The Pan African medical journal
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 646 hospitalised SARS-Cov-2 positive patients in Rivers State Nigeria: a prospective observational study.
the knowledge of epidemiologic and clinical variables in patients with SARS- CoV-2 infection provides evidence and lessons that are useful for the pandemic response, with consideration of National and sub-National variations. The objective of this study was to characterize and describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of all the hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in Rivers State Nigeria, from March to August 2020. ⋯ the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of this cohort of hospitalised patients show significant similarities with existing trends from previously reported studies, with contextual peculiarities.
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The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in many cases of morbidity and mortality across the globe, and the lack of the COVID-19 vaccine has contributed greatly to this experience. COVID-19 vaccines have currently been rolled out, and are available in some countries. However, strategies need to be put in place to prevent COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) especially in Africa; a continent where VH has been previously reported following the introduction of new vaccines. ⋯ Also, feedback mechanisms for the acknowledgement of community efforts in previous health interventions should be improved upon to encourage the acceptance of the prospective COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, improved multi-sectoral collaboration should be initiated and promoted to enhance the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines through the provision of more resources required to address COVID-19 VH. Furthermore, integration of the COVID-19 vaccine into the routine immunization schedule would strengthen the health system, improve uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, and improve the health of all persons living on the African continent.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in a non-intubated COVID-19 patient: a case report.
The development of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are few of the rare clinical manifestations observed in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients which are yet to be fully understood. Most cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum arise due to factors causing high intra-alveolar pressure. ⋯ Male gender and diffuse alveolar damage caused by COVID-19 seems to be the most relevant association in this case. However, we have enlightened other possible pathological mechanisms and their association with severity index of COVID-19.
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In children, coronavirus disease 2019 infection is rarely symptomatic. Severe forms with respiratory distress are rare, thromboembolic complications are exceptional. We report a rare case of a 14 years old girl with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection who was admitted to the hospital for bilateral pulmonary embolism with intracardiac thrombus. The girl progressed well on anticoagulation.
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The COVID-19 pandemic had caused significant morbidity and mortality, with over a million deaths recorded to date. Mortality recorded among severe-critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) has been significantly high, especially in most COVID-19 epicenters. Reports on the unique clinical characteristics and outcomes from the ICU admissions are on-going with isolated studies in Africa. ⋯ Duration of treatment with methylprednisolone was significantly associated with patient outcomes (p=0.04) and serum ferritin levels had a tendency to negatively affect outcome (p=0.06). Clearly there are still no specific targeted medications for COVID-19 treatment, except for empirically symptoms-guided treatments and management of mild to critically ill patients. Early use of systemic corticosteroids for severe to critically ill patients in the ICU using S/F ratio and CRP levels may improve outcomes.