Dynamics of clinical and laboratory indicators in serious patients and deaths with new coronavirus infection of COVID-19 under treatment of 8 mg dexamethasone

The article provides a review of the literature on the effectiveness of glucocorticoids in viral infections, including the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The results of our research of the dynamics of laboratory parameters in patients who recovered and those who died are presented. The average age of patients who received 8 mg of dexamethasone and recovered was less than that of the deceased. The average day on which the patients were hospitalized in the ICU and who received 8 mg of dexamethasone in both groups was the same (on average on day 7). It is noteworthy that in patients who recovered, the febrile temperature was more often recorded before hospitalization, while in those who died it was more often subfebrile. The temperature during hospitalization in all categories of patients was on average at subfebrile numbers. The respiratory rate on admission in all categories of patients did not differ significantly and on average was about 19/min (up to 20/min was in 50 % of patients who recovered and 58.3 % of those who died). Those who recovered were more likely to have a normal heart rate on admission, but tachycardia was less common than within those who died. In patients who subsequently died, lower saturation levels were more often recorded upon admission. In the first 3 days after hospitalization, in patients who recovered and received 8 mg of dexamethasone, leukocytosis and granulocytosis were recorded more often; there was an increased number of stab neutrophils and the number of patients with it. The patients who subsequently died more often developed leukopenia, more pronounced lymphopenia with an increased quantity of patients with it; they presented more pronounced thrombocytopenia (the number of patients with it did not differ from those who recovered), higher erythrocyte sedation rate. In patients who subsequently died, during the observation period, there was a gradual increase in the number of leukocytes, but a gradual decrease in the number of lymphocytes, the creatine phosphokinase level increased from the 7th–9th days of hospitalization; on days 4–6 of hospitalization, the lactate dehydrogenase level significantly increased with its subsequent decline to a level that was greater than this in patients who recovered. Initially. The patients who recovered had an increase in leukocytes with their subsequent gradual decrease, a gradual increase in the level of lymphocytes, a decrease in the level of creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase. In all categories of patients, a gradual decrease in the number of stab neutrophils was observed over time, a gradual increase in the number of platelets was also observed over time, but in those who recovered their level was slightly higher; in both groups, an increase in the urea level was observed over time, but in those who died its level from day 7 and later was significantly higher than in those who recovered; in patients in both groups, an increase in the level of creatinine was observed over time, but in those who died, its level from day 7 and later was significantly higher than in those who recovered; both groups showed a decrease in C-reactive protein over time, but those who died from the very beginning of their hospital stay and during all follow-up periods had higher levels than those who recovered.

Pediatric infected with 2019 coronavirus: A referral center study on 21 pediatrics in north of Iran

Background: COVID-19, a novel pneumonia associated with the 2019 coronavirus infected pneumonia suddenly broke out in the world. The aim of this study is to analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID‐19. Patients and method: Twenty-one patients confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings from 20 February to 19 April, 2020 in North of Iran were included. Demography information, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, and treatment strategies of patients were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software. Results: Body temperature was ≥38ºC in 11(52.4%) patients. Eleven (52/3%) patients had tachypnea and 4(19%) of them developed tachycardia. Six (30%) of patients suffered from a decrease in white blood cells. Also a decrease in creatine phosphokinase level was seen in 1(33%) of patients. Nine CT scans (42.85%) demonstrated a halo sign. Seven patients’ (33.33%) CT scans showed a patchy infiltration. Nine (42.85%) CT scans had bilateral crazy-paving pattern. 38.1% of patients were treated with chloroquine and oseltamivir. Four (19.04%) patients died and 17(80.95%) patients were discharged from the hospital. One of the patients who died suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: We found out that pediatrics, especially boys are more susceptible to COVID‐19 and it is more common in school-age and toddlers. Manifestations are milder than adults and severe cases associated with underlying disease. The effectiveness of medications used in the treatment of this disease need further study.

Very-Long-Chain Acyl-Co-Enzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency Presenting as Rhabdomyolysis: First Case Report from Sri Lanka

Background. Rhabdomyolysis can be either inherited or acquired such as in metabolic myopathies. Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare fatty acid oxidation disorder which presents with different phenotypes, and the mild adult form can present as intermittent rhabdomyolysis. Here, we present the first adult case of very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency presenting as rhabdomyolysis in a Sri Lankan patient. Case Presentation. A 36-year-old Sri Lankan man who was born to consanguineous parents presented with severe generalized muscle pain, stiffness, and dark-coloured urine for three days following prolonged low-intensity activity. Since fourteen years of age, he has had multiple similar episodes, where one episode was complicated with acute kidney injury. His eldest brother also suffered from the similar episode. Examination revealed only generalized muscle tenderness without any weakness. His creatine phosphokinase level was above 50,000 IU/L, and he had myoglobinuria. Molecular genetic tests confirmed the diagnosis of very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Following a successful recovery devoid of complications, he remained asymptomatic with lifestyle adjustments. Conclusion. Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare inherited cause of metabolic myopathy that gives rise to intermittent rhabdomyolysis in adults. Prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent complications and prevent its recurrence.

