INTRODUCTION: Health literacy plays an essential role in one's ability to acquire and understand critical medical information in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infodemic and in other pandemics. We aimed to summarise the assessment, levels and determinants of pandemic-related health literacy and its associated clinical outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in Medline ® , Embase ® , PsycINFO ® , CINAHL ® and four major preprint servers. Observational and interventional studies that evaluated health literacy related to the novel COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were included. Items used in health literacy instruments were grouped under the themes of knowledge, attitudes and practices. Determinants of health literacy were grouped into five domains: sociodemographic, medical, psychological/psychiatric, health systems-related and others. RESULTS: Of the 2,065 articles screened, 70 articles were included. Of these, 21, 17 and 32 studies evaluated health literacy related to COVID-19, SARS and MERS, respectively. The rates of low pandemic health literacy ranged from 4.3% to 57.9% among medical-related populations and from 4.0% to 82.5% among nonmedical populations. Knowledge about the symptoms and transmission of infection, worry about infection, and practices related to mask usage and hand hygiene were most frequently evaluated. Sociodemographic determinants of health literacy were most frequently studied, among which higher education level, older age and female gender were found to be associated with better health literacy. No studies evaluated the outcomes associated with health literacy. CONCLUSION The level of pandemic-related health literacy is suboptimal. Healthcare administrators need to be aware of health literacy determinants when formulating policies in pandemics.
Humans ; Health Literacy ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Female ; Male

Since the global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, China has gradually built a robust prevention and control system for sudden infectious diseases. All large hospitals have a fever clinic that isolates patients with all kinds of acute communicable diseases as the first line of medical defense. The emergency department, as the second line of medical defense in hospitals, is constantly shouldering the heavy responsibility of screening communicable diseases while also treating all kinds of other non-communicable acute and critical diseases (Zhang et al., 2012; Zhu et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2017; Feng et al., 2018; Lu, 2018; Xu and Lu, 2019). An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology that began in Wuhan city (China) has spread rapidly in China since December 2019 (Huang et al., 2020; WHO, 2020; Zhu et al., 2020). In February 2020, the National Health Commission of China named the disease a novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP); then, it was formally named the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Feb. 11, 2020. The Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses designated this causative virus as SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the β coronavirus genus, and its pathogenic mechanism has not been clarified, which requires further study. To better understand the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and more effectively prevent and control this disease, we retrospectively analyzed four representative cases of COVID-19 that had recently been screened and diagnosed in our emergency department.
Adult ; Betacoronavirus ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Patient Isolation ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: A novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first identified in Wuhan, China, has been rapidly spreading around the world. This study investigates the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Zhejiang Province who did or did not have a history of Wuhan exposure. METHODS: We collected data from medical records of confirmed COVID-19 patients in Zhejiang Province from Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 2020 and analyzed epidemiological, clinical, and treatment data of those with and without recorded recent exposure in Wuhan. RESULTS: Patients in the control group were older than those in the exposure group ((48.19±16.13) years vs. (43.47±13.12) years, P<0.001), and more were over 65 years old (15.95% control vs. 5.60% exposure, P<0.001). The rate of clustered onset was also significantly higher in the control group than in the exposure group (31.39% vs. 18.66%, P<0.001). The symptom of a sore throat in patients in the exposure group was significantly higher than that in the control group (17.30% vs. 10.89%, P=0.01); however, headache in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the control group (6.87% vs. 12.15%, P=0.015). More patients in the exposure group had a significantly lower level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in any degree of COVID-19 including mild, severe, and critical between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of epidemiological and clinical characteristics, there was no significant difference between COVID-19 patients with and without Wuhan exposure history.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Betacoronavirus ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. By Feb. 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease resulting from infection with SARS-CoV-2 as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 represents a spectrum of clinical manifestations that typically include fever, dry cough, and fatigue, often with pulmonary involvement. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and most individuals within the population at large are susceptible to infection. Wild animal hosts and infected patients are currently the main sources of disease which is transmitted via respiratory droplets and direct contact. Since the outbreak, the Chinese government and scientific community have acted rapidly to identify the causative agent and promptly shared the viral gene sequence, and have carried out measures to contain the epidemic. Meanwhile, recent research has revealed critical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 biology and disease pathogenesis; other studies have focused on epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, as well as drug and vaccine development. This review aims to summarize the latest research findings and to provide expert consensus. We will also share ongoing efforts and experience in China, which may provide insight on how to contain the epidemic and improve our understanding of this emerging infectious disease, together with updated guidance for prevention, control, and critical management of this pandemic.
Amino Acid Motifs ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Protein Domains ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ; chemistry ; Viral Vaccines

Since mid-December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has outbroken in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and spread rapidly to other provinces in China and dozens of countries and regions around the world, becoming the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (Public Health Emergency of International Concern). SARS-CoV-2 can mainly transmit by droplets or close contact, and is generally susceptible in the crowd. Tumor patients are at high risk of this pathogen because of their impaired immune function. Identifying tumor patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) early, and understanding its distribution characteristics can help to improve the cure rate of patients, and better control the epidemic and development of SARS-CoV-2 much better. With comprehensive analysis of relevant literature, this paper reviews the clinical characteristics of neoplastic patients with COVID-19, and puts forward some suggestions on how to deal with this epidemic.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; complications ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission

BACKGROUND: With the rapid spread of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) worldwide and the escalation of prevention and control efforts, the routine medical needs of patients have been restricted. The aims were to investigate medical needs of lung cancer patients and their mental health status during the epidemic periods, so as to provide rational recommendations for subsequent diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The questionnaire was sent in the form of an electronic questionnaire at 7am on 4th, March, 2020, until 7am 6th, March, 2020, 368 questionnaires were recollected from 25 provinces (autonomous regions/municipalities) in 48 h. RESULTS: Of the 368 patients, 18 patients were excluded as they didn't receive anti-tumor treatment, and 350 patients were included in the final analysis. 229 cases were treated with oral targeted drugs, and 121 cases were treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. 41.3% of patients treated with intravenous chemotherapy or immunotherapy experienced treatment discontinuation, and the proportion of treatment discontinuation in chemotherapy or immunotherapy was higher than those treated with oral targeted drugs (21.0%). Whether oral targeted drugs or intravenous chemotherapy or immunotherapy, more than 60% of patients experienced delays in imaging examinations. Nearly one third of patients developed new symptoms or exacerbation of existing symptoms. 26.6%-28.9% of patients have changed their treatment plans through online consultation. During novel coronavirus pneumonia, 40%-75% of lung cancer patients have mental health problems, and more than 95% of patients support government's prevention and control measures. CONCLUSIONS During the emergence of NCP, the medical needs of patients with lung cancer have not been enough, especially those who discontinued chemotherapy or immunotherapy. When medical institution resumes work, priority should be given to them. At the same time, mental health problems of patients should be valued and resolved timely.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; physiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia ; epidemiology ; virology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; virology ; Retrospective Studies

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a widely distributed and highly conserved protein in organisms. It has peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase activity and is a receptor for cyclosporin A (CsA). Coronaviruses are enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses. Seven types of coronaviruses are currently known to infect humans, among which SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are fatal for humans. It is well established that CypA is essential for the replication of various coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV, CoV-229E, CoV-NL63, and FCoV. Additionally, CsA and its derivatives (ALV, NIM811, etc.) have obvious inhibitory effects on a variety of coronaviruses. These results suggest that CypA is a potential antiviral target and the existing drug CsA might be used as an anti-coronavirus drug. At the end of 2019, SARS-CoV-2 raged in China, which seriously theatern human health and causes huge economic lases. In view of this, we describe the effects of CypA on the replication of coronaviruses and the antiviral activities of its inhibitors, which will provide the scientific basis and ideas for the development of antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Coronavirus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; virology ; Cyclophilin A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cyclosporine ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; virology ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

An epidemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans, which appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019, was caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was named as "Coronavirus Disease 2019" (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 was first identified as an etiological pathogen of COVID-19, belonging to the species of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV). The speed of both the geographical transmission and the sudden increase in numbers of cases is much faster than SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is the first global pandemic caused by a coronavirus, which outbreaks in 211 countries/territories/areas. The vaccine against COVID-19, regarded as an effective prophylactic strategy for control and prevention, is being developed in about 90 institutions worldwide. The experiences and lessons encountered in the previous SARS and MERS vaccine research can be used for reference in the development of COVID-19 vaccine. The present paper hopes to provide some insights for COVID-19 vaccines researchers.
Betacoronavirus ; immunology ; Biomedical Research ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Internationality ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; immunology ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Aging ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Immune System ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Single-Cell Analysis

China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Travel