Noella Maria Delia Pereira

Bio: Noella Maria Delia Pereira is an academic researcher from St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bronchoalveolar lavage. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 1 citations.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in an Adolescent With X-linked Agammaglobulinemia.

Abstract: We present a case of a 17-year-old boy with X-linked agammaglobulinemia who had mild disease when initially infected with SARS-CoV-2 but after recovering from acute infection developed fevers and a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate that persisted for several weeks without any ongoing respiratory symptoms. Multiple nasopharyngeal swabs were found to be negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the febrile period, but typical changes of COVID-19 on high resolution CT chest scan led to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR in a sample from a bronchoalveolar lavage. His fevers completely resolved after a 5-day course of remdesivir.

HIV and COVID-19: review of clinical course and outcomes

Abstract: Background:Understanding the relationship between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 has important public health implications.Objective:To summarize current research on COVID-19 among people with HIV (PWH) as published through 15 July 2021.Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, Scopus, preprint databases (medRxiv, bioRxiv), and the references of publications found using key terms relevant to COVID-19 ('COVID-19' OR 'SARS-CoV-2' OR 'coronavirus') AND to HIV ('HIV' OR 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus' OR 'AIDS' OR 'Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome'). We summarized all articles that reported data or opinions on SARS-CoV-2 and HIV coinfection.Conclusions: Although many initial case series and cohort studies found no increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 outcomes among PWH, recent studies have signaled an increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease progression even in the setting of well-controlled HIV. Whether this is due to the increased prevalence of comorbidities in PWH and other social determinants of health is unknown. These conflicting findings highlight the continued need for COVID-19 related research among PWH that addresses COVID-19 disease course as well as exacerbation of existing comorbidities already disproportionately represented among PWH.

Adherence to Antiretrovirals and HIV Viral Suppression Under COVID-19 Pandemic Interruption - Findings from a Randomized Clinical Trial Using Ingestible Sensors to Monitor Adherence.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV. California implemented a coronavirus lockdown (stay-at-home order) in March 2020, which ended in January 2021. We evaluated the pandemic's impact on both clinical outcomes of HIV RNA viral load (VL) and retention rate in a randomized clinical trial conducted from May 2018 to October 2020. The intervention group took co-encapsulated antiretrovirals (ARVs) with ingestible sensor (IS) pills from baseline through week 16. The IS system has the capacity to monitor adherence in real-time using a sensor patch, a mobile device, and supporting software. Both the IS and usual care (UC) groups were followed monthly for 28 weeks. Longitudinal mixed-effects models with random intercept and slope (RIAS) were used to fit log VL and self-reported adherence. The sample size of the study was 112 (54 in IS). Overall, the retention rate at week 28 was 86%, with 90% before the lockdown and 83% after the lockdown. The lockdown strengthened the associations between adherence and VL. Before the lockdown, a 10% increase in adherence was associated with a 0.2 unit decrease in log VL (β = -1.88, p = 0.004), while during the lockdown, the association was a 0.41-unit decrease (β = -2.27, p = 0.03). The pandemic did not have a significant impact on our adherence-focused intervention. Our findings regarding the intervention effect remain valid. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02797262. Date registration: September 2015.

