22 research outputs found
Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in hemodialysis patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground and Aims Vaccine response is a concern in hemodialysis patients. Given that hemodialysis patients were not included in clinical trials, we aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines in hemodialysis patients. Methods We searched Scopus, PubMed, Sciencedirect, and finally google scholar databases for studies on COVID-19 mRNA-vaccines immunogenicity in hemodialysis patients up to December 1, 2021. Eligible articles measured antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike or Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody (S/RBD) postimmunization with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The immunogenicity of the vaccine was evaluated using seroconversion rates measured between 21 and 30 days after the first immunization and between 14 and 36 days post the second dose. We included studies including participants without a history of COVID-19 before vaccination. Healthy controls or health-care workers served as the control groups. After selecting eligible articles, the data were finally extracted from included articles. We used a random effects model to estimate the pooled seroconversion rate after COVID-19 mRNA vaccine administration. We assessed the heterogeneity between studies with the I-2 statistical index. Result We selected 39 eligible citations comprising 806 cases and 336 controls for the first dose and 6314 cases and 927 controls for the second dose for statistical analysis. After the first dose of mRNA vaccines, the seroconversion rate was 36 (95 confidence interval CI: 0.24-0.47) and 68% (95% CI: 0.45-0.91) in hemodialysis patients and the control group, respectively. While seroconversion rate after the second dose of mRNA vaccines was 86% (95% CI: 0.81-0.91) and 100% (95% CI: 1.00-1.00) in hemodialysis patients and the control group, respectively. Conclusion Although the immune response of hemodialysis patients to the second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine is very promising, the seroconversion rate of dialysis patients is lower than healthy controls. Periodically assessment of antibody levels of hemodialysis patients at short intervals is recommended
Maternal COVID-19 infection and the fetus: Immunological and neurological perspectives
No full textImmunoneuropsychiatry is an emerging field about the interaction between the immune and nervous systems. Infection and infection-related inflammation (in addition to genetics and environmental factors) can act as the etiopathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). Exposure to COVID-19 in utero may be a risk factor for developing NPDs in offspring in the future. Maternal immune activation (MIA) and subsequent inflammation can affect fetal brain development. Inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and autoantibodies can pass through the placenta and the compromised blood-brain barrier after MIA, leading to neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation also affects multiple neurobiological pathways; for example, it decreases the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin.Fetal sex may affect the mother's immune response. Pregnant women with male fetuses have been reported to have decreased maternal and placental humoral responses. This suggests that in pregnancies with a male fetus, fewer antibodies may be transferred to the fetus and contribute to males' increased susceptibility/vulnerability to infectious diseases compared to female infants.Here, we want to discuss maternal COVID-19 infection and its consequences for the fetus, particularly the neurological outcomes and the interaction between fetal sex and possible changes in maternal immune responses
Seismic Performance of Circular Concrete-Encased Steel Columns for Bridges
No full textThis paper presents the seismic performance of a bridge with concrete-encased steel columns (CES) which include an I-section steel profile encased in concrete. In this research, the potential use of the proposed system in moderate seismic regions is studied. Also, using a model of a bridge made with CSI bridge software, a comparison between RC piers and the equivalent alternative composite system is made in terms of service and damages after seismic hazards. The Canadian code CSA S6-19 design criteria are used to design RC and composite columns based on the performance-based design (PBD) method in which the ground motions are selected and matched with Montreal's target spectrum. Finally, the effect of using concrete-encased steel sections on the confinement of concrete is discussed and considered in the modeling of plastic hinges. The results show that the composite system can perform as well as the RC column in a lifeline bridge.The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author
An Updated Review on Complicated Mechanisms of COVID-19 Pathogenesis and Therapy: Direct Viral Damage, Renin-angiotensin System Dysregulation, Immune System Derangements, and Endothelial Dysfunction
No full textSARS-CoV-2 was reported as the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late December 2019. The new virus belongs to the Coronaviridae family and the Betacoronavirus genus, according to sequencing and phylogenetic studies. Genomic sequence analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 is similar to SARS. SARS-CoV-2 is more infectious and the high level of COVID-19 community transmission has led to a growing pandemic. Although infections in most patients with COVID-19 are moderate or mild, 20 of the patients develop severe or critical disease. COVID- 19 may affect a wide range of organs and tissues, including respiratory, digestive system, nervous system, and skin. Patients with COVID-10 have been confirmed to have renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous system problems in addition to pulmonary involvement. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is being investigated, but it is possible that the organ damage might in part be caused by direct viral damage (detection of inclusion bodies in tissues, such as the kidneys), dysregulation of the immune system, renin-angiotensin system, bradykinin pathway, and coagulation, as well as host genetic factors and their polymorphisms, which may affect the disease severity. In this review, an update on the possible pathogenesis pathways of COVID-19 has been performed. It is hoped that best care is developed for patients with COVID- 19 by identifying its pathogenesis pathways
