Platelet and Monocyte Microvesicles as Potential Biomarkers of COVID-19 Severity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) induces inflammation, coagulopathy following platelet and monocyte activation, and fibrinolysis, resulting in elevated D-dimer levels. Activated platelets and monocytes produce microvesicles (MVs). We analyzed the differences in platelet and monocyte MV counts in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, as well as their correlation with D-dimer levels.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, blood specimens were collected from 90 COVID-19 patients and analyzed for D-dimers using SYSMEX CS-2500. Platelet MVs (PMVs; PMVCD42b+ and PMVCD41a+), monocyte MVs (MMVs; MMVCD14+), and phosphatidylserine-binding annexin V (PS, AnnV+) were analyzed using a BD FACSCalibur instrument.

Results

PMV and MMV counts were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients. AnnV+ PMVCD42b+ and AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ cell counts were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than in those with moderate clinical symptoms. The median (range) of AnnV+ PMVCD42b+ (MV/μL) in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 was 1,118.3 (328.1-1,910.5), 937.4 (311.4-2,909.5), and 1,298.8 (458.2-9,703.5), respectively (P=0.009). The median (range) for AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ (MV/μL) in mild, moderate, and severe disease was 885.5 (346.3-1,682.7), 663.5 (233.8-2,081.5), and 1,146.3 (333.3-10,296.6), respectively (P=0.007). D-dimer levels (ng/mL) weak correlated with AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ (P=0.047, r=0.258).

Conclusions

PMV PMVCD42b+ and PMVCD41a+ counts were significantly increased in patients with severe clinical symptoms, and PMVCD41a+ counts correlated with D-dimer levels. Therefore, MV counts can be used as a potential biomarker of COVID-19 severity.

How Effective is Angiotensin II in Decreasing Mortality of Vasodilatory Shock? A Systematic Review

Background

Patients with severe vasodilation accompanied by refractory hypotension despite high doses of vasopressors were associated with a high mortality rate. The Ang-2 for the Treatment of High-Output Shock (ATHOS) 3 trial demonstrated that angiotensin 2 (Ang-2) could effectively increase MAP and blood pressure in vasodilatory shock patients. This systematic review aims to summarize the impact of Ang-2 for the treatment of vasodilatory shock on clinical outcomes, including length of stay, MAP level (before and after), and mortality also Ang-2 dose needed.

Methods

A systematic search in PubMed, Sage, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Gray literature was conducted to obtain studies about the use of Ang-2 in vasodilatory shock patients.

Results

In all of the studies that we obtained, there were different results regarding mortality in patients with vasodilatory shock with Ang-2. Mortality was significantly lower when Ang-2 was administered to patients with elevated renin. The initial dose of Ang-2 can be started at 10-20 ng/kg/min, but there is no agreement on the maximum dose. Ang-2 may be considered a third-line vasopressor if the targeted MAP has not been achieved after administration of norepinephrine >200 ng/kg/min for more than 6 hours. Although not statistically significant, the use of Ang-2 can reduce the length of stay in the ICU and in the hospital when compared to patients without Ang-2 therapy, in addition to reducing the dose of vasopressor.

Conclusion

Overall, the use of Ang-2 has potential to be a regimen for patients with vasodilatory shock. Further study is needed to obtain more data.

The Comparison of Monocyte Human Leukocyte Antigen-D-Related (mHLA-DR) Expression Levels Between Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients and Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 can trigger a dysfunctional immune response in COVID-19 patients and lead to immunosuppression. HLA-DR molecule expressed on the surface of monocytes, known as mHLA-DR, has been widely used as a reliable marker of immunosuppression. Downregulation of mHLA-DR reflects an immunosuppressed state. This study aimed to compare the expression level of mHLA-DR between COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects concerning immune system dysregulation that can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and lead to immunosuppression.

METHODS

This was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design that measured the mHLA-DR expression in EDTA blood samples from 34 COVID-19 patients and 15 healthy subjects using the BD FACSLyricTM Flow Cytometry System. The mHLA-DR examination results were expressed in AB/C (antibodies bound per cell) that were quantified using a standard curve constructed with Quantibrite phycoerythrin beads (BD Biosciences).

RESULTS

Expression of mHLA-DR in COVID-19 patients (n = 34) were 21,201 [2,646-92,384] AB/C, with 40,543.5 [9,797-92,384] AB/C mild cases (n = 22), 21,201 [9,831-31,930] AB/C moderate cases (n = 6), and 7,496 [2,646-13,674] AB/C severe to critical cases (n= 6). Expression of mHLA-DR in healthy subjects (n = 15) was 43,161 [25,147-89,846] AB/C. Based on the Mann-Whitney U test, the mHLA-DR expression in COVID-19 patients significantly differed from the mHLA-DR expression in healthy subjects (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

The level of mHLA-DR expression in COVID-19 patients was lower and significantly different from healthy subjects. Moreover, immunosuppression could be indicated by the decrease of mHLA-DR expression, which was below the reference range found in severe to critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Immunomodulation Effect of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Severe - Critical COVID-19 Patients

Introduction

Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) is an alternative therapy for managing COVID-19, but its use is still controversial.

