Volume 29, Issue 4, 2021
Review
Infection risk with the use of interleukin inhibitors in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A narrative review
Koritala Thoyaja,
Pattan Vishwanath,
Tirupathi Raghavendra,
Rabaan Ali A.,
Al Mutair Abbas,
Alhumaid Saad,
Adhikari Ramesh,
Deepika Keerti,
Jain Nitesh Kumar,
Bansal Vikas,
Tekin Aysun,
Zec Simon,
Lal Amos,
Khan Syed Anjum,
Domecq Garces Juan Pablo,
Abu Omar M.,
Surani Salim R.,
Kashyap Rahul
Introduction: To date, only corticosteroids and interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. In this literature review, we aimed to summarize infection risk of IL inhibitors, with or without the use of corticosteroids, used to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Methods: A literature search was conducted using the following evidence-based medicine reviews: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Embase; Ovid Medline; and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, In-Data-Review & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Daily and Versions 1946 to April 28, 2021. All relevant articles were identified using the search terms COVID-19 or SARS- coronavirus-2, infections, interleukins, inpatients, adults, and incidence.
Results: We identified 36 studies of which 2 were meta-analyses, 5 were randomized controlled trials, 9 were prospective studies, and 20 were retrospective studies. When anakinra was compared with control, 2 studies reported an increased risk of infection, and 3 studies reported a similar, decreased incidence of infection. Canakinumab had a lower associated incidence of infection compared with placebo in one study. When sarilumab was compared with placebo, one study reported an increased risk of infection. Nine studies comparing tocilizumab with placebo reported decreased or no difference in infection risk (odds ratio [OR] for the studies ranged from 0.39-1.21). Fourteen studies comparing tocilizumab with placebo reported an increased risk of infection, ranging from 9.1% to 63.0% (OR for the studies ranged from 1.85-5.04). Infection most commonly presented as bacteremia. Of the 6 studies comparing tocilizumab and corticosteroid use with placebo, 4 reported a nonsignificant increase toward corticosteroids being associated with bacterial infections (OR ranged from 2.76-3.8), and 2 studies reported no increased association with a higher infection risk.
Conclusions: Our literature review showed mixed results with variable significance for the association of IL-6 inhibitors with risk of infections in patients with COVID-19.
Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review of literature
Nagalli Shivaraj,
Shankar Kikkeri Nidhi,
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Opportunistic infections such as mucormycosis have been reported among COVID-19 patients particularly in South Asian countries during the second wave of this pandemic. It is necessary to re-evaluate any changes in traditional risk factors associated with mucormycosis such as diabetes mellitus, organ transplant, etc in the precedent of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review using electronic databases. A total of 115 COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed with mucormycosis were included in this study. Diabetes mellitus was the most common co-morbidity with 77.1 %, followed by hypertension (29.5%) and renal disease (14.3%). 55.2 % of the patients had received dexamethasone for COVID-19 infection. Ten patients (11.5%) had received tocilizumab.
Sinuses were the most common site of mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients at 79.4% with maxillary sinus (47.4%) being most commonly infected. Orbits were the second most prevalent site at 56.7 % and lungs were infected with mucor at 11.3 %. The mean duration between the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and mucormycosis was 16.15 days (range 2-90 days). Cavernous sinus was either infiltrated or encased in 14 patients (14.4%). Cerebral involvement was seen in terms of abscess, infarcts, or edema in 12 patients (12.4%). Only 76 patients had data on the outcomes, out of which 37 (48.7%) patients had died. Diabetes mellitus is still the most common co-morbidity similar to non-COVID-19 patients. More than 90% of the patients with COVID-19 infection had received steroids. Complications such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, cerebral infarcts, abscesses were common. Indiscriminate use of steroids in patients needs to be avoided and focus needs to be put on tight blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Studies are needed to confirm the role of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in causing immune dysfunction and mucormycosis.
