Background and aims: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) first appeared in China in late 2019 which was rapidly spread worldwide. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, it is crucial to determine the prognostic factors contributing to the development of severe disease and higher mortality. Herein we aimed to evaluate the correlation between the severity and prognosis of patients with COVID 19 with serum 25(OH)D levels. Method: This descriptive retrospective study was performed from March to April 2020 at a referral center for patients with COVID-19, Tehran, Iran. The data collection was performed by a checklist consisting of the demographic features and laboratory assessments consisted of serum 25(OH)D were evaluated and recorded. And investigate the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and clinical outcomes of patients. Result: 205 patients with a mean age of 59.71 years were enrolled. Our findings did not reveal a significant difference in mean levels of vitamin between improved (34.09) and deceased patients (34.54). However, in patients with severe disease, there was a considerable difference in levels of vitamin D in improved and deceased patients (P.value: 0.021). According to our results, the mortality rate was slightly higher in men (odds ratio:2.2). Furthermore, the mean age (64.20 vs. 58.51) and the presence of at least two comorbidities (odds ratio: 2.40) were significantly higher in deceased patients. Conclusion:In this study, we did not reveal a statistical difference in mean levels of vitamin D and the outcome of patients with COVID-19. We concluded that in patients with severe disease, vitamin D deficiency could affect the course of the disease and mortality, especially in comorbidity and older people.

Backgrounds: Currently, clinical details of immunosuppressed patients suffering from COVID-19 are limited. Some studies have shown no more severe diseases among them, but others have highlighted that immunosuppressed patients may have high levels of viral load and impaired immune responses. Herein, this study aimed to specifically address the symptoms, prognosis, laboratory tests, clinical course, and the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected immunocompromised patients at a tertiary referral center. Materials & Methods: Clinical and laboratory information of 75 non-congenital immunosuppressed patients with COVID-19 disease was obtained at a referral center for immunodeficiency diseases and infectious disorders in Tehran, Iran. Three groups of immunocompromised patients were evaluated, including patients with a history of organ transplantation, autoimmune patients receiving medical therapy, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Findings: Among 75 immune-deficient patients with COVID-19, there were 32 patients with a kidney transplant, 23 patients with malignancies, and 19 patients with autoimmune disorders. One patient had both malignancy and multiple sclerosis. The mean length of hospitalization was 10.82 days. By the end of the study, 24 (32%) patients were dead, and 51 (68%) patients were discharged. Dyspnea was the most common (64%) symptom. Low levels of O2 saturation and lymphopenia at admission time significantly affected the mortality rate of patients. Conclusion:This study showed that mortality rate among immunocompromised patients was 32%. It seems that COVID-19 has a worse outcome and a more severe clinical course in immunocompromised patients regardless of age, gender, and underlying diseases.

Background Brain abscess (BA) is recognized as a potentially fatal neurological infection requiring appropriate and prompt treatment. Improvements in diagnostic imaging and patient care have recently changed clinical symptoms, epidemiology, and outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to review all BA patients in our referral center. Method This study retrospectively reviewed all confirmed cases of BA referred to an academic teaching hospital and tertiary referral center between 2009 and 2021. Result The study included 119 clinically and radiologically confirmed brain abscesses (84% male vs. 16% female) with a mean age of 38.6 ± 16 years (range:1–79 years). The cause of BA in most cases (71.4%) was unknown. Only 11 patients had positive smears. Approximately 42.9% of patients were treated with surgery and antibiotic therapy, and the rest were treated with antibiotic therapy. The mortality rate in our study was 31.1%. Based on our analysis, HIV patients (P: 0.003), IV drug users (P: 0.025), and patients with loss of consciousness at the time of admission (P < 0.001) had a high mortality rate. On the other hand, patients treated with surgical intervention exhibited a low mortality rate (P: 0.02). The most common site of BA in our patients was the parietal (27.2%). Conclusion In our experience, HIV patients, IV drug users, and unconscious people on admission had higher mortality rates. The mortality rate of patients who underwent surgery was also low. The source of BA in most patients was unknown.