Recommendations Infection Control • For health care workers who are performing aerosol-generating procedures on patients with COVID-19, the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends using an N95 respirator (or equivalent or higher-level respirator) rather than surgical masks, in addition to other personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., gloves, gown, and eye protection such as a face shield or safety goggles) (AIII). • The Panel recommends minimizing the use of aerosol-generating procedures on intensive care unit patients with COVID-19 and carrying out any necessary aerosol-generating procedures in a negative-pressure room, also known as an airborne infection isolation room, when available (AIII). • For health care workers who are providing usual care for nonventilated patients with COVID-19, the Panel recommends using an N95 respirator (or equivalent or higher-level respirator) or a surgical mask in addition to other PPE (i.e., gloves, gown, and eye protection such as a face shield or safety goggles) (AII). • For health care workers who are performing non-aerosol-generating procedures on patients with COVID-19 who are on closed-circuit mechanical ventilation, the Panel recommends using an N95 respirator (or equivalent or higher-level respirator) in addition to other PPE (i.e., gloves, gown, and eye protection such as a face shield or safety goggles) because ventilator circuits may become disrupted unexpectedly (BIII). • The Panel recommends that endotracheal intubation in patients with COVID-19 be performed by health care providers with extensive airway management experience, if possible (AIII). • The Panel recommends that intubation be performed using video laryngoscopy, if possible (CIII).

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/2762996/jama_murthy_2020_it_200008.pdf

Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. By Feb. 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease resulting from infection with SARS-CoV-2 as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 represents a spectrum of clinical manifestations that typically include fever, dry cough, and fatigue, often with pulmonary involvement. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and most individuals within the population at large are susceptible to infection. Wild animal hosts and infected patients are currently the main sources of disease which is transmitted via respiratory droplets and direct contact. Since the outbreak, the Chinese government and scientific community have acted rapidly to identify the causative agent and promptly shared the viral gene sequence, and have carried out measures to contain the epidemic. Meanwhile, recent research has revealed critical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 biology and disease pathogenesis; other studies have focused on epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, as well as drug and vaccine development. This review aims to summarize the latest research findings and to provide expert consensus. We will also share ongoing efforts and experience in China, which may provide insight on how to contain the epidemic and improve our understanding of this emerging infectious disease, together with updated guidance for prevention, control, and critical management of this pandemic.

/pdf/an-overview-of-covid-19-37ilm15oza.pdf

An overview of COVID-19.

There is an urgent need to understand the behavior of the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), which is the causative agent of COVID-19, and to develop point-of-care diagnostics. Here, a glyconanoparticle platform is used to discover that N-acetyl neuraminic acid has affinity toward the SARS-COV-2 spike glycoprotein, demonstrating its glycan-binding function. Optimization of the particle size and coating enabled detection of the spike glycoprotein in lateral flow and showed selectivity over the SARS-COV-1 spike protein. Using a virus-like particle and a pseudotyped lentivirus model, paper-based lateral flow detection was demonstrated in under 30 min, showing the potential of this system as a low-cost detection platform.

The SARS-COV-2 Spike Protein Binds Sialic Acids, and Enables Rapid Detection in a Lateral Flow Point of Care Diagnostic Device

Background In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous new serological test systems for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies rapidly have become available. However, the clinical performance of many of these is still insufficiently described. Therefore, we compared 3 commercial CE-marked, SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays side by side. Methods We included a total of 1154 specimens from pre-COVID-19 times and 65 samples from COVID-19 patients (≥14 days after symptom onset) to evaluate the test performance of SARS-CoV-2 serological assays by Abbott, Roche, and DiaSorin. Results All 3 assays presented with high specificities: 99.2% (98.6-99.7) for Abbott, 99.7% (99.2-100.0) for Roche, and 98.3% (97.3-98.9) for DiaSorin. In contrast to the manufacturers' specifications, sensitivities only ranged from 83.1% to 89.2%. Although the 3 methods were in good agreement (Cohen's Kappa 0.71-0.87), McNemar tests revealed significant differences between results obtained from Roche and DiaSorin. However, at low seroprevalences, the minor differences in specificity resulted in profound discrepancies of positive predictive values at 1% seroprevalence: 52.3% (36.2-67.9), 77.6% (52.8-91.5), and 32.6% (23.6-43.1) for Abbott, Roche, and DiaSorin, respectively. Conclusion We found diagnostically relevant differences in specificities for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays by Abbott, Roche, and DiaSorin that have a significant impact on the positive predictive values of these tests.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Three Fully Automated SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Assays with a Focus on Specificity.

Laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 - A review of current methods.

A 35-year-old woman presented with fever and mild diarrhoea without any respiratory symptoms 9 days after travelling to Japan from Wuhan, China. Her computed tomography scan revealed pneumonia. The...

A case of imported COVID-19 diagnosed by PCR-positive lower respiratory specimen but with PCR-negative throat swabs.

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) is a rare but life-threatening complication of tracheostomy. We describe a 44-year-old man who was admitted for a pressure ulcer infection with a third tracheostomy in place. He showed massive hemoptysis from the TIF, followed by cardiopulmonary arrest. The cuff of the tube was hyperinflated; however, even a slight movement of the tube resulted in recurrent massive hemorrhage. Thus, an endovascular stent graft was placed. Our case shows that sentinel bleeding may be found prior to TIF, and an endovascular repair can be a lifesaving temporizing option, when the hemorrhage was not controlled by hyperinflating the cuff of the tube.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jgf2.37

A case of tracheo-innominate artery fistula successfully treated with endovascular stent of the innominate artery.

Although candiduria is becoming increasingly common among hospitalized patients, Candida lusitaniae is a rare pathogen that account for less than 1% of Candida species isolated from urine. Ascending pyelonephritis and candidemia due to Candida species are uncommon complications. We report herein on a case of acute pyelonephritis and candidemia due to C. lusitaniae. A 66-year-old man presented with a high fever during hospitalization at our hospital following septic shock due to ischial osteomyelitis treated with tazobactam/piperacillin for 29 days. We suspected acute pyelonephritis, and urinary Gram staining showed only yeasts and leucocytes. The next day, blood culture and urine culture tested positive and showed yeast-like fungi. We diagnosed acute pyelonephritis and candidemia due to Candida species and started treatment with fluconazole. C. lusitaniae was identified on the hospital day 34 and treated with fluconazole for 14 days. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species isolated from the urinary tract, however non-albicans Candida species have emerged and are now dominant because of the advent and increasing use of fluconazole. C. lusitaniae is a rare but important pathogen, that is generally susceptible to fluconazole and resistant to amphotericin B. It is necessary to choose an appropriately effective antifungal drug based on identification of the fungal species.

/pdf/acute-pyelonephritis-and-candidemia-due-to-candida-2zsh960kow.pdf

Yudai Yano

Papers

A case of imported COVID-19 diagnosed by PCR-positive lower respiratory specimen but with PCR-negative throat swabs.

A case of tracheo-innominate artery fistula successfully treated with endovascular stent of the innominate artery.

[Acute Pyelonephritis and Candidemia Due to Candida lusitaniae: A Case Report].