Neglected and (re-)emergent infections of the CNS in low-/middle-income countries
Cárdenas Graciela,
Salgado Perla,
Laura-Foronda Enrique,
Popoca-Rodriguez Ignacio,
Delgado-Hernández Rosa Delia,
Rojas Rafael,
Palacios Enrique
Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have suffered from long-term health system deficiencies, worsened by poor living conditions, lack of sanitation, a restricted access to health facilities and running water, overcrowding, and overpopulation. These factors favor human displacement and deepen marginalization; consequently, their population endures a high burden of infectious diseases.
In this context, the current epidemiological landscape and its impact on health and economic development are not promissory, despite the commitment by the international community to eradicate neglected tropical infections - especially tuberculosis and malaria, by 2030.
Neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are a major public health concern in these countries, as they cause a great morbidity and mortality; furthermore, survivors often suffer from severe neurological disabilities. Herein, we present a retrospective review focused on some neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases, including neurocysticercosis, malaria, rabies, West Nile virus encephalitis, tuberculosis, neuroborreliosis, and SARS-CoV-2 in LMIC.
A retrospective review of studies on selected neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases in LMIC was performed, including reports by the World Health Organization (WHO) published within the last five years. Data on infection by SARS-CoV-2 were provided by the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.
CNS neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases remain as important causes of disease in LMIC. An alarming increase in the prevalence of malaria, tuberculosis, and cysticercosis is observed in the region, compounded by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO is currently supporting programs/efforts to cope with these diseases.
Herein, we highlight the epidemiological burden of some CNS infections in the Caribbean, and their clinical and neuroimaging features, to facilitate an accurate diagnosis, considering that most of these diseases will not be eradicated in the short term; instead, their incidence will likely increase along with poverty, inequality, and related socioeconomic problems.
Tenofovir alafenamide clinical pharmacology
Di Perri Giovanni
Original article
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. A preliminary analysis from Ecuador
Vélez-Páez Jorge Luis,
Tercero-Martínez Wendy,
Jiménez-Alulima Glenda,
Navarrete-Domínguez Johanna,
Cornejo-Loor Luis,
Castro-Bustamante Christian,
Cabanillas-Lazo Miguel,
Barboza Joshuan J.,
Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J.
Introduction: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are at risk of hospital infection. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are established inflammation markers reflecting the systemic inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and bacterial co-infections, as well as the correlation with NLR and MPV. Methods: We assessed the role of the NLR and MPV in diagnosing bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the mean NLR and MPV between the diagnostic evaluation moments, while the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare NLR and MPV by sex and age. Results: The NLR was compared three days before the culture and the day of taking the culture, observing significant differences (p=0.020). MPV three days before the culture and the day of the culture were compared, also observing significant differences (p=0.031). NLR and MPV were compared at the different evaluation times according to sex and age group, observing for the age group significant differences for the NLR three days before the culture (p=0.004). Conclusion: In our study, there were significant differences in NLR and MPV between the three days before culture and the day of culture. It is advisable to continue to enrol more patients in the study so that in the future, we can add results on the diagnostic accuracy of the NLR and MPV in the timely diagnosis of bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19.
Development of post-COVID-19 cardiovascular events: an analysis of clinical features and risk factors from a single hospital retrospective study
Cuomo Gianluca,
Puzzolante Cinzia,
Iadisernia Vittorio,
Santoro Antonella,
Menozzi Marianna,
Carli Federica,
Digaetano Margherita,
Orlando Gabriella,
Franceschini Erica,
Bedini Andrea,
Meschiari Marianna,
Manzini Lisa,
Corradi Luca,
Milic Jovana,
Borghi Vanni,
Brugioni Lucio,
Pietrangelo Antonello,
Clini Enrico,
Girardis Massimo,
Guaraldi Giovanni,
Mussini Cristina
Cardiovascular complications after a SARS-CoV-2 infection are a phenomenon of relevant scientific interest. The aim of this study was to analyze the onset of post-COVID-19 cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized in a tertiary care center.
