Journal of Infection in Developing Countries最新文献_第6页

Persistent COVID-19 symptoms and associated factors in a tertiary hospital in Thailand.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19332

Dujrath Somboonviboon, Pattanapol Aramareerak, Amornchai Lertamornpong, Kunchit Piyavechviratana, Pattarin Pirompanich

{"title":"Persistent COVID-19 symptoms and associated factors in a tertiary hospital in Thailand.","authors":"Dujrath Somboonviboon, Pattanapol Aramareerak, Amornchai Lertamornpong, Kunchit Piyavechviratana, Pattarin Pirompanich","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19332","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with long-term symptoms, but the spectrum of these symptoms remains unclear. We aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with persistent symptoms in patients at the post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic.Methodology: This cross-sectional, observational study included hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients followed-up at a post-COVID-19 clinic between September 2021 and January 2022. Persistent symptoms, defined as lasting > 4 weeks after infection, were analyzed alongside symptom timing (28-90, 91-120, and > 120 days) and associated factors using multivariate analysis.Results: Among 277 patients, mean (SD) age was 56 (16.6) years, and 58.5% were male. Of these, 80.9% reported at least one persistent symptom. Common symptoms included dyspnea (48.2%), insomnia (42.4%), and myalgia (42.1%). In multivariate analysis, being female [odds ratio (OR) 3.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-7.76], and oxygen therapy (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.3-8.81) were independently associated factors with persistent symptoms. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) (> 75 mg/dL) was an independent risk factor for dyspnea (adjusted OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.28-4.12), and fatigue (adjusted OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.25-4). Oxygen therapy was an independent risk factor for neurologic symptoms, i.e. insomnia (adjusted OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.15-3.65), and brain fog (adjusted OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.14-3.58).Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms. The most common symptom was dyspnea. Female gender and oxygen supplementation were independent associated factors. Continuous follow-up of these patients is still required.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S318-S325"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Role of ivermectin and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19862

Hemmat Abd El-Salam Ahmed Salama, Eman El-Sayed Ahmed, Ghada Essam El-Din Amin, Mohamed Farouk Allam, Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan, Mohamed Abd El Rahman Hassan El Shayeb

{"title":"Role of ivermectin and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.","authors":"Hemmat Abd El-Salam Ahmed Salama, Eman El-Sayed Ahmed, Ghada Essam El-Din Amin, Mohamed Farouk Allam, Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan, Mohamed Abd El Rahman Hassan El Shayeb","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19862","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ivermectin and colchicine as treatment options for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methodology: A three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Triage Clinic of the family medicine department at Ain Shams University Hospitals on participants who had been diagnosed with moderate COVID-19. Patients aged < 18 years or > 65 years, with any co-morbidities, pregnant or lactating females, and those with mild or severe COVID-19 confirmed cases were excluded. Sealed envelopes were used for randomization of intervention or control. Patients are followed until there was improvement of symptoms and no development of new symptoms for over one month.Results: A total of 120 patients (40.16 ± 10.74 years) with COVID-19 were enrolled; 40 patients in each arm. Out of them, 44 (36.6%) were male and 76 (63.4%) were female. Fever and cough were the predominant symptoms in each group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean duration of fever between the ivermectin, colchicine, and control groups (7.3 ± 1.68, 6.6 ± 1.58, and 7.075 ± 1.58 days, respectively). The majority of patients (67.5%, 70%, and 72.5%) were completely cured within 10 days of infection, with no differences between the three groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant improvement of inflammatory markers occurred in each of the three groups over time with no statistically significant difference between them.Conclusions: Ivermectin and colchicine have no beneficial effect over standard care in the treatment of COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S298-S304"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19595

Mümtaz Güran, Barış Ali Ömer, Ekin Ceylanlı, Muharrem İyican, Laden Tepretmez, Dilara Kuşi, İpek Ü Aktürk