Objective

Analyzing the effectiveness of CPT in modulating immune responses based on SARS-COV-2 anti-spike protein receptor-binding domain (s-RBD) IgG, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-4), and mortality in severe-critical COVID-19 patients.

Methods

This study was an observational analytical with a prospective cohort design. The number of participants was 39 patients from June to December 2020. The participants received CPT and was tested for blood analysis such as IL-4, IL-6 and s-RBD IgG. The data were taken a day before CPT, 1st day, 2nd day, and 7th day after CPT. The analysis included Friedman, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney test which is significant if p <0.05.

Results

The value of participant's s-RBD IgG before CPT was 91.49 (0.43-3074.73) AU/mL and the 7th day post-CPT, s-RBD IgG value of 1169.79 (6.48-5577.91) AU/mL (p <0.001). The IL-4 value before CPT was 1.78 (0.85-5.21) ng/mL and the 7th day post-CPT, IL-4 value of 1.97 (0.87-120.30) ng/mL (p = 0.401). The condition was also found in IL-6 value, in which the IL-4 value participant before CPT was 109.61 (0.73-4701.63) ng/mL and the 7th day post-CPT, IL-6 value of 1.97 (0.87-120.30) ng/mL (p = 0.401). No significant correlation found between increased s-RBD IgG level with increased IL-4 and decreased IL-6 before and after CPT in severe-critical COVID-19 patients (p >0.05). No significant correlation was also found between increased s-RBD IgG levels, IL-4 too, and decreased IL-6 after CPT therapy between deceased and alive patients, both in 1st, 2nd, and 7th days (p >0.05).

Conclusion

No correlation between the increase in s-RBD IgG levels and changes in IL-4 and IL-6 levels. Changes in s-RBD IgG, IL-4, and IL-6 levels are not associated with mortality in severe-critical COVID-19 degree post CPT recipients.

Association between the levels of muscle-specific creatinine kinase (CK-MM) and the incidence of persistent myalgia in COVID-19 survivors

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, may result in musculoskeletal tissue injury and is assumingly regulated through central and peripheral pathways. Muscle-specific creatinine kinase (CK-MM) is a specific biomarker used to indicate the presence of musculoskeletal tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the levels of CK-MM and the incidence of persistent myalgia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndromes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 survivors at the Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya from June - August 2022. The degree of pain of the myalgia was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), while CK-MM level was measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson correlation test at α=0.05 was used to identify the correlation between the levels of CK-MM and the incidence of persistent myalgia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndromes. Results: A total of 84 participants were enrolled in the study and half (50%) of them reported persistent myalgia post-COVID-19 recovery. Fatigue was the patients' most common persistent symptom (63%). Of the total 42 patients with persistent myalgia, more than half (56%) had mild pain intensity (VAS score: 1–3), and almost all of them (41 patients) experienced myalgia during the COVID-19 diagnosis. All the patients with post-COVID-19 myalgia had normal levels of CK-MM (mean: 32.7 ng/mL; range: 12–93 ng/mL), suggesting no musculoskeletal tissue damage. Anova test suggested no significant different of CK-MM levels between those with and without myalgia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndromes p=0.054). Conclusion: There was no significant association between CK-MM levels and the incidence of persistent myalgia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndromes.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of lung tissue in COVID-19 patient severity through core biopsy post mortem

Introduction

In COVID-19 patients, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) will increase, and the production of antigens will be excessive, which will cause excessive inflammation of the tissues, especially the respiratory tract, which causes fibrosis in the lungs and can lead to death.

Objective

To analyze IL-6 expression of lung tissue in COVID-19 patient severity.

Methods

The study is an observational analytic design from July to December 2020. COVID-19 patient severity who died was examined for IL-6 expression on lung tissue. The lung tissue sampling uses the core biopsy method.

Results

The total number of samples obtained was 38 samples. Characteristics of patients with a mean age of patients were 48 years, male, the most common chief complaint was shortness of breath, mean symptom onset was 5 days, patient length of stay was 10 days, the most common cause of death was a combination of septic shock and ARDS and the most common comorbid diabetes mellitus. There is an increased WBC, neutrophils, platelets, procalcitonin, CRP, BUN, creatinine serum, AST, ALT, and D-dimer. In this study, the average tissue IL-6 expression was 72.63, with the highest frequency of strong positive 47.4%.

