Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID 19 patients infected with variants of concerns

ABSTRACT COVID-19 cases in Indonesia seemed to be increasing by each passing day at the time of writing this review, more positive cases discovered than the recovered ones. With the highest rank within all ASEAN countries, and also a home of many variants of COVID-19, Indonesia had become a break off destination to others. Along with the problem associated with the pandemic, which all people had to face, the purpose of this review is to elaborate the use of convalescent plasma therapy on treatment against COVID-19, especially its different variants. We overview the evidence that we obtained from several databases using specific keywords. A large amount of evidence points out that the convalescent plasma therapy has shown a promising outcome against COVID-19 infection, as it did for infectious diseases. Although in COVID-19 variants of concern, convalescent plasma therapy showed a reduction in neutralization ~ 3-fold against P.1, and 7-13 folds against B.1.351 variant, it still can be used as a treatment for COVID-19 and its variants. Abbreviations: PPE - personal protective equipment; VoC - Variants of concern; VoI - Variants of interest; CPT - convalescent plasma therapy; RBD - receptor-binding domain; ARDS - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; ICU - Intensive Care Unit; IQR - Interquartile Range; RCT - Randomized Clinical Trial; RT-PCR - Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction; NAbs - neutralizing antibodie

The Content of Breast Milk and the Challenges Experienced by Breastfeeding Mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Every postpartum mother is recommended to breastfeed her baby because breast milk is the main need of newborns. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on life in various aspects, including on the breastfeeding mothers, especially if they suffer from COVID-19 infection. Aim: The study aims to provide comprehensive evidence regarding potential virus transmission and antibody transfer through breastmilk and the experiences of mothers related to breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy involved the use of keywords related to COVID-19 and breastfeeding in PubMed and Science Direct databases. Articles were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Breastfeeding has been recommended to be continued during the pandemic due to the benefits associated with it and the absence of sufficient evidence for transmission of COVID-19 infection through breast milk. During the lockdown period, there was a change in breastfeeding patterns, although most mothers believed that breastfeeding should be continued. Anxiety and lack of support affected breastfeeding practices. Breastfeeding mothers reported a dilemmatic situation. They felt protected because of the lockdown policy but also struggled to get support from their social environment. The impact varied in terms of stopping breastfeeding practice altogether, breastfeeding irregularly, and even giving formula milk. Conclusion: Adherence to health protocols can reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection through breastfeeding from mother to baby. Support from the family and the environment is needed to ensure the continuity of breastfeeding practice

The Longevity of Aedes aegypti Larvae in Several Water Sources in Surabaya

Aedes aegypti transmits the dengue virus that causes Dengue Viring the high number of DVI cases is the existing breeding places of Ae. aegypti. The water sources used by the community and the surrounding environment are essential media for living Ae. aegypti larvae. This recent study aimed to detect the longevity of Ae. aegypti larvae in diff erent water sources in Surabaya and the killing effect of temephos. An analytical observational and experimental study was conducted in August-September 2021. Twenty-instar III Ae. aegypti larvae were put in each 100 ml beaker glass containing diff erent water sources, such as rain, well, mineral, new and used bath water, and antiseptic soapy water. Fungi in water sources were examined. Two groups were set with and without temephos, the final temephos concentration was of 0.00001 ppm. Live Ae. aegypti larvae, pupae, mosquitoes were observed every 24 hours for seven days without feeding. Living larvae were still found on Day 7 in all water sources with and without temephos. There were more larvae live in soapy water without temephos, particularly on Day 2 to Day 6, compared to other water sources either without or with temephos. In contrast, many larvae died in mineral water with temephos. Some larvae turned into pupae, started on Day 1. Pupae and mosquitoes were mostly found in rain water with temephos. Ae. aegypti larvae survived better in soapy water either with or without temephos. Temephos seemed to be effective to kill Ae. aegypti larvae in mineral water, and might induce larvae in turning to pupae and mosquitoes quickly at low concentration