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The angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) has been shown to play a role as a receptor for the COVID‐19 virus. This virus usually gets into cells and infects them by attaching to their glycoprotein receptors, which are found on the ACE2 receptor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and inheritance of ACE1 I/D and ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphisms in COVID‐19 patients with varying severity of lung involvement and its effect on serum cytokines levels of interleukin (IL)‐1 and IL‐6 and laboratory parameters. One hundred eighty‐five COVID‐19 patients were grouped according to the severity of lung involvement. (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE1 gene and rs2285666 polymorphism of the ACE2 gene were determined by single specific primer‐polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length reaction‐polymerase chain reaction methods, respectively. Serum levels of IL‐1 and IL‐6 were also measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. No statistically significant association of ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphism genotypes and ACE1 I/D with the severity of lung involvement was noted. However, there was a statistically significant association between I/D ACE1 polymorphism genotypes and IL‐6, white blood cells (WBC), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels. Also, there was no statistically significant association between rs2285666 polymorphism genotypes and patients' blood oxygen saturation level, IL‐6, IL‐1β, lactate dehydrogenase activity, WBC count, and NLR. In patients with COVID‐19, the rs2285666 polymorphism of the ACE2 gene and the I/D polymorphism of the ACE1 gene were not significantly associated with the severity of COVID‐19 disease and serum IL‐6 and IL‐1 cytokine levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although a long time past since COVID-19 was broken out, it is hard to determine which pharmacological combination regimen is more efficacious. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) plus interferon (IFN) beta-1a regimen compared to the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) regimen in moderately ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: A multiple-centre retrospective observational case-controlled study was performed between March and September 2020, including adults with confirmed COVID-19. The patients were categorised into age- and sex-matched two groups; LPV/r plus IFN beta-1a (n = 102) and HCQ (n = 298) regimens. Clinical outcomes and mortality rates were compared between the groups. Results: LPV/r plus interferon (INF) beta-1a regimen had improved none of the clinical outcomes and mortality rate compared to the HCQ regimen. The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and the need for oxygen therapy were slightly worse in the LPV/r plus INF beta-1a regimen (4.73 ± 2.93 days, 63%) than in the HCQ group (3.74 ± 3.30 days, 48.3%). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in care of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, LOS in ICU, the need for non-invasive ventilation and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation as well as in-hospital mortality rate. Conclusions: LPV/r plus IFN beta-1a regimen did not show any meaningful improvement in clinical outcomes or mortality compared to the HCQ regimen. Larger randomised controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of this combination further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Abdoreza. Salahi-Moghaddam, Parivash. Davoodian, Ali. Jafari, Mohammad. Nikoo Background: Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a mild but recurrent superficial fungal infection of stratum corneum. Many predisposing factors such as late [...]

Background: Increasing reports of Vancomycin resistance have raised concerns about effectiveness of this drug. One of the most important factors of resistance emergence is no adherence of physician to principles of antibiotic therapy. This study is a drug utilization evaluation (DUE) of Vancomycin in pediatric ward to assess appropriateness of drug regimens and to find possible problems in clinical practices that may necessitate reconciliation to improve Vancomycin use. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was done for 1year from October 2014 to September 2015 at Khalij Fars General Hospital in Bandar Abbas. Data including patients' demographics, paraclinic, diagnosis, vancomycin dose, and treatment duration were collected. The concordance of practice with standard guidelines (CDC, ASHP, and IDSA) and principles of antibiotic therapy was assessed. Results were analyzed by SPSS 20. Results: 102 medical records were reviewed in this study. Pneumonia (60=59%) and sepsis (22=21.5%) were the most common diagnosis. Sampling was done in 6% of patients with 2% antibiogram. Vancomycin was administered appropriately in 56.9% percent of patients with no sex difference (PV= 0.55) but age with significant difference (PV= 0.017). Over use was in a great proportion of patients (36cases=35%) as unnecessary, improper combination and broad spectrum regimen. Conclusion: Vancomycin was overused irrationally in a great proportion of patients. There was no serum level monitoring. Microbial resistance, serum trough level monitoring programs and continuous medical education for physicians can be effective in rational use of antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]