The Link between Vitamin D and SARS-COV-2

The Link between Vitamin D and SARS-COV-2

 

Bahaa El-Din LM (a), Amin GE (a,b), Samir R (c), Nazmy M (c) and Allam MF (a,d*)

a. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

b. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

c. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

d. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba 14004, Spain

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36266/JPDRM/107

 

Abstract

 

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that crosses through membranes and binds to a specific receptor; the Vitamin D receptor (VDR). It is becoming clearer that microbes decelerate immune reactivity by dysregulating the VDR ultimately to increase their chance of survival, and that is why Immune[1]modulatory therapies that enhance VDR expression and activity are considered in the clinic today to a greater extent. Recent studies found that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection. It has been shown that vitamin D triggers innate cellular immunity, through the production of antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidins, IL-37, and defensins. It also hinders the cytokine storm, decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα. The SARS-COV-2 outbreak rapidly spread across the world and it has spurred a global effort to tackle the disease and to establish risk factors and prognostic markers like for example serum vitamin D. Over the past months, the evidence continued to grow and there’s more publications in peer-reviewed medical journals about the possible connection between vitamin D and SARS-COV-2. Literature about the correlation of vitamin D status in the context of clinical outcomes of SARS-COV-2 infection is limited. Further studies are needed to explore possible associations between Vitamin D status and disease severity and survival in SARS-COV-2 patients.

 

Keywords: Vitamin D; COVID-19; SARS-COV-2; Vitamin D receptor; IFNγ; TNFα.

 

Journal of Pulmonary Disease and Respiratory Medicine 2021;1(2):1-2.

 

https://www.pubtexto.com/journals/journal-of-pulmonary-diseases-and-respiratory-medicine/fulltext/the-link-between-vitamin-d-and-sarscov2

Comparison of hemoglobin level and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as prognostic markers in patients with COVID-19

 

Shaimaa Hani Fouad (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2), Sara Ibrahim Taha (3), Ahmed Ashraf Okba (4), Amr Hosny (5), Mayada Moneer (1) and Sylvia Wefky Roman (1)

 

1. Departments of Internal Medicine and Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

5. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Journal of International Medical Research 2021;49(7):1-15.

 

DOI: 10.1177/03000605211030124

 

Abstract

Background. Anemia can negatively affect the outcome of many diseases, including infections and inflammatory conditions.

Aim. To compare the prognostic value of hemoglobin level and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for prediction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity.

Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data from patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were collected from hospital records from 10 April 2020 to 30 July 2020.

Results. The proportions of patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 differed significantly in association with hemoglobin levels, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, NLR, and total leukocyte counts. Patients with severe COVID-19 had significantly lower hemoglobin levels than those with moderate or mild COVID-19. There were statistically significant negative associations between hemoglobin and D-dimer, age, and creatinine. The optimal hemoglobin cut-off value for prediction of disease severity was 11.6 g/dL. Using this cut-off value, hemoglobin had higher negative predictive value and sensitivity than NLR (92.4% and 51.3%, respectively). The specificity of hemoglobin as a prognostic marker was 79.3%.

Conclusion. Both NLR and hemoglobin level are of prognostic value for predicting severity of COVID-19. However, hemoglobin level displayed higher sensitivity than NLR. Hemoglobin level should be assessed upon admission in all patients and closely monitored throughout the disease course.

 

Keywords. Coronavirus disease 2019, hospital, anemia, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, patient stratification, hemoglobin, intensive care unit, severity.

 

Journal of International Medical Research 2021;49(7):1-15.

 

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03000605211030124

Prevalence and predictive factors for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months among mothers attending Primary Health Care Centers in Cairo, Egypt

Prevalence and predictive factors for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months among mothers attending Primary Health Care Centers in Cairo, Egypt

 

Zeinab Abdelhay Emara (1), Ghada Essam Eldin Amin (2), Diaa Marzouk Abdel Hamid (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2)

 

1. Pediatrics Specialist, International Lactation Consultant and Family Physician in Primary Health Care MOHAP Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2021;19(2):145–152.

 

DOI: 10.15584/ ejcem.2021.2.5

 

Abstract

 

Introduction. Although most organizations recommend breastfeeding for at least one year due to its well-known beneficial effects, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in many developing countries was quite low.

Aim. To identify prevalence and predictive factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding in Primary Healthcare (PHC) Centers in Cairo, Egypt.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional study, among mothers attended first six months immunization sessions in three PHC Centers were selected via a convenient sample, A total sample of 180 mothers, 60 from each PHC Center, were subjected to an interview questionnaire. The questionnaire used was previously validated and pre-tested. Data collection took the period from April to August 2019. Comparison between exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding according to possible risk factors was done.

