Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) early findings from a teaching hospital in Pavia, North Italy, 21 to 28 February 2020

We describe clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of 44 Caucasian patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a single hospital in Pavia, Italy, from 21\u201328 February 2020, at the beginning of the outbreak in Europe. Seventeen patients developed severe disease, two died. After a median of 6 days, 14 patients were discharged from hospital. Predictors of lower odds of discharge were age>65 years, antiviral treatment and for severe disease, lactate dehydrogenase >300 mg/dL

Relationship between pediatric hospital admissions for respiratory diseases and air pollution (PM10 and TSP) in Milan during the first semester 2007 and first semester 2008

The trend was analysed of hospital admissions to the Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy, with respect to respiratory diseases and daily levels of TSP (Total Suspended Particulate) and PM 10 (Particulate Matter < 10 \u3bcm), and a comparison was made between the first semester of 2007 and 2008. Since January 1, 2008, a municipal order was introduced (ECOPASS pollution charge), reducing vehicular traffic towards the city center. Respiratory disorders included the following: asthma or asthma like disorders; upper respiratory illness (pharyngitis, rhinitis, otitis), lower respiratory illness (bronchitits, bronchiolitis and pneumonia). The following results were obtained: there were 241 days (64,8%) with at least one hospital admission vs 122 (35,2%) with no hospital admission. Daily concentration of TSP significandy differed (p=0,03) between days with or without admission, whereas the difference between PM10 concentrations was not significant. The trend of hospital admissions was significantly different in days with both TSP and PM10 concentrations exceeding 60 \u3bcg/m3 (p < 0,05). In total, there were 226 admissions during the 1st semester 2007 vs 214 in the 1st semester 2008. The mean duration of hospitalization was also reduced (5,1 vs 4,5 days) (p = 0,009). The daily mean concentration of TSP was 48 \ub1 17,8 during 2007 vs 35,6 \ub1 17,5 during 2008 (p < 0,01). Present data support the hypothesis, that exposure to air pollutants causes detrimental effects on children respiratory health. The observed improval could be due to meteorological reasons, but also to the introduction of ECOPASS, which determined a reduction of vehicular traffic. Present data, even if preliminary, seem to suggest that even a modest reduction of pollutant concentration can have beneficial effects on children's respiratory health

SARS Cov-2 infection in a renal-transplanted patient: A case report

The clinical manifestation of COVID-19 can vary from an asymptomatic course to ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A kidney transplanted patient infected with SARS CoV-2 infection showed a mild disease despite immune suppression. It is possible that Immunosuppression can \u201cbe protective\u201d as the cytokine storm is an important factor in the disease story. Despite the good outcome reported in the present case report, is remains of vital importance the solid organ transplant patients use precautions in order to avoid the infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA contamination of inanimate surfaces and virus viability in a health care emergency unit

Objectives: To detect possible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA contamination of inanimate surfaces in areas at high risk of aerosol formation by patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Sampling was performed in the emergency unit and the sub-intensive care ward. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was extracted from swabbed surfaces and objects and subjected to real-time RT-PCR targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and E genes. Virus isolation from positive samples was attempted in vitro on Vero E6 cells. Results: Twenty-six samples were collected and only two were positive for low-level SARS-CoV-2 RNA, both collected on the external surface of continuous positive airway pressure helmets. All transport media were inoculated onto susceptible cells, but none induced a cytopathic effect on day 7 of culture. Conclusions: Even though daily contact with inanimate surfaces and patient fomites in contaminated areas may be a medium of infection, our data obtained in real-life conditions suggest that it might be less extensive than hitherto recognized

Emergency Department and Out-of-Hospital Emergency System (112\u2014AREU 118) integrated response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Northern Italy centre

Since December 2019, the world has been facing the life-threatening disease, named Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The response of the Emergency Medicine network, integrating \u201cout-of-hospital\u201d and \u201chospital\u201d activation, is crucial whenever the health system has to face a medical emergency, being caused by natural or human-derived disasters as well as by a rapidly spreading epidemic outbreak. We here report the Pavia Emergency Medicine network response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The \u201cout-of-hospital\u201d response was analysed in terms of calls, rescues and missions, whereas the \u201chospital\u201d response was detailed as number of admitted patients and subsequent hospitalisation or discharge. The data in the first 5&nbsp;weeks of the Covid-19 outbreak (February 21\u2013March 26, 2020) were compared with a reference time window referring to the previous 5&nbsp;weeks (January 17\u2013February 20, 2020) and with the corresponding historical average data from the previous 5&nbsp;years (February 21\u2013March 26). Since February 21, 2020, a sudden and sustained increase in the calls to the AREU 112 system was noted (+ 440%). After 5&nbsp;weeks, the number of calls and missions was still higher as compared to both the reference pre-Covid-19 period (+ 48% and + 10%, respectively) and the historical control (+ 53% and + 22%, respectively). Owing to the overflow from the neighbouring hospitals, which rapidly became overwhelmed and had to temporarily close patient access, the population served by the Pavia system more than doubled (from 547.251 to 1.135.977 inhabitants, + 108%). To minimize the possibility of intra-hospital spreading of the infection, a separate \u201cEmergency Department\u2014Infective Disease\u201d was created, which evaluated 1241 patients with suspected infection (38% of total ED admissions). Out of these 1241 patients, 58.0% (n = 720) were admitted in general wards (n = 629) or intensive care unit (n = 91). To allow this massive number of admissions, the hospital reshaped many general ward Units, which became Covid-19 Units (up to 270 beds) and increased the intensive care unit beds from 32 to 60. In the setting of a long-standing continuing emergency like the present Covid-19 outbreak, the integration, interaction and team work of the \u201cout-of-hospital\u201d and \u201cin-hospital\u201d systems have a pivotal role. The present study reports how the rapid and coordinated reorganization of both might help in facing such a disaster. AREU-112 and the Emergency Department should be ready to finely tune their usual cooperation to respond to a sudden and overwhelming increase in the healthcare needs brought about by a pandemia like the current one. This lesson should shape and reinforce the future

Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 in different biologic specimens from positive patients with COVID-19, in Northern Italy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis is based on molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory samples such as nasal swab (NS). However, the evidence that NS in patients with pneumonia was sometimes negative raises the attention to collect other clinical specimens. SARS-CoV-2 was shown in 10.3% rectal swabs (RS), 7.7% plasma, 1% urine, and 0% feces from 143 NS-positive patients. Potential infection by fluids different from respiratory secretion is possible but unlikely

EBV DNA increase in COVID-19 patients with impaired lymphocyte subpopulation count

Objectives: The immunologic profile and opportunistic viral DNA increase were monitored in Italian patients with COVID-19 in order to identify markers of disease severity. Methods: A total of 104 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated in the study. Of them, 42/104 (40.4%) were hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 62/104(59.6%) in a sub-intensive care unit (SICU). Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Parvovirus B19 and Human Herpesvirus 6 virus reactivations were determined by real-time PCR, and lymphocyte subpopulation counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Among opportunistic viruses, only EBV was consistently detected. EBV DNA was observed in 40/42 (95.2%) of the ICU patients and in 51/61 (83.6%) of the SICU patients. Comparing the two groups of patients, the EBV DNA median level among ICU patients was significantly higher than that observed in SICU patients. In parallel, a significant reduction of CD8 T cell and NK count in ICU patients as compared with SICU patients was observed (p < 0.05). In contrast, B cell count was significantly increased in ICU patients (p = 0.0172). Conclusions: A correlation between reduced CD8+ T cells and NK counts, EBV DNA levels and COVID-19 severity was observed. Other opportunistic viral infections were not observed. The relationship between EBV load and COVID-19 severity should be further evaluated in longitudinal studies