Publications by authors named "Ermias Belay"

Background: The long-term effects of children hospitalized with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or acute COVID-19 are not well known. Our objective was to determine long-term outcomes.

Methods: Children hospitalized with MIS-C or COVID-19 at 3 US hospitals from March 2020, through February 2021 were followed to assess health through 2 years post-hospitalization using medical records and patient surveys.

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Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate severe central nervous system infections (CNSI) in adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We analyzed the clinical presentation, causes, and outcomes of these infections, while also identifying factors linked to higher in-hospital mortality rates.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2012 to 2019.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study analyzed the clinical management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) across four hospitals, focusing on treatment variations, patient demographics, and outcomes from March 2020 to March 2021.
  • - Among 233 patients, the most common treatments were steroids, aspirin, IVIG, and anticoagulants, with some patients receiving these treatments in combination; those with respiratory features were less likely to receive both IVIG and steroids simultaneously.
  • - Early administration of IVIG and low-dose steroids was linked to improved patient outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and lower risks of serious complications like ventricular dysfunction and elevated troponin levels.
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The extent to which the 2022 mpox outbreak has affected persons without a recent history of male-to-male sexual contact (MMSC) is not well understood. During November 1-December 14, 2022, CDC partnered with six jurisdictional health departments to characterize possible exposures among mpox patients aged ≥18 years who did not report MMSC during the 3 weeks preceding symptom onset. Among 52 patients included in the analysis, 14 (27%) had a known exposure to a person with mpox, including sexual activity and other close intimate contact (eight) and household contact (six).

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Background: There is little information comparing the performance of community acquired central nervous system infections (CNSI) treatment by intensive care units (ICUs) specialized in infectious diseases with treatment at other ICUs. Our objective was to reduce these gaps, creating bases for benchmarking and future case-mix classification.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort of 785 admissions with 82 cases of CNSI admitted to the ICU of an important Brazilian referral center for infectious diseases (INI) between January 2012 and January 2019.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to differentiate multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) from acute COVID-19 for better clinical management, using data from 6 medical centers between March 2020 and December 2021.
  • Out of 10,223 patients with SARS-CoV-2-related illnesses, 53 cases of MIS-A were identified and compared to 106 matched COVID-19 cases, revealing distinct demographic and clinical features.
  • Patients with MIS-A were more likely to have specific symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues, higher levels of certain lab markers, and required longer hospital stays and more intensive care treatments than those with acute COVID-19, although the mortality rate was similar at 6%.
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More than 30,000 monkeypox (mpox) cases were reported in the United States during the 2022 multinational outbreak; cases disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Substantial racial and ethnic disparities in incidence were also reported (1). The national mpox vaccination strategy* emphasizes that efforts to administer the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine should be focused among the populations at elevated risk for exposure to mpox (2).

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During May 10-December 31, 2022, a total of 29,980 confirmed and probable U.S. monkeypox (mpox) cases were reported to CDC, predominantly in cisgender adult men reporting recent same-gender sexual partners (1).

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As of December 31, 2022, a total of 29,939 monkeypox (mpox) cases* had been reported in the United States, 93.3% of which occurred in adult males. During May 10-December 31, 2022, 723,112 persons in the United States received the first dose in a 2-dose mpox (JYNNEOS) vaccination series; 89.

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Understanding the serological responses to COVID-19 vaccination in children with history of MIS-C could inform vaccination recommendations. We prospectively enrolled seven children hospitalized with MIS-C and measured SARS-CoV-2 binding IgG antibodies to spike protein variants longitudinally pre- and post-Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 primary series COVID-19 vaccination. We found that SARS-CoV-2 variant cross-reactive IgG antibodies variably waned following acute MIS-C, but were significantly boosted with vaccination and maintained for up to 3 months.

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Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a multiorgan hyperinflammatory condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data on COVID-19 vaccine adverse events and vaccine attitudes in children with prior MIS-C are limited. We described characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine adverse events and vaccine attitudes in children with a history of MIS-C or COVID-19 and their parents/guardians.

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This Report Summarizes The Evidence And Rationale Supporting The Components Of The Cste/cdc Mis-c Surveillance Case Definition And Describes The Methods Used To Develop The Definition. These Methods Included Convening Mis-c Clinical Experts (i.e.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated the potential link between Kawasaki disease (KD) and two childhood vaccines—PCV13 and rotavirus—in children under 2 years old.
  • Researchers analyzed health records to confirm KD cases and found no increased risk of KD following either vaccine, with adjusted relative risks of 0.75 for PCV13 and 0.66 for rotavirus.
  • The study concluded that PCV13 and rotavirus vaccinations do not elevate the risk of KD, supporting the safety of these vaccines for young children.
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On May 17, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Laboratory Response Network (LRN) laboratory confirmed the presence of orthopoxvirus DNA via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from lesion swabs obtained from a Massachusetts resident. Orthopoxviruses include Monkeypox virus, the causative agent of monkeypox. Subsequent real-time PCR testing at CDC on May 18 confirmed that the patient was infected with the West African clade of Monkeypox virus.

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Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) can result in severe coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs). Corticosteroids added to initial standard intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment may decrease the risk for these complications. Different corticosteroid regimens (single-day high dose pulse vs multiple lower doses) may contribute to the discrepant results of prior studies.

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Article Synopsis
  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is a serious condition linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection that was examined in a study involving four hospitals in Atlanta from April 2020 to January 2021.
  • The study identified 11 cases of MIS-A, none diagnosed during initial treatment, compared to 5,755 COVID-19 hospitalizations, revealing a significant age difference with most MIS-A patients being under 50 years and predominantly non-Hispanic Black.
  • The findings indicate that MIS-A often leads to severe complications requiring intensive care, highlighting the need for better awareness and recognition of this condition in healthcare settings.*
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Background: The serologic and cytokine responses of children hospitalized with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) vs coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are poorly understood.

Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of hospitalized children who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition for MIS-C (n = 118), acute COVID-19 (n = 88), or contemporaneous healthy controls (n = 24). We measured severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and cytokine concentrations in patients and performed multivariable analysis to determine cytokine signatures associated with MIS-C.

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Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a hyperinflammatory condition associated with antecedent SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the USA, reporting of MIS-C after vaccination is required under COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorisations. We aimed to investigate reports of individuals aged 12-20 years with MIS-C after COVID-19 vaccination reported to passive surveillance systems or through clinician outreach to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel severe postinfectious condition associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The purpose of this report is to describe nationwide trends in the evolving clinical management of MIS-C.

Methods: Patients with MIS-C were reported from state and local jurisdictions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) MIS-C national surveillance system.

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Background: Distinguishing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Kawasaki disease (KD), and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can be challenging. Because clinical management of these conditions can vary, timely and accurate diagnosis is essential.

Methods: Data were collected from patients <21 years of age hospitalized with MIS-C, COVID-19, KD, and TSS in 4 major health care institutions.

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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is a hyperinflammatory illness related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The characteristics of patients with this syndrome and the frequency with which it occurs among patients hospitalised after SARS-CoV-2 infection are unclear. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definition for MIS-A, we created ICD-10-CM code and laboratory criteria to identify potential MIS-A patients in the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release, a database containing patient-level information on hospital discharges across the United States.

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