScienceDirect scientific databases. Results: A total of 9 COVID-19 patients developed symptoms of GBS, out of which in 7, it manifested as an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). Five patients presented respiratory failure, 2 requiring mechanical ventilation. All patients received a course of intravenous immunoglobulins, 2 additionally requiring plasma exchange. Upon discharge, all but 1 patient (who had not regained the ability to walk) had a positive outcome, and 1 died during admission. In the literature review, we analyzed the published sources at the time of writing. Conclusions: A link between COVID-19 and GBS might be possible; therefore, increased vigilance is required in the early identification of these cases for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Some notable differences such as an earlier onset of GBS symptoms, higher respiratory dysfunction, and higher mortality rates in COVID-19 patients have been observed between the presentation of GBS in the context of COVID-19 and GBS of other causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Paula Ivan
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.I.); (I.O.); (E.I.D.)
| | - Irina Odajiu
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.I.); (I.O.); (E.I.D.)
| | - Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.I.); (I.O.); (E.I.D.)
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurosciences and Experimental Myology, ”Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Eugenia Irene Davidescu
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania; (A.P.I.); (I.O.); (E.I.D.)
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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Radonjić T, Milićević O, Jovanović I, Zdravković M, Dukić M, Mandić OM, Bjekić-Macut J, Marković OB, Todorović Z, Brajković M, Nikolić N, Klašnja S, Popadić V, Divac A, Marinković M, Alhayek N, Branković MS. Elevated Transaminases as Predictors of COVID-19 Pneumonia Severity. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58070842. [PMID: 35888561 PMCID: PMC9319887 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to calculate the frequency of elevated liver enzymes in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and to test if liver enzyme biochemistry levels on admission could predict the computed tomography (CT) scan severity score of bilateral interstitial pneumonia. Methods: This single-center study comprised of 323 patients including their demographic data, laboratory analyses, and radiological findings. All the information was taken from electronic health records, followed by statistical analysis. Results: Out of 323 patients, 115 of them (35.60%) had aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) over 40 U/L on admission. AST was the best predictor of CT scan severity score of bilateral interstitial pneumonia (R2 = 0.313, Adjusted R2 = 0.299). CT scan severity score in the peak of the infection could be predicted with the value of AST, neutrophils, platelets, and monocytes count (R2 = 0.535, Adjusted R2 = 0.495). Conclusion: AST, neutrophils, platelets, and monocytes count on admission can account for almost half (49.5%) of the variability in CT scan severity score at peak of the disease, predicting the extensiveness of interstitial pneumonia related to COVID-19 infection. Liver enzymes should be closely monitored in order to stratify COVID-19 patients with a higher risk of developing severe forms of the disease and to plan the beforehand step-up treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijana Radonjić
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ognjen Milićević
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Igor Jovanović
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Marija Zdravković
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Marija Dukić
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Olga Milorad Mandić
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Jelica Bjekić-Macut
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Olivera Borko Marković
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Zoran Todorović
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Milica Brajković
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Novica Nikolić
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Slobodan Klašnja
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Višeslav Popadić
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Anica Divac
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Milica Marinković
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Nabil Alhayek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
| | - Marija Svetislav Branković
- University Hospital Medical Center Bežanijska Kosa, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.J.); (M.Z.); (M.D.); (O.M.M.); (J.B.-M.); (O.B.M.); (Z.T.); (M.B.); (N.N.); (S.K.); (V.P.); (A.D.); (M.S.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (N.A.)
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47
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Severe COVID-19 ARDS Treated by Bronchoalveolar Lavage with Diluted Exogenous Pulmonary Surfactant as Salvage Therapy: In Pursuit of the Holy Grail? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11133577. [PMID: 35806862 PMCID: PMC9267619 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11133577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Severe pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by inflammatory lung injury, progressive parenchymal stiffening and consolidation, alveolar and airway collapse, altered vascular permeability, diffuse alveolar damage, and surfactant deficiency. COVID-19 causes both pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (COVID-19 ARDS). COVID-19 ARDS is characterized by severe refractory hypoxemia and high mortality. Despite extensive research, the treatment of COVID-19 ARDS is far from satisfactory. Some treatments are recommended for exhibiting some clinically positive impacts on COVID-19 patients although there are already several drugs in clinical trials, some of which are already demonstrating promising results in addressing COVID-19. Few studies have demonstrated beneficial effects in non-COVID-19 ARDS treatment of exogenous surfactant, and there is no evidence-based, proven method for the procedure of surfactant administration. Aim: The aim of this work is to underline the key role of ATII cells and reduced surfactant levels in COVID-19 ARDS and to emphasize the rational basis for exogenous surfactant therapy in COVID-19 ARDS, providing insights for future research. Methods: In this article, we describe and support via the literature the decision to administer large volumes of surfactant to two patients via bronchoalveolar lavage to maximize its distribution in the respiratory tract. Results: In this study, we report on two cases of COVID-19 ARDS in patients who have been successfully treated with diluted surfactants by bronchoalveolar lavage, followed by a low-dose bolus of surfactant. Conclusion: Combining the administration of diluted, exogenous pulmonary surfactant via bronchoalveolar lavage along with the standard therapy for SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS may be a promising way of improving the management of ARDS.
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Gutiérrez-Abejón E, Herrera-Gómez F, Pedrosa-Naudín MA, Tamayo E, Álvarez FJ. Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: A Population-Based Registry Analysis to Assess Clinical Findings, Pharmacological Treatment and Survival. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58060829. [PMID: 35744092 PMCID: PMC9230059 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most serious clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The aim is to analyze pharmacological treatment, survival and the main mortality predictors. Materials and Methods: A real-world data study from COVID-19-hospitalized patients with SARS from 1 March to 31 May 2020 has been carried out. Variables such as hospital length of stay, ventilation type and clinical outcomes have been taken into account. Results: In Castile and Leon, 14.03% of the 7307 in-hospital COVID-19 patients developed SARS, with a mortality rate of 42.53%. SARS prevalence was doubled in males compared to females, and 78.54% had an age of 65 years or more. The most commonly used medicines were antibiotics (89.27%), antimalarials (68.1%) and corticosteroids (55.9%). Survival of patients developing SARS was lower compared to patients without this complication (12 vs. 13 days). The main death predictors were disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (OR: 13.87) and age (>65 years) (OR: 7.35). Conclusions: Patients older than 65 years who develop DIC have a higher probability of hospital death. Tocilizumab and steroids have been linked to a lower incidence of hospital death, being the main treatment for COVID-19 hospitalized patients with SARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Gutiérrez-Abejón
- Pharmacological Big Data Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; (F.H.-G.); (F.J.Á.)
- Pharmacy Directorate, Castilla y León Health Council, 47007 Valladolid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Group CB21/13/00051), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-983423077
| | - Francisco Herrera-Gómez
- Pharmacological Big Data Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; (F.H.-G.); (F.J.Á.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Group CB21/13/00051), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Transplantation Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Kidney Resuscitation and Acute Purification Therapies, Complejo Asistencial de Zamora, Sanidad de Castilla y León, 49022 Zamora, Spain
- Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine (BioCritic), Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | | | - Eduardo Tamayo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Group CB21/13/00051), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine (BioCritic), Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - F. Javier Álvarez
- Pharmacological Big Data Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; (F.H.-G.); (F.J.Á.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Group CB21/13/00051), Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Group for Biomedical Research in Critical Care Medicine (BioCritic), Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- CEIm, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
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