{"title":"Insights of community pharmacists on antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in the northern region of Cyprus.","authors":"Mümtaz Güran, Barış Ali Ömer, Ekin Ceylanlı, Muharrem İyican, Laden Tepretmez, Dilara Kuşi, İpek Ü Aktürk","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19595","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The global healthcare system faced unparalleled challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially reshaping antibiotic usage trends. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and observations of community pharmacists concerning antibiotic utilization during and after the pandemic; and offer crucial insights into its impact on antibiotic usage patterns and infection dynamics.Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 162 community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus. Data were gathered via a structured survey, including pharmacist demographics, antibiotic knowledge, perceptions of antibiotic resistance, and observations on antibiotic misuse during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed by biostatistical methods.Results: Over 90% of pharmacists demonstrated high awareness of antibiotic overuse and resistance. The average antibiotic use knowledge score was 5.09/7. The majority expressed interest in further education (85.2%) and participation in campaigns (96.9%) to promote appropriate antibiotic use. Notably, 87.7% of participants observed an increase in respiratory infections post pandemic, and 45.7% reported administering more antibiotics, reflecting heightened demand. Furthermore, 63.6% noted increased demand for unprescribed antibiotics, while 45.7% expressed concerns about potential neglect of the antibiotic resistance issue as a consequence of the pandemic.Conclusions: The study highlights critical changes in antibiotic dispensing patterns among community pharmacists during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results here underscore the pivotal role of pharmacists in antibiotic stewardship, advocating for ongoing education, and stricter prescription regulations to optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S310-S317"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Antimicrobial consumption and resistance in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil: a 7-year time series.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19019

Amanda F Medeiros, Caryne M Bertollo, Bárbara Cd Faria, Claudmeire Dc Almeida, Edna Mm Leite, Laura R Vieira, Ana Ff Souza, Mauro Hng Abreu, Renan P Souza, Maria Ap Martins

{"title":"Antimicrobial consumption and resistance in a tertiary care hospital in Brazil: a 7-year time series.","authors":"Amanda F Medeiros, Caryne M Bertollo, Bárbara Cd Faria, Claudmeire Dc Almeida, Edna Mm Leite, Laura R Vieira, Ana Ff Souza, Mauro Hng Abreu, Renan P Souza, Maria Ap Martins","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19019","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health challenge globally. This study aimed to analyze the antibacterial consumption (ATBc), and the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), focusing on pathogens Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. (ESKAPE group), in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital.Methodology: The ATBc was measured by defined daily doses (DDD) calculated per 1000 patient days. The incidence of MDRO was collected from the hospital infection control committee specialized reports. Changes in ATBc and MDRO incidence over time were explained by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) represented by the average yearly change as a proportion (%) of consumption in the starting year. This was a time series study using data collected retrospectively from January 2015 to December 2021.Results: There was an increase in consumption of daptomycin and linezolid during the study period (39.4% and 27.7%, respectively), followed by polymyxins (9.8%). The MDRO of the ESKAPE group with the highest variation in the period were Staphylococcus spp (29.2%), Enterococcus spp (27.8%), and Acinetobacter spp (18.4%). Other MDROs, outside the ESKAPE group, such as Providencia sp (51.2%) and Clostridioides dificille (37.7%) had significant variation.Conclusions: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have reinforced the deterioration of the scenario of accelerating AMR increase. This warrants investigations of further surveillance data to assess the impact of the pandemic on AMR epidemiological trends.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S344-S352"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Demystifying the role of MMP9 and TIMP-1 as markers of lung imaging and functional abnormality of COVID-19.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19929

Alfian N Rosyid, Arina D Puspitasari, Anggraini D Sensusiati, Jusak Nugraha, Muhammad Amin

{"title":"Demystifying the role of MMP9 and TIMP-1 as markers of lung imaging and functional abnormality of COVID-19.","authors":"Alfian N Rosyid, Arina D Puspitasari, Anggraini D Sensusiati, Jusak Nugraha, Muhammad Amin","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19929","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19929","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as biomarkers for identifying lung anatomical and functional abnormalities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methodology: Adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized between October and December 2021 were included in the study. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured from the blood. Chest X-ray was categorized using the Brixia index. A blood gas analysis was performed in the emergency room.Results: MMP-9 was higher in severe COVID-19 patients (1,430.09 ± 1,492.22) than in non-severe cases (819.90 ± 750.13) with p < 0.05, but not different between mortality groups. TIMP-1 was lower in non-severe cases (4.88 ± 3.49) than in severe cases (8.61 ± 9.09) with p > 0.05. The increase in MMP-9 was correlated to TIMP-1 with a linear regression value R2 = 0.945. Lung abnormalities were categorized as normal (6.9%), mild (23.6%), moderate (29.2%), and severe (40.3%). Brixia score was significantly correlated with FiO2 (r = 0.547), PaO2/FiO2 (r = - 0.317), and SpO2/FiO2 (r = - 0.476). MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly correlated with the Brixia score (r = 0.315 and r = - 0.234, respectively), and PaO2/FiO2 (r = - 0.291 and r = 0.283, respectively). MMP-9 was significantly correlated with severity (r = 0.313).Conclusion: MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were related to lung imaging, functional abnormalities, and severity; but were not associated with mortality.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S358-S368"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sequels of COVID-19 in nephrology. Chronic kidney patients are more prone to hemodialysis need and mortality.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19092

Erjola Bolleku, Ermal Likaj, Larisa Shehaj, Ilir Akshija, Edmond Puca, Entela Puca, Xhesi Baci, Alma Idrizi

{"title":"Sequels of COVID-19 in nephrology. Chronic kidney patients are more prone to hemodialysis need and mortality.","authors":"Erjola Bolleku, Ermal Likaj, Larisa Shehaj, Ilir Akshija, Edmond Puca, Entela Puca, Xhesi Baci, Alma Idrizi","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19092","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Acute kidney injury involves inflammation and intrinsic renal damage, and is a common complication of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) confers an increased mortality risk. We determined the renal long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with baseline CKD, and the risk factors prompting renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation and mortality.Methodology: We included 77 patients (median age was 67.1 ± 13.7 years) with a history of renal failure at baseline and recovery from COVID-19 at our institution, in a retrospective analysis from December 2020 to May 2021. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were compared between patients requiring RRT and those who did not. A correlogram analysis determined the risk factors for RRT. Survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression statistics assessed in-hospital mortality.Results: 70.1% of the patients had CKD. RRT initiation was higher in patients with known CKD (46.4%) than in those with no known CKD (28.5%). Those with diabetic nephropathy had a higher predisposition for RRT initiation compared to other CKD etiologies. Diabetics (42.3%) and hypertensive nephropathy (33%) were the most common etiologies in the general population. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, phosphorus, lactate dehydrogenase, and proteinuria were significantly higher; and platelets and calcium levels were lower; in patients requiring RRT. Decreased lymphocyte count negatively correlated with BUN levels.Conclusions: Known CKD patients had a higher initiation rate of RRT, and laboratory features suggestive of kidney damage. However, RRT patients did not have an increased risk of mortality.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S331-S336"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The first reported case of candidemia caused by the novel Candida tropicalis diploid sequence type 1515.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.20096

Chuan H Ding, Shiamala D Navarathinam, Hui-Min Neoh, Toh L Tan

{"title":"The first reported case of candidemia caused by the novel Candida tropicalis diploid sequence type 1515.","authors":"Chuan H Ding, Shiamala D Navarathinam, Hui-Min Neoh, Toh L Tan","doi":"10.3855/jidc.20096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20096","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Since the dawn of the new millennium, Candida species have been increasingly implicated as a cause of both healthcare-associated as well as opportunistic yeast infections, due to the widespread use of indwelling medical devices, total parenteral nutrition, systemic corticosteroids, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Candida tropicalis is a pathogenic Candida species associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and drug resistance issues on a global scale.Methodology: We report a case of a 43-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for further management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. During his stay in the ward, he received systemic corticosteroids for a total duration of 32 days. A broad-spectrum antibiotic (piperacillin-tazobactam) was also given due to copious amounts of tracheostomy secretions.Results: The patient's fever recurred following an afebrile interval of 11 days, and C. tropicalis was cultured from his blood. The yeast was highly resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole but remained susceptible to echinocandins. Unfortunately, the patient was unable to receive any echinocandin and eventually succumbed to candidemia.Conclusions: Multilocus sequence typing was used to characterize C. tropicalis as a novel diploid sequence type (i.e., 1515) that has not been previously reported.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S353-S357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Proteus species in Northern Iran. 伊朗北部变形杆菌多种耐药临床分离株流行情况的横断面研究。

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17637

Mahnaz Shafaei Fallah, Hadi Razavi Nikoo, Aylar Jamali, Alireza Mohebbi, Ezzat Allah Ghaemi