Long-term outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Background Children and young people (CYP) may experience prolonged symptoms following COVID-19, commonly termed "Long-COVID". The nature of this in CYP is unclear, as are the sequalae of acute COVID-19. We aimed to systematically synthesise evidence of the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in CYP. Methods 13 databases were searched until January 2022. Inclusion criteria: Observational studies reporting outcomes occurring four-weeks or more after COVID-19 in children <18 years old. Exclusion criteria: Outcomes of Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome. Title, abstract and full text screening were conducted independently by two reviewers. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment was by one reviewer with independent verification. Critical appraisal tools appropriate for study type were employed. Results were narratively synthesised with meta-analysis to generate summary estimates of risk of prolonged symptoms in CYP. Findings 94 studies were included. 66 recruited from hospital settings, 8 recruited solely from community settings. >100 symptoms were reported, the most common being fatigue, headache and cognitive symptoms. Summary estimates of risk of prolonged symptoms were higher for hospital samples (31.2%, 95% CI 20.3% to 43.2%) than for community samples (4.6%, 95% CI 3.4% to 5.8). Sequalae including stroke, type-1 diabetes, Guillan-Barre syndrome, and persistent radiological or blood test abnormalities have been reported in CYP following COVID-19. Most studies reporting these are case reports / case series and quality of evidence is low. Interpretation Prolonged symptoms following COVID-19 in children are variable and multi-system. Rates in community samples are lower than hospital. There is limited data on other sequalae in CYP. Heterogeneity in diagnosis of COVID-19, symptom classification, assessment method and duration of follow-up made synthesis less secure. Funding HT, CB and GS have National Institute for Health and Care Research fellowships. RB, CM and VW are supported by the NIHR West Midlands Applied Research Collaboration. CM Is supported by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research Research in context panel Evidence before this study At the time of writing and to the best of our knowledge, the protocol for this systematic review was a novel endeavour to summarise the longer-term effects of COVID-19 in children and young people (CYP). At least three systematic reviews have since been published, summarising the symptom profile and prevalence of Long-COVID in CYP, but prevalence estimates vary widely and the evidence base remains uncertain. In addition, there is very limited information on other sequalae of COVID-19 in this population group. We searched thirteen electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, HMIC, CINAHLPlus, PsycINFO, Web of Science (Science Citation and Social Science Citation indicies), ASSIA, WHO COVID-19: Global literature on coronavirus disease, Cochrane COVID-19 study register, ProQuest Coronavirus research database, NDLTD and OpenGrey) up to January 2022 for any empirical study including search terms pertaining to longer term symptoms of COVID-19 in CYP (<18 years old). The quality of the studies was mixed. Results were analysed narratively for each objective, and random effects meta-analyses conducted to estimate risk of prolonged symptoms in CYP who have had COVID-19. Added value of this study This review adds to the evidence of the heterogeneity of prolonged symptoms following COVID-19 in CYP but importantly, stratifies risk of this by recruitment setting. We also synthesise evidence on broader sequalae of the acute infection in this CYP and longer-term effects in CYP with pre-existing conditions, which have not been considered in previous reviews. We purposefully included case studies and case series, to capture emerging patterns of outcomes, which may well be important in a novel condition with a rapidly increasing volume of publications. To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis is the most comprehensive to date. Implications of all the available evidence This review adds to the evidence that a substantial proportion of CYP do experience effects of COVID-19 that last longer than four-weeks, with the most frequently reported prolonged symptoms being fatigue, headache and cognitive symptoms. The proportion of CYP developing prolonged symptoms in children recruited from community setting was low, although this may translate to a large number of affected CYP at population level. There is a paucity of controlled studies and this limits confidence that prolonged symptoms are attributable to COVID-19. Sequalae including stroke, type-1 diabetes, Guillan-Barre syndrome, and persistent radiological or blood test abnormalities have been reported in CYP following COVID-19 but most studies reporting these are case reports / case series and quality of evidence is low. To develop treatment plans and interventions for affected CYP, further studies are needed to better characterise this condition and understand its impact on the lives of CYP and their families and communities. These should ideally recruit from community settings, include population-based control groups and consider using standardised definitions and outcome measures where possible.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Testing Uptake Among Key Populations Enrolled in Targeted Intervention Program in Maharashtra, India

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to HIV services globally. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the uptake of HIV testing in the Targeted Intervention (TI) program in Maharashtra-a high HIV burden state in India. Annual HIV testing was sustained during the pandemic year (2020-2021), at levels similar to the pre-pandemic year (2019-2020), among Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men having Sex with Men (MSM), Transgender (TG), and Truckers; but not among Migrants and Intravenous Drug Users (IDU). There was an acute decline during the lockdown across all typologies. Sharp recovery was seen among FSW, MSM, and TG during the early months of the un-lockdown. The community-based screening (CBS) approach primarily contributed to this recovery. Among migrants and truckers, recovery was delayed. There was an overall reduction of 58% in annual HIV-positive registrations. The community-based networks, participatory structures, and processes of HIV programs played an essential role in reaching the community during the pandemic.