BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of COVID-19 has significantly challenged the public health landscape in late 2019. After almost 3 years of the first ever SARS-CoV-2 case, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of this global health emergency in May 2023. Although, despite the subsequent drop of COVID-19 cases, the SARS-CoV-2 infection still exhibited multiple waves of infection, primarily attributed to the appearance of new variants. Five of these variants have been classified as Variants of Concern (VOC): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the most recent, Omicron. Therefore, the development of methods for the timely and accurate detection of viral variants remains fundamental, ensuring an ongoing and effective response to the disease. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the application of an in-house approach in genomic surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants using in silico designed primers.

METHODS

The primers used for the study were particularly designed based on conserved regions of certain genes in the virus, targeting distinct mutations found in known variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viral RNA extracts from nasopharyngeal samples (n=14) were subjected to quantitative and qualitative tests (Nanodrop and AGE). Selected samples were then analyzed by RT-PCR and amplicons were submitted for sequencing. Sequence alignment analysis was carried out to identify the prevailing COVID-19 variant present in the sample population.

RESULTS

The study findings demonstrated that the in-house method was able to successfully amplify conserved sequences (spike, envelope, membrane, ORF1ab) and enabled identification of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant among the samples. Majority of the samples were identified as Omicron variant. Three out of four designed primers effectively bound into the conserved sequence of target genes present in the sample, revealing the specific SARSCoV-2 variant. The detected mutations characterized for Omicron found in the identified lineages included K417N, S477N, and P681H which were also identified as mutations of interest. Furthermore, identification of the B.1.448 lineage which was not classified in any known variant also provided the potential of the developed in-house method in detecting unknown variants of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Among the five VOCs, Omicron is the most prevalent and dominant variant. The in-house direct PCR product sequencing surveillance (DPPSS) method provided an alternative platform for SAR-CoV-2 variant analysis which is accessible and affordable than the conventional diagnostic surveillance methods and the whole genome sequencing. Further evaluation and improvements on the oligonucleotide primers may offer significant contribution to the development of a specific and direct PCRbased detection of new emerging COVID-19 variants.

Sars-cov-2 ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Dna Primers ; Oligonucleotide Primers ; Computer Simulation ; Conserved Sequence ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Disease ; Emergencies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Genes ; Genome ; Global Health ; Health ; Identification (psychology) ; Infection ; Infections ; Membranes ; Methods ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotides ; Organizations ; Population ; Public Health ; Rna ; Rna, Viral ; Sars Virus ; Sequence Alignment ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; Syndrome ; Viruses ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES

Clinical pathways (CPs) ensure adherence to heart failure (HF) management guidelines. To optimize quality care in a low resource setting, an evidence-based care pathway for the management of acute HF was implemented at the emergency department (ED) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the designated national tertiary hospital and referral center. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of adults with acute HF admitted at the ED and evaluate the quality of care they received, measured using physician adherence to the hospital’s acute heart failure CP.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, descriptive cohort study. We reviewed the inpatient charts of all adult patients with acute HF admitted to the ED of the PGH and referred to the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine between December 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Quality of care was assessed based on adherence to quality indicators adapted from routine and conditional order sets detailed in the pathway. Descriptive statistics was utilized to describe patient characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-six (236) patients were included, with a mean age of 51.8 years. Majority were male (53.4%); hypertension (61.4%) and ischemic heart disease (53.8%) were the most common comorbidities, and infection the most common precipitant of decompensation (60.6%). There were optimal adherence rates to routine orders, which included referrals to Internal Medicine and Cardiology, baseline vital signs monitoring, fluid intake and output monitoring, chest radiograph, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, arterial blood gas, urinalysis, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide. Conditional orders, such as oxygen support, focused echocardiography, thyroid - stimulating hormone, and the use of vasopressors, diuretics, and venous thromboembolism prophylactic agents, were optimally performed when warranted. However, we noted suboptimal adherence to certain resource-intensive conditional orders, such as hourly monitoring of urine output (61.4%), hooking to cardiac monitor (53.8%), and performance of 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes (56.8%). Further, only 43.9% of patients were referred to the intensive care unit. Troponin I, calcium, magnesium, and albumin were ordered in excess.

CONCLUSION

Overall adherence rate of physicians to the hospital’s Acute Heart Failure Pathway was satisfactory. Work is needed to improve adherence to hourly urine output monitoring, consistent hooking to cardiac monitor, and timely performance of 12-lead ECG – an effort that begins with expanding in-hospital diagnostic equipment and human resource supply. We recommend continuous pathway implementation with periodic evaluation and stakeholder feedback to further improve quality of care.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Albumins ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Cardiology ; Chart ; Charts ; Cohort Studies ; Critical Care ; Critical Pathways ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Disease ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Equipment And Supplies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Feedback ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Hormones ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Indicators And Reagents ; Infection ; Infections ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Internal Medicine ; Lead ; Magnesium ; Male ; Medicine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Nitrogen ; Overall ; Oxygen ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Patients ; Peptides ; Philippines ; Physicians ; Potassium ; Prothrombin ; Prothrombin Time ; Quality Of Health Care ; Referral And Consultation ; Sodium ; Statistics ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Thromboplastin ; Thyroid Gland ; Time ; Troponin ; Troponin I ; Universities ; Urea ; Urinalysis ; Urine ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Vital Signs ; Work ; Workforce

OBJECTIVES

The increasing prevalence of Kawasaki disease in Southeast Asia (SEA) and its potential relation with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection resulted in heightened interest in KD in the region, thus, this paper aimed to determine the trend and the socioeconomic facilitators of scientific productivity of KD research within the region. Specifically, this article determined the number of publication and citations related to KD per country, institution, and journal. We also explored the networks of countries within the region to the rest of the world and the keywords mostly associated with KD research in the region. Lastly, correlation of these bibliometric indices with socioeconomic factors in the region was analyzed.

METHODS

A literature search of KD papers in SEA was performed using Scopus database. We obtained bibliographic data from the available literature and visualized network of existing collaborations and keywords using VOSviewer software.

RESULTS

A total of 196 papers were included in the study. Bibliometric analysis showed a rising trend in publication within the region, most of which were from institutions in Singapore and Thailand. The most common topics on KD studies included clinical features, complications, treatment, and comorbidities. 

Country characteristics such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, research and development (R&D) expenditure (% GDP), and number of physician and R&D researchers were positively correlated with bibliometric indices of KD research in SEA. Moreover, number of international linkages was significantly associated with KD research productivity in the region. 

CONCLUSION

In summary, we showed an increasing trend of KD research in SEA. Funding allocation and capacity building are necessary to strengthen research productivity within the region.

Asia ; Asia, Southeastern ; Bibliometrics ; Capacity Building ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Database ; Disease ; Efficiency ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Infection ; Infections ; Literature ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Paper ; Physicians ; Prevalence ; Publications ; Research ; Research Personnel ; Rest ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Software ; Thailand ; Therapeutics

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of chronic invasive infection rhinosinusitis (CIFRS) complicated by orbital apex syndrome, highlighting the significant diagnostic challenges and delays encountered before establishing the diagnosis.

METHODS

This is a case report.

CASE PRESENTATION

This patient is a 65-year-old diabetic female, status post-kidney transplantation with immunosuppressant use presented with headache and sudden painless vision loss and extraocular limitation of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right-sided ill-defined nasopharyngeal mass, with nasopharyngeal carcinoma as the radiologic consideration. Biopsy revealed bacterial and fungal elements. During admission, antibiotics, antifungals, and tumor debulking was done but symptoms persisted. Histopathology showed reactive inflammatory tissue; hence, a short course of intravenous high-dose steroids was given. Overall health declined and patient eventually expired.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of maintaining high clinical suspicion for fungal infection despite non-specific radiologic findings in immunocompromised patients with vague, localized symptoms. Prompt recognition and tissue diagnosis are critical for early intervention.

Human ; Female ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Mycoses ; Fungal Infection ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance is resource-intensive, particularly in low-resource settings. This study evaluated whether selective surveillance of high-risk patients can accurately identify postoperative SSI compared with traditional surveillance of all surgical patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 587 patients who underwent selected general surgical procedures from January 2022 to June 2023 in a tertiary university hospital. Patients were classified as high-risk or low-risk for SSI using eight perioperative variables. Logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with SSI. The accuracy and agreement of selective surveillance versus traditional surveillance were assessed using sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and Cohen’s kappa. Results: The overall SSI rate was 12% (71/587). Independent predictors of SSI included resident service cases (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.37–4.83), ASA score 3–5 (OR 6.28, 95% CI 3.30–11.93), clean-contaminated to dirty wounds (OR 21.73, 95% CI 6.26–75.48), operative duration beyond the 75th percentile (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.24–4.38), and failure to maintain perioperative normothermia (OR 39.49, 95% CI 3.35–465.06). Selective surveillance demonstrated 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, with perfect agreement with traditional surveillance (Cohen’s kappa = 1.00). Conclusion Selective surveillance focused on high-risk patients demonstrated excellent agreement with traditional surveillance and may serve as a cost-effective alternative for SSI monitoring in resource-limited settings.
Surgical Wound Infection ; Cross Infection ;

Introduction: The Warburg effect refers to a metabolic shift in which cells preferentially utilize aerobic glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation despite adequate oxygen availability. This phenomenon is increasingly recognized as the mechanism for tumor-associated hypoglycemia, or paraneoplastic syndromes such as insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2)– mediated non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia. We present a case of Warburg effect with management challenges. Case: A 47-year-old male with advanced, treatment-naive retroviral disease presented with chronic cough, progressive right thigh swelling, constitutional symptoms over several months, followed by reduced responsiveness for 2 days prior to admission. Clinically, he was delirious, cachectic with generalized lung crepitations and right thigh mass. He was diagnosed with smear-negative disseminated tuberculosis, and thigh mass was considered either a tuberculous granuloma or sarcoma. During hospitalization, he developed recurrent hypoglycemia with lactatemia despite intravenous dextrose, optimized enteral feeding and a 1-day course of intravenous octreotide. His blood investigations showed full blood count, renal function test, liver function test, and serum ketone within normal range. His arterial blood gas analysis showed type B lactic acidosis with persistent lactatemia. At the time of hypoglycemia (RBS: 3.1 mmol/L), his serum insulin was suppressed, C-peptide was low–normal, morning cortisol was elevated, and IGF-1 was markedly reduced suggestive of non-insulin-mediated hypoglycemia secondary to Warburg effect. Conclusion In patients with retroviral disease and tuberculosis, Warburg effect may lead to poorer clinical outcomes and management may be challenging. Thus, definitive antimicrobial therapy with second generation somatostatin analogues (Pasireotide) may be considered in selected cases to modulate dysregulated hormonal and metabolic pathways. Early identification and timely targeted intervention are crucial to improving outcomes in this high-risk population.
Persistent Infection ; Hypoglycemia

Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is the most severe complication of indwelling intravascular catheters and one of the most common causes of intensive care unit (ICU)- or hospital-acquired infections. Once CLABSI occurs, it significantly increases the risk of mortality, long of hospital stay, and healthcare economic burden. In recent years, multiple large-scale clinical studies on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CLABSI have been completed, providing evidence-based medical support for related practices. Additionally, evolving global trends in antibiotic resistance epidemiology and the development of novel antimicrobial agents necessitate adjustments in clinical management strategies. Based on these developments, the Chinese Society of Critical Care Medicine has updated and revised the Guideline on the Prevention and Treatment of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections (2007). This guideline was developed following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system for evidence quality assessment. Guided by clinical questions, the working group initiated the process by defining key clinical issues, conducting literature searches, screening studies, performing meta-analyses, and synthesizing evidence-based findings to draft preliminary recommendations. These recommendations underwent iterative revisions through expert panel reviews, remote and in-person meetings, and two rounds of voting by the Standing Committee of the Chinese Society of Critical Care Medicine before finalization. The guideline comprises 52 recommendations, focusing on adult patients with central venous catheters in ICU. Key areas addressed include: selection of catheter insertion sites and techniques, catheter type and design, catheter management, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CLABSI. The guideline aims to provide ICU healthcare professionals with best practices for central line management, ensuring standardized clinical protocols for adult CLABSI.
Humans ; Catheter-Related Infections/therapy* ; Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects* ; Bacteremia/therapy* ; Intensive Care Units ; Cross Infection/prevention & control*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, microbiological analysis, and drug resistance patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) bloodstream infection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study method was employed to collect clinical data from patients suspected of bloodstream infection (BSI) during their stay in ICUs across 67 hospitals in 16 provinces and cities nationwide, from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Electronic data collection technology was used to gather general information on ICU patients, including gender, age, length of hospital stay, as well as diagnostic results, laboratory tests, imaging studies, microbiological results (including smear, culture results, and pathogen high-throughput testing), and prognosis. Patients were divided into a BSI group and a non-BSI group based on the presence or absence of BSI; further, patients with BSI were categorized into a drug-resistant group and a non-drug-resistant group based on the presence or absence of drug resistance. Differences in the aforementioned indicators between groups were analyzed and compared; variables with P < 0.10 in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for mortality and drug resistance in ICU patients with BSI. RESULTS: A total of 2 962 ICU patients suspected of BSI participated in the study, including 790 in the BSI group and 2 172 in the non-BSI group. Patients in the BSI group were mainly from East China and Southwest China, with significantly higher age and mortality rates than those in the non-BSI group. Among ICU patients with BSI, Staphylococcus had the highest detection rate (8.10%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.47%); there were 169 cases in the drug-resistant group and 621 cases in the non-drug-resistant group; 666 cases survived, and 124 cases died (mortality was 15.70%). There were statistically significant differences between the death group and the survival group in terms of age, regional distribution, and bloodstream infections caused by Gram negative (G^-) bacilli, Enterococcus faecium, Aspergillus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae; multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.00-1.03], regional distribution (OR = 4.07, 95%CI was 1.02-1.34), Enterococcus faecium infection (OR = 3.64, 95%CI was 1.16-11.45), and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection (OR = 2.64,95%CI was 1.45-4.80) were independent risk factors for death in ICU patients with BSI (all P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the drug-resistant group and the non-drug-resistant group in terms of age and bloodstream infections caused by Gram positive (G⁺) cocci and G^- bacilli; multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.01,95%CI was 1.00-1.03), G^- bacilli infection (OR = 2.18, 95%CI was 1.33-3.59), Escherichia coli infection (OR = 0.28,95%CI was 0.09-0.84), and Enterococcus faecium infection (OR = 3.35, 95%CI was 1.06-10.58) were independent risk factors for drug resistance in ICU patients with BSI (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Bloodstream infections may increase the mortality of ICU patients. Older age, regional distribution, Enterococcus faecium infection and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection can increase the mortality rate of ICU patients with BSI; bloodstream infections caused by G^- bacilli are prone to drug resistance, but have no significant impact on the mortality of ICU patients with BSI.
Adult ; Humans ; Bacteremia/microbiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Cross Infection/microbiology* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis/microbiology*

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates independent risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infection in patients with maxillofacial fractures and proposes an early warning model based on the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) algorithm. METHODS: A total of 1 104 patients who underwent surgical treatment for maxillofacial fractures at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2021 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of postoperative internal fixation device infection: the infection group (27 cases) and non-infection group (1 077 cases). Clinical data from both groups were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Univariate and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infection in maxillofacial fractures. Subsequently, a Logistic regression model was established, and the dataset was improved based on the SMOTE algorithm to construct an early warning model with the improved dataset. The prediction performance of the models was compared and validated. RESULTS: Among the 1 104 patients who underwent surgical treatment for maxillofacial fractures, 27 cases of postoperative internal fixation device infections were identified, corresponding to an infection rate of 2.45% (27/1 104). Age, diabetes history, fracture severity, and oral hygiene status were all identified as risk factors for postoperative internal fixation device infections in maxillofacial fractures (all P<0.05). The prediction model based on the original data (P1). The prediction model based on the SMOTE algorithm (P2). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis shows that the area under curve (AUC) for the P2 model was 0.882, the P1 model was 0.861, indicating the superior predictive performance of the P2 model. The DeLong test results show that the difference in AUC between the two models was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Age, diabetes history, postoperative fracture severity, and oral hygiene status are all risk factors for infections associated with internal fixation devices after maxillofacial fracture surgery. The proposed early warning model demonstrated good predictive performance. Medical professionals can utilize this model to effectively intervene and anticipate infections related to internal fixation devices after maxillofacial fracture surgery.
Humans ; Algorithms ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Logistic Models ; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Internal Fixators/adverse effects* ; Maxillofacial Injuries/surgery* ; Adolescent

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are adverse events brought about by non-compliance of the healthcare staff to set of infection prevention and control (IPC) standards. Consequently, additional medical costs, increased mortality and morbidity rates, and decreased quality of life among patients can happen. As valuable players in preventing and controlling HAIs, nurses must have good knowledge and strict compliance with infection control; however, recent evidence suggests that nurses may need more knowledge or better integration into practice. Nurses' degree of knowledge and practice in preventing and controlling HAIs and factors influencing them should be determined to provide solutions appropriately.

OBJECTIVES

The study specifically sought answers to the following questions: (1) What is the level of knowledge of nurses in the prevention and control of HAIs? (2) What is the degree of practice of nurses in the prevention and control of HAIs? (3) Is there a significant relationship between nurses' knowledge level and degree of practice in the prevention and control of HAIs? (4) What are the facilitating and hindering factors that affect nurses' practice in the prevention and control of HAIs?

METHODS

The study utilized a quantitative descriptive correlational design. The study was conducted from May to June 2023 at a private tertiary hospital in Baguio City. The study included 128 nurses who fit the inclusion criteria. The respondents were asked to answer three questionnaires, and the data were statistically treated using mean, Spearman Rank correlation, frequency, percentage, and rank distribution.

RESULTS

The study found that nurses possess good knowledge and a suboptimal degree of practice in preventing and controlling HAIs. The results showed that no significant relationship existed between nurses' knowledge level and degree of practice in preventing and controlling HAIs. Perceived personal benefits and organizational encouragement were seen to primarily facilitate the prevention and control practices of nurses. The primary hindrance identified was workload due to staff shortage, poor dissemination of guidelines, and personal discomfort associated with the use of PPE.

CONCLUSIONS

A good level of knowledge is a derivative of learnings obtained through various educational modalities and these strategies are considered effective means of knowledge formulation. However, created knowledge without actual application into practice results in overuse of unhelpful interventions. To avoid the unnecessary effects of ineffective knowledge translation, a multifactorial consideration is necessary to identify other factors that may influence the practices of nurses on HAI prevention and control because knowledge does not solely improve or worsen actual practices. Identified facilitating factors should be supported, and hindering factors should be addressed. Further recommendations based on the study results include strengthening existing programs and policies, and developing accessible materials to improve the present practices of nurses.

Infection Control ; Knowledge ; Infections ; Nurses