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COVID19

Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

Szewczyk-Dąbrowska, A., Budziar, W., Harhala, M. et al. Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.. Sci Rep 12, 15944 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20202-x

Also, read Medical News Today article.

  • In this study, all hospitalized COVID-19 patients tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi-specific IgG, with significantly higher levels in severe cases.
  • Patients with a history of Borrelia exposure showed increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19 upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Severe COVID-19 patients also exhibited higher levels of IgGs specific to Anaplasma antigens, suggesting a potential link between increased COVID-19 risks and tick bites and related infections.
  • Testing for Borrelia-specific IgM revealed higher positivity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared to mild/asymptomatic patients and those not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of COVID-19 hospitalization increased with each positive read for a Lyme disease-related antigen for IgG antibodies.
  • Multivariate analysis highlighted specific Borrelia antigens associated with increased odds of hospitalization for both IgG and IgM antibodies. These findings suggest a potential connection between Borrelia exposure and the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.
Modulating neuroinflammation in COVID-19 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

V Nezgovorova, CJ Ferretti, S Pallanti, E Hollander. Modulating neuroinflammation in COVID-19 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.025.

Abstract: Exacerbation of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during COVID-19 or new onset of the OCD symptoms resulting from COVID-19 infection is an understudied area of research. It is possible that increased proinflammatory immune status is associated with the onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and that targeted anti-inflammatory treatments for COVID-19 infection can mitigate the new onset of Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) spectrum symptoms. In this review, we cover OCD pathogenesis as related to COVID-19, summarize the impact of cytokines on behavior, and suggest that anti-cytokine treatments can help mitigate post-COVID-19 and new onset of the OC symptoms.

 

 

SARS-CoV-2 as a Trigger in the Development of Tourette’s-Like Symptoms: A Case Report

Sabine Hazan, MD, Sheldon Jordan, MD. SARS-CoV-2 as a Trigger in the Development of Tourette’s-Like Symptoms: A Case Report, 15 November 2021, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1079406/v1  This case study has not been peer-reviewed.

  • Case report describe Tourette’s-like symptoms resulting from SARS-CoV-2 disrupting gut microbiota
  • SARS-CoV-2 could cause significant havoc in the enteric flora, damaging intestinal barrier, disrupting communication along the GMBA, imparing immune function, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms
  • Several possible therapeutic approaches change the microbiome including prebiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, and fecal transplantation
  • Using these therapies to modulate bacterial composition and enhance microbiota diversity is a pragmatic approach for enhanced protection against the acute morbidities associated with viral illnesses including COVID-19.

 

SARS-CoV-2 related Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome

Piero Pavone, Manuela Ceccarelli, Silvia Marino, Daniela Caruso, Raffaele Falsaperla, Massimiliano Berretta, et al. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2021 . May 04, 2021 DOI:10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00135-8

“Post-infectious, autoimmune, and neuro-inflammatory events are the main mechanisms of Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).4 PANS presents with a sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or a severely restricted food intake, and concurrent neuropsychiatric symptoms and motor dysfunction.4 The estimated prevalence of OCD in childhood and adolescence is 0·25–4·00%, with those aged between 16–18 years (1%) having the highest prevalence.5, 6, 7 Here, we report on two unrelated children with PANS that started 2 weeks after a positive COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab.”

  • Two young adolescents Diagnosed with COVID-19 by a nasal swab
  • PANS started 2 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis
  • Had acute new OCD, neuropsychiatric, and motor dysfunction symptoms
  • SARS-CoV-2 needs to be acknowledged in the differential diagnosis of PANS

Full Study