Smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 is not clinically different from other viruses: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of cases with olfactory loss, other respiratory viruses can also cause this condition. We aimed to compare the prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and other respiratory viruses in patients with sudden smell loss, and to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infection on olfactory symptoms. METHODS: Patients with sudden smell loss were recruited in a multicenter prospective cohort study in 15 hospitals in Brazil. Clinical questionnaire, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test and nasopharyngeal swab to perform a PCR-based respiratory viral panel were collected at first visit (day 0) and 30 and 60 days after recruitment. RESULTS: 188 of 213 patients presented positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, among which 65 were co-infected with other respiratory viruses (e.g., rhinovirus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza). 25 had negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients in both SARSCoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 groups had objective anosmia (less than 2 points according to the psychophysical olfactory CCCRC) at day 0, with no significant difference between them. Both groups had significant smell scores improvement after 30 and 60 days, with no difference between them. Co-infection with other respiratory viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 viral load did not impact olfactory scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with sudden smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses had similar presentation, with most participants initiating with anosmia, and total or near total recovery after 60 days. SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infections with other respiratory viruses were not associated with poorer olfactory outcomes.

Temperature measurements in cats using digital, mercury and tympanic infrared thermometers / Mensurações de temperatura em gatos utilizando os termômetros digital, de mercúrio e timpânico infravermelho

With a view to reducing stress and discomfort and improving the practicality of making temperature measurements on cats, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a tympanic infrared thermometer (TIT), which is an easy-to-use device for measuring temperatures quickly, comfortably and more hygienically. For this, were selected 120 domestic cats living in Sousa, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Among them, 100 were normothermic, ten were hypothermic and ten were hyperthermic. None of them had any clinical signs of external or internal otitis. The measurements using the digital thermometer were higher than those using the TIT (P < 0.05), in the normothermic and hyperthermic cats. In the hypothermic cats, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) in mean values from the three types of thermometer. The values obtained using the mercury thermometer did not differ (P ≥ 0.05) from the values obtained using the other thermometers. There was a strong positive correlation in almost all the evaluations between the three thermometers, except for digital versus TIT for hyperthermic cats (r < 0.75). Because of the discrepancy between the values obtained by the TIT and the digital rectal thermometer, we suggest that further studies should be carried out in order to establish a temperature correction table for the TIT, so that it can be better used in veterinary medicine.

Com o objetivo de reduzir o estresse, desconforto e melhorar a praticidade da medição da temperatura em gatos, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de um termômetro timpânico infravermelho (TTI), que é um dispositivo de fácil utilização para medição de temperatura de forma rápida, confortável e higiênica. Para isso, foram selecionados 120 gatos domésticos criados no município de Sousa, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Dentre eles, 100 eram normotérmicos, dez hipotérmicos e dez hipertérmicos. Nenhum deles apresentava sinais clínicos de otite externa ou interna.

Temperature measurements in cats using digital, mercury and tympanic infrared thermometers / Mensurações de temperatura em gatos utilizando os termômetros digital, de mercúrio e timpânico infravermelho

With a view to reducing stress and discomfort and improving the practicality of making temperature measurements on cats, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a tympanic infrared thermometer (TIT), which is an easy-to-use device for measuring temperatures quickly, comfortably and more hygienically. For this, were selected 120 domestic cats living in Sousa, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Among them, 100 were normothermic, ten were hypothermic and ten were hyperthermic. None of them had any clinical signs of external or internal otitis. The measurements using the digital thermometer were higher than those using the TIT (P < 0.05), in the normothermic and hyperthermic cats. In the hypothermic cats, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) in mean values from the three types of thermometer. The values obtained using the mercury thermometer did not differ (P ≥ 0.05) from the values obtained using the other thermometers. There was a strong positive correlation in almost all the evaluations between the three thermometers, except for digital versus TIT for hyperthermic cats (r < 0.75). Because of the discrepancy between the values obtained by the TIT and the digital rectal thermometer, we suggest that further studies should be carried out in order to establish a temperature correction table for the TIT, so that it can be better used in veterinary medicine.(AU)

Com o objetivo de reduzir o estresse, desconforto e melhorar a praticidade da medição da temperatura em gatos, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de um termômetro timpânico infravermelho (TTI), que é um dispositivo de fácil utilização para medição de temperatura de forma rápida, confortável e higiênica. Para isso, foram selecionados 120 gatos domésticos criados no município de Sousa, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Dentre eles, 100 eram normotérmicos, dez hipotérmicos e dez hipertérmicos. Nenhum deles apresentava sinais clínicos de otite externa ou interna.(AU)