scholarly journals CHILDREN IN CORONAVIRUSES’ WONDERLAND: WHAT CLINICIANS NEED TO KNOW

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e2020042
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lassandro ◽  
Valentina  Palladino ◽  
Anna Amoruso ◽  
Viviana Palmieri ◽  
Giovanna Russo ◽  
...  

Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses but can lead to more severe and diffusive diseases. A variety of signs and symptoms may be present, and infections can range in severity from common cold and sore throat to more serious laryngeal or tracheal infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Among the seven coronaviruses that affect humans, (SARS)-CoV, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and the most recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represent potential life-threatening diseases worldwide. In adults they may cause severe pneumonia that evolve in distress respiratory syndrome and multiorgan failure with a high mortality rate. Children appear to be less susceptible to develop severe clinical disease and present usually with mild and aspecific symptoms similar to other respiratory infections typical of childhood. However, some children such as infants, adolescents or those with underlying diseases may be more at-risk categories and require greater caution from clinicians. Available data on pediatric coronavirus infections are rare and scattered in the literature. The purpose of this review is to provide to clinicians a complete and updated panel useful to recognize and characterize the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of coronavirus infections in the pediatric age.

Author(s):  
Е.Е. Краснова ◽  
В.В. Чемоданов ◽  
Е.Г. Кузнецова

Пневмония – острое инфекционно-воспалительное заболевание легких преимущественно бактериальной этиологии, характеризующееся выраженной в разной степени дыхательной недостаточностью, токсическими и респираторными нарушениями, локальными физикальными симптомами, а также инфильтративными изменениями на рентгенограмме. Заболеваемость внебольничными пневмониями повышается в октябре-декабре, достигая максимума в январе-апреле, коррелируя с сезонным повышением уровня острых респираторных вирусных инфекций. Схожесть симптомов дебюта пневмонии с проявлениями острых респираторных вирусных инфекций может привести к несвоевременной ее диагностике и, как следствие, к отсроченному началу лечения. Поэтому в период сезонной заболеваемости респираторными инфекциями должна повышаться настороженность врачей-педиатров в отношении внебольничной пневмонии. Антибактериальная терапия оказывает решающее влияние на прогноз пневмонии, поэтому при достоверном диагнозе или у больного в тяжелом состоянии с вероятным диагнозом ее следует начать незамедлительно. Выбор антибиотика в каждом случае внебольничной пневмонии проводят индивидуально с учетом природной активности препаратов в отношении предполагаемого возбудителя и их возможной приобретенной резистентности, тяжести и течения заболевания, наличия у пациента противопоказаний к использованию тех или иных антибиотиков. В статье приводятся сведения о диагностических критериях внебольничных пневмоний. Рассмотрены вопросы антибактериального лечения типичной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разных возрастных групп амоксициллином с клавулановой кислотой и показана его эффективность. Результаты проведенного исследования позволяют заключить, что пероральное использование одного курса защищенного аминопенициллина эффективно при лечении типичной внебольничной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разного возраста, о чем свидетельствует ликвидация основных клинических проявлений болезни в короткие сроки. Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory lung disease of predominantly bacterial etiology, characterized by respiratory failure, toxic and respiratory disorders, local physical symptoms, and infiltrative changes on the roentgenogram. The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia increases in October-December, reaching a maximum in January-April, correlating with the seasonal increase in the level of acute respiratory viral infections. The similarity of the symptoms of the onset of pneumonia with the manifestations of acute respiratory viral infections can lead to its untimely diagnosis and, as a consequence, to a delayed start of treatment. Therefore, during the period of seasonal morbidity with respiratory infections, the alertness of pediatricians in relation to community-acquired pneumonia should increase. Antibiotic therapy has a decisive influence on the prognosis of pneumonia, therefore, with a reliable diagnosis or in a patient in serious condition with a probable diagnosis, it should be started immediately. The choice of antibiotic in each case of community-acquired pneumonia is carried out individually, taking into account the natural activity of the drugs in relation to the alleged pathogen and their possible acquired resistance, the severity and course of the disease, the patient's contraindications to the use of certain antibiotics. The article provides information on the diagnostic criteria for community-acquired pneumonia. The issues of antibacterial treatment of typical non-severe pneumonia in children of different age groups with amoxicillin with clavulanic acid are considered and its effectiveness is shown. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the oral use of one course of protected aminopenicillin is effective in the treatment of typical community-acquired non-severe pneumonia in children of different ages, as evidenced by the elimination of the main clinical manifestations of the disease in a short time.