{"title":"A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Proteus species in Northern Iran.","authors":"Mahnaz Shafaei Fallah, Hadi Razavi Nikoo, Aylar Jamali, Alireza Mohebbi, Ezzat Allah Ghaemi","doi":"10.3855/jidc.17637","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17637","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria like Proteus species have led to more prolonged hospitalizations, fewer care choices, higher treatment costs, and even death. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of MDR Proteus species in clinical samples and to suggest the best therapeutic options for the MDR Proteus species.Methodology: Clinical samples were collected randomly from five hospitals in Golestan Province, Iran, from February 2017 to July 2019. Disk diffusion on Mueller-Hinton agar plates were used to perform antibiotic susceptibility testing (ASTs). By using a double-disc synergy test (DDST), isolates resistant to one of the third-generation cephalosporins were examined for phenotypic extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) development. A combined double disk synergy test (CDDST) was used to identify MBL-producing isolates.Results: 61 Proteus isolates, including P. Mirabilis 44/61 (77.04%), P. vulgaris 7/61 (11.47%), P. hauseri 5/61 (8.19%), and P. penneri 2/61 (3.27%) were collected. Most of the isolates were obtained from urine samples. P. hauseri isolates were more frequent in females. Resistance to tetracycline and nitrofurantoin antibiotics was observed in most Proteus isolates. P. penneri isolates were all resistant to antibiotics. ESBL production was observed in five ceftazidime-resistant isolates (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Cefepime and imipenem were found to have the lowest occurrence of antibiotic resistance among Proteus species, confirming that cefepime and imipenem can be used to treat Proteus infections.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12","pages":"1855-1860"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143014715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Effectiveness of levamisole in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18659

Morteza Pourahmad, Rasool Soltani, Mohammad H Noroozi, Farzin Khorvash, Behrooz Ataei, Manijeh Shams, Fatemeh Nikokar

{"title":"Effectiveness of levamisole in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.","authors":"Morteza Pourahmad, Rasool Soltani, Mohammad H Noroozi, Farzin Khorvash, Behrooz Ataei, Manijeh Shams, Fatemeh Nikokar","doi":"10.3855/jidc.18659","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18659","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Inflammation plays a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology and anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce the disease severity. Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug with immunomodulatory and possible antiviral effects. This study aimed to evaluate the role of levamisole in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.Methodology: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, hospitalized patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 (arterial oxygen saturation < 90%) were randomly assigned to either experimental (n = 41) or control (n = 45) groups. Levamisole 50 mg orally daily was prescribed for the first group until discharge or death, for a maximum of 7 days, along with other standard treatments. Only standard treatments were prescribed to the control group. Clinical response (either improvement or failure) at the end of the fifth and seventh days, changes in laboratory indices, length of hospitalization, and mortality rate during the study were evaluated and recorded.Results: The rate of clinical improvement in the experimental group was significantly more than in the control group on the fifth (97.6% vs. 58.7%, p < 0.001) and seventh (95.8% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.007) days. Furthermore, the mean length of hospital stays in the experimental group (8.39 ± 3.54 days) was significantly shorter than in the control group (10.78 ± 5.40 days, p = 0.024). No patients died during the study.Conclusions: Administering levamisole to hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 reduced hospitalization time and improved several clinical outcomes.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S275-S281"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Network analysis of socioeconomic disparities and public transport in COVID-19 spread: a case study in northeast Brazil.

IF 1.4 4区医学

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pub Date : 2024-12-31 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.19843

Taise F Cavalcante, Waneska de S Barboza, Cliomar A Dos Santos, Adriano Antunes de S Araújo, Lucindo José Quintans-Júnior, Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho

{"title":"Network analysis of socioeconomic disparities and public transport in COVID-19 spread: a case study in northeast Brazil.","authors":"Taise F Cavalcante, Waneska de S Barboza, Cliomar A Dos Santos, Adriano Antunes de S Araújo, Lucindo José Quintans-Júnior, Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho","doi":"10.3855/jidc.19843","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19843","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted public transportation systems worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the rate of COVID-19 positivity and its associated factors among users of public transportation in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Brazil during the pre-vaccination phase of the pandemic.Methodology: This ecological study, conducted in Aracaju city in Northeast Brazil, is a component of the TestAju Program. This initiative was designed to expand COVID-19 testing to asymptomatic individuals in public spaces such as squares and bus terminals. Using logistic regression, we examined the relationship between COVID-19 positivity and factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, and travel frequency. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm was used to explore transmission pathways across neighborhoods with varying living conditions.Results: Of the 1,420 public transport users tested via real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 249 were positive, indicating a 17.5% positivity rate (95% CI: 15.7-19.6). Our findings revealed a higher positivity rate during periods of increased viral spread (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 3.1-5.9) and in neighborhoods with poorer conditions (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1). Network analysis revealed affluent neighborhoods as significant transmission hubs of the disease.Conclusions: Our study highlights the vital role of urban mobility patterns in the spread of COVID-19. Neighborhoods with better living conditions that serve as hubs of activity and movement, enable gatherings and interactions among people from diverse regions, including those from areas with higher infection rates.","PeriodicalId":49160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection in Developing Countries","volume":"18 12.1","pages":"S305-S309"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0