Endothelin Level in Menopausal Women with Comorbidity of the Acute Phase Middle Severity COVID-19 with Arterial Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The levels of endothelins were assessed in menopausal women with arterial hypertension (AH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the acute phase of the moderate COVID-19. Women under observation (age 45-69 years) were divided into two groups. Control group consisted of women (n=16) who did not have COVID-19, were not vaccinated, and had no antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (IgG). The main group included women (n=63) in the acute phase of the moderate COVID-19 accompanied by pneumonia. According to the clinical and anamnestic data analysis, the main group was divided into subgroups: without AH and T2DM (n=21); with AH and without T2DM (n=32); and with AH and T2DM (n=10). The parameters of clinical blood analysis, as well as endothelin-1, endothelin-2, and endothelin-3 levels were assessed. In women with a moderate COVID-19, the endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 levels were increased compared to the control regardless of AH and T2DM status. We found no statistically significant differences in the studied parameters of endothelial dysfunction between the subgroups of menopausal women in the acute phase of the moderate COVID-19.

Value of a secretomic approach for distinguishing patients with COVID-19 viral pneumonia among patients with respiratory distress admitted to intensive care unit.

In intensive care units, COVID-19 viral pneumonia patients (VPP) present symptoms similar to those of other patients with Nonviral infection (NV-ICU). To better manage VPP, it is therefore interesting to better understand the molecular pathophysiology of viral pneumonia and to search for biomarkers that may clarify the diagnosis. The secretome being a set of proteins secreted by cells in response to stimuli represents an opportunity to discover new biomarkers. The objective of this study is to identify the secretomic signatures of VPP with those of NV-ICU. Plasma samples and clinical data from NV-ICU (n = 104), VPP (n = 30) or healthy donors (HD, n = 20) were collected at Nantes Hospital (France) upon admission. Samples were enriched for the low-abundant proteins and analyzed using nontarget mass spectrometry. Specifically deregulated proteins (DEP) in VPP versus NV-ICU were selected. Combinations of 2 to 4 DEPs were established. The differences in secretome profiles of the VPP and NV-ICU groups were highlighted. Forty-one DEPs were specifically identified in VPP compared to NV-ICU. We describe five of the best combinations of 3 proteins (complement component C9, Ficolin-3, Galectin-3-binding protein, Fibrinogen alpha, gamma and beta chain, Proteoglycan 4, Coagulation factor IX and Cdc42 effector protein 4) that show a characteristic receptor function curve with an area under the curve of 95.0%. This study identifies five combinations of candidate biomarkers in VPP compared to NV-ICU that may help distinguish the underlying causal molecular alterations.

Expression and significance of procalcitonin, leukotriene B4, serum amyloid A, and C-reactive protein in children with different types of pneumonia: An observational study.

This study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of serum procalcitonin (PCT), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), Serum amyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with different types of pneumonia caused by different pathogenic infections. One hundred and one children with pneumonia admitted to The Fifth People Hospital of Zhuhai from July 2019 to June 2020 were enrolled and divided into 38 cases in the bacterial group, 30 cases in the mycoplasma group, and 33 cases in the virus group according to the different types of pathogens. The patients were divided into 42 cases in the noncritical group, 33 cases in the critical group, and 26 cases in the very critical group according to the pediatric clinical illness score (PCIS), and 30 healthy children were selected as the control group during the same period. Comparison of serum PCT, SAA: bacterial group > mycoplasma group > viral group > control group with significant differences (P < .05). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curves (AUCs) of serum PCT, LTB4, SAA, and CRP for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia were 1.000, 0.531, 0.969, and 0.833, respectively, and the AUCs for the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia were 0.653, 0.609, 0.547, and 0.652, respectively, and the AUCs for the diagnosis of viral pneumonia were 0.888, 0.570, 0.955, and 1.000, respectively. Comparison of serum PCT, LTB4, SAA: very critical group > critical group > noncritical group > control group, with significant differences (P < .05). Serum PCT, LTB4, and SAA were negatively correlated with PCIS score by Pearson analysis (P < .05). Serum PCT and SAA showed diagnostic value for bacterial pneumonia, and serum SAA and CRP showed diagnostic value for viral pneumonia; serum PCT, LTB4, and SAA correlate with severity of disease and show higher expression with worsening of the condition.

