Pulmonary Nocardiosis Due to Nocardia exalbida Infection Following Living-donor Liver Transplantation.

Nocardia exalbida, an uncommon Nocardia, was first identified in 2006. We herein report a 70-year-old man with pulmonary nocardiosis caused by N. exalbida after living-donor liver transplantation. We also review 11 previously reported cases of N. exalbida infections. To our knowledge, there are no case reports available on nocardiosis consequent to N. exalbida infection following transplantation, thus highlighting the importance of identifying bacterial species for the successful management of infection.

Facility wastewater monitoring as an effective tool for pandemic infection control: An experience in COVID-19 pandemic with long-term monitoring.

INTRODUCTION: Since the first report of a novel coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, the infection has spread rapidly and had a significant impact on our lives. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no adequate testing system in place, despite an urgent need for infection control measures in student dormitories. METHODS: We have been monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater as part of our infection control efforts in the university facilities since fall 2020. In the four dormitories, absorbent cotton was placed in the drains that the facility wastewater passed through, and samples were collected twice a week and processed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. The dormitory residents were informed of the monitoring results the next morning. RESULTS: The positivity of residents in the dormitories was highly consistent with the positivity of wastewater. Wastewater was positive in 89% of cases before any residents were tested and found positive. Facility wastewater monitoring showed sensitivities of 80.4% and specificities of 87.6%. No traceable resident-to-resident transmission of infection within the facility was confirmed during the study period. CONCLUSION: Sampling a single wastewater outlet in a building for SARS-CoV-2 PCR can effectively indicate the presence or absence of COVID-19 cases and be very useful for infection control of a facility. This simple and effective monitoring is applicable to future outbreaks of both emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Comprehensive metabolic modulations of sphingolipids are promising severity indicators in COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant worldwide impact, affecting millions of people. COVID-19 is characterized by a heterogenous clinical phenotype, potentially involving hyperinflammation and prolonged tissue damage, although the exact underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. Sphingolipid metabolites, which govern cell survival and proliferation, have emerged as key players in inflammatory signaling and cytokine responses. Given the complex metabolic pathway of sphingolipids, this study aimed to understand their potential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. We conducted a comprehensive examination of sphingolipid modulations across groups classified based on disease severity, incorporating a time-course in serum and urine samples. Several sphingolipids, including sphingosine, lactosylceramide, and hexosylceramide, emerged as promising indicators of COVID-19 severity, as validated by correlation analyses conducted on both serum and urine samples. Other sphingolipids, such as sphingosine 1-phosphate, ceramides, and deoxy-dihydroceramides, decreased in both COVID-19 patients and individuals with non-COVID infectious diseases. This suggests that these sphingolipids are not specifically associated with COVID-19 but rather with pathological conditions caused by infectious diseases. Our analysis of urine samples revealed elevated levels of various sphingolipids, with changes dependent on disease severity, potentially highlighting the acute kidney injury associated with COVID-19. This study illuminates the intricate relationship between disturbed sphingolipid metabolism, COVID-19 severity, and clinical factors. These findings provide valuable insights into the broader landscape of inflammatory diseases.

Draft genome sequence including the capsule operon of a Bacillus cereus strain isolated from a patient with bacteremia in Japan.

Bacillus cereus, which causes opportunistic infections in hospitals as well as food poisoning, is genetically similar to Bacillus anthracis. We herein report the draft genome including the capsule operon of B. cereus BCER1 isolated from the blood of a hospital patient in Japan.

Pre-Transplant Seroprevalence, Associated Factors, and Post-Transplant Incidence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among Heart Transplant Recipients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, heart transplant (HT) recipients are at a higher risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection. As Toxoplasma seroprevalence varies by geographic location, updated local epidemiology is essential to guide preventive and therapeutic strategies. However, the Toxoplasma seroprevalence and incidence of post-transplant toxoplasmosis among SOT recipients in Japan are unknown. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective observational study at an HT center in Tokyo, Japan. All HT recipients aged ≥18 years between 2006 and April 2019 were included. We reviewed patient charts and conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate the risk factors for infection. RESULTS: Among 105 recipients included in the study, 11 (10.5%) were seropositive before transplant. Ninety-five recipients (90.5%), including all pre-transplant seropositive recipients, answered the questionnaire. The recipients who had lived in Okinawa (odds ratio [OR] 7.5 [95% CI 1.42-39.61]; P = .032) and who reported raw-meat eating habits (OR 4.64 [95% CI 1.04-23.3]; P = .021) were more likely to be seropositive. None of the patients developed symptoms of toxoplasmosis. The post-transplant incidence of other major adverse outcomes was not significantly different according to the pre-transplant serostatus. CONCLUSIONS: About 10% of HT recipients at an HT center in Tokyo were seropositive for Toxoplasma pre-transplant, and none developed symptomatic toxoplasmosis post-transplant on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The history of raw meat consumption was associated with seropositivity; therefore, avoiding it might be recommended for HT recipient candidates.

