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Shandera WX. COVID-19 ethics: unique aspects and a review as of early 2024. Monash Bioeth Rev 2024:10.1007/s40592-024-00199-x. [PMID: 39003388 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-024-00199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 presents a variety of ethical challenges in a set of arenas, arenas not always considered in past pandemics. These challenges include issues related to autonomy, distributive ethics, and the establishment of policies of equity and justice. Methods are a literature review based on regular editing of an online textbook during the COVID-19 outbreak and a literature review using key ethical terms. Patients are confronted with new issues related to autonomy. Providers need to expand their concepts of ethical issues to include decisions based on proportionality and public health ethics. The public health sector needs to assess the beneficence of alternative modes of disease control. The research community needs to redefine the concept of informed consent in emergent conditions. All elements of the medical spectrum-physicians, scientists, and the community-at-large including the pharmaceutical industry-need to consider the multifaceted methods for preventing future pandemics. This will require giving particular emphasis to public health funding and ending the documented discrimination that exists in the provision of proven therapies. The developing world is especially at risk for most of the ethical issues, especially those related to equity and justice. The ethical issues associated with the COVID-19 outbreak are not unique but provide a diverse set of issues that apply to patients, providers, social groups, and investigators. The further study of such issues can help with preventing future outbreaks.
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Hinson JS, Zhao X, Klein E, Badaki‐Makun O, Rothman R, Copenhaver M, Smith A, Fenstermacher K, Toerper M, Pekosz A, Levin S. Multisite development and validation of machine learning models to predict severe outcomes and guide decision-making for emergency department patients with influenza. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2024; 5:e13117. [PMID: 38500599 PMCID: PMC10945311 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Millions of Americans are infected by influenza annually. A minority seek care in the emergency department (ED) and, of those, only a limited number experience severe disease or death. ED clinicians must distinguish those at risk for deterioration from those who can be safely discharged. Methods We developed random forest machine learning (ML) models to estimate needs for critical care within 24 h and inpatient care within 72 h in ED patients with influenza. Predictor data were limited to those recorded prior to ED disposition decision: demographics, ED complaint, medical problems, vital signs, supplemental oxygen use, and laboratory results. Our study population was comprised of adults diagnosed with influenza at one of five EDs in our university health system between January 1, 2017 and May 18, 2022; visits were divided into two cohorts to facilitate model development and validation. Prediction performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Brier score. Results Among 8032 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza, incidence of critical care needs was 6.3% and incidence of inpatient care needs was 19.6%. The most common reasons for ED visit were symptoms of respiratory tract infection, fever, and shortness of breath. Model AUCs were 0.89 (95% CI 0.86-0.93) for prediction of critical care and 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.93) for inpatient care needs; Brier scores were 0.026 and 0.042, respectively. Importantpredictors included shortness of breath, increasing respiratory rate, and a high number of comorbid diseases. Conclusions ML methods can be used to accurately predict clinical deterioration in ED patients with influenza and have potential to support ED disposition decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah S. Hinson
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Malone Center for Engineering in HealthcareJohns Hopkins University Whiting School of EngineeringBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Xihan Zhao
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Eili Klein
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- One Health TrustWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Oluwakemi Badaki‐Makun
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of PediatricsJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Richard Rothman
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Martin Copenhaver
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Aria Smith
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Malone Center for Engineering in HealthcareJohns Hopkins University Whiting School of EngineeringBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Katherine Fenstermacher
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Matthew Toerper
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Scott Levin