Early trajectories of virological and immunological biomarkers and clinical outcomes in patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19: an international, prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Serial measurement of virological and immunological biomarkers in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 can give valuable insight into the pathogenic roles of viral replication and immune dysregulation. We aimed to characterise biomarker trajectories and their associations with clinical outcomes. METHODS: In this international, prospective cohort study, patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and enrolled in the Therapeutics for Inpatients with COVID-19 platform trial within the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines programme between Aug 5, 2020 and Sept 30, 2021 were included. Participants were included from 108 sites in Denmark, Greece, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, the UK, and the USA, and randomised to placebo or one of four neutralising monoclonal antibodies: bamlanivimab (Aug 5 to Oct 13, 2020), sotrovimab (Dec 16, 2020, to March 1, 2021), amubarvimab-romlusevimab (Dec 16, 2020, to March 1, 2021), and tixagevimab-cilgavimab (Feb 10 to Sept 30, 2021). This trial included an analysis of 2149 participants with plasma nucleocapsid antigen, anti-nucleocapsid antibody, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and D-dimer measured at baseline and day 1, day 3, and day 5 of enrolment. Day-90 follow-up status was available for 1790 participants. Biomarker trajectories were evaluated for associations with baseline characteristics, a 7-day pulmonary ordinal outcome, 90-day mortality, and 90-day rate of sustained recovery. FINDINGS: The study included 2149 participants. Participant median age was 57 years (IQR 46-68), 1246 (58·0%) of 2149 participants were male and 903 (42·0%) were female; 1792 (83·4%) had at least one comorbidity, and 1764 (82·1%) were unvaccinated. Mortality to day 90 was 172 (8·0%) of 2149 and 189 (8·8%) participants had sustained recovery. A pattern of less favourable trajectories of low anti-nucleocapsid antibody, high plasma nucleocapsid antigen, and high inflammatory markers over the first 5 days was observed for high-risk baseline clinical characteristics or factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. For example, participants with chronic kidney disease demonstrated plasma nucleocapsid antigen 424% higher (95% CI 319-559), CRP 174% higher (150-202), IL-6 173% higher (144-208), D-dimer 149% higher (134-165), and anti-nucleocapsid antibody 39% lower (60-18) to day 5 than those without chronic kidney disease. Participants in the highest quartile for plasma nucleocapsid antigen, CRP, and IL-6 at baseline and day 5 had worse clinical outcomes, including 90-day all-cause mortality (plasma nucleocapsid antigen hazard ratio (HR) 4·50 (95% CI 3·29-6·15), CRP HR 3·37 (2·30-4·94), and IL-6 HR 5·67 (4·12-7·80). This risk persisted for plasma nucleocapsid antigen and CRP after adjustment for baseline biomarker values and other baseline factors. INTERPRETATION: Patients admitted to hospital with less favourable 5-day biomarker trajectories had worse prognosis, suggesting that persistent viral burden might drive inflammation in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, identifying patients that might benefit from escalation of antiviral or anti-inflammatory treatment. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health.

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.

Biomarkers for iron metabolism among patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, and influenza.

Ferritin, the central iron storage protein, has attracted attention as a biomarker of severe COVID-19. Few studies have investigated regulators of iron metabolism in the context of COVID-19. The aim was to evaluate biomarkers for iron metabolism in the acute phase response to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by SARS-CoV-2 compared with CAP caused by bacteria or influenza virus in hospitalized patients. A cross-sectional study of 164 patients from the Surviving Pneumonia Cohort recruited between January 8, 2019 and May 26, 2020. Blood samples were collected at admission and analyzed for levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, erythroferrone, and hepcidin. Median (IQR) hepcidin was higher in SARS-CoV-2 with 143.8 (100.7-180.7) ng/mL compared with bacterial and influenza infection with 78.8 (40.1-125.4) and 53.5 (25.2-125.8) ng/mL, respectively. The median ferritin level was more than 2-fold higher in patients with SARS-CoV-2 compared with the other etiologies (p < 0.001). Patients with SARS-CoV-2 had lower levels of erythroferrone and CRP compared with those infected with bacteria. Higher levels of hepcidin and lower levels of erythroferrone despite lower CRP levels among patients with SARS-CoV-2 compared with those infected with bacteria indicate alterations in iron metabolism in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Haematological profile of COVID-19 patients from a centre in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Haematological markers such as absolute lymphopenia have been associated with severe COVID-19 infection. However, in the literature to date, the cohorts described have typically included patients who were moderate to severely unwell with pneumonia and who required intensive care stay. It is uncertain if these markers apply to a population with less severe illness. We sought to describe the haematological profile of patients with mild disease with COVID-19 admitted to a single centre in Singapore. METHODS: We examined 554 consecutive PCR positive SARS-COV-2 patients admitted to a single tertiary healthcare institution from Feb 2020 to April 2020. In all patients a full blood count was obtained within 24 h of presentation. RESULTS: Patients with pneumonia had higher neutrophil percentages (66.5 ± 11.6 vs 55.2 ± 12.6%, p < 0.001), lower absolute lymphocyte count (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 1.9 ± 2.1 x109/L, p < 0.011) and absolute eosinophil count (0.2 ± 0.9 vs 0.7 ± 1.8 × 109/L, p = 0.002). Platelet counts (210 ± 56 vs 230 ± 61, p = 0.020) were slightly lower in the group with pneumonia. We did not demonstrate significant differences in the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in patients with or without pneumonia. Sixty-eight patients (12.3%) had peripheral eosinophilia. This was more common in migrant workers living in dormitories. CONCLUSION: Neutrophilia and lymphopenia were found to be markers associated with severe COVID-19 illness. We did not find that combined haematological parameters: neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio, had any association with disease severity in our cohort of patients with mild-moderate disease. Migrant workers living in dormitories had eosinophilia which may reflect concurrent chronic parasitic infection.

Comparative study of hematological and radiological feature of severe/critically ill patients with COVID-19, influenza A H7N9, and H1N1 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore clinical indexes for management of severe/critically ill patients with COVID-19, influenza A H7N9, and H1N1 pneumonia by comparing hematological and radiological characteristics. METHODS: Severe/critically ill patients with COVID-19, H7N9, and H1N1 pneumonia were retrospectively enrolled. The demographic data, clinical manifestations, hematological parameters, and radiological characteristics were compared. RESULTS: In this study, 16 cases of COVID-19, 10 cases of H7N9, and 13 cases of H1N1 who met severe/critically ill criteria were included. Compared with COVID-19, H7N9 and H1N1 groups had more chronic diseases (80% and 92.3% vs. 25%, p < 0.05), higher APACHE Ⅱ scores (16.00 ± 8.63 and 15.08 ± 6.24, vs. 5.50 ± 2.58, p < 0.05), higher mortality rates (40% and 46.2% vs. 0%, p < 0.05), significant lymphocytopenia (0.59 ± 0.31 × 109 /L and 0.56 ± 0.35 × 109 /L vs. 0.97 ± 0.33 × 109 /L, p < 0.05), and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; 14.67 ± 6.10 and 14.64 ± 10.36 vs. 6.29 ± 3.72, p < 0.05). Compared with the H7N9 group, ground-glass opacity (GGO) on chest CT was common in the COVID-19 group (p = 0.028), while pleural effusion was rare (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR can be used as a clinical parameter for the predication of risk stratification and outcome in COVID-19 and influenza A pneumonia. Manifestations of pleural effusion or GGO in chest CT may be helpful for the identification of different viral pneumonia.

Cytomegalovirus infection in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent herpes virus which persists as a latent infection and has been detected in several different tumor types. HCMV disease is rare but may occur in high-risk settings, often manifesting as a pulmonary infection. To date HCMV has not been investigated in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). In a consecutive case series of 144 MPM patients we evaluated two biomarkers of HCMV: IgG serostatus (defined as positive and negative) and DNAemia (>100 copies/mL of cell free HCMV DNA in serum). Approximately half of the MPM patient population was HCMV IgG seropositive (51%). HCMV DNAemia was highly prevalent (79%) in MPM and independent of IgG serostatus. DNAemia levels consistent with high level current infection (>1000 copies/mL serum) were present in 41% of patients. Neither IgG serostatus nor DNAemia were associated with patient survival. In tissues, we observed that HCMV DNA was present in 48% of tumors (n = 40) and only 29% of normal pleural tissue obtained from individuals without malignancy (n = 21). Our results suggest nearly half of MPM patients have a high level current HCMV infection at the time of treatment and that pleural tissue may be a reservoir for latent HCMV infection. These findings warrant further investigation to determine the full spectrum of pulmonary infections in MPM patients, and whether treatment for high level current HCMV infection may improve patient outcomes.