Results. The frequency of breastfeeding among the participants was 90.6%; however the total exclusive breastfeeding frequency was only 39.4%. Our logistic regression model showed that exclusive breastfeeding decreased with progressive increase in infant’s age (OR 0.74), and mothers with good knowledge about proper practice of breastfeeding adhered more to exclusive breastfeeding (OR 2.51). Also, it showed that, during working hours, mothers who fed their infants other than breast milk adhered less to exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.19).

Conclusion. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is quite low. The predictive factors for exclusive breastfeeding are, younger infant’s age, good knowledge of the mothers about proper practice of breastfeeding, and mothers insisting on breastfeeding during working hours.

 

Keywords. breastfeeding, cross sectional, infants formula, primary healthcare, risk factors.

 

European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2021;19(2):145–152.

 

http://www.ejcem.ur.edu.pl/summary/prevalence-and-predictive-factors-exclusive-breastfeeding-first-6-months-among-mothers

Attitudes, beliefs and practice of Egyptian healthcare workers towards seasonal influenza vaccination

Attitudes, beliefs and practice of Egyptian healthcare workers towards seasonal influenza vaccination
 
Sally Adel Hakim (1), Wagdy Amin (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,3), Asmaa M. Fathy (4), Amira Mohsen (5)
 
1. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Ministry of Health and Population, Chest Directorate, National Tuberculosis Control Program, Cairo, Egypt.
3. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
4. Community Medicine Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
5. World Health Organization Country Office, Cairo, Egypt.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 2021;00:1-11 [First Published:  11 June 2021].
 
DOI: 10.1111/irv.12868
 
Abstract
 
Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination is highly recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs) every year to protect them and reduce the risk of disease transmission at workplaces. Relatively few studies addressed influenza vaccination in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs and practice of Egyptian HCWs towards seasonal influenza vaccine. Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional study. Data were collected through self-administered structured questionnaire. A sample of 3534 HCWs (physicians and nurses) was collected from different levels of healthcare facilities. Results: The proportion of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during the last season was 30.7% while the percentage of ever vaccinated was 46.8%. The most identified reason for non-compliance was lack of trust about vaccine efficacy and its adverse events. Around 80% of participants expressed positive attitude towards influenza vaccine and the vast majority (98%) agreed to uptake the vaccine during pandemic. There was significant positive association between attitude score and influenza vaccine uptake. Raising awareness about vaccine and ensuring vaccine availability were the main suggestions by HCWs to improve vaccine uptake. Conclusions: Although there was positive attitude towards influenza vaccine, yet vaccination coverage was suboptimal particularly among those working in university hospitals. Educational messages and operational strategies addressing motivators and barriers that emerged from this study are needed to optimize vaccine uptake.
 
KEYWORDS: attitude, belief, cross sectional study, Egypt, healthcare workers, influenza vaccination, practice.
 
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 2021;00:1-11 [First Published:  11 June 2021].
 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/irv.12868

Validity and feasibility of the self-assessment vitiligo extent score among Egyptian patients

Validity and feasibility of the self-assessment vitiligo extent score among Egyptian patients
 
Marwa Abdallah (1), Ahmed Nassar (1), Miriam Samir (1), Abd-Elrahman Reda (1), Aya Hassan (1), Moahmed F. Allam (2), Rania Mahmoud Elhusseiny (1)
 
1. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospital, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Depatment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospital, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
 
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology [Epub ahead of print: 2021-05-31]
 
DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_498_20
 
Vitiligo extent score is one of the reliable instruments recently validated and used by physicians to assess the extent of non-segmental vitiligo. However, according to the World Health Organization, if the patients themselves could score the extent of their vitiligo, it could bring about the participation of the patients in assessing the prognosis of their disease. Self-assessment vitiligo extent score was previously validated in patients with fairer skin types allowing them to score their vitiligo extent in an easy way.
Further validation of the self-assessment vitiligo extent score on a different ethnic population (Middle East/North African), darker skin types with various cultural and educational levels would add to the generalisability of the new scoring system.
Our study showed that self-assessment vitiligo extent score demonstrated excellent feasibility and validity (highly significant correlation with vitiligo extent score) in an Egyptian patient population.
 
Keywords: Extent; feasibility; self-assessment; VES; SA-VES; vitiligo.
 
Abdallah M, Nassar A, Samir M, Reda A, Hassan A, Allam MF, et al. Validity and feasibility of the self-assessment vitiligo extent score among Egyptian patients. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol doi: 10.25259/IJDVL_498_20
 
https://ijdvl.com/validity-and-feasibility-of-the-self-assessment-vitiligo-extent-score-among-egyptian-patients/