Smell dysfunction in patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the cause of a global pandemic and the object of numerous studies worldwide. COVID-19 has many clinical manifestations, but smell dysfunction has become its unique “visiting card”. The purpose of this review is to analyze scientific data on anosmia in COVID-19 based on the results of primary research using PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY databases. Olfactory dysfunction is a very common symptom in COVID-19: up to 85% of patients report these subjective sensations, but objective olfactory testing shows a higher prevalence — up to 98%. Up to 27% of patients may experience a sudden onset of anosmia as the first symptom. Therefore, anosmia can be crucial in timely identification of individuals infected with SARS-CoV 2. A feature of olfactory disorders in COVID-19 is the preservation of normal transnasal air flow conditions, when edema, hyperemia of the nasal mucosa and rhinorrhea characteristic of other respiratory viral infections are expressed slightly or aren`t expressed at all. Many studies show that the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity is an area of enhanced binding, replication, and accumulation of SARS-CoV2, which is due to the active expression of two host receptors (APF2 and TMPS2 proteases) by numerous non-neuronal olfactory epithelium cells. It is supposed that supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium are primarily affected, and olfactory receptor neurons and olfactory bulb neurons are affected secondarily. However, the final clinical and pathophysiological significance of olfactory symptoms remains to be determined

Download Full-text

Olfactory Dysfunction: A Highly Prevalent Symptom of COVID-19 With Public Health Significance

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599820926464 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 163 (1) ◽

pp. 12-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Ahmad R. Sedaghat ◽

Isabelle Gengler ◽

Marlene M. Speth

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Sudden Onset ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Data Sources ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Olfactory Testing ◽

Important Symptom

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting millions of individuals, killing hundreds of thousands. Although typically described with characteristic symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, greater understanding of COVID-19 has revealed myriad clinical manifestations. Olfactory dysfunction (OD)—hyposmia and anosmia—has recently been recognized as an important symptom of COVID-19 and increasingly gained traction as a public health tool for identifying COVID-19 patients, in particular otherwise asymptomatic carriers who, unawares, may be major drivers of disease spread. The objective of this study is to review the scientific evidence about anosmia in COVID-19. Data Sources PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Review Methods Comprehensive literature search of primary studies pertinent to the objectives of this review using the chosen data sources. Conclusions Current evidence shows that OD is highly prevalent in COVID-19, with up to 80% of patients reporting subjective OD and objective olfactory testing potentially showing even higher prevalence. OD is frequently accompanied by taste dysfunction. Up to 25% of COVID-19 patients may experience sudden-onset OD as the first symptom. A large proportion of COVID-19 OD cases may resolve over the period of a few weeks. Implications for Practice Sudden anosmia should be considered a symptom of COVID-19. Assessing for sudden-onset anosmia may increase sensitivity of COVID-19 screening strategies, in particular for identifying patients at the earliest stages of disease. Since many cases of OD due to COVID-19 may resolve in the short term, conservative management, including observation, is reasonable, while advanced imaging is unnecessary.

Download Full-text

Post-COVID-19 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Case Reports in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/9967555 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Siniša Maslovara ◽

Andro Košec

Keyword(s):

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Short Report ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Positional Vertigo ◽

The Right ◽

Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Background. COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-COVID-19). The WHO first learned about this new virus on December 31, 2019, following a report on a group of cases of “viral pneumonia” in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, and declared a pandemic in March 2020. The disease was an almost complete unknown at the outset, but knowledge of its pathophysiology, clinical picture, and treatment options grew and developed rapidly. Objective. Dizziness is a very common symptom that patients report in routine clinical practice and one of the significant clinical manifestations of COVID-19. This short report investigated a possible connection between COVID-19 and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods. We present two cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which developed within two weeks of SARS-COVID-19 infection, manifesting with mild disease severity in early November 2020. Results. In both cases, the disease manifested by severe, short-lived attacks of vertigo, objective-circular type, with accompanying nausea and vomiting. The symptoms occurred when lying in bed and turning to the right and assuming an upright position. The diagnosis of posterior semicircular canal BPPV (PC-BPPV) was made based on a subjectively and objectively positive right-sided Dix–Hallpike test. Conclusions. The pathophysiology of post-COVID BPPV is probably similar to that of other viral infections, with some of its specificities such as inducing hypercoagulation and microthrombus formation, which can cause significant circulatory disorders possibly affecting its pathogenesis.

Download Full-text

Polymyalgia Rheumatica - a Disease of the Elderly

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.18.1.6063 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 152-154

Author(s):

Vasilica Cristescu ◽

Aurelia Romila ◽

Luana Andreea Macovei

Keyword(s):

Giant Cell Arteritis ◽

Giant Cell ◽

Polymyalgia Rheumatica ◽

Temporal Arteritis ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

The Elderly ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Immune Disorder ◽

Markers Of Inflammation

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disease that occurs mostly in the elderly and is rarely seen in patients less than 50 years of age. Polymyalgia rheumatica is a vasculitis, which manifests itself as an inflammatory disease of the vascular wall that can affect any type of blood vessel, regardless of its size. It has been considered a form of giant cell arteritis, involving primarily large and medium arteries and to a lesser extent the arterioles. Clinical manifestations are caused by the generic pathogenic process and depend on the characteristics of the damaged organ. PMR is a senescence-related immune disorder. It has been defined as a stand-alone condition and a syndrome referred to as rheumatic polyarteritis with manifestations of giant cell arteritis (especially in cases of Horton�s disease and temporal arteritis) which are commonly associated with polymyalgia. The clinical presentation is clearly dominated by the painful girdle syndrome, with a feeling of general discomfort. Polymyalgia and temporal arteritis may coexist or be consecutive to each other in the same patient, as in most of our patients. The present study describes 3 cases of polymyalgia rheumatica, admitted to the Clinic of Rheumatology of Sf. Apostol Andrei Hospital, Galati. The cases were compared with the literature. Two clinical aspects (polymyalgia rheumatica and/or Horton�s disease) and the relationship between them were also considered. Polymyalgia rheumatica is currently thought to have a multifactorial etiology, in which the following factors play a role: genetic factors or hereditary predisposition (some individuals are more prone to this disease), immune factors and viral infections (triggers of the disease). Other risk factors of polymyalgia rheumatica include age over 50 years and the association with giant cell arteritis. The characteristic feature of the disease is girdle pain, with intense stiffness of at least one hour�s duration. Markers of inflammation, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are almost always increased at the onset of the disease. Diseases that can mimic the clinical picture of polymyalgia rheumatica are neoplasia, infections, metabolic disorders of the bone and endocrine diseases.

Download Full-text

Neuralgic amyotrophy: an underrecognized entity

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/03000605211006542 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 030006052110065

Author(s):

Tae Uk Kim ◽

Min Cheol Chang

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Clinical History ◽

Cervical Radiculopathy ◽

Sudden Onset ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Magnetic Resonance Neurography ◽

Essential Information ◽

Neuralgic Amyotrophy

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is markedly underdiagnosed in clinical practice, and its actual incidence rate is about 1 per 1000 per year. In the current article, we provide an overview of essential information about NA, including the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The causes of NA are multifactorial and include immunological, mechanical, or genetic factors. Typical clinical findings are a sudden onset of pain in the shoulder region, followed by patchy flaccid paralysis of muscles in the shoulder and/or arm. A diagnosis of NA is based on a patient’s clinical history and physical examination. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution magnetic resonance neurography are useful for confirming the diagnosis and choosing the appropriate treatment. However, before a diagnosis of NA is confirmed, other disorders with similar symptoms, such as cervical radiculopathy or rotator cuff tear, need to be ruled out. The prognosis of NA depends on the degree of axonal damage. In conclusion, many patients with motor weakness and pain are encountered in clinical practice, and some of these patients will exhibit NA. It is important that clinicians understand the key features of this disorder to avoid misdiagnosis.

Download Full-text

POS1199 CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SARS-CoV2 INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH RHEUMATIC AND MUSCULUSKELETAL DISEASES – SURVEY DATA FROM GERMANY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.1875 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 882.1-882

Author(s):

C. Sengler ◽

S. Eulert ◽

M. Niewerth ◽

T. Kallinich ◽

H. Wittkowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Virus Detection ◽

German Society ◽

Underlying Disease ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Disease Course ◽

Cardiorespiratory Failure

Background:Although children and adolescents are less likely to develop COVID-19 and generally show milder disease courses, it is unclear what impact the SARS-CoV2 infection has on children and adolescents with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD). Due to their underlying disease as well as therapeutic immunosuppression these patients may be at higher risk of being more severely affected by SARS-CoV2. Furthermore, SARS-CoV2 infection might trigger a flare of the underlying disease.Objectives:To evaluate clinical characteristics and disease course of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD and to analyze possible effects of SARS-CoV2 infection on the underlying disease under different therapeutic regimens.Methods:Data from juvenile patients with RMD recorded via the SARS-CoV2 questionnaire within the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database and the registry for hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases were analyzed. In addition to age, sex and diagnosis, information was collected about the date and method of a positive SARS-CoV2 testing, reason for testing, on clinical manifestations, disease course, treatment and outcome of COVID-19, on drug therapy at the time of virus detection, on disease activity (NRS 0 – 10, 0 = best) of the underlying disease at the last visit before and after the SARS-CoV2 infection.Results:From April 17th 2020 until January 25th 2021, data of 67 patients with RMD and confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection were collected. Mean age was 13.5 ± 3.9 years with equal sex distribution. The majority of patients were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, 64%), 12 (18%) patients had an autoinflammatory disease (FMF, CAPS, PFAPA, TRAPS) and 5 (7%) a connective tissue disease. Fifty-two patients (78%) were treated with a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), 39% with a biological DMARD and 9% systemic glucocorticoids at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nineteen patients (28%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 because of typical symptoms, the majority (67%) because of contact to an infected person. PCR was used most often (in 60 %).52 patients (78%) developed symptoms of COVID-19, 15 patients remained asymptomatic. The most common symptom of COVID-19 was rhinitis (42%) and fever (38%), followed by fatigue (34%), taste/smell disorder (33%), sore throat (27%) and cough (23%).Disease severity was graded as mild in 44 of 52 (85%) symptomatic patients, only two patients were hospitalized, one of whom required intensive care and died of cardiorespiratory failure 3 days after symptom onset. In 22 of 26 (85%) SARS-CoV2-positive patients, no relevant increase in disease activity (difference in NRS ≤ 1 before/after infection) of the underlying disease was observed 31 days after symptom onset (median, IQR 17-52 days). One patient, who had paused tocilizumab for 2 doses, experienced a flare of his seronegative polyarthritis 2 months after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusion:In our cohort, the clinical picture of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with RMD was similar to that of healthy peers. The majority of patients showed mild disease course with good outcome under various medications, however, one patient with a severe course of COVID-19 died. In addition, SARS-CoV2 infection does not appear to have a relevant impact on the underlying disease activity, whereas discontinuation of therapy might pose a risk of flare.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Download Full-text

A multicenter evaluation of viral bloodstream detections in children presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected systemic infection

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02699-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christina A. Rostad ◽

Neena Kanwar ◽

Jumi Yi ◽

Claudia R. Morris ◽

Jennifer Dien Bard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Systemic Infection ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Systemic Infections

Abstract Background Fever is a common symptom in children presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). We aimed to describe the epidemiology of systemic viral infections and their predictive values for excluding serious bacterial infections (SBIs), including bacteremia, meningitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children presenting to the ED with suspected systemic infections. Methods We enrolled children who presented to the ED with suspected systemic infections who had blood cultures obtained at seven healthcare facilities. Whole blood specimens were analyzed by an experimental multiplexed PCR test for 7 viruses. Demographic and laboratory results were abstracted. Results Of the 1114 subjects enrolled, 245 viruses were detected in 224 (20.1%) subjects. Bacteremia, meningitis and UTI frequency in viral bloodstream-positive patients was 1.3, 0 and 10.1% compared to 2.9, 1.3 and 9.7% in viral bloodstream-negative patients respectively. Although viral bloodstream detections had a high negative predictive value for bacteremia or meningitis (NPV = 98.7%), the frequency of UTIs among these subjects remained appreciable (9/89, 10.1%) (NPV = 89.9%). Screening urinalyses were positive for leukocyte esterase in 8/9 (88.9%) of these subjects, improving the ability to distinguish UTI. Conclusions Viral bloodstream detections were common in children presenting to the ED with suspected systemic infections. Although overall frequencies of SBIs among subjects with and without viral bloodstream detections did not differ significantly, combining whole blood viral testing with urinalysis provided high NPV for excluding SBI.

