International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2020
Observational StudyCOVID-19: Poor outcomes in patients with zinc deficiency.
Zinc is a trace element with potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties, and is utilized in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, we do not know the clinical significance of serum Zinc levels in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum zinc in COVID-19 patients and to establish a correlation with disease severity. ⋯ The study data clearly show that a significant number of COVID-19 patients were zinc deficient. These zinc deficient patients developed more complications, and the deficiency was associated with a prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2020
Observational StudyMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): Report of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases in Santiago de Chile during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Santiago, Chile. ⋯ This study describes the first series (n = 27) of children with MIS-C in a Latin American country, showing favorable clinical outcomes. Education and alerts are required for clinical teams to establish an early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2020
New loss of smell and taste: Uncommon symptoms in COVID-19 patients on Nord Franche-Comte cluster, France.
New loss of smell or taste was not included as common symptoms of COVID-19 until March 2020 when the pandemic started in Western countries. We want to describe the prevalence and features of anosmia and dysgeusia in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Anosmia and dysgeusia are present in half of COVID-19 patients. The mean duration of anosmia was 7 days and the outcome seems favorable in less than 28 days.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2020
Case ReportsCT scan does not make a diagnosis of Covid-19: A cautionary case report.
Here, we report the clinical case of a 12-year-old girl presenting with flu-like symptoms, cough, anosmia, ageusia, breathing difficulties, and patchy ground glass opacities on TDM chest scan who turned out to be Coronavirus 229E-infected. This case draws attention to the risk of false COVID-19 diagnosis when over-relying on CT scan imaging.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2020
COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in a national healthcare system: The Qatar experience.
Our aim was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) in a national healthcare system and to understand the risk factors for infection. ⋯ COVID- 19 infection among HCWs often occurs among those not directly working with COVID-19 patients. PPE use is less stringent in such settings. Risk of exposure and need for strict PPE must be stressed upon all HCWs in all settings.