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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is now a critical threat to global public health. Although the majority of patients present with respiratory illness, several studies have described multiorgan involvement. This study evaluated the prevailing patterns of liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients on admission and their association with clinical outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of all inpatients with COVID-19. Demographic and clinical factors, and liver enzyme tests, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), were noted on admission. The association of liver enzyme elevation with outcomes such as inpatient death, need for intubation, and vasopressor use was determined using the chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 200 patients, AST and ALT elevation was seen in 55% and 20%, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase elevation was seen in 28%. AST elevation was associated with inpatient death (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05; P=0.035), need for vasopressors (OR 1.034, 95%CI 1.015-1.055; P=0.001), and intubation (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05; P=0.002). An AST/ALT ratio of 2 or more was seen in 34% of patients and was associated with need for intubation (OR 2.678, 95%CI 1.202-5.963; P=0.016), and need for vasopressors (OR 3.352, 95%CI 1.495-7.514; P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Serum aminotransferase levels are useful markers of hepatocellular injury. Patients with elevated AST or AST/ALT ratio are at higher risk of severe disease, as evidenced by intubation, vasopressor use, and inpatient death. These patients should be monitored closely given their propensity for severe disease.
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BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis has a mortality rate of 5-20%. Poor prognostic factors are older age; oliguria; elevated potassium, creatinine and/or bilirubin levels; and altered mental status. We conducted this retrospective study to analyse the predictors of mortality among Indian patients with leptospirosis. METHODS: Clinical, biochemical, demographic and treatment related data (time between onset of symptoms and commencement of leptospira specific antibiotics) of 101 leptospirosis patients were reviewed. Predictors identified by univariate analysis were analysed by multivariable Cox regression for survival analysis. RESULTS: Prominent clinical features were: fever (101/101, 100%), jaundice (62, 62.4%), vomiting (42, 41.6%), oliguria (35, 34.7%), cough (18, 17.8%) and dyspnoea (10, 10.0%). Common complications were acute kidney injury (22, 21.8%), cardiovascular collapse (13, 12.9%), haemorrhages (10, 10.0%), meningitis (7, 6.9%), acute respiratory distress syndrome and pancreatitis (5, 5.0% each). Seventeen patients died (16.8%). Univariate predictors of mortality were older age, delayed antibiotic therapy, higher bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, leucocyte count and aspartate/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR). Only AAR (HR 1.208, 95% CI 1.051-1.388) and number of days the patient was symptomatic before access to specific antibiotic therapy (HR 1.304, 95% CI 1.081-1.574) remained significant predictors after Cox regression. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate analysis showed high AAR and delayed antibiotic therapy might be associated with fatality.