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Malone Center for Engineering in HealthcareJohns Hopkins University Whiting School of EngineeringBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Kajiita RM, Kang’ethe SM. The Pandemics of Mass Destruction: A Comparative Analysis of HIV/AIDS and Coronavirus (COVID-19). J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:889-899. [PMID: 38445068 PMCID: PMC10913803 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s440243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Historically, humanity has suffered and endured deadly pandemics of varying mortality rates. Irrefutably, research shows that the outbreak of pandemics is flooded by mythical and fallacious information among the public, hence stifling the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases. This paper focused on comparing selected aspects of the two pandemics, that is, HIV/AIDS and Coronavirus. This comparative analysis is important for drawing informative lessons for effective response and management of pandemics in the future. Through a literature review analysis, the paper established that both pandemics have more similarities than distinctions. The etiology and epidemiology of the diseases assume a similar cascading trajectory; the public health information about the diseases is characterized by myths, conspiracy theories, illusions, and delusions from the public. The myths associated with pandemics prevail around causation, disease transmission, and cure. The pandemics present economic paradoxes, though arguably the negatives outdo the positives. There is a need for the governments and international health custodians to be richly prepared for the pandemics in the future. This implies having special budgetary allocations for possible pandemic outbreaks, investing in vaccine development and disease surveillance, and training and skilling personnel in all social-health-related sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Mutemi Kajiita
- Department of Social Work; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Simon Murote Kang’ethe
- Department of Social Work; Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
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Talaei F, Banga A, Pursell A, Gage A, Pallipamu N, Seri AR, Adhikari R, Kashyap R, Surani S. New-onset atrial fibrillation among COVID-19 patients: A narrative review. World J Crit Care Med 2023; 12:236-247. [PMID: 38188450 PMCID: PMC10768419 DOI: 10.5492/wjccm.v12.i5.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last three years, research has focused on examining cardiac issues arising from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, including the emergence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF). Still, no clinical study was conducted on the persistence of this arrhythmia after COVID-19 recovery. Our objective was to compose a narrative review that investigates COVID-19-associated NOAF, emphasizing the evolving pathophysiological mechanisms akin to those suggested for sustaining AF. Given the distinct strategies involved in the persistence of atrial AF and the crucial burden of persistent AF, we aim to underscore the importance of extended follow-up for COVID-19-associated NOAF. A comprehensive search was conducted for articles published between December 2019 and February 11, 2023, focusing on similarities in the pathophysiology of NOAF after COVID-19 and those persisting AF. Also, the latest data on incidence, morbidity-mortality, and management of NOAF in COVID-19 were investigated. Considerable overlaps between the mechanisms of emerging NOAF after COVID-19 infection and persistent AF were observed, mostly involving reactive oxygen pathways. With potential atrial remodeling associated with NOAF in COVID-19 patients, this group of patients might benefit from long-term follow-up and different management. Future cohort studies could help determine long-term outcomes of NOAF after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Talaei
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Akshat Banga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur 302004, India
| | - Amanda Pursell
- Internal Medicine, Tristar Centennial Medical Center, TriStar Division, HCA Healthcare, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
| | - Ann Gage
- Cardiology, TriStar Centennial Medical Center, TriStar Division, HCA Healthcare, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
| | - Namratha Pallipamu
- Department of Medicine, Siddharta Medical College, Vijayawada 520008, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Amith Reddy Seri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mclaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, MI 48532, United States
| | - Ramesh Adhikari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Franciscan Health, Lafayette, IN 46237, United States
| | - Rahul Kashyap
- Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, United States
- Department of Research, WellSpan Health, York, PA 17401, United States
| | - Salim Surani
- Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, United States
- Department of Medicine & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
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Shaker O, El Amir M, Elfatah YA, Elwi HM. Expression patterns of lncRNA MALAT-1 in SARS-COV-2 infection and its potential effect on disease severity via miR-200c-3p and SIRT1. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101562. [PMID: 37965063 PMCID: PMC10641570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101562] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Downregulating Angiotensin Converting Enzyme2 (ACE2) expression may be a shared mechanism for RNA viruses. Aim Evaluate the expressions of ACE2 effectors: the long non-coding RNA 'MALAT-1', the micro-RNA 'miR-200c-3p' and the histone deacetylase 'SIRT1' in SARS-COV-2 patients and correlate to disease severity. Sera samples from 98 SARS-COV-2 patients and 30 healthy control participants were collected. qRT-PCR was used for MALAT-1 and miR-200c-3p expression. SIRT1 was measured using ELISA. Results In sera of COVID-19 patients, gene expression of miR-200c-3p is increased while MALAT-1 is decreased. SIRT1 protein level is decreased (P value < 0.001). Findings are accentuated with increased disease severity. Serum MALAT-1, miR-200c-3p and SIRT1 could be used as diagnostic markers at cut off values of 0.04 (95.9 % sensitivity), 5.59 (94.9 % sensitivity, 99 % specificity), and 7.4 (98 % sensitivity) respectively. A novel MALAT-1-miR-200c-3p-SIRT1 pathway may be involved in the regulation of SARS-COV-2 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olfat Shaker