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of protected aminopenicillins in treatment of non-social pneumonia in children

Лечащий врач ◽

10.51793/os.2021.24.10.003 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Е.Е. Краснова ◽

В.В. Чемоданов ◽

Е.Г. Кузнецова

Keyword(s):

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Acquired Resistance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Severe Pneumonia ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽

Natural Activity ◽

Respiratory Viral Infections

Пневмония – острое инфекционно-воспалительное заболевание легких преимущественно бактериальной этиологии, характеризующееся выраженной в разной степени дыхательной недостаточностью, токсическими и респираторными нарушениями, локальными физикальными симптомами, а также инфильтративными изменениями на рентгенограмме. Заболеваемость внебольничными пневмониями повышается в октябре-декабре, достигая максимума в январе-апреле, коррелируя с сезонным повышением уровня острых респираторных вирусных инфекций. Схожесть симптомов дебюта пневмонии с проявлениями острых респираторных вирусных инфекций может привести к несвоевременной ее диагностике и, как следствие, к отсроченному началу лечения. Поэтому в период сезонной заболеваемости респираторными инфекциями должна повышаться настороженность врачей-педиатров в отношении внебольничной пневмонии. Антибактериальная терапия оказывает решающее влияние на прогноз пневмонии, поэтому при достоверном диагнозе или у больного в тяжелом состоянии с вероятным диагнозом ее следует начать незамедлительно. Выбор антибиотика в каждом случае внебольничной пневмонии проводят индивидуально с учетом природной активности препаратов в отношении предполагаемого возбудителя и их возможной приобретенной резистентности, тяжести и течения заболевания, наличия у пациента противопоказаний к использованию тех или иных антибиотиков. В статье приводятся сведения о диагностических критериях внебольничных пневмоний. Рассмотрены вопросы антибактериального лечения типичной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разных возрастных групп амоксициллином с клавулановой кислотой и показана его эффективность. Результаты проведенного исследования позволяют заключить, что пероральное использование одного курса защищенного аминопенициллина эффективно при лечении типичной внебольничной нетяжелой пневмонии у детей разного возраста, о чем свидетельствует ликвидация основных клинических проявлений болезни в короткие сроки. Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory lung disease of predominantly bacterial etiology, characterized by respiratory failure, toxic and respiratory disorders, local physical symptoms, and infiltrative changes on the roentgenogram. The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia increases in October-December, reaching a maximum in January-April, correlating with the seasonal increase in the level of acute respiratory viral infections. The similarity of the symptoms of the onset of pneumonia with the manifestations of acute respiratory viral infections can lead to its untimely diagnosis and, as a consequence, to a delayed start of treatment. Therefore, during the period of seasonal morbidity with respiratory infections, the alertness of pediatricians in relation to community-acquired pneumonia should increase. Antibiotic therapy has a decisive influence on the prognosis of pneumonia, therefore, with a reliable diagnosis or in a patient in serious condition with a probable diagnosis, it should be started immediately. The choice of antibiotic in each case of community-acquired pneumonia is carried out individually, taking into account the natural activity of the drugs in relation to the alleged pathogen and their possible acquired resistance, the severity and course of the disease, the patient's contraindications to the use of certain antibiotics. The article provides information on the diagnostic criteria for community-acquired pneumonia. The issues of antibacterial treatment of typical non-severe pneumonia in children of different age groups with amoxicillin with clavulanic acid are considered and its effectiveness is shown. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the oral use of one course of protected aminopenicillin is effective in the treatment of typical community-acquired non-severe pneumonia in children of different ages, as evidenced by the elimination of the main clinical manifestations of the disease in a short time.

Download Full-text

Otitis Media

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.74.5.948 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 948-949

Author(s):

Charles M. Ginsburg

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Acute Otitis Media ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Primary Responsibility ◽

Printed Materials

Earache, a common symptom in children, causes many parents to seek medical attention. Aside from trauma and the discomfort that often accompanies viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, acute otitis media with effusion is the commonest cause of otalgia in infants and children. Proper management requires a team effort between the physician and the child's parents or caretaker. The physician must transmit to the parents a concise but thorough overview of the problem and a plan for management. This should include information on the pathophysiology of ear disease, its incidence, therapy and the potential adverse effects, and any measures that the parents may take to prevent recurrence. The primary responsibility for transmittal of this information lies with the physician. Ancillary medical personnel and communication aids (videotapes, computers, printed materials) should be utilized, if available, to reinforce the physician's "message.'

Download Full-text

Acute Pharyngitis: Etiology and Diagnosis

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.97.6.949 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 97 (6) ◽

pp. 949-954

Author(s):

Alan L. Bisno

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex ◽

Influenza A ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Acute Pharyngitis ◽

Herpesvirus Type ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Epstein Barr

Acute pharyngitis may be caused by a wide variety of microbial agents (Table 1). The relative importance of each of these agents varies greatly depending on a number of epidemiologic factors, including age of the patient, season of the year, and geographic locale. Viruses Most cases of acute pharyngitis are viral in etiology and involve the pharynx as well as other portions of the respiratory tract as manifestations of the common cold, influenza, or croup. Examples include the rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza A and B, and the parainfluenza viruses. Certain viral infections causing sore throat may exhibit clinical manifestations that are rather distinctive. Examples include enteroviruses (herpangina due to Coxsackie A), Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus (cytomegalovirus mononucleosis), adenovirus (pharyngoconjunctival fever, acute respiratory disease of military recruits), and herpes simplex virus (pharyngitis, gingivitis, and stomatitis). In many instances, however, the illnesses caused by these agents may overlap so broadly with that of streptococcal pharyngitis as to be clinically indistinguishable. Thus, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, and herpes virus may all cause fever, exudative pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis. Several studies have documented the role of primary herpesvirus type 1 infection as a cause of acute pharyngitis in college students.1-4 Herpesvirus type 2 can occasionally cause a similar illness as a consequence of oral-genital sexual contact.5 Although herpesvirus infections may involve the anterior oral cavity (vesicular or ulcerative gingivostomatitis) as well as the posterior pharynx, they do not routinely do so. Only about one-fourth of students with culturally and serologically proven primary herpes simplex type 1 pharyngitis studied by Glezen et al,2 for example, had gingivostomatitis.

Download Full-text

Physical Exercise and Yoga: as an alternative approach towards COVID-19 management

Current Traditional Medicine ◽

10.2174/2215083807666210322152352 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 07 ◽

Author(s):

Saurabh Kumar ◽

Sakshi Sudha ◽

Madhu Chopra ◽

Famida Khan ◽

Kanupriya Sharma

Keyword(s):

Physical Exercise ◽

Literature Search ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

World Population ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Background: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a highly contagious ssRNA +Ve sense virus that emerged in late 2019, has created a global panic. With no effective therapy available, the virus has significantly affected the world population causing millions of death. Therefore, it is the utmost need to look towards all the possible strategies to benefit the community. Objectives: In view of the current global pandemic, we tried to discuss the potential benefits of two cost-effective alternative approaches, i.e., physical exercise and yoga. Method: The editorial is based on a literature search available on PubMed, Google Scholar, and WHO portal. Search terminologies include “yoga”, “physical exercise”, “COVID-19”, “viral infections”, and a combination of these words. Results: A literature search defines yoga and physical exercise efficacy in different viral diseases, including HIV, influenza, and HSV. It ameliorates the quality of life (QoL) by improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. This is mainly done by promoting the better functioning of the immune system (increases CD4+ and CD8+ cells and reduces pro-inflammatory response). Conclusions: Regular involvement of these activities in day-to-day life may limit latent virus reactivations and reduce infection chances.

Download Full-text