Patients hospitalized with active tuberculosis and Covid-19 coinfection: A matched case-control from the Brazilian Covid-19 Registry.

Although control of Covid-19 has improved, the virus continues to cause infections, such as tuberculosis, that is still endemic in many countries, representing a scenario of coinfection. To compare Covid-19 clinical manifestations and outcomes between patients with active tuberculosis infection and matched controls. This is a matched case-control study based on data from the Brazilian Covid-19 Registry, in hospitalized patients aged 18 or over with laboratory confirmed Covid-19 from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022. Cases were patients with tuberculosis and controls were Covid-19 patients without tuberculosis. From 13,636 Covid-19, 36 also had active tuberculosis (0.0026%). Pulmonary fibrosis (5.6% vs 0.0%), illicit drug abuse (30.6% vs 3.0%), alcoholism (33.3% vs 11.9%) and smoking (50.0% vs 9.7%) were more common among patients with tuberculosis. They also had a higher frequency of nausea and vomiting (25.0% vs 10.4%). There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation, need for dialysis and ICU stay. Patients with TB infection presented a higher frequency of pulmonary fibrosis, abuse of illicit drugs, alcoholism, current smoking, symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The outcomes were similar between them.

SARS-CoV-2 infections in pediatric and young adult recipients of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: an international registry report.

BACKGROUND: Immunocompromised patients are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies are uniquely immunosuppressed due to CAR T-mediated B-cell aplasia (BCA). While SARS-CoV-2 mortality rates of 33%-40% are reported in adult CAR T-cell recipients, outcomes in pediatric and young adult CAR T-cell recipients are limited. METHODS: We created an international retrospective registry of CAR T recipients aged 0-30 years infected with SARS-CoV-2 within 2 months prior to or any time after CAR T infusion. SARS-CoV-2-associated illness was graded as asymptomatic, mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). To assess for risk factors associated with significant SARS-CoV-2 infections (infections requiring hospital admission for respiratory distress or supplemental oxygen), univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Nine centers contributed 78 infections in 75 patients. Of 70 SARS-CoV-2 infections occurring after CAR T infusion, 13 (18.6%) were classified as asymptomatic, 37 (52.9%) mild, 11 (15.7%) moderate, and 6 (8.6%) severe COVID-19. Three (4.3%) were classified as MIS-C. BCA was not significantly associated with infection severity. Prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant, of 47 infections, 19 (40.4%) resulted in hospital admission and 7 (14.9%) required intensive care, while after the emergence of the Omicron variant, of 23 infections, only 1 (4.3%) required admission and the remaining 22 (95.7%) had asymptomatic or mild COVID-19. Death occurred in 3 of 70 (4.3%); each death involved coinfection or life-threatening condition. In a multivariable model, factors associated with significant SARS-CoV-2 infection included having two or more comorbidities (OR 7.73, CI 1.05 to 74.8, p=0.048) and age ≥18 years (OR 9.51, CI 1.90 to 82.2, p=0.014). In the eight patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 before CAR T, half of these patients had their CAR T infusion delayed by 15-30 days. CONCLUSIONS: In a large international cohort of pediatric and young adult CAR-T recipients, SARS-CoV-2 infections resulted in frequent hospital and intensive care unit admissions and were associated with mortality in 4.3%. Patients with two or more comorbidities or aged ≥18 years were more likely to experience significant illness. Suspected Omicron infections were associated with milder disease.

Síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica em crianças infectadas por coronavírus: uma revisão integrativa / Multisystemic inflamatory syndrome in children infected by coronavirus: an integrative review / Síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en niños infectados por coronavirus: una revisión integradora

Durante a pandemia de COVID-19, foram observadas manifestações atípicas em pacientes pediátricos em diversas regiões do mundo, e o conjunto desses sintomas caracterizou uma nova patologia denominada Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica em Crianças (MIS-C), ou Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica Temporariamente associada ao COVID-19 (PIMS- TS). O objetivo desta revisão foi analisar as manifestações clínicas e as possíveis complicações relacionadas a tal quadro inflamatório. Foi realizada uma busca por artigos científicos nas bases de dados Embase, PubMed e Web of Science, por meio da combinação dos descritores "MIS-C", "PIMS- TS" e "COVID-19". Após a análise dos artigos encontrados, e considerando critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 15 estudos para compor esta revisão. A maioria dos estudos mencionaram complicações gastrointestinais, cardiovasculares, respiratórias e mucocutâneas. Ademais, foram encontrados marcadores que indicavam estado inflamatório generalizado e coagulopatia. Assim, concluiu-se que MIS-C provavelmente é uma síndrome manifestada após a infecção por SARS-CoV-2, podendo ocasionar quadros mais graves, mas com baixas taxas de mortalidade.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, atypical manifestations were observed in pediatric patients in different regions of the world, and the set of these symptoms characterized a new pathology called Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), or Pediatric Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome Temporarily associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS). The purpose of this review was to analyze the clinical manifestations and possible complications related to such an inflammatory condition. A search for scientific articles was carried out in the databases Embase, PubMed and Web of Science, by combining the descriptors "MIS-C", "PIMS-TS" and "COVID-19". After analyzing the articles found, and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 studies were selected to compose this review. Most studies mentioned gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and mucocutaneous complications. In addition, markers were found that indicated generalized inflammatory status and coagulopathy. Thus, it was concluded that MIS-C is probably a syndrome manifested after infection by SARS-CoV-2, which can cause more severe conditions, but with low mortality rates.

