COVID-19 and Vitamin D– a Systematic Review

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has strongly affected global healthcare systems. Prior epidemiological studies on different infectious diseases have shown a strong correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the incidence of certain infectious diseases. Vitamin D has an important immunomodulatory effect on innate immunity and exhibits several other mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the cytokine storm, which is one of the main contributing factors to fatality in COVID-19 patients.MethodsA keyword search was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar research databases. The abstracts and/or full texts of selected papers were further evaluated. Articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the systematic review.ResultsThe 28 studies summarized in this review provide observational findings that vitamin D levels are related to the incidence, severity, and mortality rate of COVID-19 infection. The literature does not suggest that COVID-19 could be eliminated with supplementation of vitamin D, but there are implications that vitamin D deficiency might increase the risk for COVID-19 infection and severity of the disease progression.DiscussionCurrent literature and several guidelines support the supplementation of vitamin D as a reasonable strategy for correcting and preventing vitamin D deficiency. The recommended dose for maintaining normal 25(OH)D levels by consensus is 1000 to 2000 IU vitamin D daily for at-risk teens and adults.ConclusionVitamin D supplementation might play an important role in protecting from acute respiratory infections like the SARS CoV2, and in high-risk individuals with COVID 19 from progressing to critical clinical condition and reducing mortality.     

Progressive course of isolated splenic myeloid sarcoma

A previously healthy 40-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of fever and abdominal discomfort that was resistant to empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. The patient’s blood cell count and complete biochemical panel was normal, except for an increased lactate dehydrogenase level. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a large, soft tissue mass had infiltrated superior part of the spleen. Splenectomy with total tumor mass removal were performed. The pathological examination of the tumor tissue confirmed diagnosis of isolated myeloid sarcoma with monoblastic differentiation. Despite intensive antileukemic therapy, patient died four months after diagnosis was established.     

Bone properties in patients with acromegaly: quantitative ultrasound of the heel.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency and acromegaly serve as good models for investigating the effects of GH on bone remodeling. However, the results from various studies are rather conflicting. The aim of our study was to estimate the potential role of gender, disease activity, and duration on both calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters and bone turnover markers in patients with acromegaly. Thirty-six acromegalic patients (17 men, 19 women) and 3 age- and gender-adjusted controls for every patient were included in the study. The disease was active in 22 patients, and was considered cured in 14 of them. In each subject, QUS of the heel and parameters of bone turnover (bone alkaline phosphatase, beta-crosslaps, and osteocalcin) were measured. The results demonstrated lower QUS values in acromegalic patients compared with the controls. When stratified by gender, the differences in QUS parameters were significant in men, but not in women. Male patients with active disease had significantly lower QUS values than those in remission. Such differences were not observed among women. Multiple regression model indicated strong association between disease activity and the QUS parameters. The group of patients with active disease had a higher level of serum beta-crosslaps, whereas osteocalcin concentration was significantly increased only in male patients with active disease. The results of our study suggest significantly lower QUS values and increased bone turnover in male patients with active acromegaly. The disease activity is the strongest predictor of the QUS parameters in acromegalic patients.     

Analysis of 585 burn patients hospitalized over a 6-year period. Part II: Aetiological data

In a population of 585 burn patients from a well-defined urban area, the contribution of a number of factors to the occurrence of the burn injury is examined. These are: place where burned; activity of the patient at the time; contribution of various appliances and materials; the influence of clothing on the extent of the injury. These findings should prove helpful in future efforts at burn prevention.     

Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination

The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic is markedly different from seasonal influenza with the disease affecting the younger population and a larger than expected number of severe or fatal cases has been seen in pregnant women, obese people and in people who were otherwise healthy. In Europe, influenza activity caused by the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus has passed the winter peak with nearly all countries now reporting lower influenza activity. However, although the rate of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) is declining, fatal cases continue to be reported and the future is hard to predict. The most effective protection against influenza is vaccination and increasing vaccine coverage is the only way to eliminate uncertainties regarding possible future waves of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). Recommendations have been developed for several central European countries but there is no clear or uniform definition with respect to priority groups or age groups who should receive vaccination. This paper contains the Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for the vaccination of adults and children against 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). CEVAG recommends vaccination of all health-care workers, pregnant women, children ≥6 months and <2 years of age and people with chronic medical conditions as a first priority.