Policy Responses Against the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America
Covid19Infectious Disease2 moreLatin America is one of the worst-hit areas from the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Policy responses to COVID-19 in Latin America have sought to reduce viral spread, increase the capacity of the health system response, mitigate negative consequences, and strengthen governance. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of COVID-19 policies in Latin America or explored subnational variation in their effectiveness. In this observational study, the investigators will use a two-stage interrupted time series to estimate the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions in third-tier subnational units on SARS-COV2 transmission and COVID-19 mortality in Latin America. The investigators will estimate the effects in each local government, and then run a random-effects meta-analysis to obtain pooled effects for each intervention (and combinations of) and heterogeneity estimates. Finally, the investigators will explore potential explanations for the heterogeneity at the local level.
RT-PCR on Conjunctival Sample for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients With Covid-19
SARS-CoV InfectionPinkeyethe purpose of the study is to study the detection of SARS-Cov-2 virus in the conjunctiva of covid-19 patients and the presence or absence of conjunctivitis in these patients
COVID-19 Contact Study by Antigen Detection Test
SARS-CoV InfectionStopping the SARS-CoV2 spread is essential to control the pandemic cause by this virus. A great effort is being made to carry out surveillance, case detection and contact control protocols in order to detect and isolate those contagious subjects. Since both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects can be contagious, a surveillance system based on the presence of symptoms is not enough, requiring to perform diagnostic tests in a large number of subjects, such as asymptomatic contacts or high-prevalence populations, and repeatedly. Moreover, the speed in obtaining results is crucial in order not to delay the isolations of positive subjects. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an expensive test which requires specialized equipment and personnel with a delay in results of 24-48 hours. In addition, its high sensitivity can mean that subjects without infective capacity have a positive result. In contrast, antigen detection tests (ADTs) are cheap and easy to perform, having a result in few minutes. They have shown high sensitivity and specificity in symptomatic subjects, specially in the first week of symptoms when the viral load is high. This could be very useful for the study of asymptomatic contacts to detect those with potential contagiousness quick, easily and cheaply. However, there is no evidence to support the use of ADTs in this group of subjects. For this reason, the investigators propose to carry out a study to compare the diagnostic efficacy of ADTs versus PCR in the group of subjects considered to be close contacts of SARS-Cov2 positive patients in the health area of Cáceres.
COVID-19 Infection and Fetal-neonatal Outcomes
Covid19Obstetric Complication4 moreCOVID-19, the coronavirus responsible for the pandemic that began at the end of 2019 in China, spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact. The most common symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, asthenia or myalgia, wheezing and headache, and the most serious complication is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The new coronavirus has continued to spread to multiple countries and continents so much so that the epidemic was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Interest (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020. In the first phase of emergency worldwide, characterized by high morbidity and mortality, scientific interest has been mainly directed to the study of the transmission mechanisms of the infection, diagnostic tools and therapies for ARDS, especially in elderly and co-morbid patients. Interest has rapidly spread to other categories of patients and in particular to pregnancy, on which the virus could impact in different ways, with consequences for both the mother and the fetus. A recent systematic review that included all published reports on Coronaviruses (COVID-19, SARS, and MERS) in pregnancy showed that preterm delivery is the most frequently reported adverse event in these women, and that COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and caesarean section. Nonetheless, the limited sample size, the main inclusion of cases reported for acute respiratory symptoms, the lack of information on previous pathologies potentially capable of complicating pregnancy, do not allow for the extrapolation of strong evidence on the course of infection in pregnancy. Therefore, the current status of the scientific literature does not allow for general and wide-ranging implications. THe investigators therefore believe it is particularly useful to investigate maternal and fetal outcomes in this new broader scenario, including all pregnancies associated with asymptomatic or symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, found in any gestational period, in order to evaluate in a "real world scenario" "Actual rates of maternal-fetal and neonatal adverse events
Ruxolitinib for the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients With COVID-19 Infection...
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2It is an observational, cohort, retrospective, monocentric, non-profit study. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 with rapid deterioration of respiratory parameters in the last 12 hours.
Monocytes and NK Cells Activity in Covid-19 Patients
COVID-19Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 21 moreSARS-CoV-2 belong to beta-coronavirus family and its transmission route and symptoms follow those of all community-acquired coronaviruses. The main difference of the novel Coronavirus is the higher mortality rate, that is around 3%. Death rate is over 1% only for patients over 50 years old, whereas until 40 years old is under 0,4%. No fatalities are declared among children under 10 years old to date. Death rate is almost double for male rather than female. This distribution of mortality rate according to age of infected patients could be only partially ascribed to other comorbidities in addition to great age. In fact, patients with no pre-existing conditions have however a case fatality rate of 0,9%. The almost null rate of severe illness in children and generally in patients younger than 40 years old is quite un-explicable. Infant, children and young people could be infected but infection is rapidly self-limited or without symptoms. Older patients undergo severe lung injury as consequence of an immune response that is late in coming. Possible explanation of these phenomena could be something, which assure ability to prompt response to SARS-CoV-2 in younger people independently from the novelty of the virus itself. It would seem to be that younger people are already sensitized to the antigens of the virus without a previous contact. This immunity is not really specific, but "partially specific" for many antigens of the virus, however able to limit the infection in the organism. Something stimulated the immune system and it scattered immunity against more and more antigens present. Children are the age group mostly exposed to all community-circulating viruses. This immunity is not persistent but progressively fade out. It protects from the age of two, when the hypothetical stimulation occurs, to the fifth decade because of its slow decrease. The only external stimulation, which healthy people receive are vaccines. All vaccinations and especially tetanic, diphtheria toxoids and inactivated bacteria as pertussis could stimulate immune system. They develop the specific immunity but generate also a sprouting immunity against antigens in transit, as coronaviruses and other community-circulating viruses. The developed immunity gives some protection against multiple viral infection for years until the natural fade out. After the fifth decade, that immunity is slower to be recall and reactivated. Additionally, transplant recipients and HIV infected patients, which have an immune system inhibited, unexpectedly, do not seem to suffer the worst complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. An immune system imbalance could be play a pivotal role during the reaction to the virus, limiting destructive consequences of excessive inflammation. According to the medical hypothesis on which the protocol is based on, young people could benefit from a functional adaptation of innate immune cells induced through epigenetic reprogramming and, especially, a pre-existing "partially specific" immunity to the community viruses caused by "bystander effect" of preceding vaccinations. In this study, we will explore the main differences existing among patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 who experience the illness at different degree of severity. We suppose to recognize different populations of patients, each one with a specific immunological pattern. It could differ in terms of cytokines, soluble factors serum level and immune cells activity both of the innate compartment and of the acquired one. The proof of a role of these immunological phenomena in the pathogenesis of Covid-19 are bases for implementation of therapeutic immunomodulatory treatments. In addition, the definition of an immunological risk profile could tailor established therapies to each kind of patient.
Implementation of Lung Protective Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure
Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeARDS6 moreThis is a quality improvement study with the purpose of observing and measuring the effects of implementation of a proven standardized lung protective ventilation protocol in the new electronic medical record system iCentra across all Intermountain Healthcare hospitals. Approximately 14,000 records will be accessed for this study from a database of mechanically ventilated patients established for quality improvement purposes. The investigators hypothesize that implementation of a standardized computerized lung protective ventilation protocol across all Intermountain Healthcare hospitals will be feasible, will decrease initial tidal volumes to the target 6 ml/kg PBW, and will improve outcomes. The objectives of this study are to: Determine if the implementation of lung protective ventilation (with a 6 ml/kg PBW tidal volume ventilation protocol on initiation of mechanical ventilation) improves outcomes in patients with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation Determine if the implementation of lung protective ventilation (with a 6 ml/kg PBW tidal volume ventilation protocol on initiation of mechanical ventilation) improves outcomes in the sub-group of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Measure compliance with the implementation of a computerized lung protective ventilation protocol at 12 Intermountain Healthcare hospitals
Long-term Assessment of Organ Functions Among Survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SARS VirusLong-Term SurvivorsSARS-CoV has caused severe epidemic respiratory disease in human populations. By July 2003, a total of 8,096 probable cases of SARS had been reported including 774 deaths in 27 countries, around one-third of which were health care workers (HCWs). Previous studies have been reported about long-term impacts of SARS infection, including lung function deficiency, steroid-induced osteonecrosis, reduced exercise capacity, and impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HCWs, especially nurses, have been reported to experience greater psychological distress, particularly increased levels of posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS). But the very complex impacts of this fatal infection on HCWs have not been fully elucidated. It is thus important to follow these occupational patients to detect and manage multi-organ sequelae and functional impairment.
Renal Biomarkers in AKI and COVID-19
Coronavirus InfectionCovid192 moreSevere pneumoniae related to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), had a high in-hospital mortality; this condition are worst in subjects with acute kidney disease (AKI); conditioning increased mortality, days of assisted mechanical ventilation (AMV), increased nosocomial infections and high costs. We need many studies for determinated the risk factors for AKI in subjects with COVID-19. This study pretends identify the incidence of AKI in subjects with severe pneumoniae by COVID-19, describe the role of some biomarkers in the physiopathology of AKI-COVID-19; and determine the evolution of urinary biomarkers during hospitalization, like neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the progression of viruria of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) related to CoronaVirus 2 (CoV2) in subjects with or without AKI.
Severity of the New UK SARS-Cov2 Variant in COVID-19 Infection
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)The COVID-19 epidemic has now raged for more than a year with more than 100 million identified cases and nearly 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Since November 2020, we have been witnessing the emergence of viral variants in different regions of the world. This expected genetic drift of the virus, but somewhat abrupt since November, raises questions concerning the characteristics of transmissibility, pathogenicity, sensitivity to possible treatments, and escape from natural or vaccine immunity. The objective of this study is to find out whether the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are associated with particular clinical forms. The results of this research will provide elements to determine whether the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are associated with more severe clinical forms.