Longitudinal trajectories of pneumonia lesions and lymphocyte counts associated with disease severity among convalescent COVID-19 patients: a group-based multi-trajectory analysis.

BACKGROUND: To explore the long-term trajectories considering pneumonia volumes and lymphocyte counts with individual data in COVID-19. METHODS: A cohort of 257 convalescent COVID-19 patients (131 male and 126 females) were included. Group-based multi-trajectory modelling was applied to identify different trajectories in terms of pneumonia lesion percentage and lymphocyte counts covering the time from onset to post-discharge follow-ups. We studied the basic characteristics and disease severity associated with the trajectories. RESULTS: We characterised four distinct trajectory subgroups. (1) Group 1 (13.9%), pneumonia increased until a peak lesion percentage of 1.9% (IQR 0.7-4.4) before absorption. The slightly decreased lymphocyte rapidly recovered to the top half of the normal range. (2) Group 2 (44.7%), the peak lesion percentage was 7.2% (IQR 3.2-12.7). The abnormal lymphocyte count restored to normal soon. (3) Group 3 (26.0%), the peak lesion percentage reached 14.2% (IQR 8.5-19.8). The lymphocytes continuously dropped to 0.75 × 109/L after one day post-onset before slowly recovering. (4) Group 4 (15.4%), the peak lesion percentage reached 41.4% (IQR 34.8-47.9), much higher than other groups. Lymphopenia was aggravated until the lymphocytes declined to 0.80 × 109/L on the fourth day and slowly recovered later. Patients in the higher order groups were older and more likely to have hypertension and diabetes (all P values < 0.05), and have more severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide new insights to understand the heterogeneous natural courses of COVID-19 patients and the associations of distinct trajectories with disease severity, which is essential to improve the early risk assessment, patient monitoring, and follow-up schedule.

Longitudinal monitoring of laboratory markers characterizes hospitalized and ambulatory COVID-19 patients.

Early detection of severe forms of COVID-19 is absolutely essential for timely triage of patients. We longitudinally followed-up two well-characterized patient groups, hospitalized moderate to severe (n = 26), and ambulatory mild COVID-19 patients (n = 16) at home quarantine. Human D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, cardiac troponin I, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured on day 1, day 7, day 14 and day 28. All hospitalized patients were SARS-CoV-2 positive on admission, while all ambulatory patients were SARS-CoV-2 positive at recruitment. Hospitalized patients had higher D-dimer, CRP and ferritin, cardiac troponin I and IL-6 levels than ambulatory patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.016, p = 0.035, p = 0.002 respectively). Hospitalized patients experienced significant decreases in CRP, ferritin and IL-6 levels from admission to recovery (p < 0.001, p = 0.025, and p = 0.001 respectively). Cardiac troponin I levels were high during the acute phase in both hospitalized and ambulatory patients, indicating a potential myocardial injury. In summary, D-dimer, CRP, ferritin, cardiac troponin I, IL-6 are predictive laboratory markers and can largely determine the clinical course of COVID-19, in particular the prognosis of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Italian pediatric population: a regional seroepidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the effective burden of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in pediatric population are very limited, mostly because of the higher rate of asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic cases among children. Updated data on COVID-19 prevalence are needed for their relevance in public health and for infection control policies. In this single-centre cross-sectional study we aimed to assess prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection through IgG antibodies detection in an Italian pediatric cohort. METHODS: The study was conducted in January 2021 among both inpatients and outpatients referring to Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health "Burlo Garofolo" in Trieste, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy, who needed for blood test for any reason. Collected samples were sent to Italian National Institute of Health for analysis through chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). RESULTS: One hundred sixty-nine patients were included in the study, with a median age of 10.5 ± 4.1 years, an equal distribution for sex (49.7% female patients), and a 55.6% prevalence of comorbidities. Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 trimeric Spike protein IgG antibodies was 9.5% (n = 16), with a medium titre of 482.3 ± 387.1 BAU/mL. Having an infected cohabitant strongly correlated with IgG positivity (OR 23.83, 95% CI 7.19-78.98, p < 0.0001), while a cohabitant healthcare worker wasn't associated with a higher risk (OR 1.53, 95% CI 0.4-5.86, p 0.46). All of the 5 patients who had previously tested positive to a nasopharyngeal swab belonged to the IgG positive group, with a 3-month interval from the infection at most. CONCLUSION: We assessed a 9.5% SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a pediatric cohort from Friuli Venezia-Giulia region in January 2021, showing a substantial increase after the second peak of the pandemic occurred starting from October 2020, compared to 1% prevalence observed by National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) in July 2020.

