COVID-19

On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of several cases of pneumonia of unknown aetiology in Wuhan, China. After a relatively short period, officials confirmed the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported outside of China, in Thailand, on 13 January 2020.1 From the start of the pandemic to 11 November […]

Diabetes is one of the most common co-morbidities associated with hospitalizations for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with recent estimates of diabetes prevalence ranging from 33.8%1 to 58.0%2 among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the USA. Hyperglycemia during the first hours after cardiac arrest is associated with poorer outcomes.3 Previous studies have been unable to consistently examine blood glucose patterns during […]

We read, with great interest, the editorial entitled “Can Serum Cortisol be Used to Monitor Patients with COVID-19?”.1 The authors have discussed a novel concept regarding COVID-19; however, consideration for the practical implications of this approach seemed limited. Cortisol is a stress hormone; hence, it is expected to be elevated in patients with infections.2 The greater the […]

Management of patients with severe COVID-19 remains a challenge for physicians. In severe cases of COVID-19, a hyperactive innate immune response characterized by high serum levels of proinflammatory markers, known as a ‘cytokine storm’, is characteristically present. The cytokine storm induces fulminant pulmonary inflammation known as acute respiratory distress syndrome, and subsequently systemic inflammation, which […]

Hydroxychloroquine has been in clinical use for decades, being extensively used by rheumatologists across the globe for different autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjögren‘s syndrome, among others), across all age groups and including during pregnancy. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pandemic sweeping […]

The role of testosterone is well established in health and disease.1 Testosterone is known to mediate physical, mental and reproductive health. Its role has been discussed in gender-specific variations related to conditions as diverse as cardiovascular, autoimmune, psychiatric and oncological diseases.2–4 The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has uncovered newer facets of testosterone action and […]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an occurring global public health crisis due to the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).1 In December of 2019, a low respiratory tract infection of unknown cause emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The Huanan seafood market was considered to be the main source of […]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread rapidly to become a global health threat. The disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel β-coronavirus that belongs to a family of enveloped RNA viruses, the coronaviruses.1 While some of the coronaviruses cause common flu, other strains, such as SARS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome […]