Acute murine-betacoronavirus infection impairs testicular steroidogenesis and the quality of sperm production.

Although several testicular alterations promoted by coronavirus infection have been demonstrated, the extent, causes, and players of testicular pathogenesis are not totally understood. The present study aimed to investigate the short-term effects on male fertility of intranasally administered murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3), a member of the genus Betacoronavirus, which causes a severe systemic acute infection. This mouse model might be used as a in vivo prototype for investigating the impact of betacoronavirus on the endocrine and exocrine testicular functions with the advantage to be performed in a biosafety level 2 condition. Herein, we performed virological, histopathological, and molecular studies regarding the testicular spermatogenesis and the spermatic quality analyses in an MHV-3-infected C57BL/6 mice. The main outcomes showed that MHV-3 infects mouse testis and induces a testicular inflammatory state, impairing the steroidogenic pathway. The infection led to several alterations in the testicular parenchyma, such as: seminiferous epithelium sloughing, retention of residual bodies, germ cell apoptosis, alterations in intercellular junction proteins, and worse spermatogenic parameters. Moreover, the levels of plasmatic testosterone as well as the quality of sperm production reduced. Therefore, the present data suggest that the viral/inflammatory impairment of the steroidogenic pathway and the consequent imbalance of androgen levels is critical in testicular pathology, disturbing the SC barrier function and the germ cell differentiation. Our study is important for comprehending the effects of beta coronavirus infections on testis function in order to develop treatments that could prevent virus-mediated male infertility.

Comparative Review of the State of the Art in Research on the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and SARS-CoV-2, Scope of Knowledge between Coronaviruses.

This review presents comparative information corresponding to the progress in knowledge of some aspects of infection by the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronaviruses. PEDV is an alphacoronavirus of great economic importance due to the million-dollar losses it generates in the pig industry. PEDV has many similarities to the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease. This review presents possible scenarios for SARS-CoV-2 based on the collected literature on PEDV and the tools or strategies currently developed for SARS-CoV-2 that would be useful in PEDV research. The speed of the study of SARS-CoV-2 and the generation of strategies to control the pandemic was possible due to the knowledge derived from infections caused by other human coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS). Therefore, from the information obtained from several coronaviruses, the current and future behavior of SARS-CoV-2 could be inferred and, with the large amount of information on the virus that causes COVID-19, the study of PEDV could be improved and probably that of new emerging and re-emerging coronaviruses.

Characteristics of endemic human coronavirus infections during times of COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: After the implementation of mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of respiratory viruses, including human coronaviruses (HCoV), experienced a significant decrease. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology and clinical aspects of HCoV infections in ambulatory adults during COVID-19 pandemic times. METHODS: descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study performed in a private hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina between November 2020 and October 2022; 458 outpatient adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were studied undergoing clinical and microbiological follow-up. RESULTS: 44 (9.6%) subjects were positive by multiplex PCR for HCoV. 14 of them for 229E (31.8%), 13 for OC43 (29.5%), 11 for HKU-1 (25.1%) and 6 for NL63 (13.6%). A repeated PCR was positive for the same HCoV in 19 (57%) of 33 patients on day 3-5. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. DISCUSSION: Endemic HCoV caused a significant proportion of URTI among outpatient adults during COVID-19-related restrictions times. An alternating pattern of circulation between alfa-HCoV and beta-HCoV was observed.

Introducción: Tras la implementación de estrategias de mitigación durante la pandemia de COVID-19, la incidencia de virus respiratorios, incluyendo los coronavirus humanos (HCoV), disminuyó significativamente. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la epidemiología y los aspectos clínicos de las infecciones por HCoV en adultos ambulatorios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal, realizado en un hospital privado de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre noviembre de 2020 y octubre de 2022. Se estudiaron 458 pacientes adultos ambulatorios con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior (ITRS) bajo seguimiento clínico y microbiológico. Resultados: 44 (9.6%) sujetos fueron positivos por PCR multiplex para HCoV. Se detectaron 14 229E (31.8%), 13 OC43 (29.5%), 11 HKU-1 (25.1%) y 6 NL63 (13.6%). Una segunda PCR fue positiva para el mismo HCoV en 19 (57 %) de 33 pacientes en los días 3-5. No se reportaron hospitalizaciones ni muertes. Discusión: los HCoV endémicos causaron una proporción significativa de ITRS entre pacientes adultos ambulatorios durante los tiempos de restricciones relacionados con COVID-19. Se observó un patrón alternante de circulación entre alfa-HCoV y beta-HCoV.