Durante la pandemia de COVID-19 se observaron manifestaciones atípicas en pacientes pediátricos de diferentes regiones del mundo, y el conjunto de estos síntomas caracterizó una nueva patología denominada Síndrome Inflamatorio Multisistémico en Niños (SMI-C), o Síndrome Inflamatorio Multisistémico Pediátrico Asociado Temporalmente a COVID-19 (SIPM-TS). El propósito de esta revisión fue analizar las manifestaciones clínicas y las posibles complicaciones relacionadas con dicha condición inflamatoria. Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos científicos en las bases de datos Embase, PubMed y Web of Science, combinando los descriptores "MIS-C", "PIMS- TS" y "COVID-19". Tras analizar los artículos encontrados, y teniendo en cuenta los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 15 estudios para componer esta revisión. La mayoría de los estudios mencionaron complicaciones gastrointestinales, cardiovasculares, respiratorias y mucocutáneas. Además, se encontraron marcadores que indicaban un estado inflamatorio generalizado y coagulopatía. Así pues, se concluyó que el SMI-C es probablemente un síndrome que se manifiesta tras la infección por el SARS-CoV-2, que puede causar cuadros más graves, pero con bajas tasas de mortalidad.

Una revisión de literatura del síndrome pos-COVID-19 / A literature review about post-COVID-19 syndrome

Introducción: El COVID-19 es una enfermedad vírica que ha generado gran afectación en la salud de la población global. Varios estudios han demostrado que después de dos o tres meses de la infección por coronavirus los pacientes continúan refiriendo sintomatología: la fatiga, la disnea y el dolor de cabeza son los más frecuentes. Objetivo: Exponer información relevante de carácter científico sobre el síndrome pos-COVID. Desarrollo: Se hizo una revisión de la literatura entre noviembre de 2019 y febrero de 2021, que comprendió las fases de planeación, diseño y gestión, análisis, elaboración y formalización. Se realizó la búsqueda estratégica mediante ScienceDirect, PubMed/Medline, NusrginsOvid, SciELO y Google Académico, a través de la combinación de los operadores OR, AND y NOT. Se consideraron textos completos, en español, inglés y portugués, entre 2019 y 2021. Después de realizada la selección y revisión profunda se obtuvieron 38 artículos que cumplieron con el objetivo planeado, los cuales fueron sometidos a la metodología PRISMA. Conclusiones: Existe un síndrome pos-COVID, el cual se relaciona de forma directa con un proceso de inflamación multisistémico, lo que evidencia síntomas en pacientes después de tres meses de culminado el proceso infeccioso. Entre estos, la fatiga, la disnea y el dolor de cabeza resultan los más frecuentes; además de consecuencias cardíacas, psicológicas y neurobiológicas(AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 is a viral disease that has caused great affectation in the health of the global population. Several studies have shown that two to three months after coronavirus infection patients continue to report symptoms, fatigue, dyspnea and headache being the most frequent. Objective: To present relevant scientific information on post-COVID-19 syndrome. Development: A literature review was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021, consisting of the phases of planning, design and management, analysis, elaboration and formalization. The strategic search was carried out using ScienceDirect, PubMed/Medline, NusrginsOvid, SciELO and Google Scholar, through the combination of the Boolean operators OR, AND and NOT. Full texts were considered, in Spanish, English and Portuguese, from 2019 to 2021. After the selection and an in-depth review, 38 articles were obtained that met the set objective, which were processed with the PRISMA methodology. Conclusions: There is a post-COVID-19 syndrome, directly related to a multisystem inflammatory process, which shows symptoms in patients three months after the end of the infectious process. Among these, fatigue, dyspnea and headache are the most frequent, in addition to cardiac, psychological and neurobiological consequences(AU)

Modos ventilatorios usados en pacientes críticos con covid-19 en la región de Lombardía, Italia / Ventilation modes used in critical patient with COVID-19 in the region of Lombardy, Italy

