scholarly journals Considerations for Obstetric Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (08) ◽  
pp. 773-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Dotters-Katz ◽  
Brenna L. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Intensive Care Admission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Key Points ◽  
High Risk Populations ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a growing pandemic that is impacting daily life across the globe. Though disease is often mild, in high-risk populations, severe disease often leads to intubation, intensive care admission (ICU) admission, and in many cases death. The implications for pregnancy remain largely unknown. Early data suggest that COVID-19 may not pose increased risk in the pregnant population. Vertical transmission has not been confirmed. Because no treatment, no vaccine and no herd immunity exist, social distancing is the best mechanism available to protect patients and health care workers from infection. This review will discuss what is known about the virus as it relates to pregnancy and then consider management considerations based on these data. Key Points

scholarly journals Improved diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 by using Nucleoprotein and Spike protein fragment 2 in quantitative dual ELISA tests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina De Marco Verissimo ◽  
Carol O'Brien ◽  
Jesus Lopez Corrales ◽  
Amber Dorey ◽  
Krystyna Cwiklinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Protein Fragment ◽  
Epidemiological Tool ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Antibody Tests

The novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is the causative agent of the 2020 worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Antibody testing is useful for diagnosing historic infections of a disease in a population. These tests are also a helpful epidemiological tool for predicting how the virus spreads in a community, relating antibody levels to immunity and for assessing herd immunity. In the present study, SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins were recombinantly produced and used to analyse serum from individuals previously exposed, or not, to SARS-CoV-2. The nucleocapsid (Npro) and Spike subunit 2 (S2Frag) proteins were identified as highly immunogenic, although responses to the former were generally greater. These two proteins were used to develop two quantitative ELISA assays that when used in combination resulted in a highly reliable diagnostic test. Npro and S2Frag-ELISAs could detect at least 10% more true positive COVID-19 cases than the commercially available ARCHITECT test (Abbott). Moreover, our quantitative ELISAs also show that specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 proteins tend to wane rapidly even in patients that had developed severe disease. As antibody tests complement COVID-19 diagnosis and determine population-level surveillance during this pandemic, the alternative diagnostic we present in this study could play a role in controlling the spread of the virus.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Future Challenges and Recommendations for Dental Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. RV1-RV5
Author(s):  
Najmus Sahar ◽  
Pradeep Tangade ◽  
Vikas Singh ◽  
Surbhi Priyadarshini ◽  
Debashis Roy
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Review Article ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus outbreak is a contagious disease affecting the countries around the world. The quick advancing nature of pandemic has gripped the entire community making it a public health emergency. Infection control preventive measures are necessary to prevent it from further spreading. Medical practitioners, health care workers and Dentists are at high risk of acquiring and transmission of infection. The virus transmission occurs through respiratory tract, aerosols and droplets. Clinical manifestations of virus vary from mild to severe sickness. This review article mainly emphasizes on all the information collected to date on the virus, and future recommendations for dental settings to manage the further spread of this virus.

scholarly journals Outpatient management of heart valve disease following the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for present and future care

Heart ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 106 (20) ◽  
pp. 1549-1554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoy Nalin Shah ◽  
Dominik Schlosshan ◽  
Hannah Zelie Ruth McConkey ◽  
Mamta Heena Buch ◽  
Andrew John Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Valve Disease ◽  
Heart Valve Disease ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Future Care ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The established processes for ensuring safe outpatient surveillance of patients with known heart valve disease (HVD), echocardiography for patients referred with new murmurs and timely delivery of surgical or transcatheter treatment for patients with severe disease have all been significantly impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. This has created a large backlog of work and upstaging of disease with consequent increases in risk and cost of treatment and potential for worse long-term outcomes. As countries emerge from lockdown but with COVID-19 endemic in society, precautions remain that restrict ‘normal’ practice. In this article, we propose a methodology for restructuring services for patients with HVD and provide recommendations pertaining to frequency of follow-up and use of echocardiography at present. It will be almost impossible to practice exactly as we did prior to the pandemic; thus, it is essential to prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need, such as those with symptomatic severe HVD. Local procedural waiting times will need to be considered, in addition to usual clinical characteristics in determining whether patients requiring intervention would be better suited having surgical or transcatheter treatment. We present guidance on the identification of stable patients with HVD that could have follow-up deferred safely and suggest certain patients that could be discharged from follow-up if waiting lists are triaged with appropriate clinical input. Finally, we propose that novel models of working enforced by the pandemic—such as increased use of virtual clinics—should be further developed and evaluated.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Newborns and Infants—Low Risk of Severe Disease: Silver Lining or Dark Cloud?