Global research trends related to coronavirus disease 2019 and the aged: a bibliometric analysis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: A bibliometric analysis covering only the production of original studies or considering world production until 2022 has yet to be conducted. The creation and advancement of vaccines have also influenced research priorities, demonstrating the need for a new approach to this subject. OBJECTIVES: To analyze worldwide scientific production related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the aged and to describe what has already been produced. DESIGN AND SETTING: Bibliometric analysis with a quantitative approach. METHOD: The search terms "COVID-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "Aged," and "Elderly" were used to retrieve articles from the Web of Science database. A total of 684 articles were included in the analysis. Data were imported into RStudio Desktop Software and linked to R Software. The Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer software were used for analysis. RESULTS: Most articles were published in 2020. These were produced by 4,937 authors and published in 379 journals. The keyword most used by the authors was "COVID-19." Publications from 77 countries were obtained. China had the highest article production ranking, and Spain collaborated the most. The articles addressed the implications of the pandemic on the aged, the relationship between vaccination in the aged, and the implications for the disease itself. CONCLUSION: Further research should be conducted, mainly concerning vaccines and vaccination of the aged, owing to the need for and importance of immunization in this risk group, including assessing the long-term effects of vaccines.

Characteristics of endemic human Coronavirus infections during times of COVID-19 pandemic / Características de las infecciones causadas por Corona virus humanos endémicos durante la pandemia COVID-19

Abstract Introduction : After the implementation of mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of respiratory viruses, including human coronaviruses (HCoV), experienced a significant decrease. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology and clinical aspects of HCoV infections in ambulatory adults during COVID-19 pandemic times. Methods : descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study performed in a private hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina between November 2020 and October 2022; 458 outpatient adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were studied undergoing clinical and microbiological follow-up. Results : 44 (9.6%) subjects were positive by multiplex PCR for HCoV. 14 of them for 229E (31.8%), 13 for OC43 (29.5%), 11 for HKU-1 (25.1%) and 6 for NL63 (13.6%). A repeated PCR was positive for the same HCoV in 19 (57%) of 33 patients on day 3-5. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. Discussion : Endemic HCoV caused a significant pro portion of URTI among outpatient adults during COVID- 19-related restrictions times. An alternating pattern of circulation between alfa-HCoV and beta-HCoV was observed.

Resumen Introducción : Tras la implementación de estrate gias de mitigación durante la pandemia de COVID-19, la incidencia de virus respiratorios, incluyendo los coronavirus humanos (HCoV), disminuyó significati vamente. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la epidemiología y los aspectos clínicos de las infecciones por HCoV en adultos ambulatorios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos : estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudi nal, realizado en un hospital privado de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre noviembre de 2020 y octubre de 2022. Se estudiaron 458 pacientes adultos ambulatorios con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior (ITRS) bajo seguimiento clínico y microbiológico. Resultados : 44 (9.6%) sujetos fueron positivos por PCR multiplex para HCoV. Se detectaron 14 229E (31.8%), 13 OC43 (29.5%), 11 HKU-1 (25.1%) y 6 NL63 (13.6%). Una segunda PCR fue positiva para el mismo HCoV en 19 (57 %) de 33 pacientes en los días 3-5. No se reportaron hospitalizaciones ni muertes. Discusión : los HCoV endémicos causaron una pro porción significativa de ITRS entre pacientes adultos ambulatorios durante los tiempos de restricciones rela cionados con COVID-19. Se observó un patrón alternante de circulación entre alfa-HCoV y beta-HCoV.

Electrochemical and Bioelectrochemical Sensing Platforms for Diagnostics of COVID-19.

Rapid transmission and high mortality rates caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus showed that the best way to fight against the pandemic was through rapid, accurate diagnosis in parallel with vaccination. In this context, several research groups around the world have endeavored to develop new diagnostic methods due to the disadvantages of the gold standard method, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in terms of cost and time consumption. Electrochemical and bioelectrochemical platforms have been important tools for overcoming the limitations of conventional diagnostic platforms, including accuracy, accessibility, portability, and response time. In this review, we report on several electrochemical sensors and biosensors developed for SARS-CoV-2 detection, presenting the concepts, fabrication, advantages, and disadvantages of the different approaches. The focus is devoted to highlighting the recent progress of electrochemical devices developed as next-generation field-deployable analytical tools as well as guiding future researchers in the manufacture of devices for disease diagnosis.

