Eye in COVID-19: A Brief Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mohsin Ali ◽  
Qudsia Anwar Dar ◽  
Zahid Kamal ◽  
Alishba Khan
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Transmission Route ◽  
Ocular Manifestation ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Infection Control Measures

This is a brief review covering the currently available literature on ocular manifestations of COVID-19, andprevention strategies for ophthalmologists. A literature search was carried out of Pubmed, Google Scholar andWHO database of publications on COVID. Keywords used in the search were eye, ocular manifestations,ophthalmology, COVID-19, nCoV-2019, and coronavirus disease. All available articles were reviewed and thosepertinent to the study topic were included. Considering the dearth of information available, ophthalmology journals were also searched separately for relevant articles. Major ocular manifestation of COVID reported in literature is red eye, which usually presents before the onset of respiratory symptoms. Since the eye can be a possible transmission route for SARS-CoV-2, infection control measures should be undertaken by ophthalmologists, including use of personal protection equipment and eye/face covering. A framework for structuring ophthalmological services during the COVID pandemic is also presented in this review.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perception regarding personal protection equipment and infection control measures against COVID-19 among dental practitioners of Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
SaeedAli Alqahtani ◽  
MashaelObaid Alshahrani ◽  
MonaOweidh Alnefaie ◽  
AbdullahMana Almofrej ◽  
FahadHassan Aldaghsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Practitioners

scholarly journals Sources of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Microorganisms in Dental Aerosols

2021 ◽  
pp. 002203452110159
Author(s):  
A.P. Meethil ◽  
S. Saraswat ◽  
P.P. Chaudhary ◽  
S.M. Dabdoub ◽  
P.S. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
16S Sequencing ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

On March 16, 2020, 198,000 dentists in the United States closed their doors to patients, fueled by concerns that aerosols generated during dental procedures are potential vehicles for transmission of respiratory pathogens through saliva. Our knowledge of these aerosol constituents is sparse and gleaned from case reports and poorly controlled studies. Therefore, we tracked the origins of microbiota in aerosols generated during ultrasonic scaling, implant osteotomy, and restorative procedures by combining reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (to identify and quantify SARS-CoV-2) and 16S sequencing (to characterize the entire microbiome) with fine-scale enumeration and source tracking. Linear discriminant analysis of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity distances revealed significant class separation between the salivary microbiome and aerosol microbiota deposited on the operator, patient, assistant, or the environment ( P < 0.01, analysis of similarities). We also discovered that 78% of the microbiota in condensate could be traced to the dental irrigant, while saliva contributed to a median of 0% of aerosol microbiota. We also identified low copy numbers of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the saliva of several asymptomatic patients but none in aerosols generated from these patients. Together, the bacterial and viral data encourage us to conclude that when infection control measures are used, such as preoperative mouth rinses and intraoral high-volume evacuation, dental treatment is not a factor in increasing the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic patients and that standard infection control practices are sufficiently capable of protecting personnel and patients from exposure to potential pathogens. This information is of immediate urgency, not only for safe resumption of dental treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but also to inform evidence-based selection of personal protection equipment and infection control practices at a time when resources are stretched and personal protection equipment needs to be prioritized.

scholarly journals Ward renovation and PPE use procedures to protect medical staff from COVID-19 infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (06) ◽  
pp. 554-558
Author(s):  
Zhengze Lin ◽  
Hongmei Shu ◽  
Dongping Jiang ◽  
Yanlan He ◽  
Hongtao Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Staff ◽  
General Ward ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Personal Protection Equipment ◽  
Underdeveloped Countries ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Late Stages

In the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, many cross-infections occurred due to the limited number of wards and insufficient medical staff, which could not cope with the large number of patients visiting the hospital. A series of new infection control measures were implemented in our institution and a Wuhan hospital supported by our medical team, mainly including temporarily transforming the general ward into a passage for the staff to enter the infectious ward and standardizing the procedure for the wearing and removal of personal protection equipment (PPE). These measures significantly improved the situation, and no member of our medical staff was infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the middle and late stages of the disease epidemic. We hope that these experiences can provide references for medical institutions that may face an outbreak of COVID-19, especially those in underdeveloped countries and regions.

scholarly journals Multiple Respiratory Syncytial Virus Introductions Into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Billig Rose ◽  
Erica J Washington ◽  
Lijuan Wang ◽  
Isaac Benowitz ◽  
Natalie J Thornburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract Background Outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are of concern because of the risk of severe disease in young infants. We describe an outbreak of RSV in a NICU and use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better understand the relatedness of viruses among patients. Methods An investigation was conducted to identify patients and describe their clinical course. Infection control measures were implemented to prevent further spread. Respiratory specimens from outbreak-related patients and the community were tested using WGS. Phylogenetic trees were constructed to understand relatedness of the viruses. Results Seven patients developed respiratory symptoms within an 11-day span in December 2017 and were diagnosed with RSV; 6 patients (86%) were preterm and 1 had chronic lung disease. Three patients required additional respiratory support after symptom onset, and none died. Six of 7 patients were part of the same cluster based on &gt; 99.99% nucleotide agreement with each other and 3 unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in viruses sequenced from those patients. The seventh patient was admitted from the community with respiratory symptoms and had a genetically distinct virus that was not related to the other 6. Implementation of enhanced infection control measures likely limited the spread. Conclusions Using WGS, we found 2 distinct introductions of RSV into a NICU, highlighting the risk of healthcare-associated infections during RSV season. Early recognition and infection control measures likely limited spread, emphasizing the importance of considering RSV in the differential diagnosis of respiratory infections in healthcare settings.

