COVID-19 and Pneumonia

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 9807

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Guest Editor
Respiratory Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28007 Madrid, Spain
Interests: pulmonology; COVID-19 pneumonia; lung diseases
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Dear Colleagues,

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first isolated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Despite possible multisystem involvement, the lung is by far the most commonly affected organ in this disease.

COVID-19 pneumonia can present varying degrees of severity and respiratory deterioration. The spectrum of lung involvement ranges from mild flu-like cases to devastatingly rapid progression to respiratory distress, requiring intensive care support.

It is important that we broaden our knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and evolution of patients with this disease.

A better understanding of COVID-19 pneumonia will lead to significant improvement in medical treatment and outcomes for a large proportion of patients.

We encourage the submission of articles and manuscripts that address this topic to continue advancing the scientific knowledge of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Dr. Javier de Miguel-Díez
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • pneumonia
  • lung diseases
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • prognosis

Published Papers (5 papers)

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13 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Immunosuppression as a Hub for SARS-CoV-2 Mutational Drift
by Guy Shapira, Tal Patalon, Sivan Gazit and Noam Shomron
Viruses 2023, 15(4), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040855 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2082
Abstract
The clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is largely determined by host factors, with a wide range of outcomes. Despite an extensive vaccination campaign and high rates of infection worldwide, the pandemic persists, adapting [...] Read more.
The clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is largely determined by host factors, with a wide range of outcomes. Despite an extensive vaccination campaign and high rates of infection worldwide, the pandemic persists, adapting to overcome antiviral immunity acquired through prior exposure. The source of many such major adaptations is variants of concern (VOCs), novel SARS-CoV-2 variants produced by extraordinary evolutionary leaps whose origins remain mostly unknown. In this study, we tested the influence of factors on the evolutionary course of SARS-CoV-2. Electronic health records of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 were paired to viral whole-genome sequences to assess the effects of host clinical parameters and immunity on the intra-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2. We found slight, albeit significant, differences in SARS-CoV-2 intra-host diversity, which depended on host parameters such as vaccination status and smoking. Only one viral genome had significant alterations as a result of host parameters; it was found in an immunocompromised, chronically infected woman in her 70s. We highlight the unusual viral genome obtained from this woman, which had an accelerated mutational rate and an excess of rare mutations, including near-complete truncating of the accessory protein ORF3a. Our findings suggest that the evolutionary capacity of SARS-CoV-2 during acute infection is limited and mostly unaffected by host characteristics. Significant viral evolution is seemingly exclusive to a small subset of COVID-19 cases, which typically prolong infections in immunocompromised patients. In these rare cases, SARS-CoV-2 genomes accumulate many impactful and potentially adaptive mutations; however, the transmissibility of such viruses remains unclear. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Pneumonia)
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12 pages, 1432 KiB  
Article
Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Level One Week after Admission Is the Strongest Predictor of Prognosis of COVID-19: A Large Observational Study Using the COVID-19 Registry Japan
by Sho Nakakubo, Yoko Unoki, Koji Kitajima, Mari Terada, Hiroyuki Gatanaga, Norio Ohmagari, Isao Yokota and Satoshi Konno
Viruses 2023, 15(3), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030671 - 02 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1721
Abstract
Clinical features of COVID-19 are diverse, and a useful tool for predicting clinical outcomes based on clinical characteristics of COVID-19 is needed. This study examined the laboratory values and trends that influence mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Data on hospitalised patients enrolled in [...] Read more.
Clinical features of COVID-19 are diverse, and a useful tool for predicting clinical outcomes based on clinical characteristics of COVID-19 is needed. This study examined the laboratory values and trends that influence mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Data on hospitalised patients enrolled in a registry study in Japan (COVID-19 Registry Japan) were obtained. Patients with records on basic information, outcomes, and laboratory data on the day of admission (day 1) and day 8 were included. In-hospital mortality was set as the outcome, and associated factors were identified by multivariate analysis using the stepwise method. A total of 8860 hospitalised patients were included. The group with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels >222 IU/L on day 8 had a higher mortality rate compared to the group with LDH levels ≤222 IU/L. Similar results were observed in subgroups formed by age, body mass index (BMI), underlying disease, and mutation type, except for those aged <50 years. When age, sex, BMI, underlying disease, and laboratory values on days 1 and 8 were tested for factors strongly associated with in-hospital mortality, LDH on day 8 was most strongly associated with mortality. LDH level on day 8 was the strongest predictor of in-hospital mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients, indicating its potential usefulness in post-treatment decision-making in severe COVID-19 cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Pneumonia)
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10 pages, 365 KiB  
Article
Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir: Tolerability, Safety, and Adherence in a Retrospective Cohort Study