Differential peripheral memory T cell subsets sensitively indicate the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: Differential patterns of peripheral memory T cell subsets in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were assessed using flow cytometry (FCM) to elucidate their association with NAFLD severity and provide a new noninvasive method to sensitively detect the disease severity in addition to existing biomarkers. METHODS: We assessed the differential frequencies of peripheral memory T cell subsets in 103 patients with NAFLD according to the degree of liver fibrosis (FIB) using FCM analysis. We focused on the following populations: CCR7+ CD45RA+ naïve T, CCR7+ CD45RA- central memory T cells (TCM), CCR7- CD45RA- effector memory T, and CCR7- CD45RA+ terminally differentiated effector memory T (TEMRA) cells in CD4+ and CD8+ T, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, respectively. To evaluate the pathological progression of the disease, these frequencies were also examined according to the degree of the NAFLD activity score (NAS). RESULTS: Several significant correlations were observed between laboratory parameters and peripheral memory T lymphocyte frequencies according to the degree of liver FIB and NAS in NAFLD. In univariate and multivariate analyses, the frequency of CD8+ TEMRA cells predicted severe FIB, and the predictive power was validated in an independent cohort. Furthermore, the frequencies of several memory T cell subsets sensitively indicated the pathological progression of NAFLD (Th17 TCM: steatosis, CD4+ TCM: lobular inflammation, and CD8+ TEMRA and effector memory T cells: hepatocellular ballooning). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the analysis of peripheral memory T lymphocyte frequencies can noninvasively predict severe FIB and sensitively indicate the pathological progression of NAFLD.

Comparison of phylogenetic and virulence factors between Escherichia coli isolated from biliary tract infections and uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli is a gram-negative intestinal commensal that can also cause various infections, including urinary tract infections, biliary tract infections, neonatal meningitis, and septicemia. Although the characteristics of uropathogenic E. coli and the mechanisms of urinary tract infection have been well studied, the genetic distinctions among E. coli isolates from different types of infections have not yet been determined. This study compared the phylogenetic and virulence factors of E. coli isolates from bacteremic biliary tract infections with those from bacteremic urinary tract infections. The phylogenetic B2 group was the most prevalent in both pathogenic groups (68 % in biliary pathogenic isolates and 85 % in uropathogenic isolates), but the frequency pattern of the phylogenetic group was different. Half of the uropathogenic isolates belonged to ST95 and ST131 (51 %). Among the biliary pathogenic isolates, ST131 was the most prevalent, while the remaining half belonged to other STs outside the four major STs. The frequency of some virulence factors, such as papC, papG2, hlyA, tcpC, fyuA, kpsMT2, sat, and traT, was lower in the biliary pathogenic isolates than in the uropathogenic isolates. The frequency of phylogenetic groups and STs in MLST differed between E. coli isolates from bacteremic biliary tract infections and urinary tract infections. Additionally, some virulence factors, including adhesion and toxin gene groups, showed lower frequencies in the biliary pathogenic group than in the uropathogenic group. Studying the differences in E. coli pathovars from different infection sites is important for developing pathovar-specific targeted therapies such as vaccine therapy.

Noninvasive approach to indicate risk factors of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis overlapping autoimmune hepatitis based on peripheral lymphocyte pattern.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) clinically includes autoimmunity as indicated by antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity and overlap of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Discriminating AIH-overlap NASH from NAFLD/NASH is required for proper treatment, and typically involves pathological diagnosis by invasive liver biopsy. Differential patterns of peripheral lymphocytes in NAFLD and AIH were assessed to noninvasively indicate risk factors of AIH-overlap NASH by flow cytometry (FCM). METHODS: We assessed the differential frequencies of peripheral lymphocytes in 115 patients: 70 NASH (ANA negative:positive:AIH-overlap = 36:20:14), 18 NAFL, and 27 AIH (acute:chronic = 12:15) patients diagnosed by FCM. We focused on the following populations of lymphocytes: T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, helper T cell (Th) subsets (Th1, Th2, and Th17), and regulatory T cells; we also examined programmed cell death (PD) 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen levels. RESULTS: Several significant differences in laboratory parameters and peripheral lymphocyte frequencies were found among the NAFLD and AIH subgroups. In univariate and multivariate analyses, hyaluronic acid level, liver stiffness, and the frequencies of Th17 and CD8+ PD1+ T cells were independent risk factors of NASH in NAFLD. Regarding overlap of AIH, only the frequency of CD8+ PD1+ T cells (odds ratio, 0.01; 95% CI 0.00-38.9, p = 0.004) was an independent risk factor in NASH and significantly decreased in AIH. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased frequency of peripheral CD8+ PD1+ T cells is an independent risk factor of NASH overlapping with AIH in the present cohort. Our findings will facilitate development of a new noninvasive FCM method for indicating risk factors of NASH, including autoimmunity.