Analysis of endogenous oxidative damage markers and association with pulmonary involvement severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus affects many organs, especially the lungs, with widespread inflammation. We aimed to compare the endogenous oxidative damage markers of coenzyme Q10, nicotinamide dinucleotide oxidase 4, malondialdehyde, and ischemia-modified albumin levels in patients with pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and in an healthy control group. We also aimed to compare these parameters between patients with severe and non-severe pulmonary involvement. METHODS: The study included 58 adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 30 healthy volunteers. CoQ10 and MDA levels were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. NOX4 and IMA levels were determined by ELISA assay and colorimetric method. RESULTS: Higher levels of CoQ10, MDA, NOX4, and IMA and lower levels of COQ10H were observed in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia than in the control group. MDA, IMA, NOX4, and CoQ10 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe pulmonary involvement than in patients with non-severe pulmonary involvement, but no significant difference was observed in CoQ10H levels. CoQ10 levels were significantly and positively correlated with both ferritin and CRP levels. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is significantly associated with increased endogenous oxidative damage. Oxidative damage seems to be associated with pulmonary involvement severity.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of adding ivermectin to treatment in severe COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An effective treatment option is not yet available for SARS-CoV2, which causes the COVID-19 pandemic and whose effects are felt more and more every day. Ivermectin is among the drugs whose effectiveness in treatment has been investigated. In this study; it was aimed to investigate the presence of gene mutations that alter ivermectin metabolism and cause toxic effects in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ivermectin use in the treatment of patients without mutation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with severe COVID19 pneumonia were included in the study, which was planned as a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind phase 3 study. Two groups, the study group and the control group, took part in the study. Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg/day for 5 days in the form of a solution prepared for enteral use added to the reference treatment protocol -hydroxychloroquine + favipiravir + azithromycin- of patients included in the study group. Patients in the control group were given only reference treatment with 3 other drugs without ivermectin. The presence of mutations was investigated by performing sequence analysis in the mdr1/abcab1 gene with the Sanger method in patients included in the study group according to randomization. Patients with mutations were excluded from the study and ivermectin treatment was not continued. Patients were followed for 5 days after treatment. At the end of the treatment and follow-up period, clinical response and changes in laboratory parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients, 36 in the study group and 30 in the control group were included in the study. Mutations affecting ivermectin metabolism was detected in genetic tests of six (16.7%) patients in the study group and they were excluded from the study. At the end of the 5-day follow-up period, the rate of clinical improvement was 73.3% (22/30) in the study group and was 53.3% (16/30) in the control group (p = 0.10). At the end of the study, mortality developed in 6 patients (20%) in the study group and in 9 (30%) patients in the control group (p = 0.37). At the end of the follow-up period, the average peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) values of the study and control groups were found to be 93.5 and 93.0%, respectively. Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/FiO2 ratios were determined as 236.3 ± 85.7 and 220.8 ± 127.3 in the study and control groups, respectively. While the blood lymphocyte count was higher in the study group compared to the control group (1698 ± 1438 and 1256 ± 710, respectively) at the end of the follow-up period (p = 0.24); reduction in serum C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and D-dimer levels was more pronounced in the study group (p = 0.02, p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings obtained, ivermectin can provide an increase in clinical recovery, improvement in prognostic laboratory parameters and a decrease in mortality rates even when used in patients with severe COVID-19. Consequently, ivermectin should be considered as an alternative drug that can be used in the treatment of COVID-19 disease or as an additional option to existing protocols.

