Circulating calprotectin levels four months after severe and non-severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is an inflammatory marker mainly released by activated neutrophils that is increased in acute severe COVID-19. After initial recovery, some patients have persistent respiratory impairment with reduced diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) months after infection. Underlying causes of this persistent impairment are unclear. We aimed to investigate the correlation between circulating calprotectin, persistent lung functional impairment and intensive care unit (ICU) stay after COVID-19 in two university hospital centres in Switzerland. METHODS: Calprotectin levels were measured in serum from 124 patients (50% male) from the Bern cohort (post-ICU and non-ICU patients) and 68 (76% male) from the Lausanne cohort (only post-ICU patients) four months after COVID-19. Calprotectin was correlated with clinical parameters. Multivariate linear regression (MLR) was performed to evaluate the independent association of calprotectin in different models. RESULTS: Overall, we found that post-ICU patients, compared to non-ICU, were significantly older (age 59.4 ± 13.6 (Bern), 60.5 ± 12.0 (Lausanne) vs. 48.8 ± 13.4 years) and more obese (BMI 28.6 ± 4.5 and 29.1 ± 5.3 vs. 25.2 ± 6.0 kg/m2, respectively). 48% of patients from Lausanne and 44% of the post-ICU Bern cohort had arterial hypertension as a pre-existing comorbidity vs. only 10% in non-ICU patients. Four months after COVID-19 infection, DLCO was lower in post-ICU patients (75.96 ± 19.05% predicted Bern, 71.11 ± 18.50% Lausanne) compared to non-ICU (97.79 ± 21.70% predicted, p < 0.01). The post-ICU cohort in Lausanne had similar calprotectin levels when compared to the cohort in Bern (Bern 2.74 ± 1.15 µg/ml, Lausanne 2.49 ± 1.13 µg/ml vs. non-ICU 1.86 ± 1.02 µg/ml; p-value < 0.01). Calprotectin correlated negatively with DLCO (r= -0.290, p < 0.001) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) (r= -0.311, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum calprotectin is elevated in post-ICU patients in two independent cohorts and higher compared to non-ICU patients four months after COVID-19. In addition, there is a negative correlation between calprotectin levels and DLCO or FVC. The relationship between inflammation and lung functional impairment needs further investigations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04581135.

Isolated Trigeminal Mononeuropathy: A Possible COVID-19 Sequelae.

COVID-19 infections have been linked with multiple neurological manifestations. One of the infrequent complications of post-COVID-19 infection is trigeminal neuropathy. Despite its infrequency, few cases of trigeminal neuropathy following COVID-19 infection have been documented in the literature. However, there remains a paucity of evidence regarding isolated trigeminal neuropathy following COVID-19, particularly in cases devoid of pain but characterized by sensory deficits such as loss of sensation and paresthesia only. We describe a clinical case of trigeminal neuropathy that emerged after a COVID-19 infection at our institution. Our case report delves into the clinical presentation of such trigeminal neuropathy that would aid clinicians in including this pathology in their differential diagnosis.

Long-Term Patient Symptoms and Quality of Life in Adults After COVID-19: A Real Life Study.

Objective: To characterize long-term patient-reported symptoms and quality of life, in adults after COVID-19. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study in Cantabria (Northern Spain) including adults with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 694) with a time period between 4.7 and 24 month post-SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, and their close contacts (n = 663) (PCR negative and without suspected infection) obtained from simple random sampling of a total of 47,773 cases and 94,301 close contacts. The ISARIC survey was used as screening tool with self-reported "non-feeling fully recovery (NFFR)" defined as primary outcome. Results: 16.57% (n = 115/694) reported NFFR. Most prevalent symptoms were in order of frequency: Fatigue (54.8%); Loss of smell (40.9%); Problems speaking or communicating (29.6%); Loss of taste (28.7%); Confusion/lack of concentration (27.8%); Persistent muscle pain (24.3%) and Shortness of breath/breathlessness (23.5%). When comparing the three ordinal groups (Close contacts, COVID-19 feeling recovered, and COVID-19 NFFR) the prevalence of these symptoms was increasingly higher among each ordinal group (p < 0.001). Female gender was significantly associated with NFFR: (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.56); as well as older age: aOR per 10 year increment = 1.15. Lastly, they scored on average 9.63 points less in Euroquol. Conclusions: More than 15% of patients in our real-life population-based study, reported NFFR, being female sex and older age independent predictors of this condition. Most symptoms in these patients were in accordance with WHO definition of post COVID-19 condition in adults, and were less prevalent in COVID-19 feeling recovered and close contact respectively, with a statistically significant dose-response pattern, and with a large decrease in quality of life according to Euroquol.

Objetivo: Caracterizar los síntomas y la calidad de vida informados a largo plazo después de un episodio agudo de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio transversal en Cantabria (norte de España) que incluye adultos con infección por SARS-CoV-2 confirmada por PCR (n = 694) tras un periodo entre 4,7 y 24 meses desde el diagnóstico y sus contactos estrechos (n = 663), obtenidos por muestreo aleatorio simple a partir de 47.773 casos y 94.301 contactos. Se utilizó la encuesta ISARIC, estableciéndose como variable resultado principal la respuesta «no-sentirse completamente recuperado (NSCR)¼. Resultados: El 16,57% (n = 115/694) declararon NSCR. Los síntomas más prevalentes fueron, por orden de frecuencia: fatiga (54,8%), pérdida del olfato (40,9%), problemas para hablar o comunicarse (29,6%), pérdida del gusto (28,7%), confusión/falta de concentración (27,8%), dolor muscular persistente (24,3%) y dificultad para respirar/falta de aire (23,5%). Al comparar los tres grupos ordinales (contactos estrechos, COVID-19 recuperados y COVID-19 NSCR), la prevalencia de estos síntomas fue mayor en cada grupo (p < 0,001). El sexo femenino se asoció significativamente con NSCR: Odds Ratio ajustada (aOR) = 1,56), así como la edad avanzada: aOR por cada 10 años = 1,15. Por último, obtuvieron en Euroquol una puntuación media de 9,63 puntos menos. Conclusiones: Más del 15% de los pacientes reportaron NSCR, siendo el sexo femenino y la edad factores predictores independientes. La mayoría de los síntomas en estos pacientes coincidieron con los de la definición de condición post-COVID-19 de la OMS y fueron menos prevalentes en contactos estrechos y COVID-19 que se sintieron recuperados, con un patrón dosis respuesta, y con una menor calidad de vida según Euroquol.

Gastrointestinal Sequelae of COVID-19: Investigating Post-Infection Complications-A Systematic Review.

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are significant manifestations of COVID-19 and are increasingly being recognized. These complications range from severe acute pancreatitis to colitis, adding complexity to diagnosis and management. A comprehensive database search was conducted using several databases. Our inclusion criteria encompassed studies reporting severe and long-term GI complications of COVID-19. Digestive disorders were categorized into infections, inflammatory conditions, vascular disorders, structural abnormalities, other diagnoses, and undiagnosed conditions. Of the 73 studies that were selected for full-text review, only 24 met our inclusion criteria. The study highlights a broad range of gastrointestinal complications following COVID-19 infection (excluding liver complications, which are examined separately), including inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis (UC), acute pancreatitis, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Other GI complications were reported such as vascular disorders, including diverse thrombotic events and structural abnormalities, which ranged from bowel perforations to adhesions. Additionally, undiagnosed conditions like nausea and abdominal pain were prevalent across different studies involving 561 patients. The findings emphasize the substantial impact of COVID-19 on the GI tract. Ongoing research and monitoring are crucial to understanding the long-term effects and developing effective management strategies for these complications.

Proinflammatory Cytokine Profiles in Both Mild Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-Infected Egyptian Individuals and a Proposed Relationship to Post-COVID-19 Sequela.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with proinflammatory cytokine release as mediators of host antiviral response to the infection. Cytokine persistent elevation leads to post-Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) post-COVID-19 sequela (PCS) reported in about 60% of patients affecting individual's normal life after recovery. This study evaluates relationship of cytokines and chemokines pattern during and postinfection to PCS events. Serum samples collected from 82 individuals with symptomatic, asymptomatic, or no SARS-CoV-2 infection were classified as recently or formerly infected groups according to levels of anti-2019nCoV Immunoglobulin G/Immunoglobulin M. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, interferon alpha (IFN-α), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were assessed via ELISA for each individual. All asymptomatic groups showed nonsignificant differences in cytokines' levels than control group. Significant elevation of IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF levels were observed in recent symptomatic, while IFN-α and TNF-α levels were significant in former symptomatic groups. We observed an association between fever with IL-1α and IFN-α levels, fatigue with TNF-α and GM-CSF, dyspnea with IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF, and chest-wheezing with GM-CSF. Individuals were surveyed 12 months postsampling for PCS events. Among 35 responders to survey, 8 (22.8%) reported PCS events, 6 of which were females. Upon studying PCS events, IL-8, IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF levels showed significant elevation in active infection, that was not seen in a resolved state of infection. Cytokines patterns suggest that either a persistent elevation in levels or damage caused during infection contributes to PCS. Although with the limited sample size, our study emphasizes the importance to conduct medical approaches targeting the associated cytokines to improve the PCS symptoms.

Post-COVID Sequelae: From Lung Disease to Long Disease.

COVID-19 can have both an acute phase and post-acute phase of illness termed post-COVID sequelae, or "long Covid." In this case, a 66-year-old woman with a past medical history of reactive airway disease was admitted for shortness of breath twice. The first episode occurred in the setting of active COVID-19 infection. However, the second episode took place seven weeks later in the absence of COVID-19 as evidenced by a rapid antigen test. It is unclear why she re-developed shortness of breath after being discharged symptom-free from her initial admission. After treatment with prednisone, albuterol, and ipratropium she experienced symptomatic relief yet again and outpatient pulmonary function testing demonstrated a mildly obstructive pattern reversed with an inhaled bronchodilator. She has remained symptom-free since finishing an outpatient prednisone course. It is possible she developed post-COVID sequelae resembling an acute asthma exacerbation. Though the exact mechanism of post-COVID sequelae is not known, it is thought to be due to a combination of immune activation, dysregulation, and suppression. It is an important presentation for internists to know given the prevalence of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Does It Again: Post-COVID-19 Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hematological disorder that results from an uncontrolled activation of the immune system, which can then lead to multisystem organ failure. Given the nonspecific nature of this illness, it can go undetected for too long, thereby causing permanent damage to organ systems. In adults, HLH has been associated with a number of infectious etiologies, particularly viral infections. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a global pandemic and has been associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Among its other manifestations, COVID-19 has also been linked to HLH. In this report, we describe a case of a male patient who presented with multisystem organ failure and was found to have HLH. Since no clear etiology for his HLH could be elicited, it was determined to be a result of his recent COVID-19 infection.

Post-COVID-19 Sequelae in Children.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been implicated in having post-COVID-19 sequelae in both adults and children. There is a lack of good data on the prevalence and risk factors for post-COVID-19 sequelae in children. The authors aimed to review the current literature on post-COVID sequelae. The prevalence of post-COVID sequelae in children is highly variable among studies, with an average of 25%. The sequelae may affect many organ systems, though mood symptoms, fatigue, cough, dyspnea, and sleep problems are common. In many studies, it is difficult to establish a causal association due to the lack of a control group. Furthermore, it is difficult to differentiate whether the neuropsychiatric symptoms in children after COVID-19 are due to infection or a result of lockdowns and social restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Children with COVID-19 should be followed by a multidisciplinary team and screened for symptoms, followed by focused laboratory evaluations as needed. There is no specific treatment for the sequelae. Only symptomatic and supportive treatment is required in most cases. More research is necessary to standardize the definitions of sequelae, establish a causal association, assess various treatment options, and the effects of different virus variants, and finally, see the impact of vaccination on the sequelae.

[Functional evaluation in patient with critical SARS-CoV-2 disease: Cohort study in a third level hospital rehabilitation unit]. / Evaluación funcional tras SARS-CoV-2 crítico. Estudio de cohortes de la unidad de rehabilitación en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-COV-2 pneumonia is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes respiratory, physical and psychological dysfunctions. We present the results of patient assessment when they were discharged from the ICU. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cohort study of patients affected by SARS-COV-2 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit from 01/10/2020 to 31/07/2021. We collect sociodemographic data, personal history, ICU and hospital stay, Barthel, FAC and mMRC (pre-admission/initial assessment/discharge), development of osteomuscular and/or neurological pathology and need for rehabilitation treatment. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were evaluated, of which 224 met criteria. The average age was 63 years (68.75% men). Mean ICU/hospital stay were 27/44 days. They were assessed by physiatry, after that, we provide a guide developed by physiatry, solving doubts about the disease and setting exercises of intensity and progressive difficulty, to be carried out during the admission and at home. Neurological pathology was present at 42.86% patients, of whom a 83.33% were peripheral nervous system disease. The total of the sample needed respiratory physiotherapy and a 72.32% motor physiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a high number of patients have needed rehabilitation treatment in order to get functional recovery, highlighting the development of post-COVID neurological pathology. SARS-COV-2 generates other complications, not only respiratory, subsidiary to be assessed and treated by rehabilitation services for a comprehensive recovery that minimizes sequelae.

Mitigating the Burden of Severe Pediatric Respiratory Viruses in the Post-COVID-19 Era: ChatGPT Insights and Recommendations.

In the current post-pandemic era, the rapid spread of respiratory viruses among children and infants resulted in hospitals and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) becoming overwhelmed. Healthcare providers around the world faced a significant challenge from the outbreak of respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus, and influenza viruses. The chatbot generative pre-trained transformer, ChatGPT, which was launched by OpenAI in November 2022, had both positive and negative aspects in medical writing. Still, it has the potential to generate mitigation suggestions that could be rapidly implemented. We describe the generated suggestion from ChatGPT on 27 Feb 2023 in response to the question "What's your advice for the pediatric intensivists?" We as human authors and healthcare providers, do agree with and supplement with references these suggestions of ChatGPT. We also advocate that artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbots could be utilized in seeking a vigilant and robust healthcare system to rapidly adapt to changing respiratory viruses circulating around the seasons, but AI-generated suggestions need experts to validate them, and further research is warranted.

Investigation of liquid biopsy analytes in peripheral blood of individuals after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is linked to severe organ damage. The identification and stratification of at-risk SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals is vital to providing appropriate care. This exploratory study looks for a potential liquid biopsy signal for PACS using both manual and machine learning approaches. METHODS: Using a high definition single cell assay (HDSCA) workflow for liquid biopsy, we analysed 100 Post-COVID patients and 19 pre-pandemic normal donor (ND) controls. Within our patient cohort, 73 had received at least 1 dose of vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We stratified the COVID patients into 25 asymptomatic, 22 symptomatic COVID-19 but not suspected for PACS and 53 PACS suspected. All COVID-19 patients investigated in this study were diagnosed between April 2020 and January 2022 with a median 243 days (range 16-669) from diagnosis to their blood draw. We did a histopathological examination of rare events in the peripheral blood and used a machine learning model to evaluate predictors of PACS. FINDINGS: The manual classification found rare cellular and acellular events consistent with features of endothelial cells and platelet structures in the PACS-suspected cohort. The three categories encompassing the hypothesised events were observed at a significantly higher incidence in the PACS-suspected cohort compared to the ND (p-value < 0.05). The machine learning classifier performed well when separating the NDs from Post-COVID with an accuracy of 90.1%, but poorly when separating the patients suspected and not suspected of PACS with an accuracy of 58.7%. INTERPRETATION: Both the manual and the machine learning model found differences in the Post-COVID cohort and the NDs, suggesting the existence of a liquid biopsy signal after active SARS-CoV-2 infection. More research is needed to stratify PACS and its subsyndromes. FUNDING: This work was funded in whole or in part by Fulgent Genetics, Kathy and Richard Leventhal and Vassiliadis Research Fund. This work was also supported by the National Cancer InstituteU54CA260591.

Diagnostic Dilemma: A Patient With Pulmonary Fibrosis Who Presented for Severe Tracheal Stenosis After COVID-19 Pneumonia.

