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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion in a group of high-risk COVID-19 patients., Methods: This prospective study included 204 patients from a single tertiary-care hospital, hospitalized with COVID-19, of whom 102 were treated with CP administration and standard care (PG) and 102 others who received standard care only (CG). The CG was selected from 336 hospitalized patients using the propensity-score matching (PSM) technique using age, MEWS score, and comorbidities. The primary outcome was mortality rate; secondary outcomes were the requirement of a ventilator, length of ventilator need, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and length of overall hospital confinement. Additionally, parameters predicting death in COVID-19 patients were identified., Results: Findings confirmed a significantly lower mortality rate in the PG versus the CG (13.7% vs. 34.3 %, p = 0.001) and a significant difference in the cumulative incidence of death between the two groups (p <  0.001). CP treatment was associated with lower risk of death (OR = 0.25 CI 95 [0.06; 0.91], p =  0.041). There were no significant differences in ICU stay, ventilator time, and hospitalization time between the two groups., Conclusions: A significantly lower mortality rate was observed in the group of patients treated with CP. Age, presence of cardiac insufficiency, active cancer, a ventilator requirement, and length of hospitalization significantly increased the risk of death in both groups. Our study shows that CP affords better outcomes when administrated in the earlier stage of high-risk COVID-19 disease., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This article reviews studies on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and post-vaccination response. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is closely related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, sharing 79% and 50% of its genome sequence with them, respectively. Antibodies are crucial in identifying and destroying pathogens such as viruses, and understanding virus-specific antibodies can help end pandemics quickly. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the spike protein to enter human cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2). The immune response to the virus involves various components, including dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and NAbs. Seroconversion, antibody kinetics, and immune response after COVID-19 vaccination are essential factors in understanding the virus and developing treatments. Neutralizing antibody therapies have been explored as potential treatments, but the emergence of viral variants challenges their long-term development. Lessons learned from antibody-based therapies can influence future strategies for treating emerging infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Social distancing rules have been widely introduced in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. So far, the effectiveness of these methods has not been assessed in the group of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. (2) Methods: The study included 473 patients with IBD who made 1180 hospital visits from 1 May to 30 September 2020. During each visit, the patients completed a five-step, progressive scale that was developed to assess the degree of social isolation. In parallel, other demographic data were collected and the concentrations of anti-severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG and IgM+IgA antibodies were measured using the ELISA method. (3) Results: The study found a significant correlation between the degree of social distancing and the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the groups with the lowest degree of isolation (3 to 5). (4) Conclusions: Maintaining social distancing is an effective method for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus among IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and ensuing transformation of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw into one of the largest specialist infection disease hospitals in Poland imposed a complete reorganisation of work, including in the endoscopy unit. For the vast majority of hospitalised patients, COVID-19 infection posed an extra burden in addition to already known and treated chronic disorders. Therefore, the work schedule and infrastructure have been rearranged in order to minimise the risk of transmission of infection to the personnel as well as to ensure continuous preparedness to perform all endoscopic procedures in patients infected with or suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Between 16.03.2020 and 20.07.2020 we performed 91 endoscopic procedures involving the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The majority of those procedures were performed for urgent indications and as a part of on-call duties. The scope of endoscopic procedures was much broader than initially anticipated at the beginning of the epidemic, indicating the need for a change in the recommendations in that regard. Thanks to the application of appropriate procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) there were no cases of infection among the employees of the Endoscopy Unit coming in direct contact with patients during the above-mentioned period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is known that the virus SARS-CoV-2 can attack the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and induce gastroenteritis. This can trigger a wide variety of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) or functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), including post-infectious dyspepsia, which remains underestimated. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms following COVID-19, immediately after discharge and 3, 6, and 9 months after hospitalization. Material and methods: A prospective, single-centre evaluation of questions regarding functional dyspepsia (FD) as assessed by the Gastroduodenal Module of ROME IV Diagnostic Questionnaire for Adult FGIDs among 320 patients who had had COVID-19. Results: The FD ROME IV criteria were met at the respective time-points by 0.0% (0), 4.8% (12), 3.2% (8), and 3.2% (8) of cases. However, the presence of GI symptoms that suggested FD but did not meet the timeframe ROME IV criteria for FD were found in 9.6% (24), 23.5% (59), 20.7% (52), and 20.7% (52) of cases, respectively. Conclusions: The presence and persistence of gastrointestinal dyspeptic symptoms following COVID-19 is a significant problem. The timeframe of the Rome IV criteria may underestimate the number of patients with persistent dyspeptic symptoms following COVID-19 disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NA bs) one year after contracting COVID -19. Material and methods: The study included 38 patients - 34 men and 4 women - suffering from COVID -19 between March 15 and May 26, 2020. The median age in the group was 31 years, ranging from 22 to 67 years. The levels of neutralizing antibodies were measured at three time-points - baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary endpoint was a post-infection positive result for NA bs (> 15 AU/ml; Liaison SARS -CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG quantitative test) 12 months after infection. Results: The median level of NA bs after 12 months was 26.5 AU/ml. At the end of observation (12 months), 21 of the 38 patients had a NA b level of >15 AU/ml (positive). The median antibody halflife was 5.8 months. Conclusions: A high percentage of the patients maintained positive levels of antibodies 6 and 12 months after COVID -19 infection. The dynamics of the antibody level decline suggests the need for booster vaccination at least once a year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 infection manifests mainly by involving the respiratory system. Due to the presence of abdominal symptoms, the digestive system is clearly involved in the expression, transmission, and possible pathogenesis of COVID-19. There are many theories regarding the development of abdominal symptoms, including angiotensin 2 receptor, cytokine storm, and disturbances of the intestinal microbiome. This paper provides an overview of the most important meta-analyses and publications on gastrointestinal symptoms and the gut microbiome in COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were noted in December 2019 in Wuhan province, China. The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the pandemic status on March 11, 2020. The manifestations of the disease are as follows: fever, cough, fatigue, anosmia and ageusia, dyspnoea, chest pain, muscle soreness, chills, sore throat, rhinitis, headache, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and dermal lesions. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between dermal lesions and GI symptoms in a group of COVID-19 patients. Material and methods: A group of 441 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw between March 15th and June 15th, 2020. Results: Of 441 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 255 (58.5%) experienced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms: lack of appetite was reported in 124 (48.6%) cases, diarrhoea was noted in 109 (42.7%), abdominal pain in 95 (37.3%), vomiting in 37 (14.5%), and nausea in 32 (12.5%) cases. Eight (1.81%) patients had dermal lesions: erythematous macular lesions (2 patients - 25%), erythematous infiltrated lesions (2; 25%), erythematous infiltrated and exfoliative lesions (3; 37.5%), erythematous papular lesions (3; 37.5%), and erythematous oedematous lesions (2; 25%). All of those patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms during the hospitalisation. Conclusions: The following study analyses possible causes of dermal lesions and their coexistence with GI symptoms. Several possible theories were taken into account, including the microbiota alterations and issue of drug-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]