Effectiveness of Probiotics for Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Effectiveness of Probiotics for Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hadeer Abdel-Aleem Hassan Mohamed Tawfik (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (2), Rasha Samir (2,3), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (2), Mina Michael Nesim (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1*)

 

(1) Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

(2) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

(3) Departemnt of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Egypt

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):17–25.

 

DOI: 10.31586/ujgh.2023.735

 

Abstract

 

Background: Recently specific interactions and crosslinks between the gut microbiota and the lungs have been recognized, particularly with regard to respiratory immune and anti-microbial reactions. This is often known as the “gut-lung axis” or “a common mucosal immunological system”. Objective: The aim of the current systematic review was to evaluate evidence, from published clinical trials and cohort studies, if probiotics may have an effect in improving and managing COVID-19 symptoms. Materials and methods: The available studies were searched through a comprehensive search of electronic databases that included PubMed, Science Direct, Scirus, ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), using a combination of the following keywords: “COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2 AND Microbiota OR Probiotics” OR “Gut Lung Axis”. The literature was reviewed until August 31, 2022. Results: Only 3 studies were included. One of them evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in COVID-19 patients to obtain complete remission of all signs and symptoms. The clinical trial proves that probiotics have a significant effect on complete remission of all signs and symptoms of COVID-19 patients with statistical significant difference. Only one clinical trial out of the 3 included studies had evaluated the need for O2 therapy during the study between the probiotics and control groups, but without statistical significant difference. No statistical significant difference between the probiotics group and placebo group was observed regarding fatal prognosis during the only clinical trial that measured death as an outcome. Conclusion: We couldn’t judge on these results as they are insufficient data for pooling and meta-analysis. However, what we can say is “Most probably Probiotics have no role in treatment of COVID-19 infection”.

 

Keywords: COVID-19, Probiotics, Management, Meta-analysis, Systematic Review.

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):17–25.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/UJGH/article/view/735

Proportion and Risk Factors of Silent Vertebral Fractures Among Egyptian Females With Fragility Hip Fracture Presenting to the Emergency Room of Ain Shams University Hospitals

Proportion and Risk Factors of Silent Vertebral Fractures Among Egyptian Females With Fragility Hip Fracture Presenting to the Emergency Room of Ain Shams University Hospitals

Mohamed A. Abdelrahman Ali (1)

Hala S. Sweed (1)

Mohamed F. Allam (2)

Walaa W. Aly (1)

Abeer H. Mohamed Matter (1)

Walid E. Abdelalim Elshabrawy (3)

 

1. Geriatrics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.  

2. Family Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.  

3. Orthopedic Surgery, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Cureus 15(9): e46214.

 

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46214

 

Abstract

Background. Fragility fractures caused by osteoporosis are known to increase the risk of further fragility fractures. Also, several factors have been associated with an increasing risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, as prior fracture, advancing age, low bone mineral density (BMD), greater risk or history of falls certain, pharmacologic therapies such as glucocorticoids, and medical conditions increase the risk of secondary osteoporosis and related fractures through their direct impact on bone density or structure. Menstrual history including age at menarche menopause and a history of amenorrhea is documented as a predicting osteoporotic fracture.

Objective. The aim of the current study is to find the proportion of hidden vertebral fractures among Egyptian females with fragility hip fracture.

Patients and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who presented to the orthopedic emergency room (ER) of Ain Shams University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, from September 2020 to September 2021. Our inclusión criteria include females aged 40 years or older, who presented to the ER with fragility hip fractures. A simple random sample of females fulfilling our inclusión criteria for osteoporotic hip fracture was thoroughly investigated. Conventional lateral and anteroposterior radiographs of the dorsolumbar spine were obtained excluding those with high-impact fractures or pathological fractures.

Results. During the study period, a total of 43,935 persons presented to the orthopedic ER, of whom 30,901 were females, comprising 70.03% of total orthopedic ER visits. A sample of 150 females met our inclusion criteria. Results showed that 16 of our 150 cases had concomitant vertebral fracture, meaning that 10.7% of cases had hidden vertebral fracture at the time of osteoporotic hip fracture, as diagnosed by the screening lumbosacral plain X-rays. Older age at menarche, younger age at menopause, and amenorrhea are shown to be risk factors for hidden vertebral fracture in Egyptian females.

Conclusion. Osteoporosis is a complex and costly disease. Osteoporotic fractures may be largely preventable, as environmental factors are open to intervention, and effective pharmacological agents are available. Concomitant hidden vertebral fracture is prevalent among females with osteoporotic hip fractures, and those who had later menarche, earlier menopause, and menstrual irregularities have a higher incidence of developing associated vertebral fracture, which warrants identification and management to evade complications and mortality.

Keywords: elderly, vertebral fracture, osteoporosis, hip fracture, fragility fracture.