A 44-year-old man with pulmonary fibrosis presented to our pulmonary hypertension clinic with biphasic stridor and dyspnea. He was sent to the emergency department, where he was found to have 90% subglottic tracheal stenosis and was successfully treated with balloon dilation. Seven months prior to the presentation, he required intubation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia complicated by hemorrhagic stroke. He was discharged after percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, which was decannulated after three months. Our patient possessed several risk factors for tracheal stenosis, including endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, and airway infection. Furthermore, our case is of great importance given the developing literature on COVID-19 pneumonia and its subsequent complications. Additionally, his history of interstitial lung disease may have confounded his presentation. Therefore, it is important to understand stridor, as it is an important exam finding that clinically distinguishes upper and lower airway disease. Our patient's biphasic stridor is consistent with the diagnosis of severe tracheal stenosis.

Memory, Attention, and Concentration Dysfunction Post-COVID-19 Among College Students in Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction Multiple studies have demonstrated the multi-systemic involvement of COVID-19, and among all of these systems, there is mounting evidence that COVID-19 is linked to neurocognitive impairment, particularly when neurological symptoms are present. Our aim is to study the concept of cognitive dysfunction post-COVID-19 among college students in Saudi Arabia and its potential effect on their academic performance.  Methods A population-based, observational case-control study was conducted across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from May 2022 to September 2022. A total of 2,150 eligible students have completed the study questionnaire. An exact 776 (36.1%) of them had COVID-19 infection (group 1), while 1,374 (63.9%) students had not (group 2). The sample population was college-enrolled students from 18 to 28 years old, with a mean age of 21.3 for group 1 and 20.8 for group 2. Both groups were handed the same data collection tool to establish whether the COVID-19 survivors had cognitive deficits more than the control group. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their bio-demographic data, study methods, or vaccination rate. However, both Neurological Fatigue and Big Five Inventory score were significantly higher among infected students, comparable to non-infected students. A negative relation was found between the infected students' neurological fatigue (rho=-0.14), cognitive failure (rho=-0.10), and depression and anxiety scale with their GPA (rho=0.03). Contrarily, infected students showed a positive relationship between their GPA and the Big Five Inventory (rho=0.13) and Short Grit Scale (rho=0.14). Also, there was a significant inverse relation between students' apathy motivation with their Big Five Inventory. Likewise, there was an inverse relation between their neurological fatigue, cognitive failure, and apathy motivation with their Short Grit Scale. Conclusion We demonstrated that college students who have survived COVID-19 infection mostly complain of cognitive impairment, even though most of them have no comorbidities or psychological disorders.

Is recovery just the beginning? Persistent symptoms and health and performance deterioration in post-COVID-19, non-hospitalized university students-a cross-sectional study.

Many individuals experience persistent symptoms such as deteriorated physical and mental health, increased fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance months after recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is limited data on the long-term trajectory and prevalence of these symptoms, especially in milder cases. Our study aimed to assess the persistent effects of COVID-19 on physical and mental health, fatigue, and cognitive performance in a cohort of 214 students, averaging 21.8 years of age. Of these, 148 had contracted COVID-19 but were not hospitalized, with the time since infection ranging from 1 to 39 months. We utilized a comprehensive panel of cognitive tests to measure intelligence, memory, and psychomotor skills, and a detailed anamnestic questionnaire to evaluate physical and mental health. While contracting COVID-19 did not significantly impact overall health and performance, it was associated with increased reports of fatigue. However, the reported severity of the disease had a pronounced negative influence on physical health, mental well-being, fatigue, and reaction time. Trends of improvement in physical and mental health, as well as error rate, were observed within the first 2 years post-infection. However, fatigue and reaction time showed a trend of deterioration. Beyond the 2-year mark, physical health and error rate continued to improve, while mental health began to deteriorate. Fatigue and reaction time continued to decline. Overall, our findings suggest that some effects of contracting COVID-19 can persist or even deteriorate over time, even in younger individuals who had mild cases that did not require hospitalization.

Gradually Progressive Interstitial Pneumonia Following COVID-19 in an Older Patient: A Case Report.