THE APPLICATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF ACUTE POSTEXERCISE RHABDOMYOLYSIS

Introduction. Rhabdomyolysis is destruction syndrome of striated skeletal muscle characterized by myalgia, an increase of creatine phosphokinase level (CPK), serum myoglobin and myoglobulinuria. This review presents the analysis of five cases of acute postexercise rhabdomyolysis happened to militaries, complicated by pigmentary nephropathy with the description of clinical and laboratory studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroneuromyographic and morphological features. The purpose of the study is the clinical assessment of MRI for the diagnosis of postexercise rhabdomyolysis. Results. A comparative assessment demonstrated that in the presented clinical cases in the muscle groups with minimal edematous changes, an increase in the MR signal was observed at T2-WISPAIR, as well as in diffusion-weighted images (factor b — 0, 500, 1000), at the same time on all other pulse sequences (including STIR) changes in signal intensity were not detected. Conclusion. There was shown that in mild cases of rhabdomyolysis, the regression of MR manifestations corresponds to a decrease in laboratory parameters of CPK and myoglobin, whereas in severe forms of rhabdomyolysis, the regression of MR manifestations is significantly slowed down relative to laboratory indicators, and in the place of necrosis areas, the foci of degeneration form (hyperintensive on T1 and T2-WI, hypo-intensive on T1-WI-SPIR and T2-WI-SPAIR). Morphologically confirmed the fact of pronounced hemorrhage in the compartment syndrome due to postload rhabdomyolysis (hyperintensive sites on T1-WI and T1-WI-SPIR, iso-, hypointensive on T2-WI, T2-WI-SPAIR).

Accidental Strangulation with Cervical Nerve Root Injury Caused by the Entrapment of Clothing in a Soybean Milling Machine

The clothing of a forty-five-year-old man became entrapped by the mixing rotator while he was operating a soybean milling machine. His clothing was wound around the rotator, and tightened around his neck and chest, causing strangulation and a loss of consciousness. He was rescued by his coworkers and transported to our hospital by helicopter. Upon arrival, he regained consciousness. A physiological examination revealed multiple petechiae on his face and strangulation marks with subcutaneous hemorrhage on his neck and upper trunk. In addition, he had motor weakness of the right upper extremity and bilateral paresthesia from C5 to Th1. All radiological studies were negative. He was admitted for observation. After the patient’s creatine phosphokinase level peaked and his focal neurological signs improved, he was discharged on foot on the 6th hospital day. Accidental ligature strangulation with cervical nerve root injury, in which an article of clothing is caught in an electrical machine and strangles the wearer, is very rare. This case is presented for its rarity and the unique pattern of injury.

An Iatrogenic Catatonia

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an iatrogenic movement disorders emergency characterized by rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability of varying degrees of severity. In severe cases this can be a fatal syndrome, so recognition and withdrawal of potentially causative medications is the priority. Management is otherwise supportive, and some patients will require admission to an intensive care unit. Creatine phosphokinase can be used to monitor the disease course; a decreasing creatine phosphokinase level with an increasing temperature may indicate an infection. The incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome has declined considerably with the increased use of atypical neuroleptics with greater D2 receptor blockade compared to older agents.

A Curious Case of Acute Respiratory Failure: Is It Antisynthetase Syndrome?

Antisynthetase (AS) syndrome is a major subgroup of inflammatory myopathies seen in a minority of patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Although it is usually associated with elevated creatine phosphokinase level, some patients may have amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) like presentation with predominant skin involvement. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the main pulmonary manifestation and may be severe thereby determining the prognosis. It may rarely present with a very aggressive course resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report a case of a 43-year-old male who presented with nonresolving pneumonia who was eventually diagnosed to have ADM through a skin biopsy without any muscle weakness. ADM may be associated with rapidly progressive course of interstitial lung disease (ADM-ILD) which is associated with high mortality. Differentiation between ADM-ILD and AS syndrome may be difficult in the absence of positive serology and clinical presentation may help in clinching the diagnosis.