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Monica El Amir
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Abd Elfatah
- Internal Medicine, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Heba M. Elwi
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasralainy st, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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Nakagawa S, Katayama T, Jin L, Wu J, Kryukov K, Oyachi R, Takeuchi JS, Fujisawa T, Asano S, Komatsu M, Onami JI, Abe T, Arita M. SARS-CoV-2 HaploGraph: visualization of SARS-CoV-2 haplotype spread in Japan. Genes Genet Syst 2023; 98:221-237. [PMID: 37839865 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.23-00085] [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] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of research institutes have been sequencing and sharing high-quality severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes to trace the route of infection in Japan. To provide insight into the spread of COVID-19, we developed a web platform named SARS-CoV-2 HaploGraph to visualize the emergence timing and geographical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 haplotypes. Using data from the GISAID EpiCoV database as of June 4, 2022, we created a haplotype naming system by determining the ancestral haplotype for each epidemic wave and showed prefecture- or region-specific haplotypes in each of four waves in Japan. The SARS-CoV-2 HaploGraph allows for interactive tracking of virus evolution and of geographical prevalence of haplotypes, and aids in developing effective public health control strategies during the global pandemic. The code and the data used for this study are publicly available at: https://github.com/ktym/covid19/.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Nakagawa
- Bioinformation and DDBJ Center, National Institute of Genetics
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
- Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University
| | | | | | - Jiaqi Wu
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Kirill Kryukov
- Bioinformation and DDBJ Center, National Institute of Genetics
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics
| | - Rise Oyachi
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Junko S Takeuchi
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine
| | | | - Satomi Asano
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics
| | - Momoka Komatsu
- Smart Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University
| | - Jun-Ichi Onami
- Research Center for Open Science and Data Platform, National Institute of Informatics
| | - Takashi Abe
- Bioinformation and DDBJ Center, National Institute of Genetics
- Smart Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University
| | - Masanori Arita
- Bioinformation and DDBJ Center, National Institute of Genetics
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
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7
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Stefanogiannis I, Michaleas SN, Papadaki E, Mouzas I, Karamanou M. The Plague in Crete During the 19th Century. Cureus 2023; 15:e42284. [PMID: 37614276 PMCID: PMC10442848 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42284] [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: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The plague is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases that can affect mankind. The disease has caused countless pandemics over the centuries in many parts of the world, mainly Asia, Africa, and Europe, and has caused over 200 million deaths, making it one of the greatest scourges of mankind throughout the ages. Similar to the rest of Greece, Crete was affected for many years by the plague during the 19th century, which caused significant mortality, both in the cities and the countryside. The lack of doctors, the absence of organized health systems, the ignorance of the origin and modes of transmission, and the belief of the island's Muslim conquerors in destiny and God-given diseases made the spread of the plague very easy, while simultaneously making its control, with measures to protect public health, extremely difficult. This led to the repeated decimation of the island's population, with immeasurable social and economic consequences for its progression and future development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Spyros N Michaleas
- Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, GRC
| | - Eleni Papadaki
- Department of Medicine, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, GRC
| | - Ioannis Mouzas
- Department of Medicine, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, GRC
| | - Marianna Karamanou
- Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, GRC
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8
