Update on the status of COVID-19 vaccination in Italy—April 2023

Immunologic Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 71(5), С. 671 - 672

Опубликована: Апрель 20, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Diagnostic value of D-dimer in differentiating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children (MIS-C) from Kawasaki disease: systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Diagnosis, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(3), С. 231 - 234

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2024

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is frequently associated with thrombo inflammation, which can predispose to developing of life-threatening conditions in children such as the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease. Because consistent overlap pathogenesis symptoms, identifying laboratory tests that may aid differential diagnosis these pathologies becomes crucial. We performed an electronic search PubMed, Web Science Scopus, without date or language restrictions, identify all possible studies reporting D-dimer values separate cohorts MIS-C Three multicenter cohort were included our analysis, totaling 487 patients (270 217 disease). In this meta-analysis, significantly higher found compared three studies, yielding SMD 1.5 (95 % CI, 1.3–1.7) mg/L. Thus, very high early course should raise clinical suspicion rather than Further be planned harmonized diagnostic thresholds help discriminate conditions.

Язык: Английский

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Upping the ante: enhanced expression of interferon-antagonizing ORF6 and ORF9b proteins by SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Current Opinion in Microbiology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 79, С. 102454 - 102454

Опубликована: Март 21, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Clinical assessment of SNIBE Maglumi SARS-CoV-2 antigen fully-automated chemiluminescent immunoassay

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM), Год журнала: 2023, Номер 61(8), С. 1506 - 1510

Опубликована: Март 8, 2023

Abstract Objectives Given that SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests will represent a pillar for supporting or surrogating molecular testing in the endemic period, we report here clinical performance of new SNIBE Maglumi fully-automated chemiluminescent immunoassay (MAG-CLIA Ag). Methods The study population consisted 181 subjects (mean age 61 ± 21 years; 92 females) undergoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at local diagnostic facility, from December 2022 to February 2023. Routine practice involved collection double nostril nasopharyngeal swab, analyzed duplicate with Ag) and (Altona Diagnostics RealStar RT-PCR Kit) tests. Results A significant Spearman’s correlation was found between MAG-CLIA Ag mean Ct values E S genes (r=−0.95; p<0.001). In all samples, area under curve (AUC) 0.86 (95% CI, 0.81–0.90), 0.71 sensitivity 1.00 specificity 7 ng/L cut-off, increasing 0.98 0.96–1.00) AUC 0.96 (with 0.97 specificity) high viral load samples. When N protein concentration replaced raw instrumental readings (i.e., relative light units [RLU]), samples increased 0.94. RLU value 945 associated 88.4% accuracy, 0.85 sensitivity, 0.95 specificity, 0.77 negative predictive (NPV) positive (PPV), respectively. Conclusions We satisfactory analytical Ag, which could be used as surrogate identifying Broadening reportable range may generate even better performance.

Язык: Английский

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Correlation between relative age-standardized mortality rates and COVID-19 mortality over time in Italy.

PubMed, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 94(2), С. e2023056 - e2023056

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2023

This study was planned to estimate the contribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related mortality on excess deaths recorded in Italy since beginning pandemic.Official data weekly number COVID-19 were retrieved from website Italian Ministry Health, whilst information relative age-standardised rates (rASMRs) during pandemic downloaded UK Office for National Statistics website. Univariate and multivariate correlation conducted explore association between these two variables throughout pandemic.Significant univariate found rASMR official period. Such especially high predominance pre-Alpha Alpha variants, remained significant Delta variant predominance, but become no longer Omicron predominance. In multivariable analysis, we estimated that may have contributed 72% pandemic. The impact higher periods (i.e., 78% 89%, respectively), decreased 41% became after emergence variant.These results would suggest largely until recent variant, by which time previous loss vulnerable people radical changes delivering healthcare paradoxically improve cumulative death rate country.

Язык: Английский

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SARS-CoV-2: An Update on the Biological Interplay with the Human Host

COVID, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 3(10), С. 1586 - 1600

Опубликована: Окт. 10, 2023

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory illness caused by severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease, first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan November 2019, has since spread worldwide, latest human pandemic and officially infected over 800 million people nearly seven deaths to date. Although SARS-CoV-2 belongs large family coronaviruses, it some unique biological characteristics its interplay with host. Therefore, this narrative review aims provide up-to-date overview structure virus, incubation shedding host, infectivity evolution time, as well main mechanisms for invading host cells replicating within. We also proffer that ongoing epidemiological surveillance newly emerged variants must always be accompanied studies aimed at deciphering new advantageous traits may contribute increasing virulence pathogenicity, such most appropriate strategies establishing a (relatively) safe coexistence can implemented.

Язык: Английский

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Mortality for Laryngeal Cancer before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Опубликована: Май 6, 2024

(1) Background: The interplay between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and laryngeal cancer represents a substantial challenge for both patients healthcare. To garner information on recent mortality data cancer, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed real-world from US Centers Disease Control Prevention (CDC). (2) Methods: We searched CDC WONDER on-line database 2018-2022 using with ICD-10 code (C32; malignant neoplasm of larynx). also performed sub-analysis genders, across ten-year age groups. Data were one-way analysis variance (ANOVA) Tukey post-hoc test. (3) Results: trend age-adjusted ×100,000 did not change significantly (p=0.553). Males had higher rates (M/F ratios 4.6 5.0), but no significant variation was found in genders (males: p=0.676; females: p=0.596). Although rate remained unchanged people aged 35-84 years, reached statistical significance those 85 or older (p=0.004), displaying increase 2021 compared to 2018 (p=0.006) (p=0.039). (4) Conclusions: impact pandemic seemed be relatively modest general population. Nevertheless, closer attention must paid people, whom unfavorable consequences misdiagnosis mistreating can exacerbated.

Язык: Английский

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COVID-19 vaccination prevents venous thrombosis in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and thereafter

Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 35(5), С. 225 - 226

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

aSection of Clinical Biochemistry, University Verona, Italy bDepartment Haematology, Institute Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), Sydney Centres for Thrombosis Haemostasis, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, cFaculty Science Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga dSchool Sciences, Faculty Medicine Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia Correspondence to Prof. Giuseppe Lippi, Section Hospital Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Italy. Tel: +39 045 8122970; fax: 8124308; e-mail: [email protected] Received 5 April, 2024 Accepted 12 May,

Язык: Английский

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COVID‐19 Posttraumatic Effects on Perinatal Psychological Distress: A Cross‐Sectional Study at the End of the Pandemic Health Emergency

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 31(4)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Introduction Psychological distress in pregnant and postpartum women increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, impact of pandemic perinatal at end health emergency has been rarely studied. This study is aimed investigating psychological public emergency, hypothesizing that COVID‐19‐related fears influence via mediation posttraumatic loneliness. Methods A total 200 period, which 125 were 75 postpartum, participated an online survey Italy. Depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, assessed. To test hypotheses, robust serial analyses performed. Results Increased levels associated with increase depression, anxiety stress indirectly through Loneliness played a stronger role mediating relationship between depression than outcomes. Conclusions should be considered exploratory for its methodological characteristics nonreplicability condition. this suggests importance assessing reactions to ‘collective’ crises research clinical practice. In addition, it sustains loneliness as transversal construct greatly targeting interventions period.