RESUMEN Introducción: la covid-19 es una enfermedad donde la ventilación mecánica artificial cobra vital importancia. Se estima que el 50 % de los casos graves o críticos que requieren manejo en unidades de cuidados intensivos fallecen. Objetivos: se evaluó el impacto de los modos ventilatorios usados en pacientes con covid-19 en Lombardía, Italia, en la oxigenación, la hemodinámica y la mortalidad. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico longitudinal retrospectivo en 86 pacientes críticos con covid-19, en el Hospital Mayor de Crema, en Lombardía, Italia, desde el 1 de abril al 20 de mayo de 2020. Se realizaron análisis no paramétrico y de la varianza. Resultados: Hubo una supervivencia del 76,7 %. El modo utilizado tuvo igual comportamiento en occisos (BiPAP-3, PCV-4, VCRP-4, APRV-5, VCV-4) y en vivos (BiPAP-10, PCV-17, VCRP-14, APRV-15, VCV-10); test de x2 = 0,59; test de análisis de la varianza media índice PO2/FIO2 (PCV = 132), (BiPAP = 132) (VCV = 115) p = 0,924. La presión de final de espiración positiva (BiPAP-12, PCV-13, VCRP-13, APRV-13, VCV-14) con p = 0,205. PCO2 (BiPAP-55, PCV-52, VCRP-57, APRV-59, VCV-57) con p = 0,512. La tensión arterial media (BiPAP-84, PCV-83, VCRP-84, APRV-82, VCV-83) con p = 0,988. Modelos de cálculo de la presión de final de espiración positiva, según modo ventilatorio: BiPAP: PEEP = -0,0331 (índice PO2/FiO2) +18,215; PCV: PEEP = -0,0047 (índice PO2/FiO2) +13,717; VCRP: PEEP = -0,0204 (índice PO2/FiO2) +15,678; APRV: PEEP = -0,0092 (índice PO2/FiO2) +14,889. Conclusiones: la evolución del paciente crítico con covid-19 está determinada en gran medida por la ventilación mecánica invasiva; sin embargo, no existió suficiente evidencia para recomendar una u otra modalidad ventilatoria. El éxito está en conocer con exactitud las características del respirador, su modalidad y el paciente en cuestión. (AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease in which mechanical ventilation acquires vital importance. It is estimated that 50 % of the serious and critical patients requiring management in intensive care units die. Objectives: to assess the impact of the ventilation modes used in patients with COVID-19 in Lombardy, Italy, on oxygenation, hemodynamics and mortality. Materials and methods: a retrospective, longitudinal, analytic study was carried out in 86 critical patients with COVID-19 who entered the Main Hospital of Crema, in Lombardy, Italy, from April 1st to May 20, 2020. Results: the survival was 76.7 %. The used mode showed the same behavior in deceased patients (BiPAP-3, PCV-4, VCRP-4, APRV-5, VCV-4) and in alive patients (BiPAP-10, PCV-17, VCRP-14, APRV-15, VCV-10). X2 = 0.59. ANOVA test index PO2/FIO2 (PCV = 132), (BiPAP = 132) (VCV=115) p = 0.924. PEEP (BiPAP-12, PCV-13, VCRP-13, APRV-13, VCV-14) p = 0.205. PCO2 (BiPAP-55, PCV-52, VCRP-57, APRV-59, VCV-57) p = 0.512. Average blood pressure (BiPAP-84, PCV-83, VCRP-84, APRV-82, VCV-83) p = 0.988. PEEP models according to ventilation mode: BiPAP: PEEP = -0.0331 (PO2/FiO2 index) +18.215. PCV: PEEP = -0.0047 (PO2/FiO2 index) + 13.717; VCRP: PEEP = -0.0204 (PO2/FiO2 index) + 15.678; APRV: PEEP = -0.0092 (PO2/FiO2 index) +14.889. Conclusion: the evolution of the critical patient with COVID-19 is determined mostly by the invasive mechanical ventilation; but we did not find evidence enough to recommend one or the other ventilation mode. The success stands in knowing accurately the characteristics of the ventilator, the ventilation modes and the patient (AU).

Desórdenes del metabolismo glucídico y síndrome metabólico en pacientes de covid-19 / Glucide metabolism disorders and metabolic syndrome in COVID-19 patients

RESUMEN El síndrome metabólico comprende un conjunto de factores de riesgo cardiovascular asociado a resistencia a la insulina, que propicia la aparición de enfermedad cardiovascular y de diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Su etiología se atribuye a la combinación de factores genéticos y ambientales, asociados al estilo de vida, que favorecen un estado proinflamatorio y protrombótico que empeora el cuadro clínico de los pacientes con covid-19. El objetivo de la revisión consistió en analizar el estado actual del conocimiento científico en las investigaciones sobre la interrelación entre los desórdenes del metabolismo glucídico y el síndrome metabólico, asociados a la condición proinflamatoria exacerbada en pacientes de covid-19. Se hicieron búsquedas en las bases de datos PubMed, SciELO, ClinicalKey y LILACS. Al proceso proinflamatorio generado por malos hábitos alimentarios, la sobrealimentación calórica de alto índice glicémico, y estilos de vida sedentarios, se atribuye un papel relevante en la patogénesis del síndrome metabólico, así como en sus posibles complicaciones en pacientes de covid-19 con comorbilidades asociadas. Es posible reducir la condición inflamatoria del síndrome metabólico mediante modificaciones en el estilo de vida y hábitos alimentarios, que prevengan la obesidad y sus efectos en la resistencia a la insulina, lo cual propicia reducir la gravedad asociada a los procesos inflamatorios inherentes (AU).

