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Medicina
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Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after...
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Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 6705

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yusra Habib Khan

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Interests: infectious diseases; vaccination; pharmaceutical care; clinical pharmacy; renal care; pharmacovigilance; pharmacoepidemiology; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Interests: infectious diseases, dengue; Zika; influenza; Congo virus; vaccination; pharmaceutical care; clinical pharmacy; renal care; pharmacovigilance; pharmacoepidemiology; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you all for submitting such a large number of original articles to the previous successful Special Issue, “Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The now-former Special Issue is the result of your hard work and an opportunity for the research community to benefit from your valuable experience.

Due to increased visibility and demand, and with the impressive and essential support of Medicina, we propose a second Special Issue with the same title and objectives: to facilitate original and significant research that ranges from fundamental concepts to clinical experience.

Infectious diseases are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality, constituting one of the highest proportions of hospitalization. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial changes in population behavior toward infectious diseases. A change in the pattern of various infectious diseases has also been observed during the pandemic. Evidence suggests the same nonpharmaceutical interventions employed to prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) likely led to a reduced incidence of influenza in various regions across the globe. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in the reporting of other infectious diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases and coronavirus infections. There are also other serious infections such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis that carry equivalent health risks for the global population. The decreased reporting of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic remained a major concern for health authorities. Ascertaining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transmission patterns of other infectious diseases holds significant implications for public health, but this topic has not yet been studied to a greater extent. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related prevention and control measures on the incidence of other infectious diseases is of great significance. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in improved healthcare metrics for other infectious diseases, i.e., an improved influenza vaccination rate during the pandemic. On the other hand, the scope and relevance of clinical microbiology have been appreciated more than ever. Knowledge and training about the viral structure, transmission, early diagnosis, and the best sterilization and disinfection processes were the key elements that clinical microbiologists shared for the betterment of the community throughout the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has initiated new horizons for infectious disease research, control, funding acquisitions, administrative assistance, and health promotion. This issue emphasizes various aspects of the advancements in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions ranging from original, clinical, and translational articles and reviews in the field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Dr. Yusra Habib Khan
Dr. Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • infectious diseases
  • clinical microbiology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • epidemiology
  • pandemic
  • health policies
  • vaccination
  • communicable diseases