Since its confirmation in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, at the end of 2019, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide in multiple epidemic waves while undergoing mutations. To date, numerous individuals have been infected. Symptoms range from asymptomatic and common cold-like to acute respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can lead to death. Here, we present the case of an 81-year-old woman with a fever that persisted for more than five days after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). She underwent chest imaging that revealed complications of interstitial pneumonia presumed to be caused by COVID-19. Computed tomography (CT) findings in COVID-19 pneumonia are often nonspecific. In this case, scattered frosted shadows were observed in both lung fields, and blood tests revealed elevated Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) levels. Immediate therapeutic treatment is warranted when patients with multiple risk factors for COVID-19 present with interstitial pneumonia.

Parkinsonism: An emerging post COVID sequelae.

Parkinsonism has a complex and multifactorial aetiology and the role of post viral infection parkinsonism has been documented. The recent pandemic has made it clear that COVID-19 causes respiratory disease and affects multiple organs, which includes the central nervous system. Here we report three cases of post COVID parkinsonism occurring in older adults, age 60 years and above, and their response to levodopa-carbidopa.

Patient With Prior COVID-19 Infection Presenting With Acute Upper Airway Obstruction: A Case Report.

New clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been emerging throughout the pandemic and are being reported to the medical community. There have been limited reports that the virus can cause acute airway compromise. Here, we describe a young patient with a recent COVID-19 infection now presenting with acute airway compromise, presumed to be pharyngitis, and their clinical course during their hospitalization. The purpose of this case presentation was to shed light on a newly reported, presumed, presentation of COVID-19 that can be life-threatening in people of all ages. Though there have been limited reported cases, it is important to include this virus in the differential diagnosis of virus-induced airway compromise.

Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Patients Visiting the Post-COVID-19 Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors may continue experiencing diverse symptoms. This study portrays the clinical and laboratory profile of patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19'(PASC) at a tertiary care hospital in India.  Methodology: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients visiting the post-COVID-19 clinic three weeks after their acute COVID-19 illness. Their clinical, serological, and radiological characteristics were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 259 participants (age: 48.02±15.27 years; 62.25% men), 168 had PASC manifestations. The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue (n=71(42.26%)), breathlessness (n=38(22.61%)), and cough (n=35(20.83%)). Patients with PASC had higher body mass index (28.24±5.02 vs. 26.26±3.65; p=0.002), history of hypertension (52 (30.95%) vs. 17 (18.6%); p=0.039), uncontrolled systolic blood pressure (37 (22.03) vs. 14 (15.38); p=0.042), and persistent chest x-ray abnormalities (34 (20.23) vs. 10 (10.98); p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Fatigue, breathlessness, and cough are common PASC symptoms. Hypertension, obesity, and abnormal chest x-ray findings at follow-up are potential risk factors for developing PASC.

Is Abdominal Cocoon a Sequela in Recovered Cases of Severe COVID-19?

Abdominal cocoon is one of the rare causes of intestinal obstruction mostly diagnosed at the operating table. Its etiology is primarily unknown but can be secondary to known causes. The involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) system was a common feature during the second wave of COVID-19, and at present, there are reports of GI symptoms in patients who have completely recovered from COVID-19. Abdominal cocoon formation has been reported during the active stage of COVID-19 but not as its sequela. We report two cases with a high degree of suspicion of abdominal cocoon formation in middle-aged individuals with no comorbidities, who recovered from a severe form of COVID-19.

Post-COVID Syndrome: The Research Progress in the Treatment of Pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 Infection.

Post-COVID syndrome or long COVID is defined as the persistence of symptoms after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, the pathogen responsible for coronavirus disease. The content herein presented reviews the reported long-term consequences and aftereffects of COVID-19 infection and the potential strategies to adopt for their management. Recent studies have shown that severe forms of COVID-19 can progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a predisposing factor of pulmonary fibrosis that can irreversibly compromise respiratory function. Considering that the most serious complications are observed in the airways, the inhalation delivery of drugs directly to the lungs should be preferred, since it allows to lower the dose and systemic side effects. Although further studies are needed to optimize these techniques, recent studies have also shown the importance of in vitro models to recreate the SARS-CoV-2 infection and study its sequelae. The information reported suggests the necessity to develop new inhalation therapies in order to improve the quality of life of patients who suffer from this condition.