scholarly journals Clinical progression and outcomes of 260 patients with severe COVID-19: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjuan Wang ◽  
Xulei Zheng ◽  
Jianbin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Clinical Progression ◽  
Empirical Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Blood Biochemical ◽  
Initial Onset ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an observational, prospective study of the clinical progression and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19. Overall, 260 patients with severe COVID-19 were included. The median age of the patients was 61 years (IQR 42.0–73.0), and 119 (45.8%) patients had one or more medical comorbidities. The median time from initial onset of symptoms to hospital admission was 8 days (IQR 6.0–11.0). Varying degrees of abnormalities in blood biochemical results were detected in most patients. All patients received supportive therapy and antiviral treatment. All patients were administered empirical antibiotic treatment with a median time of 5 days (IQR 3–7). Mechanical ventilation was required in accordance with respiratory conditions. At the data cutoff, 183 (70.4%) patients had been discharged, and 17 (6.5%) patients had been transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). Twenty-five (9.6%) patients had died, and 35 (13.5%) patients were still in the hospital. During follow-up, 7 patients with fever were negative for SARS-Cov-2 antigens upon retest. The implications of the results are discussed for clinical features and the management of patients with severe COVID-19.

90-Yttrium Ibritumomab Tiuxetan (Zevalin) and BEAM Chemotherapy (Z-BEAM) Vs BEAM for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Lymphoma: Toxicity and Long Term Outcome From a Retrospective Multicentric Study of 123 Patients.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2726-2726
Author(s):  
Louis Terriou ◽  
Hanane Gasmi ◽  
Salomon Manier ◽  
Isabelle Plantier ◽  
Marc Wetterwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Second Line ◽  
First Line ◽  
Ibritumomab Tiuxetan ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract Abstract 2726 Background. There is a need for improving conditioning regimens in poor risk Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) patients (pts) eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Incorporating radioimmunotherapy in the conditioning is an option. Bexxar-BEAM does not appear to be superior to BEAM in relapsed Diffuse Large B –cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The benefic risk ratio of 90-yttrium ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) BEAM remains to be established. Aims and methods. We analyzed retrospectively the efficacy and the toxicity of Zevalin combined with BEAM chemotherapy (Z-BEAM) compared with BEAM alone followed by ASCT. From January 2000 to November 2004 (BEAM group) and from June 2005 to December 2011 (Z-BEAM group), 55 and 68 pts respectively were treated in 6 French centers (male n=78, female n=45). Zevalin was administered on day-14 prior to ASCT with standard dose of 0.4 mci/kg (n=32) or 0.3 mci/kg (n=36) chosen according to bone marrow reserve. The efficacy and toxicity were compared between the two groups. Results. The study included 123 pts (median age: 53 years old; range 21–69) with different histological subtypes (58 DLBCL, 19 Mantle cell lymphomas, 37 follicular lymphoma, 3 marginal zone lymphoma, 4 MALT lymphoma and 2 B-lymphocytic lymphoma). Fifty-four pts were treated in first line (20 in the Z-BEAM group and 34 in the BEAM group) and 69 pts in second line (Z-BEAM, n=48; BEAM, n=21). The median time to platelets engraftment (>20000/mm3) was 9 days and 10 days in the Z-BEAM and BEAM group respectively (p=0.334), and the median time to neutrophil engraftment (>500/mm3) was 11 days and 12 days respectively (P=0.117). Grade 3/4 infectious events were more frequent in the Z-BEAM group (80.9%) than in the BEAM group (56.4%), p=0.0001. Grade 3/4 mucositis were observed in 42.6% in the Z-BEAM group Vs 12.7% in the BEAM group (p<0.0001). Admissions to intensive care unit were more frequent in the Z-BEAM group (20.6%) than in the BEAM group (7.3%), p=0.038. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) occurred in six (8.8%) patients in the Z-BEAM group and only one patient (1.8%) in the BEAM group (P=0.071). Median follow up was 73 months in the BEAM group (range 3.1–141 months) and 31 months in the Z-BEAM group (1.4–80.9 months). The 3-years OS is 80% (95%CI, 69–89%) and 78.1% (95%CI, 64.5–88%) in the Z-BEAM and the BEAM group respectively (P=0.864), and 3-years PFS was 65% (95%CI, 56–79%) and 63.4% (95%CI, 51–77%) respectively (P=0.539). Outcome was not statically different with Age (>60 y.o), histological subtype, first line treatment Vs second line, or IPI (0–1 Vs 2–3). In a subset analysis of the Z-BEAM group, female gender was associated with worse outcome; 3 years-OS was 69% (95%CI, 48–85%) in female and 93% (95%CI, 79–98%) in male (p=0.042); 3 years-PFS was 54% (95%CI, 34–73%) in female and 81% (95%CI, 65–91%) in male (p=0.032). Those results may be linked to a higher TRM, 23.1% Vs 0% (P=0.002), more respiratory complications 23.1% Vs 4.8 % ( P=0.047) and more admissions to intensive care unit 46,1% Vs 2 % (P< 0.0001) in female than in male group respectively. Conclusions. Z-BEAM is possibly as effective as BEAM alone as a conditioning regimen for ASCT with an increased toxicity. Surprisingly, our series report for the first time an increased toxicity and TRM in female. A longer follow up is needed to asses this results. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

European Recommendations for the Management of Healthcare Workers Occupationally Exposed to Hepatitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Enis Uruci
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Antibody Concentration ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Transferase Activity ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Exposure prevention is the primary strategy to reduce the risk of occupational bloodborne pathogen infections in healthcare workers (HCW). HCWs should be made aware of the medicolegal and clinical relevance of reporting an exposure, and have ready access to expert consultants to receive appropriate counselling, treatment and follow-up. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and demonstration of immunisation before employment are strongly recommended. HCWs with postvaccinal anti-HBs levels, 1-2 months after vaccine completion, .or=10 mIU/mL are considered as responders. Responders are protected against HBV infection: booster doses of vaccine or periodic antibody concentration testing are not recommended. Alternative strategies to overcome non-response should be adopted. Isolated anti-HBc positive HCWs should be tested for anti-HBcIgM and HBV-DNA: if negative, anti-HBs response to vaccination can distinguish between infection (anti-HBs .or=50 mIU/ml 30 days after 1st vaccination: anamnestic response) and false positive results(anti-HBs .or=10 mUI/ml 30 days after 3rd vaccination: primary response); true positive subjects have resistance to re-infection. and do not need vaccination The management of an occupational exposure to HBV differs according to the susceptibility of the exposed HCW and the serostatus of the source. When indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis with HBV vaccine, hepatitis B immunoglobulin or both must be started as soon as possible (within 1-7 days). In the absence of prophylaxis against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, follow-up management of HCV exposures depends on whether antiviral treatment during the acute phase is chosen. Test the HCW for HCV-Ab at baseline and after 6 months; up to 12 for HIV-HCV co-infected sources. If treatment is recommended, perform ALT (amino alanine transferase) activity at baseline and monthly for 4 months after exposure, and qualitative HCV-RNA when an increase is detected. Introduction Bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) represent an important hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs) (1). In the general population, HCV prevalence varies geographically from about 0.5% in northern countries to 2% in Mediterranean countries, with some 5 million chronic carriers estimated in Europe; while HBV prevalence ranges from 0.3% to 3%. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year in Europe 304 000 HCWs are exposed to at least one percutaneous injury with a sharp object contaminated with HBV, 149 000 are exposed to HCV and 22 000 to HIV. The probability of acquiring a bloodborne infection following an occupational exposure has been estimated to be on average.

Gestational diabetes mellitus: are mothers being followed-up? A retrospective study

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697469
Author(s):  
Rebecca Ward ◽  
Fahmy W Hanna ◽  
Ann Shelley-Hitchen ◽  
Ellen Hodgson ◽  
Adrian Heald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Tertiary Referral Centre ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Nice Guidance ◽  
History Of

BackgroundWomen with gestational diabetes (GDM) have an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). NICE Guidance recommends women who develop GDM are screened 6 weeks post-partum and annually thereafter.AimTo evaluate conformity to guidance of screening in women with GDM by 6-week post-partum fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and annual FPG and determine time between delivery and development of T2DM.MethodRecords at a tertiary referral centre were used to identify women (n = 54) diagnosed with GDM by antenatal oral glucose tolerance test between July 1999 and January 2007. Data from laboratory records were used to collect investigations of glycaemic status during the follow-up period (median follow-up 12.4 years, range 9.5–17.1 years).ResultsOf 252 women, 102 (40.2%) did not have a FPG at 6 weeks (+/−2 weeks). Of these, median time to first test was 1.2 years (range 0.04–10.8 years), with only 43.1% followed-up within 1 year. In those who had a 6-week FPG, 17 (11.3%) women had no further tests. A total of 84 (33% of those with gestational diabetes in the index pregnancy) women were diagnosed with T2DM; median time from delivery to diagnosis was 5.2 years (range 0.35–15.95). We found the only significant factor for a follow-up test at 1-year post-partum was the use of insulin.ConclusionOur data suggest an alternative approach is needed for monitoring women with a history of GDM. This needs to be appropriate for a generally healthy group in which traditional screening mechanisms may not be adequate or sufficient.