Clinical and Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Agricultural Workers, Guatemala1.

We evaluated clinical and socioeconomic burdens of respiratory disease in banana farm workers in Guatemala. We offered all eligible workers enrollment during June 15-December 30, 2020, and annually, then tracked them for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) through self-reporting to study nurses, sentinel surveillance at health posts, and absenteeism. Workers who had ILI submitted nasopharyngeal swab specimens for testing for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2, then completed surveys at days 0, 7, and 28. Through October 10, 2021, a total of 1,833 workers reported 169 ILIs (12.0 cases/100 person-years), and 43 (25.4%) were laboratory-confirmed infections with SARS-CoV-2 (3.1 cases/100 person-years). Workers who had SARS-CoV-2‒positive ILIs reported more frequent anosmia, dysgeusia, difficulty concentrating, and irritability and worse clinical and well-being severity scores than workers who had test result‒negative ILIs. Workers who had positive results also had greater absenteeism and lost income. These results support prioritization of farm workers in Guatemala for COVID-19 vaccination.

Evolutionary Signals in Coronaviral Structural Proteins Suggest Possible Complex Mechanisms of Post-Translational Regulation in SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

Post-translational regulation of proteins has emerged as a central topic of research in the field of functional proteomics. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) dynamically control the activities of proteins and are involved in a wide range of biological processes. Crosstalk between different types of PTMs represents a key mechanism of regulation and signaling. Due to the current pandemic of the novel and dangerous SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) virus, here we present an in silico analysis of different types of PTMs in structural proteins of coronaviruses. A dataset of PTM sites was studied at three levels: conservation analysis, mutational analysis and crosstalk analysis. We identified two sets of PTMs which could have important functional roles in the regulation of the structural proteins of coronaviruses. Additionally, we found seven interesting signals of potential crosstalk events. These results reveal a higher level of complexity in the mechanisms of post-translational regulation of coronaviral proteins and provide new insights into the adaptation process of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Biosafety Practices When Working with Bats: A Guide to Field Research Considerations.

Introduction: Field work with bats is an important contribution to many areas of research in environmental biology and ecology, as well as microbiology. Work with bats poses hazards such as bites and scratches, and the potential for exposure to infectious pathogens such as rabies virus. It also exposes researchers to many other potential hazards inherent to field work, such as environmental conditions, delayed emergency responses, or challenging work conditions. Methods: This article discusses the considerations for a thorough risk assessment process around field work with bats, pre- and post-occupational health considerations, and delves into specific considerations for areas related to biosafety concerns-training, personal protective equipment, safety consideration in field methods, decontamination, and waste. It also touches on related legal and ethical issues that sit outside the realm of biosafety, but which must be addressed during the planning process. Discussion: Although the focal point of this article is bat field work located in northern and central America, the principles and practices discussed here are applicable to bat work elsewhere, as well as to field work with other animal species, and should promote careful considerations of how to safely conduct field work to protect both researchers and animals.

Deaths Related to Chagas Disease and COVID-19 Co-Infection, Brazil, March-December 2020.

We analyzed epidemiologic characteristics and distribution of 492 deaths related to Chagas disease and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) co-infection in Brazil during March‒December 2020. Cumulative co-infected death rates were highest among advanced age groups, persons of Afro-Brazilian ethnicity and with low education levels, and geographically distributed mainly in major Chagas disease‒endemic areas.

Viral immunogenic footprints conferring T cell cross-protection to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

COVID-19 brought scenes from sci-fi movies into real life. Infected individuals include asymptomatic cases to severe disease leading to death, suggesting the involvement of the genetic constitution of populations and pathogens contributing to differential individuals' outcomes. To investigate shared immunogenic features between SARS-CoV-2 targets and other coronaviruses, we modeled their peptides in 3D structures of HLA-A*02:01 (pMHC), comparing their molecular surfaces These structures were also compared with a panel of epitopes from unrelated viruses, looking for potential triggers conferring cross-protection in uninfected individuals. As expected, SARS-CoV 1 and 2 peptides share molecular and physicochemical features, providing an explanation for the verified experimental immunogenicity among them. Surprisingly, even discordant sequences from human coronaviruses 229E, OC43 and epitopes from unrelated viruses involved in endemic human infections exhibit similar fingerprints of immunogenicity with SARS-CoV-2 peptides. The same approach indicates a conserved CD8+ T cell recognition between Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 sequences and altered peptides from Variants of Concern. Examination of structural data over epitope sequence analysis here could explain how previous infections may produce a heterologous immunity response in a global scale against emergent diseases such as Covid-19, mitigating its full lethal potential, and paves the way for the development of wide spectrum vaccine development.