This is a retrospective study conducted on patients hospitalized over a period of three months. The patients were older than 18 years of age and had a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection confirmed from a nasopharyngeal swab sample. Anamnestic and clinical-laboratory data were collected. Cardiovascular events at 30 days were defined as follows: arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and pulmonary embolism. Univariate analysis (Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate) and multivariate analysis (multinomial logistic regression) were applied to the data.
A total of 394 patients were included; they were mostly males and had a median age of 65.5 years. Previous cardiovascular disease was present in 14.7% of patients. Oxygen therapy was required for 77.9%, and 53% received anticoagulant therapy. The overall 30-day mortality was 20.3%. A cardiovascular event developed in 15.7% of the subjects. These were mainly pulmonary embolism (9.4%), followed by arrhythmias (3.3%), myocardial infarction (2.3%), and myocarditis (0.8%). Patients who developed cardiovascular events upon univariate analysis were significantly older, with major comorbidities, a more compromised respiratory situation, and a higher mortality rate. Multivariate analysis revealed independent factors that were significantly associated with the development of cardiovascular events: hypertension, endotracheal intubation, and age older than 75 years.
In patients with COVID-19, the development of a cardiovascular event occurs quite frequently and is mainly seen in elderly subjects with comorbidities (especially hypertension) in the presence of a severe respiratory picture.
Gastrointestinal manifestations in American minority population with COVID-19
Kalabin Aleksandr,
Mani Vishnu Raj Kumar,
Valdivieso Sebastian Cristobal,
Donaldson Brian
Background: The spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) injuries by the SARS-CoV-2 remain largely unknown. Ethnicity data is missing or unspecified. We analyzed GI involvement in American minority patients with COVID-19 infection.
Methods: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 in March–April 2020.
Results: 183 patients included: 114 (62.30%) African-Americans, 58 (31.69%) Hispanics and 11 (6.01%) Asians. 73 females, 110 males; mean age 64.77, mean BMI 29.03 (50.82%); GI manifestations upon presentation: anorexia (29.51%), diarrhea (22.40%), nausea/vomiting (18.03%), abdominal pain (9.84%). No difference observed between three ethnical groups for GI symptoms and liver function tests. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (P=0.008), Lactate (P=0.03) and Prothrombine Time (PT) (P=0.03) were significantly elevated in patients without GI symptoms. No difference was observed for other laboratory tests. Patients with severe disease course/intubated had higher levels of Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (109.17 vs 53.97, P=0.018), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (79.53 vs 40.03, P=0.02) and total bilirubin (0.82 vs 0.60, P=0.03) vs non-intubated patents as well as body temperature (101.38 vs 100.70, p=0.0006), CRP (24.06 v 15.96, P=0.019) and lactate (3.28 vs 2.13, P=0.009). There was no correlation between severity of the disease and GI symptoms, PT, platelets and albumin. However, CRP and lactate were markedly elevated in deceased vs survived patients: (27.09 vs 16.39, P=0.008) and (3.33 vs 2.10 P=0.005) respectively.
Conclusions: About 50% of patients presented with GI symptoms and they had lower levels of inflammatory markers, better liver synthetic function, indicating less overall inflammatory response and direct viral damage. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 virus targets GI tract along with the lung tissue, and the degree of hepatocyte damage correlated well with more severe disease.
Pilot study on burden of fungal contamination in face masks: need for better mask hygiene in the COVID-19 era
Keri Vishakh C,
Kumar Arvind,
Singh Gagandeep,
Mandal Ayan,
Ali Haider,
Ranjan Piyush,
Wig Naveet
Risk factors which led to the outbreak of COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis still remains elusive. Face masks can become contaminated by fungal spores that are present ubiquitously in the environment. However the exact burden of such contamination is not known.
Fifty masks of patients who attended the Employees Health Scheme COVID-19 facility of a tertiary healthcare centre in India were sampled by direct impression smears on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Agar plates were screened for any growth within five days after incubation. Growth was identified by microscopy of the Lactophenol Cotton Blue mount. Mask hygiene practices of participants was assessed using a pre-designed proforma.
