Is COVID-19 Infection a Death Sentence in Patients Living with Haematological Malignancies? A Case Series

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudit Varshney ◽  
Amandeep Jaswal ◽  
Sahil Diwan ◽  
Santvana Kohli ◽  
Ruqaiya Bano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Death Sentence ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Haematological Malignancies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

The year 2020 saw the rise of an influenza-like illness from SARS-nCoV2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness by novel Coronavirus 2), which causes myriad of symptoms in patients, ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). It is, however, known to cause high morbidity and mortality in patients with underlying comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, obesity and malignancies. Amongst these, the subset with haematological malignancies has an especially poor prognosis possibly as a result of immune suppression, due to underlying bone marrow depression as well as effects of chemotherapeutic agents. These patients need frequent visits and admissions to the hospital for treatment, thus exposing them to the risk of acquiring the infection. Also, a high index of suspicion, with low threshold for testing is needed in view of possible atypical presentation and symptoms. These patients may also warrant an early ICU admission, as they tend to develop severe disease with ARDS more frequently, with an overall poor prognosis and high mortality rate. We hereby present a series of six patients with underlying haematological malignancies who were admitted in our ICU with a serious COVID-19 illness and a grave outcome.

A Case Series of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-Positive Hospitalized Infants 60 Days of Age or Younger From 2 New York City Pediatric Emergency Departments

2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 247-251
Author(s):  
Ameer Hassoun ◽  
Nessy Dahan ◽  
Christopher Kelly
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The emergence of novel coronavirus disease-2019 poses an unprecedented challenge to pediatricians. While the majority of children experience mild disease, initial case reports on young infants are conflicting. We present a case series of 8 hospitalized infants 60 days of age or younger with coronavirus disease-2019. A quarter of these patients had coinfections (viral or bacterial). None of these infants had severe disease. Continued vigilance in testing this vulnerable group of infants is warranted.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 03-07
Author(s):  
Sudipta Dhar Chowdhury ◽  
Anu Mary Oommen
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Limited Access

AbstractCOVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome–corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2), has now spread to multiple countries including India. The pace at which the disease spread in the last 4 months, since it was first recognized from China, is unprecedented. This review of the epidemiology of COVID-19 summarizes the burden of infection, transmission dynamics, and other related epidemiological features. While countries such as China, Italy, and the United States have particularly high-rates of infection, the disease is gradually spreading in India as well, threatening the health and economy of the country. Transmission in asymptomatic cases, early symptomatic phase, as well as limited access to testing in different settings are factors that have led to the rapid spread of infection. A large case series from China revealed that 81% of cases had mild symptoms, 14% had severe disease, and 5% were afflicted with critical illness. While the mortality in China was reported as 2.3%, Italy, with a high-proportion of elderly, reported a case fatality report of 7.2% due to higher infection and mortality rates among the elderly. Being a highly infectious disease, with a basic reproduction number between 2 to 3, COVID-19 is affecting a large number of healthcare workers, as evidenced by the fact that a sizeable portion of reported infections in the US included healthcare workers. Delivering health care for both COVID-19 affected individuals, as well those with other acute and chronic conditions, with limited access to healthcare facilities and services, are challenges for the health systems in low- and middle-income countries, which require immediate measures for health system strengthening across sectors.

scholarly journals Conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in patients with COVID-19 infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 280-284
Author(s):  
Haider Aswad Layikh ◽  
Zainab Adel Hashim ◽  
Alyaa A. Kadum
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infection ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ocular Findings ◽  
Standard Deviation Range ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 that might affect the eye in the form of conjunctivitis and other ocular features. OBJECTIVES: Assess the frequency and clinical profile of conjunctivitis and other ocular findings in Iraqi patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING: Secondary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of variable disease severity from June 2020 to December 2020. Ocular history and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection was assessed for all of the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of conjunctival inflammation and other ocular findings in patients with coronavirus infection. SAMPLE SIZE: 186 patients. RESULTS: The patients had a mean (standard deviation, range) age of 44.4 (18.8, 18–78) years. Conjunctivitis was present in 25 patients (13.4%). There was no significant association between prevalence of conjunctivitis and patient gender ( P =.868). However, conjunctivitis was significantly associated with the severity of the disease ( P =.018): the rate of conjunctivitis was significantly higher in cases with severe disease (28%) in comparison with those with mild to moderate clinical presentation (9.3%). The natural course of conjunctivitis seemed to be mild with no effect on visual acuity and no short-term complications. CONCLUSION: Conjunctivitis can occur in patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, and could be a presenting sign. Conjunctivitis is more common in cases of severe COVID-19 infection and since it could be a presenting sign it might be of benefit in the early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. LIMITATION: Single-center study, safety limitations in the examination of the patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

scholarly journals Clinical characteristics and abnormal parameters evolution in patients with novel coronavirus infection: a case series of 272 cases in Guangzhou

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Yubing Wang ◽  
Zhongwei Hu ◽  
Jie Luo ◽  
Fuchun Zhang ◽  
Lianjiao Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Laboratory Parameters ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Early Warning Indicators ◽  
Chief Complaints ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Warning Indicators

Abstract Objective To present the clinical characteristics and dynamic changes in laboratory parameters of the COVID-19 in Guangzhou, and explore the probable early warning indicators of disease progressing. Method We enrolled all the patients diagnosed as COVID-19 in the Guangzhou No. 8 People’s Hospital. The patients’ demographic, and epidemiologic data were collected, including chief complaints, lab results and imaging examination. Results The characteristics of the patients in Guangzhou are different from that in Wuhan. They were younger in age, female dominated, not commonly combined with other disease. 75% of patients suffered fever on admission, followed by cough occurring in 62% patients. By comparing the mild/normal and severe/critical patients, male, aged, combined with hypertension, abnormal in blood routine result, raised creatine kinase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, CRP, procalcitonin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, APTT, and positive in proteinuria can be candidate of early warning indicators to severe disease. Conclusion The patients in outside epidemic areas showed different characteristics from that in Wuhan. The abnormal laboratory parameters were markedly changed in 4 weeks after admission, and also shown different between the mild and severe patients. The highest specificity and sensitivity potential early warning indicators of severe disease need more evidence to confirm.

scholarly journals COVID–19: Guidance Outlines on Infection Prevention and Control for Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Shiv Mudgal ◽  
Prasan Panda ◽  
Pratima Gupta ◽  
Pradeep Aggarwal
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
The People ◽  
Moderate Disease ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

Coronavirus are a common family of viruses and there are seven different types of coronaviruses including this new member of coronavirus i.e. 2019 novel coronavirus, which can make the people infected and sick. Some strains of this family of virus cause mild to moderate disease symptoms like common cold while other strains cause very severe disease like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).(1,2) In late December, in Wuhan Hubei Province, China a number of people suffered with severe respiratory illness including a cluster of pneumonia cases. On 31 December 2019, China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about cluster of patient with symptoms of respiratory illness of unknown cause, which were connected to an open seafood and animal market of Wuhan city, China.(3)

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Symptoms—A Case Report

Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Alistair J. Mackett ◽  
Victoria L. Keevil
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Older People ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Case Series ◽  
High Index ◽  
Uncommon Presentation ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

COVID-19, a new illness secondary to a novel Coronavirus emerged in December 2019 in China. Our early understanding of the clinical features of COVID-19 has been based on case series emerging from the first outbreak in Wuhan. These features included fever, a dry cough, myalgia and dyspnea. Gastrointestinal symptoms were rarely reported as a key feature. We present a case report of a 74-year-old male who presented with symptoms of gastroenteritis and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. This article aims to highlight an uncommon presentation of COVID-19 and that a high index of suspicion is required for COVID-19 in older people given their greater likelihood of presenting atypically.

scholarly journals The United Kingdom public health response to an imported laboratory confirmed case of a novel coronavirus in September 2012

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Pebody ◽  
M A Chand ◽  
H L Thomas ◽  
H K Green ◽  
N L Boddington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Fatal Case ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Severe Respiratory Illness ◽  
Close Contacts

On 22 September 2012, a novel coronavirus, very closely related to that from a fatal case in Saudi Arabia three months previously, was detected in a previously well adult transferred to intensive care in London from Qatar with severe respiratory illness. Strict respiratory isolation was instituted. Ten days after last exposure, none of 64 close contacts had developed severe disease, with 13 of 64 reporting mild respiratory symptoms. The novel coronavirus was not detected in 10 of 10 symptomatic contacts tested.

scholarly journals 68 Consecutive patients assessed for COVID-19 infection; experience from a UK regional infectious disease unit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Easom ◽  
Peter Moss ◽  
Gavin Barlow ◽  
Anda Samson ◽  
Thomas Taynton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Major Activity ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Uk

AbstractClinical assessment of possible infection with SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 respiratory illness, has been a major activity of infectious diseases services in the UK and elsewhere since the first report of cases in December 2019. We report our case series of 68 patients, reviewed by Infectious Diseases Consultants at a Regional Infectious Diseases Unit in the UK. We prospectively evaluated our service between the 29th Jan 2020 and 24th Feb 2020.Demographic, clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data were collected. We have compared clinical features and subsequent diagnosis between well patients not requiring admission for clinical reasons or antimicrobials with those assessed as needing either admission or antimicrobial treatment.Final microbiological diagnoses included SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza A, RSV, non SARS/MERS coronaviruses, rhinovirus/enterovirus. 9/68 were treated with antimicrobials, 15/68 were admitted to a negative pressure room of whom 5/68 were admitted solely due to an inability to isolate at home. Patients requiring either admission on clinical grounds or antimicrobials (14/68) were similar to those not requiring admission or antimicrobials, with modestly more fever and shortness of breath in the clinically admitted / antimicrobial group. The most commonly prescribed antimicrobials were doxycycline, moxifloxacin and oseltamivir.The majority of patients had mild illness which did not require a clinical intervention to manage. This finding supports a community testing approach supported by clinicians to review the proportion of more unwell patients.

scholarly journals Red herring unmasked: the trail leading to retinoblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Variant Nee Vern Chee ◽  
Li Yen Chan ◽  
Zayani Binti Zohari ◽  
Fazliana Binti Ismail ◽  
Jamalia Binti Rahmat
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Chamber ◽  
Blunt Trauma ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Accurate Diagnosis ◽  
Vitreous Haemorrhage ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

This case series highlights the possibility of retinoblastoma in children with a history of trauma. Retinoblastoma commonly presents with leukocoria. In our series, the history of blunt trauma led to a misdiagnosis. The delay in correctly diagnosing retinoblastoma was made more difficult with hyphaema and vitreous haemorrhage obscuring the fundus view. Hyperdensities in imaging tests were mistaken for intraocular foreign bodies and post-trauma insult rather than calcification of an intraocular tumour. Both patients underwent anterior chamber washout. The patients were referred to our centre when their condition worsened. Retinoblastoma was highly suspected and confirmed from histopathological examination after enucleation. An accurate diagnosis can only be achieved by exercising a high index of suspicion. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement will lead to poor prognosis.

scholarly journals A case series of children and young people admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Germany with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Remppis ◽  
Tina Ganzenmueller ◽  
Malte Kohns Vasconcelos ◽  
Oliver Heinzel ◽  
Rupert Handgretinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Course Of Disease ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Underlying Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract Background While our knowledge about COVID-19 in adults has rapidly increased, data on the course of disease and outcome in children with different comorbidities is still limited. Methods Prospective, observational study at a tertiary care children’s hospital in southern Germany. Clinical and virology data from all paediatric patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection at our hospital were prospectively assessed. Results Between March and November 2020, 14 patients were admitted with COVID-19. One patient was admitted a second time with COVID-19 6 months after initial disease. Among seven patients with severe underlying comorbidities, three developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), two were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. One patient needed invasive ventilation. Another patient died shortly after discharge of COVID-19-related complications. Conclusions While COVID-19 generally causes mild disease in children, severe respiratory illness and MIS-C occur, in some cases with fatal outcome. Children with underlying diseases might be at special risk for severe disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document