The Endolysosomal System: The Acid Test for SARS-CoV-2.

This review aims to describe and discuss the different functions of the endolysosomal system, from homeostasis to its vital role during viral infections. We will initially describe endolysosomal system's main functions, presenting recent data on how its compartments are essential for host defense to explore later how SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and other coronaviruses subvert these organelles for their benefit. It is clear that to succeed, pathogens' evolution favored the establishment of ways to avoid, escape, or manipulate lysosomal function. The unavoidable coexistence with such an unfriendly milieu imposed on viruses the establishment of a vast array of strategies to make the most out of the invaded cell's machinery to produce new viruses and maneuvers to escape the host's defense system.

Severe COVID-19 in Cardiopath Young Pregnant Patient without Vertical Transmission.

The new betacoronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the cause of COVID-19, and has spread rapidly around the world, reaching more than 200 countries, around 364 million people and causing more than 5 million deaths according to the World Health Organization, so this paper reports a fatal case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a young pregnant woman with heart disease, without vertical transmission. A 26 years old patient at 28th week of pregnancy with regular prenatal care, presented dry cough, high fever, and severe respiratory distress. Due to her clinical symptoms, she sought medical care at a cardiology hospital in Northern Brazil. The medical conditions she presented were heart disease, rheumatic fever history and had no recent record of national or international travel. She was hospitalized and after clinical stabilization, she was referred for an emergency cesarean intervention. The young mother and the newborn were transferred to the intensive care unit after surgery, where diagnostic tests for respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, were performed. The mother tested positive, while her newborn was negative for SARS-CoV-2 demonstrating no vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in this severe case. This study reveals that despite the mother's initially mild symptoms, she progressed to severe clinical conditions resulting in death, although no vertical transmission was observed. This report highlights the relevance of comorbidities for the unfavorable clinical course of COVID-19.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on compulsory notification of meningitis during the first wave of the pandemic in Brazil: an ecological study using P-score

Abstract BACKGROUND: Meningitis is listed as one of the diseases requiring compulsory notification in Brazil. It can affect all age groups and also has no seasonality. Cases can be recorded in all months of the year and in all states of Brazil. Despite its importance, the obligation of immediate notification may have been compromised by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on compulsory notifications of meningitis in Brazil and its states during the first wave of the pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an ecological study involving all confirmed cases of meningitis in Brazil, in its regions and in its states. METHODS: Data for the months from 2015 to 2020 were obtained from the database of the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, SINAN), in the Department of Informatics of the National Health System (Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde, DATASUS). The P-score was used to obtain the percentage change in the numbers of cases reported in 2020. RESULTS: A 45.7% reduction in notifications of meningitis in Brazil was observed. Regarding the regions and the states, with the exception of Roraima, all of them showed a negative P-score, with decreasing curves each month. CONCLUSION: The pandemic caused a negative impact on meningitis notifications in Brazil.

Use of Private Sector Workforce Respiratory Disease Short-Term Disability Claims to Assess SARS-CoV-2, Mexico, 2020.

We examined respiratory disease short-term disability claims submitted to the Mexican Social Security Institute during 2020. A total of 1,631,587 claims were submitted by 19.1 million insured workers. Cumulative incidence (8.5%) was 3.6 times higher than that for January 2015‒December-2019. Workers in healthcare, social assistance, self-service, and retail stores were disproportionately affected.

Featuring ACE2 binding SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 through a conserved evolutionary pattern of amino acid residues.

