Key Factors Associated With Pulmonary Sequelae in the Follow-Up of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Critical COVID-19 survivors have a high risk of respiratory sequelae. Therefore, we aimed to identify key factors associated with altered lung function and CT scan abnormalities at a follow-up visit in a cohort of critical COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Multicenter ambispective observational study in 52 Spanish intensive care units. Up to 1327 PCR-confirmed critical COVID-19 patients had sociodemographic, anthropometric, comorbidity and lifestyle characteristics collected at hospital admission; clinical and biological parameters throughout hospital stay; and, lung function and CT scan at a follow-up visit. Results: The median [p25–p75] time from discharge to follow-up was 3.57 [2.77–4.92] months. Median age was 60 [53–67] years, 27.8% women. The mean (SD) percentage of predicted diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at follow-up was 72.02 (18.33)% predicted, with 66% of patients having DLCO < 80% and 24% having DLCO < 60%. CT scan showed persistent pulmonary infiltrates, fibrotic lesions, and emphysema in 33%, 25% and 6% of patients, respectively. Key variables associated with DLCO < 60% were chronic lung disease (CLD) (OR: 1.86 (1.18–2.92)), duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (OR: 1.56 (1.37–1.77)), age (OR [per-1-SD] (95%CI): 1.39 (1.18–1.63)), urea (OR: 1.16 (0.97–1.39)) and estimated glomerular filtration rate at ICU admission (OR: 0.88 (0.73–1.06)). Bacterial pneumonia (1.62 (1.11–2.35)) and duration of ventilation (NIMV (1.23 (1.06–1.42), IMV (1.21 (1.01–1.45)) and prone positioning (1.17 (0.98–1.39)) were associated with fibrotic lesions. Conclusion: Age and CLD, reflecting patients’ baseline vulnerability, and markers of COVID-19 severity, such as duration of IMV and renal failure, were key factors associated with impaired DLCO and CT abnormalities

Pertussis vaccine trials

In the Senegal pertussis trial, common adverse reactions were actively monitored during the pilot phase II study, while the frequency of severe adverse reactions was monitored as a secondary objective within the phase III efficacy trial. Since the trial was conducted in Niakhar, an area in rural West Africa under intensive surveillance, the safety monitoring during the study was incorporated within the general surveillance system. This was a two-step procedure : detection of a potential reaction by a field worker, followed by confirmation report by a physician. The frequency of severe reactions was slow among both pertussis vaccine groups, receiving either the two-component acellular vaccine or the whole-cell vaccine, currently used in the Senegal Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Among severe reactions, only persistent crying was found to be at a significantly higher rate in the whole-cell group. Common adverse reactions were more frequent in the whole-cell group. (Résumé d'auteur

Prevalence and risk factors of cervicovaginal HIV shedding among HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected women in Dakar, Senegal

Objectives: To assess the risk determinants and prevalence of cervicovaginal shedding of HIV-1 and HIV-2 among women in Dakar, Senegal. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of 153 HIV seropositive female sex workers (FSW) and another 142 HIV seropositive women attending an infectious diseases unit, based on an interview, physical examination, and laboratory screening for major sexually transmitted infections (STI). Cervicovaginal lavage fluid was tested for HIV-RNA by means of nested PCR. Links between cervicovaginal shedding of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were identified by using odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent links with HIV shedding. Results: The detection rate of HIV-RNA in cervicovaginal lavage fluid was low among FSW, with no difference between HIV-1 (7/90: 8%) and HIV-2 (3/48: 6%). The rate was far higher among the other women (41%, 48/117; 33%, 7/21 for HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high plasma viral load (>40 000 copies/ml) (AOR = 2.4 (1.0–5.6) p = 0.04) and basic vaginal pH (AOR = 2.2 (1.3–3.7) p = 0.002) were independently associated with HIV-1 shedding. For HIV-2 a CD4 count < 200 cells x 10(6)/l was the only factor associated with the shedding of HIV-2 (AOR = 9.0 (0.9–93)). The genital shedding rate was higher with HIV-1 than with HIV-2 (OR = 2.1 (0.9–4.8), but this difference disappeared after adjustment for the CD4+ cell count (AOR = 1.2 (0.5–2.9)). Conclusion: Advanced disease stage and immunosuppression are the major risk determinants for shedding of both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Basic vaginal pH is also a risk determinant for HIV-1 shedding. Key Words: cervicovaginal shedding; HIV; Senega

Pertussis vaccine trials

In the Senegal pertussis trial, common adverse reactions were actively monitored during the pilot phase II study, while the frequency of severe adverse reactions was monitored as a secondary objective within the phase III efficacy trial. Since the trial was conducted in Niakhar, an area in rural West Africa under intensive surveillance, the safety monitoring during the study was incorporated within the general surveillance system. This was a two-step procedure : detection of a potential reaction by a field worker, followed by confirmation report by a physician. The frequency of severe reactions was slow among both pertussis vaccine groups, receiving either the two-component acellular vaccine or the whole-cell vaccine, currently used in the Senegal Expanded Programme on Immunisation. Among severe reactions, only persistent crying was found to be at a significantly higher rate in the whole-cell group. Common adverse reactions were more frequent in the whole-cell group. (Résumé d'auteur

A future for the world’s children? A WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission.

Executive summary Despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, today’s children face an uncertain future. Climate change, ecological degradation, migrating populations, conflict, pervasive inequalities, and predatory commercial practices threaten the health and future of children in every country. In 2015, the world’s countries agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet nearly 5 years later, few countries have recorded much progress towards achieving them. This Commission presents the case for placing children, aged 0–18 years, at the centre of the SDGs: at the heart of the concept of sustainability and our shared human endeavour. Governments must harness coalitions across sectors to overcome ecological and commercial pressures to ensure children receive their rights and entitlements now and a liveable planet in the years to come

A future for the world's children? A WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission

Despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, today's children face an uncertain future. Climate change, ecological degradation, migrating populations, conflict, pervasive inequalities, and predatory commercial practices threaten the health and future of children in every country. In 2015, the world's countries agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet nearly 5 years later, few countries have recorded much progress towards achieving them. This Commission presents the case for placing children, aged 0-18 years, at the centre of the SDGs: at the heart of the concept of sustainability and our shared human endeavour. Governments must harness coalitions across sectors to overcome ecological and commercial pressures to ensure children receive their rights and entitlements now and a liveable planet in the years to come