Advanced Biomedical Research on COVID-19 (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Immunology and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 1246

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Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Gynecology and Obstetric Department, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 50012 Florence, Italy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

SARS-Cov-2 has spread rapidly worldwide, with significant unexplainable differences in the rapidity of spread between countries. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) obtained via nasopharyngeal swab was the most widely used method of detection for identifying the virus, but antibody testing also reveals specific IgG/IgM against SARSCoV-2. Although SARS‐CoV‐2 is highly contagious, neonates born to women with asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID‐19 are rarely infected with the virus.

This Special Issue aims to implement the current knowledge about novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic procedures for optimal management of COVID-19. Studies addressing maternal–fetal antibody status and obstetric outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy are of particular interest.

Dr. Federica Perelli
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID-19
  • antibody
  • infection
  • immunity

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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11 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
External Validation of the Predictive Accuracy of Clinical and Immunological Scores in COVID-19 Outcomes in a Retrospective Cohort Study
by Alina Doina Tanase, Emanuela-Lidia Petrescu, Teodora Hoinoiu, Daliana-Emanuela Bojoga and Bogdan Timar
Biomedicines 2024, 12(11), 2495; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12112495 - 31 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the development of reliable prognostic tools to predict patient outcomes and guide clinical decisions. This study evaluates the predictive utility of several clinical scores—PAINT, ISARIC4C, CHIS, COVID-GRAM, SOFA, and CURB-65—for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the development of reliable prognostic tools to predict patient outcomes and guide clinical decisions. This study evaluates the predictive utility of several clinical scores—PAINT, ISARIC4C, CHIS, COVID-GRAM, SOFA, and CURB-65—for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients, comparing their effectiveness at admission and seven days post-symptom onset. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study conducted at the Clinical Emergency Hospital Pius Brînzeu in Timișoara, adult patients hospitalized with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee, adhering to GDPR and other regulatory standards. Prognostic scores were calculated using patient data at admission and Day 7. Statistical analyses included ROC curves, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression. Results: The study comprised 269 patients, with a notable distinction in outcomes between survivors and non-survivors. Non-survivors were older (mean age 62.12 years) and exhibited higher comorbidity rates, such as diabetes (55.56% vs. 31.06%) and cardiovascular diseases (48.15% vs. 29.81%). Prognostic scores were significantly higher among non-survivors at both time points, with PAINT and ISARIC4C showing particularly strong predictive performances. The AUROC for PAINT increased from 0.759 at admission to 0.811 by Day 7, while ISARIC4C demonstrated an AUROC of 0.776 at admission and 0.798 by Day 7. Multivariate Cox regression indicated that a PAINT score above 8.10 by Day 7 was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.9 (95% CI: 3.12–7.72) for mortality. Conclusions: The study confirms the strong predictive value of the PAINT, ISARIC4C, CHIS, COVID-GRAM, SOFA, and CURB-65 scores in determining mortality risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. These scores can significantly aid clinicians in early-risk stratification and resource prioritization, potentially enhancing patient management and outcomes in acute care settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomedical Research on COVID-19 (2nd Edition))
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14 pages, 965 KiB  
Article
Altered Body Composition and Cytokine Production in Patients with Elevated HOMA-IR after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study
by Rona Kartika, Imam Subekti, Farid Kurniawan, Syahidatul Wafa, Tika Pradnjaparamita, Dicky L. Tahapary and Heri Wibowo
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071581 - 17 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Altered body composition and cytokine production due to SARS-CoV-2 antigens may affect homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. To elucidate this phenomenon, we conducted a longitudinal study involving 47 COVID-19 patients, who were followed up for 12 months. During [...] Read more.
Altered body composition and cytokine production due to SARS-CoV-2 antigens may affect homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. To elucidate this phenomenon, we conducted a longitudinal study involving 47 COVID-19 patients, who were followed up for 12 months. During recruitment, body composition and glucose indices were measured, and heparin blood samples were collected for measuring cytokine production. HOMA-IR was considered an elevated or non-elevated group based on the ratio between HOMA-IR at 12 months and 1 month of convalescence. Those with elevated HOMA-IR had a significantly higher body mass index, body fat percentage, and visceral fat rating and had a lower lean mass and lean/fat mass ratio than their counterparts. During the convalescent period, the elevated HOMA-IR group had lower TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-10, and granzyme B expression levels but had higher TNFα/IL-10, IFNγ/IL-10, IL-2/IL-10, and granzyme B/IL-10 ratios than the other group. The reduced cytokine production and pro-/anti-inflammatory imbalance in patients with elevated HOMA-IR may suggest immune cell dysfunction toward SARS-CoV-2. Patients with elevated HOMA-IR after SARS-CoV-2 infection may experience an increase in BMI and body fat percentage, leading to increased immune dysfunction and chronic inflammatory condition. A nutritional approach and promotion of physical activity may help reduce HOMA-IR and ameliorate glucose indices in these patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomedical Research on COVID-19 (2nd Edition))
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