International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Apr 2021
Meta AnalysisTricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measured by echocardiography and mortality in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed the association between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measured by echocardiography and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ⋯ CRD42021232194.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Apr 2021
Observational StudyTocilizumab treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A retrospective observational study.
Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are observed in severe COVID-19 infections, and cytokine storm is associated with disease severity. Tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, is used to treat chimeric antigen receptor T cell-induced cytokine release syndrome and may attenuate the dysregulated immune response in COVID-19. We compared outcomes among tocilizumab-treated and non-tocilizumab-treated critically ill COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Tocilizumab treatment was associated with fewer deaths compared to non-treatment despite predominantly being used in patients with more advanced respiratory disease.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Apr 2021
Comparative StudyProspective study of 1308 nasopharyngeal swabs from 1033 patients using the LUMIPULSE SARS-CoV-2 antigen test: Comparison with RT-qPCR.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Previously, the accuracy of the quantitative LUMIPULSE SARS-CoV-2 antigen test was demonstrated using samples collected retrospectively. In this study, the LUMIPULSE antigen test was clinically validated using prospective samples. ⋯ This prospective study demonstrated that the LUMIPULSE antigen test is a highly accurate diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Apr 2021
Combination therapy with tocilizumab and corticosteroids for aged patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A single-center retrospective study.
The role of combination immunomodulatory therapy with systemic corticosteroids and tocilizumab (TCZ) for aged patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine release syndrome remains unclear. ⋯ The combination of corticosteroids and TCZ was associated with better outcomes among patients aged ≥65 years with severe COVID-19.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Apr 2021
Evaluation of Lumipulse® G SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay automated test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP) in nasopharyngeal swabs for community and population screening.
To compare the Lumipulse® SARS-CoV-2 antigen test with the gold standard real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate its role in screening programs. ⋯ The Lumipulse® SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay can be safely employed in the screening strategies in small and large communities and in the general population.