Machine learning for individualized prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma development after the eradication of hepatitis C virus with antivirals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Accurate risk stratification for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after achieving a sustained viral response (SVR) is necessary for optimal surveillance. We aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model to predict the risk of HCC after achieving an SVR in individual patients. METHODS: In this multicenter cohort study, 1742 patients with chronic hepatitis C who achieved an SVR were enrolled. Five ML models were developed including DeepSurv, gradient boosting survival analysis, random survival forest (RSF), survival support vector machine, and a conventional Cox proportional hazard model. Model performance was evaluated using Harrel' c-index and was externally validated in an independent cohort (977 patients). RESULTS: During the mean observation period of 5.4 years, 122 patients developed HCC (83 in the derivation cohort and 39 in the external validation cohort). The RSF model showed the best discrimination ability using seven parameters at the achievement of an SVR with a c-index of 0.839 in the external validation cohort and a high discriminative ability when the patients were categorized into three risk groups (P <0.001). Furthermore, this RSF model enabled the generation of an individualized predictive curve for HCC occurrence for each patient with an app available online. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and externally validated an RSF model with good predictive performance for the risk of HCC after an SVR. The application of this novel model is available on the website. This model could provide the data to consider an effective surveillance method. Further studies are needed to make recommendations for surveillance policies tailored to the medical situation in each country. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: A novel prediction model for HCC occurrence in patients after hepatitis C virus eradication was developed using machine learning algorithms. This model, using seven commonly measured parameters, has been shown to have a good predictive ability for HCC development and could provide a personalized surveillance system.

Antiviral effect and safety of nafamostat mesilate in patients with mild early-onset COVID-19: An exploratory multicentre randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral effects and safety of nafamostat in early-onset patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: In this exploratory multicentre randomized controlled trial, patients were assigned to three groups within 5 days of symptom onset, with 10 participants in each group: nafamostat at either 0.2 mg/kg/h or 0.1 mg/kg/h or a standard-of-care group. The primary endpoint was area under the curve for decrease in SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal samples from baseline to day 6. RESULTS: Of the 30 randomized patients, 19 received nafamostat. Overall, 10 patients received low-dose nafamostat, 9 patients received high-dose nafamostat, and 10 received standard-of-care. The detected viruses were Omicron strains. The regression coefficient for area under the curve for decrease in viral load as the response variable and nafamostat dose per body weight as the explanatory variable showed a significant relationship of -40.1 (95% confidence interval, -74.1 to -6.2; P = 0.022). Serious adverse events were not observed in either group. Phlebitis occurred in ca. 50% of patients treated with nafamostat. CONCLUSIONS: Nafamostat exerts virus load-reducing effects in patients with early-onset COVID-19.

Waning cellular immune responses and predictive factors in maintaining cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 six months after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination.

Several clinical trials have shown that the humoral response produced by anti-spike antibodies elicited by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines gradually declines. The kinetics, durability and influence of epidemiological and clinical factors on cellular immunity have not been fully elucidated. We analyzed cellular immune responses elicited by BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines in 321 health care workers using whole blood interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays. IFN-γ, induced by CD4 + and CD8 + T cells stimulated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike epitopes (Ag2), levels were highest at 3 weeks after the second vaccination (6 W) and decreased by 37.4% at 3 months (4 M) and 60.0% at 6 months (7 M), the decline of which seemed slower than that of anti-spike antibody levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the levels of IFN-γ induced by Ag2 at 7 M were significantly correlated with age, dyslipidemia, focal adverse reactions to full vaccination, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in whole blood, Ag2 levels before the second vaccination, and Ag2 levels at 6 W. We clarified the dynamics and predictive factors for the long-lasting effects of cellular immune responses. The results emphasize the need for a booster vaccine from the perspective of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-elicited cellular immunity.

Preseptal cellulitis with Streptococcus pyogenes complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: A case report and review of literature.

