Articles: covid-19.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Jan 2025
State of the Art and Emerging Technologies in Vaccine Design for Respiratory Pathogens.
In this review, we present the efforts made so far in developing effective solutions to prevent infections caused by seven major respiratory pathogens: influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Bordetella pertussis, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Advancements driven by the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis have largely focused on viruses, but effective prophylactic solutions for bacterial pathogens are also needed, especially in light of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenomenon. Here, we discuss various innovative key technologies that can help address this critical need, such as (a) the development of Lung-on-Chip ex vivo models to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis process and the host-microbe interactions; (b) a more thorough investigation of the mechanisms behind mucosal immunity as the first line of defense against pathogens; (c) the identification of correlates of protection (CoPs) which, in conjunction with the Reverse Vaccinology 2.0 approach, can push a more rational and targeted design of vaccines. By focusing on these critical areas, we expect substantial progress in the development of new vaccines against respiratory bacterial pathogens, thereby enhancing global health protection in the framework of the increasingly concerning AMR emergence.
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We are still in search of new therapeutic options for COVID-19 to prevent new infections, enable fast recovery and reduce the long-lasting symptoms or sequelae. This study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of inhaled aviptadil on hospitalized, adult COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Study shows that inhaled aviptadil is well-tolerated and can be used as a supplementary intervention to fasten the recovery of respiratory manifestations in hospitalized patients for COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Review Meta Analysis
Risk factors for delirium in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Delirium is one of the serious neurological complications of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19, especially in older patients. There is currently no meta-analysis of risk factors for delirium in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for delirium in patients with COVID-19 through a meta-analysis of observational clinical studies. ⋯ Notably, the administration of hydrocortisone and azithromycin, among other specific medications designated for COVID-19, exhibited a potential to be positively associated with the incidence of delirium in patients afflicted with COVID-19. In conclusion, the present study identified potential predisposing and precipitating factors linked with delirium in COVID-19 patients. It is anticipated that these results will have a considerable impact on the management and treatment of delirium in COVID-19 patients.
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In the UK, booster COVID-19 vaccinations have been recommended biannually to people considered immune vulnerable. We investigated, at a population level, whether the absence of detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody (anti-S Ab) following three or more vaccinations in immunosuppressed individuals was associated with greater risks of infection and severity of infection. ⋯ UK Research and Innovation, Kidney Research UK, Blood Cancer UK, Vasculitis UK, and Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
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The OSCE has been a robust tool for assessing clinical skills in medical education, adaptable across various clinical domains and stages. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, posed significant challenges to traditional assessment methods. This led to the development of the OSVE as an alternative. ⋯ The correlations between the assessments revealed mild to moderate, suggesting that the assessments can be used interchangeably in the context of formative assessment. These results indicate the feasibility of using both OSVE and multiple-choice tests as effective tools to enhance intern training and monitoring.