Objectives: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has catastrophically threatened public health worldwide and presented great challenges for clinicians. To date, no specific drugs are available against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising cell therapy owing to their potent modulatory effects on reducing and healing inflammation-induced lung and other tissue injuries. The present pilot study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and safety of MSCs isolated from healthy cord tissues in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Methods: Twelve patients with COVID-19 treated with MSCs plus conventional therapy and 13 treated with conventional therapy alone (control) were included. The efficacy of MSC infusion was evaluated by changes in oxygenation index, clinical chemistry and hematology tests, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and pulmonary computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The safety of MSC infusion was evaluated based on the occurrence of allergic reactions and serious adverse events.
Results: The MSC-treated group demonstrated significantly improved oxygenation index. The area of pulmonary inflammation decreased significantly, and the CT number in the inflammatory area tended to be restored. Decreased IgM levels were also observed after MSC therapy. Laboratory biomarker levels at baseline and after therapy showed no significant changes in either the MSC-treated or control group.
Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of MSCs in patients with COVID-19 was effective and well tolerated. Further studies involving a large cohort or randomized controlled trials are warranted.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2021/e2604 | DOI Listing |
Am J Med Genet A
January 2025
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder associated with baseline respiratory impairment caused by multiple contributing etiologies. While this may be expected to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infections in PWS patients, survey studies have suggested paradoxically low disease severity. To better characterize the course of COVID-19 infection in patients with PWS, this study analyses the outcomes of hospitalizations for COVID-19 among patients with and without PWS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntern Med J
January 2025
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Background And Aims: Ward-delivered non-invasive respiratory supports (NIRS) (conventional oxygen therapy (COT), high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV)), are often used to treat hospitalised patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) both in high acuity and general wards. This study aimed to describe the processes of care adopted and examine patient outcomes from a specialist, ward-delivered NIRS service caring for people with COVID-19 in general wards or in a respiratory care unit (RCU).
Methods: A cohort study was undertaken including all consecutive patients admitted to a quaternary hospital with ARF secondary to COVID-19 and requiring ward-delivered NIRS between 28 February 2020 and 18 March 2022.
Intern Med J
January 2025
Renal Medicine, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia.
Background And Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted greatest among patients with pre-existing chronic health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the 30-day mortality of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) after infection with COVID-19, living in Australia and New Zealand between 2020 and 2022, including patients on haemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and renal transplant (KT) recipients.
Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA).
J Paediatr Child Health
January 2025
Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Department, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Background: Children with cystic fibrosis are more likely to become severely unwell with influenza-associated illness compared to children without chronic lung disease. The provision of accessible influenza vaccinations is essential in the prevention of infection.
Objectives: To describe the prevalence of the influenza vaccine uptake in children with cystic fibrosis from 2016 to 2020 at a single tertiary paediatric hospital site and determine if the COVID pandemic of 2020 and the introduction of telehealth encounters affected the vaccine uptake.
Mol Ther
January 2025
Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Medical Department I, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Hölkeskampring 40, 44625 Herne, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, and Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address:
Autoreactive antibodies (AAB) are currently being investigated as causative or aggravating factors during post-COVID. In this study we analyze the effect of immunoadsorption therapy on symptom improvement and the relationship with immunological parameters in post-COVID patients exhibiting symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) induced or aggravated by an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This observational study includes 12 post-COVID patients exhibiting a predominance of ME/CFS symptoms alongside increased concentrations of autonomic nervous system receptors (ANSR) autoantibodies and neurological impairments.
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