Different routine laboratory tests in assessment of COVID-19: A case-control study

Objective:To identify helpful laboratory paprameters for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19.Methods:An observational retrospective study was conducted to analyze the biological profile of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the Unit of Pulmonology at Setif hospital between January and December 2021.Patients were divided into two groups:the infection group and the control group with patients admitted for other pathologies.The infected group was further divided according to the course of the disease into non-severe and severe subgroups.Clinical and laboratory parameters and outcomes of admitted patients were collected.Results:The infection group included 293 patients,of whom 237 were in the non-severe subgroup and 56 in the severe subgroup.The control group included 88 patients.The results showed higher white blood cells,neutrophils,blood glucose,urea,creatinine,transaminases,triglycerides,C-reactive protein,lactate dehydrogenase,and lower levels of lymphocyte,monocyte and platelet counts,serum sodium concentration,and albumin.According to ROC curves,urea,alanine aminotransferase,C-reactive protein,and albumin were effective diagnosis indices on admission while neutrophil,lymphocyte,monocyte,glycemia,aspartate aminotransferase,and lactate dehydrogenase were effective during follow-up.Conclusions:Some biological parameters such as neutrophil,lymphocyte,monocyte,glycemia,aspartate aminotransferase,and lactate dehydrogenase are useful for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Epidemiology of Occupational Asthma in Tunisia: Results of a First National Study

Introduction: Apart from its increasingly important frequency, occupational asthma (OA) has become the most important cause of occupational respiratory disorders in developed countries. The number of etiological agents continues to grow following the constant introduction of new harmful substances in industry. Objectives: Determine the prevalence and incidence of OA in our country, the socio-occupational characteristics of asthmatics, and study the forensic and social impact of such pathology. Material and Methods: An exhaustive retrospective epidemiological study was conducted in Tunisia about charts of occupational asthma cases recognized by the competent commissions of the National Medical Care Fund (CNAM) during the period ranging from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2008. Results: 361 occupational asthma cases, accounting for a prevalence of 7.17% of all occupational diseases, were recognized during the period of the study. Occupational asthma annual incidence was estimated to be 24.42 cases per 1000000 workers. Our study population was mainly women with a sex ratio of 0.86. More than a half (57.6%) of recognized OA cases were working in the textile industry sector. Concerning the asthmatics’ professional career, most of recognized OA cases (n = 225 i.e. 70.6% of cases) kept their jobs, whereas 58 patients did not. The professional career was linked to gender with a job loss that is 1.79 time more important in asthmatic women. Conclusion: The incidence of occupational asthma in Tunisia is comparable with that found in other Mediterranean countries. A rigorous and adequate prevention is necessary and allows reducing the importance of this occupational pathology and its serious consequences.