Global prevalence of prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and potential pathogenesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This study aimed to determine the cumulative prevalence of prolonged gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and dysgeusia, in survivors of both mild and severe COVID-19 worldwide and to discuss the potential pathogenesis.   Methods: Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant articles up to January 30, 2021. Data on study characteristics, clinical characteristics during follow-up, the number of patients with prolonged GI symptoms, and total number of COVID-19 survivors were retrieved according to PRISMA guidelines. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The pooled prevalence of specific prolonged GI symptoms was calculated and the association between COVID-19 severity and the occurrence of prolonged GI symptoms was assessed if appropriate.   Results: The global prevalence of prolonged nausea was 3.23% (95% CI: 0.54%-16.53%) among 527 COVID-19 survivors. Vomiting persisted in 93 of 2,238 COVID-19 survivors (3.19%, 95% CI: 1.62%-6.17%) and prolonged diarrhea was found in 34 of 1,073 survivors (4.12%, 95% CI: 1.07%-14.64%). A total of 156 patients among 2,238 COVID-19 survivors (4.41%, 95% CI: 1.91%-9.94%) complained of persistent decreased or loss of appetite. The cumulative prevalence of prolonged abdominal pain was 1.68% (95% CI: 0.84%-3.32%), whereas persistent dysgeusia was identified in 130 cases among 1,887 COVID-19 survivors (7.04%, 95% CI: 5.96%-8.30%). Data was insufficient to assess the relationship between COVID-19 severity and the occurrence of all prolonged GI symptoms.   Conclusion: Persistent GI symptoms among COVID-19 survivors after discharge or recovery raises a concern regarding the long-term impact of the COVID-19 infection on the quality of life of the survivors. Despite several potential explanations proposed, studies that aim to follow patients after recovery from COVID-19 and determine the pathogenesis of the prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 survivors are warranted.   PROSPERO registration: CRD42021239187.

Comparison of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, Immunohistochemistry, and DNA Sequencing for the Detection of IDH1 Mutations in Gliomas

BACKGROUND

IDH1 mutation shows diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value in gliomas. Direct Sanger sequencing is considered the gold standard to detect IDH1 mutation. However, this technology is not available in most neuropathological centers in developing countries such as Indonesia. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) have also been used to detect IDH1 mutation. This study aimed to compare DNA sequencing, IHC, and PCR-RFLP in detecting IDH1 mutations in gliomas.

METHODS

Research subjects were recruited from Dr. Sardjito Hospital. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of tumor tissue. DNA sequencing, PCR-RFLP and IHC were performed to detect IDH1 mutation. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PCR-RFLP and IHC were calculated by comparing them to DNA sequencing as the gold standard.

RESULTS

Among 61 recruited patients, 13 (21.3%) of them carried a mutation in codon 132 of the IDH1 gene, as shown by DNA sequencing. PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing have a concordance value of 100%. Meanwhile, the concordance value between IDH1 R132H IHC and DNA sequencing was 96.7%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, and accuracy for PCR-RFLP were all 100%. On the other hand, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of IHC were 92.3%, 97.9%, and 96.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that both PCR-RFLP and IHC have high accuracy in detecting IDH1 mutation. We recommend a combination of PCR-RFLP and IHC to detect IDH1 mutation in resource-limited settings.<br />.

Blood Cholinesterase Level is Associated with Cognitive Function in Indonesian School-age Children Exposed to Pesticides

BACKGROUND: Pesticides are known as depressors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, resulting in the nervous system toxicity. The previous studies have described associations between AChE, a stable marker of pesticide poisoning, and cognitive performance in children. AIM: This study aimed to identify the association between blood AChE level and cognitive function in children exposed to pesticides in the Magelang Regency, Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving school-age children with a history of pesticide exposure in Ngablak, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, was conducted. Blood AChE level was evaluated, and the Modified Mini–Mental State Examination for Children (MMMSEC) was used to analyze the cognitive function of the children. RESULTS: In total, 56 subjects aged between 9 and 11 years were included in this study. Median blood AChE level was 9.64 kIU/L, and 24 subjects (42.9%) had low blood AChE levels. Median MMMSEC score was 33. Eleven subjects (19.6%) were found to have abnormal cognitive function. Bivariate analysis showed that blood AChE level was associated with MMMSEC score (r = 0.343, p = 0.010). Multiple linear regression showed that blood AChE level had a positive association with cognitive function in children, assessed using the MMMSEC score (β = 0.360; p = 0.006). Further analysis showed that the attention and orientation (memory function) domains of the MMMSEC were significantly associated with blood AChE level (β: 0.371 and 0.297, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Blood AChE level, a stable marker of pesticide poisoning, was positively associated with cognitive function in children, as assessed using the MMMSEC score. In particular, the orientation and attention domains of the MMMSEC were associated with blood AChE level.