2020 ◽  
pp. 111-122
Author(s):  
Muaz Elsayed ◽  
R. Ahmed ◽  
A. Alkhedir ◽  
M. Saeed ◽  
S. El-Sadig

Background: COVID-19 has superseded all medical scientific challenges in 2020. It presented with a range of respiratory involvement from the mild upper respiratory tract to severe pneumonia with ARDS. A percentage of these patients manifested variable neurological presentations expanding the challenges of patients’ assessment, care, and management. Objective: To discuss the neurological manifestations and the possible immunopathology of COVID-19. Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed database for the relevant articles published in English language between April 9th , 2020 and June 1, 2020. Few papers were extracted from Google Scholar and pre-print material as well. The keywords used to perform search included “COVID-19,” “SARS Cov2,” “neurological manifestations,” and “immunology and pathology of COVID-19”. However, animal studies were excluded in the neurological manifestations, and the final number of literature search outcome was 27 articles. Results: The immunopathology involves angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) receptor 2 and spike protein S1. COVID-19 has a tremendous affinity to the ACE2 receptor. The status of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) and the cytokine storm lead to different organ damage and the corresponding clinical manifestations. The documented neurological manifestations mainly include acute ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, temporal lobe, thalamic encephalitis, and one case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, in addition to agitation, headache, and seizures. Conclusion: Although the intimate relationship between the neurons and the immune activation is the basic concept of COVID-19 immunopathology, the definite routes of entry to the neuronal cells are yet to be disclosed. Acute stroke, myositis, headache, and meningoencephalitis are the most common types of complications of COVID-19 so far.


Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 280
Author(s):  
Valentina Agnese Ferraro ◽  
Stefania Zanconato ◽  
Andrea Zamunaro ◽  
Silvia Carraro

The term children interstitial lung diseases (chILD) refers to a heterogeneous group of rare diseases that diffusely affect the lung. ChILD specific to children younger than 2 years of age include diffuse developmental disorders, growth abnormalities, specific conditions of undefined etiology (neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy and pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis) and surfactant protein disorders. Clinical manifestations are highly variable, ranging from the absence of relevant symptoms to a severe onset. Most commonly, chILD presents with nonspecific respiratory signs and symptoms, such as dyspnea, polypnea, dry cough, wheezing, recurrent respiratory infections and exercise intolerance. In the diagnostic approach to a child with suspected ILD, chest high resolution computed tomography and genetic tests play a central role. Then, if the diagnosis remains uncertain, laryngotracheal-bronchoscopy and lung biopsy are needed. Pharmacological treatment is mostly empiric and based on anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs including corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Despite chILD overall rarity, pediatric pulmonologists must be familiar with these diseases in order to carry out a timely diagnosis and patient treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
Velo Markovski

BACKGROUND: Over 500 viruses and bacteria primarily cause respiratory infections. During COVID-19 pandemic, these respiratory infections remain; i.e., COVID-19 has no ability to suppress these infections from the circulation. Therefore, it is very important to differentiate respiratory infections from COVID-19. Proving the presence of COVID-19 with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not evidence that the disease was caused by this virus. Possible options are: First, a random encounter of the virus in the patient’s upper respiratory tract; second, further possible colonization with a coronavirus (or with COVID-19); the third option is to have an infection; and the fourth possibility is to have a disease or COVID-19 upper respiratory infection. Unfortunately, the method with PCR, although it is with high sensitivity and specificity, does not help us to distinguish which of these four possibilities are in question. AIM: We aimed to present a guide to leading a patient with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection during a coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). RESULTS: A pandemic of COVID-19 shows that many patients get primary viral pneumonia, but people with normal immune system have no problem recovering. People with reduced immunity die from COVID-19, as opposed to the pandemic influenza virus. It is indirectly concluded that COVID-19 in itself is not very virulent, but it weakens the immunity of those infected who already have some condition and impaired immunity. The available scientific papers show that there is no strong cytokine response, patients have leukopenia and lymphopenia, some patients have a decrease in CD4 T-lymphocytes. From the results of the autopsies available so far, it is clear that there are very few inflammatory cells in the lungs and a lot of fluid domination. Hence, SARS-Cov-2 only somehow speeds up the decline in immunity. The previously published radiographic findings of COVID-19 patients, gave a characteristic findings of the presence of multifocal nodules, described as milky glass, very often localized in the periphery of the lung. Whether it is typical pneumonia, atypical, viral, mixed-type pneumonia, or mycotic pneumonia, it can progress to severe pneumonia. The pneumonia becomes severe when breathing is over 30/min; diastolic pressure below 60 mmHg; low partial oxygen pressure in the blood (PaO2/FiO2 <250 mmHg) (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa); massive pneumonia, bilateral or multilayered lung X-ray; desorientation; leukopenia; and increased urea. CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19 placed in intensive care units should be led by a team of anesthesiologists with an infectious disease specialist or an anesthesiologist with a pulmonologist. Critical respiratory parameters should be peripheral oxygen saturation <90%, PaO2/FiO2 ratio 100 or <100, tachycardia above 110/min.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
S.V. Nikolaeva ◽  
◽  
D.V. Usenko ◽  
S.V. Shabalina ◽  
L.V. Feklisova ◽  
...  

