Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) After COVID-19 Infection and Recent Vaccination with Recombinant Adenoviral Vector Encoding the Spike Protein Antigen of SARS-CoV-2 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Vaxzevria).

The clinical spectrum of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) includes acute COVID-19, long covid and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adults (MISC/A). The rapid roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination has the potential to affect the clinical presentation of COVID-19 and case reports document rare occurrences of MIS-A after COVID-19 infection and recent vaccination with m-RNA vaccines. We describe 2 cases of MIS-A after COVID-19 infection and recent vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.

Assessment of commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays, Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: The performance of the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2, Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgM, Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgA, Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgG ELISA, and Trillium IgG/IgM rapid assays was evaluated in Jamaica. METHODS: Diagnostic sensitivities of the assays were assessed by testing serum samples from SARS-CoV-2 PCR-confirmed persons and diagnostic specificity was assessed by testing serum samples collected during 2018-2019 from healthy persons and from persons with antibodies to a wide range of viral infections. RESULTS: Serum samples collected ≥14 days after onset of symptoms, or an initial SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive test for asymptomatics, showed diagnostic sensitivities ranging from 67.9 to 75.0% when including all possible disease severities and increased to 90.0-95.0% when examining those with moderate to critical disease. Grouping moderate to critical disease showed a significant association with a SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive result for all assays. Diagnostic specificity ranged from 96.7 to 100.0%. For all assays examined, SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values of the initial nasopharyngeal swab sample testing positive were significantly different for samples testing antibody positive versus negative. CONCLUSIONS: These data from a predominantly African descent Caribbean population show comparable diagnostic sensitivities and specificities for all testing platforms assessed and limited utility of these tests for persons with asymptomatic and mild infections.

Hand hygiene compliance by health care workers at a teaching hospital, Kingston, Jamaica.

INTRODUCTION: Consistent practice of hand hygiene (HH) has been shown to reduce the incidence and spread of hospital acquired infections. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of compliance and possible factors affecting compliance with HH practices among HCWs at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was undertaken at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) over a two weeks period. Trained, validated observers identified opportunities for hand hygiene as defined by the WHO "Five Hand Hygiene Moments" and recorded whether appropriate hand hygiene actions were taken or missed. Observations were covert to prevent the observer's presence influencing the behaviour of the healthcare workers (HCWs) and targeted areas included the intensive care units (ICUs), surgical wards and surgical outpatient departments. A ward infrastructure survey was also done. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 16 for Windows. Chi-square analysis using Pearson's formula was used to test associations between 'exposure' factors and the outcome 'compliance'. RESULTS: A total of 270 hand hygiene opportunities were observed and the overall compliance rate was 38.9%. No differences were observed between the various types of HCWs or seniority. HCWs were more likely to perform hand hygiene if the indication was 'after' rather than 'before' patient contact (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need for improvement in HH practices among HCWs in a teaching hospital. Health education with particular attention to the need for HH prior to physical contact with patients is indicated.

[The incidence of emergence delirium and risk factors following sevoflurane use in pediatric patients for day case surgery, Kingston, Jamaica]. / Incidência de delírio ao despertar e fatores de risco após o uso de sevoflurano em pacientes pediátricos para cirurgia ambulatorial, Kingston, Jamaica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Emergence delirium is a distressing complication of the use of sevoflurane for general anesthesia. This study sought to determine the incidence of emergence delirium and risk factors in patients at a specialist pediatric hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study including pediatric patients aged 3-10 years, ASA I and II, undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane for elective day-case procedures. Data collected included patients' level of anxiety pre-operatively using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale, surgery performed, anesthetic duration and analgesics administered. Postoperatively, patients were assessed for emergence delirium, defined as agitation with non-purposeful movement, restlessness or thrashing; inconsolability and unresponsiveness to nursing and/or parental presence. The need for pharmacological treatment and post-operative complications related to emergence delirium episodes were also noted. RESULTS: 145 children were included, with emergence delirium occurring in 28 (19.3%). Emergence delirium episodes had a mean duration of 6.9±7.8min, required pharmacologic intervention in 19 (67.8%) children and were associated with a prolonged recovery time (49.4±11.9 versus 29.7±10.8min for non-agitated children; p<0.001). Factors positively associated with emergence delirium included younger age (p=0.01, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2-8.6) and moderate and severe anxiety prior to induction (p<0.001, OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.3-13.0). Complications of emergence delirium included intravenous line removal (n=1), and surgical site bleeding (n=3). CONCLUSION: Children of younger age with greater preoperative anxiety are at increased risk of developing emergence delirium following general anesthesia with sevoflurane. The overall incidence of emergence delirium was 19%.

The incidence of emergence delirium and risk factors following sevoflurane use in pediatric patients for day case surgery, Kingston, Jamaica / Incidência de delírio ao despertar e fatores de risco após o uso de sevoflurano em pacientes pediátricos para cirurgia ambulatorial, Kingston, Jamaica / Incidencia de delirio de urgencia y factores de riesgo después del uso de sevoflurano en pacientes pediátricos para cirugía ambulatoria, Kingston, Jamaica

Background and objectives: Emergence delirium is a distressing complication of the use of sevoflurane for general anesthesia. This study sought to determine the incidence of emergence delirium and risk factors in patients at a specialist pediatric hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study including pediatric patients aged 3-10 years, ASA I and II, undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane for elective day-case procedures. Data collected included patients' level of anxiety pre-operatively using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale, surgery performed, anesthetic duration and analgesics administered. Postoperatively, patients were assessed for emergence delirium, defined as agitation with non-purposeful movement, restlessness or thrashing; inconsolability and unresponsiveness to nursing and/or parental presence. The need for pharmacological treatment and post-operative complications related to emergence delirium episodes were also noted. Results: One hundred and forty-five (145) children were included, with emergence delirium occurring in 28 (19.3%). Emergence delirium episodes had a mean duration of 6.9±7.8 min, required pharmacologic intervention in 19 (67.8%) children and were associated with a prolonged recovery time (49.4±11.9 versus 29.7± 10.8 min for non-agitated children; p<0.001). Factors positively associated with emergence delirium included younger age (p = 0.01, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2-8.6) and moderate and severe anxiety prior to induction (p <0.001, OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.3-13.0). Complications of emergence delirium included intravenous line removal (n = 1), and surgical site bleeding (n = 3). Conclusion: Children of younger age with greater preoperative anxiety are at increased risk of developing emergence delirium following general anesthesia with sevoflurane. The overall incidence of emergence delirium was 19%. .

Justificativa e objetivos: Delírio ao despertar é uma complicação preocupante após o uso de sevoflurano em anestesia geral. Este estudo procurou determinar a incidência de delírio ao despertar e os fatores de risco em pacientes de um hospital pediátrico especializado, em Kingston, Jamaica. Métodos: Estudo transversal e observacional, incluindo pacientes pediátricos com idades entre 3-10 anos, estado físico ASA I-II, submetidos à anestesia geral com sevoflurano para procedimentos eletivos em regime ambulatorial. Os dados coletados incluíram nível de ansiedade no pré-operatório medido com a Escala de Ansiedade Pré-operatória de Yale modificada, cirurgia realizada, duração da anestesia e analgésicos administrados. No período pós-operatório, os pacientes foram avaliados para verificar a incidência de delírio ao despertar, definido como Agitação com movimentos não-intencionais, inquietação ou debatimento; inconsolável e apático à presença de enfermeiros e/ou dos pais. A necessidade de tratamento farmacológico e as complicacões pós-operatórias relacionadas a episódios de delírio ao despertar também foram registradas. Resultados: 145 crianças foram incluídas, com incidência de delírio ao despertar em 28 (19,3%). Os episódios de delírio ao despertar apresentaram uma média de duração de 6,9 ±7,8 min; a intervenção farmacológica foi necessária em 19 pacientes (67,8%) e foi associada ao tempo de recuperação prolongado (49,4 ±11,9 versus 29,7 ±10,8 min para crianças não-agitadas; p<0,001). Os fatores positivamente associados ao delírio ao despertar incluíram idade mais jovem (p = 0,01, OR 3,3, IC95 1,2-8,6) e ansiedade moderada ...

Introducción y objetivos: El delirio de urgencias es una complicación angustiante del uso del sevoflurano en anestesia general. Este estudio intentó determinar la incidencia de delirio de urgencias y los factores de riesgo en pacientes de un hospital pediátrico especializado en Kingston, Jamaica. Métodos: Estudio transversal y observacional que incluía pacientes pediátricos con edades entre 3 y 10 años, estado físico ASA I-II, sometidos a la anestesia general con sevoflurano para procedimientos electivos en régimen ambulatorio. Los datos compilados incluyeron un nivel de ansiedad en el preoperatorio medido con la Escala de Ansiedad Preoperatoria de Yale modificada, cirugía realizada, duración de la anestesia y analgésicos administrados. En el período postoperatorio los pacientes fueron evaluados para verificar la incidencia de delirio de urgencias, definido como agitación con movimientos no intencionales, inquietud o desesperación; inconsolable y apático a la presencia de los enfermeros y/o de los padres. También se registraron la necesidad de tratamiento farmacológico y las complicaciones postoperatorias relacionadas con los episodios de delirio de urgencias. Resultados: Se incluyeron 145 niños, con una incidencia de delirio de urgencias en 28 (19,3%). Los episodios de delirio de urgencias tuvieron una media de duración de 6,9 ± 7,8 min; la inter-vención farmacológica se hizo necesaria en 19 pacientes (67,8%) y se asoció con el tiempo de recuperación prolongado (49,4 ± 11,9 versus 29,7 ± 10,8 min para niños no agitados; p < 0,001). Los factores positivamente asociados con el delirio de urgencias incluyeron la edad más joven (p = 0,01, OR: 3,3, IC 95%: 1,2-8,6) y la ansiedad moderada y grave preinducción (p < 0,001, OR: 5.6, IC 95%: 2,3-13,0). Las complicaciones del delirio ...