Current Research COVID-19 Published Articles by UAB FacultyLeukoerythroblastosis with dyserythropoiesis in an adolescent with SARS-CoV-2-associated macrophage activation syndrome May 14, 2021No abstract Mahtab FakhariA retrospective cohort study of 12,306 pediatric COVID-19 patients in the United States May 14, 2021Children and adolescents account for ~ 13% of total COVID-19 cases in the United States. However, little is known about the nature of the illness in children. The reopening of schools underlines the importance of understanding the epidemiology of pediatric COVID-19 infections. We sought to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes in pediatric COVID-19 patients. […] Vibhu ParchaAn Engineered Receptor-Binding Domain Improves the Immunogenicity of Multivalent SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines May 12, 2021The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein mediates viral entry into cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S protein engages ACE2 through its receptor-binding domain (RBD), an independently folded 197-amino-acid fragment of the 1,273-amino-acid S-protein protomer. The RBD is the primary SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing epitope and a critical target of any […] Yan GuoDelayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy in an adult with COVID-19 May 12, 2021As the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has enveloped the world in a pandemic, it has become clear that the symptoms extend far beyond the respiratory system and have particularly caused a wide range of neurologic CNS complications, including diffuse leukoencephalopathy. Here, we describe a case of a 59-year-old male with severe COVID-19 infection who developed severe […] Brannon L VinesThe Role of Medical Imaging in COVID-19 May 11, 2021The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic launched in the third decade of the twenty-first century and continued to present time to cause the worst challenges the modern medicine has ever encountered. Medical imaging is an essential part of the universal fight against this pandemic. In the absence of documented treatment and vaccination, early accurate diagnosis […] Houman SotoudehDisruptions in Rheumatology Care and the Rise of Telehealth in Response to the COVID19 Pandemic in a Community Practice-Based Network May 11, 2021CONCLUSION: COVID19 led to large disruptions in rheumatology care; these disruptions were only partially offset by increases in telehealth use and disproportionately affected racial/ethnic minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status. During the COVID-19 era, telehealth continues to be an important part of rheumatology practice, but disparities in access to care exist for some vulnerable […] Michael GeorgeA Case of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Secondary to the Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccine May 10, 2021Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is an impaction of the autonomic nervous system initiating orthostatic tachycardia. There are numerous triggers for POTS including viruses, vaccines, and an autoimmune basis. This case report is clinically relevant to better understand the pathophysiology behind the messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and the mechanism that triggers […] Sujana ReddyCoronavirus Disease 2019-Associated PICU Admissions: A Report From the Society of Critical Care Medicine Discovery Network Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness Universal Study Registry May 9, 2021CONCLUSIONS: This study delineates significant clinically relevant differences in presentation, explanatory factors, and outcomes among children admitted to PICU with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-related illness stratified by multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Sandeep TripathiThe Association Between Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Testing, Positivity, and Incidence in Alabama and Louisiana May 9, 2021Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 burden have been widely reported. Using data from the state health departments of Alabama and Louisiana aggregated to residential Census tracts, we assessed the relationship between social vulnerability and COVID-19 testing rates, test positivity, and incidence. Data were cumulative for the period of February 27, 2020 to October 7, […] Gabriela R OatesLetter to Editor: Can we predict which COVID-19 patients will need transfer to the intensive care within 24 hours of floor admission? May 9, 2021We were very interested to read the study by Wang et al. on predicting which ED patients with COVID-19 will require escalation to intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours of admission. They identified risk factors and developed triage models for the ED physician based on presenting history, signs, and symptoms. Their analysis and modeling […] Michele BamgartnerTelemedicine visits in myasthenia gravis: expert guidance and the myasthenia gravis core exam (MG-CE) May 7, 2021Telemedicine may be particularly well-suited for myasthenia gravis (MG) due to the disorder's need for specialized care, its hallmark fluctuating muscle weakness and the potential for increased risk of virus exposure among patients with MG during the COVID-19 pandemic during in-person clinical visits. A disease-specific telemedicine physical examination to reflect myasthenic weakness does not currently […] Amanda C GuidonLeveraging Virtual Experiences for International Professional Development Opportunities during the Pandemic and Beyond May 6, 2021The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life, including the world of education. Within no time, once-bustling university classrooms were compelled to move online, leaving educators to rely on virtual engagement tools. This in turn heightened the impact of virtual professional development in higher education, not just nationally but also internationally. As we look […] Christina N MorraRisk, Racial Disparity, and Outcomes Among Patients With Cancer and COVID-19 Infection May 6, 2021No abstract Julie A WolfsonCOVID-19 Impact on Orthopedic Surgeons: Elective Procedures, Telehealth, and Income May 4, 2021CONCLUSIONS: Most practices did implement restrictions for elective clinic visits and procedures early during the pandemic. COVID-19 ultimately will result in a large revenue loss for elective orthopedic practices. Services such as telehealth may help offset these losses and help deliver orthopedic care to patients remotely. Kyle D PaulA New Normal in Radiology Resident Education: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic May 3, 2021No abstract M Hunter LanierSocial Distancing, Health Care Disruptions, Telemedicine Use, and Treatment Interruption During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With or Without Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease May 2, 2021CONCLUSION: Patients with ARD and non-ARD reported similar concerns about COVID-19 and similar social distancing behaviors. Missed office visits were strongly associated with interruptions in immunomodulatory medication. Michael D GeorgePatient perspectives on chemotherapy de-escalation in breast cancer May 1, 2021CONCLUSIONS: Fear of recurrence is a common concern among breast cancer survivors and patient advocates, contributing to resistance to de-escalation clinical trial participation. Additional research is needed to understand how to engage patients in de-escalation trials. Gabrielle B RocqueFactors Associated With General Surgery Residents' Operative Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic April 30, 2021CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study of operative logs of general surgery residents in 16 US programs from 2017 to 2020, the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant reduction in operative experience, which affected every PGY and most case types. Level 1 trauma centers were less affected than non-level […] Amanda C PurdyAn evaluation of social media utilization by general surgery programs in the COVID-19 era April 28, 2021CONCLUSION: Many general surgery programs responded to the physical limitations of COVID-19 pandemic by increasingly utilizing social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual opportunities should be considered as a novel approach for future outreach and recruitment. Hua A FangTurning a New Chapter in Neurosurgery Outpatient Services: Telemedicine A "Savior" in this Pandemic April 27, 2021CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine in neurosurgery offers favorable patient satisfaction during this pandemic and may be a satisfactory alternative to physical outpatient services in the future. Video-based teleconsults should be the preferred modality of communication for neurosurgery patients. Amol Raheja
