COVID-19 outcomes in UK centre within highest health and wealth band: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 from UK in the highest decile of health and gross regional products per capita. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Recruited all adult inpatients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 symptoms admitted to a single Surrey centre between March and April 2020. Extensive demographic details were documented. OUTCOME MEASURE: COVID-19 status of alive/dead and intensive care unit (ICU) status of yes/no. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COVID-19 from Surrey centre UK (n=429). RESULTS: 429 adult inpatients (mean age 70±18 years; men 56.4%) were included in this study, of whom, 19.1% required admission to ICU and 31.9% died. Adverse outcomes were associated with age (OR with each decade of years: 1.78, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.11, p<0.001 for mortality); male gender (OR=1.08, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.63, p=0.72, present in 70.7%, of admissions to ICU versus 53% of other cases, p=0.004); cardiac disease (OR=3.43, 95% CI 2.10 to 5.63, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.37, 95% CI 1.09 to 5.17, p=0.028) and dementia (OR=5.06, 95% CI 2.79 to 9.44, p<0.001). There was no significant impact of ethnicity or body mass index on disease outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reports of worse outcomes in deprived regions, we show similar complication and mortality rates due to COVID-19 in an affluent and high life expectancy region

Genetic heterogeneity of chicken anemia virus isolated in selected Egyptian provinces as a preliminary investigation

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is a widespread and economically significant pathogen in the poultry industry. In this study 110 samples were collected from various poultry farms in selected Egyptian provinces during 2021–2022 and were tested against CAV by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), revealing 22 positive samples with 20% incidence rate. Full sequence analysis of five selected CAV strains revealed genetic variations in VP1, VP2, and VP3 genes. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Egyptian strains with reference viruses, mainly in group II, while vaccines like Del-Rose were categorized in group III. Recombination events were detected between an Egyptian strain (genotype II) and the Del-Rose vaccine strain (genotype III), indicating potential recombination between live vaccine strains and field isolates. To evaluate pathogenicity, one Egyptian isolate (F883-2022 CAV) and Del-Rose vaccine were tested in Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) chicks. Chicks in the positive group displayed clinical symptoms, including weakness and stunted growth, with postmortem findings consistent with CAV infection. The vaccine group showed milder symptoms and less severe postmortem changes. This study provides important insights into the genetic diversity of CAV in selected Egyptian poultry farms showing recombination event between field strain and vaccine strains, highlighting the need for advanced vaccination programs, especially for broilers

Aerosol generating procedures in trauma and orthopaedics in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic: What do we know?

Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc all over the globe and spared no one regardless of status, gender, location and ethnicity. There were questions raised if trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) procedures actually generated aerosols? The need for a review of literature highlighting the nature and impact of aerosol generation within T&O surgery was noted. Methods: A comprehensive online search was performed for all published articles in the English language, evaluating AGPs in T&O surgery and the relevant personal protection equipment used. Results: The search strategy populated 43 studies. Six studies were identified as duplicates. The shortlisted 37 studies were screened and nine studies were included in the review. An additional four studies were included from the bibliography review. Conclusion: Most Orthopaedic procedures are high-risk aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). Conventional surgical masks do not offer protection against high-risk AGPs. In the current era of COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant risk to the transmission of infection to the theatre staff. For protection against airborne transmission, appropriate masks should be used. These need proper fitting and sizing to ensure full protection when used

COVID-19 outcomes in UK centre within highest health and wealth band: a prospective cohort study

Objectives To describe the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 from UK in the highest decile of health and gross regional products per capita.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting Recruited all adult inpatients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 symptoms admitted to a single Surrey centre between March and April 2020. Extensive demographic details were documented.Outcome measure COVID-19 status of alive/dead and intensive care unit (ICU) status of yes/no.Participants Patients with COVID-19 from Surrey centre UK (n=429).Results 429 adult inpatients (mean age 70±18 years; men 56.4%) were included in this study, of whom, 19.1% required admission to ICU and 31.9% died. Adverse outcomes were associated with age (OR with each decade of years: 1.78, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.11, p&lt;0.001 for mortality); male gender (OR=1.08, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.63, p=0.72, present in 70.7%, of admissions to ICU versus 53% of other cases, p=0.004); cardiac disease (OR=3.43, 95% CI 2.10 to 5.63, p&lt;0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.37, 95% CI 1.09 to 5.17, p=0.028) and dementia (OR=5.06, 95% CI 2.79 to 9.44, p&lt;0.001). There was no significant impact of ethnicity or body mass index on disease outcome.Conclusions Despite reports of worse outcomes in deprived regions, we show similar complication and mortality rates due to COVID-19 in an affluent and high life expectancy region