Clinical utility of haematological inflammatory biomarkers in predicting 30-day mortality in hospitalised adult patients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem disease affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immunological and haematological systems. The most important indices that have been studied are platelet (PLT) indices in addition to the PLT count and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). This retrospective study included 95 patients with COVID-19 and was conducted at the Hospital Isolation, Scientific and Medical Research Centre and Clinical Pathology Department at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt over 6 months from March to August 2021. All patients on admission had a full blood count, which included white blood cell (WBC) count, haemoglobin, RDW, PLT count and its indices in addition to PLT-to-WBC ratio (PWR) and PLT-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which were calculated for all the study patients. There were significant linear correlations for higher levels of the PLR, PWR and RDW and mortality rate (p = 0.03, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Moreover, on multivariable analysis the RDW, PLT count and PWR levels were independent prognostic predictors for mortality with a hazard ratio [HR] of 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.44, p = 0.002), 1.00 (95% CI 0.99-1.00, p = 0.03) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.21-4.48, p = 0.01) respectively. The RDW and PLT indices are accessible predictors that can be valuable prognostic factors for survival assessment and risk stratification of COVID-19.

Role of trace elements in pityriasis Alba.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis Alba (PA) is a common skin disorder affecting the children and it has multiple risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the serum levels of trace elements (copper, zinc, and magnesium) and hemoglobin (Hb) level in patients with PA. METHOD: This is a case control study; 110 participants (55 cases and 55 controls) were recruited from pediatric dermatology and family medicine clinics, Cairo university hospitals. Patients were allocated into two groups, PA group (randomly selected male and female children age group (6-16) with PA lesions) and a matched control group. Full history was taken including sociodemographic data, present history of the lesions. Full general and dermatological examination was done. Blood samples were taken to asses iron and trace elements levels. The gained measures were analyzed by (SPSS) program version 22. RESULTS: This study showed that Hb levels, serum ferritin, copper, zinc and magnesium were significantly lower in PA group. There was statistically significant difference between both cases and controls regarding trace elements (copper, zinc, and magnesium) with (p value was 0.000, 0.000 and 0.003) respectively. Zinc deficiency increased the risk by more than 15 folds. Also, there was statistically significant difference between both groups regarding Hb levels and serum ferritin (p value was 0.000). The reduced Hb level increases the risk of PA by more than nine folds (OR 9.6) CONCLUSION: PA is associated with reduced levels of Hb, serum zinc, ferritin, copper and magnesium; sun exposure, skin phototype were found to be important risk factors for PA.