ABSTRACT Metabolic syndrome includes a set of cardiovascular risk factors associated with resistance to insulin, favoring the appearance of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2. Its etiology is attributed to the combination of genetic and environmental factors, associated to lifestyle, and favoring a proinflammatory and prothrombotic status that worsens the clinical characteristics of the patients with COVID-19. The objective of the review was to analyze the current state of the scientific knowledge in research on the interrelationship between glucide metabolism disorders and metabolic syndrome, associated with the exacerbated proinflammatory condition in COVID-19 patients. Searches were conducted in PubMed, SciELO, CinicalKey, and LILACS databases. A relevant role in the metabolic syndrome pathogenesis is attributed to the inflammatory process generated by poor eating habits, high caloric overfeeding, and to sedentary lifestyle, and also to possible complications with associated comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. It is possible to reduce the metabolic syndrome inflammatory condition through life style and alimentary habits changes that prevent obesity and its effects on insulin resistance and propitiate the reduction of the disease severity associated with the inherent inflammatory processes (AU).

Modelo temporal del comportamiento de pacientes críticos con covid-19 durante su estadía en cuidados intensivos. Lombardía, Italia / Temporal model of the behavior of critically ill patients with COVID-19 during their staying in intensive care. Lombardy, Italy

RESUMEN Introducción: una serie temporal es el producto de la observación de una variable en el tiempo. Es una herramienta matemática que se aplica con frecuencia en la salud. No se han elaborado modelos temporales que predigan el comportamiento de los pacientes durante su ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Objetivos: crear una serie temporal que permita predecir el comportamiento, durante su ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, de pacientes graves producto de la covid-19 en la región de Lombardía, Italia. Materiales y métodos: analítico, longitudinal prospectivo con un grupo de pacientes críticos que ingresaron del 1 de abril al 1 de mayo de 2020, con diagnóstico de covid-19, en el Hospital Mayor de Crema, en la región de Lombardía, Italia. El universo estuvo constituido por 28 pacientes y se trabajó con el total de ellos. Resultados: composición por sexo: 48 % masculino. Media de edad: 83 años. Serie temporal: Modelo 1 que ajusta (Hold) PO2/FiO2 p = 0,251; Modelo 2 (ARIMA) SatO2/FiO2 p = 0,674 (en los dos primeros modelos el resultado se incrementó con los días, siguiendo un comportamiento predecible); Modelo 3 (ARIMA) p = 0,406 (en este caso, el resultado esperado decreció a medida que transcurrió el tiempo). Las funciones obtenidas permiten calcular el valor esperado según el día desde el ingreso. Conclusiones: predecir la evolución del paciente en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos permitió detectar tempranamente aquellos con una curva inesperada y dirigir hacia a ellos las terapéuticas más agresivas (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: a time series is the product of the observation of a variable in time. It is a mathematical tool frequently applied in health. No temporal models have been developed to predict patients' behavior during their staying in the Intensive Care Unit. Objectives: to create a time series allowing to predict the behavior of seriously-ill patients due to COVID-19, during their staying in the Intensive Care Unit in the region of Lombardy, Italy. Materials and methods: analytic, longitudinal prospective study with a group of critical patients who were admitted from April 1st to May 1st, with COVID-19 diagnosis, to Ospedale Maggiore di Crema, in the Lombardy region, Italy. The universe was formed by 28 patients and all of them were worked on. Results: 48% of patients were male. Average age: 83 years; Time series: Model 1 holding PO2/FiO2 p = 0.251; Model 2 (ARIMA) SatO2/FiO2 p = 0.674 (in the two first models the result increased with the days, following a predictable behavior=; Model 3 (ARIMA) p = 0.406 (in this case the expected result decreased as time passed). The obtained functions allow to calculate the expected value according to the day from the admission. Conclusions: predicting patient's evolution in the Intensive Care Unit allowed early detecting those with unexpected curves and targeting more aggressive therapies toward them (AU).

