scholarly journals Clinical and intestinal histopathological findings in SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 patients with hematochezia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Cho ◽  
Weiguo Liu ◽  
Sophie Balzora ◽  
Yvelisse Suarez ◽  
Deepthi Hoskoppal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Ischemic Injury ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Elderly Male ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Histopathological Findings ◽  
Gi Symptoms

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 in the form of anorexia,nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea are usually preceeded by respiratory manifestations and are associated with a poor prognosis. Hematochezia is an uncommon clinical presentation of COVID-19 disease and we hypothesize that older patients with significant comorbidites (obesity and cardiovascular) and prolonged hospitalization are suspectible to ischemic injury to the bowel. We reviewed the clinical course, key laboratory data including acute phase reactants, drug/medication history in two elderly male patients admitted for COVID-19 respiratory failure. Both patients had a complicated clinical course and suffered from hematochezia and acute blood loss anemia requiring blood transfusion around day 40 of their hospitalization. Colonoscopic impressions were correlated with the histopathological findings in the colonic biopies and changes compatible with ischemia to nonspecific acute inflammation, edema and increased eosinophils in the lamina propria were noted.Both patients were on anticoagulants, multiple antibiotics and antifungal agents due to respiratory infections at the time of lower GI bleeding. Hematochezia resolved spontaneously with supportive care. Both patients eventually recovered and were discharged. Elderly patients with significant comorbid conditions are uniquely at risk for ischemic injury to the bowel. Hypoxic conditions due to COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure, compounded by preexisting cardiovascular complications, and/or cytokine storm orchestrated by the viral infection leading to alteration in coagulation profile and/or drug/medication injury can be difficult to distinguish in these critically ill patients. Presentation of hematochezia may further increase the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 patients, and prompt consultation and management by gastroenterology is therefore warranted.

scholarly journals Clinical and Intestinal Histopathological Findings in SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Patients with Hematochezia

2021 ◽  
pp. 408-417
Author(s):  
Margaret Cho ◽  
Weiguo Liu ◽  
Sophie Balzora ◽  
Yvelisse Suarez ◽  
Deepthi Hoskoppal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Course ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Ischemic Injury ◽  
Hemodynamic Instability ◽  
Gi Bleeding ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Histopathological Findings ◽  
Prolonged Hospitalization ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Lower Gi Bleeding

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in the form of anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea are usually preceded by respiratory manifestations and are associated with a poor prognosis. Hematochezia is an uncommon clinical presentation of COVID-19, and we hypothesize that older patients with significant comorbidities (obesity and cardiovascular) and prolonged hospitalization are susceptible to ischemic injury to the bowel. We reviewed the clinical course, key laboratory data including acute-phase reactants, and drug/medication history in 2 elderly male patients admitted for COVID-19 respiratory failure. Both patients had a complicated clinical course and suffered from hematochezia, acute blood loss, and anemia which led to hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion around day 40 of their hospitalization. Colonoscopic impressions were correlated with the histopathological findings in the colonic biopsies that included changes compatible with ischemia and nonspecific acute inflammation, edema, and increased eosinophils in the lamina propria. Both patients were hemodynamically stable, on prophylactic anticoagulants, multiple antibiotics, and antifungal agents due to respiratory infections at the time of lower GI bleeding. Hematochezia resolved spontaneously with supportive care. Both patients eventually recovered and were discharged. Elderly patients with significant comorbid conditions are uniquely at risk for ischemic injury to the bowel. This case report highlights hematochezia as an uncommon GI manifestation of spectrum of COVID-19 complications. The causes of bleeding in these COVID-19 associated cases are likely multifactorial and can be attributed to concomitant etiologies based on their age, multiple comorbid conditions, prolonged hospitalization compounded by lung injury, and hypoxia precipitated by the virus. We hypothesize that rather than a direct viral cytopathic effect, ischemia and hypoperfusion may be unleashed due to the cytokine storm orchestrated by the virus that leads to abnormal coagulation profile. Additional factors that may contribute to ischemic injury are prophylactic use of anticoagulants and polypharmacy. There were no other causes to explain the brisk lower GI bleeding. Presentation of hematochezia was followed by hemodynamic instability that may further increase the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 patients, and prompt consultation and management by gastroenterology is therefore warranted.

scholarly journals CLINICAL COURSE, RISK FACTORS FOR TRANSFER TO ICU AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 AFFECTED BY ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE REFERRED TO A RESPIRATORY INTERMEDIATATE CARE UNIT.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Buonamico ◽  
Vitaliano Nicola Quaranta ◽  
Esterina Boniello ◽  
Michela Dimitri ◽  
Marco Majorano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Inflammatory Status

Introduction There are no clear guidelines as yet for the selection of patients affected by COVID-19 who can be treated in intermediate RICU, neither shared criteria for their intubation and transfer in ICU. In the present study we described the clinical course and risk factors for transfer to ICU and mortality of SARS-Cov-2 positive patients affected by acute respiratory failure, hospitalized in a Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit in the south of Italy. Methods In this retrospective, observational single centre study we evaluated 96 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients affected by acute respiratory failure (ARF). We compared demographic data, laboratory data and clinical outcomes between deceased and survived patients, aiming to identify risk factors for transfer to ICU and mortality, and possible gender-related differences. Results Of 96 patients, 51 (53.1%) survived and 45 (46.9 %) died. Among those who died, 23 (51.1%) deceased in RICU. Twenty-nine (30.2%) were transferred to ICU, of whom 22 (75.9%) died in ICU. Patients affected by COPD have a higher mortality compared to patients without this comorbidity (p=0.002). Lower baseline P/F ratio (p=0,014) and neurologic comorbidities (p=0,008) emerged as risk factors for death. Male were younger than female patients (66 vs 80 y.o.; p=0.042). In female patients, lower peripheral blood lymphocyte count (p=0.007) is a risk factor for death, characteristic gender-related in our sample. Female sex was a protective parameter against transfer to ICU (p=0,036) and P/F ratio was not a significant predictor of transfer to ICU (p=0,227). Only higher baseline CRP (p=0,034) has shown a predictive role for transfer to ICU in our sample. Patients deceased after a transfer to ICU had younger age (p=0,000), lower median comorbidity number (p=0,000), lower D-dimer (p=0,029) and lower prevalence of female sex (p=0,029). Discussion Mortality in our study was similar to that found in other studies involving patients in non-invasive ventilation. In our study older age and comorbidities play as predictors of death in COVID-19 patients. COPD, despite presenting low prevalence, is a risk factor for death, both in men and women. In female patients chronic ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are death predictors. High CRP and lymphopenia, linked to inflammatory status, are predictors of transfer to ICU. Patients transferred to ICU higher mortality than the others, and patients who die in ICU are mostly men, younger and have less comorbidities. Baseline P/F ratio is not a good predictor of transfer to ICU, while in our sample is a sensible predictor of death. More studies need to be performed on COVID-19 patients, in the urgency of COVID-19 pandemic persistence.

scholarly journals Tuberculous meningitis – clinical and laboratory review of 100 patients

1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Kilpatrick ◽  
N. I. Girgis ◽  
M. W. Yassin ◽  
A. A. Abu El Ella
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Tuberculous Meningitis ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Antituberculous Therapy ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Neurologic Sequelae ◽  
Physical Findings

SUMMARYIn developing countries tuberculous meningitis is a difficult infection to differentiate from other central nervous system (CNS) infections. This paper presents the history, physical findings, laboratory data, and clinical course of 100 patients who were admitted to a special ward and had CSF cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fifty-four patients were comatose when admitted and 76 had meningeal signs. Mean admission CSF values were WBC 531, glucose 23 mg/dl, and protein 166 mg/dl. Only two CSF AFB smears were positive. Sixty-one percent of the chest X-rays taken were consistent with pulmonary tuberculous and 39% were normal. Twenty-four patients died within the first week after admission, before the clinical diagnosis was made and anti-tuberculous therapy could be started. Fifty-three of 76 patients given antituberculous therapy died. Neurologic sequelae developed in 48% of the survivors. The high mortality and morbidity rates in this patient-group were due to the severity of illness on admission and the predominance of children (54%).

scholarly journals The management of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: A study on community pharmacies in Italy

Pharmacia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-409
Author(s):  
Enrico Keber ◽  
Paolo Rocco ◽  
Umberto M. Musazzi ◽  
Antonio M. Morselli-Labate ◽  
Nicolina P. Floris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutic Class ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are usual complaints among patients presenting to Italian community pharmacies. However, information on treatment history of those patients is often lacking. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims at exploring the medication history of individuals with upper GI tract symptoms visiting one of the 20 enrolled community pharmacies, over a period of 7 months, based on the administration of a questionnaire. Of 1,020 interviewees, 62.1% had asked for a medical consultation. The most frequent symptom was epigastric burning (31.8%), followed by acid regurgitation (14.6%) and post-prandial fullness (12.0%). Of the 1,609 therapies, proton pump inhibitors constituted the most represented therapeutic class (35.6%) followed by antacids (17.5%) and alginate-based products (17.2%). In treating symptoms, 38.1% of the patients do not seek medical advice, while 42.0% rely on non-prescription therapies. As findings suggest, support to patients with GI disorders in community pharmacies can be enhanced for a safer self-medication.

scholarly journals Generalized tetanus in an 11-year-old boy: A case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Artem A. Kozlov ◽  
Irina V. Shevchuk ◽  
Aleksei E. Zavialov ◽  
Anatoly N. Emelyanov
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Adequate Pain Relief ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Severe Tetanus

The study presents a case report of a generalized form of severe tetanus in an unvaccinated 11-year-old child. Pain and convulsive syndromes, respiratory failure, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract prevailed in the acute period. Antibiotic therapy, anti-tetanus serum, adequate pain relief, and anticonvulsant therapy were the leading treatments of the child. Moreover, the paper discusses literature data on the options for the clinical course and choice of treatment strategies. The lack of planned vaccination in children is unsafe.

scholarly journals The impact of Temporal Artery Biopsy for the diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis in clinical practice in a tertiary University Hospital

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Kaltsonoudis ◽  
E Pelechas ◽  
A Papoudou-Bai ◽  
E.T. Markatseli ◽  
M Elisaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Temporal Artery ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Temporal Artery Biopsy ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants ◽  
Anemia Of Chronic Disease ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundTemporal artery biopsy (TAB) is useful in assisting with giant cell arteritis (GCA) diagnosis but lacks sensitivity. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic impact of TAB histology in patients with suspected GCA on hospital admission.MethodsA prospectively maintained database was queried for all TABs performed between 1-1-2000 until 31-12-2017 at the University Hospital of Ioannina. Thus, inclusion criteria were made on the grounds of every patient that underwent a TAB during the above-mentioned period, regardless of demographic, clinical and laboratory data.ResultsTwo hundred forty-five TABs were included (149 females and 96 males), with a mean age of 64.5 (±3.5) years. The mean symptoms duration until admission to the hospital was 8.6 (±1.3) weeks and all had elevated acute phase reactants on admission. The reasons of admission were fever of unknown origin (FUO) in 114 (46.5%) patients, symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in 84 (34.3%), new headache in 33 (13.5%), anemia of chronic disease (ACD) in 8 (3.32%) and eye disturbances in 6 (2.5%) patients. Positive results were found in 49 (20%) TABs. More specifically, in 14% of patients with FUO, 21% in those with PMR, while in patients with a new headache the percentage was 27%. Finally, 5 out of 6 (83.3%) of patients with ocular symptoms and only one (12.5%) of those suffering from ACD. Visual manifestations and FUO are correlated with a positive TAB.ConclusionIt seems that TAB is useful in assisting with GCA diagnosis, but lacks sensitivity.

scholarly journals Deep Learning Could Diagnose Diabetic Nephropathy with Renal Pathological Immunofluorescent Images

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 466
Author(s):  
Shinji Kitamura ◽  
Kensaku Takahashi ◽  
Yizhen Sang ◽  
Kazuhiko Fukushima ◽  
Kenji Tsuji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Diagnostic Ratio ◽  
Interpretable Model ◽  
Microscopy Images

Artificial Intelligence (AI) imaging diagnosis is developing, making enormous steps forward in medical fields. Regarding diabetic nephropathy (DN), medical doctors diagnose them with clinical course, clinical laboratory data and renal pathology, mainly evaluate with light microscopy images rather than immunofluorescent images because there are no characteristic findings in immunofluorescent images for DN diagnosis. Here, we examined the possibility of whether AI could diagnose DN from immunofluorescent images. We collected renal immunofluorescent images from 885 renal biopsy patients in our hospital, and we created a dataset that contains six types of immunofluorescent images of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C1q and Fibrinogen for each patient. Using the dataset, 39 programs worked without errors (Area under the curve (AUC): 0.93). Five programs diagnosed DN completely with immunofluorescent images (AUC: 1.00). By analyzing with Local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (Lime), the AI focused on the peripheral lesion of DN glomeruli. On the other hand, the nephrologist diagnostic ratio (AUC: 0.75833) was slightly inferior to AI diagnosis. These findings suggest that DN could be diagnosed only by immunofluorescent images by deep learning. AI could diagnose DN and identify classified unknown parts with the immunofluorescent images that nephrologists usually do not use for DN diagnosis.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the Results of the Steroid and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Treatments in Subacute Thyroiditis in relation to Persistent Hypothyroidism and Recurrence

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammed Erkam Sencar ◽  
Murat Calapkulu ◽  
Davut Sakiz ◽  
Sema Hepsen ◽  
Arif Kus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Therapy ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Steroid Treatment ◽  
Subacute Thyroiditis ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

AbstractSubacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory thyroid disease. The main purpose of the treatment is to relieve pain and control the inflammatory process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in SAT. Initial laboratory data, treatment response, and long-term results of 295 SAT patients treated with ibuprofen or methylprednisolone were evaluated. After the exclusion of 78 patients, evaluation was made of 126 patients treated with 1800 mg ibuprofen and 91 patients treated with 48 mg methylprednisolone. In 59.5% of 126 patients treated with ibuprofen, there was no adequate clinical response at the first control visit. In 54% of patients, the treatment was changed to steroids in mean 9.5 days. Symptomatic remission was achieved within two weeks in all patients treated with methylprednisolone. The total recurrence rate was 19.8%, and recurrences were observed more frequently in patients receiving only steroid therapy than in patients treated with NSAID only (23% vs. 10.5% p:0.04). Persistent hypothyroidism developed in 22.8% of patients treated only with ibuprofen and in 6.6% of patients treated with methylprednisolone only. Treatment with only ibuprofen (p:0.039) and positive thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) (p:0.029) were determined as the main risk factors for permanent hypothyroidism. NSAID treatment is not as effective as steroid treatment in early clinical remission. Steroid treatment was detected as a protective factor against permanent hypothyroidism. Therefore, steroid therapy may be considered especially in anti-TPO positive SAT patients and patients with high-level acute phase reactants.

scholarly journals Procalcitonin in patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection and acute respiratory failure

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55
Author(s):  
Péricles Almeida Delfino Duarte ◽  
Carla Sakuma de Oliveira Bredt ◽  
Gerson Luís Bredt Jr ◽  
Amaury César Jorge ◽  
Alisson Venazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Sepsis Group ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Low Serum

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify serum procalcitonin levels of patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to influenza A (H1N1) upon their admission to the Intensive Care Unit and to compare these results to values found in patients with sepsis and trauma admitted to the same unit. Methods: Analysis of records of patients infected with influenza A (H1N1) and respiratory failure admitted to the General Intensive Care Unit during in a period of 60 days. The values of serum procalcitonin and clinical and laboratory data were compared to those of all patients admitted with sepsis or trauma in the previous year. Results: Among patients with influenza A (H1N1) (n = 16), the median serum procalcitonin level upon admission was 0.11 ng/mL, lower than in the sepsis group (p < 0.001) and slightly lower than in trauma patients. Although the mean values were low, serum procalcitonin was a strong predictor of hospital mortality in patients with influenza A (H1N1). Conclusion: Patients with influenza A (H1N1) with severe acute respiratory failure presented with low serum procalcitonin values upon admission, although their serum levels are predictors of hospital mortality. The kinetics study of this biomarker may be a useful tool in the management of this group of patients.

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