Methylprednisolone therapy induces differential metabolic trajectories in severe COVID-19 patients.

IMPORTANCE: The SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in humans induces significant inflammatory and systemic reactions and complications of which corticosteroids like methylprednisolone have been recommended as treatment. Our understanding of the metabolic and metabolomic pathway dysregulations while using intravenous corticosteroids in COVID-19 is limited. This study will help enlighten the metabolic and metabolomic pathway dysregulations underlying high daily doses of intravenous methylprednisolone in COVID-19 patients compared to those receiving placebo. The information on key metabolites and pathways identified in this study together with the crosstalk with the inflammation and biochemistry components may be used, in the future, to leverage the use of methylprednisolone in any future pandemics from the coronavirus family.

Fungal colonization in newborn babies of very low birth weight: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To learn about the profile of fungal colonization and related risk factors in premature newborns. METHODS: Prospective cohort, from 04/01/2010 to 04/31/2011, with 44 patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, born at the hospital maternity, weighing less than 1,500 g. On admission, data were collected on pre-natal care and childbirth. Clinical and laboratory information, nasal and rectal swabs, and peripheral blood cultures were collected on days 1, 7, 10, and 14 of stay in neonatal intensive care unit and then every 7 days until discharge or death. For statistical analysis, we used the chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression model. RESULTS: The incidence of colonization was 13.5/1,000 patients/day. The incidence of candidemia was 0.9/1,000 patients/day. The average hospitalization time was 30.5 days (± 20.27), and the onset of colonization occurred, in average, at 11.13 days (± 8.82). Vaginal delivery was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of fungal colonization during hospitalization (p = 0.042, odds ratio = 4.38, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1,13-16,99). Likewise, leukocytosis (> 30,000/mm3) on admission was an indicator for the simultaneous presence of fungal colonization (p = 0.048). The presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia tends to be a factor of higher probability for the development of colonization (p = 0.067). The most affected colonization site was the rectal mucosa: 89.09 versus 10.9% of the nasal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery and leukocytosis over 30,000/mm3 on admission were found to be risk factors for fungal colonization during hospitalization.

Colonização fúngica em recém-natos de muito baixo peso: um estudo de coorte / Fungal colonization in newborn babies of very low birth weight: a cohort study

OBJETIVOS: Conhecer o perfil de colonização fúngica e os fatores de risco associados em recém-nascidos prematuros. MÉTODOS: Coorte prospectiva, de 01/04/10 a 31/04/11, com 44 pacientes admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal, nascidos na maternidade do hospital, com peso menor que 1.500 g. Na admissão, coletaram-se dados sobre pré-natal e parto. Informações clínico-laboratoriais, swabs nasal, retal e hemocultura periférica foram coletados nos dias 1, 7, 10 e 14 de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e, então, a cada 7 dias até alta ou óbito. Para análise estatística, utilizou-se teste qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher, curva de Kaplan-Meier e modelo de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: A incidência de colonização foi de 13,5/1.000 pacientes/dia. A de candidemia foi de 0,9/1.000 paciente/dia. A média de internamento foi de 30,5 dias (±20,27), sendo o início da colonização, em média, aos 11,13 dias (±8,82). O parto vaginal foi um fator de risco independente para desenvolvimento de colonização fúngica ao longo da internação [p = 0,042; odds ratio = 4,38; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) = 1,13-16,99]. Da mesma forma, a leucocitose (> 30.000/mm3) na admissão foi um sinalizador para a presença concomitante de colonização (p = 0,048). A presença de displasia broncopulmonar tende a ser um fator de maior chance para desenvolvimento de colonização (p = 0,067). O sítio de colonização mais acometido foi a mucosa retal: 89,09 versus 10,9% da nasal. CONCLUSÃO: Parto vaginal e leucocitose acima de 30.000/mm3 na admissão foram fatores de risco para colonização fúngica no decorrer da hospitalização.

OBJECTIVES: To learn about the profile of fungal colonization and related risk factors in premature newborns. METHODS: Prospective cohort, from 04/01/2010 to 04/31/2011, with 44 patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, born at the hospital maternity, weighing less than 1,500 g. On admission, data were collected on pre-natal care and childbirth. Clinical and laboratory information, nasal and rectal swabs, and peripheral blood cultures were collected on days 1,7,10 and 14 of stay in neonatal intensive care unit and then, every 7 days until discharge or death. For statistical analysis, we used chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression model. RESULTS: The incidence of colonization was 13.5/1,000 patients/day. The incidence of candidemia was 0.9/1,000 patients/day. The average hospitalization time was 30.5 days (± 20.27), and the onset of colonization occurred, in average, at 11.13 days (±8.82). Vaginal delivery was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of fungal colonization during hospitalization (p = 0.042, odds ratio = 4.38, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1,13-16,99). Likewise, leukocytosis (> 30,000/mm3) on admission was an indicator for the simultaneous presence of fungal colonization (p = 0.048). The presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia tends to be a factor of higher probability for the development of colonization (p = 0.067). The most affected colonization site was the rectal mucosa: 89.09 versus 10.9% of the nasal mucosa. CONCLUSION: Vaginal delivery and leukocytosis over 30,000/mm3 on admission were found to be risk factors for fungal colonization during hospitalization.