COVID-19 Research
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/16496
2024-03-29T08:49:57ZPrevalence of Blastocystis sp. and other gastrointestinal pathogens among diarrheic COVID-19 patients in Italy
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53207
Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and other gastrointestinal pathogens among diarrheic COVID-19 patients in Italy
Marianna, Marangi; Boughattas, Sonia; Valzano, Felice; La Bella, Gianfranco; De Nittis, Rosella; Margaglione, Maurizio; Arena, Fabio
BackgroundGastrointestinal pathogens (GPs) contribute significantly to the burden of illness worldwide with diarrhoea being the most common among gastrointestinal symptoms (GSs). In the COVID-19 disease, diarrhoea, could be one of the initial presenting symptoms. However, no data on the potential correlation between diarrhoea-causing pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 infection are available. Therefore, we carried out a 2-years retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of “classic” GPs among SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected patients with diarrhoea in Italy. MethodsResults of SARS-CoV-2 research from nasopharyngeal and detection of GPs from stool swab samples by Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 and GI Virus, Bacteria and Parasite Assay were analysed for all patients with diarrhoea referring to Policlinico Ospedaliero Universitario, Foggia, (Italy) from February 2022 to October 2023. ResultsOut of the 833 involved patients, 81 (3.9%) were COVID-19 positive, while 752 (90.3%) were COVID-19 negative. Among COVID-19-positive patients, 37% (n = 30/81) were found positive for one or more GPs with a higher prevalence of protozoan parasites (18.5%) (Blastocystis ST1-ST4 subtypes, Dientamoeba fragilis genotype I), followed by bacteria (7.4%) (Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp.). Viral pathogens were more frequent among COVID-19 negative patients (Adenovirus, Norovirus). Among GPs, Blastocystis ST3 subtype was the most prevalent registered in the 16% of patients (p = 0.0001). ConclusionsBased on obtained results, a likely interaction between the classic GPs and SARS-CoV-2 infection can be speculated, driven by protozoan parasites. Moreover, these results also provide baseline data to understand more deeply Blastocystis sp. role in this scenario of dysbiosis, particularly in those cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.
2024-02-15T00:00:00ZAssociation Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53088
Association Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
Al-Hadeethi, Tayeb; Charde, Priti; Sunil, Sruthi; Marouf, Nadya; Tamimi, Faleh
Purpose of Review: Periodontitis has been linked to various systemic diseases and conditions. Given their shared comorbidities, extensive research has been carried out to explore the link between periodontitis and COVID-19. Recent Findings: A growing body of evidence suggests that periodontitis could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. It has been suggested that the association between the two diseases could be due to immunological, coagulation, genetic, and microbiological reasons. The effect of periodontitis on the immune system could increase the expression of receptors used by SARS-CoV2 to infect cells (transmembrane protease, serine 2 [TMPRSS2], and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2]) and prime the immune system to an exacerbated immune reaction against the virus. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that periodontitis could also increase the risk of COVID-19 complications by altering the coagulation pathways, and periodontal pathogens were identified in the respiratory system of patients suffering from severe COVID-19. In addition, it was also found that patients suffering from both diseases share some genetic similarities, suggesting that both diseases could be linked through common genetic pathways. Summary: In this review, we discuss the above-mentioned associations and make the case for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection and complications.
2024-01-03T00:00:00ZFood safety-related practices among residents aged 18–75 years during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Southwest China
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53062
Food safety-related practices among residents aged 18–75 years during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Southwest China
Li, Zhourong; Jiang, Ke; Li, Shengping; Wang, Tiankun; Zeng, Huan; Sharma, Manoj; Shi, Zumin; Zhao, Yong
Background: Good food safety practices are essential to minimizing foodborne diseases. The present study explored the food safety-related practices of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest China and identified the impacting factors. Methods: Residents aged 18–75 years from Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing, China, were included in our study. The convenience sampling method was used to select participants, and face-to-face surveys were conducted in households and communities to collect data. Descriptive statistics including sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and weighted percentages were obtained and the log-binomial regression was used to evaluate the influencing factors associated with food safety-related practices. Results: Overall, 7,848 respondents were involved, with 97.5% efficacy. Disparities in food safety-related practices were observed between males and females, with the former performing poorer practices than the latter (70.5% vs. 68.0%, respectively). Notably, paying attention to nutrition labels when shopping for prepackaged foods was the worst practice. Age, ethnicity, region, occupation, education level, and income were identified as significant determinants of food safety-related practices. Moreover, in comparison to males, females were more likely to acquire pertinent knowledge from diverse sources, including social media, family members/ friends, books/ newspapers/ magazines, experts, and food sales staff (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Males performed inferior food safety-related practices than females during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest China. It is suggested that future food safety education programs should incorporate diverse targeted approaches, with emphasis on males. The role of mainstream media in promoting food safety practices should be expanded and prioritized in the forthcoming initiatives.
2024-12-01T00:00:00ZExploring patients' experiences with telehealth in obstetrics care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53042
Exploring patients' experiences with telehealth in obstetrics care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Alkawaldeh, Mohammad; Alkhawaldeh, Asma; Yeboah, Tracy
Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' experiences with telehealth provision of obstetrics and gynecology care during the COVID-19 pandemic qualitatively. Design and setting In this study, a qualitative research design, namely descriptive phenomenology, was employed. Participants were recruited from the OB department at UMass Memorial Medical center in Worcester, MA, between 6/2020 and 7/2020. Methods Between June 2020 and July 2020, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women receiving care at the Obstetrics and Maternal and Fetal Medicine clinics. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke. Results Telehealth is a feasible and safe health-care tool that is available during these unprecedented times. This study provided qualitative evidence based on patients' perspectives and experiences. Participants' meanings in relation to their experiences of using telehealth services emerged from the data in four themes: the overall experience of using modern telehealth platforms, telehealth and its perceived benefits, telehealth and its perceived challenges, and telehealth and its potential future use. Conclusion While this study highlights areas in telehealth implementation that require improvement, the overall positive experiences and consistent perceived benefits of most participants suggests that telehealth can be an important tool in healthcare delivery for appropriate patients and situations moving forward in a post-pandemic world.
2023-01-01T00:00:00Z