scholarly journals Estimating the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader: A stochastic model of a night on the town

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110314
Author(s):  
Nils Henrik Kolnes ◽  
Snorre Nilsen Eikeland ◽  
Tor Albert Ersdal ◽  
Geir Sverre Braut
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Stochastic Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
The Town

A stochastic model estimated the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader event occurring in the local municipality of Stavanger, Norway as a result of a night on the town. The model imposed different infection control regulations and compared these different scenarios. For Stavanger’s 161 locations of service, secondary transmissions from a super spreader event was estimated to infect a median of 37, requiring the quarantining of 200 guests given no infection control regulations, 23 and 167 when imposing social distancing regulations and other hygienic infection control measures, 7 infected and 63 quarantined guests with restrictions placed on the guest capacity, and 4 infected and 57 quarantined guests with both forms of restriction in use.

scholarly journals Can Copper Products and Surfaces Reduce the Spread of Infectious Microorganisms and Hospital-Acquired Infections?

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3444
Author(s):  
Joji Abraham ◽  
Kim Dowling ◽  
Singarayer Florentine
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Infection Control Measures

Pathogen transfer and infection in the built environment are globally significant events, leading to the spread of disease and an increase in subsequent morbidity and mortality rates. There are numerous strategies followed in healthcare facilities to minimize pathogen transfer, but complete infection control has not, as yet, been achieved. However, based on traditional use in many cultures, the introduction of copper products and surfaces to significantly and positively retard pathogen transmission invites further investigation. For example, many microbes are rendered unviable upon contact exposure to copper or copper alloys, either immediately or within a short time. In addition, many disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, hospital superbugs, and several viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) are also susceptible to exposure to copper surfaces. It is thus suggested that replacing common touch surfaces in healthcare facilities, food industries, and public places (including public transport) with copper or alloys of copper may substantially contribute to limiting transmission. Subsequent hospital admissions and mortality rates will consequently be lowered, with a concomitant saving of lives and considerable levels of resources. This consideration is very significant in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming epidemics, as it is becoming clear that all forms of possible infection control measures should be practiced in order to protect community well-being and promote healthy outcomes.

scholarly journals Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the emergency department by implementing a separate pathway for patients with respiratory conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulwah Alqahtani ◽  
Marzouqah Alanazi ◽  
Wajdan Alassaf ◽  
Fadilah Sfouq Aleanizy ◽  
Muna Aljahany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Respiratory Pathway ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Separate Pathway ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to describe the development and implementation of a separated pathway to check and treat patients with a suspected/confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the emergency department (ED) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh. Methods We conducted a retrospective, descriptive longitudinal study from March to July 2020 by analyzing data of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ED visitors and healthcare workers in King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital. Results During the study period, a total of 1,182 swab samples were collected for testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), of which 285 (24.1%) tested positive. Of the 285 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 18 were healthcare workers and 267 were patients. As a result of using the respiratory pathway for COVID-19 patients, the hospital managed to limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2 not only between patients but also between patients and healthcare workers, while also containing the pandemic. There were no cases of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection recorded among the patients who visited the ED or the flu clinic. All confirmed cases were community acquired and patients were cared for under constrained measures. Conclusions Implementing infection control measures and restricting those with respiratory symptoms to the ED pathway prevented nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the ED.

Healthcare personnel experiences implementing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infection control measures at a ventilator-capable skilled nursing facility—A qualitative analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Katharina R. Rynkiewich ◽  
Jinal Makhija ◽  
Mary Carl M. Froilan ◽  
Ellen C. Benson ◽  
Alice Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Skilled Nursing ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Resident Care ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Self Protection

Abstract Objective: Ventilator-capable skilled nursing facilities (vSNFs) are critical to the epidemiology and control of antibiotic-resistant organisms. During an infection prevention intervention to control carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), we conducted a qualitative study to characterize vSNF healthcare personnel beliefs and experiences regarding infection control measures. Design: A qualitative study involving semistructured interviews. Setting: One vSNF in the Chicago, Illinois, metropolitan region. Participants: The study included 17 healthcare personnel representing management, nursing, and nursing assistants. Methods: We used face-to-face, semistructured interviews to measure healthcare personnel experiences with infection control measures at the midpoint of a 2-year quality improvement project. Results: Healthcare personnel characterized their facility as a home-like environment, yet they recognized that it is a setting where germs were ‘invisible’ and potentially ‘threatening.’ Healthcare personnel described elaborate self-protection measures to avoid acquisition or transfer of germs to their own household. Healthcare personnel were motivated to implement infection control measures to protect residents, but many identified structural barriers such as understaffing and time constraints, and some reported persistent preference for soap and water. Conclusions: Healthcare personnel in vSNFs, from management to frontline staff, understood germ theory and the significance of multidrug-resistant organism transmission. However, their ability to implement infection control measures was hampered by resource limitations and mixed beliefs regarding the effectiveness of infection control measures. Self-protection from acquiring multidrug-resistant organisms was a strong motivator for healthcare personnel both outside and inside the workplace, and it could explain variation in adherence to infection control measures such as a higher hand hygiene adherence after resident care than before resident care.

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