Despite significant public health efforts, acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are still very common among children. Most ARIs (both mono- and mixed forms that became more frequent recently) are caused by viruses. Inappropriate use of antibiotics in patients with ARIs leads to an increase in antibiotic resistance, which is a highly relevant problem now. Administration of antibiotics requires an individual approach and better knowledge of practitioners regarding the problem of antibiotic resistance. Since clinical manifestations of upper respiratory tract infections (that represent a large proportion of all ARIs in children) include both general intoxication symptoms (fever, decreased appetite, weakness, and fatigue) and local symptoms (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat increasing during swallowing, and cough) and the most common pathogens causing ARIs are viruses, local anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agents in the form of gargles or tablets for resorption are preferable. Key words: respiratory infections, children, mixed infection, Faringosept


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Meskina ◽  
M. K. Khadisova ◽  
T. V. Stashko ◽  
A. V. Bitsueva

Aim: To assess clinical and epidemiological characteristics, as well as treatment results in COVID-19 pediatric patients hospitalized to the Department of infectious disease in the Moscow region.Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 124 pediatric patients aged from 1 month to 17 years with confirmed (63.7%) and highly probable (proven epidemiological association with the infection source) COVID-19 infection. The children were hospitalized from March 25, 2020 to August 11, 2020. Among patients that were hospitalized during this time period, 43% had pneumonia and 30% had acute respiratory disorders. All cases of pneumonia were confirmed by computed tomography. The children were treated according to the standard Russian guidelines.Results: The children had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 mostly from family members (75%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 66.4–82.3). In the families of the children with pneumonia, the number of pneumonia cases in their relatives was higher than in the families of the children with acute respiratory infections (1.7±1.0 vs. 1.1±0.5 respectively; р<0.001). The mean age of the hospitalized children was 8 years (7.4–9.6), with an even age distribution. The main COVID-19 signs and symptoms were as follows: fever (75.8%; 95% CI 67.3–83.0), cough (66.1%; 95% CI 57.1–74.4]), fatigues (38.7%; 95% CI 30.1–47.9), and hyposmia (33.9%; 95% CI 25.6–42.9). The severe disease course was rare (2.4%; 95% CI 0.5–6.9). The rates of positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction tests for SARS-CoV-2 were rapidly decreased at repeated tests: at day 3, 63.7% of the tests were positive, at day 7, 21.8% and at day 14, 5.6% (р<0.001). The prevalence of pneumonia was 56.4% without any age differences, with mostly minimal areas of lung abnormalities (78.6%). The severity of pneumonia and duration of clinical manifestations in the patients treated with a III generation cephalosporin or its combination with a macrolide were similar. Cough duration in those, who were treated with ipratropium bromide /fenoterol inhalations including their combination with budesonide, was higher than in those who did not use inhalation treatment. Pyrexia of>5 days duration can be a predictor of pneumonia in a  pediatric patient with COVID-19 (odds ratio 4.55 (2.1–9.9), sensitivity 61.4%, specificity 74.1%).Conclusion: The results obtained are important to develop further treatment strategies for children with COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-93
Author(s):  
Swati Jain ◽  
Sobhana Ranjan

