Eosinophilia and cystic echinococcosis: what is the relationship?

Author(s):  
Javier Collado-Aliaga ◽  
Ángela Romero-Alegría ◽  
Montserrat Alonso-Sardón ◽  
Amparo López-Bernus ◽  
Inmaculada Galindo-Pérez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic, complex and neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Eosinophilia in CE is a classic analytic alteration, although its presentation and importance is very variable and not well established. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of inpatients diagnosed with CE and eosinophilia from January 1998 to December 2017 in the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca in western Spain. Results During the study period, 475 patients with a CE diagnosis underwent a haemogram and 118 (24.8%) patients had eosinophilia. Eighty-two (69.5%) were male and the mean age was 52.1±20.8 y, which was younger in the group with eosinophilia (p<0.001). The patients with eosinophilia had less comorbidity (33.1% vs 52.9%; p<0.001) and they were diagnosed with more complications (60.2% vs 39.8% asymptomatic; p<0.001). Clinical manifestations appeared in 71 cases (60.2%). The eosinophilia was related to the presence of pre-surgical fistulas (p=0.005). We observed significant differences when considering whether eosinophilia is a marker of the type of treatment (p<0.001). Conclusions Eosinophilia can be an indicator for an active search in CE because as much as 40% of cases are asymptomatic at diagnosis. In patients with eosinophilia, management is usually more aggressive and is usually a combined treatment. Our work shows the importance of eosinophilia in our patients with CE and raises unresolved questions.

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S39-S42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kocher ◽  
G. Asmelash ◽  
V. Makki ◽  
S. Müller ◽  
S. Krekeler ◽  
...  

SummaryThe retrospective observational study surveys the relationship between development of inhibitors in the treatment of haemophilia patients and risk factors such as changing FVIII products. A total of 119 patients were included in this study, 198 changes of FVIII products were evaluated. Results: During the observation period of 12 months none of the patients developed an inhibitor, which was temporally associated with a change of FVIII products. A frequent change of FVIII products didn’t lead to an increase in inhibitor risk. The change between plasmatic and recombinant preparations could not be confirmed as a risk factor. Furthermore, no correlation between treatment regimens, severity, patient age and comorbidities of the patients could be found.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. e0006817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeyanthi Suppiah ◽  
Siew-Mooi Ching ◽  
Syafinaz Amin-Nordin ◽  
Lailatul-Akmar Mat-Nor ◽  
Naematul-Ain Ahmad-Najimudin ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Rebecchi ◽  
N Salmeri ◽  
C Patruno ◽  
R Villanacci ◽  
P Rover Querini ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question To investigate differences in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) outcomes between endometriosis women who do or don’t have a concomitant autoimmune disease. Summary answer Despite a higher oocyte yield, a trend for reduction in clinical pregnancy rates was observed in the autoimmunity group compared to women without concomitant autoimmunity. What is known already Endometriosis is an inflammatory chronic gynaecological disorder with a known detrimental impact on fertility. Endometriosis pathogenesis is still unclear. It has been postulated a role of both innate and adaptive immune system. The coexistence of endometriosis and autoimmunity is a well-documented occurrence Some recent findings have revealed an increased risk to have concomitant autoimmune disease in women with endometriosis, but no study has so far investigated whether this association could affect IVF/ICSI outcomes. Indeed, autoimmune phenomena, including proinflammatory cytokines and auto-antibody production, may result in diminished quality of oocytes/embryos with lower pregnancy rates among these patients. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective observational study carried out at the Fertility Unit of IRCSS San Raffaele Hospital (Milan). We reviewed medical patients’ notes of women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis who referred to our Fertility Unit from October 2018 to January 2021. Participants/materials, setting, methods Out of 1441 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI, 98 women had surgical/histopathological diagnosis of endometriosis. 25 of them had a clinical and/or serological diagnosis of autoimmunity. Autoimmunity was assessed by clinical data (blood tests for auto-antibodies or rheumatological records) obtained from the electronic patient files stored in the database of our Fertility Centre. Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of at least one intrauterine gestational sac with a viable embryo at week 6 after transfer. Main results and the role of chance 25/98 (25.5%) endometriosis women with a concomitant autoimmune disease (cases) were compared with 73/98 (74.5%) endometriosis patients without autoimmunity (controls). The mean age was 37.36±3.63 and 36.93±3.79 (p=.623) in cases and controls respectively. The mean number of oocytes retrieved was higher in cases (5.78±4.07) than in controls (3.82±2.69;p=.041); similarly, cases showed an higher number of embryos (2.13±1.93 vs. 1.19±1.37;p=.041) and blastocysts (1.89±2.02 vs. 0.85±1.61;p=.041) obtained. A total of 47 fresh embryo transfer (ET) were performed. Considering all the endometriosis patients, the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) per cycle was 34.0% (16/47); when stratifying for the presence of autoimmunity the CPR was 23.1% (3/13) in cases, and 38.2% (13/34) in controls (p=.494). Limitations, reasons for caution This is a retrospective study based on data extraction from electronic records of our Fertility Centre. The sample size is limited and some information about past medical history could be missed. Results should be interpreted with caution until validated by future research providing more standardized data collection. Wider implications of the findings: Despite significantly higher numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos/blastocysts formed, the presence of concomitant autoimmune disease in patients with endometriosis may impair pregnancy rates. Whether this finding is confirmed and whether it could be due to a defect in embryo/blastocysts quality or in endometrial receptivity deserves further studies. Trial registration number Not applicable


Author(s):  
Fiasca ◽  
Gabutti ◽  
Mattei

Background: Pertussis is a highly contagious infectious disease which continues to be an important public-health issue despite the high immunization coverage rates achieved. However, evidence of increased circulation of pertussis among adolescents and adults due to waning immunity and atypical clinical manifestations seem to be the main reasons for its resurgence. The aim of this study was the analysis of the epidemiological trend for pertussis-related hospitalizations in Italy, in relation with vaccination coverage and information from laboratory confirmed cases of pertussis. Methods: A retrospective observational study investigating hospitalizations for pertussis from 2002 to 2016 in Italy was conducted. Frequencies and rates of hospitalization were analyzed and hospitalization data were compared with a series of already published laboratory confirmed data. Results: This study highlighted a rising trend for pertussis hospitalizations in Italy since 2008. Infants aged <1 year showed the highest frequencies (63.39%) and average rates (74.60 × 100000 infants) of hospitalization despite an extremely high vaccination coverage (95.89%). An increasing trend of hospitalization frequency emerged for the age group with levels of IgG antibodies to pertussis toxin compatible with pertussis infection within the last year (20–29 years old age group). Conclusions: The rising trend for pertussis hospitalizations and the greater involvement of infants aged <1 year require an integrated approach, including the implementation of booster doses administration in adolescence and adulthood, the vaccination of pregnant women and the cocoon strategy.


Author(s):  
Ali Mahmoud Ahmed ◽  
Mohamed Al-Bahay M. G. Reda ◽  
Ahmed Hassan Elsheshiny

Abstract Background Pregnancy is a recent growing issue in multiple sclerosis (MS) and the update in the diagnostic criteria of MS and introduction of many disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may cause changes in the relationship between MS, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pregnancy and breastfeeding on MS and vice versa. A retrospective observational study was conducted to include MS women with a history of at least one pregnancy during the last 7 years. Data were collected from the archived files in addition to a self-administrating questionnaire. The annualized relapsing rate (ARR) was calculated before, during, and after pregnancy. Results We included 116 successful pregnancies from 93 MS women with mean age 32.74 ± 5.12 years. Interferon-beta was the commonly used DMT during and after pregnancy. Despite the ARR during the two years preceding the conception was 0.36 (95% CI 0.32–0.41), this rate was significantly decreased during first, second, and third trimester (0.07; 95% CI 0.04–0.15, 0.10; 95% CI 0.03–0.17, and 0.15; 95% CI 0.08–0.24, respectively; P-value < 0.001 in all). Furthermore, this ARR was significantly decreased during the first and last three months after delivery (0.27; 95% CI 0.16–0.39; P-value = 0.037, and 0.24; 95% CI 0.17–0.38; P-value = 0.023). Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with deceased risk of postpartum relapse, with HR 0.31 (95% CI 0.12–0.67; P = 0.002). Conclusions Pregnancy is protective from MS relapse, with a significant decrease of ARR from the pre-pregnancy period. Postpartum reactivation of the disease occurs from the third month after labor, rather than the early postpartum period. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 2 months decreased the risk of postpartum relapse.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248829
Author(s):  
Marta Betti ◽  
Marinella Bertolotti ◽  
Daniela Ferrante ◽  
Annalisa Roveta ◽  
Carolina Pelazza ◽  
...  

Background Individual differences in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19 have thus far been observed but little is known about the prognostic factors of young patients. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on 171 patients aged ≤ 65 years hospitalized in Alessandria’s Hospital from 1st March to 30th April 2020 with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Epidemiological data, symptoms at onset, clinical manifestations, Charlson Comorbidity Index, laboratory parameters, radiological findings and complications were considered. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of COVID-19 severity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to establish factors associated with the development of a moderate or severe disease. Findings A total of 171 patients (89 with mild/moderate disease, 82 with severe/critical disease), of which 61% males and a mean age (± SD) of 53.6 (± 9.7) were included. The multivariable logistic model identified age (50–65 vs 18–49; OR = 3.23 CI95% 1.42–7.37), platelet count (per 100 units of increase OR = 0.61 CI95% 0.42–0.89), c-reactive protein (CPR) (per unit of increase OR = 1.12 CI95% 1.06–1.20) as risk factors for severe or critical disease. The multivariable logistic model showed a good discriminating capacity with a C-index value of 0.76. Interpretation Patients aged ≥ 50 years with low platelet count and high CRP are more likely to develop severe or critical illness. These findings might contribute to improved clinical management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riku Arai ◽  
Hiroto Kano ◽  
Shinya Suzuki ◽  
Hiroaki Semba ◽  
Takuto Arita ◽  
...  