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 517 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Diagnostic Values of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Systematic Immunoinflammatory Index (SII) as Biomarkers in Predicting COVID-19 Severity: A Multicentre Comparative Study
by Anwar A. Sayed
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 602; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina60040602 - 05 Apr 2024
Viewed by 533
Abstract
COVID-19 has been notoriously unpredictable in its clinical course. Such unpredictability poses a challenge to clinicians in predicting patients who will develop severe cases and possibly die from the infection. This study aims to assess and compare the diagnostic value of the NLR [...] Read more.
COVID-19 has been notoriously unpredictable in its clinical course. Such unpredictability poses a challenge to clinicians in predicting patients who will develop severe cases and possibly die from the infection. This study aims to assess and compare the diagnostic value of the NLR and SII as biomarkers in predicting COVID-19 severity, represented by mortality, with a multicentre comparative study including 855 patients in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to compare haematological indices between survivors and non-survivors. The median age of patients included was 41 years old, with an almost equal ratio of men to women. Most participants were Saudis, and the mortality rate in the study cohort was 13.22%. Non-survivors, as compared to survivors, were significantly older, had lower RBC counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, as well as significantly higher WBC and neutrophil counts. Both the NLR and SII were capable of differentiating between survivors and non-survivors, with the latter having significantly higher values. However, the NLR was superior to the SII in such differentiation, as it had a larger area under the curve. This study further confirms the diagnostic values of the NLR and SII as biomarkers in predicting COVID-19 severity and mortality, with the NLR being more sensitive and specific. Clinical guidelines on managing COVID-19 cases should benefit from these findings by harnessing the value of the NLR in COVID-19 management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 1245 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Outcomes in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: A Three-Year Retrospective Study
by Flavius Cioca, Romulus Timar, Flavia Ignuta, Adrian Vlad, Felix Bratosin, Ovidiu Rosca, Adelina Maria Jianu, Daniela Rosca, Susa Septimiu-Radu, Sonia-Roxana Burtic, Ariadna Petronela Fildan and Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin
Medicina 2024, 60(2), 210; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina60020210 - 25 Jan 2024
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This comprehensive retrospective study assesses COVID-19 outcomes in type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients across three years, focusing on how these outcomes varied with the evolving pandemic and changes in diabetes management. The study aims to [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This comprehensive retrospective study assesses COVID-19 outcomes in type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients across three years, focusing on how these outcomes varied with the evolving pandemic and changes in diabetes management. The study aims to determine if COVID-19 outcomes, including severity, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates, duration of hospitalization, and mortality, are significantly different between these diabetes subtypes. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed data from patients admitted to the Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology with confirmed COVID-19 and pre-existing diabetes, from the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. Results: Among 486 patients (200 without diabetes, 62 with T1D, 224 with T2D), T2D patients showed notably higher severity, with 33.5% experiencing severe cases, compared to 25.8% in T1D. Mortality rates were 11.6% in T2D and 8.1% in T1D. T2D patients had longer hospital stays (11.6 ± 7.0 days) compared to T1D (9.1 ± 5.8 days) and were more likely to require ICU admission (OR: 2.24) and mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.46). Hyperglycemia at admission was significantly higher in the diabetes groups, particularly in T2D (178.3 ± 34.7 mg/dL) compared to T1D (164.8 ± 39.6 mg/dL). Conclusions: The study reveals a discernible difference in COVID-19 outcomes between T1D and T2D, with T2D patients having longer hospital admissions, mechanical ventilation necessities, and mortality risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 333 KiB  
Article
Barriers and Motivators toward Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted among Saudi Population
by Hind M. AlOsaimi, Ali M. Alqahtani, Nadia M. Alanazi, Nouf N. Alotibi, Mohammed S. Alrazog, Hanoof A. Aljameel, Raghad M. Alshehri, Sarah J. Alhusayni and Mohammed K. Alshammari
Medicina 2023, 59(12), 2050; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina59122050 - 21 Nov 2023
Viewed by 930
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In 2020, one of the most important steps that were made was to give priority to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the rising incidence of COVID-19 from continuing to rise. However, globally, there is a variable acceptance [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: In 2020, one of the most important steps that were made was to give priority to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the rising incidence of COVID-19 from continuing to rise. However, globally, there is a variable acceptance of the level of the COVID-19 vaccine. This study aims to explore Saudi parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study; the online questionnaire was used to investigate the views of Saudi parents with children aged under 18 toward the immunization of their children against COVID-19. The data were gathered from 10 May 2022 to 31 October 2022. The data analysis uses SPSS version 20. A p-value of 0.05 or lower was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 978 Saudi parents participated in this study. Most of the respondents were from the age group of 36–45 years with the educational qualification of high school and bachelor’s degree. Overall, it was observed that the majority, 98.2% of the respondents, disclosed that they needed more information (p = 0.004) about COVID-19 vaccine safety among children so that they could decide whether to vaccinate their child. About 91.4% of parents mention that vaccination against COVID-19 is not necessary for children (p = 0.001). About 68.3% of respondents agreed that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 could help Saudi Arabia control COVID-19 (p = 0.007, RI = 0.76). In terms of negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination, 71.3% think that there will be severe side effects (p = 0.019, RI = 0.75); 67.7% think that the vaccine’s protection will only last for a short time (p = 0.055, RI = 0.72); 80.1% said they were afraid of getting vaccinated because of needle fear (p = 0.045, RI = 0.76), and 41.2% said lack of time was the main barrier to not vaccinating their child. Conclusions: Parents expressed concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, which might be some of the main factors influencing their decision to vaccinate their children. It is the need of the hour to take action to communicate, educate, and intervene with Saudi parents to enhance COVID-19 vaccination compliance rates across the board. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition)
12 pages, 1478 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of the Prevalence of Dysphagia in Patients with Mild COVID-19 and Those with Aspiration Pneumonia Alone: Findings of the Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study
by Junhyung Kim, Byungju Ryu, Yunhee Kim, Yireh Choi and Eunyoung Lee
Medicina 2023, 59(10), 1851; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina59101851 - 18 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1037
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Patients recovering from mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reportedly have dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. We compared the prevalence of dysphagia between patients diagnosed with mild COVID-19 and those diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia alone. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Patients recovering from mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reportedly have dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. We compared the prevalence of dysphagia between patients diagnosed with mild COVID-19 and those diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia alone. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2023 in 160 patients referred for a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) to assess for dysphagia. The cohort included 24 patients with mild COVID-19 and aspiration pneumonia, 30 with mild COVID-19 without aspiration pneumonia, and 106 with aspiration pneumonia alone. We reviewed the demographic data, comorbidities, and VFSS results using the penetration–aspiration scale (PAS) and functional dysphagia scale (FDS). Results: In a study comparing patients with mild COVID-19 (Group A) and those with aspiration pneumonia alone (Group B), no significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics, including the prevalence of dysphagia-related comorbidities between the groups. Group A showed milder dysphagia, as evidenced by lower PAS and FDS scores, shorter oral and pharyngeal transit times (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), and fewer residues in the vallecula and pyriform sinuses (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03, respectively). When Group A was subdivided into those with COVID-19 with (Group A1) and without aspiration pneumonia (Group A2), both subgroups outperformed Group B in terms of specific VFSS metrics, such as oral transit time (p = 0.01), pharyngeal transit time (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively), and residue in the vallecula (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). However, Group B showed improved triggering of the pharyngeal swallowing reflex compared with Group A2 (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Mild COVID-19 patients showed less severe dysphagia than those with aspiration pneumonia alone. This finding was consistent across VFSS parameters, even when the COVID-19 group was subdivided based on the status of aspiration pneumonia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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35 pages, 1646 KiB  
Review
Atypical Complications during the Course of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review
by Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Aqsa Safdar, Muhammad Hammad Butt, Muhammad Salman, Sumbal Nosheen, Zia Ul Mustafa, Faiz Ullah Khan and Yusra Habib Khan
Medicina 2024, 60(1), 164; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina60010164 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2016
Abstract
COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, but numerous studies have indicated the involvement of various organ systems during the course of illness. We conducted a comprehensive review of atypical complications of COVID-19 with their incidence range (IR) and their impact on hospitalization and [...] Read more.
COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, but numerous studies have indicated the involvement of various organ systems during the course of illness. We conducted a comprehensive review of atypical complications of COVID-19 with their incidence range (IR) and their impact on hospitalization and mortality rates. We identified 97 studies, including 55 research articles and 42 case studies. We reviewed four major body organ systems for various types of atypical complications: (i) Gastro-intestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary system, e.g., bowel ischemia/infarction (IR: 1.49–83.87%), GI bleeding/hemorrhage (IR: 0.47–10.6%), hepatic ischemia (IR: 1.0–7.4%); (ii) Neurological system, e.g., acute ischemic stroke/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis/cerebral hemorrhage (IR: 0.5–90.9%), anosmia (IR: 4.9–79.6%), dysgeusia (IR: 2.8–83.38%), encephalopathy/encephalitis with or without fever and hypoxia (IR: 0.19–35.2%); (iii) Renal system, e.g., acute kidney injury (AKI)/acute renal failure (IR: 0.5–68.8%); (iv) Cardiovascular system, e.g., acute cardiac injury/non-coronary myocardial injury (IR: 7.2–55.56%), arrhythmia/ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (IR: 5.9–16.7%), and coagulopathy/venous thromboembolism (IR: 19–34.4%). This review encourages and informs healthcare practitioners to keenly monitor COVID-19 survivors for these atypical complications in all major organ systems and not only treat the respiratory symptoms of patients. Post-COVID effects should be monitored, and follow-up of patients should be performed on a regular basis to check for long-term complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2nd Edition)
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