Abdelrahman Ali M A, Sweed H S, Allam M F, et al. (September 29, 2023) Proportion and Risk Factors of Silent Vertebral Fractures Among Egyptian Females With Fragility Hip Fracture Presenting to the Emergency Room of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Cureus 15(9): e46214.

https://www.cureus.com/articles/191975-proportion-and-risk-factors-of-silent-vertebral-fractures-among-egyptian-females-with-fragility-hip-fracture-presenting-to-the-emergency-room-of-ain-shams-university-hospitals#!/authors

 

Differential Complete Blood Count for Diagnosis of COVID-19?

Differential Complete Blood Count for Diagnosis of COVID-19?

Nermine A. Melek (1), Mohamed F. Allam (2,3), Bassem G. Labib (1), Abdalla Bazazo (2), Mayada M. Mahmoud (1) and Omneya M. Zeada (1)

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

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

3. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Cairo, Egypt

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2023, 2, 689

DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2023.689

 

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. In this context, effective and affordable diagnostic procedures are essential for identifying and managing cases. Complete blood counts (CBC) are among the most common and readily available diagnostic tests. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBC in diagnosing COVID-19 and identifying cases. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 173 patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals over a period of three months. Patients were allocated into two groups according to COVID-19 PCR results: Group 1 included patients with COVID-19 positive PCR, and Group 2 included patients with COVID-19 negative PCR. Results: The study found that differential CBC had significant value in diagnosing COVID-19 disease. Many COVID-19 patients had lymphopenia and leucopenia compared to non-COVID-19 suspected patients. The low values of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils with a CBC test were found to be valuable in the initial diagnosis of COVID-19. Conclusion: The definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 requires RT-PCR analysis, which is time-consuming and less accessible. Thus, the initial diagnosis and treatment of patients may be delayed. This study suggests that CBC, which is easily available and affordable, can be valuable in the early identification of COVID-19 cases, allowing for prompt treatment and management.

 

Keywords: Complete blood count, COVID-19, Diagnosis, Case control study, Leucopenia, Lymphopenia.

 

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2023, 2, 689

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/WJMM/article/view/689

Should not we vaccinate the public against seasonal influenza all over the year in COVID-19 era?

Should not we vaccinate the public against seasonal influenza all over the year in COVID-19 era?

Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,2,3)* and Khaled Mahmoud Abd-Elaziz (2)

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

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

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

 

Current Research in Public Health 2023:3(2):44–46.

DOI: 10.31586/crph.2023.706

ABSTRACT

The pandemic of the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) that was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020 is still ongoing. One of the early recommendations from CDC and other international agencies is the seasonal influenza vaccination to decrease the effects and burden of COVID-19 pandemic. This review suggests that during COVID-19 pandemic vaccination against seasonal influenza should be conducted all over the year, even for young age groups, because of several reasons. First, the complications of seasonal influenza, especially pneumonia, could increase the burden on the saturated healthcare systems worldwide. Second, the resemblance of symptoms and signs of both seasonal influenza and COVID-19 will difficult diagnosing and isolation of COVID-19 patients. Third, it has been postulated that there is a cross immunity between seasonal influenza and COVID-19.

 

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Influenza, Vaccine, Review.

 

Current Research in Public Health 2023.

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/CRPH/article/view/706

New Topical Treatment for Psoriasis

New Topical Treatment for Psoriasis

Jose Miguel Ingelmo Calvo (1), José Ruiz Cobo (2) and Mohamed Farouk Allam (3*)

1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital HM Malaga, Malaga, Spain;

2. Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol, SUAP Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain;

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

 

Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology 2023

 

DOI: 10.14218/JERP.2023.00015

 

Abstract

Topical corticosteroids, alone or in combination with calcipotriol, a topical vitamin D analog, have proved effective in treating mild to moderate psoriasis. Topical corticosteroids, like clobetasol propionate, have a vasoconstrictor effect on the peripheral dermal vessels, and this explains skin atrophy in psoriatic patients applying topical corticosteroids regularly for long periods. However, a new topical treatment for psoriasis has been developed and patented. The new treatment is prepared as a lotion and is composed of clobetasol, papaverine hydrochloride, spironolactone, milk-peptide-complex, and propylene glycol. A 47-year-old male presented with extensive psoriasis lesions in the elbows and back. The patient had an irrelevant past medical history and was complaining mainly of severe itching in the psoriatic lesions. The patient was advised to use our newly patented lotion once daily for one week. After 7 days of local application of the new lotion, the patient was examined in the outpatient clinic. The patient reported significant improvement in the itching sensations and remission of the scaled lesions. Comparing the lesions before and after the application of the local treatment for 7 days, it was observed that the psoriasis area severity index score had improved from 20.9 to 1.8. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm the findings of our case report.

 

Keywords: Psoriasis; Topical treatment; Psoriasis area severity index; Malaga.

 

Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology 2023

 

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2572-5505/JERP-2023-00015

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2572-5505/JERP-2023-00015/pdf