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Aita A, Navaglia F, Moz S, Contran N, Barbaro F, Cattelan AM, Padoan A, Cosma C, Faggian D, Plebani M, Basso D. New insights into SARS-CoV-2 Lumipulse G salivary antigen testing: accuracy, safety and short TAT enhance surveillance. Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:323-331. [PMID: 36282616 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The rapid, accurate and safe detection of SARS-CoV-2 is the key to improving surveillance and infection containment. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether, after heat/chemical inactivation, SARS-CoV-2 N antigen chemiluminescence (CLEIA) assay in saliva remains a valid alternative to molecular testing. METHODS In 2022, 139 COVID-19 inpatients and 467 healthcare workers were enrolled. In 606 self-collected saliva samples (Salivette), SARS-CoV-2 was detected by molecular (TaqPath rRT-PCR) and chemiluminescent Ag assays (Lumipulse G). The effect of sample pre-treatment (extraction solution-ES or heating) on antigen recovery was verified. RESULTS Salivary SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay was highly accurate (AUC=0.959, 95% CI: 0.943-0.974), with 90% sensitivity and 92% specificity. Of the 254 antigen positive samples, 29 were false positives. We demonstrated that heterophilic antibodies could be a cause of false positive results. A significant antigen concentration decrease was observed after ES treatment (p=0.0026), with misclassification of 43 samples. Heat had a minimal impact, after treatment the correct classification of cases was maintained. CONCLUSIONS CLEIA SARS-CoV-2 salivary antigen provides accurate, timely and high-throughput results that remain accurate also after heat inactivation, thus ensuring a safer work environment. This supports the use of salivary antigen detection by CLEIA in surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Aita
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Navaglia
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Moz
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicole Contran
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Barbaro
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Cattelan
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Padoan
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cosma
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Diego Faggian
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Basso
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Senkyire EK, Ewetan O, Azuh D, Asiedua E, White R, Dunlea M, Barger M, Ohaja M. An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:6. [PMID: 36600225 PMCID: PMC9811037 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05339-x] [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: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Africa has the highest rates of maternal deaths globally which have been linked to poorly functioning health care systems. The pandemic revealed already known weaknesses in the health systems in Africa, such as workforce shortages, lack of equipment and resources. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health in Africa. The integrative review process delineated by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used to meet the study aims. The literature search of Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, WHO, Google and Google scholar, Africa journals online, MIDIRS was limited to publications between March 2020 and May 2022. All the studies went through the PRISMA stages, and 179 full text papers screened for eligibility, 36 papers met inclusion criteria. Of the studies, 6 were qualitative, 25 quantitative studies, and 5 mixed methods. Thematic analysis according to the methods of Braun and Clark (2006) were used to synthesize the data. From the search the six themes that emerged include: effects of lockdown measures, COVID concerns and psychological stress, reduced attendance at antenatal care, childhood vaccination, reduced facility-based births, and increase maternal and child mortality. A review of the literature revealed the following policy issues: The need for government to develop robust response mechanism to public health emergencies that negatively affect maternal and child health issues and devise health policies to mitigate negative effects of lockdown. In times of pandemic there is need to maintain special access for both antenatal care and child delivery services and limit a shift to use of untrained birth attendants to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. These could be achieved by soliciting investments from various sectors to provide high-quality care that ensures sustainability to all layers of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Barger
- University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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10
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Improving Nasal Protection for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112966. [PMID: 36428534 PMCID: PMC9687306 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, are mainly contracted within the airway pathways, especially in the nasal epithelia, where inhaled air is mostly filtered in resting conditions. Mucosal immunity developing after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in this part of the body represents one of the most efficient deterrents for preventing viral infection. Nonetheless, the complete lack of such protection in SARS-CoV-2 naïve or seronegative subjects, the limited capacity of neutralizing new and highly mutated lineages, along with the progressive waning of mucosal immunity over time, lead the way to considering alternative strategies for constructing new walls that