Analysis of Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 in Northwest Mexico and the Relationship Between the Influenza Vaccine and the Survival of Infected Patients

Abstract

The first cases of unexplained pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. Later, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the causal agent of pneumonia. This virus has since spread to more than 180 countries and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Herein, we aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of symptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the relationship between the influenza vaccine with a lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection in the state of Sinaloa. We collected demographic and clinical data of 4,040 patients with acute respiratory infections across Sinaloa state hospitals from February 28 to May 15, 2020. The prevalence of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients with respiratory symptoms in Sinaloa showed 45.2% of men were more affected than women (p < 0.001), and people aged 40–49 years were the most affected. The main symptoms of COVID-19 infection were cough and fever (p < 0.001), while hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes were the chronic diseases associated with COVID-19 than non-COVID-19 (p < 0.003). Healthcare workers were most likely to be infected compared to other occupations (p < 0.001). The general lethality rate was 14.1%, and males >62 years were the ones who had a higher lethality rate (p < 0.001); the aforementioned chronic diseases were related to higher lethality of COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Likewise, higher lethality was seen in housewives and patient retirees/pensioners compared with other occupations (p < 0.001). Finally, we found there was a relationship between influenza vaccination and a lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection and mortality (p < 0.001). These findings showed that healthcare workers, men >62 years with chronic diseases, and retired people were most affected. Furthermore, the influenza vaccine could decrease the severeness of COVID-19 cases.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pregnant women and neonates with COVID‐19 in Northwest Mexico

“…Since 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has spread around the world and has caused many deaths, but currently, we know that some characteristics in subjects, such as age, sex, and underlying diseases, are important to whether patients develop severe COVID-19 4 , but the information available for pregnant women and their neonates with COVID-19 is very scarce. In this study, we showed that 11.2% of the pregnant women were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR tests and 25%…”

“…On the other hand, before of apparition of vaccines anti‐COVID‐19 to prevent this disease, options to help to combat the ravages caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 were needed, and different research have demonstrated that influenza virus and coronavirus share some features, 12 due to similarities between viruses the vaccination against influenza confers some level of protection against SARS‐CoV‐2 due to epitopes cross‐reactivity or common immunological pathways involved and some works demonstrated it, because influenza vaccine have reduced risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, also it has increased the survival rate of infected patients. 4 , 13 …”

“…10,11 On the other hand, before of apparition of vaccines anti-COVID-19 to prevent this disease, options to help to combat the ravages caused by the SARS-CoV-2 were needed, and different research have demonstrated that influenza virus and coronavirus share some features, 12 due to similarities between viruses the vaccination against influenza confers some level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 due to epitopes cross-reactivity or common immunological pathways involved and some works demonstrated it, because influenza vaccine have reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, also it has increased the survival rate of infected patients. 4,13 Mexico is one of the countries that has been more affected by COVID-19, and Sinaloa is within the 10 states with the most cases in Mexico. Additionally, in Sinaloa, a large proportion of the population suffers from chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes or hypertension, which can cause pregnant women to suffer severe COVID-19.…”

“…This virus has caused more than 527 211 631 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases and 6 289 371 deaths worldwide 3 (Accessed June 01, 2022). Studies have demonstrated symptoms or risk factors related to severe cases of COVID‐19, such as sex, age, and underlying diseases, but due to physiological changes during pregnancy, such as reduced functional residual volumes, diaphragm elevation, and altered cell immunity, unfortunately, the impact of COVID‐19 on pregnant women is still poorly understood 4 . Few studies have demonstrated that pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 could be asymptomatic patients or symptomatic patients with respiratory complications, such as requiring mechanical ventilation, and these alterations could occur until the pregnant woman's death 5 …”

Control and Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks among Healthcare Workers from 129 Healthcare Facilities in Mexico

“…Moreover, as part of the occupational health program and in agreement with Mexican Ministry of Health policies, we identified those workers with health conditions of potential risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, lupus, AIDS, or arthritis, aged ≥60 years old, as well as pregnant women [14][15][16][17]. Therefore, they were isolated in their homes; consequently, they were excluded from this report.…”