scholarly journals Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transcriptional activity in cardiomyocytes of COVID-19 patients without clinical signs of cardiac involvement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Pietro Bulfamante ◽  
Gianluca Lorenzo Perrucci ◽  
Monica Falleni ◽  
Elena Sommariva ◽  
Delfina Tosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
History Of ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background - Cardiovascular complication in patients affected by novel Coronavirus respiratory disease (COVID-19) are increasingly recognized. However, although a cardiac tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for inflammatory cells in autopsy heart samples of COVID-19 patients has been reported, the presence of the virus in cardiomyocytes has not been documented yet. Methods - We investigated for SARS-CoV-2 presence in heart tissue autopsies of 6 consecutive COVID-19 patients deceased for respiratory failure showing no signs of cardiac involvement and with no history of heart disease. Cardiac autopsy samples were analysed by digital PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RNAScope, and transmission electron microscopy assays. Results - The presence of SARS-CoV-2 into cardiomyocytes was invariably detected. A variable pattern of cardiomyocytes injury was observed, spanning from the absence of cell death and subcellular alterations hallmarks to the intracellular oedema and sarcomere ruptures. In addition, we found active viral transcription in cardiomyocytes, by detecting both sense and antisense SARS-CoV-2 spike RNA. Conclusions - In this analysis of autopsy cases, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 into cardiomyocytes, determining variable patterns of intracellular involvement, has been documented. All these findings suggest the need of a cardiologic surveillance even in survived COVID-19 patients not displaying a cardiac phenotype, in order to monitor potential long-term cardiac sequelae.

scholarly journals Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Transcriptional Activity in Cardiomyocytes of COVID-19 Patients without Clinical Signs of Cardiac Involvement

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Gaetano Pietro Bulfamante ◽  
Gianluca Lorenzo Perrucci ◽  
Monica Falleni ◽  
Elena Sommariva ◽  
Delfina Tosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
History Of

Aims: A considerable proportion of patients affected by coronavirus respiratory disease (COVID-19) develop cardiac injury. The viral impact in cardiomyocytes deserves, however, further investigations, especially in asymptomatic patients. Methods: We investigated for SARS-CoV-2 presence and activity in heart tissues of six consecutive COVID-19 patients deceased from respiratory failure showing no signs of cardiac involvement and with no history of heart disease. Cardiac autopsy samples were collected within 2 h after death, and then analysed by digital PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RNAScope, and transmission electron microscopy assays. Results: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 into cardiomyocytes was invariably detected in all assays. A variable pattern of cardiomyocyte injury was observed, spanning from absence of cell death and subcellular alterations hallmarks, to intracellular oedema and sarcomere ruptures. In addition, we found active viral transcription in cardiomyocytes, by detecting both sense and antisense SARS-CoV-2 spike RNA. Conclusions: In this autopsy analysis of patients with no clinical signs of cardiac involvement, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in cardiomyocytes has been detected, determining variable patterns of intracellular damage. These findings suggest the need for cardiologic surveillance in surviving COVID-19 patients not displaying a cardiac phenotype.

Hydropulsion as Palliative, Long-Term, Last-Resort Treatment of Nasal Carcinoma in a Dog and a Cat

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Bienes ◽  
Elisabeth Robin ◽  
Kevin Le Boedec
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Relapse ◽  
Cuff Inflation ◽  
Endotracheal Tube Cuff ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Sterile Saline ◽  
Nasal Tumors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Nasal Carcinoma

ABSTRACT An 8 yr old spayed female domestic shorthair and an 8 yr old neutered male Polish Lowland sheepdog were evaluated for a 3 wk history of sneezing and a 5 day history of left epistaxis, respectively. In both cases, computed tomography revealed a voluminous nasal mass, which was later histologically identified as carcinoma, without cribriform plate involvement. Nasal hydropulsion was performed in both animals in sternal recumbency under general anesthesia. A Poole suction tip was inserted into the orad esophageal opening and adequacy of the endotracheal tube cuff inflation was checked. Sterile saline was forcefully infused into the obstructed nasal cavity to dislodge the tumor. Both patients had temporary resolution of clinical signs. Nasal hydropulsion was repeated as a palliative last-resort treatment at each clinical relapse (four times in both animals over ≥1 yr), allowing long-term survival. Minor complications included a self-limiting retrobulbar and oropharyngeal swelling in the cat and self-limiting epistaxis in both animals. Although this technique is not intended to represent an equivalent alternative to radiation or surgical therapies, nasal hydropulsion may represent an appropriate palliative, last-resort treatment in case of obstructive nasal tumors in dogs and cats, when radiation therapy or surgery is not affordable, available, or desired.

scholarly journals Isolation of the anaerobic intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira pilosicoli from long-term residents and Indonesian visitors to Perth, Western Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Rini Margawani ◽  
Ian D. Robertson ◽  
David J. Hampson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Brachyspira Pilosicoli ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
History Of ◽  
The City ◽  
Culture Positive

Brachyspira pilosicoli is an anaerobic spirochaete that colonizes the large intestine of humans and various species of animals and birds. The spirochaete is an important enteric pathogen of pigs and poultry, but its pathogenic potential in humans is less clear. In the current study, the occurrence of B. pilosicoli in faecal samples from 766 individuals in two different population groups in Perth, Western Australia, was investigated by selective anaerobic culture. Of 586 individuals who were long-term residents of Perth, including children, elderly patients in care and in hospital and individuals with gastrointestinal disease, only one was culture positive. This person had a history of diverticulitis. In comparison, faeces from 17 of 180 (9.4 %) Indonesians who were short- or medium-term visitors to Perth were positive for B. pilosicoli. The culture-positive individuals had been in the city for between 10 days and 4.5 years (median 5 months). Resampling of subsets of the Indonesians indicated that all negative people remained negative and that some positive individuals remained positive after 5 months. Two individuals had pairs of isolates recovered after 4 and 5 months that had the same PFGE types, whilst another individual had isolates with two different PFGE types that were identified 2 months apart. Individuals who were culture-positive were likely to have been either colonized in Indonesia before arriving in Perth or infected in Perth following contact with other culture-positive Indonesians with whom they socialized. Colonization with B. pilosicoli was not significantly associated with clinical signs at the time the individuals were tested, although faeces with wet-clay consistency were 1.5 times more likely (confidence interval 0.55–4.6) than normal faeces to contain B. pilosicoli.

scholarly journals Successful Long-Term Use of Itraconazole for the Treatment ofAspergillusDiskospondylitis in a Dog

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiko Van Wie ◽  
Annie V. Chen ◽  
Stephanie A. Thomovsky ◽  
Russell L. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Thoracolumbar Spine ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Spinal Pain ◽  
Intervertebral Disk ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
German Shepherd ◽  
German Shepherd Dog ◽  
History Of

A 5-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was admitted with a history of generalized stiffness. Neurologic examination revealed mild paraparesis with multifocal spinal pain. Spinal radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging revealed diskospondylitis at L6-7 and multiple sites throughout the thoracolumbar spine. Biopsy of the intervertebral disk at L6-7 revealed a positive culture forAspergillusspecies, and the dog was placed on itraconazole indefinitely. Clinical signs were significantly improved after two weeks of itraconazole. The dog was reevaluated 8 years later for unrelated reasons. No spinal pain was detected. Spinal radiographs revealed a fused L6-7 disk space and collapsed and sclerotic disk spaces at multiple sites. Itraconazole was tolerated by the dog with normal yearly liver enzyme values. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful long-term use of itraconazole for the treatment ofAspergillusdiskospondylitis in a dog.

scholarly journals CT Manifestations and Clinical Features of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Infected by Cluster Transmission Within a Family: Case Report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-ming Cao ◽  
Yu-ping Wu ◽  
Tian-wu Chen ◽  
Li-qin Yang ◽  
Xiao-ming Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing ◽  
Epidemic Area ◽  
History Of ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background: In December 2019, a cluster of patients associated with a seafood wholesale market was confirmed having infected the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, China. As of Feb 11, 2020, 43144 cases of the 2019-nCoV infection have been confirmed in the world, and person-to-person transmission has been recognized. To our knowledge, there are no reports regarding the 2019-nCoV pneumonia infected by cluster transmission within a family. The amount of close contact suspect was increasing. We reported cases of family cluster transmission of the 2019-nCoV infection, showing the differences in computed tomography (CT) manifestations and symptoms between patients with and without history of exposure to the epidemic area (Wuhan).Case Presentation: A 48-year-old man was presented to the hospital in Jan 30, 2020 with a 2-day history of low fever and chill. He had traveled to Wuhan City of Hubei Province of China 12 days before, and was confirmed having the 2019-nCoV infection based on his positive CT manifestations, clinical signs, and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction results. The other three members of his family without history of exposure to the epidemic area (Wuhan) were subsequently identified having the 2019-nCoV transmissive infection based on the positive findings of real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction, but they did not have abnormal CT manifestations and clinical signs.Conclusion: For patients who have history of exposure to the epidemic area (Wuhan), the 2019-nCoV infected pneumonia can be identified by real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction testing and chest CT together with the symptoms. But for patients without exposure to the epidemic area, the 2019-nCoV infection can be confirmed by real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction testing and history of close contact with confirmed patients who have history of exposure to the epidemic area.

Surgical Treatment of Suspected Meningioangiomatosis in the Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie C. Dantio ◽  
Amanda J. Dennis ◽  
Robert L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Initial Examination ◽  
Limb Ataxia ◽  
Vascular Proliferation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Pelvic Limb ◽  
Long Term Prognosis

ABSTRACT A 5 yr old male neutered Labrador retriever was evaluated for an 8 wk history of a slowly progressive abnormal hind limb gait that did not respond to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. Initial examination findings were mild pelvic limb ataxia and moderate right pelvic limb lameness. A computed tomography with a myelogram was performed and showed a suspected intramedullary spinal mass. MRI was conducted and supported the computed tomography with myelogram findings of a possible intradural spinal mass at L1. A left-sided hemilaminectomy followed by a durotomy at L1 was performed and a firm, tan mass was removed. The histopathologic findings indicated a vascular proliferation most suggestive of a rare proliferative disorder of leptomeningeal blood vessels termed meningioangiomatosis. Although the dog’s signs initially worsened after surgery and he was nonambulatory with marked paraparesis, he regained ambulation within 3–4 wk after the operation. Eighteen months after surgery, he was ambulatory with mild hind limb ataxia with no progression of signs. This case suggests that surgical resection of lesions of suspected meningioangiomatosis can result in improvement of clinical signs with a good long-term prognosis.

Ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity in a cat

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (04) ◽  
pp. 319-323
Author(s):  
S. Sadahiro ◽  
M. Nishimura ◽  
Y. Miyazaki ◽  
M. Shibata ◽  
T. Aikawa
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cyst ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Histological Evaluation ◽  
Dorsal Spinal Cord ◽  
Joint Cavity ◽  
Initial Inability ◽  
History Of ◽  
Atlanto Axial Joint

SummaryA four-year-old, female spayed Domestic Longhaired cat was referred for evaluation with a two month history of initial inability to jump progressing to ambulatory tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated a cystic lesion arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity and extending to the region of the occipital bone and the axis. The lesion surrounded the spinal canal, causing moderate dorsal spinal cord compression at the atlanto-occipital joint. A dynamic myelographic study demonstrated attenuation of the dorsal contrast column at the atlanto-occipital joint when the cervical spine was positioned in extension. Partial excision of the cyst capsule by a ventral approach resulted in long-term (64 months) resolution of clinical signs. Histological evaluation was consistent with a ganglion cyst. An intra-spinal ganglion cyst arising from the composite occipito-atlanto-axial joint cavity may be considered as an uncommon differential diagnosis for cats with cervical myelopathy.

The relationship between relapse, impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1218-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Bennetto ◽  
J Burrow ◽  
H Sakai ◽  
J Cobby ◽  
NP Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Afferent Pathways ◽  
Motor Pathways ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: To describe the spatial relationship between relapse and disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: 141 relapse onset MS patients were studied. For each patient an examination was performed and a relapse history obtained. Multivariate logistic regression examined whether there was an association between localizing clinical signs and a history of relevant relapse in order to explore the spatial relationship between relapse and subsequent disability. Results: The presence of impaired vision or sensation was independently associated with a history of one or more anatomically related relapses. The presence of weakness or cerebellar ataxia in a limb was not associated with a single relevant relapse but was associated with multiple relevant relapses. A history of multiple episodes of weakness or ataxia in the same limb was uncommon. Conclusions: Our data suggest that motor pathways are relatively resistant to chronic impairment from acute relapse, whereas afferent pathways are more susceptible. This, in combination with prominent usage of the Expanded Disability Status Scale, which is dependent on mobility and motor function at higher scores, may explain the paradox between natural history studies that suggest relapses are irrelevant to long-term disability and shorter studies at lower disability levels suggesting relapses are responsible for disability accumulation.

scholarly journals Differences in cardiac phenotype and natural history of laminopathies with and without neuromuscular onset

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaello Ditaranto ◽  
Giuseppe Boriani ◽  
Mauro Biffi ◽  
Massimiliano Lorenzini ◽  
Maddalena Graziosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Pacemaker Implantation ◽  
Clinical Evaluations ◽  
Clinical Onset ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cardiac Manifestations

Abstract Objective To investigate differences in cardiac manifestations of patients affected by laminopathy, according to the presence or absence of neuromuscular involvement at presentation. Methods We prospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of laminopathy followed at a single centre between 1998 and 2017. Additionally, reports of clinical evaluations and tests prior to referral at our centre were retrospectively evaluated. Results Clinical onset was cardiac in 26 cases and neuromuscular in 14. Patients with neuromuscular presentation experienced first symptoms earlier in life (11 vs 39 years; p <  0.0001) and developed atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) and required pacemaker implantation at a younger age (28 vs 41 years [p = 0.013] and 30 vs 44 years [p = 0.086] respectively), despite a similar overall prevalence of AF (57% vs 65%; p = 0.735) and atrio-ventricular (A-V) block (50% vs 65%; p = 0.500). Those with a neuromuscular presentation developed a cardiomyopathy less frequently (43% vs 73%; p = 0.089) and had a lower rate of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (7% vs 23%; p = 0.387). In patients with neuromuscular onset rhythm disturbances occurred usually before evidence of cardiomyopathy. Despite these differences, the need for heart transplantation and median age at intervention were similar in the two groups (29% vs 23% [p = 0.717] and 43 vs 46 years [p = 0.593] respectively). Conclusions In patients with laminopathy, the type of disease onset was a marker for a different natural history. Specifically, patients with neuromuscular presentation had an earlier cardiac involvement, characterized by a linear and progressive evolution from rhythm disorders (AF and/or A-V block) to cardiomyopathy.

Emphysematous pyometra secondary to Enterococcus avium infection in a dog

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chang Cheng ◽  
Hsien-Chi Wang ◽  
Wei-Ming Lee ◽  
Ching-Lin Shyu ◽  
Cheng-Chung Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Surgical Exploration ◽  
Avium Infection ◽  
Abdominal Radiographs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
Positive Coccus

SummaryA 5-year-old female intact Mastiff dog was presented with a history of vaginal discharge for 1 day. Physical examination revealed a sanguineo- purulent vaginal discharge and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Abdominal radiographs showed several dilated and gasfilled tubular loops. The differential diagnoses included emphysematous pyometra or small intestinal mechanical ileus. Surgical exploration of the abdomen demonstrated a severely dilated and gas-filled uterus, and emphysematous pyometra was confirmed. The patient’s clinical signs resolved after ovariohysterectomy. Histopathology revealed mild endometrial cystic hyperplasia with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the superficial endometrial epithelia. Enterococcus avium, an α-hemolytic gram-positive coccus, was isolated from the uterus. This paper highlights the radiographic features of emphysematous pyometra and a pathogen that has never been reported to be associated with canine pyometra previously.

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