Search

INTRODUCTION: The immunomodulatory roles of vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) are in interest with incidence or outcome of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the association between the severity of COVID-19 with VDBP, total 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), and its metabolites free vitamin D (VDfree) and bioavailable vitamin D (VDbio).METHODS: Study group consisted of 68 COVID-19 patients and 20 healthy subjects. Patients were subgrouped as asymptotic, mild/moderately pneumonia, or severe pneumonia. Plasma total 25(OH)D was quantitated by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and serum VDBP by a polyclonal sandwich enzyme immunoassay. In addition, routinely used laboratory parameters in follow-up were recorded. VDfree and VDbio were calculated using total 25(OH)D, VDBP, and albumin levels.RESULTS: Plasma total 25(OH)D (13.3± 5.7 vs 30.3±13.3 ng/dL), VDfree [2.18 (1.52-3.44) vs 4.34 (3.74-6.48) pg/mL], and VDbio [1.86 (1.09-2.81) vs 4.28 (3.45-6.34) nmol/L)] levels were lower in COVID-19 patients (pDISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients have lower plasma 25(OH)D levels and lower 25(OH)D metabolites VDfree, VDbio which are physiologically active. Additionally, serum VDBP concentrations significantly decrease in critically ill patients which needs further studies to be associated in the etiopathogenesis of the disease severity.Keywords:COVID-19, vitamin D binding protein, 25(OH)D, free vitamin D, bioavailable vitamin D

© 2022, AVES. All rights reserved.Objective: The reasons for a high prevalence of asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and rare severe disease in children have been explained by non-immune and immune mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the immune system’s response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by investigating lymphocyte subsets. Materials and Methods: This study included 33 coronavirus disease positive children, of whom 12 had mild disease and 21 had an asymptomatic infection as the patient group and 26 age-and gender-matched healthy children as the control group. The demographic information, symptoms, physical examination findings, complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and lymphocyte subsets were recorded in all subjects. Results: Leukocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte count, and hemoglobin levels of our pediatric coronavirus disease patients were similar to the control group. Neutrophil was lower in the coronavirus disease cases compared to the control group. CRP and procalcitonin levels of asymptomatic cases were similar to the control group. B cell count, CD8+ T cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio (dividing the CD4 cell count by the CD8 cell count) ratio were similar in the patient and control groups. Natural killer, T cell, and CD4+ T cell counts were significantly higher in the whole patient group compared to the control group. Conclusion: One reason for mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in children may be an increase in some lymphocyte subsets such as natural killer cells, T cell, and CD4+ T cell. Understanding the answer to the question of why children develop more protective immunity to the virus could be an essential step for developing new treatments.

AASLD - TASL Connect Regional Meeting -- MAR 15-16, 2019 -- Istanbul, TURKEY WOS:000535263200004 PubMed: 32412901 Background/Aims: mbitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OMV/PTV/r) +/- dasabuvir (DSV) +/- ribavirin (RBV) combination has demonstrated excellent rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and a very good safety profile in patients with the chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 or 4 infections. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of OMV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV combination regimen in a real-world clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Data from HCV genotype 1 and 4 patients treated with OMV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV (n=862) in 34 centers across Turkey between April 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018 were recorded in a large national database. Demographic, clinical, and virologic data were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.63, and 430 patients (49.9%) were male. The majority had HCV genotype 1b infection (77.3%), and 66.2% were treatment-naive. Non-cirrhosis was present at baseline in 789 patients (91.5%). SVR12 rate was 99.1% in all patients. Seven patients had virologic failure. No significant differences were observed in SVR12 according to HCV genotypes. HCV RNA was undetectable at treatment week 4 in 90.9%, at treatment week 8 in 98.5%, and at the end of treatment (EOT) in 98.9%. SVR12 ratio was significantly higher in the non-cirrhotic patients compared to that in the compensated cirrhotic patients. Rates of adverse events (AEs) in the patients was 59.7%. Conclusion: The present real-life data of Turkey for the OBV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV treatment of patients with HCV genotype 1b, 1a, or 4 infection from 862 patients demonstrated high efficacy and a safety profile. AASLD, TASL

A novel type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causesevere acute respiratory syndrome, wasfirst identified in Wuhan,China at the end of December 2019 and the disease rapidly spread worldwide. COVID-19 may be characterized by arange of symptoms, mild illness to severe pneumoniae. Cardiovascular diseases increase severity and mortality in COVID-19patients. Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. The present case is an adult COVID-19patient with a history of Tetralogy of Fallot, who is a healthcare worker. High Flow Nasal Oxygen therapy was used due torespiratory distress. In addition, Mesenchymal Stem Cells were applied while the disease was in critical process. The clinicaland laboratory improvement were observed in the patient from the second day of treatment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Theyoung healthcare worker with a history of Tetralogy of Fallot needed critical care due to COVID-19. Response to the antiviraltreatments given to the patient could not be obtained. High Flow Nasal Oxygen and Mesenchymal Stem Cells were used inthe treatment of the patient., Background: A novel type of coronavirus (SARS- CoV -2), which cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, was first identified in Wuhan, China at the end of December 2019 and the disease rapidly spread worldwide. COVID-19 may be characterized by a range of symptoms; mild illness to severe pneumoniae. Cardiovascular diseases increase severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. Case presentation: Present case is an adult COVID-19 patient with a history of ToF, who is a healthcare worker. High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) was used due to respiratory distress. In addition, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) were applied while the disease was in critical process. Clinical and laboratory improvement was observed in the patient from the second day of treatment of MSCs.Conclusions: The young healthcare worker with a history of ToF needed critical care due to COVID-19. Response to the antiviral treatments given to the patient could not be obtained. HFNO and MSCs were used in the treatment of the patient. Clinical and laboratory improvement was observed in the patient from the second day of treatment of MSCs.