DSpace Collection: 985 - 1133

Sensitivity and specificity of heat and moisture exchange filters sampling for SARSCoV-2 detection in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients

2024-12-20T03:16:21Z

Title: Sensitivity and specificity of heat and moisture exchange filters sampling for SARSCoV-2 detection in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients Authors: Kamel, Toufik; Guillaume, Cle´mence; Muller, Gre´goire; Baala, Lekbir; Boulain, Thierry Abstract: Abstract We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 detection by polymerase chain reaction in heat and moisture exchange filters (HMEF) in mechanically ventilated COVID19 patients. We showed that testing HMEF might obviate the need for a tracheal sample to affirm that a patient is not ready to end isolation.

Community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with B.1.1.7 lineage in Mumbai, India

2024-12-20T03:14:30Z

Title: Community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with B.1.1.7 lineage in Mumbai, India Authors: Shastri, Jayanthi; Yadav, Pragya D.; Agrawal, Sachee; Shete, Anita M.; Nyayanit, Dimpal A.; Parikh, , Swapneil Abstract: Abstract The B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant has been detected in Mumbai, India during February 2021. Subsequently, we retrieved 43 sequences from specimens of 51 COVID-19 cases from Mumbai. The sequence analysis revealed that the cases were mainly affected with Alpha variant which suggests its role in community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Mumbai, India.Over the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, multiple variants have emerged across the globe. During late December 2020, a new variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7 (Alpha) was identified in the United Kingdom which has spread to more than 135 countries in the world including Europe, Asia, USA.1 This variant has about 17 mutations, including N501Y, P681H, HV 69e70 deletion in the spike protein and various other mutations. It has been designated as variant of concern due to its high transmissibility, with estimates ranging from 40 to 80% higher transmissibility.2,3 During the first wave of pandemic in India, SARS-CoV-2 cases showed downward trend since September 2020; however it again started rising in March 2021 with the number of cases being double of last year. Government of India started the genomic surveillance of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2

Characteristics, contacts, and relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children during school closures

2024-12-20T03:09:29Z

Title: Characteristics, contacts, and relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children during school closures Authors: Yi Sim, Jun; -Sheng Wu, Ping; Feng Cheng, Ching-; -Teng Yiang, Giou; -Hsien Yu, Chun Abstract: Abstract Background: Characteristics of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Taiwanese households is nascent. We sought to characterize SARS-CoV-2 infection, and estimate the relative risk of infection among children within households during school closures in Taipei and New Taipei City. Methods: We reviewed consecutive children below 18 years presenting to our emergency department from May 18, 2021 to July 12, 2021 who underwent real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 from respiratory swabs. Demographics, symptoms, and contacts were captured from medical records. Household contact was defined as an individual with confirmed COVID-19 living in the same residence as the child. Results: Among 56 children with SARS-CoV-2, twenty-five (45%) were male with mean age of 7.9 years. Symptoms were nonspecific, with 29% having fever, 32% having cough, and 48% were asymptomatic. The median cycle threshold (Ct) value of SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR was 25 (range 11e38). All 56 children reported 94 contacts with a COVID-19 patient, of which 99% were household contacts. The relative risk of infection was 8.5 (95% CI 5.0e14.7) for children whose parent(s) were COVID-19 patients, and 7.3 (95% CI 4.9e11.0) for children whose household grandparent(s) were patients, as compared to children without respective contacts. Children without COVID-19 contacts were all tested negative.Conclusions: During school closures in Taipei and New Taipei City, children with SARS-CoV-2 infection in our cohort had one or more COVID-19 contacts, mostly within their households. While diagnosing pediatric COVID-19 is challenging as children were often asymptomatic, those without contacts were likely uninfected

The epidemiological features of pediatric viral respiratory infection during the COVID19 pandemic in Taiwan

2024-12-20T03:08:32Z

Title: The epidemiological features of pediatric viral respiratory infection during the COVID19 pandemic in Taiwan Authors: Ting Hsu, Hao-; -Liang Huang, Fang; Ting, Pei-Ju; -Chih Chang, Chun; -Yen Chen, Po Abstract: Abstract Background: Enhanced nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to prevent the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shown various levels of impact on common respiratory pathogens. We aimed to analyze the epidemiological changes seen in certain common respiratory viruses found in Taiwanese children (e.g., influenza virus, enterovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)) after the implementation of public health measures, as well as interpret the possible meaning of these changes. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined the viral isolation from children younger than 18 years at a medical center in central Taiwan during the period January 2015 eDecember 2020, a time frame of six years. Viral isolations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2015eDecember 2019), along with those during the post-COVID-19 period (January eDecember 2020) were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 6899 throat swab samples were collected during the pre-pandemic period of 2015e2019, with 2681 of them having a positive result (38.86%). There were a total of 713 samples collected in 2020, with 142 of them showing positive results (19.92%). The overall positive rate of viral isolates significantly decreased in 2020 (p < 0.001). Declines in the isolation of the influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and enterovirus were observed. The RSV surprisingly became the leading isolate, with up to 47 (6.59%) instances in 2020, and showing an unusual peak in the winter of 2020. The rise began in September of 2020 and reached its plateau in November of that year. Conclusions: Most respiratory viruses decreased under NPIs regarding SARS-CoV-2. However, the RSV outbreak in the winter of 2020 had shown the limitation of current NPIs. Possibleexplanations have been discussed in details and public preventive measures should be reinforced for RSV, particularly amongst people having young children both at home and in care centers