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (08) ◽  
pp. 845-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munmun Rawat ◽  
Praveen Chandrasekharan ◽  
Mark D. Hicar ◽  
Satyan Lakshminrusimha
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dark Cloud ◽  
Symptomatic Infection ◽  
Key Points ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
1918 Influenza ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Low Prevalence

One hundred years after the 1918 influenza pandemic, we now face another pandemic with the severe acute respiratory syndrome–novel coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is considerable variability in the incidence of infection and severe disease following exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Data from China and the United States suggest a low prevalence of neonates, infants, and children, with those affected not suffering from severe disease. In this article, we speculate different theories why this novel agent is sparing neonates, infants, and young children. The low severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population is associated with a high incidence of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infection making them efficient carriers. Key Points

scholarly journals The impact of novel COVID-19 initial pandemic on orthopedic healthcare: an experience from a single institution of South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 778-787
Author(s):  
Gun Woo Lee ◽  
Gi Beom Kim ◽  
In Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Preventive Surgery ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cancellation Rate ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background: This study was to investigate the cancellation rate and trend of orthopedic surgeries during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Moreover, we assessed the psychologic status of orthopedic healthcare workers, and investigated the details of the preventive surgeries underwent in COVID-19-positive patients.Methods: For 3 months after January 20, 2020, cancellation rates of elective surgeries were investigated, and the number of elective surgeries conducted in the same period over the last two years was compared. Four different questionnaires were used to investigate psychologic status among the orthopedic health care workers. We compared the outcomes according to occupation (physician or nurse), and type of work (faculty staff or resident physician). Outcomes according to occupation and type of work were compared. Preventive surgeries underwent in patients who could not wait for the results of the COVID-19 diagnosis were investigated.Results: Spine and hip surgery had relatively lower cancellation rates, and elective surgeries were significantly reduced. During the initial pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year and was different for each subdivision depending on the degree of pain or disability. The psychological outcomes were within the normal range and there were no significant differences between groups. After preventive surgery, all medical staff involved in the operation tested negative.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year. Orthopedic health care workers did not seem to have significant psychological distress. As a result of the preventive surgery in specialized facilities, all the medical staff who participated in the operation tested negative.

scholarly journals New Surgical Practice During COVID 19

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (05) ◽  
pp. 614-618
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sohail Asghar ◽  
Hafiz Syed Zaigham Ali Shah ◽  
Hamna Khan ◽  
Aima Zahid ◽  
Hammad Zia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Medical Teams ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
Transmission Of Disease

A sequence of pneumonia-causing diseases from the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) appeared in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019. The outbreak of COVID-19 spread quite rapidly. Just as we write this report, almost two and a half million verified cases were reported globally, and almost 180,000 people died.1 Experience from China reveals that COVID-19 outbreaks can be brought under control within 3 months, with highly efficient touch tracking and case isolation.2 Healthcare staff are at the forefront of treatment for COVID-19 cases and have a very large chance of exposure to the infection.3 Cuts in disposable gear and COVID-19 awareness are triggering infections in healthcare workers.4 As of February 11, 2020, China has contaminated more than 1,700 health-care workers. In Italy, 2026 (9 percent) of the COVID-19 incidents happened in healthcare professionals (as of March 15).5 But, 31 medical teams containing more than 42,000 nurses and doctors sent by the Hubei from other provinces did not have a reported infection. It indicates that sufficient information about the transmission of disease and the use of protective equipment and procedures to manage infections is necessary to avoid the spread of infection among health care staff.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Africa: The cost of perceived low incidence rates

