Therapeutic Effectiveness of Interferon-α2b against COVID-19 with Community-Acquired Pneumonia: The Ukrainian Experience.

Despite several targeted antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 currently being available, the application of type I interferons (IFNs) still deserves attention as an alternative antiviral strategy. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of IFN-α in hospitalized patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia. The prospective cohort study included 130 adult patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A dose of 80,000 IU of IFN-α2b was administered daily intranasally for 10 days. Adding IFN-α2b to standard therapy reduces the length of the hospital stay by 3 days (p < 0.001). The level of CT-diagnosed lung injuries was reduced from 35% to 15% (p = 0.011) and CT injuries decreased from 50% to 15% (p = 0.017) by discharge. In the group of patients receiving IFN-α2b, the SpO2 index before and after treatment increased from 94 (92-96, Q1-Q3) to 96 (96-98, Q1-Q3) (p < 0.001), while the percentage of patients with normal saturation increased (from 33.9% to 74.6%, p < 0.05), but the level of SpO2 decreased in the low (from 52.5% to 16.9%) and very low (from 13.6% to 8.5%) categories. The addition of IFN-α2b to standard therapy has a positive effect on the course of severe COVID-19.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes: prediction of risks in women of Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.

The etiology of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), which is responsible for approximately 30% cases of preterm birth (PTB) is not yet fully understood. AIM: The aim of the study was to create a mathematical model for prognostication of PPROM based on the anamnesis, clinical data, laboratory findings and genetics predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 80 women with PPROM (between 26 and 34 weeks of gestation) and 50 women having term birth (>37 weeks of gestation) of Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Anamnesis, clinical, laboratory data and single nucleotide polymorphism sequencing of interleukin1 ß (IL1ß), tumor necrosis factor α(TNFα), interleukin4 (IL4), interleukin10 (IL10) and Relaxin 2 (RLN2) genes has been analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to PPROM predictors identification. RESULTS: We have identified prognostic anamnestic (history of preterm birth), clinical (cervical insuffiency, compromised uteroplacental and fetal circulation), microbiological (vaginal dysbiosis) and hematological criteria for intra-amniotic contamination and further development of PPROM and PTB: WBC>12.3×109/L, GRAN>76%, LYM<19%, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio>3.87, Kalph-Kaliph leukocyte index of intoxication (LII) >3.4, Ostrovsky LII >2.8. Also we have found that GG genotype of IL10 gene polymorphism (rs1800872) leads to a 12.5-fold and CT genotype of RLN2 gene polymorphism (rs4742076) leads to a 17.0-fold increase in risk for PPROM. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic model that we have suggested is an adequate and convenient instrument for practical medical use, which allows for assessment of PPROM probability with a 85% sensitivity and a 72% specificity.

Exploring the interplay between posttraumatic stress disorder, gut microbiota, and inflammatory biomarkers: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental health disorder to develop following exposure to trauma. Studies have reported conflicting results regarding changes in immune biomarkers and alterations in the abundance of bacterial taxa and microbial diversity in patients with PTSD. Aim: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to summarize existing studies examining gut microbiota characteristics and changes in immune biomarkers in patients with PTSD. Methods: Relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, published in English between January 1, 1960, and December 1, 2023. The outcomes included changes in abundance and diversity in gut microbiota (gut microbiota part) and changes in immune biomarkers (immune part). Results: The meta-analysis included a total of 15 studies, with 9 focusing on changes in inflammatory biomarkers and 6 focusing on changes in gut microbiota composition in patients with PTSD. No differences were observed between groups for all inflammatory biomarkers (P≥0.05). Two of the six studies found that people with PTSD had less alpha diversity. However, the overall Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) for the Shannon Diversity Index was not significant (SMD 0.27, 95% CI -0.62-0.609, p = 0.110). Regarding changes in abundance, in two of the studies, a significant decrease in Lachnospiraceae bacteria was observed. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of gut microbiota characteristics in PTSD, suggesting potential associations with immune dysregulation. Future research should address study limitations, explore causal relationships, and consider additional factors influencing immune function in individuals with PTSD. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier CRD42023476590.

Exploring the complex interplay: gut microbiome, stress, and leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis, a re-emerging zoonotic disease, remains a significant global health concern, especially amid floods and disasters such as the Kakhovka Dam destruction. As is known, the stress that occurs in the conditions of military conflicts among civilian and military personnel significantly affects susceptibility to infectious diseases and possibly even influences their course. This review aims to explore how the gut microbiome and stress mediators (such as catecholamines and corticosteroids) might impact the leptospirosis disease course. The review opens new horizons for research by elucidating the connections between the gut microbiome, stress, and leptospirosis.

Efficacy of interferon alpha for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: IFN-α intervention may block SARS-CoV-2 replication and normalize the deregulated innate immunity of COVID-19. Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of interferon IFN-α-containing regimens when treating patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Material and methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to 15 January 2022. A systematic literature search was conducted by applying relevant terms for 'COVID-19' and 'interferon-α'. The primary outcome enclosed the all-cause hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes constituted the length of hospital stay; hospital discharge; nucleic acid negative conversion. Results: Eleven studies are enclosed in the meta-analysis. No significant difference in the all-cause mortality rate was found between the study and control groups (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.05-1.2; I2 = 96%). The implementation of interferon did not influence such outcomes as the length of hospital stay (OR 0.9; 95% CІ, 0.3-2.6; I2 = 91%), nucleic acid negative conversion (OR 0.8; 95% CI, 0.04-17.2; I2 = 94%). Nevertheless, IFN-α treatment resulted in a higher number of patients discharged from the hospital (OR 26.6; 95% CІ, 2.7-254.3; I2 = 95%). Conclusions: Thus, IFN-α does not benefit the survival of hospitalized COVID-19 patients but may increase the number of patients discharged from the hospital. Systematic review registration: www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier (CRD42022374589).