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Stosic M, Plavsa D, Jovanovic V, Veljkovic M, Babic D, Knezevic A, Saponjic V, Dimitrijevic D, Rancic M, Milic M, Adzic-Vukicevic T. Factors associated with COVID-19 among hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infections in Serbia, 2022-2023: A test negative case-control study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299210. [PMID: 38498428 PMCID: PMC10947665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) are estimated to be the cause of death in about 19% of all children younger than 5 years globally. The outbreak of coronaviral disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, increased considerably the burden of SARI worldwide. We used data from a vaccine effectiveness study to identify the factors associated with SARS CoV-2 infection among hospitalized SARI patients. We recruited SARI patients at 3 hospitals in Serbia from 7 April 2022-1 May 2023. We collected demographic and clinical data from patients using a structured questionnaire, and all SARI patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. We conducted an unmatched test negative case-control study. SARS-CoV-2 infected SARI patients were considered cases, while SARS CoV-2 negative SARI patients were controls. We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis in order to identify variables associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We included 110 SARI patients: 74 were cases and 36 controls. We identified 5 factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity, age (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01-1.07), having received primary COVID-19 vaccine series (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.09-0.88), current smoking (OR = 8.64; 95% CI = 2.43-30.72), previous SARS CoV-2 infection (OR = 3.48; 95% CI = 1.50-8.11) and number of days before seeking medical help (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.64-1.02). In Serbia during a period of Omicron circulation, we found that older age, unvaccinated, hospitalized SARI patients, previously infected with SARS CoV-2 virus and those who smoked, were more likely to be SARS-CoV-2-positive; these patient populations should be prioritized for COVID vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Stosic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Plavsa
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Verica Jovanovic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Veljkovic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Babic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Knezevic
- Institute for Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladan Saponjic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Dimitrijevic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miljan Rancic
- World Health Organization, Country Office Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Milic
- Institute of Public Health of Serbia „Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut“, Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Adzic-Vukicevic
- COVID Hospital "Batajnica", University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Pulmonology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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Mahar PS, Monis MD, Memon AS, Azam M. Bilateral Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy With Bacillary Layer Detachment Following Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e55369. [PMID: 38562362 PMCID: PMC10982682 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55369] [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] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Various ocular manifestations associated with COVID-19 and vaccines, affecting both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye have been documented in the literature. In this report, we present the case of a 25-year-old male who complained of sudden-onset blurred vision and metamorphopsia in both eyes one day after receiving the second dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. The visual loss was painless, with no reported flashes or floaters. The patient had no significant medical or surgical history, no history of trauma, and no drug intake. Upon ocular examination, the best-corrected visual acuity was 6/60 (Snellen chart) in both eyes. The anterior segments appeared unremarkable, while fundoscopy revealed multiple yellowish-white subretinal lesions at the posterior pole of both eyes. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) confirmed the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) with neurosensory detachment in each eye, along with bacillary layer detachment (BALAD). There were no signs of inflammation in the vitreous cavity. A diagnosis of acute posterior multifocal plaque pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) was established. The patient was prescribed nepafenac 0.1% drops to be instilled three times a day in both eyes and was advised to return for a follow-up examination in two weeks. At the follow-up visit, the patient's vision had improved to 6/9 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye, with most of the SRF absorbed. Unilateral APMPPE with BALAD has been mentioned in the literature following various COVID-19 vaccinations, but, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report where bilateral APMPPE with BALAD is reported. This case emphasizes the importance of a thorough eye examination for individuals experiencing ocular symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Salim Mahar
- Ophthalmology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PAK
- Ophthalmology, Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, PAK
| | | | | | - Muhammad Azam
- Ophthalmology, Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, PAK
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Sallam M, Abbasi H, Obeidat RJ, Badayneh R, Alkhashman F, Obeidat A, Oudeh D, Uqba Z, Mahafzah A. Unraveling the association between vaccine attitude, vaccine conspiracies and self-reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination among nurses and physicians in Jordan. Vaccine X 2023; 15:100405. [PMID: 38161986 PMCID: PMC10755110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The negative impact of vaccine conspiracies is linked with negative health behavior. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between attitudes toward booster COVID-19, influenza, and monkeypox (mpox) vaccinations with post-COVID-19 vaccine side effects, vaccine conspiracies, and attitude towards mandatory vaccination among nurses and physicians in Jordan. Methods A structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, COVID-19 history, COVID-19 vaccine type and doses received, self-reported side effects post-COVID-19 vaccination, acceptance of booster COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and mpox vaccinations, attitudes towards mandatory vaccination, and beliefs in vaccine conspiracies. Results The study sample comprised a total of 341 participants. Acceptance of yearly booster COVID-19 vaccination was expressed by 46.6% of the sample, while 73.3% accepted seasonal influenza vaccination, and only 37.0% accepted mpox vaccination. A higher frequency of self-reported side effects following the first COVID-19 vaccine dose was associated with embrace of vaccine conspiracies and vaccine type. For the second vaccine dose, a higher frequency of self-reported side effects was associated with the embrace of vaccine conspiracies, older age, and affiliation to private sector. In multinomial logistic regression analyses, the lower embrace of vaccine conspiracies was associated with lower odds of reporting side effects post-COVID-19 vaccination. The lower embrace of vaccine conspiracies and favorable attitude towards mandatory vaccination were associated with the willingness to get COVID-19, influenza, and mpox vaccinations. Conclusion The study findings highlighted the negative impact of embracing vaccine conspiracies on health-seeking behavior among nurses and physicians. The findings indicated that the willingness to get vaccinated was associated with lower endorsement of vaccine conspiracies. Additionally, the lower embrace of vaccine conspiracies was associated with a lower frequency of self-reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination. These results emphasize the importance of addressing vaccine misinformation and promoting accurate information to ensure optimal vaccine uptake and public health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hiba Abbasi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rawan J. Obeidat
- The Office of Infection Prevention and Control, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Reham Badayneh
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Farah Alkhashman
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Aseel Obeidat
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Dana Oudeh
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Zena Uqba
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Azmi Mahafzah
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
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Banjac J, Vuković V, Pustahija T, Bohucki N, Berić DK, Medić S, Petrović V, Ristić M. Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 during Seven Consecutive Epidemiological Waves (2020-2022) in the North Bačka District, Serbia. Viruses 2023; 15:2221. [PMID: 38005898 PMCID: PMC10674962 DOI: 10.3390/v15112221] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to global public health. The purpose of this research was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in the North Bačka district while observing seven pandemic waves. The cross-sectional study was based on data from the COVID-19 surveillance database of the Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina during the period from March 2020 to December 2022. A total of 38,685 primary infections and 4067 reinfections caused by SARS-CoV-2 were notified. Pandemic waves caused by the Delta variant (cumulative incidence rate of 2482.37/100,000) and by the Omicron variant (cumulative incidence rate of 2994.45/100,000) emerged as significant focal points during the surveillance period. Over the course of three consecutive years (2020-2022), women were more affected (50.11%, 54.03%, and 55.68%, respectively). The highest incidence rates in age-specific categories were recorded in 2021 for the age group 40-49 (1345.32 per 10,000 inhabitants), while in 2022, they shifted towards the elderly population. Regarding vaccination status at the time of diagnosis, in 2021, around 15% of patients were vaccinated, while in 2022, the number increased to 37%. The most widely received vaccine was BBIBP-CorV (67.45%), followed by BNT162b2 (19.81%), Gam-COVID-Vac (9.31%), and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (3.42%) vaccine. The implementation of stringent public health measures and their mitigation, together with the emergence of new variants, influenced the dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic waves in the North Bačka district. Notably, throughout the study period, the working-age population was the most affected, along with females, with a mild clinical presentation dominating. Reinfections were most frequently recorded during the latter pandemic waves. Dealing with this pandemic has provided some valuable lessons for the development of future strategies in the case of a similar public health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Banjac
- Public Health Institute Subotica, 24000 Subotica, Serbia; (J.B.); (N.B.); (D.K.B.)
| | - Vladimir Vuković
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (T.P.); (S.M.); (V.P.); (M.R.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Pustahija
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (T.P.); (S.M.); (V.P.); (M.R.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nebojša Bohucki
- Public Health Institute Subotica, 24000 Subotica, Serbia; (J.B.); (N.B.); (D.K.B.)
| | | | - Snežana Medić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (T.P.); (S.M.); (V.P.); (M.R.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Petrović
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (T.P.); (S.M.); (V.P.); (M.R.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mioljub Ristić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (T.P.); (S.M.); (V.P.); (M.R.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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