Galectin-3: can it be a diagnostic tool for pneumonia in covid-19 patients?

Background/aim: Biochemical markers are needed to show lung involvement in COVID-19 disease. Galectin-3 is known to play a key role in the inflammation and fibrosis process. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of galectin-3 levels for pneumonia in patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods: Total of 176 patients with COVID-19, confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, admitted to the Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital was analyzed. The study was designed as a cross sectional. The baseline data of laboratory examinations, including galectin-3 were collected at the time of diagnosis. CT images evaluated by a single radiologist according to the recommendation of the Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Document for pulmonary involvement. The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia was assessed using the total severity score. Results: The mean galectin-3 level in patients with typical pneumonia was found to be significantly higher than those patients with atypical (p < 0.01) and indeterminate appearance (p < 0.01) and patients without pneumonia (p < 0.01). The severity of lung involvement was significantly associated with Galectin-3 levels (p < 0.01 r: 0.76). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that the levels of ferritin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.05, p: 0.08) and galectin-3 (OR = 0.1, p < 0.01) were significantly and independently associated with typical pneumoniain COVID-19 patients. When COVID-19 patients were evaluated in terms of typical pneumonia, we determined a cut-off value of 18.9 ng/mL for galectin-3 via ROC analysis (87% sensitivity; 73% specificity; area under curve (AUC): 0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Galectin-3 was found as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 associated typical pneumonia and as an indicator of both pneumonia and its severity.

Patient hematology during hospitalization for viral pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 agents: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hematological comparison of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other viral pneumonias can provide insights into COVID-19 treatment. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control single-center study, we compared the data of 126 patients with viral pneumonia during different outbreaks [severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, influenza A (H1N1) in 2009, human adenovirus type 7 in 2018, and COVID-19 in 2020]. RESULTS: One of the COVID-19 characteristics was a continuous decline in the hemoglobin level. The neutrophil count was related to the aggravation of COVID-19 and SARS. Thrombocytopenia occurred in patients with SARS and severe COVID-19 even at the recovery stage. Lymphocytes were related to the entire course of adenovirus infection, recovery of COVID-19, and disease development of SARS. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic changes in hematological counts could provide a reference for the pathogenesis and prognosis of pneumonia caused by respiratory viruses in clinics.

The semantic of a pandemic: Are cardiovascular patients dying "with" or "from" COVID-19? Reflections from a case report.

RATIONALE: Northern Italy has been particularly hit by the current Covid-19 pandemic. Italian deceased patients have a mean age of 78.5 years and only 1.2% have no comorbidities. These data started a public debate whether patients die "with" or "from" Covid-19. If on one hand the public opinion has been persuaded to believe that Covid-19 infection has poor outcomes just in elderly and/or fragile subjects, on the other hand, hospitals are admitting an increasing number of healthy young patients needing semi-intensive or intensive care units. PATIENT CONCERNS: At the end of March 2020, a 79-year-old patient (M.G.) was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital with a 5 days history of fever, dyspnea, and cough. He was known for hypertension and coronary artery disease with a previous coronary artery stenting. Both the comorbidities were carried out without complications and the patient was previously asymptomatic and in good health. At admission, he was febrile and showed signs of respiratory failure with hypoxia and hypocapnia at blood gas analysis. DIAGNOSIS: The day after, he was tested for SARS-CoV-2 with a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swab, which turned positive and a chest CT-Scan was consistent with the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: He was treated with i.v. diuretics, paracetamol, prolonged noninvasive ventilation (CPAP), and empiric antibiotic therapy on top of his chronic treatment. OUTCOMES: A treatment with heparin and corticosteroids was started; however, he developed irreversible respiratory failure. Invasive ventilation was not considered appropriate due to his comorbidities, low chances of recovery, and intensive care unit overcrowding. The patient died 9 days after admission. LESSONS: Health conditions that are most reported as risk factors are common cardiovascular diseases that can be managed in modern clinical practice. Through a brief illustrative clinical case, we would like to underline how Covid-19 can be per se the cause of death in patients that would otherwise have had an acceptable life expectancy.