The effect of 1-hydroxy-vitamin D treatment in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 1-hydroxy-vitamin D on the prevention of severe disease and mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study included 312 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to our hospital between April 2021 and October 2021 (primarily the Delta variant) and between July 2022 and September 2022 (primarily Omicron variant). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured at the time of admission and 1-hydroxy-vitamin D was prescribed by the treating physicians. The patients were divided into two groups: those administered 1-hydroxy-vitamin D (Vit D group) and those who were not (control group). The composite primary endpoint was the need for additional respiratory support, including high-flow oxygen therapy or invasive mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality rate. RESULTS: Of 312 patients, 122 (39%) received 1-hydroxy-vitamin D treatment. Although the median age was not significantly higher in the Vit D group than in the control group (66 vs. 58 years old, P = 0.06) and there was no significant difference in the proportion of vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25(OH)D level less than 20 ng/mL, 77% vs. 65%, P = 0.07), patients in the control group had a more severe baseline profile compared to the Vit D group according to the Japanese disease severity definition for COVID-19 (P = 0.01). The proportion of those requiring more respiratory support and in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the Vit D group than in the control group (6% vs. 14%, P = 0.01 log-rank test). After propensity score matching, a statistically significant difference in the primary endpoint was observed (P = 0.03 log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: 1-hydroxy-vitamin treatment may improve outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, reducing composite outcomes including the need for additional respiratory support and in-hospital mortality.

Diagnostic Method for COVID-19 Using Sugar Chain-Immobilized Nanoparticles and Saliva Specimens.

Identification of viruses that infects animals or plants, and determination of their quantity are essential for the diagnosis of infectious disease and for the determination of a strategy in the treatment of virus-derived diseases. However, the concentration of viruses existing in a living body (in bodily fluid), food, drinking water, river water, and so on. is not high enough to be detected using conventional diagnostic methods. For example, since the concentration of influenza virus released from an infected person is less than the detection limit of conventional simple examination kits (rapid kit) or even a PCR process at the initial stage of infection, it is difficult to detect the presence of influenza virus which will lead to influenza disease. Our technology allows for safe, efficient, and selective concentration of viruses without troublesome ultracentrifugation, using sugar chain-immobilized metal nanoparticles based on the binding interaction between viruses and sugar chains. For COVID-19, we have developed and commercialized two molecular diagnosis kits: SUDx SARS-CoV-2 detection kit, and SGNP nCoV/Flu PCR detection kit, for the Japanese market in 2020.

A case report of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed in saliva specimens up to 37 days after onset: Proposal of saliva specimens for COVID-19 diagnosis and virus monitoring.

We present the case of a 71-year-old man who, despite becoming asymptomatic after having some mild symptoms of COVID-19, had SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected for 37 days after onset, from his concentrated and purified saliva specimens using sugar chain-immobilized gold nanoparticles. It was suggested that the early morning saliva specimens were more likely to show positive results than those obtained later in the day.

Three-year prospective, observational study of central line-associated bloodstream infections in a 600-bed Japanese acute care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is an important concern associated with central venous catheter (CVC) use. The objective of this study was to determine the influences of CVC access sites, CVC types, and presumed causative microorganisms on CLABSI occurrence in an acute care hospital. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study of CLABSI occurrence for 3 consecutive years in a 600-bed Japanese acute care hospital. Data collected included patient characteristics, CVC access sites, CVC types, and microorganisms isolated by blood culture. RESULTS: For 1,650 CVCs used for 1,237 patients, 39 cases of infection were identified. Most infections had occurred within 1 month of CVC insertion. Maximal sterile barrier precautions had been used for most cases (97.3%). The average CLABSI occurrence days with internal jugular vein access were shorter than those with subclavian vein access and femoral vein access. CLABSI rates were 1.1 and 0.7 for single- and multilumen CVCs, respectively. CLABSI occurrence tended to be shorter when gram-positive cocci were isolated and tended to be longer when fungi (Candida spp) were isolated. CONCLUSION: Most CLABSI cases had occurred within 1 month of CVC insertion. Longer CVC duration increased chance of fungal infection.