Background/aim Alpha-1 antitrypsin (α1-AT) is a protease inhibitor that is largely released from liver cells. It inhibits neutrophil elastase and its deficiency increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The frequency of α1-AT deficiency has been reported with different prevalence rates in different parts of the world. The most common α1-AT variant causing α1-AT deficiency is the Pi*Z allele. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the α1-AT genotypic variant in COPD patients in our country. Materials and methods In this study, 196 consecutive COPD patients admitted to our clinic were included. In addition to recording the demographic data of the volunteers, a dry drop of blood sample was taken from the fingertip for the SERPINA1 genotype study. Results One hundred and fifty-eight (80.6%) of the patients were male and the mean age was 56.92 ± 9.84 years. A variant in the SERPINA1 gene was detected in a total of 14 (7.1%) COPD patients. Pi*ZZ homozygous variant was detected in only 1 (0.51%) patient, while Pi*MZ was detected in 3 (1.53%) patients. The Pi*S variant was never detected. Various rare heterozygous variants were detected in 9 (4.6%) patients and a single point mutation was found in one (0.51%) patient. Serum α1-AT levels were significantly lower in patients with variants compared to the Pi*MM group (p < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, which investigated the genotypic α1-AT variant frequency in COPD patients for the first time in our country, we found that the percentage of homozygous Pi*ZZ patients was 0.51%, but when heterozygous α1-AT gene variant and single point mutation were included, the frequency was 7.1%. At the same time, while the Pi*S variant was never detected, rare variants were found more frequently than expected.
Background/aim: SARS-CoV-2, a ribonucleic acid coronavirus, rapidly spread worldwide within a short timeframe. Although different antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory drugs are used, current evidence is insufficient as to which drug is more efficient. Our study compared favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) therapies in inpatient care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.Materials and Methods: Demographic data, test results, treatments, and latest status of patients receiving inpatient COVID-19 pneumonia therapy were recorded. The initial favipiravir and LPV/RTV receiving groups were compared regarding the need for intensive care units (ICU) and mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed by including variables showing significant differences as a result of paired comparisons into the model. Results:Of the 204 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 59 (28.9%), 131 (64.2%), and 14 were administered LPV/RTV, favipiravir, and favipiravir with LPV/RTV, respectively. No difference was found in age, sex, presence of comorbidity, and tocilizumab, systemic corticosteroid, and plasma therapy use between patients administered with these three different treatment regimens. The mean mortality age of the patients was 71±14.3 years, which was substantially greater than that of the survivors (54.2±15.5 years). Compared with patients administered with LPV/RTV, ICU admission and mortality rates were lower in patients administered with favipiravir. CK-MB, AST, CRP, LDH, and creatinine levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower in patients who died. Age, AST, CRP, LDH, and neutrophil counts were higher in patients needing ICU, and eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that favipiravir use independently decreased mortality (P=0.006). Conclusion:The use of favipiravir was more effective than LPV/RTV in reducing mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible coronavirus and has caused a pandemic of acute respiratory disease, named ‘coronavirus disease 2019’ (COVID-19). COVID-19 has a deep impact on public health as one of the most serious pandemics in the last century. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 is important for monitoring and assessing its evolution. This is only possible by detecting all mutations in the viral genome through genomic sequencing. Moreover, accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 and tracking its mutations is also required for its correct diagnosis. Potential effects of mutations on the prognosis of the disease can be observed. Assignment of epidemiological lineages in an emerging pandemic requires efforts. To address this, we collected 1000 SARS-CoV-2 samples from different geographical regions in Turkey and analyze their genome comprehensively. To track the virus across Turkey we focus on 10 distinct cities in different geographic regions. Each SARS-CoV-2 genome was analyzed and named according to the nomenclature system of Nextclade and Pangolin Lineage. Furthermore, the frequency of the variations observed in 10 months was also determined by region. In this way, we have observed how the virus mutations and what kind of transmission mechanism it has. The effects of age and disease severity on lineage distribution were other considered parameters. The temporal rates of SARS-CoV-2 variants by time in Turkey were close to the global trend. This study is one of the most comprehensive whole genome analyses of SARS-CoV-2 that represents a general picture of the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variations in Turkey in 2021.Author SummarySince the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the viral genome of SARS-CoV-2 was analysed intensively all over the world both to detect its zoonotic origin and the emerging variants worldwide together with the variants’ effect on the prognosis and treatment, respectively, of the infection. Remarkable COVID-19 studies were also made in Turkey as it was in the rest of the world. To date, indeed, almost all studies on COVID-19 in Turkey either sequenced only a small number of the viral genome or analysed the viral genome which was obtained from online databases. In respect thereof, our study constitutes a milestone regarding both the huge sample size consisting of 1000 viral genomes and the widespread geographic origin of the viral genome samples. Our study provides new insights both into the SARS-CoV-2 landscape of Turkey and the transmission of the emerging viral pathogen and its interaction with its vertebrate host.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.