International Journal of Enteric Pathogens
Volume:11 Issue: 2, May 2023

 There are a few studies on the laboratory and clinical results of COVID-19 in pediatric patients.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the laboratory and clinical findings of children who were hospitalized due to infection with COVID-19.

 This case-series study was conducted from May 1, 2020 to July 30, 2022 and evaluated hospitalized patients up to the age of 18 years old who were admitted with the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the endemic period of SARS-CoV-2 at Imam Ali hospital in Karaj. The required data were collected from medical records, including medical history, demographic information, SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, physical examination, laboratory test results, comorbidities, severity the of disease, and mortality rate. After obtaining the data, SPSS-26 was used to perform statistical analysis.

 This study included 96 confirmed COVID-19 cases (42 females and 54 males), and the mean age of patients was 7.2 years. COVID-19 comorbidities were positive in 22 cases (22.9%), and diabetes was the most common comorbidity, which was detected in 13 cases (13.5%). Twelve (12.5%) cases of COVID-19 exhibited critical severity, and the mortality rate was 5.2%. The four most frequent clinical symptoms were found to be fever, cough, dyspnea, and vomiting, which were noted in 82 (85.4%), 52 (54.2%), 29 (30.2%), and 29 (30.2%) cases, respectively. In addition, respiratory distress and cyanosis were observed in 20 (20.8%) and 6 (6.3%) patients, respectively. Moreover, 18 (18.8%) cases had allergies, and skin allergies were the most prevalent, followed by allergic rhinitis and exercise-induced cough.

 This case series survey addressed the laboratory and clinical features of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 patients. Despite the relatively small number of samples, the findings could provide a useful report of the clinical manifestations and paraclinical findings of COVID-19 in children.

 Leptospirosis, as an emerging global public health problem, is a widespread zoonosis and substantial infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. The diagnosis of the disease remains a challenge due to its non-specific clinical symptoms. The Lsa21 protein is one of the leptospiral proteins that has extracellular matrix-binding properties that are expressed during the infection of pathogenic Leptospira serovars.

 The study aimed to assess the presence of the lsa21 gene in Leptospira serovars.

 The study was conducted on 22 pathogenic Leptospira serovars and non-pathogenic Leptospira serovars, obtained from the Reference Laboratory for Leptospira, Razi Vaccine, and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. DNA Leptospira serovars were extracted and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers.

 An approximately 540-bp DNA fragment from the DNA of all pathogenic Leptospira serovars was amplified by the PCR not found in non-pathogenic serovars.

 Molecular detection of pathogenic leptospires based on the lsa21 gene can be utilized for laboratory diagnosis and could be a good candidate for developing vaccines against leptospirosis.

 Viral infections have been a major public health concern in recent years. Viral hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the serious healthcare system issues in Iran. Family transmission of HBV in pregnant women is a major cause of the high prevalence of HBV infection in neonates and related persons. The expanded program on immunization (EPI) was the main way to prevent this infection.

 This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers in Khorasan Razavi province.

 This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 53 HBsAg-positive women between March 2017 and April 2019 in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to conduct screenings for HBsAg in children. Risk factors for HBV infection were investigated using medical records and structured questionnaires.

 The prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 1.2% (1/83) among children aged 1-3 years old. All children received three doses of HBV vaccine according to the HBV immunization program. The positive hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) test among children under study was 80.7% (n=67).

 The results indicated a low prevalence of hepatitis B infection among infants and children born to HBsAg-positive mothers (1.2); however, protective anti-HBs levels were reported in 80.7% (<95%) of the children. It appears that the efficiency level of the hepatitis B vaccination procedure was not sufficient in this study. Overall, revaccination is recommended for children who are anti-HBs-negative or not protected.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) research is still inconclusive due to methodological differences and constraints. The study aimed to review the function of oral microflora in the progression of oral cancer and to highlight the need for good oral hygiene practices for various reasons beyond only avoiding dental problems such as cavities and gum disease. Oral carcinoma is a rapidly increasing cancer with a high mortality rate, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Despite the progress of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the percentage of people who will be alive is less than 50% after 5 years. Oral cancer has a terrible prognosis and can spread if it is not detected early; thus, researchers should focus on developing biomarkers that might detect the disease at an earlier stage. SCC has a complex set of causes. Factors and conditions predisposing to oral cancer include tobacco, alcohol, infections (e.g., candidiasis), viruses (human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, and human papillomavirus), and systemic conditions (iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition, and vitamin A deficiency). Changes in the structure of oral bacteria are caused by two primary risk factors for oral cancer, including smoking and alcohol consumption. These microorganisms produce carcinogenic products such as acetaldehyde, which are associated with oral cancer. The oral cavity is host to a wide variety of microflora, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, as one of the most abundant microbial habitats in the human body. Recent epidemiological research has linked specific periodontitis microorganisms to an increased risk of developing oral premalignant and neoplastic lesions. Clinicians have long noted a correlation among dental state, poor oral hygiene, and oral cancer, which may be independent of tobacco and alcohol use. Based on the results, more research is required to determine the precise results and the nature of the correlation between oral microbiota and oral cancer, considering the findings of the previous studies.

SARS-CoV-2 has been infrequently isolated from conjunctival swabs; it is associated with ocular manifestations, including conjunctivitis, blurred vision, dry eye, and hyperemia in patients with confirmed COVID-19. In some cases, ocular manifestations may be the first and only symptoms of COVID-19 related to the greater severity of the systemic disease. According to the eye manifestations, physicians have prescribed different medications. For example, drugs such as azithromycin eye drops, dexamethasone, moxifloxacin, and ganciclovir ophthalmic gel have been used for the treatment of conjunctivitis. The role of ophthalmologists in the prevention and screening of COVID-19 is highlighted due to the ocular manifestations. The most common ocular symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection, treatment, and potential side effects of drugs utilized to combat these complications are reviewed in this article.

SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets the respiratory system, resulting in pulmonary complications. However, recent research has indicated that COVID-19 can exert broader systemic effects on various organs. This comprehensive paper, which synthesizes studies up until now, centers on the clinical characteristics and symptoms of COVID-19. It furnishes a detailed overview of prevalent symptoms, highlighting fever, cough, and fatigue as the most frequently reported symptoms. Moreover, it delves into the diverse manifestations impacting not only the respiratory system but also the eyes, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and skin. In addition to symptomatology, this study offers a succinct exploration of patients’ clinical presentations, potential complications, incubation period, and outcomes. This compilation of knowledge serves as an invaluable tool for medical practitioners, providing them with essential insights to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and optimize the treatment strategies for COVID-19 patients. It bridges the gap between the pulmonary-centric focus of the virus and the broader multi-organ implications, thereby empowering healthcare professionals in their comprehensive care approach.