Spike (S) glycoproteins mediate the coronavirus entry into the host cell. The S1 subunit of S-proteins contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that is able to recognize different host receptors, highlighting its remarkable capacity to adapt to their hosts along the viral evolution. While RBD in spike proteins is determinant for the virus-receptor interaction, the active residues lie at the receptor-binding motif (RBM), a region located in RBD that plays a fundamental role binding the outer surface of their receptors. Here, we address the hypothesis that SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 strains able to use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) proteins have adapted their RBM along the viral evolution to explore specific conformational topology driven by the residues YGF to infect host cells. We also speculate that this YGF-based mechanism can act as a protein signature located at the RBM to distinguish coronaviruses able to use ACE2 as a cell entry receptor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Molecular Modeling Targeting Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) as an Alternative Drug Target Against Coronaviruses.

Since December 2019, the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the etiological agent SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for several cases worldwide, becoming pandemic in March 2020. Pharmaceutical companies and academics have joined their efforts to discover new therapies to control the disease since there are no specific drugs to combat this emerging virus. Thus, several tar-gets have been explored; among them, the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) has gained greater interest in the scientific community. In this context, this review will describe the importance of TMPRSS2 protease and the significant advances in virtual screening focused on discovering new inhibitors. In this review, it was observed that molecular modeling methods could be powerful tools in identifying new molecules against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, this review could be used to guide re-searchers worldwide to explore the biological and clinical potential of compounds that could be promising drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2, acting by inhibition of TMPRSS2 protein.

Prescrição e dispensação de benzodiazepínicos em tempos de pandemia da covid-19 no Brasil / Prescription and Dispensing of Benzodiazepines in Times of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil / Prescripción y Dispensación de Benzodiazepinas en Tiempos de la Pandemia Covid-19 en Brasil

Objetivo: teve como objetivo analisar a prevalência da prescrição e dispensação de benzodiazepínicos nas capitais brasileiras, nos 1°s trimestres de 2020 e 2021, considerando a pandemia da Coronavirus desease-2019 (COVID-19). Método: é um estudo epidemiológico, exploratório, quantitativo, documental e retrospectivo que investigou dados do Sistema Nacional de Gerenciamento de Protocolos Controlados. Utilizou-se da estatística descritiva e testes de associação para as análises dos dados, pelo programa Software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Além disso, foi realizado o cálculo da prevalência da dispensação. Resultados:a dispensação de alprazolam e clonazepam tem maior prevalência. A região Sudeste apresenta maior prevalência de dispensação (1° trimestre de 2020 n = 7098,74; 1° trimestre de 2021 n =6849,77), seguida do Sul (1° trimestre de 2020 n = 5939,6; 1° trimestre de 2021 n=5616,16). Conclusão: sendo assim, não houve aumento significativo para dizer que há prescrição e dispensação de benzodiazepínicos entre os anos analisados

Objective: the objective was the prevalence of prescription and dispensing of benzodiazepines in Brazilian capitals, in the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, considering the Coronavirus desease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: this is an epidemiological, exploratory, quantitative, documentary and retrospective study that investigated data from the National Controlled Protocol Management System. Descriptive statistics and association tests were used for data analysis, using the Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. In addition, the calculation of the prevalence of dispensation was performed. Results: dispensing of alprazolam and clonazepam is more prevalent. The Southeast region has the highest prevalence of dispensing (1st quarter of 2020 n = 7098.74; 1st quarter of 2021 n = 6849.77), followed by the South (1st quarter of 2020 n = 5939.6; 1st quarter of 2021 of 2021 n =5616.16). Conclusion: therefore, there was no significant increase to say that the prescription and dispensing of benzodiazepines between the years analyzed

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la prevalencia de la prescripción y dispensación de benzodiazepinas en capitales brasileñas en el 1er trimestre de 2020 y 2021, considerando la pandemia de Coronavirus desease-2019 (COVID-19). Método: se trata de un estudio epidemiológico, exploratorio, cuantitativo, documental y retrospectivo que investigó datos del Sistema Nacional de Gestión de Protocolos Controlados. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas y pruebas de asociación, utilizando el programa Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Además, se realizó el cálculo de la prevalencia de dispensación. Resultados: la dispensación de alprazolam y clonazepam es más prevalente. La región Sureste tiene la mayor prevalencia de dispensación (1er trimestre de 2020 n = 7098.74; 1er trimestre de 2021 n = 6849.77), seguida por el Sur (1er trimestre de 2020 n = 5939.6; 1er trimestre de 2021 de 2021 n =5616.16). Conclusión: por lo tanto, no hubo un aumento significativo para decir que la prescripción y dispensación de benzodiazepinas entre los años analizados

Caracterización de una población pediátrica de escasos recursos que habita por encima de 2500 m. s. n. m., positiva para SARS-COV-2 / Characterization of a Low-Income Pediatric Population Living Above 2500 m. a. s. l. Positive for SARS-COV-2 / Caracterizaçáo de urna populaçáo pediátrica de baixa renda vivendo acima de 2.500 m. s. n. m. positiva para SARS-COV-2

Resumen: La infección por el nuevo SARS-COV-2 ha impactado de diversas maneras a toda la sociedad, incluidos los niños. Se describe el comportamiento de esta enfermedad en una población pediátrica de escasos recursos localizada por encima de 2500 m. s. n. m. Este es un trabajo retrospectivo transversal entre marzo y octubre de 2020 en Bogotá involucró niños entre 1 mes y 14 años con RT-PCR positiva para SARS-COV-2. Se estudiaron antecedentes, características sociodemográficas, clínicas, de laboratorio, radiológicas y evolutivas, agrupando los pacientes según la gravedad y analizando su significancia (p < 0.05). Como resultado, se obtuvieron 416 casos, de los cuales 43.3 % eran asintomáticos, 46.6 % sintomáticos leves, 8.9 % graves y 1.2 % críticos. De los consultantes a urgencias, los menores de 1 año fueron los más frecuentes (56.79 %) y los que más se hospitalizaron (35.8 %). El tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas y la consulta fue en promedio de 2 días, El diagnóstico más frecuente en los pacientes no hospitalizados fue rinofaringitis (58.97 %), y en los que se hospitalizaron fue bronquiolitis (50 %). La mediana del tiempo de hospitalización de todo el grupo fue de 4 días la cual ser prolongó a 7 días para los que requirieron UCI. Con la hospitalización se asocia, entre otras causas, los índices nutricionales < 2 de, taquipnea, dificultad respiratoria, hipoxemia, linfopenia (en mayores de 2 años) (p < 0.05), no influyendo el hacinamiento ni el nivel socioeconómico. Después del estudio, se pudo concluir que la enfermedad es, generalmente, mucho más leve en niños que en adultos, diferenciándose de estos tanto en los factores predisponentes, los paraclínicos y en la evolución. Sin embargo, algunas variables demográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio podrían asociarse con una mayor gravedad en este grupo poblacional.

Abstract: Infection with the new SARS-COV-2 has impacted the entire society, including children, in various ways. The behavior of this disease in a low-income pediatric population located above 2500 m. a. s. I. is described. This is a cross-sectional retrospective study carried out between March and October 2020 in Bogotá involving children between 1 month and 14years old with positive RT-PCR for SARS-COV-2. History, sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological and evolutionary characteristics were studied, grouping the patients according to severity and analyzing their significance (p < 0.05). As a result, 416 cases were obtained, of which 43.3 % were asymptomatic, 46.6 % mildly symptomatic, 8.9 % severe, and 1.2 % critical. Of the consultants to the emergency room, those under 1 year of age were the most frequent (56.79 %) and those who were hospitalized the most (35.8 %). The time between the onset of symptoms and consultation was an average of 2 days. The most frequent diagnosis in non-hospitalized patients was rhinopharyngitis (58.97 %), and in those who were hospitalized it was bronchiolitis (50 %). The median hospitalization time for the entire group was 4 days, which was extended to 7 days for those who required ICU. Hospitalization is associated with, among other causes, nutritional indices < 2 SD, tachypnea, respiratory distress, hypoxemia, lymphopenia (in those older than 2 years) (p < 0.05), with neither overcrowding nor socioeconomic status as influencing factors. After the study, it was possible to conclude that the disease is generally much milder among children than in adults, differing from these in predisposing factors, paraclinical factors, and evolution. However, some demographic, clinical and laboratory variables could be associated with greater severity in this population group.