Conclusion

An increase in IL-6 expression on lung tissue showed the severity of COVID-19 infection.

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IL-6 levels increased in severity of COVID-19.

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IL-6 is elevated in comorbid COVID-19 patients.

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IL-6 increases inflammatory indicators in COVID-19.

Low molecular weight heparin is associated with better outcomes than unfractionated heparin for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis

AIMS

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the administration of LMWH and UFH in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We systematically searched several databases and included observational studies or clinical trials that compared the outcomes of the administration of LMWH and UFH in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A total of nine studies comprising 9637 patients were included. Metanalysis showed that LMWH administration was associated with a lower in-hospital mortality and 28/30-day mortality compared with UFH administration {[relative risk (RR) 0.44; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.32-0.61; I2: 87.9%] and (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.24-0.86; I2: 78.4%), respectively}. Patient with LMWH had shorter duration of hospital and ICU length of stay compared with UFH {[weighted mean difference (WMD) -2.20; 95% CI -3.01 to -1.40; I2:0%] and (WMD -1.41; 95% CI -2.20 to -0.63; I2: 0%), respectively}. The risk of ICU admission or mechanical ventilation was lower in patients who received LMWH than in those who received UFH (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.55-0.81; I2: 67.3%). However, there was no difference in the incidence of bleeding with LMWH compared with UFH (RR 0.27; 95% CI 0.07-1.01; I2: 64.6%).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis showed that administration of LMWH was associated with better outcomes compared with UFH in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Prospective cohorts and RCTs are urgently needed to explore the definitive effect of LMWH to provide direct high-certainty evidence. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021271977.

Comparison of Effectiveness between Wycope Video Laryngoscope, C-MAC Video Laryngoscope, and Direct Laryngoscope in Intubation of Elective Surgery Patients

OBJECTIVE

Airway management has undergone a dramatic transformation since the arrival of video laryngoscope (VL). VL has higher intubation success rate on first try and lower complications in comparison to direct laryngoscope (DL). The use of VL is recommended in intubating COVID-19 patients to speed up intubation time and reduce failure rate. A team from Airlangga University developed Wycope Video Laryngoscope (Wycope VL), a VL with Wi-Fi connection to smartphones for an easier VL with low cost. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Wycope VL, C-MAC Video Laryngoscope (C-MAC VL), and DL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design, involving 63 patients who were divided into 3 groups based on the type of laryngoscope, namely Wycope VL, C-MAC VL, and DL. Intubation is carried out by 4th year anaesthesiology resident. Research subjects were patients who will undergo elective surgery at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital under general anaesthesia using orotracheal tube. Inclusion age of 19-64 years, PS ASA 1-2, no anatomical abnormalities of the airway, did not have difficult airway, and was willing to participate in the study.

RESULTS

All patients were successfully intubated without complications. C-MAC VL (5.33±1.42 seconds) and Wycope VL (5.95±0.74 seconds) was significantly faster in seeing vocal folds and glottis compared to DL (7.14±0.72 seconds) with P=0.000. DL was significantly faster in average time of intubation (15.52±5.90 seconds) compared to C-MAC VL (16.95±1.11 seconds) and Wycope VL (20.29±2.81 seconds) with P=0.000.

CONCLUSION

DL was faster compared to VL in speed of intubation while C-MAC VL and Wycope VL was faster in viewing the vocal folds and glottis compared to DL.

The Anesthetic Techniques for Earthquake Victims in Indonesia

Introduction

In Lombok, three-large magnitude earthquakes occurred in July 2018 and caused major losses: 564 victims died, 1684 were injured, 445,343 people became refugees, and 215,628 houses were damaged. It damaged 408 health facilities, consisting of 89 public health centers, 13 hospitals, 174 auxiliary public health centers, 132 village health posts.

Aim

The purpose of this study is to describe the anesthetic techniques that were used to treat earthquake victims.

Methods

This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted by collecting total sampling from all earthquake victims treated in the emergency room (ER) of the regional public hospital (RSUD NTB) on August 6th and 7th, 2018, and all victims who underwent surgery during August 5th–25th, 2018. The data that were collected were surgery type, anesthetic techniques, and anesthesia drugs that were used.

Results

The results show that the highest number of patients were treated in the ER during the first seven days after the earthquake and that this number then decreased over several weeks. The majority of patients treated were trauma patients who needed orthopedic surgery. General anesthesia was more widely used than regional anesthesia, but the difference was not significant. The most commonly used regional anesthetic was lidocaine hyperbaric 75–100 mg and clonidine 30–50 mcg combination. Regional anesthesia techniques have better results in cases of lower limb injury, but it is difficult to be applied in earthquake victims who present with complex injuries and limited resources.

