Using Active Surveillance to Identify Monoclonal Antibody Candidates Among COVID-19-Positive Veterans in the Atlanta VA Health Care System.

Background: Strategies for optimizing identification and outreach to potential candidates for monoclonal antibody (Mab) therapy for COVID-19 are not clear. Using a centralized, active surveillance system, the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System (AVAHCS) infectious disease (ID) team identified candidates for Mab infusion and provided treatment.

Observations: As part of a quality improvement project from December 28, 2020, to August 31, 2021, a clinical team consisting of ID pharmacists and physicians reviewed each outpatient with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test daily at the AVAHCS.

Oral administration of dermatan sulphate reduces venous thrombus formation in vivo: potential use as a formulation for venous thromboembolism.

Dermatan sulphate (DS) is a sulphated polysaccharide that displays complexity in constituent sulphated disaccharides and interacts with proteins and signalling molecules to modulate numerous biological processes, including inhibition of the coagulation cascade and regulation of blood clotting and fibrinolysis. This study shows the antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects of DS prepared from bovine collagen waste liquor following oral and intravenous administrations in a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rabbit model. In vitro, the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin citrated plasma clotting assays revealed that bovine DS had strong antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects comparable to low-molecular-weight heparin [Clexane (enoxaparin sodium)].

Use of Baricitinib in Patients With Moderate to Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Hyperinflammation is associated with increased mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this retrospective, uncontrolled patient cohort with moderate -severe COVID-19, treatment with baricitinib plus hydroxychloroquine was associated with recovery in 11 of 15 patients. Baricitinib for the treatment of COVID-19 should be further investigated in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Hepatitis C Care Continuum in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Positive Cohort: Data From the HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with accelerated progression to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver-associated death. It is fortunate that curative direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of HCV are widely available in the VA healthcare system. We attempted to identify, evaluate, and treat all HIV/HCV-coinfected persons at the Atlanta VA Healthcare System.

Communication Impairments in Children with Inborn Errors of Metabolism: A Preliminary Study.

Purpose: Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs) are a group of complex genetic conditions, predominantly affecting the pediatric population. While the understanding and identification of various IEMs has significantly improved over recent times, not much is known about the communication disorders in this population. The present study focused on identification and profiling of communication impairments in children diagnosed with IEMs.