Abstract The relationship between myocardial bridging (MB) and coronary spasms during spasm provocation testing (SPT) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether MB was correlated with the SPT by ergonovine (ER) injections in a retrospective observational study. Of the 3340 patients who underwent a first coronary angiography, 166 underwent SPT using ER injections and were divided into 2 groups: MB(+) (n = 23), and MB(−) (n = 143). MB was defined as an angiographic reduction in the diameter of the coronary artery during systole. The patients who had severe organic stenosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery were excluded. The MB(+) group more frequently had diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, and a thicker interventricular septum thickness. The rate of SPT-positivity was higher in the MB(+) group than MB(−) group (56.5% vs. 22.4%, P = 0.001). A multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of MB was independently associated with SPT-positivity (odds ratio 5.587, 95% confidence interval 2.061–15.149, P = 0.001). In conclusion, coronary spasms during provocation tests with ER independently correlated with the MB. MB may predict coronary spasms.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e024970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Greiver ◽  
Sumeet Kalia ◽  
Teja Voruganti ◽  
Babak Aliarzadeh ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo study systematic errors in recording blood pressure (BP) as measured by end digit preference (EDP); to determine associations between EDP, uptake of Automated Office BP (AOBP) machines and cardiovascular outcomes.DesignRetrospective observational study using routinely collected electronic medical record data from 2006 to 2015 and a survey on year of AOBP acquisition in Toronto, Canada in 2017.SettingPrimary care practices in Canada and the UK.ParticipantsAdults aged 18 years or more.Main outcome measuresMean rates of EDP and change in rates. Rates of EDP following acquisition of an AOBP machine. Associations between site EDP levels and mean BP. Associations between site EDP levels and frequency of cardiovascular outcomes.Results707 227 patients in Canada and 1 558 471 patients in the UK were included. From 2006 to 2015, the mean rate of BP readings with both systolic and diastolic pressure ending in zero decreased from 26.6% to 15.4% in Canada and from 24.2% to 17.3% in the UK. Systolic BP readings ending in zero decreased from 41.8% to 32.5% in the 3 years following the purchase of an AOBP machine. Sites with high EDP had a mean systolic BP of 2.0 mm Hg in Canada, and 1.7 mm Hg in the UK, lower than sites with no or low EDP. Patients in sites with high levels of EDP had a higher frequency of stroke (standardised morbidity ratio (SMR) 1.15, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.17), myocardial infarction (SMR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.19) and angina (SMR 1.25, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.28) than patients in sites with no or low EDP.ConclusionsAcquisition of an AOBP machine was associated with a decrease in EDP levels. Sites with higher rates of EDP had lower mean BPs and a higher frequency of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The routine use of manual office-based BP measurement should be reconsidered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2540-2542
Author(s):  
Maria Shireen ◽  
Sarah Shoaib Qureshi ◽  
Arsalan Nawaz ◽  
Wasim Amir ◽  
Mehrin Farooq ◽  
...  

Background: Covid-19 is a very contagious and quickly spreading viral infection, caused by a corona virus SARS-COV-2 which was originally reported in China on December 5, 2019. It was confirmed as pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. This disease is yet under research. It has variable severity which includes no symptoms to pneumonia. This can cause death of the patient. Aim: To evaluate the association of Lymphopenia with severity of COVID 19 in COVID-19 patients Methods: It was a retrospective observational study conducted in COVID wards of Ghurki hospital Lahore. Record of 100 COVID-19 patients that were admitted between March and July 2021 fulfilling the inclusion criteria was included in the study. A pre-structured pro forma was filled to collect the data. Results: Out of 100 patients, 30 patients were included in Non-severe group while severe group had 70 patients. The mean age of study population was 52.5±10.38 with 60% male and 40% female. 70% patients in severe group had some co-existent comorbidity. The most commonly reported symptoms were fever and cough in both groups while shortness of breath was more commonly reported in severe group. Conclusion: Lymphopenia is associated with severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Lymphocytes count can be used to assess the severity of COVID 19. Keywords: Lymphocytes, Lymphopenia, Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID 19.


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