Repercusión de la covid-19 en la salud materno-infantil / Covid-19 repercussions on maternal and infantile health

RESUMEN El año 2020 ha sorprendido al planeta con la pandemia de la covid-19. Este artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las repercusiones del nuevo coronavirus en la salud materno-infantil. Pese al poco tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de la pandemia, en las embarazadas con covid-19 se han descrito algunas comorbilidades, así como alteraciones placentarias, abortos espontáneos, muertes fetales y maternas, e incremento en los partos por cesárea y nacimientos pretérminos. Los riesgos potenciales demandarán una vigilancia estrecha del comportamiento del embarazo en el futuro inmediato. Por otra parte, del total de la población afectada por la covid-19, los pacientes en edad pediátrica representan entre el 1 y el 2 %, y la mayoría presentan manifestaciones clínicas leves. No obstante, en los menores de un año cerca del 10 % puede evolucionar a formas severas o críticas. De especial interés ha sido la presentación del síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en niños, debido a su gravedad y riesgo para la vida. En los recién nacidos, la infección por SARS-CoV-2 podría asociarse a dos formas, de acuerdo al momento de adquisición: la covid perinatal y la postnatal. Hasta el momento, las evidencias sobre la existencia de la vía de transmisión vertical son insuficientes, pero no pueden ser descartadas. En conclusión, por tratarse de un fenómeno en desarrollo, aún quedan muchas interrogantes sobre los efectos de la covid-19 en la salud materna e infantil, que demandarán en los próximos meses un gran esfuerzo por parte de investigadores, médicos de asistencia y directivos (AU).

ABSTRACT The year 2020 has surprised the planet with the covid-19 pandemics. This article is aimed to reflect on the repercussions of the novel coronavirus on maternal and infantile health. Despite of the short time elapsed from the onset of the pandemics, some comorbidities have been described in pregnant women with COVID-19, as well as placental anomalies, spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, maternal deaths, and an increasing number on cesarean section and preterm births. The potential risk will demand a close surveillance of pregnancy behavior in the near future. Moreover, pediatric patients are among 1 and 2% of the population affected by COVID-19, and most of them show mild clinical signs. Nevertheless, about 10% of the children aged less than a year may evolve to severe and critical forms. The multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children has been of special interest, due to its severity and risk for life. In newborns, SARS-CoV-2 infection could be associated to two forms according to the acquisition time: perinatal and postnatal COVID-19. Up to the moment, evidences on vertical transmission are insufficient, but they could not be discarded. In conclusion, as this is an ongoing phenomenon, many questions about the effects of COVID-19 on maternal and infantile health are pending; they will demand a crucial effort by researchers, health providers and decision makers (AU).

Fracaso multiorgánico secundario a infección por coronavirus no COVID-19 / Multiple-organ failure as a result of non-COVID-19 coronavirus infection

Las infecciones por coronavirus son habituales en los pacientes pediátricos. Por lo general, producen un cuadro clínico leve de infección del tracto respiratorio superior que no suele afectar a los pulmones, salvo en prematuros y niños con enfermedades crónicas de base. Excepcionalmente, afectan a otros órganos (corazón, cerebro, tracto gastrointestinal) e incrementan su gravedad.En relación con la coincidencia temporal con el inicio de la actual pandemia por el nuevo beta coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), responsable de su enfermedad asociada (COVID-19), se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 5 años con fracaso multiorgánico y secuelas neurológicas por afectación bulbar y trombosis vascular ocasionados por un alfa coronavirus (CoV-NL63) debido a su gravedad y excepcionalidad

Coronavirus infections (CoV) are common in pediatric patients. In general, they produce a mild clinical presentation consisting of an upper respiratory tract infection that does not usually infect the lungs, with the exception of preterm infants and children with chronic diseases. These infections exceptionally affect other organs (heart, brain, gastrointestinal tract), thus increasing their severity.In relation to the temporal coincidence with the beginning of the current situation of pandemic by the new beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for its associated disease (COVID-19), this study presents a clinical case of a 5-year-old patient showing multiple-organ failure and neurological sequelae due to bulbar injury and vascular thrombosis caused by an alpha coronavirus (CoV-NL63) due to its severity and exceptionality

[Post-COVID-19 syndrome: epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and pathogenic mechanisms involved]. / Síndrome post-COVID-19: epidemiología, criterios diagnósticos y mecanismos patogénicos implicados.

INTRODUCTION: Many patients with mild or severe COVID-19 do not make a full recovery and have a wide range of chronic symptoms for weeks or months after infection, often of a neurological, cognitive or psychiatric nature. The epidemiological evidence, diagnostic criteria and pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 syndrome are reviewed. DEVELOPMENT: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is defined by persistent clinical signs and symptoms that appear while or after suffering COVID-19, persist for more than 12 weeks and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. The symptoms can fluctuate or cause relapses. It is a heterogeneous condition that includes post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome, sequelae in multiple organs and the effects of severe hospitalisation/post-intensive care syndrome. It has been reported in patients with mild or severe COVID-19 and irrespective of the severity of the symptoms in the acute phase. Between 10% and 65% of survivors who had mild/moderate COVID-19 present symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome for 12 weeks or more. At six months, subjects report an average of 14 persistent symptoms. The most common symptoms are fatigue, dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, and impaired attention, concentration, memory and sleep. The underlying biological mechanisms are unknown, although an abnormal or excessive autoimmune and inflammatory response may play an important role. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations are diverse, fluctuating and variable, although fatigue and neurocognitive complaints predominate. There is no defined consensus on post-COVID-19 syndrome and its diagnostic criteria have not been subjected to adequate psychometric evaluation.

