Articles: sars-cov-2.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2023
EditorialDoes natural and hybrid immunity obviate the need for frequent vaccine boosters against SARS-CoV-2 in the endemic phase?
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has entered its endemic phase and we observe significantly declining infection fatality rates due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On this background, it is crucial but challenging to define current and future vaccine policy in a population with a high immunity against SARS-CoV-2 conferred by previous infections and/or vaccinations. ⋯ More evidence from randomized controlled trials and continuously accumulating national health data is required to inform shared decision-making with people who consider vaccination options. Vaccine policy makers should cautiously weight what vaccination schedules are needed, and refrain from urging frequent vaccine boosters unless supported by sufficient evidence.
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The occurrence and healthcare use trajectory of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate these aspects in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with and without a PCC diagnosis. ⋯ The differential association of age, sex, comorbidities, and healthcare use with the severity of the acute infection indicates different trajectories and phenotypes of PCC, with incomplete resolution 1 year after infection.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Feb 2023
Meta AnalysisHypertension and mortality in SARS-COV-2 infection: A meta-analysis of observational studies after 2 years of pandemic.
The worldwide pandemic SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with clinical course including a very broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including death. Several studies and meta-analyses have evaluated the role of hypertension on prognosis, but with important limitations and conflicting results. Therefore, we decided to perform a new meta-analysis of the observational studies that explored the relationship between pre-existing hypertension and mortality risk in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, using more stringent inclusion criteria to overcome the limitations inherent previous meta-analyses. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis indicate that pre-existing hypertension is not an independent predictor of mortality during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies should nevertheless be carried out worldwide to evaluate this role, independent of, or in interaction with, other confounders that may affect the mortality risk.
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The Omicron variant BA.2 is the dominant form of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in many countries, including those that have already implemented the strictest quarantine mandates that effectively contained the spread of the previous variants. Although many individuals were partially or fully vaccinated, confirmed Omicron infections have far surpassed all other variants combined in just a couple of months since the Omicron variant emerged. The ChAdOx1-S (AstraZeneca), BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines offer protection against the severe illness of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, these currently available vaccines are less effective in terms of preventing Omicron infections. ⋯ Herein, we review the studies that assessed the clinical benefits of the booster dose of vaccines against Omicron infections. We also analyzed public data to address whether early booster vaccination effectively prevented the surge of the Omicron infections. Finally, we discuss the consideration of a fourth dose of vaccine as a way to prevent possible upcoming infections.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2023
Hemodynamic changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting for cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia: a retrospective case-control study.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Early studies suggested that COVID-19 was associated with a higher incidence of hypotension following neuraxial anesthesia in parturients. We explored the hemodynamic response to spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in pregnant severe respiratory distress syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive patients, using a retrospective case-control design. ⋯ Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy exhibit less spinal hypotension than non-infected patients. While the clinical significance of this finding is unknown, it points to important cardiovascular effects of the virus.