Язык: Английский

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Clinical pearls and pitfalls of SARS-CoV-2 serology

European Journal of Internal Medicine, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 111, С. 24 - 26

Опубликована: Март 21, 2023

Although the effort to provide updated and reliable statistics about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a challenging enterprise due ongoing epidemiologic evolution an almost inevitable bias in official reporting systems [[1]Lippi G. Mattiuzzi C. Henry B.M. Uncontrolled confounding COVID-19 epidemiology.Diagnosis. 2022; (Berl)Dec 7Epub ahead of printhttps://doi.org/10.1515/dx-2022-0128Crossref Scopus (6) Google Scholar], World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many 780 million severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections 6.9 related deaths have occurred March 2023, thus allowing rank one most widespread deadly pandemics recent human history [[2]World Organization. WHO Coronavirus Dashboard. Available at https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed, 6, 2023.Google Scholar]. The biologic behavior SARS-CoV-2 is similar other viruses, it mostly spreads airborne pathogen, conveyed by both exhaled air droplets. Once contact with mucosa upper lower tract, virus penetrates organism through interaction between its "spike" protein cell receptors (mostly angiotensin converting enzyme 2; ACE2) [[3]Nocini R. Lippi Improving nasal protection for preventing infection.Biomedicines. 10: 2966Crossref PubMed (1) or means mechanisms mediated endocytosis. immediate defense against infection encompasses two leading pathways, i.e., cellular humoral response. Several lines evidence now converge suggest response (mediated CD4+ CD8+ T cells) essential limit local (i.e., pulmonary) systemic spread, reducing risk progression towards severe/critical forms disease, whilst anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies) seems play more important role limiting inter-human propagation (Fig. 1). Importantly, can be "artificially" boosted, administration different formulations types vaccines. An accurate description arms immune unfeasible here space constrains. Nonetheless, worthwhile recapping antibodies are generated B cells infection, principally belonging IgM, IgG, IgA classes IgM class typically first produced after pentameric nature, characterized high avidity but low specificity, representing very activates neutralize virus. After maturation clonal selection, gradually replaced IgG (monomeric), which higher antigenic affinity responsible (relatively) long-term immunity. Finally, mounted simultaneously found dimeric form on mucous membranes, where they neutralizing thereby initial infection. Thus, serology generic term refers detection and/or quantification serum plasma. At beginning pandemic, soon become clear perhaps purpose was help assess whether person had been formerly infected not, providing information diagnosing establishing certain individual re-infection so-called "biologic passport") [[4]Lippi Bovo Plebani M. Current laboratory diagnostics (COVID-19).Acta Biomed. 2020; 91: 137-145PubMed As our knowledge biology has increased over time, must used great caution these primary purposes, since biased number drawbacks. concerns diagnostic utility, several confirm (i) production (of all classes) only begins 1 weeks vaccination, (ii) generation not temporarily overlaps frequently modest even inconstant, (iii) lack baseline value before symptoms onset, assessment spike nucleocapsid (N) virtually useless patients previous infection(s) vaccination (now vast majority general population, up 99%), titer already elevated unpredictable extent subjects cannot standalone test symptomatic individuals, nor purposes tracing, complement technologies detecting viral RNA antigens when tests repeatedly negative highly suspected cases. additional clinically relevant options emerged serology, summarized Table 1, comprehensively review Alexopoulos et al. article previously published this journal [[5]Alexopoulos H. Trougakos I.P. Dimopoulos M.A. Terpos E. Clinical usefulness testing antibodies.Eur J Intern Med. 2023; 107: 7-16Abstract Full Text PDF (2) Scholar].Table 1Potential clinical uses serology.•Complementing direct antigen testing.•Risk progression.•Serology-guided vaccination.•Convalescent plasma assessment.