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 050-054
Author(s):  
David Olufemi Adesanya ◽  
Precious Chidozie Azubuike
Keyword(s):  
Viral Disease ◽  
Information Management System ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
The Novel ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 is a viral disease caused by the novel coronavirus and has hit many countries of the world heavily. The impact of COVID-19 in Africa, is contrary to the experts and professional predictions. Most African have very poor healthcare systems, water supply, sanitary environment and other factors that are requisite to combating the spread of the virus. Reports on COVID-19 incidence from Africa may not be a true reflection of the actual situation. The poor health information management system predominant in most African countries and the inability to carry out effective testing for cases could be responsible for this reported low incidence rates. The implications of perceived low incidence constitute a burden to governments of nations, health care workers, educational and other institutions, communities, women and girls; as well as members of the population. As the virus spreads across Africa, there is a need to improve active case finding and report same to enable effective planning and resource mobilization towards containing the spread of the virus.

scholarly journals The pigtail macaque (Macaca nemestrina) model of COVID-19 reproduces diverse clinical outcomes and reveals new and complex signatures of disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. e1010162
Author(s):  
Alexandra Melton ◽  
Lara A. Doyle-Meyers ◽  
Robert V. Blair ◽  
Cecily Midkiff ◽  
Hunter J. Melton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Macaca Nemestrina ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Pigtail Macaque ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cytotoxic Molecules ◽  
Pathologic Lesions ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, has killed over five million people worldwide as of December 2021 with infections rising again due to the emergence of highly transmissible variants. Animal models that faithfully recapitulate human disease are critical for assessing SARS-CoV-2 viral and immune dynamics, for understanding mechanisms of disease, and for testing vaccines and therapeutics. Pigtail macaques (PTM, Macaca nemestrina) demonstrate a rapid and severe disease course when infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), including the development of severe cardiovascular symptoms that are pertinent to COVID-19 manifestations in humans. We thus proposed this species may likewise exhibit severe COVID-19 disease upon infection with SARS-CoV-2. Here, we extensively studied a cohort of SARS-CoV-2-infected PTM euthanized either 6- or 21-days after respiratory viral challenge. We show that PTM demonstrate largely mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease. Pulmonary infiltrates were dominated by T cells, including CD4+ T cells that upregulate CD8 and express cytotoxic molecules, as well as virus-targeting T cells that were predominantly CD4+. We also noted increases in inflammatory and coagulation markers in blood, pulmonary pathologic lesions, and the development of neutralizing antibodies. Together, our data demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection of PTM recapitulates important features of COVID-19 and reveals new immune and viral dynamics and thus may serve as a useful animal model for studying pathogenesis and testing vaccines and therapeutics.

scholarly journals Assessment of Anti-SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence in habitants of Assam (AASSHA): report of the first serosurvey in Assam

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2490
Author(s):  
Jyotismita Pathak ◽  
Mridusmita Das ◽  
Khalil Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background: Today, there is a pressing need to identify the proportion of people immune to the infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) so that public health policies can be formulated accordingly for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping this in mind, we designed a serosurvey in Assam with aims to estimate the prevalence of infection as well as the infection to case ratio of the novel coronavirus in Assam.Methods: A total of 9 districts belonging to three different strata of districts were randomly selected for the study. In these selected districts, blood samples were collected from a sample of population and were checked for the antibodies (IgG type). Those testing reactive for the mentioned antibodies were considered to have been infected ever before the onset of the study.Results: A total of 2390 study subjects were tested for the presence of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of people harboring antibodies against the infection was found to be 23.7 percent.Conclusions: The serosurvey revealed that the proportion of people having antibodies was lower than that required for attaining herd immunity levels in a population. The case to infection ratios reveal that there is a large chunk of population who didn’t know about their infection.

scholarly journals COVID-19: A 2020 update

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 88-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nadir Bhuiyan ◽  
Ravindra Ganesh ◽  
Amit K. Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Global Health Care ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The 2019 COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the global health-care system into a chaotic flux. Consolidating and reviewing all available knowledge will be crucial to combating the spread of this novel coronavirus. Prevention is paramount, but health care workers are at increased risk, and protective supplies are being limited and being rationed. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Hospitalizations are estimated to occur in about 20% of cases and are mostly due to pneumonia.[1] While multiple promising treatments are being reported in the medical literature; there is limited, reliable clinical data are available. To minimize exposure of medical staff to contagious patients and to provide rapid escalation of care to these patients, a telehealth strategy could be leveraged. Such a strategy would entail the use of both telemedicine visits for communication and digital health platforms for monitoring.

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