Prevalence and outcomes of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-infected patients

et al. 2022

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Background Post-viral anosmia is responsible for more than 40% of cases of anosmia. Anosmia has been a neglected symptom in the primary healthcare setting until the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection highlighted new atypical symptoms of the disease, including anosmia, which has become one of the diagnostic symptoms of the disease, and epidemiological concern. We aimed to detect the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within patients presented with anosmia and to test for other respiratory viruses in the negative COVID-19 patients. We also detected the recovery of anosmia and IgM/IgG against COVID-19. We prospectively included 60 outpatients with the major complaint of anosmia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were done for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR, and if negative, PCR to other respiratory pathogens was tested. After one month, we inquired about the recovery of smell loss together with testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Results Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients (76.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive and 14 (23.3%) were negative. Rhinovirus was the commonest isolated pathogen in the negative cases (5/14). Complete recovery of anosmia occurred in 34 patients (56.7%), while partial recovery in 24 (40.0%), and no recovery in 2 patients (3.3%). The median time to complete recovery was 10 days. 28.3% (13/46) of the patients showed negative antibody response for both IgG and IgM. Conclusions Sudden-onset anosmia is a symptom that is highly predictive of being COVID-19-infected. While recovery is expected within 2 weeks, some patients have no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS COV-2 and other viral etiology as a possible clue for the olfactory dilemma

Mansour

Taha

et al. 2022

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“…In 6-month follow-up, 66% of smell/taste symptoms recovered completely, 22.1% partially, while 11.9% did not recover [ 19 ]. Mahmoud et al found that 50.6% of hospitalized COVID-19-infected patients complained of olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions, and 76.5% of them complained upper respiratory tract symptoms before olfactory/gustatory symptoms [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive evaluation of otorhinolaryngological symptoms in COVID-19 patients

Taha

Mansour

et al. 2022

Introduction The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the incidence and natural course of otorhinolaryngological symptoms of COVID-19 infection and its relations to each other and patient’s demographics. Methods This is a prospective study conducted on symptomatic adult patients proven to be infected with COVID-19. Detailed history was taken from each patient including onset of symptoms. Symptoms were followed up tightly. We focus on otorhinolaryngological (ORL) symptoms and their duration and onset in relation to other symptoms. Data were collected and analyzed in detail. Results Six-hundred eighty-six patients were included in the study, their age ranged from 19-75 years old, and of them 55.1% were males. Cough was found in 53.1% of cases followed by sore throat in 45.8%, anosmia/ hyposmia in 42.3%, headache in 42%, rhinorrhea in 19.5%, dry mouth in 7.6%, globus in 6.1%, epistaxis in 4.4%, and hearing loss in 0.6%. In non-ORL symptoms, fever was found in 54.2%, malaise in 55.1%, dyspnea in 49.3%, and diarrhea in 27.2%. The first symptom was anosmia in 15.7% of cases, sore throat in 6.1 %, cough in 7.9%, and headache in 13.4% of cases. Fever was the first symptom in 22.7%, malaise in 25.1%, and diarrhea in 6.4%. Headache occurred for 5.5 ± 2 days, anosmia/hyposmia 3 to > 30 days, sore throat 4.1 ± 1.2 days, rhinorrhea 4.3 ± 1.1, cough 7.4 ± 2.5 days, fever 4.7 ± 2 days, and malaise 6.5 ± 2.4 days. The cluster of COVID-19-related symptoms showed nine principal components. Conclusion Otorhinolaryngological symptoms are main symptoms in COVID-19 infection, and they should be frequently evaluated to detect suspected cases especially in pauci-symptomatic patients and to properly manage infected patients.

“…Viral, fungal, environmental, and host factors may be responsible for this situation. Long hospital stays, impaired host immune system function due to viral infection, and excessive glucocorticoids consumption in the management of patients with COVID-19 are the main risk factors for the increased risk of mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19 [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors affecting outcome of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients

Saleeb

Sabry

et al. 2023

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Background Mucormycosis is a serious life-threatening fungal infection that recently made severe sudden and devastating surge during the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic with a mortality rate of up to 50%. Although the causality link between COVID-19 and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) remains unclear, many factors including poor diabetes control, high doses of steroids, viral-induced lymphopenia, and cytokine storm have been attributed to ROCM in patients with COVID-19. Orienting to risk factors and early recognition of this potentially fatal opportunistic infection is the key to optimal management and improved outcomes. In these contexts, we conducted a prospective study for 33 patients admitted to our tertiary hospital to determine the risk factors for ROCM in patients with COVID-19 and the cumulative mortality rates. Results This study found a statistically significant relation between the fate of death in COVID-MUCOR patients who had presented fever, ophthalmoplegia, facial skin necrosis, and visual loss with those who received dose of steroid to control their respiratory symptoms P < 0.001. Death from COVID-MUCOR was statistically significant related to the prolonged interval from the onset of the symptoms to start of treatment and intervention. Also, it was found that there was a significant decrease in duration between COVID-19 infection and the start of mucormycosis (days) with incidence of DKA on admission. Nineteen (57.6%) of the patients had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of > 7.0%). Conclusion Mucormycosis epidemic was precipitated by a unique confluence of risk factors: diabetes mellitus, widespread use of steroids, and perhaps SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. Restricting steroid use in patients with severe COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy, and screening for and optimally controlling hyperglycemia, can prevent COVID-MUCOR in a large majority.