by Maria Mazzitelli, Daniele Mengato, Lolita Sasset, Anna Ferrari, Samuele Gardin, Vincenzo Scaglione, Nicola Bonadiman, Lucrezia Calandrino, Silvia Cavinato, Sabrina Trivellato, Francesca Venturini and Anna Maria Cattelan
Viruses 2023, 15(2), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020384 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2135
Abstract
Background. Molnupiravir (MOL) and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NIR) were recently approved for the early treatment of COVID-19, but real-life data on tolerability, safety, and adverse events (AEs) are still scarce. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients who were prescribed MOL and [...] Read more.
Background. Molnupiravir (MOL) and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NIR) were recently approved for the early treatment of COVID-19, but real-life data on tolerability, safety, and adverse events (AEs) are still scarce. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients who were prescribed MOL and NIR at the Infectious Diseases Unit of Padua University Hospital, between January and May 2022. Demographic, clinical, and safety variables were recorded. Results. We included 909 patients, 48.3% males and 95.2% vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The median age was 73 (IQR: 62–82) years. MOL and NIR were prescribed in 407 (44.8%) and 502 (55.2%) patients, respectively. Overall, 124/909 (13.6%) patients experienced any AEs following antivirals intake: 98/124 (79%) patients reporting adverse events presented grade 1 AEs, 23/124 (18.5%) grade 2 AEs and 3 (2.5%) grade 3 AEs. Treatment discontinuation was recorded in 4.8% of patients. AEs were significantly higher in women, in patients treated with NIR compared to MOL and in people who were not vaccinated. Conclusions. In our real-life setting, AEs were higher than those reported by clinical trials, and were particularly associated with NIR use and with not being vaccinated. Further analyses are needed to better assess safety of oral antivirals and to define which patient’s profile may benefit most from MOL and NIR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Pneumonia)
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13 pages, 1228 KiB  
Article
Case Fatality of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection Suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Germany
by Ingo Sagoschen, Karsten Keller, Johannes Wild, Thomas Münzel and Lukas Hobohm
Viruses 2022, 14(11), 2515; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112515 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Aims: Patients suffering from viral pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a serious complication of COVID-19 that requires early recognition and comprehensive management. Little is known [...] Read more.
Aims: Patients suffering from viral pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a serious complication of COVID-19 that requires early recognition and comprehensive management. Little is known about the concomitant prevalence of both entities in Germany. Thus, we sought to analyze predictors and regional trends of case fatality in patients with COVID-19 and ARDS in Germany. Methods: We analyzed data on the characteristics, comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes for all hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and compared those with and without ARDS in Germany in 2020. Results: Overall, 176,137 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this analysis; among these, 11,594 (6.6%) suffered from ARDS. Most patients with ARDS were treated in hospitals in urban areas (n = 6485); proportion rate of mechanical ventilation was higher (45.9%) compared to those treated in hospitals of suburban (36.1%) or rural areas (32.0%). Proportion of ARDS grew exponentially with age until the sixth decade of life. Case-fatality rate was considerably higher in COVID-19 patients with ARDS compared to those without (48.3% vs. 15.8%; p < 0.001). Independent predictors of in-hospital case fatality with an OR > 3 were age ≥ 70 years, severe ARDS, severe liver disease, acute renal failure, stroke, dialysis treatment, shock and necessity of ECMO. Conclusions: The case fatality of COVID-19 patients with ARDS is dramatically high and shows relevant regional disparities. Our findings may help to draw more attention to predictors for in-hospital case fatality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and suffering from ARDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Pneumonia)
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10 pages, 4014 KiB  
Case Report
Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Organizing Pneumonia in a Patient with Follicular Lymphoma, Treated with Obinutuzumab—Challenging Recognition and Treatment
by E. Łyżwa, M. Sobiecka, K. Lewandowska, I. Siemion-Szcześniak, I. Barańska, M. Klatt, R. Langfort, M. Szturmowicz and W. Tomkowski
Viruses 2023, 15(3), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030693 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1698
Abstract
A Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a pandemic outbreak in 2019. COVID-19’s course and its treatment in immunocompromised patients are uncertain. Furthermore, there is a possibility of protracted SARS-CoV-2 infection and the need for [...] Read more.
A Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a pandemic outbreak in 2019. COVID-19’s course and its treatment in immunocompromised patients are uncertain. Furthermore, there is a possibility of protracted SARS-CoV-2 infection and the need for repeated antiviral treatment. Monoclonal antibodies against CD20, which are used, among other things, in the therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and follicular lymphoma, can induct immunosuppression. We present a case report of a patient with follicular lymphoma, treated with obinutuzumab, who was diagnosed with prolonged, ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related organizing pneumonia. The recognition and the treatment were challenging which makes this case noteworthy. Antiviral therapy with several medications was administrated to our patient and their temporary, positive effect was observed. Moreover, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin was applied, because slowly decreasing IgM and IgG levels were observed. The patient also received standard treatment of organizing pneumonia. We believe that such a complex approach can create an opportunity for recovery. Physicians should be conscious of the course and treatment possibilities facing similar cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 and Pneumonia)
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