Role of Probiotics in COVID-19 Management?

Role of Probiotics in COVID-19 Management?

Samar Osama Ahmed Hassan (1), Manal Sabry Mohamed (2), Mina Mikhail Nessim (2), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,3)

 

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

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

3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Cordoba School of Medicine, Cordoba 14004, Spain.

 

*Correspondence: Mohamed Farouk Allam (farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg)

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 372.

DOI: 10.31586/wjmm.2022.372

 

Abstract

Probiotics as an intestinal microbe regulator, not only improve the ability of the gastrointestinal microbiota to modulate immune activity, but also strengthen the body's immune system, inhibit allergic reactions and has a significant role especially in the anti-viral immunomodulation. Therefore, in patients with COVID-19, the intestinal micro-eco-regulator, represented by probiotics, may be a therapeutic choice. However, there is still a lack of evidence[1]based studies to support probiotic treatment of patients with COVID-19. New cohort studies and randomized controlled clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of probiotics in the management of COVID-19 are strongly and urgently needed.

 

Keywords: Probiotics, COVID-19, Gut microbiota, clinical trials, cohort study, GIT.

World Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2022, 1, 372.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/wjmm/article/view/372

Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

Severity of Pediatric COVID-19: Role of Vitamin D

May Fouad Nassar (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2), Samer Hamed ElKhayat (3), Yasser Wagih Darwish (4), Mennatallah Osama Shata (1).

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

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

3. Faculty of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750312

 

Objective. Vitamin D has many immune benefits and because its deficiency impacts most age groups, it became a nutrient of interest in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. The objective of this study was to highlight the contribution of vitamin D status to the disease severity of hospitalized pediatric patients suffering from COVID[1]19 infection. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 42 children with documented positive polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19 infection. Detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination were done for each recruited patient. Besides the laboratory and radiological assessment done for COVID-19 patients, 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels [25(OH) D] in the serum were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Using the cutoff level of 10 ng/mL, only 40% of the patients were below this level and 60% had their vitamin D level more than or equal to 10 ng/mL. Significantly more patients of the first group needed oxygen support (denoting more severe COVID-19 infection and lung involvement). The older the patients, the more evident was vitamin D deficiency among them, and 25(OH) D values were not correlated to weight for length nor weight categories in the studied series of patients suffering from COVID-19. Conclusion.  Vitamin D deficiency affects the severity of pediatric COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients. It is prudent to advise vitamin D level assessment in such cases and promptly manage the patients accordingly. We recommend further studies to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the clinical outcome of COVID-19 in the pediatric population and other vulnerable groups.

Keywords: children, COVID-19, hydroxy vitamin D, severity, cross-sectional study.

 

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 2022;17(04):182-187.

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0042-1750312

SARS COV-2 and other viral etiology as a possible clue for the olfactory dilemma

SARS COV-2 and other viral etiology as a possible clue for the olfactory dilemma

 

Ossama I. Mansour (1), Mohamed Shehata Taha (1), Mohammad Salah Mahmoud (1*), Waleed Farag Ezzat (1), Anas Askoura (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (2), Samia Abdo Girgis (3), Azza Omran (4), Sara Hassan Agwa (5) and Mohamed Naguib Mohamed (1)

 

1. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 38 Abbassia, Next to the Al-Nour Mosque, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 38 Abbassia, Next to the Al-Nour Mosque, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 38 Abbassia, Next to the Al-Nour Mosque, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Clinical Pathology, El-Mataria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.

5. Clinical Pathology, Molecular Genomic Unit, MASRI, Ain Shams University, 38 Abbassia, Next to the Al-Nour Mosque, Cairo, Egypt.

 

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 38, Article number: 65 (2022) 

 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-022-00251-9

 

Background. Post-viral anosmia is responsible for more than 40% of cases of anosmia. Anosmia has been a neglected symptom in the primary healthcare setting until the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection highlighted new atypical symptoms of the disease, including anosmia, which has become one of the diagnostic symptoms of the disease, and epidemiological concern. We aimed to detect the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within patients presented with anosmia and to test for other respiratory viruses in the negative COVID-19 patients. We also detected the recovery of anosmia and IgM/IgG against COVID-19. We prospectively included 60 outpatients with the major complaint of anosmia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were done for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR, and if negative, PCR to other respiratory pathogens was tested. After one month, we inquired about the recovery of smell loss together with testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Results. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients (76.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive and 14 (23.3%) were negative. Rhinovirus was the commonest isolated pathogen in the negative cases (5/14). Complete recovery of anosmia occurred in 34 patients (56.7%), while partial recovery in 24 (40.0%), and no recovery in 2 patients (3.3%). The median time to complete recovery was 10 days. 28.3% (13/46) of the patients showed negative antibody response for both IgG and IgM.

Conclusions. Sudden-onset anosmia is a symptom that is highly predictive of being COVID-19-infected. While recovery is expected within 2 weeks, some patients have no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

 

Keywords: Anosmia, SARS-CoV-2, Incidence, Recovery, Seroconversion, COVID-19.

 

Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology 2022;38(1):65.

 

https://ejo.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s43163-022-00251-9.pdf

Association between vitamin B12 level and clinical peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients on metformin therapy

Association between vitamin B12 level and clinical peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients on metformin therapy

 

Nouran Fakkar Hammam Fakkar (1), Diaa Marzouk (1,2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1), Mohamed Mahmoud Fouad (3), Maram Maher Aboromia (4) Mohsen Gadallah (2)

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, E11566, Cairo, Abbasia, Egypt.

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

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

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

 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-022-00483-9

 

Abstract

Background: Vitamin B12 malabsorption is one of the side efects of long-term metformin intake. Prolonged vitamin B12 defciency can lead to irreversible nervous system damage. So, the current study aimed to determine the association between serum vitamin B12 level and clinical peripheral neuropathy among type 2 DM patients who are on metformin in comparison to those not taking it. It is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Egypt and recruited 100 type 2 diabetic patients who were divided into 2 groups: metformin treated, and non-metformin treated (50 subjects per group). The collected data included personal history, medical history, dietetic history that included frequency of eating food rich in vitamin B12 and clinical peripheral neuropathy assessment by Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS). Blood samples were collected for assessment of HbA1c and vitamin B12 level.

Results: Vitamin B12 defciency was present in 4% of metformin group and 2% of non-metformin group. The mean value of vitamin B12 between metformin users (624.3±364.1 pg/ml) and non-metformin users (991.0±489.9 pg/ml) showed a high signifcant diference, p value<0.001. There was a signifcant diference between study groups regarding HbA1c level (p value=0.03). Peripheral neuropathy was signifcantly associated with HbA1c (p value=0.04) and female gender (p value=0.001). Conclusions: Vitamin B12 level was lower in type 2 diabetic patients on metformin compared to those on other oral anti-diabetic drugs, but without signifcant defciency. Peripheral neuropathy was signifcantly associated with poor glycemic control and female gender, but was not associated with vitamin B12 defciency. Keywords: Metformin, Peripheral neuropathy, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Vitamin B12 defciency> <0.001. There was a signifcant diference between study groups regarding HbA1c level (p value=0.03). Peripheral neuropathy was signifcantly associated with HbA1c (p value=0.04) and female gender (p value=0.001)

Conclusions: Vitamin B12 level was lower in type 2 diabetic patients on metformin compared to those on other oral anti-diabetic drugs, but without signifcant defciency. Peripheral neuropathy was signifcantly associated with poor glycemic control and female gender, but was not associated with vitamin B12 defciency.

 

Keywords: Metformin, Peripheral neuropathy, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Vitamin B12 defciency.

 

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 2022;58:46. 

https://ejnpn.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41983-022-00483-9

 

Awareness and attitude of primary healthcare patients towards telehealth in Cairo, Egypt

 Awareness and attitude of primary healthcare patients towards telehealth in Cairo, Egypt

 

Sara Shouman (1), Tamer Emara (2), Heba Gamal Saber (3), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1)

 

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

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

3. Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2065141

 

Abstract

Background: Telehealth is delivering health care services remote from healthcare facilities using telecommunications and virtual technology. Egypt is aiming to reach Universal Health Coverage; this increases the demand of telehealth in routine health services. Telehealth helps in increasing access to areas with no available medical services as patients can be monitored remotely. 

Objective: To measure the awareness of telehealth among attendees of primary health care units and their acceptance of applying telehealth. 

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study among attendees of primary health units. Ethical issues were considered. 

Results: A sample size calculated to be 162 and 170 valid Arabic interview questionnaires were filled by attendees. Awareness percentage of telehealth among attendees was 64.7% while willingness to implement telehealth was 78%. Both awareness and willingness were significantly associated with age groups, residence, socioeconomic status, and presence of computer with internet access. Age, residence, and possession of a PC were the only adjusted predictive factors for knowledge about telehealth among patients in the multivariable analysis. 

Conclusion: Large percentages of attendees to primary health care centers are aware of telehealth and are willing to implement it. The major cause of refusal to implement telehealth was due to ignorance of using telecommunication devices and the desire to be in close contact with the physicians.

 

Keywords: Customers; Patients; Primary Healthcare; Primary Healthcare Centers; Telehealth; Telemedicine.

 

Current Medical Research and Opinion 2022 Apr 11;1-14.

 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03007995.2022.2065141