•Serosurveillance. Open table new tab Provided appropriate assay used, titration could sufficient degree being developing illness. Besides played lowering breakthrough infections, interesting matter recently De Vito [[6]De D. Di Ciaula A. Palmieri V.O. Trerotoli P. Larocca A.M.V. al.Reduced mortality linked early SARS-CoV-2, irrespective age.Eur 98: 77-82Abstract (4) who showed efficient immunological having levels IgM) phase may associated mortality, independently from age subjects. Similarly, identification during course seen progression, especially poor potency [[7]Lippi presence does necessarily reflect neutralization.Int Infect Dis. 117: 24Abstract (3) Monitoring vaccine efficacy cornerstone public health policy aimed social burden infectious diseases, including COVID-19, world limited resourced, prioritization paradigm [[8]Lippi Optimizing effectiveness vaccination: will stewardship role?.Clin Chem Lab 2021; 59: 1885-1888Crossref (21) reference endpoints predictably hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, death), outcomes monitored period time months years) inherently referred without single individual. Surrogate measures hence identified mirroring response, individuals likelihood immunization (morbid, older, immunosuppressed), those enhanced illness [[9]Alexopoulos Serological SARS-CoV-2: advancements future challenges.Eur 108: 104-105Abstract opportunity rapid, easy relatively inexpensive immunity using interferon-γ release respectively) [[10]Salvagno G.L. Pighi L. Valentini Tonin B. Bragantini al.Assessment bivalent BNT162b2 potential association reactogenicity.Clin (Feb 2Epub print)https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2023-0055Crossref emerging valuable asset practice health. To end, recognition blunted faster decline would enable reliably identify benefit closer booster doses, clearly shown Achiron seminal [[11]Achiron Mandel Dreyer-Alster S. Harari Gurevich Humoral SARS-COV-2 decay within 6 healthy vaccinees: need dose?.Eur 94: 105-107Abstract (12) On hand, also delay persistently displaying durable response), safely avoid unnecessary boosters, selecting formulation, vaccines (even constructed same principle, mRNA delivery) elicit titers [[12]García-Cruces-Méndez J.F. Corral-Gudino Del-Amo-Merino M.P. Eiros-Bouza J.M. Domínguez-Gil González antibody eight Influence prior exposure.Eur 97: 113-115Abstract Scholar] employed convalescent convincingly [[13]Terpos Stellas Rosati Sergentanis T.N. Hu X. Politou al.SARS-CoV-2 kinetics onset: persistence loss 24% donors.Eur 89: 87-96Abstract (45) tested 148 donors around 8 level consistently declined, anti-spike persisting longer compared anti-N antibodies. Interestingly, neutralization one-fourth tested, usage discouraged antiviral treatment their presumably efficacy. serosurveillance, serological assays assessing garnering useful vaccinated it, well tracking changes prevalence time. This approach widely past, specific populations healthcare workers, working frontline environments emergency departments, units, pneumology, infective wards so forth) [[14]Varona Madurga Peñalver F. Abarca Almirall Cruz al.kinetics Results 10 month follow 300 seropositive Care Workers.Eur 97-103Abstract (23) Granted – appropriately provides biological (as 1), use plagued drawbacks pitfalls, acknowledged prevent misleading interpretations. Serology immunoassays basically differ capable directly detect nucleic material antigens) sample. limitation encompass variable elicited lineages mutated sequences assessment, fact always thoughtfully effective neutralization), results straightforwardly comparable gold standard technique live assays) [[15]Lippi Not created equal.Clin Chim Acta. 526: 81-82Crossref hampering ending quarantine isolation. harmonization among currently available tests, despite availability second international (WHO 21/338), major assays, remain barely inter-comparable [[16]Lippi Reliability influencing policies: reappraisal.Eur 102-103Abstract (5) It noteworthy do persist circulation forever, concentration declines Therefore, display low, undetectable titers. In conclusions, although timeline analyses reveal virulence pathogenicity considerably decreased [[17]Mattiuzzi Timeline analysis severity population.Eur (Dec 16S0953-6205(22)00435-6Epub print)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2022.12.007Abstract (7) underrated, emphasized [[18]McVernon J. Liberman keeps concern.BMJ. 380: 504Crossref Ansread [[19]Andreas Doris Frank K. Michael Focusing syncytial (RSV) adults: factors, symptomatology influenza A /B original strain.J Clin Virol. 161105399Crossref adults than influenza, allow us underestimate connected likely endemic COVID-19. alarming scenario, considering costs, advantages limitations, order ensure precious economic resources wasted decision making inappropriate interpretation tests. None.

Язык: Английский

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