Out of 50 masks, fungal contamination was seen in 35/50 (70%) masks, with Aspergillus sp. being isolated from 26/50 (52%) masks and Mucorales being isolated from 9/50 (18%) of the masks. Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus arrhizus and Syncephalastrum sp. were the most common species isolated. Same mask was worn for a median duration of 8 days (2-30 days) at a stretch with or without washing. Thirty one patients washed and re-wore their masks, with median time duration since last wash being 12 hours (4-72 hours). None of the factors assessed for mask hygiene were associated with fungal contamination.
High rates of fungal contamination observed in our study emphasizes the need for better mask hygiene in the COVID-19 era.
Comparison of real-time PCR assay with a commercial rapid test based on the immunochromatographic principle for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in seminal fluid and urine specimens
Serafini Angela,
Mei Cinzia,
Mattei Roberta,
De Santi Mauro,
Brandi Giorgio
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, with the highest prevalence in sexually active young women. Since most chlamydial infections are asymptomatic, facilitating the transmission of the pathogen in the population, regular screening is recommended for at-risk sexually active individuals. Hence, a sensitive, specific, inexpensive diagnostic test that can be executed efficiently and quickly to yield results would be helpful. In this study, we evaluated the performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the Chlamydia Rapid Test Device, an inexpensive rapid test based on immunochromatographic analysis. We then compared these results to those obtained using real-time PCR, the gold standard for C. trachomatis testing. Seminal fluid and urine specimens of male subjects were tested.
The rapid test was applied to 220 seminal fluid samples, showing a sensitivity of 0%. On the other hand, used in 114 urine specimens, the rapid test showed 37.5% and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Hence, the Chlamydia Rapid Test Device was shown to be insufficiently sensitive to be recommended as a screening test and diagnostic method for the detection of C. trachomatis in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Finally, the present investigation showed an infection prevalence of 5% calculated using seminal fluid, with a mean age of 28 years.
Evaluation of three different methods for susceptibility testing of gentamicin in carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales
Tanriverdi Cayci Yeliz,
Hacieminoglu Ulker Kubra,
Birinci Asuman
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have become a growing problem worldwide in recent years. Options for the treatment of CRE are limited and one of these options is gentamicin. For this reason, gentamicin susceptibility should be properly determined. In a recently reported study, it is recommended to review the results of automated systems for assessing gentamicin susceptibility in carbapenem-resistant isolates. In this study, we aimed to determine gentamicin susceptibility using three different methods and compare the methods. The study included 107 CRE isolates from different samples. Gentamicin susceptibility was determined using Vitek 2 Compact (bioMérieux, France), Microscan Walkaway Plus (Beckman Coulter, USA) automatic systems, and disk diffusion (DD) method. The broth microdilution method (BMD) was used as reference method. Minor, major, and very major errors and categorical agreement rates were determined for each method. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (aac(6')Ib and aph(2'')Ia) were assayed in discrepant isolates. According to BMD results, 90.7 %, 1,8 %, and 7.5 % of the isolates were determined as susceptible, intermediate, and resistant to gentamicin, respectively. Compared to the results of the BMD for detecting gentamicin susceptibility, disk diffusion method showed the highest categorical agreement (98.1%), and Vitek 2 Compact showed the lowest categorical agreement (90.6%). The very major error rates were determined 7.5%, 0.9%, and 0.9% for Vitek 2 Compact, Microscan Walkaway Plus, and DD method, respectively. In addition, aac(6’)Ib and aph(2’’)Ia genes were detected in 8 discrepant isolates. For gentamicin susceptibility, the DD showed the most compatible results. The DD can be used as a reliable method for determining gentamicin susceptibility. Compatibility of automated systems with BMD was acceptable, although lower than DD. The discrepancies detected in the Vitek 2 Compact results could be due to the presence of aac(6')Ib and/or aph(2'')Ia aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes.
