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SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, known to be the causative agent of COVID-19. As the resulting disease shows a very heterogeneous range of clinical manifestations, the identification of early biomarkers allowing patients stratification according to the expected disease severity is still an unmet clinical need.In this observational prospective cohort study, 137 consecutive patients, testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR or antigenic test, were enrolled to evaluate their plasma viral load at the time of hospitalization.Even if all of them had a molecular diagnosis of COVID-19, only 29 patients showed a detectable plasma SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia. Such viremic patients also showed other clinical and laboratory finding alterations (increased troponin I, IL-6, RDW-CV, and creatinine levels along with decreased platelet count and glomerular filtration rate). A plasma detectable RNA viral load predicted in hospital death or ICU admission with an odds ratio of 3.53 (CI: 1.44-8.64, P=0.0058), while the lack of a detectable viral load was associated with a faster recovery, with an odds ratio of 4.06 (CI: 1.72-9.59, P=0.0014). These findings were confirmed in multivariate models including age, sex and baseline National Early Warning Score 2 and arterial oxygen tension over inspired oxygen fraction ratio.Our data thus suggest that plasma viral RNA load at the time of hospital admission could represent a useful independent biomarker allowing early patients' stratification according to the expected disease evolution, and driving clinical decisions tailored on the specific needs of the individual patient.

Introduction. The clinical course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly heterogenous, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal forms. The identification of clinical and laboratory predictors of poor prognosis may assist clinicians in monitoring strategies and therapeutic decisions. Materials and Methods. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the prognostic value of a simple tool, the complete blood count, on a cohort of 664 patients ( F 260; 39%, median age 70 (56-81) years) hospitalized for COVID-19 in Northern Italy. We collected demographic data along with complete blood cell count; moreover, the outcome of the hospital in-stay was recorded. Results. At data cut-off, 221/664 patients (33.3%) had died and 453/664 (66.7%) had been discharged. Red cell distribution width (RDW) ( χ 2 10.4; p < 0.001 ), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NL) ratio ( χ 2 7.6; p = 0.006 ), and platelet count ( χ 2 5.39; p = 0.02 ), along with age ( χ 2 87.6; p < 0.001 ) and gender ( χ 2 17.3; p < 0.001 ), accurately predicted in-hospital mortality. Hemoglobin levels were not associated with mortality. We also identified the best cut-off for mortality prediction: a NL ratio > 4.68 was characterized by an odds ratio for in-hospital mortality OR = 3.40 (2.40-4.82), while the OR for a RDW > 13.7 % was 4.09 (2.87-5.83); a platelet count > 166,000 /μL was, conversely, protective (OR: 0.45 (0.32-0.63)). Conclusion. Our findings arise the opportunity of stratifying COVID-19 severity according to simple lab parameters, which may drive clinical decisions about monitoring and treatment.

Intestinal obstructions/pseudo-obstruction of the small/large bowel are frequent conditions but their management could be challenging. Moreover, a general agreement in this field is currently lacking, thus SICUT Society designed a consensus study aimed to define their optimal workout.The Delphi methodology was used to reach consensus among 47 Italian surgical experts in two study rounds. Consensus was defined as an agreement of 75.0% or greater. Four main topic areas included nosology, diagnosis, management and treatment.A bowel obstruction was defined as an obstacle to the progression of intestinal contents and fluids generally beginning with a sudden onset. The panel identified four major criteria of diagnosis including absence of flatus, presence of3.5 cm ileal levels or6 cm colon dilatation and abdominal distension. Panel also recommended a surgical admission, a multidisciplinary approach, and a gastrografin swallow for patients presenting occlusions. Criteria for immediate surgery included: presence of strangulated hernia, a10 cm cecal dilatation, signs of vascular pedicles obstructions and persistence of metabolic acidosis. Moreover, rules for non-operative management (to be conducted for maximum 72 hours) included a naso-gastric drainage placement and clinical and laboratory controls each 12 hours. Non-operative treatment should be suspended if any suspects of intra-abdominal complications, high level of lactates, leukocytosis (18.000/mm3 or Neutrophils85%) or a doubling of creatinine level comparing admission. Conversely, consensus was not reached regarding the exact timing of CT scan and the appropriateness of colonic stenting.This consensus is in line with current international strategies and guidelines, and it could be a useful tool in the safe basic daily management of these common and peculiar diseases.Delphi study, Intestinal obstruction, Large bowel obstruction, Pseudo-obstruction, Small bowel.Le ostruzioni e pseudo-ostruzioni del piccolo/ grande intestino sono condizioni frequenti, ma la loro gestione risulta spesso difficile per cui è necessario avere un adeguato e condiviso percorso gestionale. A tal proposito la Società Italiana di Chirurgia d’Urgenza e del Trauma (SICUT) ha disegnato uno studio volto a definire il management ottimale dei pazienti con occlusione intestinale.Lo studio è stato condotto utilizzando la metodologia Delphi coinvolgendo un panel di 47 chirurghi italiani con maturata esperienza clinica. Il consenso è stato definito come un accordo uguale o superiore al 75.0%. Lo studio si è focalizzato su quattro aree tematiche comprendenti la nosologia, la diagnosi, la gestione e il trattamento delle ostruzioni e delle pseudo-ostruzioni intestinali. Un occlusione intestinale è stata definita come un ostacolo alla progressione del contenuto intestinale. RISULTATI: in genere ad esordio improvviso. Il panel ha identificato quattro principali criteri di diagnosi, tra i quali l’assenza di canalizzazione ai gas, la presenza di livelli ileali3.5 cm o di una dilatazione del colon6 cm nonché di una distensione addominale. Viene inoltre consigliato il ricovero in chirurgia, un approccio multidisciplinare e un transito con Gastrografin per tutti i pazienti che presentano un’occlusione. Tra i criteri per un intervento chirurgico immediato sono inclusi: la presenza di un’ernia strozzata, una dilatazione del cieco10 cm, segni di ostruzione del peduncolo vascolare e la persistenza di acidosi metabolica. La gestione non operatoria dei pazienti (la cui durata massima dovrebbe essere di 72 ore) include il posizionamento di un sondino nasogastrico e la necessità di effettuare controlli clinici e laboratoristici ogni 12 ore. Il trattamento non operatorio deve essere sospeso in caso insorga il sospetto di complicanze intra-addominali, compaia un alto livello di lattati, una leucocitosi (18.000 / mm3 o neutrofili85%) o un raddoppiamento del livello di creatinina rispetto ai valori basali al ricovero. Al contrario il panel non ha raggiunto alcun consenso riguardo l’esatta tempistica della TAC e l’opportunità di stenting del colon come intervento palliativo in attesa di chirurgia definitiva.Le raccomandazioni stabilite sono in linea con le strategie e le linee guida internazionali, e potrebbero essere uno strumento utile per la gestione del paziente affetto da occlusione intestinale.