scholarly journals How COVID-19 brought smell disorders in the spotlight

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (44) ◽  
pp. 136-142
Author(s):  
Mihaela Cristina Neagu ◽  
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Neurologic Manifestations ◽  
Boolean Operator ◽  
Pathophysiologic Mechanism ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Smell Disorders ◽  
Chemosensory Function ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

Abstract The rapid spread of the COVID-19 infection required prompt recognition and immediate isolation of patients. In the evolution of the disease various symptoms were indicated as suggestive of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, among them being also described anosmia and ageusia. In order to review how olfactory disorders are related to COVID-19 disease, we carried out an analysis by searching PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, and LILACS. The research was made using MeSH descriptors and the Boolean operator, “AND”, for the terms “olfactory disorders” or “olfactory dysfunction” or “anosmia” or “neurologic manifestations” or “ENT symptoms” AND “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV-2” or “coronavirus infections”, with a filter on the publication date set for 01.01.2020 – 18.06.2021. A total of 956 articles were found in the databases, out of which 14 were included in the study. The statistics suggest that alterations of the chemosensory function are strongly correlated with COVID-19, although the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not well established. Symptomatology suggestive of chemosensory dys-function (smell primarily and then taste alterations) elevate the degree of suspicion of a SARS-CoV-2 infection and they commend prompt isolation and surveillance measurements.

scholarly journals The Scenario of a Pandemic Spread of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is Based on a Statistical Fallacy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christof Kuhbandner
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Increase ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

In view of the rapidly increasing numbers of reported new coronavirus infections, many speak of an upcoming pandemic. However, since the number of conducted coronavirus tests has rapidly increased over time as well, the apparent increase in infections may actually reflect increased testing, rather than a rapid spread of the coronavirus. To examine this issue, data from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and USA were analyzed. In all countries, the rapid increase in reported new infections was largely attributable to the rapid increase in conducted tests. Statistically controlling for the increased amount of testing revealed that the increases in reported infections dramatically overestimate the true increases in every country. According to the estimated true courses of new infections, the increases were initially much smaller, and the courses of new infections have already flattened or are even decreasing since the beginning of calendar week 13 (March 23) in almost all countries. The courses of reported new infections and deaths started to increase almost simultaneously in every country, which further confirms that the increases in reported new infections reflect effects of increased testing. These results indicate that the scenario of a coronavirus pandemic is based on a statistical fallacy.<br>

Anosmia: Differential Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. e3-e7 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Scangas ◽  
Benjamin S. Bleier
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Smell Disorders

The ability to scrutinize our surroundings remains heavily dependent on the sense of smell. From the ability to detect dangerous situations such as fires to the recollection of a fond memory triggered by an odor, the advantages of an intact olfactory system cannot be overstated. Outcomes studies have highlighted the profound negative impact of anosmia and parosmia on the overall quality of life. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that ∼1.4% of the United States population experiences chronic olfactory dysfunction and smell loss. Efforts have focused on improving both the diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction through olfactory testing and improved reporting of treatment outcomes of olfactory training. The purpose of this article was to review the differential diagnosis, workup, and current treatment strategies of anosmia and smell disorders.

scholarly journals Angular Leaf Spot: A Bacterial Disease in Strawberries in Florida

EDIS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia A. Peres ◽  
Silvia I. Rondon ◽  
James F. Price ◽  
Daniel J. Cantliffe
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Gray Mold ◽  
Angular Leaf Spot ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Pythium Root Rot ◽  
Xanthomonas Fragariae ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Sphaerotheca Macularis

Angular Leaf Spot (ALS) is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy & King, a pathogen highly specific to wild and cultivated strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Legard et al. 2003). ALS is an important disease on winter strawberry production worldwide. In the U.S., it ranks 6th in economic importance after gray mold (Botrytis cinerea L.), verticillium wilt (Verticillium alboatrum Reinke & Berth), powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis L.), anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), and pythium root rot (Pythium spp.) (Sorensen et al. 1997). The rapid spread of ALS is influenced by the increasing rate of interchange of plant material. This is document PP-199, a publication of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: June 2004. PP-199/PP120: Angular Leaf Spot of Strawberries (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals Pharmacotherapy of COVID-19: confine to existential drugs or search for new ones?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
izzettin hatip-Al-Khatib ◽  
Funda F. Bölükbaşi Hatip
Keyword(s):  
Economic Losses ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
The World ◽  
Pharmacology And Toxicology ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Old Drugs

Background The recent COVID-19 outbreak (pandemic) has inflicted great human lives and economic losses. Aside from being abated, new surges in cases are being recorded. The sudden emergence and fulmination of the disease and its rapid spread caught the health authorities worldwide, including the developed ones, off guard, with no novel drugs available. Therefore there was no choice other than using the old drugs. Objectives This study aims to reveal the possible mechanism of action, adverse drug reactions and beneficial combination of drugs used in COVID-19 treatment Methods We undertook a comprehensive living structural review of COVID-19, searching databases, and other sources to identify literature on drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19. We analyzed the sources, publication date, type, and the topic of the retrieved articles/studies in the available search machines. Results Although a large number of literature on COVID-19 deals with pathology, clinic, and epidemiological issues, few studies that tackle pharmacology and toxicology of the drugs used could be found in the literature. At least twenty six (26) drugs, alone or in various combinations, are found in the literature to be used in various countries in the world. These drugs had been used previously for other purposes but they also possess activities that could target various steps involved in the virus invasion-replication-multiplication and leaving the cell. Pharmacokinetic fundamentals had also been applied in some combination (decrease Lopnavirs metabolism by ritonavir), but some drugs that were initially extensively used at high doses without benefiting from some of their properties are recently being abandoned (hydroxychloroquine, ionophore for Zn2+). Conclusion The literature concerning drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 lag far behind the great number of literature that discusses diseases pathogenicity, clinical picture, and epidemiology. The World indeed had been caught unprepared for COVID-19, hence obliged to use old drugs.

Pharmacotherapy of COVID-19: confine to existential drugs or search for new ones? (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izzettin Hatip-Al-Khatib ◽  
Funda Bolukbasi Hatip
Keyword(s):  
Economic Losses ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
The World ◽  
Pharmacology And Toxicology ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Old Drugs

UNSTRUCTURED Background The recent COVID-19 outbreak (pandemic) has inflicted great human lives and economic losses. Aside from being abated, new surges in cases are being recorded. The sudden emergence and fulmination of the disease and its rapid spread caught the health authorities worldwide, including the developed ones, off guard, with no novel drugs available. Therefore there was no choice other than using the old drugs. Objectives This study aims to reveal the possible mechanism of action, adverse drug reactions and beneficial combination of drugs used in COVID-19 treatment Methods We undertook a comprehensive living structural review of COVID-19, searching databases, and other sources to identify literature on drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19. We analyzed the sources, publication date, type, and the topic of the retrieved articles/studies in the available search machines. Results Although a great number of literature on COVID-19 deals with pathology, clinic, and epidemiological issues, few studies that tackle pharmacology and toxicology of the drugs used could be found in the literature. At least twenty six (26) drugs, alone or in various combinations, are found in the literature to be used in various countries in the world. These drugs had been used previously for other purposes but they also possess activities that could target various steps involved in the virus invasion-replication-multiplication and leaving the cell. Pharmacokinetic fundamentals had also been applied in some combination (decrease Lopnavir’s metabolism by ritonavir), but some drugs that were initially extensively used at high doses without benefiting from some of their properties are recently being abandoned (hydroxychloroquine, ionophore for Zn2+). Conclusion The literature concerning drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 lag far behind the great number of literature that discusses disease’s pathogenicity, clinical picture, and epidemiology. The World indeed had been caught unprepared for COVID-19, hence obliged to use old drugs.

Impact of Routine Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery on Subjective Olfaction and Gustation Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanki Hura ◽  
Cinthia P Orlov ◽  
Adham M Khalafallah ◽  
Debraj Mukherjee ◽  
Nicholas R Rowan
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Psychosocial Implications ◽  
Chemosensory Function ◽  
Direct Investigation

Abstract BACKGROUND As endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) for sellar pathology has become routine, there is increasing awareness of quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes related to this approach. Similarly, there is a growing interest in postoperative chemosensory function, with notable emphasis on olfaction and the corresponding psychosocial implications of olfactory dysfunction. Meanwhile, there has been minimal direct investigation into gustatory outcomes, and the association between these 2 chemosensory functions remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate patient-reported chemosensory function and rhinologic-specific QOL following EESBS for routine sellar pathologies. METHODS Comprehensive clinical characteristics and sinonasal QOL assessments, measured using Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory-12 (ASK Nasal-12), were collected from 46 patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathology. RESULTS Forty-six patients were included: 65.2% female, average age 52.8 yr (range: 27-89). The most common pathology was nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (n = 28). Preoperative ASK Nasal-12 scores (mean = 0.81) demonstrated postoperative worsening at 2 wk (mean = 2.52, P &lt; .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 1.33, P = .0031), with no difference at 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 0.89, P = .92). Meanwhile, there was significant worsening of preoperative subjective smell (mean = 0.62) and taste function (mean = 0.42) at 2 wk (mean = 3.48, P &lt; .0001; mean = 2.69, P &lt; .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 2.40, P &lt; .0001; mean = 2.03, P &lt; .0001) postoperatively, which persisted at approximately 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 1.26, P = .04; mean = 1.15, P = .0059). CONCLUSION Patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathologies experience anticipated, temporary disruptions in sinonasal QOL but may have longer lasting perturbations in subjective olfaction and gustation. Given the increasing use of the endoscopic endonasal corridor, further investigation in postoperative chemosensory function is essential.

scholarly journals Chemosensory Function and Dysfunction

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.I. Spielman
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Transduction Mechanisms ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
Smell Disorders ◽  
Chemosensory Function ◽  
Taste And Smell

Taste and smell are fundamental sensory systems essential in nutrition and food selection, for the hedonic and sensory experience of food, for efficient metabolism, and, in general, for the maintenance of a good quality of life. The gustatory and olfactory systems demonstrate a diversity of transduction mechanisms, and during the last decade, considerable progress has been made toward our understanding of the basic mechanisms of taste and smell. Understanding normal chemosensory function helps clarify the molecular events that underlie taste and smell disorders. At least 2,000,000 Americans suffer from chemosensory disorders-a number that is likely to grow as the aging segment of the population increases. Smell disorders are more frequent than taste disturbances, due to the vulnerability and anatomical distinctiveness of the olfactory system, and because a decline in olfactory function is part of the normal aging process. Common gustatory and olfactory complaints are due to a number of medications, to upper respiratory infections, to nasal and paranasal sinus diseases, and to damage to peripheral nerves supplying taste and smell. Most chemosensory complaints have an identifiable cause. Although diagnosis of taste and smell disorders has improved considerably over the last two decades, treatment of these disorders is still limited to conditions with discernible and reversible causes. Future research is needed for a better understanding of chemosensory mechanisms, establishing improved diagnostic procedures, and disseminating knowledge on chemosensory disorders among practitioners and the general public.

scholarly journals Anosmia and COVID-19: perspectives on its association and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Roberto da Silva Júnior ◽  
André Luis Oliveira Ramos Gomes ◽  
Lucas Eugênio Araújo Coelho ◽  
Mariana Almeida Morais ◽  
Pedro Vinícius Furtado Carneiro de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Bulb ◽  
Nasal Cavity ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Boolean Operator ◽  
Great Affinity ◽  
Early Implementation ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

AbstractWith the spread of SARS-CoV-2, contingency measures and plans to facilitate the screening of infected patients are needed. Changes in olfaction have been cited as symptoms of the disease, and it is important to prove or exclude its association with this condition to refine the symptomatic criteria for early isolation. This article aims to analyze the association between olfactory disorders and SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as investigate the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The research was carried out using the PubMed, Science Direct, and LILACS databases on May 9, 2020, and updated on May 21. Combinations of MeSH descriptors and the Boolean operator, “AND,” were used: coronavirus infections AND olfactory disorders, coronavirus infections, and neurological manifestations. A total of 1187 articles were found in the databases, of which 17 were included in the study. The data suggest that changes in smell are strongly associated with Covid-19, especially in women and patients with fever; these changes increase the degree of suspicion of Covid-19, and they warrant early implementation of isolation and surveillance measures. There are still gaps in the elucidation of the pathways involved in the loss of smell caused by SARS-CoV-2; however, the great affinity of the virus for ACE-2 receptors, which are present in large quantities in the nasal cavity and olfactory bulb, has been considered.

scholarly journals Clinical Implications of Psychophysical Olfactory Testing: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Outcome

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baihan Su ◽  
Benjamin Bleier ◽  
Yongxiang Wei ◽  
Dawei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Sinus Surgery ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
General Adult Population ◽  
Olfactory Processing ◽  
Smell Disorders

Purpose of ReviewOlfactory dysfunction dramatically impairs quality of life with a prevalence of 20% in the general adult population. Psychophysical olfactory testing has been widely used to evaluate the ability to smell due to its validated utility and feasibility in clinic. This review summarizes the current literature regarding psychophysical olfactory testing and the clinical relevance of the olfactory testing with different components. Furthermore, the review highlights the diagnosis and treatment value of olfactory subtests in patients with olfactory dysfunction.Recent FindingsWith the accumulation of studies of psychophysical olfactory testing in olfactory disorders, the clinical relevance of olfactory testing with different components is expanding. Different olfactory domains present with distinct olfactory processing and cortical activity. Psychophysical assessment of olfaction with three domains reveals different levels of olfactory processing and might assist with analyzing the pathophysiologic mechanism of the various olfactory disorders. Furthermore, olfactory thresholds provided the largest amount of non-redundant information to the olfactory diagnosis. Sinonasal olfactory dysfunction and non-sinonasal-related olfactory dysfunction are emerging classifications of smell disorders with certain characteristics of olfactory impairment and different responses to the therapy including steroids, sinus surgery, and olfactory training.SummaryThese recent advancements should promote the understanding of psychophysical olfactory testing, the association between individual subcomponents and neurophysiological processes, and pave the way for precision assessment and treatment of the olfactory dysfunction.

scholarly journals Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and parthenogenetic Asian longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aihua Zheng ◽  
Zhibin Zhang ◽  
Guogang Zhang ◽  
Xiangjiang Zhan Zhan ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Phylogeographic Analysis ◽  
Population Spread ◽  
Bisexual Population ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Severe Fever

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is spreading rapidly in Asia. It is transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian longhorned tick, ALT), which has both parthenogenetically and sexually reproducing populations. Parthenogenetic populations were found in at least 15 provinces in China and strongly correlated with the distribution of SFTS. The distribution of SFTS cases was however poorly correlated with the distribution of populations of bisexual ALTs. Phylogeographic analysis suggested that the parthenogenetic population spread much faster than bisexual population because colonization is independent of sexual reproduction. A higher proportion of parthenogenetic ALTs were collected from migratory birds captured at an SFTS endemic area, implicating the contribution to the long-range movement of ALTs in China. The SFTSV susceptibility of parthenogenetic females was like that of bisexual females under laboratory conditions. These results suggest that parthenogenetic ALT, probably transported by migratory birds, play a major role in the rapid spread of SFTSV.

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