Elucidating the risk factors for progression from amyloid-negative amnestic mild cognitive impairment to dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyung-Ji Kim ◽  
Jae-Hong Lee ◽  
E-nae Cheong ◽  
Sung-Eun Chung ◽  
Sungyang Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Amyloid Pet ◽  
Clinical Progression ◽  
Amnestic Mci

Background: Amyloid PET allows for the assessment of amyloid β status in the brain, distinguishing true Alzheimer’s disease from Alzheimer’s disease-mimicking conditions. Around 15–20% of patients with clinically probable Alzheimer’s disease have been found to have no significant Alzheimer’s pathology on amyloid PET. However, a limited number of studies had been conducted this subpopulation in terms of clinical progression. Objective: We investigated the risk factors that could affect the progression to dementia in patients with amyloid-negative amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: This study was a single-institutional, retrospective cohort study of patients over the age of 50 with amyloidnegative amnestic MCI who visited the memory clinic of Asan Medical Center with a follow-up period of more than 36 months. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed neuropsychological testing, and fluorine-18[F18]-florbetaben amyloid PET. Results: During the follow-up period, 39 of 107 patients progressed to dementia from amnestic MCI. In comparison with the stationary group, the progressed group had a more severe impairment in verbal and visual episodic memory function and hippocampal atrophy, which showed an Alzheimer’s disease-like pattern despite the lack of evidence for significant Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Voxel-based morphometric MRI analysis revealed that the progressed group had a reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral cerebellar cortices, right temporal cortex, and bilateral insular cortices. Conclusion: Considering the lack of evidence of amyloid pathology, clinical progression of these subpopulation may be caused by other neuropathologies such as TDP-43, abnormal tau or alpha synuclein that lead to neurodegeneration independent of amyloid-driven pathway. Further prospective studies incorporating biomarkers of Alzheimer’s diseasemimicking dementia are warranted.

scholarly journals Rare Etiology of Odynophagia in a Female Adolescent

2021 ◽  
pp. 352-358
Author(s):  
Anastasios Koutsoumourakis ◽  
Asterios Gagalis ◽  
Maria Fotoulaki ◽  
Maria Stafylidou
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Esophageal Mucosa ◽  
Intact Immune System ◽  
History Of ◽  
Orolabial Herpes

Herpes esophagitis (HE) is a rare condition in immunocompetent adolescents. However, it commonly occurs as a primary infection in younger individuals. Herein, we report a 16-year-old female patient who had a history of fever for 5 days, odynophagia, and orolabial herpes infection for 7 days. Clusters of painful vesicles on an erythematous base on the lips, gingiva, and palate were observed on physical examination. Further, esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed diffuse linear ulcerations in the distal esophagus. The patient then received the following treatment: intravenous (I.V.) acyclovir 5 mg/kg three times a day, I.V. omeprazole 40 mg two times a day, and acyclovir 5% cream four times a day. After 8 days of admission, the patient was discharged. A follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed 7 weeks after discharge, and the results revealed that the esophageal mucosa had a normal appearance. The effect of antiviral treatment against HE remains unknown in these patients. Nevertheless, it is believed to accelerate the healing process in individuals with esophageal mucosal barrier damage. To the best of our knowledge, this case of a female adolescent with an intact immune system is the sixth case of herpes simplex esophagitis to be reported in the literature.

scholarly journals Long-term remission of acromegaly after somatostatin analogues withdrawal: a single-centre experience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sala ◽  
G. Carosi ◽  
G. Del Sindaco ◽  
R. Mungari ◽  
A. Cremaschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Somatostatin Analogues ◽  
Exclusion Criterion ◽  
Single Centre ◽  
Disease Evolution ◽  
Single Centre Experience ◽  
Pituitary Irradiation

Abstract Purpose A long-lasting remission of acromegaly after somatostatin analogues (SAs) withdrawal has been described in some series. Our aim was to update the disease evolution after SAs withdrawal in a cohort of acromegalic patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 21 acromegalic patients previously included in a multicentre study (Ronchi et al. 2008), updating data at the last follow-up. We added further 8 patients selected for SAs withdrawal between 2008–2018. Pituitary irradiation represented an exclusion criterion. The withdrawal was suggested after at least 9 months of clinical and hormonal disease control. Clinical and biochemical data prior and after SAs withdrawal were analysed. Results In the whole cohort (29 patients) mean age was 50 ± 14.9 years and 72.4% were females. In 69% pituitary surgery was previously performed. Overall, the median time of treatment before SAs withdrawal was 53 months (IQR = 24–84). At the last follow up in 2019, 23/29 patients (79.3%) had a disease relapse after a median time of 6 months (interquartile range or IQR = 3–12) from the drug suspension, while 6/29 (20.7%) were still on remission after 120 months (IQR = 66–150). IGF-1 levels were significantly lower before withdrawal in patients with persistent remission compared to relapsing ones (IGF-1 SDS: -1.5 ± 0.6 vs -0.11 ± 1, p = 0.01). We did not observe any other difference between patients with and without relapse, including SAs formulation, dosage and treatment duration. Conclusion A successful withdrawal of SAs is possible in a subset of well-controlled acromegalic patients and it challenges the concept that medical therapy is a lifelong requirement.

scholarly journals Large Bowel Ischemia/Infarction: How to Recognize It and Make Differential Diagnosis? A Review

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 998
Author(s):  
Francesca Iacobellis ◽  
Donatella Narese ◽  
Daniela Berritto ◽  
Antonio Brillantino ◽  
Marco Di Serafino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Colitis ◽  
Intestinal Ischemia ◽  
Bowel Wall ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Ischemic Necrosis ◽  
Diagnostic Investigation ◽  
Enhanced Ct ◽  
Common Etiology

Ischemic colitis represents the most frequent form of intestinal ischemia occurring when there is an acute impairment or chronic reduction in the colonic blood supply, resulting in mucosal ulceration, inflammation, hemorrhage and ischemic necrosis of variable severity. The clinical presentation is variable and nonspecific, so it is often misdiagnosed. The most common etiology is hypoperfusion, almost always associated with generalized atherosclerotic disease. The severity ranges from localized and transient ischemia to transmural necrosis of the bowel wall, becoming a surgical emergency, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory suspicion and radiological, endoscopic and histopathological findings. Among the radiological tests, enhanced-CT is the diagnostic investigation of choice. It allows us to make the diagnosis in an appropriate clinical setting, and to define the entity of the ischemia. MR may be adopted in the follow-up in patients with iodine allergy or renal dysfunctions, or younger patients who should avoid radiological exposure. In the majority of cases, supportive therapy is the only required treatment. In this article we review the pathophysiology and the imaging findings of ischemic colitis.

scholarly journals Patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants; experience of a tertiary referral neonatal intensive care unit: prevalence, complications, and management

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem M. Soliman ◽  
Fatma Alzahraah Mostafa ◽  
Antoine Abdelmassih ◽  
Elham Sultan ◽  
Dalia Mosallam
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Patent Ductus Arteriosus ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Ductus Arteriosus ◽  
Patent Ductus

Abstract Background Patent ductus arteriosus poses diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for clinicians, diagnosis of persistent PDA, and determination of its clinical and hemodynamic significance are challenging. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of PDA in preterm infants admitted to our NICU, to report cardiac and respiratory complications of PDA, and to study the management strategies and their subsequent outcomes. Result Echocardiography was done for 152 preterm babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on day 3 of life. Eighty-seven (57.2%) preterms had PDA; 54 (62.1%) non-hemodynamically significant PDA (non-hsPDA), and 33 (37.9%) hemodynamically significant PDA. Hemodynamically significant PDA received medical treatment (paracetamol 15 mg/kg/6 h IV for 3 days). Follow-up echocadiography was done on day 7 of life. Four babies died before echo was done on day 7. Twenty babies (68.9%) achieved closure after 1st paracetamol course. Nine babies received 2nd course paracetamol. Follow-up echo done on day 11 of life showed 4 (13.7%) babies achieved successful medical closure after 2nd paracetamol course; 5 babies failed closure and were assigned for surgical ligation. The group of non-hsPDA showed spontaneous closure after conservative treatment. Pulmonary hemorrhage was significantly higher in hsPDA group. Mortality was higher in hsPDA group than non-hsPDA group. Conclusion Echocardiographic evaluation should be done for all preterms suspected clinically of having PDA. We should not expose vulnerable population of preterm infants to medication with known side effects unnecessarily; we should limit medical closure of PDA to hsPDA. Paracetamol offers several important therapeutic advantages options being well tolerated and having more favorable side effects profile.

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