could stop or entrap the virus at the nasal mucosa surface, which is the area primarily colonized by the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Among various infection preventive strategies, those based on generating physical barriers within the nose, aimed at impeding host cell penetration (i.e., using compounds with mucoadhesive properties, which act by hindering, entrapping or adsorbing the virus), or those preventing the association of SARS-CoV-2 with its cellular receptors (i.e., administering anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies or agents that inhibit priming or binding of the spike protein) could be considered appealing perspectives. Provided that these agents are proven safe, comfortable, and compatible with daily life, we suggest prioritizing their usage in subjects at enhanced risk of contagion, during high-risk activities, as well as in patients more likely to develop severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Velásquez JS, Griñen PT, Henríquez BP. Emerging market dynamics in H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics. ECONOMICS LETTERS 2022; 218:110766. [PMID: 35936960 PMCID: PMC9338172 DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 increased general interest in the effects of pandemics on stock markets. We believe it is interesting to analyze emerging countries due to their role in future economies. The announcement of the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics instigated observable effects on the stock market. Our goal is to measure and compare the effects of these announcements, specifically for the BRIC bloc, using the event study method. We find evidence that these stock markets exhibited more negative abnormal returns at the announcement of COVID-19 than at the announcement of H1N1. However, Russia and China seem to cope better with COVID-19, having already experienced H1N1. Due to the possibility of a new pandemic and for the sake of the future participation of emerging countries, it is recommended to deepen this line of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Tapia Griñen
- Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Chile, Chile
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12
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Mattiuzzi C, Henry BM, Lippi G. Regional Association between Mean Air Temperature and Case Numbers of Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Lineages throughout the Pandemic. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091913. [PMID: 36146720 PMCID: PMC9501826 DOI: 10.3390/v14091913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between mean air temperature and new SARS-CoV-2 case numbers throughout the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was investigated to identify whether diverse SARS-CoV-2 lineages may exhibit diverse environmental behaviors. The number of new COVID-19 daily cases in the province of Verona was obtained from the Veneto Regional Healthcare Service, whilst the mean daily air temperature during the same period was retrieved from the Regional Agency for Ambient Prevention and Protection of Veneto. A significant inverse correlation was found between new COVID-19 daily cases and mean air temperature in Verona up to Omicron BA.1/BA.2 predominance (correlation coefficients between −0.79 and −0.41). The correlation then became positive when the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 lineages were prevalent (r = 0.32). When the median value (and interquartile range; IQR) of new COVID-19 daily cases recorded during the warmer period of the year in Verona (June–July) was compared across the three years of the pandemic, a gradual increase could be seen over time, from 1 (IQR, 0–2) in 2020, to 22 (IQR, 11–113) in 2021, up to 890 (IQR, 343–1345) in 2022. These results suggest that measures for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection should not be completely abandoned during the warmer periods of the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Mattiuzzi
- Service of Clinical Governance, Provincial Agency for Social and Sanitary Services (APSS), 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Brandon M. Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-045-8124308
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Lippi G, Henry BM, Plebani M, Adeli K. Systematic Review of Diagnostic Accuracy of DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Immunoassay. EJIFCC 2022; 33:94-104. [PMID: 36313904 PMCID: PMC9562478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Background Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 antigens by means of rapid, high-throughput and fully-automated techniques has been proposed as a feasible alternative to overcome the current shortage of resources for routine molecular diagnostics. To this end, we provide here a systematic review of diagnostic accuracy of DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay. Methods An electronic search was conduced in Medline and Scopus, with no language or date restrictions (up to January 20, 2022), for identifying all published studies articles in which the diagnostic performance of the DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay was compared with molecular diagnostic techniques. Results The electronic search identified a final number of 11 studies, totalling 4449 oro- and naso-pharyngeal specimens. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of the Liaison SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay in all samples were 0.51 (95%CI, 0.49-0.54), 1.00 (95%CI, 1.00-1.00) and 0.994 (95%CI, 0.990-0.998), respectively, whilst the overall concordance with molecular diagnostics was 82.1%. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the Liaison SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay in specimens with high viral load (i.e., cycle threshold values <25-30) were 0.79 (95%CI, 0.75-0.82), 1.00 (95%CI, 0.99-1.00) and 0.911 (95%CI, 0.879-0.943), respectively, whilst the overall concordance with molecular diagnostics in such samples increased to 94.2%. Conclusion The results of this systematic literature review suggest that there is sufficient accuracy of the DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay in samples with high viral loads that would enable its reliable usage for identifying superspreaders, who are responsible for the vast majority of transmission events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milano, Italy, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy,Corresponding author: Prof. Giuseppe Lippi Section of Clinical Biochemistry University Hospital of Verona Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10 37134 Verona Italy Phone: 0039-045-8122970 Fax: 0039-045-8124308 E-mail:
| | - Brandon M. Henry
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milano, Italy, Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH, USA, Disease Intervention & Prevention and Population Health Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | - Khosrow Adeli
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milano, Italy, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Choudhury T, Kinateder H, Neupane B. Gold, bonds, and epidemics: A safe haven study. FINANCE RESEARCH LETTERS 2022; 48:102978. [PMID: 35601054 PMCID: PMC9109996 DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.102978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic raised the question whether gold and sovereign bonds are a safe haven during epidemics. We study the effectiveness as safe haven during the epidemics caused by SARS, Ebola, Zika, Swine Flu, and COVID-19. To this end, this study employs a DCC-GARCH model to analyze the conditional correlations between daily returns of S&P 500 and MSCI Emerging Markets Index with gold and the major sovereign bonds. Our results show that gold is a weak safe haven for stock market investors during the epidemics, and U.S. treasuries are the safest option, followed by Japanese sovereign bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonmoy Choudhury
- IRC for Finance and Digital Economy, KFUPM Business School, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KSA
| | - Harald Kinateder
- School of Business, Economics and Information Systems, University of Passau, Innstrasse 27, Passau 94030, Germany
| | - Biwesh Neupane
- Department of Finance, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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15
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Ruszkay N, Tucker J, Choi KY. Otolaryngology in the face of A pandemic. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUES IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY--HEAD AND NECK SURGERY 2022; 33:74-83. [PMID: 35502270 PMCID: PMC9045873 DOI: 10.1016/j.otot.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although infrequent, pandemics are serious public health concerns with unpredictable courses. The COVID-19 pandemic began over 2 years ago and is far from over. This pandemic has spread rapidly throughout the world and led to several million deaths, making it commonly compared to the deadly Spanish influenza pandemic. Policy and safety measures are constantly being adapted to reduce transmission rates. The pandemic places stress on all healthcare workers, but especially otolaryngology providers due to their direct contact with airway connected cavities. This puts them at high risk for infection and has impacted inpatient and outpatient otolaryngology care, as well as education, research, and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ruszkay
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Jacqueline Tucker
- College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen Y Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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16
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Preventive Measures against Pandemics from the Beginning of Civilization to Nowadays—How Everything Has Remained the Same over the Millennia. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11071960. [PMID: 35407571 PMCID: PMC8999828 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As of 27 March 2022, the β-coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 487 million individuals worldwide, causing more than 6.14 million deaths. SARS-CoV-2 spreads through close contact, causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); thus, emergency lockdowns have been implemented worldwide to avoid its spread. COVID-19 is not the first infectious disease that humankind has had to face during its history. Indeed, humans have recurrently been threatened by several emerging pathogens that killed a substantial fraction of the population. Historical sources document that as early as between the 10th and the 6th centuries BCE, the authorities prescribed physical–social isolation, physical distancing, and quarantine of the infected subjects until the end of the disease, measures that strongly resemble containment measures taken nowadays. In this review, we show a historical and literary overview of different epidemic diseases and how the recommendations in the pre-vaccine era were, and still are, effective in containing the contagion.
