Articles: sars-cov-2.
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All pandemic viruses have eventually adapted to human hosts so that they become more transmissible and less virulent. The XBB Omicron subvariant is rapidly becoming the dominant strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Singapore from October 2022 and is one of several variants circulating globally with the potential to dominate autumn/winter waves in different countries. ⋯ This is to be expected in the natural evolution of a virus in a population highly vaccinated with a vaccine targeting the spike protein of the original Wuhan strain of the virus. This review explores the important implications of the rising prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant for public health in Singapore and beyond.
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Multicenter Study
Statin Therapy, Inflammation, and Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Covid-19: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.
Statins are lipid-lowering agents with anti-inflammatory effects. Data surrounding the benefits of statins in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are conflicting. We sought to better understand the impact of statins in the context of COVID-19-related inflammation. ⋯ Prior-statin use is associated with improved outcomes and lower inflammation as measured by suPAR levels in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
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Vaccines against diseases such as herpes zoster, pneumococcus and influenza are broadly recommended for older adults, but uptake is frequently low. ⋯ This review discusses results from attempts to expand and simplify the adult vaccination process, potentially allowing vaccination to be initiated by the recipient and completed in a single visit. These studies suggest that expanding adult vaccination access to new providers and/or new settings will require development of an integrated plan for preventive healthcare, covering areas such as setting target coverage rates, financial support, and development of immunization information systems accessible to all vaccination providers to maintain accurate immunization records and support interventions such as reminders.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Did aetiology matter in illness duration and complications in patients presenting in primary care with acute respiratory tract infections early in the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study in nine countries.
Despite considerable research into COVID-19 sequelae, little is known about differences in illness duration and complications in patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections (RTI) that are and are not attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ Early in the pandemic, the proportion of patients not feeling fully recovered by 28 days was similar between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients presenting in primary care with RTI symptoms, but it took somewhat longer for SARS-CoV-2 patients to feel fully recovered. More research is needed on predictors of a complicated course in RTI.
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At the beginning of December 2022, the Chinese government made major adjustments to the epidemic prevention and control measures. The epidemic infection data and laboratory makers for infected patients based on this period may help with the management and prognostication of COVID-19 patients. ⋯ The laboratory model established in this study showed high discrimination, calibration, and net benefit. It may be used for early identification of severe patients with COVID-19.