Preseptal cellulitis, an infection of the eyelid and skin around the eye, can be distinguished from orbital cellulitis. It is common in children and is rarely complicated. Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the major pathogens causing preseptal cellulitis. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old man with carcinoma of unknown primary presenting preseptal cellulitis of S. pyogenes complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and multiple metastatic abscesses involving right eyelid, subcutaneous tissue in the scalp, mediastinum, bilateral pleural spaces, pericardial space, and the left knee. Although he required a prolonged hospitalization, antibiotic therapy and multiple courses of debridement led to full recovery. A literature review revealed that there were only four cases of preseptal cellulitis with S. pyogenes in adults and two cases were complicated by streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The cases had either trauma or immunocompromising factors similar to our patient. All patients survived with antibiotic therapy and debridement, and the functional outcome was favorable. In summary, preseptal cellulitis caused by S. pyogenes can be severe in adult cases where immunocompromising factors and type of strain may play a role in the severity of the disease. Awareness of the risk of severe complications, treatment with appropriate antibiotic therapy, and timely debridement are crucial for favorable prognoses.

Dietary Fat Composition Affects Hepatic Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Hepatitis C Virus Core Gene Transgenic Mice.

Introduction: Previous research has demonstrated that an isocaloric diet rich in trans-fatty acid (TFA), saturated fatty acid (SFA), and cholesterol (Chol) promoted steatosis-derived hepatic tumorigenesis in hepatitis C virus core gene transgenic (HCVcpTg) mice in different manners. Growth factor signaling and ensuing angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis are key factors in hepatic tumorigenesis that have become recent therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the influence of dietary fat composition on these factors remains unclear. This study investigated whether the type of dietary fat would have a specific impact on hepatic angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis in HCVcpTg mice. Methods: Male HCVcpTg mice were treated with a control diet, an isocaloric diet containing 1.5% cholesterol (Chol diet), or a diet replacing soybean oil with hydrogenated coconut oil (SFA diet) for a period of 15 months or with shortening (TFA diet) for 5 months. The degree of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and the expression of growth factors, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), were evaluated in non-tumorous liver tissues using quantitative mRNA measurement, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Long-term feeding of SFA and TFA diets to HCVcpTg mice increased the expressions of vascular endothelial cell indicators, such as CD31 and TEK receptor tyrosine kinase, in addition to lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1, indicating that angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis were upregulated only by these fatty acid-enriched diets. This promoting effect correlated with elevated VEGF-C and FGF receptor 2 and 3 levels in the liver. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α, both key regulators of VEGF-C expression, were enhanced in the SFA- and TFA-rich diet groups as well. The Chol diet significantly increased the expressions of such growth factors as FGF2 and PDGF subunit B, without any detectable impact on angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis. Conclusion: This study revealed that diets rich in SFA and TFA, but not Chol, might stimulate hepatic angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis mainly through the JNK-HIF1α-VEGF-C axis. Our observations indicate the importance of dietary fat species for preventing hepatic tumorigenesis.

Evaluation of a novel severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model for antiviral drug evaluation against Chandipura virus infection.

Chandipura virus (CHPV) is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus known to cause fatal encephalitis outbreaks in the Indian subcontinent. The virus displays tropism towards the pediatric population and holds significant public health concerns. Currently, there is no specific, effective therapy for CHPV encephalitis. In this study, we evaluated a novel C.B-17 severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model which can be used for pre-clinical antiviral evaluation. Inoculation of CHPV developed a lethal infection in our model. Plaque assay and immunohistochemistry detected increased viral loads and antigens in various organs, including the brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, and whole blood. We further conducted a proof-of-concept evaluation of favipiravir in the SCID mouse model. Favipiravir treatment improved survival with pre-symptomatic (days 5-14) and post-symptomatic (days 9-18) treatment. Reduced viral loads were observed in whole blood, kidney/adrenal gland, and brain tissue with favipiravir treatment. The findings in this study demonstrate the utility of SCID mouse for in vivo drug efficacy evaluation and the potential efficacy of favipiravir against CHPV infection.

Triglyceride level and soft drink consumption predict nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese male adolescents.

AIM: Differential metabolic risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in nonobese male adolescents were analyzed examining relationships between NAFLD and clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome, including exercise and soft drink consumption, in male adolescents. METHODS: In total, 134 male university students (nonobese, n = 78; obese, n = 56) who underwent the first-year health checkup were divided into the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups based on abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) findings. Relationships between NAFLD and metabolic parameters, including body mass index (BMI) and AUS score, were examined in nonobese students. RESULTS: Metabolic factors associated with hypertension, abdominal fat, liver damage, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance were significantly less common in nonobese students than in obese students. The aforementioned factors and soft drink consumption were significantly more common in the NAFLD group than in the non-NAFLD group. The univariate and multivariate analyses of nonobese students showed that the triglyceride level (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.10, p = 0.001) was higher and soft drink consumption (OR, 36.8; 95% CI, 3.69-368, p < 0.001) was more common in the NAFLD group than the non-NAFLD group. CONCLUSIONS: Triglyceride level and soft drink consumption could aid in the detection of NAFLD in nonobese male adolescents. Our findings could provide useful information related to NAFLD and metabolic syndrome in nonobese adolescents.

Characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with other respiratory pathogens identified by rapid diagnostic test.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) significantly impact disease treatment strategy. In Japan, information on the use of RDTs for patients with COVID-19 is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the RDT implementation rate, pathogen detection rate, and clinical characteristics of patients positive for other pathogens by using COVIREGI-JP, a national registry of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A total of 42,309 COVID-19 patients were included. For immunochromatographic testing, influenza was the most common (n = 2881 [6.8%]), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 2129 [5%]) and group A streptococcus (GAS) (n = 372 [0.9%]). Urine antigen testing was performed for 5524 (13.1%) patients for S. pneumoniae and for 5326 patients (12.6%) for L. pneumophila. The completion rate of M. pneumonia loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing was low (n = 97 [0.2%]). FilmArray RP was performed in 372 (0.9%) patients; 1.2% (36/2881) of patients were positive for influenza, 0.9% (2/223) for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 9.6% (205/2129) for M. pneumoniae, and 7.3% (27/372) for GAS. The positivity rate for urine antigen testing was 3.3% (183/5524) for S. pneumoniae and 0.2% (13/5326) for L. pneumophila. The positivity rate for LAMP test was 5.2% (5/97) for M. pneumoniae. Five of 372 patients (1.3%) had positive FilmArray RP, with human enterovirus being the most frequently detected (1.3%, 5/372). The characteristics of patients with and without RDTs submission and positive and negative results differed for each pathogen. RDTs remain an important diagnostic tool in patients with COVID-19 in whom coinfection with other pathogens needs to be tested based on clinical evaluation.

Paralytic Ileus during Treatment of Pulmonary and Renal Tuberculosis in a Non-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patient: An Unusual Presentation of Tuberculosis-immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome.

Paralytic ileus as tuberculosis-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is extremely rare. We herein report a 44-year-old man with pulmonary and renal tuberculosis who developed paralytic ileus 14 days after starting antituberculosis therapy (ATT) despite an initial favorable response to ATT. Paralytic ileus was successfully managed with conservative care. He initially required hemodialysis because of obstructive uropathy due to renal tuberculosis, but he was able to withdraw from dialysis after placement of ureteral stents. TB-IRIS can affect organs other than the original sites of tuberculosis, and the combined use of steroids may be effective for its prevention and treatment.

Multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled study of the efficacy and safety of favipiravir and nafamostat mesilate in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nafamostat combined with favipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel assignment study in hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive favipiravir alone (n = 24) or nafamostat with favipiravir (n = 21). The outcomes included changes in the World Health Organization clinical progression scale score, time to improvement in body temperature, and improvement in oxygen saturation (SpO2). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the changes in the clinical progression scale between nafamostat with favipiravir and favipiravir alone groups (median, -0.444 vs -0.150, respectively; least-squares mean difference, -0.294; P = 0.364). The time to improvement in body temperature was significantly shorter in the combination group (5.0 days; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-7.0) than in the favipiravir group (9.0 days; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-18.0; P =0.009). The changes in SpO2 were greater in the combination group than in the favipiravir group (0.526% vs -1.304%, respectively; least-squares mean difference, 1.831; P = 0.022). No serious adverse events or deaths were reported, but phlebitis occurred in 57.1% of the patients in the combination group. CONCLUSION: Although our study showed no differences in clinical progression, earlier defervescence, and recovery of SpO2 were observed in the combination group.

Long-term effects of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations on platelets.

There is a global concern about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines associated with platelet function. However, their long-term effects on overall platelet activity remain poorly understood. Here we address this problem by image-based single-cell profiling and temporal monitoring of circulating platelet aggregates in the blood of healthy human subjects, before and after they received multiple Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine doses over a time span of nearly 1 year. Results show no significant or persisting platelet aggregation trends following the vaccine doses, indicating that any effects of vaccinations on platelet turnover, platelet activation, platelet aggregation, and platelet-leukocyte interaction was insignificant.