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Introduction: based on the report of a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology on December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern; COVID-19 became a pandemic. The process of collecting the sample in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 represents one of the initial and highly relevant stages for carrying out an efficient and robust diagnosis. Objective: to characterize aspects related to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and the taking of samples in the Province of Villa Clara. Methods: a descriptive, observational, retrospective investigation was carried out with the objective of characterizing aspects related to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and the taking of samples in the Province of Villa Clara from the 157 confirmed cases with the disease in the period of study. Results: more than half of the cases were taken for bilateral nasal exudate, with a mean threshold cycle of 27.9, with a standard deviation of 7.1. 53.3% of the means of transport corresponded to the Sensure Biotech brand; this type of transport medium was the one with the most samples, with a threshold cycle below 20. Conclusions: the sample with the highest positivity was the bilateral nasal exudate, which coincides with international authors. Of the means of transport evaluated, Sensure Biotech was the one that offered the best results. In the case of asymptomatic patients, the sample that presented the best results was bilateral nasal exudate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019 in Wuhan province, China, an outbreak of atypical pneumonia was reported with similar symptoms to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an outbreak reported in 2003, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. This emerging disease was caused by a novel coronavirus "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2) or also called COVID-19. Which causes severe respiratory problems and various extrapulmonary manifestations. At the moment, the high mortality of COVID-19 has been related to the male sex, older adults (>60 years), and preexisting comorbidities of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart problems. Diabetes is a disease characterized by insulin resistance and loss of ß cell function in the pancreas, with an impaired immune system due to chronic inflammation. In patients with severe COVID-19 infection, altered secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines has been observed, if this infection occurs in a diabetic patient who already has an inflammatory state per se, an exacerbated inflammation and multiorgan failure with fatal consequences can be triggered. Several authors hypothesis suggest that hyperglycemia increases the viral replication in patients "diabetic with COVID-19 infection" is necessary to keep adequate glycemic control. Treatments for COVID-19 had focused on decreasing symptoms, the use of antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies and COVID-19 convalescent plasma has shown variable results. A vaccine is needed to control this viral infection, at the moment more than 150 candidates have been developed with efficiency ranges from 70 to 95%, however, the long-term immunity in vaccinated people is still unknown. This review focus on the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the immune response in diabetic patients facing COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China; being the pathogen confirmed and officially named Coronavirus disease - 19 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization. The international scientific community is making efforts to find a specific treatment to combat COVID-19. Currently, drugs used in previous outbreaks of coronavirus are administered, as well as drugs used in diseases such as HIV-AIDS and influenza. The pharmacological group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is protocolized to treat the symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2. Objective: To describe the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19, as well as their pharmacological and toxicological aspects. Methodological design: A bibliographic review related to the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions and toxic effects of these drugs was carried out. A part of the study was dedicated to Paracetamol, as this is the drug recommended by the WHO and drug regulatory agencies as the first line for the management of fever and pain. Conclusions: Paracetamol continues to be the recommended drug of first choice for fever or pain. There is no scientific evidence to prevent the use of ibuprofen for the treatment of COVID-19. It is recommended to use it in low doses and for a short period of time. The most common adverse reactions in this group are gastrointestinal. The toxic dose of NSAIDs depends on each type of drug, where clinical manifestations appear with intakes greater than 5 times the therapeutic dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In December 2019 it arises in Wuhan, China; the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic, which causes the disease called COVID-19. The global scientific community is making efforts to discover an effective vaccine against this pandemic. Meanwhile, drugs administered to patients in previous outbreaks of coronavirus (SARSCoV- 1, MERS), HIV and Influenza and others are being used to counteract the various symptoms caused by it. Objective: Describe pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the main antivirals used in the treatment of COVID-19. Methodological design: A bibliographic review was carried out on the pharmacology and toxicology of the main antivirals used during COVID-19, taking into account their pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions and toxicity. Conclusions: The antivirals most used for the treatment of COVID-19 were Lopinavir-Ritonavir, Remdesivir and Oseltamivir; These have not been shown to be highly effective in treating the virus. However, the scientific community continues research in this regard. The most frequent adverse reactions are hepato-biliary and gastrointestinal and in the bibliography consulted, insufficient evidence was found on its toxicity during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In December 2019, the Hubei province in Wuhan, China, became the epicenter of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown causes. On January 7, Chinese authorities announced that they had identified a new type of coronavirus (New Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV). Subsequently, in March 2020, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that the new 2019 Coronavirus disease can be characterized as a pandemic. From that moment until today, the antitoxic centers of the world began to report an increase in poisonings from cleaning products, especially at the expense of disinfectants. Objective: Describe the health effects of the use of disinfectants during COVID-19. Methodological Design: a bibliographic review was carried out on the health effects of the frequent use of disinfectants during COVID-19, starting with the increase in consultations for acute poisoning with cleaning products in the country. Conclusions: There was an increase in visits to poison control centers for acute poisonings related to household products. This increase is a consequence of the frequent use of disinfectants by the population due to COVID-19. The harmful effects on health were mainly related to conditions of the respiratory, digestive and skin systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]