Tag: smoking

Incidence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 gut infection in patients with a history of COVID-19: Insights from endoscopic examination

Abstract:

Background and study aims Gut infection is common during acute COVID-19, and persistent SARS-CoV-2 gut infection has been reported months after the initial infection, potentially linked to long-COVID syndrome. This study tested the incidence of persistent gut infection in patients with a history of COVID-19 undergoing endoscopic examination.

Patients and methods Endoscopic biopsies were prospectively collected from patients with previous COVID-19 infection undergoing upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE or LGE). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the presence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins.

Results A total of 166 UGEs and 83 LGE were analyzed. No significant differences were observed between patients with positive and negative immunostaining regarding the number of previous COVID-19 infections, time since the last infection, symptoms, or vaccination status. The incidence of positive immunostaining was significantly higher in UGE biopsies than in LGE biopsies (37.34% vs. 16.87%, P =0.002). Smokers showed a significantly higher incidence of positive immunostaining in the overall cohort and UGE and LGE subgroups ( P <0.001). Diabetic patients exhibited a significantly higher incidence in the overall cohort ( P =0.002) and UGE subgroup ( P =0.022), with a similar trend observed in the LGE subgroup ( P =0.055).

Conclusions Gut mucosal tissues can act as a long-term reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, retaining viral particles for months following the primary COVID-19 infection. Smokers and individuals with diabetes may be at an increased risk of persistent viral gut infection. These findings provide insights into the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the gut and have implications for further research.

Source: Hany M, Sheta E, Talha A, Anwar M, Selima M, Gaballah M, Zidan A, Ibrahim M, Agayby ASS, Abouelnasr AA, Samir M, Torensma B. Incidence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 gut infection in patients with a history of COVID-19: Insights from endoscopic examination. Endosc Int Open. 2024 Jan 5;12(1):E11-E22. doi: 10.1055/a-2180-9872. PMID: 38188925; PMCID: PMC10769582. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10769582/ (Full text)

 

Is Pulmonary Involvement a Distinct Phenotype of Post-COVID-19?

Abstract:

Background: COVID-19 infection often provokes symptoms lasting many months: most commonly fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia and mental distress symptoms. In this study, we searched for clinical features of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and differences between patients with and without pulmonary involvement.
Methods: A total of 282 patients with a mean age of 57 years (SD +/− 12 years) underwent assessment up to 12 weeks after COVID-19 recovery. The course of acute disease, past medical history and clinical symptoms were gathered; pulmonary function tests were performed; radiographic studies were assessed and follow-up examinations were conducted. Patients with and without detectable pulmonary lesions were divided into separate groups.
Results: Patients within the pulmonary group were more often older (59 vs. 51 y.o.; p < 0.001) males (p = 0.002) that underwent COVID-19-related hospitalization (p < 0.001) and were either ex- or active smokers with the median of 20 pack-years. We also managed to find correlations with hypertension (p = 0.01), liver failure (p = 0.03), clinical symptoms such as dyspnea (p < 0.001), myalgia (p = 0.04), headache (p = 0.009), sleeplessness (p = 0.046), pulmonary function tests (such as FVC, TLCO, RV and TLC; p < 0.001) and several basic laboratory tests (D-dimer, cardiac troponin, WBC, creatinine and others).
Conclusions: Our results indicate that initial pulmonary involvement alters the PCC, and it can be used to individualize clinical approaches.
Source: Bartczak KT, Miłkowska-Dymanowska J, Pietrusińska M, Kumor-Kisielewska A, Stańczyk A, Majewski S, Piotrowski WJ, Lipiński C, Wawrocki S, Białas AJ. Is Pulmonary Involvement a Distinct Phenotype of Post-COVID-19? Biomedicines. 2023; 11(10):2694. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11102694 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/10/2694 (Full text)

The Long-COVID Syndrome: smoking and enhanced suicide risk

Extract:

The QJM has been at the forefront in highlighting the mental health problems associated with COVID-19 infection in society.1–6 In a Commentary piece in this issue of the Journal, Leo Sher, Professor of Psychiatry from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, highlights the role of smoking being associated with a worse prognosis in acute infections and enhancing the risk of suicide in patients suffering persistent disabling symptoms associated with the Long-COVID Syndrome.

It is well recognized that smoking is associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide death and a contributing factor in the pathophysiology of suicide. The author highlights the evidence that suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased tobacco consumption as smokers use more tobacco to cope with pandemic-related stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Smoking will have significant psychobiological effects resulting in enhanced impulsivity and aggression which will be compounded by in particular the brain-related symptoms…

Source: Seamas C Donnelly, The Long-COVID Syndrome: smoking and enhanced suicide risk, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 114, Issue 11, November 2021, Page 765, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcab300