Indian J Med Res
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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to an enormous increase in cases worldwide in a short time. The potential shortage might call for the reuse of personal protective equipment especially N95 masks. In this review, the methods available for decontamination of N95 masks have been compared to highlight the advantages and efficacies of different methods. ⋯ For the decontamination of N95 masks, among the heat-based methods steam was found to be the best for low middle-income countries setting. H2O2-based methods, UVGI, and EtO all exhibited both adequate biocidal efficacies and functionality (fit testing and structural integrity). Further studies on logistics, healthcare worker acceptability of reuse, and actual efficacy of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection should be carried out to validate the use of decontamination in the real-life settings.
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The ongoing pandemic of novel coronavirus 2019 is rapidly evolving, and newer organ- and system-specific manifestations are being observed. Thrombotic complications and coagulopathy are frequent manifestations of the disease, especially in sick patients, which appear to be unique and distinct from sepsis-induced coagulopathy, disseminated intravascular coagulation and other viral infection-induced coagulation abnormalities. ⋯ There is much to be known about the pathogenesis of COVID-associated coagulopathy; however, the mechanisms overlap with thrombotic microangiopathy, haemophagocytic syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome compounded by the diffuse endothelial damage. The recommendations regarding the treatment are still evolving, but antithrombotic therapy has a definite role in positive outcomes of sick patients.
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The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has spread all over the world due to rapid person-to-person transmission. More information about viral load dynamics and replication is needed for clarity on duration of infectiousness of an individual, along with its implications on transmission. This is important to healthcare facilities and public health authorities in formulating guidance on the duration of isolation for patients and return to work criteria for healthcare workers. ⋯ Infectious virus is generally not shed beyond 20 days of the onset of symptoms in most patients, including severely ill and immunocompromised, as indicated by failure to isolate replication-competent virus beyond this timeline in available studies. Further, detection of neutralizing antibodies in the serum, although associated with positive RT-PCR, is generally not associated with infectious virus shedding as indicated by negative viral cultures beyond this period. In this review, we analyze the current literature on the dynamics of viral load, culture, seroconversion and their implications on infectivity and the duration of isolation precautions for COVID-19 patients.