Statistical Analysis on the Impact of BCG Vaccination Policy of Different Economies on Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 (Cov-2) results in COVID-19 infection which affects the respiratory tract of the human body, so we investigated whether the BCG vaccine offers some protection against CoV-2 infection. Herein we examine whether the national programs that use BCG vaccination to reduce tuberculosis infections might be responsible for different incident and mortality rates which is observed in Covid-19 among various countries. There is some mechanistic evidence that shows the BCG vaccination can have some protective effects against the Covid-19 virus. Through our observation, we see that countries that still follow BCG vaccination policy have a significantly lower mortality rate than those countries that have discontinued this policy or never had one.

Download Full-text

Exercising caution in correlating COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates with BCG vaccination policies due to variable rates of SARS CoV-2 testing

10.1101/2020.04.08.20056051 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Janine Hensel ◽

Kathleen M. McAndrews ◽

Daniel J. McGrail ◽

Dara P. Dowlatshahi ◽

Valerie S. LeBleu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rates ◽

Bcg Vaccine ◽

The Novel ◽

Bacillus Calmette Guerin ◽

Vaccination Policy ◽

Bcg Vaccination ◽

The Past ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

A Current

ABSTRACTThe Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine provides protection against tuberculosis (TB), and is proposed to provide protection to non-TB infectious diseases. The COVID-19 outbreak results from infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) and was declared a pandemic on March 11th, 2020. We queried whether the BCG vaccine offers protection against CoV-2 infection. We observed that countries with a current universal BCG vaccination policy have a significantly lower COVID-19 incidence than countries which never had a universal BCG policy or had one in the past. However, population density, median age, TB incidence, urban population, and, most significantly, CoV-2 testing rate, were also connected with BCG policy and could potentially confound the analysis. By limiting the analysis to countries with high CoV-2 testing rates, defined as greater than 2,500 tests per million inhabitants, these parameters were no longer statistically associated with BCG policy. When analyzing only countries with high testing rates, there was no longer a significant association between the number of COVID-19 cases per million inhabitants and the BCG vaccination policy. Although preliminary, our analyses indicate that the BCG vaccination may not offer protection against CoV-2 infection. While reporting biases may confound our observations, our findings support exercising caution in determining potential correlation between BCG vaccination and COVID-19 incidence, in part due significantly lower rates of CoV-2 testing per million inhabitants in countries with current universal BCG vaccination policy.

Download Full-text

Impact of city and residential unit lockdowns on prevention and control of COVID-19

10.1101/2020.03.13.20035253 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Peng Shao

Keyword(s):

Human Mobility ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

The Novel ◽

Transmission Characteristics ◽

Appropriate Treatment ◽

Residential Units ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

And Control ◽

Reduced Mobility ◽

The Impact

AbstractWith respect to the asymptomatic transmission characteristics of the novel coronavirus that appeared in 2019 (COVID-19), a susceptible-asymptomatic-infected-recovered-death (SAIRD) model that considered human mobility was constructed in this study. The dissemination of COVID-19 was simulated using computational experiments to identify the mechanisms underlying the impact of city and residential lockdowns on controlling the spread of the epidemic. Results: The implementation of measures to lock down cities led to higher mortality rates in these cities, due to reduced mobility. Moreover, implementing city lockdown along with addition of hospital beds led to improved cure and reduced mortality rates. Stringent implementation and early lockdown of residential units effectively controlled the spread of the epidemic, and reduced the number of hospital bed requirements. Collectively, measures to lock down cities and residential units should be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, medical resources should be increased in cities under lockdown. Implementation of these measures would reduce the spread of the virus to other cities and allow appropriate treatment of patients in cities under lockdown.

Download Full-text

Relationship between Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccination Policy and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Incidence

Iranian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology ◽

10.18502/ijaai.v20i1.5417 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Soheila Alyasin ◽

Zahra Kanannejad ◽

Hossein Esmaeilzadeh ◽

Hesamedin Nabavizadeh ◽

Mohammad Amin Ghatee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Large Scale ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Bcg Vaccine ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Bacillus Calmette Guerin ◽

Vaccination Policy ◽

Bcg Vaccination

Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) was designed for protecting children against tuberculosis. Also, it can protect against other infectious diseases through the induction of trained immunity. Due to its heterologous protective effects, the BCG vaccine has been proposed as a treatment option for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Epidemiological studies have found that countries without BCG vaccination policy have experienced higher mortality rates related to COVID-19 infection than those with BCG vaccination policy. However, there are some confounding factors such as age, population intensity, immigration, the pandemic phase, and data accuracy that may affect these results. Therefore, this hypothesis should be evaluated by clinical trial studies. Large-scale clinical trials are in progress to investigate if the BCG vaccine could be used as a useful tool for protection against COVID-19 infection.

Download Full-text

Association and treatment of diabetes in patients affected by Covid-19

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3591 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 1198-1201

Author(s):

Syed Yasir Afaque

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Heart Diseases ◽

The Novel ◽

The World ◽

Treatment Of Diabetes ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Composite Outcomes ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

In December 2019, a unique coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in the province of Wuhan in China. Since then, it spread rapidly all over the world and has been responsible for a large number of morbidity and mortality among humans. According to a latest study, Diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, Hypertension etc. are being considered important risk factors for the development of this infection and is also associated with unfavorable outcomes in these patients. There is little evidence concerning the trail back of these patients possibly because of a small number of participants and people who experienced primary composite outcomes (such as admission in the ICU, usage of machine-driven ventilation or even fatality of these patients). Until now, there are no academic findings that have proven independent prognostic value of diabetes on death in the novel Coronavirus patients. However, there are several conjectures linking Diabetes with the impact as well as progression of COVID-19 in these patients. The aim of this review is to acknowledge about the association amongst Diabetes and the novel Coronavirus and the result of the infection in such patients.

Download Full-text

SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection: a series of cases from the Federal District, Midwestern Brazil

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06456-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Heidi Luise Schulte ◽

José Diego Brito-Sousa ◽

Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda ◽

Luciana Ansaneli Naves ◽

Eliana Teles de Gois ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Federal District ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Diagnostic Process ◽

The Novel ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Since the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, over 179.7 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, including the population living in dengue-endemic regions, particularly Latin America and Southeast Asia, raising concern about the impact of possible co-infections. Methods Thirteen SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection cases reported in Midwestern Brazil between April and September of 2020 are described. Information was gathered from hospital medical records regarding the most relevant clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic process, therapeutic interventions, together with clinician-assessed outcomes and follow-up. Results Of the 13 cases, seven patients presented Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Syndrome and six had pre-existing co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension and hypopituitarism. Two patients were pregnant. The most common symptoms and clinical signs reported at first evaluation were myalgia, fever and dyspnea. In six cases, the initial diagnosis was dengue fever, which delayed the diagnosis of concomitant infections. The most frequently applied therapeutic interventions were antibiotics and analgesics. In total, four patients were hospitalized. None of them were transferred to the intensive care unit or died. Clinical improvement was verified in all patients after a maximum of 21 days. Conclusions The cases reported here highlight the challenges in differential diagnosis and the importance of considering concomitant infections, especially to improve clinical management and possible prevention measures. Failure to consider a SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection may impact both individual and community levels, especially in endemic areas.

Download Full-text

Pediatric Endocrinology in the Time of COVID-19: Considerations for the Rapid Implementation of Telemedicine and Management of Pediatric Endocrine Conditions

Hormone Research in Paediatrics ◽

10.1159/000513060 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 343-350

Author(s):

Molly O. Regelmann ◽

Rushika Conroy ◽

Evgenia Gourgari ◽

Anshu Gupta ◽

Ines Guttmann-Bauman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Care ◽

Care Patient ◽

The Novel ◽

Patient Privacy ◽

Pediatric Endocrinology ◽

Quality Of Patient Care ◽

Care Outcomes ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

Background: Pediatric endocrine practices had to rapidly transition to telemedicine care at the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For many, it was an abrupt introduction to providing virtual healthcare, with concerns related to quality of patient care, patient privacy, productivity, and compensation, as workflows had to change. Summary: The review summarizes the common adaptations for telemedicine during the pandemic with respect to the practice of pediatric endocrinology and discusses the benefits and potential barriers to telemedicine. Key Messages: With adjustments to practice, telemedicine has allowed providers to deliver care to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The broader implementation of telemedicine in pediatric endocrinology practice has the potential for expanding patient access. Research assessing the impact of telemedicine on patient care outcomes in those with pediatric endocrinology conditions will be necessary to justify its continued use beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Coronavirus, the great toilet paper panic and civilisation

Thesis Eleven ◽

10.1177/07255136211033167 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 072551362110331

Author(s):

Jon Stratton

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Federal Government ◽

Perceived Threat ◽

The Novel ◽

Social Breakdown ◽

Toilet Paper ◽

Western Civilisation ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Key Aspects ◽

The Impact

Panic buying of toilet rolls in Australia began in early March 2020. This was related to the realisation that the novel coronavirus was spreading across the country. To the general population the impact of the virus was unknown. Gradually the federal government started closing the country’s borders. The panic buying of toilet rolls was not unique to Australia. It happened across all societies that used toilet paper rather than water to clean after defecation and urination. However, research suggests that the panic buying was most extreme in Australia. This article argues that the panic buying was closely linked to everyday notions of Western civilisation. Pedestal toilets and toilet paper are key aspects of civilisation and the fear of the loss of toilet paper is connected to anxiety about social breakdown, the loss of civilisation. This is the fear manifested in the perceived threat posed by the virus.

Download Full-text

Endovascular Aortic Repair in Patients of Advanced Age

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/15266028211049342 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152660282110493

Author(s):

Mitri K. Khoury ◽

Micah A. Thornton ◽

Christopher A. Heid ◽

Jacqueline Babb ◽

Bala Ramanan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Survival Benefit ◽

Elective Surgery ◽

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair ◽

The Elderly ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Current Data ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Advanced Age ◽

The Impact

Purpose: Treatment decisions for the elderly with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are challenging. With advancing age, the risk of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) increases while life expectancy decreases, which may nullify the benefit of EVAR. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of EVAR on 1-year mortality in patients of advanced age. Materials and Methods: The 2003–2020 Vascular Quality Initiative Database was utilized to identify patients who underwent EVAR for AAAs. Patients were included if they were 80 years of age or older. Exclusions included non-elective surgery or missing aortic diameter data. Predicted 1-year mortality of untreated AAAs was calculated based on a validated comorbidity score that predicts 1-year mortality (Gagne Index, excluding the component associated with AAAs) plus the 1-year aneurysm-related mortality without repair. The primary outcome for the study was 1-year mortality. Results: A total of 11 829 patients met study criteria. The median age was 84 years [81, 86] with 9014 (76.2%) being male. Maximal AAA diameters were apportioned as follows: 39.6% were <5.5 cm, 28.6% were 5.5–5.9 cm, 21.3% were 6.0–6.9 cm, and 10.6% were ≥7.0 cm. The predicted 1-year mortality rate without EVAR was 11.9%, which was significantly higher than the actual 1-year mortality rate with EVAR (8.2%; p<0.001). The overall rate of perioperative MACE was 4.4% (n = 516). Patients with an aneurysm diameter <5.5cm had worse actual 1-year mortality rates with EVAR compared to predicted 1-year mortality rates without EVAR. In contrast, those with larger aneurysms (≥5.5cm) had better actual 1-year mortality rates with EVAR. The benefit from EVAR for those with Gagne Indices 2–5 was largely restricted to those with AAAs ≥ 7.0cm; whereas those with Gagne Indices 0–1 experience a survival benefit for AAAs larger than 5.5 cm. Conclusion: The current data suggest that EVAR decreases 1-year mortality rates for patients of advanced age compared to non-operative management in the elderly. However, the survival benefit is largely limited to those with Gagne Indices 0–1 with AAAs ≥ 5.5 cm and Gagne Indices 2–5 with AAAs ≥ 7.0 cm. Those of advanced age may benefit from EVAR, but realizing this benefit requires careful patient selection.

Download Full-text