COVID-19 is a viral infectious disease caused by SARS-COV2. Its clinical signs and symptoms are on a broad spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe complications like multi-organ failure, thromboembolism, and severe pneumonia with respiratory failure. Worse outcomes and higher mortality rates have been reported in the elderly, people with co-morbidities, and malnourished individuals. Nutrition is fundamental to good health and immune function. It forms an integral component of treatment modalities for various acute and chronic diseases, especially where a causative treatment is not yet recognized. Taking into consideration the magnitude of demands this pandemic has posed on hospital resources, an orderly assessment of nutritional status and body composition may not be possible for critically ill and/or for patients with mild-moderate symptoms who are managing their illness at home. Adequate intake of various macro and micro-nutrients--energy, protein, fat, vitamins--A, B, C, D, E and minerals--iron, selenium, zinc, and copper, along with supportive health practices like hydration, meal consistency, frequency of meal consumption and physical activity, often ameliorate respiratory infections, in part by modulating the immune response. Though at present there is a lack of well-defined nutrition-based guidelines for COVID-19 patient care, this paper brings forward the existing relevant evidence base for caregivers and patients to use as a reference/guide.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70
Author(s):  
S.S. Smirnova ◽  
◽  
E.V. Lelenkova ◽  
A.Yu. Markaryan ◽  
I.V. Vyalykh ◽  
...  

Objective. To study the clinical, epidemiological and etiological characteristics of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in in-patients in Ekaterinburg during the epidemic season 2017–2018. Patients and methods. 403 individual medical records were studied. Etiological decoding was carried out by isolating RNA or DNA of respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal swabs by polymerase chain reaction. Results. SARI in hospitalized patients were caused by both influenza viruses (В Yamagata – 25.2% and А(H1N1)pdm09 – 11.0%) and viruses of non-influenza etiology (respiratory syncytial virus (RS-virus) – 13.3%, rhinovirus – 12.9%, metapneumovirus – 11.0%). It was found that viruses were more often secreted in children than in adults; among children of the younger age group (0–2 years old) viruses of non-influenza etiology were detected significantly more often, and in children 7–14 years old, influenza viruses were more often isolated. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections were significantly more likely to have influenza viruses (78.9%) than patients with lower respiratory tract infections (21.1%). Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the importance of hospital surveillance for SARI from the point of view of the etiological diagnosis of respiratory infections, the study of epidemiology and typical clinical manifestations for the timely diagnosis and development of additional preventive and anti-epidemic measures. Key words: hospital surveillance, influenza, PCR diagnostics, respiratory infections, epidemiology, etiology


Author(s):  
Muhammad Moazzam ◽  
Muhammad Imran Sajid ◽  
Hamza Shahid ◽  
Jahanzaib Butt ◽  
Irfan Bashir ◽  
...  

Currently, a global pandemic era of public health concerns is going on with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case of COVID-19 was reported from Wuhan’s Huanan seafood market in China late December 2019. Bats, pangolins, and snakes have been nominated as salient carriers of the virus. Thanks to its high pathogenicity, it can cause severe respiratory infections. Fever, dry cough, sore throat, pneumonia, septic shock, and ground-glass opacities are the foremost clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for COVID-19 infection and may lead to death. Scientist and government agencies around the globe are putting forward their best efforts and resources for the effective treatment of human coronavirus infections; however, neither vaccines nor antiviral drugs are available for the treatment of human coronaviruses (HCoV) infections such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome), and COVID-19. Since the outbreak, a plethora of research and review articles have been published. Moreover, the mass media has bombarded the public with conflicting opinions about the pandemic. There is a dire need for accurate and reliable information concerning this pandemic. In this review, we have compiled the up to date information about the origins, evolution, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of this disease. Moreover, very few reports have addressed the clinical features and current status of treatment for COVID-19; we have adequately addressed these topics in detail in this review. Finally, a detailed account of clinical trials of vaccines and other therapeutics currently in progress has been delineated.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 538
Author(s):  
Li-Jen Chang ◽  
Tsung-Hsien Chen

Several life-threatening viruses have recently appeared, including the coronavirus, infecting a variety of human and animal hosts and causing a range of diseases like human upper respiratory tract infections. They not only cause serious human and animal deaths, but also cause serious public health problems worldwide. Currently, seven species are known to infect humans, namely SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1. The coronavirus nonstructural protein 16 (NSP16) structure is similar to the 5′-end capping system of mRNA used by eukaryotic hosts and plays a vital role in evading host immunity response and protects the nascent viral mRNA from degradation. NSP16 is also well-conserved among related coronaviruses and requires its binding partner NSP10 to activate its enzymatic activity. With the continued threat of viral emergence highlighted by human coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2, mutant strains continue to appear, affecting the highly conserved NSP16: this provides a possible therapeutic approach applicable to any novel coronavirus. To this end, current information on the 2′-O-MTase activity mechanism, the differences between NSP16 and NSP10 in human coronaviruses, and the current potential prevention and treatment strategies related to NSP16 are summarized in this review.


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