Predictive Score Model of Clinical Outcomes Sepsis in Intensive Care Unit Tertier Referral Hospital of Eastern Indonesia

AIM: This study aimed to design a predictive score model of clinical outcome sepsis and bacterial profiles of blood and sputum cultures in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted in 2017–2020 using medical record data in the ICU of Dr. Soetomo Hospital as tertiary referral hospital. The predictor of sepsis prognosis was Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), blood and sputum culture results, procalcitonin (PCT) levels, and antimicrobial resistance in blood and sputum cultures. The model was prepared by logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Data from 355 subjects showed that predictor score was APACHE II, blood and sputum culture results; besides PCT levels were found to contribute significantly to predictive score of sepsis clinical output (p<0.05), while the predictor test of antimicrobial resistance in blood and sputum cultures was not significant to predictive score of sepsis clinical output (p > 0.05). The resulting scores to predict sepsis clinical outcomes include PCT level >2 ng/mL (1.61), APACHE score >20 (1), sputum culture as true pathogen (1.1), and blood culture as true pathogen (1.35). When the total score ≥3, the patient will die, while when the score <3, the patient will survive. ROC curves analysis obtained area under curve 0.859 (p < 0.05) which indicates that the equation is statistically significant in predicting the sepsis clinical outcome. Probability scores and death outcomes indicate that the higher the predictive score, the higher the probability of dying, with a score >3 the probability of dying is above 95.27%, whereas if the score is 5, the probability of dying is above 99%. The bacterial profile of blood cultures leading to mortality is predominately Gram-positive (34.4%), consisting of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (22.9%), and Staphylococcus aureus (4.3%), while Gram-negative is only 14.7%, which consists of Enterobacteriaceae group (8.7%), Acinetobacter baumannii (4%), polymicrobial infection (2%), Burkholderia cepacia (0.8%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.4%). Sputum culture profile of patients with sepsis who died in the ICU of a tertiary referral RSUD Soetomo is dominated by Gram-negative, namely, A. baumannii (22.1%), Enterobacteriaceae group (20.6%), P. aeruginosa (11.1%), while Gram-positive is S. aureus (22.9%). CONCLUSION: The predictive score model for sepsis clinical outcomes in the ICU of a tertiary referral hospitals can be used as a basis for determining of patient management and the profile of the bacteria that causes sepsis that results in death.

Increase of lung function usage bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients: Three case series in Indonesian adult

Background

COVID-19 is a virus that is spread by aerosol which can cause worsening of hypoxia and bronchoscopy procedures in COVID-19 patients may be considered.

Method

The design of this study is a case series reported using the Preferred Reporting of Case Series in Surgery (PROCESS) 2020 Guideline. Data collection was carried out in the period January–April 2021. All participants underwent X-ray examination and blood gas analysis as well as signs of infection before and after bronchoscopy.

Result

Three intubated patients with COVID-19 were confirmed from PCR nasopharyngeal swab present with worsening on chest X-ray. All three patients had a normal bronchial wall with some inflammation and thick mucus resulting in lung atelectasis and massive inhomogeneous opacity on chest X-ray. Patients showed improvement on chest X-ray after bronchoscopy intervention.

Conclusion

The bronchoscopy procedure can improve the lung function of COVID-19 patients and if it is carried out by medical personnel who pay attention to universal precautions, it will minimize the occurrence of transmission.

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Bronchoscopy procedure improves lung function in COVID-19 patients.

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The use of additional personal protective equipment for medical personnel is required during bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients.

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Bronchoscopy can prevent the use of antibiotics that are not effective.

Comparison of Length of Stay and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Incidents in Dr. Soetomo Hospital

Vein thrombosis may occur both in deep and superficial vein of all extremities. Ninety percent of vein thrombosis may progress into pulmonary embolism which is lethal. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is frequently found in critically ill patients in ICU, especially patients who are treated for a long time. This study aims to analyse the comparison between length of stay and DVT incidents in critically ill patients. A cross-sectional study was employed. We include all patients who were 18 years or older and  were treated in ICU of Dr Soetomo public hospital for at least 7 days. The patients were examined with Sonosite USG to look for any thrombosis in iliac, femoral, popliteal, and tibial veins and Well’s criteria were also taken. This study showed that length of stay is not the only risk factor for DVT in patients treated in ICU. In our data, we found out that the length of treatment did not significantly cause DVT. Other risk factors such as age and comorbidities in patients who are risk factors may support the incidence of DVT events. The diagnosis of DVT is enforced using an ultrasound performed by an expert in the use of ultrasound to locate thrombus in a vein. Length of treatment is not a significant risk factor for DVT. Several other factors still need to be investigated in order for DVT events to be detected early and prevented.