Emerg Infect Dis
No full textWe report the effect of a rodent control program on the incidence of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic region of Iran. A 1-year interruption in rodent control led to 2 years of increased incidence of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Restarting rodent control led to a decline of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis
Prevalence and genotyping of human papillomavirus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood donors in Iran
No full textIntroduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In addition to sexual transmission, papillomavirus can also be transmitted through surfaces, autoinoculation and vertical transmission. Limited studies have also indicated the presence of HPV DNA in the blood of healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of blood donors of Ilam city-Iran. Material and methods: We explored the prevalence of HPVs in 108 (58 males and 50 females) blood donors. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat, and genotyping was performed by sequencing after generic nested-PCR detection procedure using MY09/11 and GP5+/6+ primers targeting L1 region in HPV genome. Results: HPV DNA was detected in 11 out of 108 samples (10.18 %). Genotype 16 was identified in 3 cases, followed by genotype 6 in 2 cases and genotypes 11, 31, 35, 51, 53, 59 each in one case. The positive cases included 4 men and 7 women, and their ages ranged from 25 to 37 years. Conclusion: HPV DNA was detected in PBMCs of asymptomatic blood donors. These results support the concern about blood transfusion as a potential source of HPV transmission and need for future studies
Relationship between Social Support and Mental Health of Novice Nurses during Coronavirus Epidemic
No full textAbstract
Background: Coronavirus has created a confusing and stressful situation around the world. In these circumstances, health care workers are most prone to vulnerability. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support and mental health of novice nurses during the outbreak of COVID-19 to provide basic information for intervention measures.
Study design: cross-sectional study
Methods: This study was performed in spring of 2020 in hospital affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using general information questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Phillip’s Social Support Questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The total score of GHQ and social support was 24.58±12.063 and 70.77±9.761, respectively. There was a statistically significant inverse relationship between social support and mental health of participants. Among the demographic variables, there was a significant correlation between work experience, hospital, direct contact with COVID-19 patients and the number of working days in coronavirus ward with mental health and social support.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study add to our knowledge obtained from previous studies by discovering the impact of social support on mental health of health care providers with special attention to novice nurses at the forefront. Ongoing monitoring of psychological consequences associated with COVID-19 outbreak and social support of them require further attention
The prevalence of human bocavirus in <2-year-old children with acute bronchiolitis
No full textAcute bronchiolitis is one of the most common lower respiratory tract infections in children with less than 2 years of age. Nowadays, molecular methods provide an opportunity to better understand the etiology of bronchiolitis. Several viral agents including Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza and Human bocavirus (HBoV) are responsible for acute bronchiolitis. There are growing studies on the prevalence of HBoV in patients with bronchiolitis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the pooled prevalence of HBoV in the respiratory samples of children with acute bronchiolitis. A literature search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to recruit studies reporting the frequency of HBoV in <2-year-old children with acute bronchiolitis from 2005 to 2019. Only studies that used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods to detect the virus in nasopharyngeal samples were included. A total of 22 studies assessing 6751 cases were analyzed. According to the meta-analysis based on the random-effects model, the overall prevalence of HBoV in children with <2 years old was obtained 13 (95 CI: 0.09-0.17). Additionally, the rates of single (as the sole organism) and mixed (in combination with other viruses) HBoV infections were 4 and 9, respectively. This study showed a high rate of HBoV detection in children with acute bronchiolitis. This should be considered as part of a diagnostic test panel for respiratory infections in children with bronchiolitis. © 2020 The Author
Prevalence and clinical presentation of covid-19 infection in hemodialysis patients
No full textIntroduction: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HD patients. Patients and Methods: This is a single-center study conducted at HD center, in Ilam, Iran. The study was included 87 HD patients to be tested. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed with confirmed test by rRT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) assay. Results: Around 35.63 of HD patients were diagnosed as COVID-19 infection; most of them were male (74.4). Dyspnea (58.1) and cough (45.2) were the most common symptoms among HD cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Diabetes (16.1) and hypertension (19.4) were the most coexisting medical illnesses. About 12.9 of patients needed ICU care. Additionally, 16.1 of our patients died, which all of them were male. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of COVID-19 among our HD group, accompanied by mild symptoms. The HD population is probably among the most sensitive and high-risk groups for COVID-19 because of advanced age, comorbidities disease, low-immune function and frequent required visits, and patient overload in HD centers. Preventive measures should be taken in order to minimize the virus transmission in dialysis centers. © 2022 The Author(s); Published by Society of Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention
