Infectious Disease Commons^™

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 122), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Hemoglobin As A Predictor For Covid-19 Disease Severity, Nicholas Sarcia, Dan Thai, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: The dilemma of who is at highest risk for COVID-19 severe disease and death persists. Hemoglobin levels may be an indicator of COVID-19 disease severity. There is inconsistent data on Emergency Department (ED) hemoglobin levels and severity of disease. Our objective was to examine if COVID-19 patients presenting with abnormal hemoglobin levels have an increased risk of severe disease and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA to investigate the relationship of COVID-19 disease severity with hemoglobin level. Inclusion criteria consisted of ED patients over 18 years with …

Disease Severity In Covid-19 Breakthrough Cases, Dan Thai, Nicholas Sarcia, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background

Vaccine breakthrough is a phenomenon wherein vaccinated individuals become infected with disease despite adequate protection. During this study period, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 66.6% of US people have been fully vaccinated. Any measures to improve trust would increase vaccination rates. This study aims to understand vaccine breakthrough cases in COVID-19 by comparing their severity to unvaccinated cases. Our objective is to compare disease severity based on the worst initial vital signs (temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation), length of stay (LOS), and age between vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 cases.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 121), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Meets Transitions Of Care: Defining Length Of Therapy For Community-Acquired Pneumonia (Cap), Christopher Whitman, Sarah E. Moore, Matthew Song, Brian C. Bohn, Ashley M. Wilde

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship efforts have traditionally focused on inpatient settings. Antibiotic prescribing at discharge is often an overlooked area of focus for antimicrobial stewardship programs. Discharge prescribing optimization is necessary to combat antibiotic overuse.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective cohort study at a four–adult community hospital system. Four hundred adult patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia and discharged with antibiotics were included. The primary outcome was overall (inpatient and discharge) antibiotic length of therapy. The secondary outcome was percentage of patients discharged on a fluoroquinolone who had not received one in the hospital. Descriptive statistics were utilized.

Results: The …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 120), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Case Complicated With Organizing Pneumonia And Pneumothorax: Correspondence, Hammad A. Bhatti, Minh Q. Ho

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

How Environmental Change Will Impact Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Arsal Khan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Mosquitos, the most lethal species throughout human history, are the most prevalent source of vector-borne diseases and therefore a major global health burden. Mosquito-borne disease incidence is expected to shift with environmental change. These changes can be predicted using species distribution models. With the wide variety of methods used for models, consensus for improving accuracy and comparability is needed. A comparative analysis of three recent modeling approaches revealed that integrating modeling techniques compensates for trade-offs associated with a singular approach. An area that represents a critical gap in our ability to predict mosquito behavior in response to changing climate factors, …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 119), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 118), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Covid-19, Vaccination, And Heart Transplantation, Forest W. Arnold

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Intracranial Empyema After Bacterial Sinusitis, Eric Doane, Bhumi Shah, Robert Belfer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute sinusitis in the pediatric population is a common presentation in the emergency department. Most cases are viral and can be managed conservatively and will resolve spontaneously in 7-10 days. Even in cases of bacterial sinusitis, patients can typically be discharged with oral antibiotics and close follow up with the pediatrician.

There is however a small subset of patients who will develop a rare lethal complication, an intracranial empyema. While the incidence in the developed world has decreased as antibiotics become more available, it is still estimated to occur in up to 5% of severe cases requiring hospitalization (1) . …

Case Report: Covid Arm (Covid Vaccine Arm), Joseph Pagano, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna, Henry Schuitema

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report the case of a 38-year-old male physician who was vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. He experienced arm pain and swelling on the vaccinated arm as well as systemic symptoms, including fever, chills, headache and weakness. The systemic symptoms improved after the use of oral prednisone. A review of the literature on the COVID vaccine is presented.

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 117), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Monitoring Protocol Adherence In An Academic Medical Center: A Seven Year Analysis And Literature Review, Natavoot N. Chongswatdi Md, Callie Seaman Md, Diane Harman Rn, Bsn, William Rollyson Md, Adam M. Franks Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Health care workers (HCW) are at risk for occupational blood borne pathogen exposures (BBPE). Effective prevention and management of BBPEs relies upon reporting and post-exposure follow-up protocol adherence. As post-exposure monitoring completion is largely unexplored, seven years of a university healthcare system’s BBPE exposure data was explored and compared to documented rates.

Methods

The Marshall Health Occupational Health and Wellness division collected seven years (2012-2018) of BBPE follow-up monitoring adherence rates and demographic data. Data for HCW occupation, exposure incident, and source patient disease status were evaluated. Differences were analyzed with Chi square, Fischer Exact and logistic regression tests. …

Use Of Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir And Rilpivirine As An Alternative For Treatment In Hiv Positive Patients, Aravindh Nirmalan

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using

Mantsios A, Murray M, Karver TS, et al. Efficacy and Freedom: Patient Experiences with the Transition from Daily Oral to Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy to Treat HIV in the Context of Phase 3 Trials. AIDS Behav. 2020;24(12):3473-3481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02918-x

for a young adult patient struggling with adherence.

Covid-19 Case Complicated With Organizing Pneumonia And Pneumothorax: A Case Report, Tammy E. Phillips, Hammad A. Bhatti, Minh Q. Ho

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Organizing pneumonia can be idiopathic or caused by multiple etiologies, including viral or bacterial pneumonia, drugs, and autoimmune disorders. It can rarely lead to cyst formation and pneumothorax with the exact mechanism remaining unclear. This case presents a previously healthy 50-year-old male who contracted COVID-19 with subsequent development of organizing pneumonia and pneumothorax. Patients presenting with hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 should be screened for organizing pneumonia upon discharge. This case also illustrates the importance of following such patients radiologically to monitor interstitial lung disease and consider pneumothorax for patients re-presenting with acute symptoms.

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 116), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Annual Hepatitis C Screening Qi: A Scoping Review, Sadiat Omowunmi Adebiyi Bsn, Rn, Sakinah Shaw Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Ag-Acnp-Bc, Sharon Little Dnp, Fnp-Bc, Aprn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Despite the surge in HCV prevalence among pregnant women and the threat of perinatal HCV transmission, infants exposed to HCV in the United States are inadequately screened (Chappell et al., 2018). It is estimated that between 4% and 8% of babies exposed to HCV during pregnancy become infected (Watts et al., 2017). Incorporating Hep C screening with other mandated prenatal screening will play an essential role in reducing the complications associated with Hep C transmission to the newborn.

Methods Article search was done in the first three weeks of the fall 2021 semester, and a total of 63 articles …

Outcomes Of Covid-19 Infection In Patients With Hematological Malignancies- A Multicenter Analysis From Pakistan, Adeeba Zaki, Salman Muhammad Soomar, Danish Hasan Khan, Hasan Shaharyar Sheikh, Raheel Iftikhar, Ayaz Mir, Zeba Aziz, Khadija Bano, Hafsa Naseer, Qamar Un-Nisa Chaudhry

Section of Haematology/Oncology

Purpose: COVID-19 infection resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began to spread across the globe in early 2020. Patients with hematologic malignancies are supposed to have an increased risk of mortality from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) infection. From Pakistan, we report the analysis of the outcome and interaction between patient demographics and tumor subtype and COVID-19 infection and hematological malignancy.
Patients and methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included adult patients with a history of histologically proven hematological malignancies who were tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR presented at the oncology department of 5 tertiary care hospitals …

Sotrovimab: Neutralizing Antibody To Combat Covid-19, Aya Allam, Steven Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Are Antipyretic Medications Compatible With Sars-Cov-2 Vaccines?, Sharanya S E Santhi, Niguma Rayamajhi, Steven B Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 115), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Association Of Natural Waterways And Legionella Pneumophila Infection In Eastern Wisconsin: A Case-Control Study, Hannah M. William, Kayla Heslin, Jessica J. F. Kram, Caroline P. Toberna, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Preliminary research has suggested possible associations between natural waterways and Legionella infection, and we previously explored these associations in eastern Wisconsin using positive L. pneumophila serogroup 1 urine antigen tests (LUAT) as diagnostic. This case-control study was a secondary analysis of home address data from patients who underwent LUAT at a single eastern Wisconsin health system from 2013 to 2017. Only zip codes within the health system’s catchment area that registered ≥ 3 positive cases and ≥ 50 completed tests, as well as geographically adjacent zip codes with ≥ 2 positive cases and ≥ 50 tests, were included. A 1:3 …

Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, And Outcomes Among A Large Midwestern U.S. Cohort Of Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19 Prior To Vaccine Availability, Viviana Zlochiver, Ana Cristina Perez Moreno, Michael Peterson, Khalil Odeh, Ashley Mainville, Katherine Busniewski, Jon Wrobel, Mohamed Hommeida, Blair Tilkens, Payal Sharma, Hlu Vang, Sara Walczak, Fekadesilassie Moges, Kritika Garg, A. Jamil Tajik, Suhail Q. Allaqaband, Tanvir Bajwa, M. Fuad Jan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented demands on health care. This study aimed to characterize COVID-19 inpatients and examine trends and risk factors associated with hospitalization duration, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized at an integrated health system between February 2, 2020, and December 12, 2020. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records. Backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors of ICU admission and in-hospital mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate relationships between ICU admission and in-hospital …

Anakinra Treatment Efficacy In Reduction Of Inflammatory Biomarkers In Covid-19 Patients: A Meta-Analysis, Zunaira Naveed, Musharraf Sarwar, Zahid Ali, Danish Saeed, Khadija Choudhry, Azza Sarfraz, Zouina Sarfraz, Miguel Felix, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Anakinra is being empirically considered for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The aim is to assess the efficacy of anakinra treatment on inflammatory marker reduction, including c-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, serum ferritin, and serum d-dimer levels.
Methods: Adhering to PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across the following databases from December 2019 until January 10, 2022: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE. The following keywords were employed: Anakinra, COVID*, SARS-CoV-2, inflammatory, CRP, D-dimer, Ferritin, hematological, laboratory, clinical, trials. The findings were collated and presented in a tabulated manner, and statistically analyzed using Review …

Mucormycosis: Covid-19 And Corticosteroids, Mittal Savaliya, Nivedita Jha, Steven B Lippmann

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Physician's Attitudes On Pulmonary Rehabilitation Following Covid-19: A Brief Perspective From A Developing Country, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda, Emanuel Vanegas, Miguel Felix, María José Farfán Bajaña, Azza Sarfraz, Zouina Sarfraz, Genesis Camacho, Alanna Barrios-Ruiz, Jack Michel

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Despite the uncertainty about the follow up of COVID-19 survivors, there is a growing body of evidence supporting specific interventions including pulmonary rehabilitation, which may lead to a reduced hospital stay and improved overall respiratory function. The aim of this short report was to assess the attitudes toward pulmonary rehabilitation following COVID-19 among Ecuadorian physicians. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a 5-question survey was used to assess the level of agreement to specific statements with a 5-point Likert scale. Out of the 282 participants, 48.2% (n=136) were male, with a mean of 12.6 (SD=11.3) years of experience. More …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 114), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Secondary Distribution Of Hepatitis C Self-Testing Within The Context Of A House-To-House Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Programme In Karachi, Pakistan, Sonjelle Shilton, Dania Ali, Alyia Hasnain, Adeel Abid, Jessica Markby, Muhammad S. Jamil, Niklas Luhmann, Pamela Nabeta, Stefano Ongarello, Saeed Hamid

Medical College Documents

Background: Globally, just 21% of the estimated 58 million people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) know their status. Thus, there is considerable need to scale-up HCV testing if the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 hepatitis elimination goals are to be achieved. HCV self-testing may assist with this; however, there are currently no data on the real-world impact of HCV self-testing. With an estimated 5% of the general population living with HCV, Pakistan has the second highest HCV burden in the world. This study aims to evaluate the acceptability and impact of home delivery of HCV self-testing for secondary distribution …