TITLE: Síndrome post-COVID-19: epidemiología, criterios diagnósticos y mecanismos patogénicos implicados.Introducción. Numerosos pacientes con COVID-19 leve o grave no tienen una recuperación completa y presentan una gran variedad de síntomas crónicos durante semanas o meses tras la infección, con frecuencia de carácter neurológico, cognitivo o psiquiátrico. Se revisan las evidencias epidemiológicas, los criterios diagnósticos y la patogenia del síndrome post-COVID-19. Desarrollo. El síndrome post-COVID-19 se define por la persistencia de signos y síntomas clínicos que surgen durante o después de padecer la COVID-19, permanecen más de 12 semanas y no se explican por un diagnóstico alternativo. Los síntomas pueden fluctuar o causar brotes. Es una entidad heterogénea que incluye el síndrome de fatiga crónica posvírica, la secuela de múltiples órganos y los efectos de la hospitalización grave/síndrome poscuidados intensivos. Se ha descrito en pacientes con COVID-19 leve o grave y con independencia de la gravedad de los síntomas en la fase aguda. Un 10-65% de los supervivientes que padeció COVID-19 leve/moderada presenta síntomas de síndrome post-COVID-19 durante 12 semanas o más. A los seis meses, los sujetos relatan un promedio de 14 síntomas persistentes. Los síntomas más frecuentes son fatiga, disnea, alteración de la atención, de la concentración, de la memoria y del sueño, ansiedad y depresión. Se desconocen los mecanismos biológicos que subyacen, aunque una respuesta autoinmunitaria e inflamatoria anómala o excesiva puede tener un papel importante. Conclusiones. Las manifestaciones clínicas son diversas, fluctuantes y variables, aunque predominan la fatiga y las quejas neurocognitivas. No existe un consenso definido sobre el síndrome post-COVID-19 y sus criterios diagnósticos no se han sometido a una evaluación psicométrica adecuada.

Can an anti-inflammatory diet be effective in preventing or treating viral respiratory diseases? A systematic narrative review.

Respiratory Viruses infections (RVI) such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, and adenovirus affect the respiratory and the immune systems. The role of nutrition in the respiratory and immune systems has been studied in some studies, and its importance is undeniable. In addition, one of the key findings in this disease is high inflammation that affects almost all patients. This systematic narrative review aims to answer the question, "Can an anti-inflammatory diet be effective in preventing or treating viral respiratory diseases?" A systematic review search was used for the articles extraction. All studies published in English from 1999 to 2020 investigating dietary inflammatory conditions and RVI were included. Food items with anti-inflammatory properties were selected based on the definition of the dietary inflammatory index (DII). We used Google Scholar, Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer, Science Direct, Directory of Open Access Journals, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, ProQuest, EBSCO, MEDLINE, and SciELO databases for extracting articles. Keywords were restricted by DII. Based on DII, food items/nutrients are involved in inflammation, some of which have anti-inflammatory and some inflammatory properties. Some foods/nutrients, in addition to their anti-inflammatory properties, have antioxidant, antiviral, and immune-enhancing properties. Considering the immune system's involvement, increased inflammation, and involvement of the pulmonary system in RVI and the remarkable role of the anti-inflammatory foods for counteracting them, it is recommended to use a predominantly anti-inflammatory diet along with prevention/control and treatment protocols. An anti-inflammatory diet (based on DII) includes turmeric, ginger, garlic, onions, saffron, dietary vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3 are recommended to reduce infection symptoms and duration.

Manifestaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas y COVID-19 / Cardiovascular manifestations in patients with rheumatic diseases and COVID-19

Introducción: La COVID-19 causa una variada gama de manifestaciones clínicas. En pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas destacan, además de las manifestaciones respiratorias, las manifestaciones articulares, dermatológicas, generales y cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Identificar las manifestaciones cardiovasculares que con mayor frecuencia se presentan en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas afectados por la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación básica, no experimental, con alcance exploratorio, descriptivo y explicativo de un universo constituido por 37 pacientes con diagnóstico previo de enfermedad reumática y diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19. Se empleó la observación dirigida y la revisión documental como técnicas de investigación para identificar la presencia de manifestaciones cardiovasculares en este tipo de pacientes. Resultados: Predominaron las pacientes femeninas (59,56 por ciento), con diagnóstico de osteoartritis (72,97 por ciento) y artritis reumatoide (72,97 por ciento) y con comorbilidades asociadas (83,78 por ciento). La hipertensión arterial (61,29 por ciento) y el hipotiroidismo (38,71 por ciento) fueron las comorbilidades más frecuentes. El 70,27 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron manifestaciones cardiovasculares: hipertensión arterial (65,38 por ciento), trastornos del ritmo cardiaco (57,69 por ciento) y el síndrome de Raynaud (53,85 por ciento). El 80,0 por ciento de los pacientes masculinos presentaron manifestaciones cardiovasculares, al igual que el 80,64 por ciento de los casos con enfermedad reumática, COVID-19 y comorbilidades asociadas. Conclusiones: Las manifestaciones cardiovasculares se presentaron con elevada frecuencia en los pacientes reumáticos con diagnóstico de COVID-19, sobre todo pacientes masculinos con comorbilidades asociadas. Las manifestaciones cardiovasculares más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial, los trastornos del ritmo y el síndrome de Raynaud(AU)