Keywords: Enterobacterales, susceptibility, antimicrobial test, gentamicin, carbapanem resistance.
Osteoarticular melioidosis: a retrospective cohort study of a neglected disease
Gupta Nitin,
Bhat Shyamasunder N.,
Reddysetti Suhas,
Kadavigere Rajagopal,
Godkhindi Vishwapriya M.,
Mukhopadhyay Chiranjay,
Saravu Kavitha
Introduction: Patients with melioidosis can present with a combination of fever, respiratory distress and focal involvement. Focal involvement of bone and joint is, however, rare in patients with melioidosis. This study aimed to characterize patients with osteoarticular melioidosis. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of records of all adult patients diagnosed with culture-positive osteoarticular melioidosis over three years. The clinical, laboratory and treatment details were recorded in a predefined case-record form and analyzed. Results: Of the 11 patients with osteoarticular melioidosis, 55% (n=6) had concurrent pulmonary involvement. The patients were classified as isolated osteomyelitis (n=3), isolated arthritis (n=3), and both osteomyelitis and septic arthritis (n=5). Of eight patients with joint involvement, 87.5% had monoarthritis. A single bone was involved in 75% of the patients with bone involvement (n=8). Concomitant myositis was seen in 36.4% (n=4) of the cases. Local debridement of the involved bone or joint was done in 54.5% (n=6) of the cases. Combination therapy with ceftazidime/meropenem and cotrimoxazole was predominantly used as intensive therapy for a mean of 3+1.3 weeks. Monotherapy with cotrimoxazole was used as eradication therapy for a mean of 4.6+2 months. Except for one patient with recurrent disease and one death, all patients were declared cured at the end of therapy. Conclusion: Osteoarticular melioidosis should be suspected in high-risk individuals from endemic areas with single bone or joint involvement and surrounding myositis. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy is key to a favourable response.
Mixed tuberculosis infections in Northwest of Iran
Asgharzadeh Mohammad,
Taghinejad Zahra,
Mahdavipoor Behroz,
Asgharzadeh Vahid,
Samadi Kafil Hossein,
Rashedi Jalil
Primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection doesn't provide protection against secondary infection and patients can suffer from multiple strains of M. tuberculosis simultaneously. The aim of this study was to use molecular genotyping to identify cases of mixed infection in Northwest of Iran.
One hundred and twenty-one positive culture isolates of M. tuberculosis were prepared from patients consecutively in Northwest of Iran from March 2017 to March 2018 and then microevolution and mix infection were assessed using the mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) method.
MIRU-VNTR analysis revealed that nine samples (7.3%) had double alleles in at least one locus, as observed by five cases of microevolution, and four cases (3.3%) of mixed infection.
According to this study, mixed infection in Northwest of Iran has significantly decreased compared to 13 years ago (7.1% decreased to 3.3%), and in order to eradicate tuberculosis it is necessary to identify all cases of mixed infection, at least in recurrent cases, in the future.
Mortality and disability reported after immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Meregildo-Rodriguez Edinson Dante,
Bardales-Zuta Victor Hugo
Objective: To compare the clinical results (28-day mortality and disability at discharge) in patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) treated with immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis at the Lambayeque Regional Hospital.
Patients and methods: Retrospective Cohort Study. Brighton criteria was used for diagnosing GBS, and modified Rankin scale (MRS) was employed for evaluating functional outcome. We used logistic regression for data analyses.
Results: A total of 142 cases of GBS diagnosed from 2011 to 2020 were included. GBS presented in a seasonal pattern; 60% of cases occurred in winter and spring. Motor variants (AMAN and AMSAN) accounted for 60% of cases, whereas only 8.5% of cases were typical GBS (AIDP). About 60% of patients were males, and 56% of cases corresponded to the age range of 20-59 years. Patients aged ≥60 years accounted for only 24% of total cases of GBS, but this group had a lethality of 58.3%. Although 28-day mortality was statistically similar in both treatment groups (plasmapheresis or immunoglobulin), we found a trend toward lower mortality in the plasmapheresis group (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62- 0.97; p = 0.062). We found no differences in terms of disability at discharge in GBS patients treated with plasmapheresis or immunoglobulin.
Conclusion: Mortality and functional outcome were statistically similar between patients treated with immunoglobulin or plasmatic exchange. However, there was a trend toward lower mortality in patients treated with plasmapheresis.
A ten-year retrospective analysis of nocardiosis in a tertiary care center of South-coastal India
Udyavara Kudru Chandrashekar,
Kumar Abishek,
Chawla Kiran,
Minnamreddigari Cheshmitha,
Siddalingaiah Nayana,
Guddattu Vasudeva
Nocardiosis is an uncommon life-threatening infection caused by Nocardia spp. This study aimed to review the distribution of risk factors, clinical characteristics, microbiological findings, treatment and outcome of patients diagnosed with nocardiosis. This study was a retrospective case record review of all nocardiosis cases that were diagnosed at our tertiary care hospital from January 2008 to December 2019. A total of 48 patients with a mean age of 52.2±16.28 years were included. Out of which forty one (85%) were diagnosed as pulmonary nocardiosis and seven (14.6%) as disseminated disease. Chronic lung disease 25 (52.1%), long term steroid use 22 (45.8%) followed by diabetes mellitus 11 (22.9%) were common predisposing factors. The common symptoms were fever (87.5%), cough (79.2%) and breathlessness (52.1%). The most frequent radiologic finding included consolidation in 38 (79.1%), cavitation with thickened wall in 2 (4.1%), reticulonodular shadows in 2 (4.1%), and unilateral pleural effusion in 5 (10.4%). Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (22.9%) was frequently isolated from cultures. Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was observed in 21% cases. Mortality was noted in 6 (12.5%) patients and all were with pulmonary involvement. The percentage of death among those with and without pulmonary tuberculosis was 33.3% and 5% respectively. Patients affected by pulmonary nocardiosis with previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis showed significant association with poor outcome (p-value = 0.05). In conclusion, nocardiosis mainly affects patients with structural lung disease or immunocompromised hosts with adverse outcome. Awareness of this infection is crucial for a clinician, and any suspicion should lead to make an early diagnosis and choose an appropriate empirical treatment to improve the outcome in this population.
Case report
Cranial neuropathy in COVID-19: a case series and review of literature
Bohania Niraj,
Ish Pranav,
Nune Arvind,
Iyengar Karthikeyan P.
Neurological presentation of COVID-19 is increasingly being recognised. Cranial neuropathy in COVID-19 is an uncommon and underdiagnosed entity. We report a case series of 4 patients who presented with trigeminal neuropathy (two cases) and facial nerve palsy (two cases) which recovered with conservative treatment along with the review of the literature.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in breast cancer mimicking SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during pandemic
Castelnuovo Filippo,
Tiecco Giorgio,
Storti Samuele,
Fumarola Benedetta,
Brianese Nigritella,
Bertelli Davide,
Castelli Francesco
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is one of the most common HIV-related opportunistic infection. Apart from HIV patients, subjects treated with an associated therapy of high doses glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs should be considered at risk. SARS-CoV-2 has become worldly known as the responsible of the pandemic that hit the world in late 2019 and that is still ongoing. Italy, and especially Brescia, was one of the area most struck by the pandemic, with a significant number of cases being reported (more than 112,648 as of October 2021).
The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is mainly based on RT-PCR assays performed on nasopharyngeal swab, X-ray of the chest and clinical manifestations.
We describe two cases of PJP in two immunocompromised patients with breast cancer who were admitted at Spedali Civili of Brescia hospital, Italy, with an initial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, despite testing negative to RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. We also retrospectively reassessed all cases of pneumonia deemed as SARS-CoV-2-related upon admission and then converted to PJP as the final diagnosis. We describe the two following cases to emphasize that clinicians should always be alert about PJP, even during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and avoid focusing on COVID-19 exclusively. PJP should always be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients, particularly if immunosuppressed, with an X-ray or TC of the chest suggestive of interstitial pneumonia and a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs.
Hepato-splenic candidiasis confirmed following splenectomy: a case report
Peinoit Alexandre,
Cousin Elie,
Escoffre-Barbe Martine,
Bernard Marc,
Benezit François,
Lamy Thierry
We report a case of severe refractory hepato-splenic candidiasis confirmed following splenectomy in an immuno-compromised 54-year-old woman treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Liver biopsies did not contribute to identifying the etiology of the multiple hepato-splenic lesions. In view of the lack of improvement after several lines of antifungal treatments, a splenectomy was performed and confirmed splenic candidiasis. PET/CT scan was used to monitor the evolution of hepato-splenic hypermetabolism. Splenectomy can be envisaged to establish fungal infection in immuno-compromised patients, to exclude relapse, and to guide the choice of antifungal agents.
The Infections in the History of Medicine
Mycobacterium leprae: A historical study on the origins of leprosy and its social stigma
Santacroce Luigi,
Del Prete Raffaele,
Charitos Ioannis Alexandros,
Bottalico Lucrezia
This article aims to investigate about the social stigma and the prejudice of society towards the patients with leprosy, but also to understand how this infectious disease has largely influenced human lifestyle and evolution analyzing the evolution of its treatments from past empirical treatments to actual multidrug therapy (MDT).
References on leprosy were extensively searched in literature using PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Springer link and Elsevier’s (EMBASE.com) databases, but also in medical, religious and archaeological books.
Leprosy’s spread all around the world following human paths of migration from the African Continent to the Asian one and to Europe, instead its appearance in the New Continent is more recent. Wars, unhygienic conditions, social and health inequality created conditions for its spread since prehistorical times, and existing health disparities contributed to unequal morbidity and mortality, before its gradual decline after the Middle Ages due to the raise of other worse pandemics. Starting from Renaissance, a deeper knowledge on its pathophysiological mechanisms brought an increasingly advanced combined surgical and pharmacological treatment, but still in modern times many efforts have been made to erase its social stigma, changing its name in “Hansen’s disease” included.
Figurative aspects suggestive of infectious diseases in the ceramic pots of the pre-Columbian Moche culture. Analysis of the ceramics collection in the Larco Museum of Lima, Peru
Sabbatani Sergio,
Fiorino Sirio,
Manfredi Roberto
The historical-medical and anthropological studies, regarding Mesoamerica and South America, have been mainly focused on the great empires (Inca, Atzec, Maya), while other civilizations have been less investigated and only recently are gaining interest. In general, the paleopathological research provides interesting data to know the type of nutrition and the general environmental conditions as well as to point out some ritual mutilation practices, which were relatively frequent in the pre-Columbian cultures. A lot of civilizations flourished in the South America before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores in the new world. In the last years it is progressively increasing the interest for the study of the Moche culture as well as for a deeper knowledge of pathocenosis of infectious diseases in the Moche society. Human infectious diseases are known to have a frequent animal origin, in particular from domesticated species, although the species domesticated in the pre-Columbian era were a small number. The purpose of our paper has been to examine the archeological findings suggestive of infectious diseases in artistic ceramic pots, dating back to the Moche period. We examined the iconography of ceramic pots belonging to the collection of the Larco Museum in Lima and reproducing body signs suggestive of infectious diseases. We identified 8 handworks with very interesting features by a medical point of view. In these handworks there are signs and lesions possibly associated with infectious diseases: risus sardonicus, orbital edema, facial nerve palsy, dorsal kyphosis, face and skin lesions. These features are compatible with some infectious diseases, including: syphilis, Bartonella bacilliformis, leishmaniasis, Pott’s disease and Chagas disease. A wide discussion about these handworks is provided.
Letters to the editor
Global implication of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Kunal Shekhar, Ray Ishita, Ish Pranav
Not available
