Severity outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Omicron and pre-Omicron periods, in unvaccinated first-time test positive adults less than 65 years old without comorbidity, in Sweden.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had several phases with varying characteristics. We aimed to compare severity outcomes in different phases in a population with limited bias from risk factors.

Methods: In a nationwide observational study of all unvaccinated first-time COVID-19 test positive individuals in Sweden aged 18-64 years without comorbidity, from week 45 of 2020 to week 5 of 2022, variant periods with certain variants constituting ≥ 92 % of all whole genome-sequenced cases nationwide, were compared regarding hospitalisation (with main discharge code of COVID-19), severe illness (use of high-flow nasal oxygen or admission to intensive care unit), and death due to COVID-19.

A proof-of-principle study for the point-of-care detection of ESBL (CTX-M) by NG-Test CTX-M MULTI lateral flow assay in urine samples using a simplified method for use in a resource-limited setting.

Background: The rise of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in low- and middle-income countries limits treatment options, leading to the frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Reducing time-to-result for a urinary infection can facilitate correct antibiotic treatment and support antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship measures. This study compared two simplified enrichment methods for detecting CTX-M directly from urine specimens.

Use of drugs for hypertension or heart failure and the risk of death in COVID-19: association with loop-diuretics.

Purpose: To study the association between the use of drugs for hypertension or heart failure, particularly diuretics, and risk of death in COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study, based on record linked individual-based data from national registers, of all Swedish inhabitants 50 years and older (n = 3,909,321) at the start of the first SARS-CoV-2 wave in Sweden. The association between use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), thiazides, loop diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, beta blocking agents and calcium channel blockers at the index date 6 March 2020, and death in COVID-19 during 7 March to 31 July 2020, was analysed using Cox-proportional hazards regression, adjusted for a wide range of possible confounders.

Risk factors for ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection in COVID-19, a retrospective multicenter cohort study in Sweden.

Background: Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTI) increase morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Higher incidences of VA-LRTI have been reported among COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The primary objectives of this study were to describe clinical characteristics, incidence, and risk factors comparing patients who developed VA-LRTI to patients who did not, in a cohort of Swedish ICU patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19.