Introduction: COVID-19 generates a wide range of clinical manifestations in general. In patients with rheumatic diseases, in addition to respiratory manifestations, joint, dermatological, general and cardiovascular manifestations, among others, stand out. Objective: To identify the cardiovascular manifestations that most frequently occur in patients with rheumatic diseases and COVID-19. Methods: A basic, non-experimental research was carried out, with an exploratory, descriptive and explanatory scope. Universe made up of 37 patients with a previous diagnosis of rheumatic disease and a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Directed observation and documentary review were used as research techniques to identify the presence of cardiovascular manifestations in this type of patient. Results: Predominance of female patients (59.56 percent), diagnosed with osteoarthritis (72.97 percent) and rheumatoid arthritis (72.97 percent) and with associated comorbidities (83.78 percent). Hypertension (61.29 percent) and hypothyroidism (38.71 percent) were the most frequent comorbidities. 70.27 percent of the patients presented cardiovascular manifestations, predominantly arterial hypertension (65.38 percent), rhythm disorders (57.69 percent) and Raynaud´s syndrome (53.85 percent). 80.0 percent of the male patients presented cardiovascular manifestations, as did 80.64 percent of the cases with rheumatic disease, COVID-19 and associated comorbidities. Conclusions: Cardiovascular manifestations occurred with high frequency in rheumatic patients diagnosed with COVID-19; being more frequent in male patients and with associated comorbidities. High blood pressure, rhythm disorders and Raynaud's syndrome were the most frequent(AU)

Aplicación de un modelo cubano predictivo de mortalidad en pacientes graves por covid-19 en Lombardía, Italia / Application of a Cuban mortality-predictive model in seriously-ill patients with Covid-19 in Lombardy, Italy

RESUMEN Introducción: la neumonía por covid-19 es la enfermedad infecciosa que ha revolucionado al mundo en los últimos meses. El diagnóstico pasa por varios momentos: el cuadro clínico, la analítica sanguínea y las imágenes. La estratificación del riesgo de muerte es muy importante para optimizar los recursos. Objetivos: validar un modelo matemático cubano predictivo de mortalidad en pacientes ingresados por covid-19. Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte con 191 pacientes, que ingresaron graves en el Hospital Mayor de Crema, en la provincia de Cremona, región de Lombardía (Italia), en el período de abril a mayo de 2020. El universo estuvo constituido por 191 pacientes, y no se tomó muestra alguna. Las variables fueron: edad, estado del paciente, niveles de creatinina plasmática, frecuencia respiratoria, frecuencia cardiaca, presión arterial, niveles de oxígeno y de dióxido de carbono en sangre, valor del sodio y de hemoglobina. Resultados: mortalidad del 22 % en pacientes graves y críticos, con media de la edad (grupo 1: 59 años) (grupo 2: 73 años); t-Student = 0,00. Test de Hosmer-Lemenshow (0,766) con elevado ajuste. Sensibilidad = 93 %. Área bajo la curva = 0,957. Porcentaje de aciertos en la regresión logística de 86,4 % y en la red neuronal de 91,2 %. Media del modelo por grupos (grupo 1: 4 458) (grupo 2: 2 911) t-Student = 0,00. Conclusiones: el modelo demostró ser muy útil en el flujograma de pacientes atendidos con la covid-19. Permitió detectar tempranamente (a los cinco días del ingreso) los pacientes con alto riesgo de muerte y discriminar aquellos que no tendrían este riesgo, de manera que pudieran ser tratados en unidades de cuidados mínimos (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: COVID-19 pneumonia is an infectious disease that has revolutionized the world in the last months. The diagnosis goes thought several moments: clinical features, blood analytic and images. Death risk stratification is very important to optimize resources. Objective: to validate the Cuban mathematic predictive model of mortality in patients admitted due to COVID-19. Materials and methods: cohort study with 191 seriously-ill patients who were admitted to Maggiore di Crema Hospital, Cremona, Lombardy region, Italy, in the period April-May 2020. The universe were 191 patients and no sample was chosen. The variables were: age; patient's status; plasma creatinine levels; respiratory rate; heart rate; arterial pressure; blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels; values of sodium and hemoglobin. Results: 22 % of mortality in seriously-ill and critical patients, with average age in Group 1: 59 years, in Group 2: 73 years; t-Student = 0.00. Hosmer-Lemenshow test (0.766) with high adjustment. Sensitivity= 93 %. Area below the curve=0.957. Success percentage in logistic regression of 86.4 % and 91.2 % in the neuronal net. Model media per groups: Group 1= 4 458; Group 2= 2 911, t-Student = 0.00. Conclusions: the model showed to be very useful in the flow chart of patients attended with COVID-19. It allowed to early detect the patients at high death risk five days from admission and discriminating those who were not at risk, in a way that they could be treated in minimal care units (AU).