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17
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Lippi G, Henry BM, Adeli K, Plebani M. Fujirebio Lumipulse SARS-CoV-2 antigen immunoassay: pooled analysis of diagnostic accuracy. Diagnosis (Berl) 2022; 9:149-156. [PMID: 35287253 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2022-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We provide here a pooled analysis of accuracy of Fujirebio Lumipulse SARS-CoV-2 Antigen chemiluminescent immunoassay for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infections. An electronic search was conducted in Scopus and Medline with the keywords "Lumipulse" AND "antigen" AND "SARS-CoV-2" or "COVID-19", up to January 21, 2022, for identifying clinical investigations (minimum sample size ≥100) where diagnostic accuracy of Lumipulse G SARS-CoV-2 Ag was tested against reference molecular techniques. All studies which allowed to construct a 2 × 2 table were included in a pooled analysis. A final number of 21 studies, totalling 17,648 nasopharyngeal and 8538 saliva specimens, were finally included. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in nasopharyngeal swabs were 0.80 (95%CI, 0.78-0.81) and 0.98 (95%CI, 0.97-0.98), respectively, whilst the area under the curve and agreement were 0.980 (95%CI, 0.973-0.986) and 94.9%, respectively. In the twelve studies which used the fixed 1.34 pg/mL currently recommended manufacturer's threshold, the diagnostic accuracy remained unvaried. In saliva samples, the pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95%CI, 0.36-0.62) and 1.00 (95%CI, 0.99-1.00), respectively, whilst the area under the curve and were 0.976 (95%CI, 0.969-0.984) and 98.4%, respectively. In the five studies which used the fixed 0.67 pg/mL currently recommended manufacturer's threshold, the diagnostic accuracy remained unvaried. In conclusion, Lumipulse G SARS-CoV-2 Ag assay demonstrates good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, thus representing a valuable complementary and integrative option to molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milan, Italy.,Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Brandon M Henry
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephorlogy and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Disease Intervention & Prevention and Population Health Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Khosrow Adeli
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Lippi G, Salvagno GL, Henry BM, Pighi L, De Nitto S, Gianfilippi G. Comparative longitudinal variation of total IgG and IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in recipients of BNT162b2 vaccination. ADVANCES IN LABORATORY MEDICINE 2022; 3:39-50. [PMID: 37359438 PMCID: PMC10270242 DOI: 10.1515/almed-2021-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This article aims to summarize the 6-month variation of a vast array of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in recipients of BNT162b2 mRNA-based vaccination. Methods The study population consisted of 84 baseline SARS-CoV-2 seronegative healthcare employees (median age 45 years, 53.6% females), receiving mRNA-based BNT162b2 primary vaccination cycle. Blood was collected before the first and second BNT162b2 vaccine doses, as well as 1, 3 and 6 months afterwards. The serum titers of the following anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were assayed: total anti-RBD (receptor binding domain), anti-spike trimeric IgG, anti-RBD IgG and anti-spike S1 IgA. Results All antibodies' levels peaked 1 month after vaccination, but then displayed a considerable decrease. The median rates of 6-month decline were -95% for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD, -85% for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike, -73% for IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 and -56% for total anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies, respectively. The median time of seronegativization was estimated at 579 days for total anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies, 271 days for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike, 264 days for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD and 208 days for IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1, respectively. The rate of seropositive subjects declined from 98-100% at the peak to 50-100% after 6 months. The inter-individual variation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies reduction at 6 months was 3-44% from the peak. Conclusions The results of this longitudinal serosurvey demonstrate that the titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies declined 6 months after BNT162b2 vaccination, with median time of IgG/IgA seronegativization estimated between 7 and 9 months, thus supporting the opportunity of administering vaccine boosters approximately 5 to 6 months after the last dose of the primary vaccination cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Salvagno
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Service of Laboratory Medicine, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Italy
| | - Brandon M. Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Disease Intervention & Prevention and Population Health Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Laura Pighi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Service of Laboratory Medicine, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Italy
| | - Simone De Nitto
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Service of Laboratory Medicine, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Italy
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