COVID, Volume 4, Issue 7 (July 2024) – 10 articles

Apart from reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) scans were employed as crucial diagnostic methods for detecting the 2019 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Our objective is to examine three notable COVID-19 instances from patients across the globe, along with their CXR and CT data. The evaluation of the imaging characteristics of the reported instances was the primary objective of a methodical examination of the literature. We located more than several articles that had been published between 2020 and 2023. After the papers were examined, three major cases were chosen, including a COVID-19 assessment of imaging features (chest X-ray and CT scan). Corona viral diseases (COVID-19) pose a significant risk to healthcare facilities, especially when the patient has additional medical issues. It is challenging to understand the various chest radiography results because of the use of specialized and ambiguous terminology such as “airspace disease”, “pneumonia”, “infiltrates”, “patchy opacities”, and “hazy opacities”. The current investigation considered peer-reviewed case reports with Images features. Study designs, including reporting cases, were considered for imaging feature analysis. Full article

The reproduction number, $R_0$, is an important parameter in epidemic models. It is interpreted as the average number of new cases resulted from each infected individual during the course of infection. In this paper, the $R_0$ estimates since the outbreak of COVID-19 till 10 August 2020 for eight countries were computed using the package R{eSIR}. The computed values were examined and compared with the daily $R_0$ estimates obtained by a static SIR model by aligning the days of infection, assuming a fixed number of days for the infected person to become confirmed/recover/die. The results showed that running R{eSIR} to obtain $R_0$ estimates provided an easy mean of exploring epidemic data. Care must be taken in the interpretation of $R_0$ as a measure of severity of the spread of an epidemic. Other factors, such as imported cases, need to be considered. Full article

Background: Over the past 100 years, the discovery of antibiotics is regarded as one of the most significant advances in medical research and has saved millions of lives. However, the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has significantly reduced the efficacy of antibiotics against infectious disorders. Antimicrobial resistance is mostly caused by antibiotic misuse for conditions that may be treated with self-care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic use has been out of control among the general population. Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon. Methods: In January 2024, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst students registered at the Islamic University of Lebanon. Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 at least once were eligible for the study and were selected by a non-random snowball sampling technique. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were performed using SPSS 21. Results: Out of the 478 participants who completed the questionnaire, 40.2% (n = 192) received antibiotics during the COVID-19 infection. A physician’s prescription is mentioned by some participants (51%, n = 98), followed by a pharmacist’s (23.4%, n = 45), self-taken (14.5%, n = 28), and others as family or friends (10.9%, n = 21). Moreover, 59.3% (n = 114) of the respondents respected the antibiotic therapy’s rules, and 40.6% (n = 78) discontinued taking the antibiotic when they felt better. Conclusion: Our results showed that participants were likely to show unsatisfactory compliance and to use non-prescribed antibiotics. Campaigns are urgently needed to promote appropriate antibiotic use. Full article

NSAIDs and paracetamol are commonly used as antipyretic treatments, which may impair renal and hepatic function, respectively. Both organ systems are also negatively affected by COVID-19. In two retrospective case–control studies, we investigated whether COVID-19 is a risk factor for the development of renal or hepatic function impairment after NSAID and paracetamol use, respectively. In the NSAID study, we defined cases as patients with a decrease of ≥15% in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We matched them using a 1:2 ratio with controls who did not show a decrease in the eGFR. For the paracetamol study, we matched patients with ALT or ALP ≥ 3x, the upper limits of normal, using a 1:3 ratio with controls whose liver enzymes did not increase. In both studies, we selected demographic data, comorbidities, drug doses, and laboratory values as predictors in addition to SARS-CoV-2 test status. We applied different machine learning models to predict renal and hepatic function impairment. From the cohort of 12,263 unique adult inpatients, we found 288 cases of renal function impairment, which were matched with 576 controls, and 213 cases of liver function impairment, which were matched with 639 controls. In both case–control studies, testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 was not an independent risk factor for the studied adverse drug effects. Full article

The emergence of the coronavirus COVID-19 in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, affected all facets of people’s lives worldwide. As a result of the severity of the pandemic, governments worldwide adopted several policies and containment measures, such as social isolation, especially for vulnerable populations, including older adults. This study aimed to explore these older adults’ experiences of social isolation during COVID-19. A systematic review method based on the PRISMA protocol was used, and five databases (EMBASE, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, CINAHL, and Medline) were comprehensively searched. Studies were limited to those published between 2020 and 2023. Thirteen qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed thematically. A thematic analysis identified the following five major themes: intense feeling of loneliness due to social isolation; use of social media as a co** mechanism during social isolation; anxiety during social isolation; fear during social isolation; and financial security during social isolation. This review provides useful information on how to mitigate the effects of social isolation on the elderly population during future public health crises. Full article

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased risk of microvascular complications; however, reports of ophthalmic manifestations associated with retinal vascular occlusion associated with COVID-19 are limited. In this report, we describe two middle-aged female patients who were admitted for acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19-induced pneumonia. Following prolonged intensive care unit admission requiring mechanical ventilation and critical care interventions, both patients reported substantially reduced vision upon regaining consciousness. Dilated funduscopic exam showed multiple blot hemorrhages in all quadrants of the posterior pole, bilateral retinal hemorrhage, macular edema, and retinal vascular tortuosity. Both patients were diagnosed with retinal ischemic events owing to bilateral ophthalmic artery occlusion in the first patient, and bilateral central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the second individual. While uncommon, retinal microvascular complications associated with COVID-19 leading to vision loss require prompt evaluation and referral given their potential long-term impact following acute illness. Full article

Under the aegis of the National Infectious Diseases Act, the virus transitioned from a category 2 menace to category 5, analogous to seasonal influenza. For this classification to be appropriate, a comprehensive assessment of the immune status of the Japanese population must be conducted to ensure adequacy. The current study has investigated the protracted immune responses of healthcare workers (HCWs) to SARS-CoV-2 in Japan. One year subsequent to the systematically implemented SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign among HCWs, humoral and cellular immune responses were sustained at levels as high as or higher than those immediately following the third booster vaccination. Persisting immunity has highlighted the resilience and lasting memory exhibited in HCW defense against the virus, suggesting that the classification of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a category 5 in Japan has appeared judicious. Full article

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, media consumption has begun playing a more significant role in sha** public perceptions and well-being. The current study examines the effects of risk perception, economic situation, and negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic on preventive behaviors, while focusing on the mediating role of media exposure levels. An online survey was conducted during the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 in Israel. SEM analysis results show that during the pandemic, media exposure increased with negative emotions levels, increased with higher exposure to the pandemic and increased as the economic impact of the pandemic increased. In addition, preventive behavior increased with media exposure. Moreover, the media exposure variable was found to mediate the effect of negative emotions and of the perceived risk of being infected with coronavirus on preventive behavior. Implications for government policy are discussed. Full article

(1) Background: To mitigate COVID-19 transmission, global public health interventions were swiftly implemented. However, a comprehensive understanding of individual variations in adhering to these recommendations remains elusive. Addressing this gap is crucial for effectively managing future epidemic and pandemic scenarios. This study aims to explore individual differences in attachment, emotion regulation, and risk for COVID-19 infection using virtual reality (VR). (2) Methods: The sample included 73 (88%) university students and 10 (12%) university staff. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographic information, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships—Relationship Structures Questionnaire, and the fear of COVID-19 Scale. Additionally, each participant engaged in five daily situations using a VR simulator to assess the risk of COVID-19 infection. (3) Results: Our study revealed that high levels of attachment anxiety, difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors, and limited access to emotion regulation strategies were strong predictors of elevated risk of COVID-19 infection. Conversely, high levels of fear of COVID-19 and attachment avoidance were associated with lower risk of COVID-19 infection. (4) Conclusions: We discuss the importance of policymakers and health professionals being aware of some psychological characteristics that make it difficult for some individuals to adhere to public health measures involving social distancing. Full article

Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen that causes COVID-19 disease. Although the rate of COVID-19 reinfection is significant, the possible factors associated with this condition remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to identify clinical and serological factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Materials and Methods: We followed up on 120 patients with mild COVID-19 for one year. Various clinical data were collected, and serum levels of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike antibodies were tested on days 21, 60, 90, and 180. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on symptomatology and the detection of viral RNA in nasal swabs using real-time PCR. Results: We observed eleven episodes of reinfection. Although no clinical or demographic characteristics were associated with reinfection, significantly higher levels of anti-Spike antibodies and a seropositive status at day 90 were significantly associated with the absence of reinfection. Moreover, the symptoms during the COVID-19 episode associated with seropositivity at day 90 were mainly headache, sneezing, anosmia, and runny nose. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is not associated with the clinical or demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the presence and levels of IgG anti-Spike antibodies at day 90 of infection play a protective role against reinfection. Serological immunity at day 90 influences the response to vaccination. Full article