Lymphocytes, Interleukin 6 and D-dimer Cannot Predict Clinical Outcome in Coronavirus Cancer Patients: LyNC1.20 Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Knowledge of Coronavirus 19 (COVID19) pathogenetic mechanisms is necessary to provide new treatment strategies. This study aims to assess how oncological disease impacts on the clinical course of COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1st March to 30th April 2020, 96 COVID-19 patients were classified according to clinical outcome as severe (n=67) and moderate (n=29). Demographic data, medical history, admission lymphocytes, procalcitonin (PCT), c-reactive-protein (CRP), D-dimer, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were collected. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found between hypertension (p=0.007) and three or more comorbidities with severe outcomes (p=0.034). No statistical differences were found between the severe and moderate groups with regards to the rate of patients with past oncological history. However, no patient allocated in the moderate group had received oncological treatment within 12 months. Higher values of CRP, IL-6, D-Dimer and lower values of lymphocytes were reported in the severe group (p=0.0007, p=0.00386, p=0.041, and p=0.007, respectively). Using binary logistic regression, higher values of CRP (OR=8.861; p=0.012) and PCT were associated with a higher risk of severe outcome (OR=21.075; p=0.008). Within the oncological population, D-Dimer and IL-6 did not confirm their prognostic significance as in the general population (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Specific prognostic factors for oncological patients should be designed for COVID-19 clinical practice.

COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: Clinical-radiological presentation and outcome in three oncologic patients.

We present three patients affected by pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma, metastatic esophageal cancer and advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who incurred in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection during the early phase of epidemic wave in Italy. All patients presented with fever. Social contact with subject positive for COVID-19 was declared in only one of the three cases. In all cases, laboratory findings showed lymphopenia and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Chest x-ray and computed tomography showed bilateral ground-glass opacities, shadowing, interstitial abnormalities, and "crazy paving" pattern which evolved with superimposition of consolidations in one patient. All patients received antiviral therapy based on ritonavir and lopinavir, associated with hydroxychloroquine. Despite treatment, two patients with advanced cancers died after 39 and 17 days of hospitalization, while the patient with lung cancer was dismissed at home, in good conditions.

Seasonal Human Coronavirus Respiratory Tract Infection in Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about characteristics of seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) (NL63, 229E, OC43, and HKU1) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: This was a collaborative Spanish and European bone marrow transplantation retrospective multicenter study, which included allo-HSCT recipients (adults and children) with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and/or lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by seasonal HCoV diagnosed through multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays from January 2012 to January 2019. RESULTS: We included 402 allo-HSCT recipients who developed 449 HCoV URTD/LRTD episodes. Median age of recipients was 46 years (range, 0.3-73.8 years). HCoV episodes were diagnosed at a median of 222 days after transplantation. The most common HCoV subtype was OC43 (n = 170 [38%]). LRTD involvement occurred in 121 episodes (27%). HCoV infection frequently required hospitalization (18%), oxygen administration (13%), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (3%). Three-month overall mortality after HCoV detection was 7% in the whole cohort and 16% in those with LRTD. We identified 3 conditions associated with higher mortality in recipients with LRTD: absolute lymphocyte count <0.1 × 109/mL, corticosteroid use, and ICU admission (hazard ratios: 10.8, 4.68, and 8.22, respectively; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal HCoV after allo-HSCT may involve LRTD in many instances, leading to a significant morbidity.

Sitagliptin: a potential drug for the treatment of COVID-19?

Recently, an outbreak of a fatal coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has emerged from China and is rapidly spreading worldwide. Possible interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with DPP4 peptidase may partly contribute to the viral pathogenesis. An integrative bioinformatics approach starting with mining the biomedical literature for high confidence DPP4-protein/gene associations followed by functional analysis using network analysis and pathway enrichment was adopted. The results indicate that the identified DPP4 networks are highly enriched in viral processes required for viral entry and infection, and as a result, we propose DPP4 as an important putative target for the treatment of COVID-19. Additionally, our protein-chemical interaction networks identified important interactions between DPP4 and sitagliptin. We conclude that sitagliptin may be beneficial for the treatment of COVID-19 disease, either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies, especially for diabetic patients and patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions who are already at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality.