Search results for "SARS-CoV-2"
showing 10 items of 1204 documents
Saliva as a testing sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-PCR in low prevalence community settings
2021
AbstractObjectivesThe number of COVID-19 cases is increasing globally and there is an urgency for a simple non-invasive method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Our study aimed to demonstrate that saliva can be used as a specimen for SARS-CoV-2 detection notably for the screening of extensive population groups via pooling.MethodsTo demonstrate that saliva is an appropriate specimen for SARS-CoV-2 detection a field study including 3,660 participants was performed between September 29 and October 1, 2020. We collected paired nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva specimens and processed them within 24 hours of collection. We performed 36 serial measurements of 8 SARS-CoV-2 positiv…
“The effectiveness of rapid antigen test-based for SARS-CoV-2 detection in nursing homes in Valencia, Spain”
2021
The usefulness of the PANBIOTM COVID-19 Ag rapid test for SARS-CoV-2 infection detection has not been widely studied, especially in specific population groups such as the elderly who are institutionalized. Rapid diagnostic tests have the potential to benefit testing strategies, as they have short turnaround times, they are cheap, simple to perform and can be used in decentralized testing. The objective of this study is to show the performance of the PANBIOTM COVID-19 Ag Rapid test device conducted at geriatric institutions and to compare results to those obtained from RT-PCR. A total of 448 individuals were enrolled in the study, including both residents and employees. Nasopharyngeal swabs …
The Italian paediatric society raccomandations on children and adolescents extra-domestic activities during the SARS COV-2 emergency phase 2
2020
Abstract Background Due to novel coronavirus infection emergency, restricting measures have been imposed in Italy. As well as adults, also children are limited in their daily routine. Main text As the lockdown period is expected to end on 3rd May 2020, we discuss the opportunity for children to practice safely recreational or physical activity outdoor. Conclusion The Italian Paediatric Society recommends specific recreational and physical activities according to the age of the children and respecting social distancing.
Spontaneous anterior cervicothoracic spinal epidural hematoma extending to clivus in SARS-CoV-2 infection
2021
Background: The treatment of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas (SSEHs), depending on the lesion size and myeloradicular involvement, can be surgical or conservative. Here, we present a 55-year-old patient who sustained a SSEH several months following a systemic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Case Description: A 55-year-old immunocompromised female (i.e., history 17 years ago of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, nodular sclerosis variant) recently developed a SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. She then reported the sudden onset of cervicodorsalgia after a slight cervical flexion/extension maneuver. The brain and cervicothoracic spine MRI studies documented a clival anteri…
Telemedicine during Covid-19 pandemic: Advantage or critical issue?
2020
Telemedicine offers a support to traditional medicine, delivering clinical services when distance is a critical factor. Although this tool does not replace a medical examination, during Covid-19 pandemic, it reduces the spread of infection and avoids the need for a patient’s visit. It is useful in the management of chronic disorders or for patients undergoing palliative treatment. The University Hospital of Palermo has applied this in cases of chronic illness caring for patients who cannot stop their treatment, such as Department of Onco-Haematology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, etc. The Department of Legal Medicine of Palermo, in particular, is also using telemedicine to manage medico-…
Telemedicine Online Visits in Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic-Potential, Risk Factors, and Patients' Perspective.
2020
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed considerable strain on hospital resources. We explored whether telemedicine (defined as a videoconference) might help. We undertook prospective structured phone interviews of urological patients (n = 399). We evaluated their suitability for telemedicine (judged by a panel of four physicians) and their risks from COVID-19 (10 factors for a poor outcome), and collected willingness for telemedicine and demographic data. Risk factors for an adverse outcome from COVID-19 infection were common (94.5% had one or more) and most patients (63.2%) were judged suitable for telemedicine. When asked, 84.7% of patients wished for a teleme…
Digital health interventions in children with asthma
2020
Abstract Although healthcare providers are actively involved in offering education, information and interventions for asthmatic patients, medication and therapeutic adherence remain low in the paediatric population, with estimates suggesting that adherence rates hover below 50%. A range of available digital health interventions has been explored in paediatric asthma with promising but variable results, limiting their widespread adoption in clinical practice. They include emerging technologies that yield the advantage of tracking asthma symptoms and medications, setting drug reminders, improving inhaler technique and delivering asthma education, such as serious games (video games designed fo…
Coagulation disorders in SARS-CoV-2 infection
2020
A better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to a more effective management of patients with COVID-19. Coagulation dysfunction is a key pathogenetic element of this disease as well as a challenge for practitioners. Marked inflammatory process found in severe forms of COVID-19, the complement activation, the cytokine storm, and disruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are involved in the onset of thrombotic microangiopathy and large vessel coagulopathy. Virus-induced procoagulant activity occurs at the systemic level. Intravascular microthrombi disrupt vascularization in various tissues and organs, contributing to the oc…
Management of biological therapies for chronic plaque psoriasis during COVID-19 emergency in Italy
2020
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is creating an unprecedented global public health emergency with the continuous growth of infected individuals worldwide. Italy was one of the first European country to face the first wave of infection outside mainland China. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Lombardy on February 20th , 2020, and subsequently, a rapid increase in the number of detected cases was observed, spreading through Italy and the rest of Europe.3 As of April 22nd , confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy were 183,957.
Reliability of wastewater analysis for monitoring COVID-19 incidence revealed by a long-term follow-up study
2021
Background Wastewater-based epidemiology has been used for monitoring human activities and waterborne pathogens. Although wastewaters can also be used for tracking SARS-CoV-2 at the population level, the reliability of this approach remains to be established, especially for early warning of outbreaks. Methods We collected 377 samples from different treatment plants processing wastewaters of >1 million inhabitants in Valencia, Spain, between April 2020 and March 2021. Samples were cleaned, concentrated, and subjected to RT-qPCR to determine SARS-CoV-2 concentrations. These data were compared with cumulative disease notification rates over 7 and 14 day periods. Results We amplified SARS-CoV-2…