OBJECTIVES

his quantitative cross-sectional study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices
regarding COVID-19 vaccination of unvaccinated adult patients admitted at Region II Trauma and Medical Center
(R2TMC). This may help determine the knowledge gap regarding COVID-19 vaccination, address it, and to achieve
the goal to vaccinate all eligible Filipinos. Furthermore, this may also be a springboard for future researches and
management regarding novel infections needing new vaccinations.

METHODS

Collected data from the sample size of 197 using the formula for finite population with 95% confidence
level, population proportion of 50%, population size of 400, allowing 5% margin of error were summarized in a
Microsoft excel database and tables, then were analyzed using Jamovi version 2.6.22 software. Frequency, mean,
and standard deviation were calculated to measure the knowledge, attitude, and practices; Pearson correlation and
Kendall’s Tau b correlation for its relationship.

RESULTS

There is moderate level of knowledge (MS: 9.80-11.8), a positive attitude (MR: 2.35-2.60), and good preventive
practices (MS: 12.00-13.00) regarding SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination among the unvaccinated adult in-patients
of R2TMC post-pandemic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices statistically differed (pCONCLUSION

There is a significant correlation among the knowledge of the respondents about COVID-19 vaccination,
their attitude towards it, and their practices, implying that promoting preventive behaviors toward COVID-19 would
require promoting both knowledge and efficacy beliefs among the public.

Human ; Bacteria ; Male ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Wounds And Injuries ; Population Density ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Forecasting ; Sars-cov-2 ; Sars Virus ; Covid-19

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The global pandemic caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions, with growing evidence of the potential role of ocular tissues in viral transmission. At the time of writing, local data regarding the phenomenon was limited. This study investigated external ocular manifestations in patients with COVID-19 at a referral center in the Philippines, examined correlations between demographics, systemic manifestations, and laboratory results with ocular manifestations, and determined their timing relative to systemic symptoms.

METHODS

This single-center, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from December 8 to 18, 2020 at the adult COVID-19 wards of the Philippine General Hospital involving 72 participants. Data collection involved relevant clinical history taking and performing gross eye examination. The prevalence of ocular manifestations was described with 95% confidence intervals. Correlations between ocular manifestations and quantitative variables were analyzed with point-biserial correlation, and associations with qualitative variables were tested using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests.

RESULTS

Among participants, 31.9% presented with ocular manifestations with foreign body sensation as the most prevalent ocular symptom (11.1%) and conjunctival hyperemia as the most prevalent ocular finding (19.4%). The median age of patients with ocular manifestations was 41 years old with a higher prevalence in the male population (73.9%, CI=95%, p=0.001). No significant correlation was observed between presence of external ocular manifestations and the different systemic and ocular co-morbidities as well as with COVID-19 clinical classification. Among those who experienced symptoms, majority (29.2%) of the patients experienced systemic symptoms prior to the onset of ocular symptoms. Ocular complaints may present as the sole manifestation (13.9%). Several laboratory parameters were measured and only temperature and AST levels showed a low positive correlation with the presence of ocular manifestations. 

CONCLUSION

Ocular manifestations occur in roughly one third of patients with COVID-19 based on this study population. With some individuals presenting with ocular signs or symptoms as the initial and sole manifestation, healthcare practitioners must exercise caution and remain vigilant in managing patients who present as such. At the time of writing, this is the first local study investigating the different external ocular manifestations in patients with COVID-19. There is a need to pursue more robust studies and conduct more local investigations which will guide both ophthalmologists and other practitioners in strengthening existing guidelines regarding precautionary practices, clinical diagnosis, and management of COVID-19 patients.

Human ; Sars-cov-2 ; Covid-19 ; Philippines ; Adult ; Association ; Classification ; Collection ; Confidence Intervals ; Coronavirus ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Data Collection ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Disease ; Exercise ; Eye ; Foreign Bodies ; History ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Hyperemia ; Laboratories ; Male ; Morbidity ; Ophthalmologists ; Pandemics ; Patients ; Population ; Prevalence ; Referral And Consultation ; Role ; Sensation ; Temperature ; Time ; Tissues ; Volition ; World Health Organization ; Writing

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

BACKGROUND

Despite the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals, namely, remdesivir, nirmatrelvir and toremifene, these drugs entail adverse effects and limited effectiveness. Thus, development of a safer alternative is imperative, and likely candidates include the cell-free supernatant (CFS) and protein fractions from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains. These postbiotics have known antiviral properties primarily mediated by plantaricins and enhanced by organic acids.

OBJECTIVES

The study determined the in silico mechanism of plantaricins against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as well as compared the in vitro activities of the L. plantarum BS25 CFS, semi-purified and crude protein fractions, against the SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses (nCoV-S-EGFP) expressing the spike of wild-type (wt) Wuhan strain, Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 variants. Further, this study determined the metabolome of the strain BS25 CFS.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental approach was utilized in the study. Plantaricins were screened for safety in silico, followed by molecular docking with RBD and ACE2. Using a cell culture model, two-fold dilutions of the CFS and fractions were tested for cytotoxicity and microneutralization against the pseudoviruses. Mass spectrometry was utilized for the metabolomics.

RESULTS

Plantaricins interact stably with RBD than ACE2 which were mediated by hydrogen, hydrophobic and covalent bonds. The activities of the CFS and fractions were substantially higher against the nCoV-SEGFP BA.4/5 variant. The 1:8 dilution of CFS entailed no cytotoxicity and displayed higher activities than toremifene. Metabolomics has identified a relatively abundant putative peptide, followed by organic acids and cyclic peptides.

CONCLUSION

Plantaricins can prevent SARS-CoV-2 entry by interacting with key RBD mutations or with intrinsically disordered RBD residues. The cationic and hydrophobic RBD mutations in the BA.4/5 variant may facilitate interactions with the putative peptide from the CFS and fractions, hence the observed potent activities. These findings can be used as basis for the development of an alternative antiviral targeting the RBD of live or pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Sars-cov-2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

COVID-19 has quickly spread over the world and became an unprecedented burden on health care systems. COVID-19 diagnosis necessitates the use of precise testing methods such as RT-PCR. This method is generally reported as positive or negative, however, studies have shown its semi-quantitative capability through Ct values. This study determined an association that exists between the Ct values, clinical features, and laboratory findings among COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary infectious disease hospital in Manila, Philippines. This attempts to further explore the utility of RT-PCR in disease severity classification and diagnosis.

METHODS

This was an observational retrospective study that utilized a purposive sampling method, wherein patients were selected based on the DOH case definition of confirmed COVID-19, and were stratified according to disease severity. Baseline laboratory data of the patients were gathered from medical records covering the period of June 2021 to January 2022 using a Data Collection Form. Chi-square test was used to measure the degree of association between the groups and categorical variables. Regression Analysis was used to identify predictors for certain variables. SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 was utilized for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, serum urea, LDH, CRP and PTT were found to be predictors of COVID-19 severity. There was no significant difference observed between the disease severity and the patient’s clinical outcome. All routine laboratory tests that were taken at baseline (ORF Gene, N-Gene, Hematocrit, White Blood Cells, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Platelet Count, Urea, Creatinine, SGPT, SGOT, Na, K, LDH, Ferritin, C Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, D-Dimer, PT, PTT) were not significant predictors of the clinical outcome. Although WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte count, urea, LDH, CRP, and PTT were predictors  of disease severity. The study also reported that the odds of having severe to critical disease increases by 20.6% for every one unit increase in neutrophil count, and 17.4% for every one unit increase in lymphocyte count. Among the laboratory parameters, neutrophil count (p=0.010654063) and urea (p= 0.04149874 have direct relationship with the N gene Ct values while Orf gene Ct Values have direct relationship with lymphocyte count (p=0.01269027). Similarly, regression showed that as monocyte count, creatinine levels, and serum ferritin decrease, Ct values increase. Sex was found to not be a significant predictor of disease severity and clinical outcome. There was also no significant difference observed between the disease severity and the patient’s clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that the Ct values for both ORF and N genes were not significant predictors of both disease severity and clinical outcome. However, ORF gene Ct values have direct relationship with lymphocyte counts while N gene Ct values have direct correlation with neutrophil count and urea levels. Similarly, monocyte, creatinine, and ferritin are negatively correlated with Ct values. It is important to monitor the patient’s laboratory biomarkers in order to determine the proper course of treatment and management for each case.

Human ; Sars-cov-2 ; Covid-19

Viral infections are one of the main causes of deaths and economic losses around the globe, and effective virus detection methods are essential for epidemic prevention and control. Most existing detection methods have problems such as high false negative/positive rates, slow responses, high costs, and dependence on professional equipment and personnel, which are not conducive to the rapid and accurate detection of viruses. Field effect transistor (FET) biosensors have attracted widespread attention due to their advantages of label-free detection, high sensitivity, fast responses, real-time measurement, low power consumption, and small sizes for portability. This article first briefly describes the basic situation of viruses and the structure and detection principle of FET biosensors. Subsequently, it delves into the research achievements in the application of FET biosensors in the detection of influenza viruses, hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Finally, we make a comprehensive summary and reasonable outlook on the role played by FET biosensors in biomedicine.
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation* ; Transistors, Electronic ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification* ; Viruses/isolation & purification* ; Orthomyxoviridae/isolation & purification* ; Hepatitis Viruses/isolation & purification* ; Virus Diseases/virology* ; HIV/isolation & purification* ; COVID-19/diagnosis*

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of death in the elderly with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods The case data of death caused by COVID-19 in West China Fourth Hospital from January 1 to July 8,2023 were collected,and surviving cases from the West China Elderly Health Cohort infected with COVID-19 during the same period were selected as the control.LASSO-Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the data after propensity score matching and the validity of the model was verified by drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results A total of 3 239 COVID-19 survivors and 142 deaths with COVID-19 were included.The results of LASSO-Logistic regression showed that smoking(OR=3.33,95%CI=1.46-7.59,P=0.004),stroke(OR=3.55,95%CI=1.15-10.30,P=0.022),malignant tumors(OR=19.93, 95%CI=8.52-49.23, P<0.001),coronary heart disease(OR=7.68, 95%CI=3.52-17.07, P<0.001),fever(OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.26-0.96, P=0.042),difficulty breathing or asthma symptoms(OR=21.48, 95%CI=9.44-51.95, P<0.001),and vomiting(OR=8.19,95%CI=2.87-23.58, P<0.001)increased the risk of death with COVID-19.The prediction model constructed based on the influencing factors achieved an area under the curve of 0.889 in the test set.Conclusions Smoking,stroke,malignant tumors,coronary heart disease,fever,breathing difficulty or asthma symptoms,and vomiting were identified as key factors influencing the death risk in COVID-19.
Humans ; COVID-19/mortality* ; Aged ; Propensity Score ; China/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Logistic Models ; Smoking ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Stroke ; Neoplasms

Objective To investigate the recovery of plasma metabolism in asymptomatic and mild patients of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)one year after recovery.Methods A total of 174 participants were recruited from the communities in Wuhan,including 80 healthy volunteers and the COVID-19 patients who had recovered for one year.According to the disease severity,the recovered COVID-19 patients were grouped as asymptomatic patients(n=80)and mild patients(n=14).The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry platform was employed to study the metabolomic characteristics of the plasma from all the participants.Results The plasma metabolites in asymptomatic patients and mild patients remained abnormal compared with those in healthy volunteers.Among the differential metabolites in asymptomatic patients and mild patients,some metabolites showed a downward trend only in mild patients,such as phosphatidylethanolamine[20∶3(5Z,8Z,11Z)/P-18∶0],sphingomyelin(d18∶1/24∶0),and cholesteryl(15∶0).The metabolic pathway involving the differential metabolites in mild patients was mainly glycerophospholipid metabolism.Conclusions Even one year after recovery,the mild COVID-19 patients still exhibit metabolic abnormalities.Hence,these patients may experience an extended period of time for recovery.
Humans ; COVID-19/metabolism* ; Metabolomics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Metabolome ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of COVID-19 infection on the mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: The general baseline data, treatment factors before mobilization collection, collection status, and treatment overview after collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 1, 2020 to July 15, 2023 were analyzed. RESULTS: 269 patients underwent mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells. Among them, 32 cases with COVID-19 infection history (COVID-19 group) and 237 cases without COVID-19 infection history (non-COVID-19 group). In the COVID-19 group, 17 cases were treated with chemotherapy (etoposide)+G-CSF, and 15 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF. In the non-COVID-19 group, 214 cases were treated with chemotherapy +G-CSF, 17 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF, and 6 cases were treated with chemotherapy + plerixafor +G-CSF. The number of CD34⁺ cells, collection success rate, and excellence rate in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group were ［5.52 (0.94-26.87) vs 4.80 (0.53-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.610), (93.8% vs 85.2%) (P =0.275), (62.5% vs 49.4%) (P =0.190), respectively. Among 113 patients mobilized with etoposide +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate, and excellence rate collected from COVID-19 infection (17 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (96 cases) were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 7.78 (2.26-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.847), (100.0% vs 100.0%) (no P value), (82.4% vs 86.5%) (P =0.655), respectively. Among 32 patients mobilized by plerixafor +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate and excellence rate of COVID-19 infection (15 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (17 cases) were ［3.82 (0.94-7.27) vs 4.11 (0.53-9.05)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.821), (86.7% vs 88.2%) (P =0.893), (40.0% vs 35.3%) (P =0.784), respectively. In 32 patients with COVID-19 infection, the number of CD34⁺ cells collected by etoposide +G-CSF (17 cases) and plerixafor +G-CSF (15 cases), as well as the success rate and excellence rate were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 3.82(0.94-7.27)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.004), (100.0% vs 86.7%) (P =0.120), (82.4% vs 40.0%) (P =0.014), respectively. By 2023.7.31, 232 patients (86.2%, 232/269) had received transplantation, including 24 patients in the COVID-19 group and 208 patients in the non-COVID-19 group. The median number of CD34⁺ cells infused in the two groups was ［3.67 (2.50-13.44) vs 3.11(1.12-19.89)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.058), the median days of neutrophil engraftment ［11(9-13) vs 11(9-17)］ (P =0.674), the median days of platelet engraftment ［11(0-23), 12(0-43)］ (P =0.279), respectively. CONCLUSION The history of COVID-19 infection did not affect the PBSC mobilization, collection and transplantation of patients with myeloma. In patients with COVID-19 infection, the results of chemotherapy mobilization with etoposide seems to be better than that of plerixafor mobilization, but further research is needed to clarify.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use* ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Female ; Cyclams ; Benzylamines

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serological prevalence of high-titer IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. METHODS: The blood plasma specimens were diluted at 1∶160 or 1∶320, then tested for the presence of 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The differences of antibody reactive rate among different genders, ages, and blood types were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 523 reactive specimens were identified in 5 378 specimens which were diluted at a ratio of 1∶160. Similarly, 329 reactive specimens were identified in 2 988 diluted at 1∶320. The overall reactive rate for antibodies was 22.1%. It was observed that females, individuals over the age of 40, and those with blood type AB exhibited higher high-titer antibody reactive rate. CONCLUSION After entering a new stage of 2019-nCoV infection prevention and control, there is a relatively high detection rate of high-titer 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. The reactive rate of antibodies varies among different genders, ages, and blood types.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; COVID-19 ; Female ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Adult ; China ; Male ; Middle Aged