Resumo: A infecção com o novo SARS-COV-2 impactou toda a sociedade de várias maneiras, incluindo crianças. O comportamento desta doença em urna população pediátrica de baixa renda localizada acima de 2.500 m. s. n. m. é descrito. Este é um estudo transversal retrospectivo entre margo e outubro de 2020 em Bogotá, envolvendo crianças entre 1 mês e 14 anos com RT-PCR positiva para SARS- COV-2. Foram estudados antecedentes, características sociodemográficas, clínicas, laboratoriais, radiológicas e evolutivas, agrupando os pacientes de acordo com a gravidade e analisando sua significância (p < 0.05). Como resultado, foram obtidos 416 casos, sendo 43.3 % assintomáticos, 46.6 % sintomáticos leves, 8.9 % graves e 1.2 % críticos. Dos pacientes em pronto-socorro, os menores de 1 ano foram os mais frequentes (56.79 %) e os que mais internaram (35.8 %). O tempo entre o inicio dos sintomas e a consulta foi em média de 2 dias, sendo o diagnóstico mais frequente nos pacientes não internados a rinofaringite (58.97 %), e nos internados foi a bronquiolite (50 %). A mediana do tempo de internação para todo o grupo foi de 4 dias, que foi estendida para 7 dias para aqueles que necessitaram de UTI. A hospitalização está associada, entre outras causas, a índices nutricionais < 2 DP, taquipneia, desconforto respiratório, hipoxemia, linfopenia (nos maiores de 2 anos) (p < 0.05), não influenciando a superlotação ou o nível socioeconómico. Após o estudo, foi possível concluir que a doença geralmente é muito mais branda em crianças do que em adultos, diferindo destes em fatores predisponentes, fatores para clínicos e evolução. No entanto, algumas variáveis demográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais podem estar associadas á maior gravidade nesse grupo populacional.

Importancia de los virus en las exacerbaciones de Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC). ¿Podría cambiar su comportamiento durante la pandemia de SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19)? / Importance of Viruses in Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Could Change its Behavior During the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic? / Importância dos vírus nas exacerbações da Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC). Poderia mudar seu comportamento durante a pandemia de SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19)?

Resumen: La pandemia por SARS-COV-2 ha generado muchos interrogantes sobre el comportamiento de enfermedades crónicas. Si bien se conoce que los pacientes con comorbilidades importantes tienen un mayor riesgo de complicaciones, no se conoce el comportamiento de enfermedades, como la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), en el período de pandemia y cuarentena por COVID-19. En este artículo, se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre los principales aspectos teóricos para entender las posibles interacciones entre la infección por SARS-COV-2 y pacientes con patología respiratoria como la EPOC. Se revisaron los principales aspectos de las infecciones virales y su fisiopatología en la exacerbación de la enfermedad, sus mecanismos inflamatorios, y las condiciones que pueden aumentar el riesgo de infección y gravedad durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Además, se exploraron los aspectos relacionados a la cuarentena y su posible influencia sobre la exacerbación de la enfermedad. Finalmente, se exploraron los aspectos económicos relacionados con la exacerbación y su manejo asociado a la pandemia.

Abstract: The SARS-COV-2 pandemic has raised many questions about the behavior of chronic diseases. Although it is known that patients with significant comorbidities have a higher risk of complications, the behavior of diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine is not known. In this article, a literature review was carried out on the main theoretical aspects to understand the possible interactions between SARS-COV-2 infection and patients with respiratory pathology such as COPD. The main aspects of viral infections and their pathophysiology in the exacerbation of the disease, their inflammatory mechanisms, and the conditions that can increase the risk of infection and severity during the COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed. In addition, aspects related to quarantine and its possible influence on the exacerbation of the disease were explored. Finally, the economic aspects related to the exacerbation and its management associated with the pandemic were explored.

Resumo: A pandemia de SARS-COV-2 tem gerado muitos questionamentos sobre o comportamento das doenças crônicas. Embora se saiba que pacientes com comorbidades significativas apresentam risco aumentado de complicações, o comportamento de doenças como a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica (DPOC) não é conhecido. No período de pandemia e quarentena por COVID-19. Neste artigo, foi realizada urna revisão da literatura sobre os principais aspectos teóricos para compreender as possíveis interações entre a infecção por SARS-COV-2 e pacientes com patologia respiratória, como DPOC. Foram revisados os principais aspectos das infecções virais e sua fisiopatologia na exacerbação da doença, seus mecanismos inflamatórios e as condições que podem aumentar o risco de infecção e gravidade durante a pandemia COVID-19. Além disso, foram explorados aspectos relacionados à quarentena e sua possível influencia na exacerbação da doença. Por fim, foram explorados os aspectos económicos relacionados à exacerbação e sua gestão associada à pandemia.