Effect of COVID-19 on infections associated with medical devices in critical care.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the hypothesis that COVID-19 patients are at a heightened risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) associated with medical device usage compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Our primary objective was to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 infection in ICU patients and subsequent HAIs following invasive medical device insertion. Additionally, we aim to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on onset times concerning specific microorganisms and the type of medical device, providing valuable insights into this intricate relationship in intensive care settings. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using ICU patient records at our hospital from 2020 to 2022. This investigation entailed evaluating the timing of HAIs while distinguishing between patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. We identified and analyzed the type of isolation and infection attributed to the medical device while controlling for ICU duration and ventilator days using Cox regression. RESULTS: Our study included 127 patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection and 140 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings indicated a higher incidence of HAI caused by various microorganisms associated with any medical device in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (HR = 6.86; 95% CI-95%: 3.26-14.43; p < 0.01). After adjusting for ICU duration and ventilator days, a heightened frequency of HAIs persisted in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. However, a detailed examination of HAIs revealed that only ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) displayed a significant association (HR = 6.69; 95% CI: 2.59-17.31; p < 0.01). A statistically significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the isolation of S. aureus was also observed (p = 0.034). The prevalence of S. aureus infection was notably higher in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (RR = 8.080; 95% CI: 1.052-62.068; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of pathogen isolates in invasive medical devices exhibited an association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 are more prone to developing early-onset VAP than those without SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome and COVID-19: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 presents with similar symptomatology and therapeutic approach to Kawasaki disease in the pediatric population. Given the novelty of the disease and the growing scientific literature on the subject, it is relevant to collect and report available scientific information. This review aimed to explore the medical evidence on multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 in a population under 18 years of age. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review using Scopus and PubMed, including observational (cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional) studies and case series. RESULTS: Of the total articles reviewed as of April 10, 2021, 45 articles met eligibility criteria: case series (n = 32), retrospective cohort studies (n = 6), prospective cohort studies (n = 4), case-control studies (n = 2), and cross-sectional studies (n = 1). Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms and myocardial dysfunction are the most commonly reported. The most relevant paraclinical markers were lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated D-dimer levels. CONCLUSIONS: The multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 presents a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms. Aneurysms of the coronary arteries and myocarditis are usually present in the acute phases of the disease. The early diagnosis led by a multidisciplinary group of pediatric intensivists, infectious disease specialists, cardiologists, and rheumatologists allows adequate and effective medical management.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico temporalmente asociado con COVID-19 se presenta con una sintomatología y un enfoque terapéutico similares a los de la enfermedad de Kawasaki en la población pediátrica. Dado lo novedoso de la enfermedad y la creciente literatura científica al respecto, resulta relevante recopilar y comunicar la información disponible. El objetivo fue explorar la evidencia médica sobre el síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico temporalmente asociado con COVID-19 en población menor de 18 años. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión exploratoria utilizando Scopus y PubMed, incluyendo estudios observacionales (estudios de cohorte, casos y controles, y transversales) y series de casos. RESULTADOS: Del total de los artículos revisados hasta el 10 de abril de 2021, 45 cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad: series de casos (n = 32), estudios de cohorte retrospectiva (n = 6), estudios de cohorte prospectiva (n = 4), estudios de casos y controles (n = 2) y estudios transversales (n = 1). Los síntomas gastrointestinales, respiratorios y de disfunción miocárdica son los que más se reportan en la literatura. Por su parte, los marcadores paraclínicos más relevantes fueron linfocitopenia, trombocitopenia y valores elevados de dímero D. CONCLUSIONES: El síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico temporalmente asociado con COVID-19 se presenta con un amplio espectro de signos y síntomas. Las complicaciones más graves son el compromiso aneurismático de las arterias coronarias y la miocarditis. El diagnóstico temprano liderado por un grupo multidisciplinario de pediatras intensivistas, infectólogos, cardiólogos y reumatólogos permite un manejo médico adecuado y eficaz.

Cytokine gene transcription in the trachea, Harderian gland, and trigeminal ganglia of chickens inoculated with virulent infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) strain.

The objective of this study was to determine how cytokine transcription profiles correlate with patterns of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) replication in the trachea, Harderian gland, and trigeminal ganglia during the early and late stages of infection after intratracheal inoculation. Viral genomes and transcripts were detected in the trachea and Harderian gland but not in trigeminal ganglia. The onset of viral replication in the trachea was detected at day one post-infection and peaked by day three post-infection. The peak of pro-inflammatory (CXCLi2, IL-1ß, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-13, IL-10) cytokine gene transcription, 5 days post-infection, coincided with the increased recruitment of inflammatory cells, extensive tissue damage, and limiting of virus replication in the trachea. In contrast, transcription of the IFN-ß gene in the trachea remained unaffected suggesting that ILTV infection blocks type I interferon responses. In the Harderian gland, the most evident transcription change was the early and transient upregulation of the IFN-γ gene at 1 day post-infection, which suggests that the Harderian gland is prepared to rapidly respond to ILTV infection. Overall, results from this study suggest that regulation of Th1 effector cells and macrophage activity by Th1/2 cytokines was pertinent to maintain a balanced immune response capable of providing an adequate Th1-mediated protective immunity, while sustaining some immune homeostasis in preparation for the regeneration of the tracheal mucosa.