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Becker RC, Tantry US, Khan M, Gurbel PA. The COVID-19 thrombus: distinguishing pathological, mechanistic, and phenotypic features and management. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024:10.1007/s11239-024-03028-4. [PMID: 39179952 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-03028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
A heightened risk for thrombosis is a hallmark of COVID-19. Expansive clinical experience and medical literature have characterized small (micro) and large (macro) vessel involvement of the venous and arterial circulatory systems. Most events occur in patients with serious or critical illness in the hyperacute (first 1-2 weeks) or acute phases (2-4 weeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, thrombosis involving the venous, arterial, and microcirculatory systems has been reported in the subacute (4-8 weeks), convalescent (> 8-12 weeks) and chronic phases (> 12 weeks) among patients with mild-to-moderate illness. The purpose of the current focused review is to highlight the distinguishing clinical features, pathological components, and potential mechanisms of venous, arterial, and microvascular thrombosis in patients with COVID-19. The overarching objective is to better understand the proclivity for thrombosis, laying a solid foundation for screening and surveillance modalities, preventive strategies, and optimal patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Becker
- Cardiovascular Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
| | - Udaya S Tantry
- Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research and Drug Development, Baltimore, USA
| | - Muhammad Khan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Paul A Gurbel
- Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research and Drug Development, Baltimore, USA
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2
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Gozzi L, Cozzi D, Zantonelli G, Giannessi C, Giovannelli S, Smorchkova O, Grazzini G, Bertelli E, Bindi A, Moroni C, Cavigli E, Miele V. Lung Involvement in Pulmonary Vasculitis: A Radiological Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1416. [PMID: 39001306 PMCID: PMC11240918 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14131416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary vasculitis identifies a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation, damage and necrosis of the wall of pulmonary vessels. The most common approach to classify vasculitis is according to etiology, therefore dividing them into primary and secondary, with a further sub-classification of primary vasculitis based on the size of the affected vessels (large, medium, and small). Pulmonary involvement is frequently observed in patients with systemic vasculitis and radiological presentation is not pathognomonic, but may vary between diseases. The main findings using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) include small vessel wall thickening, nodular lesions, cavitary lesions, reticular opacities, ground-glass opacities (GGO), consolidations, interlobular septal thickening, tracheobronchial stenosis, and aneurysmal dilatation of pulmonary arteries, with or without pleural effusion. Radiological diagnosis alone is difficult since signs and symptoms of lung vessel involvement are often non-specific and might overlap with other conditions such as infections, connective tissue diseases and neoplasms. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the most common radiological features of lung involvement in pulmonary vasculitis so that, alongside detailed clinical history and laboratory tests, a prompt diagnosis can be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gozzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Diletta Cozzi
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Zantonelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Giannessi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Giovannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Olga Smorchkova
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Grazzini
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Bertelli
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bindi
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Moroni
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Edoardo Cavigli
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Vittorio Miele
- Department of Emergency Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
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3
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Wang C, Li ZY, Jiang GP, Zhao MH, Chen M. Risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection and the impact of COVID-19 infection on disease progression among patients with AAV. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38683496 PMCID: PMC11059009 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01351-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
To identify risk factors for COVID-19 infection and investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and vasculitis flare in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). This cohort study retrospectively analyzed the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 infection in 276 patients with AAV who were followed up. Logistic regression was employed to estimate the risk of COVID-19 infection as well as CKD progression and vasculitis flare upon COVID-19 infection. During the 6-month observation period, 213 (77.2%) of 276 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Of these 213 patients, 49 (23.0%) had a COVID-19-related inpatient admission, including 17 patients who died of COVID-19 infection. AAV patients with severe COVID-19 infection were more likely to be male (OR 1.921 [95% CI 1.020-3.619], P = 0.043), suffered from worse kidney function (serum creatinine [Scr], OR 1.901 [95% CI 1.345-2.687], P < 0.001), had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.054 [95% CI 1.010-1.101], P = 0.017) and less likely to have evidence of initial vaccination (OR 0.469 [95% CI 0.231-0.951], P = 0.036), and Scr and COVID-19 vaccination were proven to be significantly associated with severe COVID-19 infection even after multivariable adjustment. Severe COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with subsequent CKD progression (OR 7.929 [95% CI 2.030-30.961], P = 0.003) and vasculitis flare (OR 11.842 [95% CI 1.048-133.835], P = 0.046) among patients with AAV. AAV patients who were male, and with worse kidney function were more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection, which subsequently increased the risk of CKD progression and vasculitis flare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, No.8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Li
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, No.8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Ping Jiang
- Renal Division, The People's Hospital of Rongchang District, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, No.8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, No.8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
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Samarelli F, Graziano G, Gambacorta N, Graps EA, Leonetti F, Nicolotti O, Altomare CD. Small Molecules for the Treatment of Long-COVID-Related Vascular Damage and Abnormal Blood Clotting: A Patent-Based Appraisal. Viruses 2024; 16:450. [PMID: 38543815 PMCID: PMC10976273 DOI: 10.3390/v16030450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
People affected by COVID-19 are exposed to, among others, abnormal clotting and endothelial dysfunction, which may result in deep vein thrombosis, cerebrovascular disorders, and ischemic and non-ischemic heart diseases, to mention a few. Treatments for COVID-19 include antiplatelet (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel) and anticoagulant agents, but their impact on morbidity and mortality has not been proven. In addition, due to viremia-associated interconnected prothrombotic and proinflammatory events, anti-inflammatory drugs have also been investigated for their ability to mitigate against immune dysregulation due to the cytokine storm. By retrieving patent literature published in the last two years, small molecules patented for long-COVID-related blood clotting and hematological complications are herein examined, along with supporting evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. An overview of the main features and therapeutic potentials of small molecules is provided for the thromboxane receptor antagonist ramatroban, the pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan, and the sodium-hydrogen antiporter 1 (NHE-1) inhibitor rimeporide, as well as natural polyphenolic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Samarelli
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.G.); (N.G.); (F.L.); (O.N.)
| | - Giovanni Graziano
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.G.); (N.G.); (F.L.); (O.N.)
| | - Nicola Gambacorta
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.G.); (N.G.); (F.L.); (O.N.)
| | - Elisabetta Anna Graps
- ARESS Puglia—Agenzia Regionale Strategica per la Salute ed il Sociale, I-70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Francesco Leonetti
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.G.); (N.G.); (F.L.); (O.N.)
| | - Orazio Nicolotti
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.G.); (N.G.); (F.L.); (O.N.)
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Yeh LT, Chan CH, Wang YH, Lee CY, Yang SF, Yeh CB. Exploring the incidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease following COVID-19 infection: A retrospective cohort study. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29519. [PMID: 38465773 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a clinical manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is always associated with cerebrovascular disease and various complications. The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and the subsequent PAOD development. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and individuals with COVID-19 infection were identified from the TriNetX analytics platform. A total of 2 206 065 patients with COVID-19 infection and 2 206 065 patients without COVID-19 infection were recruited after exclusion and matching. The primary outcome was the development of PAOD after the COVID-19 infection. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to yield the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of PAOD between groups. After the whole follow-up period, the incidence of PAOD was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group at both the 3-month follow-up (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.24-1.30) and the 12-month follow-up (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.31-1.35) The Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test demonstrated a higher cumulative probability of PAOD in the COVID-19 group compared to the non-COVID-19 group (p < 0.001). In stratified analysis using 65 years as the threshold, both age groups in the COVID-19 group exhibited a higher risk of PAOD. Similarly, in the sex and race stratified analysis, the COVID-19 group performed a higher risk of PAOD in both subgroups. In conclusion, the COVID-19 infections are strongly associated with an increment of PAOD incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Tsai Yeh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ho Chan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsun Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Lee
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nobel Eye Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Li H, Li Z, Wu Z, Wang F, Xing Y, Liu Y, Jia J, Yan T. Clinical and pathological findings of IgA nephropathy following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:43. [PMID: 38400937 PMCID: PMC10894116 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been well characterized. In this study, we compared the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with IgAN who had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection to those who had not. We conducted a retrospective study that enrolled 38 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN following SARS-CoV-2 infection with 4 months (post-SARS-CoV-2 infection group) and 1154 patients with IgAN prior to the pandemic (pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection group). Among the SARS-CoV-2 group cases, 61% were females. The average duration from SARS-CoV-2 infection to renal biopsy was 78.6 days. Prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the patients had different presentations of nephropathy. One patient had isolated hematuria, two had isolated proteinuria, twenty presented with both hematuria and proteinuria, and one patient had elevated serum creatinine. Additionally, there were eight cases with uncertain nephropathy history, and six cases did not have a history of nephropathy. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, five patients experienced gross hematuria, one case exhibited creatinine elevation, and five cases showed an increase in proteinuria. The group of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 after the COVID-19 pandemic exhibited older age, higher hypertension ratio and lower eGFR values compared to the pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection group. As for pathological parameters, a higher proportion of patients in the post-SARS-CoV-2 infection group exhibited a higher percentage of sclerotic glomeruli and glomerular ischemic sclerosis. There were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of therapy involving steroids, immunosuppressants, or RAS inhibitors. IgA nephropathy patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 were generally older and experienced more severe kidney damage compared to those without SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongfen Li
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Clinical Discipline of Chinese and Western Integrative Medicine, Shuanghuan Cun Street Community Health Services Center, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanfei Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanghao Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Xing
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Youxia Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junya Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tiekun Yan
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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Bielecka E, Sielatycki P, Pietraszko P, Zapora-Kurel A, Zbroch E. Elevated Arterial Blood Pressure as a Delayed Complication Following COVID-19-A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1837. [PMID: 38339115 PMCID: PMC10856065 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is one of the most common and significant cardiovascular risk factors. There are many well-known and identified risk factors for its development. In recent times, there has been growing concern about the potential impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system and its relation to arterial hypertension. Various theories have been developed that suggest a connection between COVID-19 and elevated blood pressure. However, the precise link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the long-term risk of developing hypertension remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to investigate the influence of COVID-19 infection on blood pressure elevation and the subsequent risk of developing arterial hypertension over an extended period. To accomplish this, we conducted a thorough search review of relevant papers in the PubMed and SCOPUS databases up to 3 September 2023. Our analysis encompassed a total of 30 eligible articles. Out of the 30 papers we reviewed, 19 of them provided substantial evidence showing a heightened risk of developing arterial hypertension following COVID-19 infection. Eight of the studies showed that blood pressure values increased after the infection, while three of the qualified studies did not report any notable impact of COVID-19 on blood pressure levels. The precise mechanism behind the development of hypertension after COVID-19 remains unclear, but it is suggested that endothelial injury and dysfunction of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be contributory. Additionally, changes in blood pressure following COVID-19 infection could be linked to lifestyle alterations that often occur alongside the illness. Our findings emphasize the pressing requirement for thorough research into the relationship between COVID-19 and hypertension. These insights are essential for the development of effective prevention and management approaches for individuals who have experienced COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Edyta Zbroch
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hypertension, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-540 Bialystok, Poland; (E.B.); (P.S.); (P.P.); (A.Z.-K.)
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Gawaz A, Schindler M, Hagelauer E, Blanchard G, Riel S, Vollert A, Gilliet M, Unterluggauer L, Stary G, Pospischil I, Hoetzenecker W, Fehrenbacher B, Schaller M, Guenova E, Forchhammer S. SARS-CoV-2-Induced Vasculitic Skin Lesions Are Associated with Massive Spike Protein Depositions in Autophagosomes. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:369-377.e4. [PMID: 37580012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
In patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, vasculopathic changes of the skin are associated with a severe prognosis. However, the pathogenesis of this vasculopathy is not conclusively clarified. In this study, 25 prospectively collected skin samples from patients with COVID-19-related skin lesions were examined for vasculopathic changes and, in case of vasculitis, were further analyzed with electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Vasculopathy was observed in 76% of all COVID-19-related inflammatory skin lesions. Visual endothelial changes without manifest leukocytoclastic vasculitis were found in 60% of the COVID-19-related skin lesions, whereas leukocytoclastic vasculitis was diagnosed in 16%. In the cases of vasculitis, there were extensive spike protein depositions in microvascular endothelial cells that colocalized with the autophagosome proteins LC3B and LC3C. The autophagy protein complex LC3-associated endocytosis in microvascular endothelial cells seems to be an important pathogenic factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-related vasculitis in the skin. On ultrastructural morphology, the vasculitic process was dominated by intracellular vesicle formation and endothelial cell disruption. Direct presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 particles in the skin was not observed. Therefore, our results suggest that instead of direct viral infection, dermal vasculitic lesions in COVID-19 are caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein deposition followed by endothelial damage with activation of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gawaz
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Schindler
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elena Hagelauer
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Blanchard
- Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Simon Riel
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anneli Vollert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michel Gilliet
- Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Georg Stary
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabella Pospischil
- Department of Dermatology, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Wolfram Hoetzenecker
- Department of Dermatology, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | | | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Emmanuella Guenova
- Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Dermatology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Medical school, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
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9
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Angiola F, Franchetti G, Cestonaro C, Agnolucci J, Giordano R, Viel G. Dying at home during the SARS-CoV-2 endemic: The importance of defining the exact mechanism of death. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 66:102361. [PMID: 38039658 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become endemic in Europe thanks to the presence of less deadly and more infectious variants and to the existence of a significant portion of unvaccinated people among the general population. SARS-Cov-2 related deaths are probably going to fade in the next years, but Covid-19 should still be considered a potential cause of death in the out-of-hospital setting in the next future. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three (3) cases of unexpected death at home are here presented. Each case has been investigated with the same methodological approach: death scene investigation (DSI), complete autopsy with histology, immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ hybridization for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in lung tissue, toxicology and microbiology. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION All three cases had a COVID + post-mortem nasopharyngeal swab. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed a SARS-CoV-2 lung involvement in only two of the cases (Cases 2 and 3), while a septic bacterial pneumonia was found in Case 1, where RNA-in situ hybridization for viral spike protein showed no reactivity in pneumocytes. The integration of all postmortem evidence allowed to attribute a different role of SARS-Cov-2 in the determinism of the death. CONCLUSION In the current post-pandemic context, SARS-CoV-2 remains a possible cause of death when investigating out-of-hospital unexpected deaths. Since a positive post-mortem swab does not automatically imply a COVID-19-related death, histology and immunohistochemistry are helpful for identifying SARS-CoV-2 lung involvement and, therefore, its potential active role in the determinism of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Angiola
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Giorgia Franchetti
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Clara Cestonaro
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Agnolucci
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Renzo Giordano
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Guido Viel
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy.
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10
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Hussain H, Paidas MJ, Rajalakshmi R, Fadel A, Ali M, Chen P, Jayakumar AR. Dermatologic Changes in Experimental Model of Long COVID. Microorganisms 2024; 12:272. [PMID: 38399677 PMCID: PMC10892887 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, declared in early 2020, has left an indelible mark on global health, with over 7.0 million deaths and persistent challenges. While the pharmaceutical industry raced to develop vaccines, the emergence of mutant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains continues to pose a significant threat. Beyond the immediate concerns, the long-term health repercussions of COVID-19 survivors are garnering attention, particularly due to documented cases of cardiovascular issues, liver dysfunction, pulmonary complications, kidney impairments, and notable neurocognitive deficits. Recent studies have delved into the pathophysiological changes in various organs following post-acute infection with murine hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1), a coronavirus, in mice. One aspect that stands out is the impact on the skin, a previously underexplored facet of long-term COVID-19 effects. The research reveals significant cutaneous findings during both the acute and long-term phases post-MHV-1 infection, mirroring certain alterations observed in humans post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the acute stages, mice exhibited destruction of the epidermal layer, increased hair follicles, extensive collagen deposition in the dermal layer, and hyperplasticity of sebaceous glands. Moreover, the thinning of the panniculus carnosus and adventitial layer was noted, consistent with human studies. A long-term investigation revealed the absence of hair follicles, destruction of adipose tissues, and further damage to the epidermal layer. Remarkably, treatment with a synthetic peptide, SPIKENET (SPK), designed to prevent Spike glycoprotein-1 binding with host receptors and elicit a potent anti-inflammatory response, showed protection against MHV-1 infection. Precisely, SPK treatment restored hair follicle loss in MHV-1 infection, re-architected the epidermal and dermal layers, and successfully overhauled fatty tissue destruction. These promising findings underscore the potential of SPK as a therapeutic intervention to prevent long-term skin alterations initiated by SARS-CoV-2, providing a glimmer of hope in the battle against the lingering effects of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Hussain
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL 33143, USA
| | - Michael J. Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ramamoorthy Rajalakshmi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Aya Fadel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ocean University Medical Center—Hackensack Meridian Health, Brick Township, NJ 08724, USA;
| | - Misha Ali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Pingping Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Arumugam R. Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
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11
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Garcia VP, Fandl HK, Hijmans JG, Berry AR, Cardenas HL, Stockelman KA, DeSouza NM, Treuth JW, Greiner JJ, Park AJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. Effects of circulating endothelial microvesicles isolated from adults with obesity on endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, and nitric oxide production. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2024; 326:E38-E49. [PMID: 37991453 PMCID: PMC11193534 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00139.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Circulating endothelial cell-derived microvesicles (EMVs) have been shown to be elevated with obesity and associated with endothelial dysfunction; however, their direct effect on endothelial cells is unknown. The experimental aim of this study was to determine the effect of EMVs isolated from adults with obesity on endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, and nitric oxide (NO) production. EMVs (CD144+ microvesicles) were identified, enumerated, and isolated from plasma by flow cytometry from 24 sedentary adults: 12 normal-weight adults [8 M/4 F; age: 55 ± 6 yr; body mass index (BMI): 24.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2; EMV: 144 ± 53 EMVs/µL] and 12 adults with obesity (6 M/6 F; 59 ± 7 yr; BMI: 31.0 ± 1.1 kg/m2; EMV: 245 ± 89 EMVs/µL). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured and treated with EMVs from either normal-weight adults or adults with obesity. EMVs from obese adults induced significantly higher release of interleukin (IL)-6 (108.2 ± 7.7 vs. 90.9 ± 10.0 pg/mL) and IL-8 (75.4 ± 9.8 vs. 59.5 ± 11.5 pg/mL) from endothelial cells vs. EMVs from normal-weight adults, concordant with greater intracellular expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (Ser536; active NF-κB) [145.0 ± 34.1 vs. 114.5 ± 30.4 arbitrary units (AU)]. Expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK (15.4 ± 5.7 vs. 9.2 ± 2.5 AU) and active caspase-3 (168.2 ± 65.5 vs. 107.8 ± 40.5 AU), markers of cell apoptosis, was higher in cells treated with obesity-related EMVs. Phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Ser1177) expression (23.5 ± 7.2 vs. 34.7 ± 9.7 AU) and NO production (6.9 ± 1.4 vs. 8.7 ± 0.7 µmol/L) were significantly lower in the cells treated with EMVs from obese adults. These data indicate that circulating EMVs from adults with obesity promote a proinflammatory, proapoptotic, and NO-compromised endothelial phenotype. Circulating EMVs are a potential mediator of obesity-related endothelial dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the present study, we determined the effect of circulating endothelial cell-derived microvesicles (EMVs) isolated from adults with obesity on endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, and nitric oxide (NO) production in vitro. Circulating EMVs harvested from adults with obesity promoted a proinflammatory, proapoptotic, and NO-compromised endothelial phenotype. Elevated circulating EMVs in adults with obesity, independent of other cardiometabolic risk factors, are a potential novel systemic mediator of obesity-related endothelial dysfunction and vascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius P Garcia
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Hannah K Fandl
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Jamie G Hijmans
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Auburn R Berry
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Hannah L Cardenas
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Kelly A Stockelman
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Noah M DeSouza
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - J William Treuth
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Jared J Greiner
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Andrew J Park
- Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Brian L Stauffer
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Christopher A DeSouza
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
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12
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Humayun M, Zhang L, Zaikos TD, Kannapadi N, Suarez JI, Hager DN, Troncoso JC, Cho SM. Neuropathological findings in COVID-19 vs. non-COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome-A case-control study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1283698. [PMID: 38187146 PMCID: PMC10771840 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1283698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute brain injury (ABI) and neuroinflammation is reported in COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It remains unclear if COVID-19 plays an independent role in development of ABI compared to those with non-COVID-19 ARDS. We aimed to evaluate if COVID-19 ARDS is associated with higher risk and specific patterns of ABI compared to non-COVID-19 ARDS. We conducted an age and sex matched case-control autopsy study at a tertiary academic center. Ten patients with COVID-19 ARDS were matched to 20 non-COVID-19 ARDS patients. Baseline demographics were comparable between the two groups including severity of ARDS (p = 0.3). The frequency of overall ABI (70 vs. 60%), infratentorial ABI (40 vs. 25%), ischemic infarct (40 vs. 25%), intracranial hemorrhage (30 vs. 35%), and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (30 vs. 35%) was similar between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS patients, respectively (p > 0.05). Intracapillary megakaryocytes were exclusively seen in 30% of COVID-19 patients. Overall, frequency and pattern of ABI in COVID-19 ARDS was comparable to non-COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariyam Humayun
- Division of Neuroscience Critical Care, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lucy Zhang
- Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, United States
| | - Thomas D. Zaikos
- Neuropathology Division, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nivedha Kannapadi
- Division of Neuroscience Critical Care, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jose I. Suarez
- Division of Neuroscience Critical Care, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David N. Hager
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Juan C. Troncoso
- Neuropathology Division, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sung-Min Cho
- Division of Neuroscience Critical Care, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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13
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Mendoza RP, Momeni A, Saha N, Arshi J, Gabutan EC, Alejandro N, Zuretti A, Premsrirut PK, Nikolov DB. The Angiopoietin Signaling Pathway Is Involved in Inflammatory Processes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2940. [PMID: 38138084 PMCID: PMC10745910 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral agent SARS-CoV-2 clearly affects several organ systems, including the cardiovascular system. Angiopoietins are involved in vascular integrity and angiogenesis. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) promotes vessel stabilization, while angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), which is usually expressed at low levels, is significantly elevated in inflammatory and angiogenic conditions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to induce defective angiogenesis via the activation of the Ang2 pathway. Vasculitis and vasculopathy are some of the defining features of moderate to severe COVID-19-associated systemic disease. We investigated the serum levels of angiopoietins, as well as interleukin-6 levels and anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG titers, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients across disease severity and healthy controls. Ang2 levels were elevated in COVID-19 patients across all severity compared to healthy controls, while Ang1 levels were decreased. The patients with adverse outcomes (death and/or prolonged hospitalization) had relatively lower and stable Ang1 levels but continuously elevated Ang2 levels, while those who had no adverse outcomes had increasing levels of both Ang1 and Ang2, followed by a decrease in both. These results suggest that the dynamic levels of Ang1 and Ang2 during the clinical course may predict adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Ang1 seems to play an important role in controlling Ang2-related inflammatory mechanisms in COVID-19 patients. IL-6 and anti-SARS-CoV2 spike protein IgG levels were significantly elevated in patients with severe disease. Our findings represent an informative pilot assessment into the role of the angiopoietin signaling pathway in the inflammatory response in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle P. Mendoza
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Amir Momeni
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Nayanendu Saha
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Juwairiya Arshi
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Elmer C. Gabutan
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (E.C.G.); (A.Z.)
| | - Nichole Alejandro
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Alejandro Zuretti
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (E.C.G.); (A.Z.)
| | - Prem K. Premsrirut
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA;
- Mirimus Inc., 760 Parkside Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, USA
| | - Dimitar B. Nikolov
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA;
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14
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Harte JV, Coleman-Vaughan C, Crowley MP, Mykytiv V. It's in the blood: a review of the hematological system in SARS-CoV-2-associated COVID-19. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2023; 60:595-624. [PMID: 37439130 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2023.2232010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an unprecedented global healthcare crisis. While SARS-CoV-2-associated COVID-19 affects primarily the respiratory system, patients with COVID-19 frequently develop extrapulmonary manifestations. Notably, changes in the hematological system, including lymphocytopenia, neutrophilia and significant abnormalities of hemostatic markers, were observed early in the pandemic. Hematological manifestations have since been recognized as important parameters in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 and in the management of patients with COVID-19. In this narrative review, we summarize the state-of-the-art regarding the hematological and hemostatic abnormalities observed in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated COVID-19, as well as the current understanding of the hematological system in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic SARS-CoV-2-associated COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- James V Harte
- Department of Haematology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
- School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Maeve P Crowley
- Department of Haematology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
- Irish Network for Venous Thromboembolism Research (INViTE), Ireland
| | - Vitaliy Mykytiv
- Department of Haematology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
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15
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Mikhaleva L, Gioeva Z, Varyasin V, Berezhnaja E, Vandysheva R, Gutyrchik N, Pechnikova V, Kontorshchikov A, Midiber K, Kakturskij L. Pathomorphological Features of the Novel Coronavirus Disease in Patients with Systemic Amyloidosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2811. [PMID: 37893183 PMCID: PMC10604009 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloidosis is one of the rare systemic illnesses characterized by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs and tissues. There is a common point between COVID-19 and systemic amyloidosis regarding the multiorgan involvement in the pathological process which leads to a heightened risk for severe morbidity and mortality in amyloidosis patients who contracted COVID-19. We performed a pathomorphological analysis of the autopsy records of 22 patients who had COVID-19 and pre-existing systemic amyloidosis. The premortem diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis was established in 55% of patients, and in other 45% of cases, amyloidosis was found at autopsy. Based on the results of immunohistochemical amyloid typing, amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was detected in 23%, amyloid light chain (AL) lambda in 32%, AL kappa-in 9%, and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis-in 36% of observations. Immunohistochemical staining with an antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein revealed positive immune reactions in type II alveolocytes in 59% of deceased persons. The analysis of autopsy findings indicates that patients with systemic amyloidosis are more likely to experience an aggressive clinical course of COVID-19 which leads to a multiorgan failure and a higher risk of fatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudmila Mikhaleva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zarina Gioeva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Rositsa Vandysheva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita Gutyrchik
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
- Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina Pechnikova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrej Kontorshchikov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Midiber
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Lev Kakturskij
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
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16
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Tanzadehpanah H, Lotfian E, Avan A, Saki S, Nobari S, Mahmoodian R, Sheykhhasan M, Froutagh MHS, Ghotbani F, Jamshidi R, Mahaki H. Role of SARS-COV-2 and ACE2 in the pathophysiology of peripheral vascular diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115321. [PMID: 37597321 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), created a serious challenge worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 has high infectivity, the ability to be transmitted even during the asymptomatic phase, and relatively low virulence, which has resulted in rapid transmission. SARS-CoV-2 can invade epithelial cells, hence, many patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have suffered from vascular diseases (VDs) in addition to pulmonary manifestations. Accordingly, SARS-CoV-2 may can worsen the clinical condition of the patients with pre-existing VDs. Endothelial cells express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is a biological enzyme that converts angiotensin (Ang)- 2 to Ang-(1-7). SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 as a cell receptor for viral entry. Thus, the SARS-CoV-2 virus promotes downregulation of ACE2, Ang-(1-7), and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as, an increase in Ang-2, resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokines. SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause hypertension, and endothelial damage, which can lead to intravascular thrombosis. In this review, we have concentrated on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 in peripheral vascular diseases (PVDs) and ACE2 as an enzyme in Renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, using related keywords. Articles focusing on ("SARS-CoV-2", OR "COVID-19"), AND ("Vascular disease", OR "Peripheral vascular disease", OR interested disease name) with regard to MeSH terms, were selected. According to the studies, it is supposed that vascular diseases may increase susceptibility to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection due to increased thrombotic burden and endothelial dysfunction. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism and vascular system pathogenesis is crucial for effective management and treatment in pre-existing vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Tanzadehpanah
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elham Lotfian
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Medical Genetics Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sahar Saki
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan Iran
| | - Sima Nobari
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan Iran
| | - Roghaye Mahmoodian
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan Iran
| | - Mohsen Sheykhhasan
- Department of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom, Iran
| | | | - Farzaneh Ghotbani
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Raoufeh Jamshidi
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hanie Mahaki
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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17
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Unal S, Uzundal H, Soydas T, Kutluhan MA, Ozayar A, Okulu E, Kayigil O. A possible mechanism of erectile dysfunction in coronavirus disease-19: Cavernosal smooth muscle damage: A pilot study. Rev Int Androl 2023; 21:100366. [PMID: 37413939 PMCID: PMC10261716 DOI: 10.1016/j.androl.2023.100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies have reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause erectile dysfunction (ED), however, its role in the pathophysiology of ED has not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to elucidate COVID-19's effects on cavernosal smooth muscle, which has a pretty important role in erection physiology, by corpus cavernosum electromyography (cc-EMG). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-nine male patients aged 20-50 years who applied to the urology outpatient clinic due to ED were included in the study. Nine patients that had COVID-19 and were treated as outpatients were classified as group 1, 10 patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 were classified as group 2, and 10 patients who did not have COVID-19 were classified as the control group (group 3). Patients underwent diagnostic evaluation including International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 form, penile color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), cc-EMG, and fasting serum levels of reproductive hormones (07-11am). RESULTS According to penile CDUS and hormonal values results, there was no significant difference between the groups. According to cc-EMG results, amplitudes and relaxation capacities of the cavernosal smooth muscle of patients in group 3 were significantly higher than those in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 can cause ED not only by psychogenic and hormonal factors but also with cavernosal smooth muscle damage. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04980508.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selman Unal
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Halil Uzundal
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Turker Soydas
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Musab A Kutluhan
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Asim Ozayar
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emrah Okulu
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Onder Kayigil
- Department of Urology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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18
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Błaż A, Zalewski J, Masiak A, Kujawa MJ, Gosz M, Buda N. Rat bite fever mimicking ANCA-associated vasculitis. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1957-1964. [PMID: 37450033 PMCID: PMC10435600 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare infectious zoonotic disease caused by two bacterial species: the Gram-negative rod Streptobacillus moniliformis and the Gram-negative coiled rod Spirillum minus. The association between RBF and skin vasculitis and arthritis has been observed. The aim of this paper was to present a case of rat-bite fever with symptoms of skin vasculitis and arthritis, associated with high titers of ANCA antibodies and anti-endothelial cell antibodies suggestive of primary vasculitis. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, leading to significant improvement. Based on the presented case, we discuss the differential diagnosis of the signs and the role of infection in the induction of ANCA antibodies. We reviewed the English language literature for cases of RBF presenting with symptoms of vasculitis and/or antibody presence. A literature review was performed in PubMed and Google using the keywords "rat bite fever" AND "vasculitis", "systemic vasculitis", "ANCA", "antiendothelial antibodies". No cases of rat-bite fever with the presence of ANCA antibodies or AECA antibodies in its course have been described thus far. Rat bite fever is a rare disease with nonspecific symptoms. In its course, general weakness, intermittent fever, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and arthritis are reported. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ANCA positivity associated with RBF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Błaż
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases & Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk and University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Jan Zalewski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases & Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk and University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Masiak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases & Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk and University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Mariusz J Kujawa
- Division of Radiology, University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Monika Gosz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases & Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk and University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Natalia Buda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases & Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk and University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk, ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952, Gdańsk, Poland
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Lebioda LA, Pedroso B, dos Santos MEC, Pinto GMC, Welling LC. Neurological telerehabilitation in the COVID-19 era - current perspectives through a bibliometric analysis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1227846. [PMID: 37794878 PMCID: PMC10546771 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1227846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify bibliometric parameters and research trends regarding to telerehabilitation of patients with stroke in the COVID-19 era. Methodology This is an integrative review carried out in the Scopus database, from June to July 2021, through the Biblioshiny graphical interface, provided by the Bibliometrix program. The search terms used were "Stroke," "COVID-19" and "Telerehabilitation." Results were filtered by publication date from 2019 onwards. No language restrictions were imposed. Results Twenty two articles were included in the study and the results were presented in the form of figures demonstrating that the journal Frontiers in Neurology was the one with the most relevant studies and the author with the highest number of citations. The Brazilian Academy of Neurology was the institution with the greatest number of studies and China ranked first as the country with the greatest scientific production. The authors used recent references in their work. A thematic map showed the centrality and density of the words presented and, finally, a three-field graph showed a strong intimacy between countries, keywords and authors. Conclusion A greater interest in the subject was observed in China with greater relevance of journals and institutions focused on neurology. However, despite telerehabilitation being an effective alternative in the context of the pandemic, few studies have explored this modality.
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Fadgyas B, Őri D, Vajda P. [Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the outcome of testicular torsion in children]. Orv Hetil 2023; 164:1367-1372. [PMID: 37660346 DOI: 10.1556/650.2023.32854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic influenced not only the elective, but the acute surgeries also, all around the world. Some authors found more delayed cases and more orchiectomies performed in childhood because of testicular torsions during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of childhood testicular torsion and the frequency of semicastration due to torsion at the first author's institute. METHODS A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in a representative Hungarian centre. Boys under 18 years of age operated with testicular torsion were divided into two groups: before COVID-19 (BC; 01/07/2017-31/12/2019) and during COVID-19 (DC; 01/01/2020-30/06/2022) pandemic. PARAMETERS elapsed time between the first symptom and arrival at the hospital (<24 h or >24 h), elapsed time to start the surgical procedure since the arrival to the hospital and the rate of semicastration were analysed. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U and chi2 tests were used. RESULTS During the study period, altogether, 100 patients (45 BC and 55 DC) were operated on testicular torsion. Statistically significant difference was found between the two timeframes: in the elapsed time from the first symptom and arrival at the hospital (p = 0.048). During the pandemic surgeries started earlier (1.5; 2.5 h) than before the pandemic (1.5; 3.25 h, p = 0.01). No difference was found in the frequency of semicastration between the groups (p = 0.594). DISCUSSION Contrary to the literature, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with testicular torsion arrived earlier at the hospital, and surgeries were started earlier, than before the pandemic at the investigated institute. CONCLUSION The reason behind this accelerated care pathway might be the absence of less severe cases during the COVID-19 period. When people are more prone to stay home, if it does not seem necessary to seek help for any kind of non-urgent medical problem. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(35): 1367-1372.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Fadgyas
- 1 Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet, Sebészeti és Traumatológiai Osztály Budapest, Üllői út 86., 1089 Magyarország
- 2 Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Manuális Tanszék Pécs Magyarország
| | - Dorottya Őri
- 3 Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet, Mentálhigiéniai Központ Budapest Magyarország
- 4 Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Magatartástudományi Intézet Budapest Magyarország
| | - Péter Vajda
- 2 Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Manuális Tanszék Pécs Magyarország
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21
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Bacchin D, Aprile V, Lenzini A, Korasidis S, Mastromarino MG, Picchi A, Fanucchi O, Ribechini A, Ambrogi MC, Lucchi M. Surgical treatment of tracheal stenosis during Covid-19 era: a single-center experience and lessons learnt on the field. Updates Surg 2023; 75:1681-1690. [PMID: 37458903 PMCID: PMC10435409 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV2 outbreak led to several healthcare system challenges, especially concerning respiratory support to Covid-19 patients. In the first 2 years of pandemic (2020-2021), we assisted to a marked increase of post-invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) tracheal stenosis incidence, many of them requiring surgical treatment, namely resection and primary end-to-end anastomosis. Our aim is to describe our experience during the abovementioned biennium, focusing on postoperative outcomes of patients who have had Covid-19 ("post-Covid"). We retrospectively collected pre-, intra- and postoperative data on all patients who underwent tracheal surgery for benign stenosis in our Unit from May 2020 to October 2021, including previous Covid-19. Comparison between "post-Covid-19" and "non-Covid-19" groups' outcomes was then performed. Patients were 9 males and 6 females, and mean age was 57.4 ± 13.21 years. Nine patients had previous Covid-19 (60%). All patients underwent multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation. Almost every operation was conducted by cervicotomy, and the mean length of the resected specimen was 23.9 ± 6.5 mm. Postoperative complications were: dysphonia (3 cases), wound infection (1), bleeding (1), ab-ingestis pneumonia (1), anastomosis dehiscence (2), and stenosis recurrence (1). Thirty-day mortality rate was 6.7% (1 patient). No significant differences between "post-Covid-19" and "non-Covid-19" groups were identified. Pathology revealed, in 5 "post-Covid-19" patients, signs of vasculitis or perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. Tracheal stenosis' surgical treatment has always been known as a challenging procedure because of high perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. Our experience shows that previous Covid-19 and ongoing pandemic did not significantly affect perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent tracheal resection and primary end-to-end anastomosis in a high-volume Center and after multidisciplinary workup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Bacchin
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Vittorio Aprile
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lenzini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stylianos Korasidis
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Mastromarino
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Picchi
- Thoracic Endoscopy Unit, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Olivia Fanucchi
- Thoracic Endoscopy Unit, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ribechini
- Thoracic Endoscopy Unit, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marcello Carlo Ambrogi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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22
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Carletti P, Shah A, Bair C, Curran C, Mai A, Patel R, Moorthy R, Villate N, Davis JL, Vitale AT, Shakoor A, Hassman L. The spectrum of COVID-19-associated chorioretinal vasculopathy. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2023; 31:101857. [PMID: 37255549 PMCID: PMC10193817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Although conjunctivitis represents the most common ocular manifestation of COVID-19 infection, sight-threatening retinal involvement has been reported. Herein, we report and characterize with multimodal retinal imaging 5 cases of acute vision loss secondary to presumed chorioretinal vasculopathy temporally associated with COVID-19 infection with varying severity, visual morbidity, and treatment response, and review the available literature on the association between COVID-19 infection and retinal microvascular changes. Design Observational case series and literature review. Methods Multicenter case series of 5 patients who presented to academic centers and private offices with acute vision loss temporally associated with COVID-19 infection. A review of the literature was conducted using online databases. Results 10 eyes of 5 patients, 3 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 30.8 years (median 33, range 16-44) were described. All patients had a recently preceding episode of COVID-19, with symptomatology ranging from mild infection to life-threatening encephalopathy. Treatment for their retinal disease included topical, oral, intravitreal, and intravenous steroids, steroid-sparing immunosuppression, retinal photocoagulation, antivirals, and antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents. Treatment response and visual recovery ranged from complete recovery of baseline acuity to permanent vision loss and need for chronic immunosuppression. Conclusions and Importance Clinicians should be mindful of the potential for vision-threatening retinal involvement after COVID-19 infection. If found, treatment with both anti-inflammatory therapy and anticoagulation should be considered, in addition to close monitoring, as some patients with this spectrum of disease may require chronic immune suppression and/or anti-VEGF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Carletti
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Aaditya Shah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher Bair
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | | | - Anthony Mai
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Rachel Patel
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Ramana Moorthy
- Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Natalia Villate
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Janet L Davis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Albert T Vitale
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Akbar Shakoor
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Lynn Hassman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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23
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Inneh A, Martinez K, Elizee J, Ganguli M, Turan A. COVID-19-Related Bilateral Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head. Cureus 2023; 15:e44034. [PMID: 37746447 PMCID: PMC10517632 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteonecrosis is a pathologic process that involves focal bone infarction and death of bone tissue caused by trauma, infections, autoimmune conditions, and chronic steroid use; however, most cases go undiagnosed. The link between bilateral osteonecrosis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections has not been fully investigated. This is the case of a 42-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to the emergency department for bilateral hip pain, which started three months prior. Initially, the pain was mild; however, her symptoms worsened, causing her to have difficulty ambulating. Co-incidentally she tested positive for COVID-19 10 days after the onset of pain. She denied any lower-extremity numbness, weakness, and loss of bowel or bladder function. X-ray of the hips showed significant sclerosis of bilateral femoral heads and acetabula, indicating avascular necrosis. She was given ketorolac injection intramuscularly for analgesia and remained in stable condition. Upon discharge, she was given a referral to orthopedic surgery for bilateral total hip arthroplasty. Atraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head can be caused by multiple etiologies, including exposure to medications, post-transplantation procedures, trauma, and hypercoagulable states. This condition is likely due to poor angiogenesis after an infarct, causing a domino effect of bone demineralization, trabecular thinning, and cortical collapse. A literature search demonstrated prior cases of unilateral femoral head necrosis associated with COVID-19 infection and steroid use. There have been no cases of bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head reported without long-term steroid use. Considering the disease severity in both hips and limited steroid use (only five days of prednisone), other common etiologies were sought and were ruled out. In our patient, the only event that was related to her initial onset of hip pain was a COVID-19 infection. We suggest a relationship between COVID-19 infection and avascular necrosis given the rapid progression of the disease. We acknowledge that this presentation of bilateral osteonecrosis is rare and warrants further investigation. More research should be performed to establish a tenable relationship between COVID-19 infection and osteonecrosis, with and without the use of steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adesuwa Inneh
- Urology, Ross University School of Medicine, Pontiac, USA
| | - Kayla Martinez
- Surgery, Ross University School of Medicine, Pontiac, USA
| | - Juleen Elizee
- Pediatrics/Internal Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, Pontiac, USA
| | - Malika Ganguli
- Internal Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, Pontiac, USA
| | - Aydin Turan
- Internal Medicine, Trinity Health Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, USA
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24
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Frasier KM, Gallagher-Poehls C, Cochrane M, Roy D. Secondary Vasculitis Attributable to Post-COVID Syndrome. Cureus 2023; 15:e44119. [PMID: 37638271 PMCID: PMC10456143 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
While the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has largely come to pass, the chronic physiologic effects of the coronavirus continue to unfold. Specifically, the number of COVID-19-associated vasculitis cases has steadily increased since the onset of the pandemic. Data have shown that vasculitis may develop less than two weeks after COVID-19 or during a later onset of the disease. At this time, research has demonstrated that the novel coronavirus invades more than just the lungs; it can also attack the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. In addition, there is a greater understanding of the pathogenesis regarding COVID-19-induced vasculitis via humoral immunity and immune complex disease. Recent case reports have shown an association between COVID-19 and secondary vasculitis. This review paper discusses case reports and data that suggest that COVID-19 may lead to specific vasculitis diseases such as giant cell arteritis, ophthalmic arteritis, aortitis, and Kawasaki-like disease. More research needs to be performed on this association to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Frasier
- Public Health, AT Still University - School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, USA
| | | | - Mikayla Cochrane
- Public Health, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Debosree Roy
- Research, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, USA
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25
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Mohamed S, Chan CK, Tsang CW, Szeto SK, Fong AH, Chan JC, Wong CY. Case Report: Retinal Vasculitis in Two Adolescents After COVID-19 Vaccination. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023; 31:1245-1249. [PMID: 36228169 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2129694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report two cases of bilateral retinal vasculitis in adolescents following COVID-19 vaccination. STUDY DESIGN Case report. RESULTS We report the first two cases of retinal vasculitis in adolescents following COVID-19 vaccinations. Both patients received recent second-dose COVID-19 vaccinations (7 weeks and 4 weeks respectively), and presented with bilateral retinal vasculitis and vitritis. Investigations did not reveal other causes of retinal vasculitis. Both patients' retinal vasculitis settled with a short course of oral prednisolone. CONCLUSION Although rare, the temporal association between vaccination, bilateral eye involvement, and the absence of alternative infective or inflammatory causes, makes this a plausible etiology. mRNA vaccinations may cause an autoimmune reaction via host antigenic mimicry, and systemic vasculitis has previously been described. We believe that a short interval between COVID-19 vaccination doses might be a risk factor for the development of retinal vasculitis in adolescents, and clinicians should be aware to elicit vaccination history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheeda Mohamed
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Carmen Km Chan
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Chi Wai Tsang
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Simon Kh Szeto
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Angie Hc Fong
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Jason Ck Chan
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Cherie Yk Wong
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Shatin, China
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26
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Latchman PL, Yang Q, Morgenthaler D, Kong L, Sebagisha J, Melendez L, Green CA, Bernard S, Mugno R, De Meersman R. Autonomic modulation, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and fatigue in young men after COVID-19. Physiol Res 2023; 72:329-336. [PMID: 37449746 PMCID: PMC10669003 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) have been reported during and after COVID-19. Both impairments are associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes. If these impairments were to exist undetected in young men after COVID-19, they could lead to negative cardiovascular outcomes. Fatigue is associated with autonomic dysfunction during and after COVID-19. It is unclear if fatigue can be used as an indicator of impaired autonomic modulation and BRS after COVID-19. This study aims to compare parasympathetic modulation, sympathetic modulation, and BRS between young men who had COVID-19 versus controls and to determine if fatigue is associated with impaired autonomic modulation and BRS. Parasympathetic modulation as the high-frequency power of R-R intervals (lnHFR-R), sympathetic modulation as the low-frequency power of systolic blood pressure variability (LFSBP), and BRS as the -index were measured by power spectral density analysis. These variables were compared between 20 young men who had COVID-19 and 24 controls. Independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests indicated no significant difference between the COVID-19 and the control group in: lnHFR-R, P=0.20; LFSBP, P=0.11, and -index, P=0.20. Fatigue was not associated with impaired autonomic modulation or BRS. There is no difference in autonomic modulations or BRS between young men who had COVID-19 compared to controls. Fatigue did not seem to be associated with impaired autonomic modulation or impaired BRS in young men after COVID-19. Findings suggest that young men might not be at increased cardiovascular risk from COVID-19-related dysautonomia and impaired BRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Latchman
- Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.
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27
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Cleveland MH, Romsos EL, Steffen CR, Olson ND, Servetas SL, Valiant WG, Vallone PM. Rapid production and free distribution of a synthetic RNA material to support SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic testing. Biologicals 2023; 82:101680. [PMID: 37178559 PMCID: PMC10154543 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released a synthetic RNA material for SARS-CoV-2 in June 2020. The goal was to rapidly produce a material to support molecular diagnostic testing applications. This material, referred to as Research Grade Test Material 10169, was shipped free of charge to laboratories across the globe to provide a non-hazardous material for assay development and assay calibration. The material consisted of two unique regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome approximately 4 kb nucleotides in length. The concentration of each synthetic fragment was measured using RT-dPCR methods and confirmed to be compatible with RT-qPCR methods. In this report, the preparation, stability, and limitations of this material are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan H Cleveland
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
| | - Erica L Romsos
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Carolyn R Steffen
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Nathan D Olson
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Stephanie L Servetas
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - William G Valiant
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Peter M Vallone
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
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28
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Becker RC. Evaluating chest pain in patients with post COVID conditions permission to think outside of the box. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2023; 55:592-603. [PMID: 37052772 PMCID: PMC10098243 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-023-02808-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Chest pain is among the most common symptoms of post-COVID-19 Conditions (PCC) that prompts medical attention. Because the SARS-CoV-2 virus has proclivity for many organs and organ systems in the chest, ranging from the heart, lungs, great vessels, lymphatics, and peripheral nerves, clinicians evaluating patients with chest pain must consider a broad differential diagnosis and take a comprehensive approach to management.
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29
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Jha VC, Alam S, Jha N. Spontaneous Cervicothoracic Extradural Hematoma with Rare Presentation in Pediatric Patient with Stroke-Like Features in Association with COVID-19, Presenting as Management Dillemma. Asian J Neurosurg 2023; 18:196-200. [PMID: 37056903 PMCID: PMC10089729 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractPresentation of cervico-thoracic extradural hematoma in pediatric age is rare with stroke-like features. Its association with COVID-19 in the active stage of the disease had not been reported and its management presents a management dilemma as COVID-19 with stroke-like features.A 14-year-old boy was referred to our institute with complaints of sudden-onset upper and middle back pain, associated with loss of sensation below the middle of the back, sudden progressive weakness of both lower limbs (power 0/5) and upper limbs (power grade-2/5), and incontinence of urine, following bouts of vomiting 12 days back. There was no history of trauma, bleeding diathesis, etc. Blood investigation was suggestive of leukocytosis, and RT-PCR test for COVID-19 was positive with raised D-dimer, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein. MRI spine was suggestive of cervicothoracic extradural hematoma extending from C5-D3 level and compressing the spinal cord. The patient refused surgical decompression and was managed conservatively, following which he improved with power grade in limbs to 4/5.Surgical decompression is the treatment of choice but the patient can sometimes improve on medical management. Association of COVID-19 with spontaneous cervicothoracic extradural hematoma had not been reported earlier in the active stage, but its role in inducing vasculopathy and increased chances of bleeding at the uncommon site had been reported in the literature, and it may precipitate such cervical epidural hematoma.
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30
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Becker RC, Ortel TL. Anticoagulation in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia-What Is the Optimal Intensity? JAMA Intern Med 2023:2802822. [PMID: 36946227 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Becker
- University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung, and Vascular Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Thomas L Ortel
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Division of Hematology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Belozerov KE, Avrusin IS, Andaryanova LI, Guseva AM, Shogenova ZS, Belanovich IN, Lobacheva AV, Kornishina TL, Isupova EA, Masalova VV, Kalashnikova OV, Nokhrin AV, Panova TF, Dutova YP, Myshkovskaya SL, Kostyunin KY, Komissarov AB, Chasnyk VG, Bregel LV, Kostik MM. COVID-19 Associated Vasculitis Confirmed by the Tissues RT-PCR: A Case Series Report. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030870. [PMID: 36979849 PMCID: PMC10046188 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Several cases of skin and central nervous system vasculopathy associated with COVID-19 in children have been published, but the information is rather limited. Our study aimed to describe these cases of vasculitis associated with COVID-19 in children. Methods: In the retrospective-prospective case series study we included information regarding four children with COVID-19-associated vasculitis. In every case, we had a morphological description and the etiology was confirmed via real-time polymerase chain reaction during a tissue biopsy. Results: The most involved systems were skin (4/4), respiratory (3/4), cardiovascular (2/4), nervous (1/4), eye (1/4), kidney (1/4), and inner year (1/4). All patients had increased inflammatory markers and thrombotic parameters (D-dimer). No patient met the criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Two patients met polyarteritis nodosa criteria, one met Henoch–Schonlein purpura criteria, and one met unclassified vasculitis criteria. All patients were treated with systemic glucocorticosteroids (two-pulse therapy). Non-biologic DMARDs were prescribed in all cases; 1/4 patients (25%) was treated with intravenous immunoglobuline, and 3/4 (75%) were treated with biologics (etanercept, tocilizumab, and adalimumab). Conclusions: Vasculitis associated with COVID-19 could be a life-threatening condition; SARS-CoV-2 might be a new trigger or etiological agent for vasculitis and other immune-mediated diseases. Further research and collection of similar cases are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin E. Belozerov
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilia S. Avrusin
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Lyubov I. Andaryanova
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna M. Guseva
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Zaira S. Shogenova
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina N. Belanovich
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna V. Lobacheva
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana L. Kornishina
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Eugenia A. Isupova
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vera V. Masalova
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Olga V. Kalashnikova
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Nokhrin
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatyana F. Panova
- Pediatric Department, Leningrad Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, 195009 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yulia P. Dutova
- Pediatric Department, Leningrad Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, 195009 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Svetlana L. Myshkovskaya
- Pediatric Department, Leningrad Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, 195009 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kirill Y. Kostyunin
- Pathology Department, Irkutsk State Medical University, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
- Irkutsk Regional Diagnostic Centre, Department of Clinical Pathomorpholigy, 664047 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Andrey B. Komissarov
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav G. Chasnyk
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Liudmila V. Bregel
- Department of Pediatrics, Irkutsk State Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Branch of Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, 664049 Irkutsk, Russia
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Irkutsk Regional Children’s Hospital, 664022 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail M. Kostik
- Hospital Pediatry, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, 194100 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: or
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Molecular Mechanisms of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NETs) Degradation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054896. [PMID: 36902325 PMCID: PMC10002918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many studies have been exploring the mechanisms driving NETs formation, much less attention has been paid to the degradation and elimination of these structures. The NETs clearance and the effective removal of extracellular DNA, enzymatic proteins (neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase) or histones are necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis, to prevent inflammation and to avoid the presentation of self-antigens. The persistence and overabundance of DNA fibers in the circulation and tissues may have dramatic consequences for a host leading to the development of various systemic and local damage. NETs are cleaved by a concerted action of extracellular and secreted deoxyribonucleases (DNases) followed by intracellular degradation by macrophages. NETs accumulation depends on the ability of DNase I and DNAse II to hydrolyze DNA. Furthermore, the macrophages actively engulf NETs and this event is facilitated by the preprocessing of NETs by DNase I. The purpose of this review is to present and discuss the current knowledge about the mechanisms of NETs degradation and its role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, autoimmune diseases, cancer and severe infections, as well as to discuss the possibilities for potential therapeutic interventions. Several anti-NETs approaches had therapeutic effects in animal models of cancer and autoimmune diseases; nevertheless, the development of new drugs for patients needs further study for an effective development of clinical compounds that are able to target NETs.
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Auanassova A, Yessirkepov M, Zimba O. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with systemic vasculitis: a single-centre retrospective study. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:459-466. [PMID: 36645477 PMCID: PMC9842200 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05276-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients living with systemic vasculitis in Kazakhstan. A single-centre retrospective study of the medical histories of 82 patients was carried out based on the regional clinical hospital of the city for all admissions with systemic vasculitis in the period from January 2019 to December 2021. The following qualitative (gender, disability, concomitant diseases) and quantitative (age, disease experience, laboratory data, etc.) variables were studied. To conduct the study, the criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of patients in the study were determined. According to the results of the study, there is a decrease in the number of hospitalized patients with vasculitis in the rheumatology department of the regional clinical hospital. Compared to 2019, in 2021, the number of hospitalized patients decreased by almost half (Table 1). Out of 82 cases, the most common was Takayasu disease (nonspecific aortoarteritis) (43.9%), IgA-vasculitis (Schenlein-Genoch disease) (31.71%), and they are typical mainly for females of rural origin, who were admitted to the hospital in a comorbid state (p < 0.001). 41.6% of patients have disabilities, and the majority of patients have a II disability group. The average body mass index is 24.2; 27 patients out of the total number of patients suffer from obesity. The most common clinical symptoms of patients with systemic vasculitis were injuries of the musculoskeletal system (75.6%). A negative average correlation was found between the indicators of the level of ESR and haemoglobin, the correlation coefficient is -0.535. The patients had concomitant diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency anaemia, coronary heart disease, hypertension, gastrointestinal tract diseases and hepatitis. Women of reproductive age from rural areas are often diagnosed with systemic vasculitis. A high rate of disability revealed among the patients can be explained by two main factors, the first is that the patients consulted the doctors untimely and the second is that the medical community are insufficiently informed about the management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, in particular about systemic vasculitis, which hinders timely diagnosis and treatment, respectively. Patients, included in this survey, were mostly suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but depending on the type of vasculitis, other organs and systems may be affected. Table 1 Frequency of patients with systemic vasculitis over 3 years Year Frequency % p-value 2019 42 51.2 χ2 = 12.463a; p = 0.002 2020 23 28.0 2021 17 20.7 Total 82 100.0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akerke Auanassova
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
| | - Marlen Yessirkepov
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
| | - Olena Zimba
- Department of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.,National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Internal Medicine #2, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
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Mishra S, Gupta SK, Ramakrishnan S, Kothari SS, Saxena A, Kumar S. COVID-19 associated renal artery stenosis in infancy - A report of two cases. Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2023; 16:122-126. [PMID: 37767176 PMCID: PMC10522159 DOI: 10.4103/apc.apc_32_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-specific vasculitis is an uncommon, delayed complication of COVID-19 infection. It is usually seen in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. Underlying endothelitis is the most likely pathophysiological mechanism for such a manifestation. We report two infants with renal artery stenosis, most likely consequent to COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sataroopa Mishra
- Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Shyam Sunder Kothari
- Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Anita Saxena
- Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Cardiac Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Bîrluţiu V, Bîrluţiu RM, Feiereisz AI, Dobriţoiu ES. Facial palsy at the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A case report. Germs 2023; 13:65-71. [PMID: 38023955 PMCID: PMC10659744 DOI: 10.18683/germs.2023.1368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with an increased number of deaths, due to severe respiratory damage, cardiovascular impairment, acute renal failure, and also neurological injury, including stroke, which is most commonly responsible for death. These are elements that determine patients to seek medical advice. Case report This is a case report of a female Caucasian patient, aged 65 years, with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin 1000 mg twice/day, and hypertension, who presented to the emergency department with one day history of left orbital hyperlacrimation and chewing and swallowing difficulty. On physical examination there was a decreased blink reflex, flattened nasolabial fold, and drooping left corner of the mouth, with left conjunctival hyperemia, and a present corneal reflex. Motion limited head CT and MRI revealed no pathological changes suggestive for the appearance of paresis. The patient was transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases after laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Under treatment, improvement of paresis after three days was observed, with minimal asymmetry left five days after admission. A reassessment one month after discharge revealed complete recovery of the paresis, physical asthenia, and headache, in the context of long-COVID syndrome. Conclusions The appearance of paresis may be a consequence of the direct action of the virus on the nervous system, of hypercoagulability, or, later, of an immune mechanism. The case presented is judged as an early, direct action of the virus on the central nervous system, the respiratory symptoms were minimized by the patient at the time of presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Bîrluţiu
- Prof. habil., MD, PhD, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Romania and County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 2A Lucian Blaga street, 550169, Sibiu, Romania
| | - Rareş Mircea Bîrluţiu
- MD, PhD, FOIŞOR Clinical Hospital of Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Osteoarticular TB, 35-37 Ferdinand boulevard, District 2, 021382, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alin Iulian Feiereisz
- MD, PhD student, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Romania and County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 2A Lucian Blaga street, 550169, Sibiu, Romania
| | - Elena Simona Dobriţoiu
- MD, PhD student, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Romania and County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 2A Lucian Blaga street, 550169, Sibiu, Romania
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Kukulski L, Scharf G, Schierling W, Pfister K, Linnemann B. Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery related to COVID-19. VASA 2023; 52:107-118. [PMID: 36636830 DOI: 10.1024/0301-1526/a001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background: Spontaneous peripheral dissections are rare, and in a substantial number of cases, the underlying aetiology remains unclear. Patients and methods: We report the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a recent asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented with sudden-onset intermittent abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and large-vessel vasculitis involving the SMA as well as the carotid, subclavian, axillary and femoropopliteal arteries. In the absence of other predisposing factors, we supposed an association with prior COVID-19 and performed a systematic review of the literature to search for similar cases with arterial dissection related to acute or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: We identified 25 cases, including ours: 13 males and 12 females, with a median age of 48 years. In 22/25 patients, arterial dissection occurred within 4 weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19 and involved the cerebral (11/25; 44%), coronary (10/25; 40%), splanchnic (3/25; 12%) and renal (2/25; 8%) arteries. Conclusions: Although initially known for its respiratory manifestations, it has become evident that SARS-CoV-2 not only infects pneumocytes but also enters the vascular endothelium, leading to endothelial dysfunction and hypercoagulability and - as shown in our case - large-vessel vasculitis, which may predispose patients to intramural haemorrhage and arterial dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Kukulski
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Tranplantology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Gregor Scharf
- Department of Radiology, Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wilma Schierling
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karin Pfister
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Linnemann
- Division of Angiology, East Bavarian Center of Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
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Maruyama S, Wada D, Oishi T, Saito F, Yoshiya K, Nakamori Y, Kuwagata Y. A descriptive study of abdominal complications in patients with mild COVID-19 presenting to the emergency department: a single-center experience in Japan during the omicron variant phase. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:43. [PMID: 36800938 PMCID: PMC9938954 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02681-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is widely known to induce a variety of extrapulmonary manifestations. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been identified as the most common extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19, with an incidence reported to range from 3 to 61%. Although previous reports have addressed abdominal complications with COVID-19, these have not been adequately elucidated for the omicron variant. The aim of our study was to clarify the diagnosis of concomitant abdominal diseases in patients with mild COVID-19 who presented to hospital with abdominal symptoms during the sixth and seventh waves of the pandemic of the omicron variant in Japan. METHODS This study was a retrospective, single-center, descriptive study. In total, 2291 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who visited the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, Osaka, Japan, between January 2022 and September 2022 were potentially eligible for the study. Patients delivered by ambulance or transferred from other hospitals were not included. We collected and described physical examination results, medical history, laboratory data, computed tomography findings and treatments. Data collected included diagnostic characteristics, abdominal symptoms, extra-abdominal symptoms and complicated diagnosis other than that of COVID-19 for abdominal symptoms. RESULTS Abdominal symptoms were present in 183 patients with COVID-19. The number of patients with each abdominal symptom were as follows: nausea and vomiting (86/183, 47%), abdominal pain (63/183, 34%), diarrhea (61/183, 33%), gastrointestinal bleeding (20/183, 11%) and anorexia (6/183, 3.3%). Of these patients, 17 were diagnosed as having acute hemorrhagic colitis, five had drug-induced adverse events, two had retroperitoneal hemorrhage, two had appendicitis, two had choledocholithiasis, two had constipation, and two had anuresis, among others. The localization of acute hemorrhagic colitis was the left-sided colon in all cases. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that acute hemorrhagic colitis was characteristic in mild cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 with gastrointestinal bleeding. When examining patients with mild COVID-19 with gastrointestinal bleeding, the potential for acute hemorrhagic colitis should be kept in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Maruyama
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka, 570-8507, Japan.
| | - Daiki Wada
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507 Japan
| | - Takahiro Oishi
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507 Japan
| | - Fukuki Saito
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507 Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Yoshiya
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507 Japan
| | - Yasushi Nakamori
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507 Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kuwagata
- grid.410783.90000 0001 2172 5041Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University Hospital, 2-3-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1191 Japan
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Vascular Function, Systemic Inflammation, and Coagulation Activation 18 Months after COVID-19 Infection: An Observational Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041413. [PMID: 36835948 PMCID: PMC9965558 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Among its effect on virtually all other organs, COVID-19 affects the cardiovascular system, potentially jeopardizing the cardiovascular health of millions. Previous research has shown no indication of macrovascular dysfunction as reflected by carotid artery reactivity, but has shown sustained microvascular dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and coagulation activation at 3 months after acute COVID-19. The long-term effects of COVID-19 on vascular function remain unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cohort study involved 167 patients who participated in the COVAS trial. At 3 months and 18 months after acute COVID-19, macrovascular dysfunction was evaluated by measuring the carotid artery diameter in response to cold pressor testing. Additionally, plasma endothelin-1, von Willebrand factor, Interleukin(IL)-1ra, IL-6, IL-18, and coagulation factor complexes were measured using ELISA techniques. RESULTS The prevalence of macrovascular dysfunction did not differ between 3 months (14.5%) and 18 months (11.7%) after COVID-19 infection (p = 0.585). However, there was a significant decrease in absolute carotid artery diameter change, 3.5% ± 4.7 vs. 2.7% ± 2.5, p-0.001, respectively. Additionally, levels of vWF:Ag were persistently high in 80% of COVID-19 survivors, reflecting endothelial cell damage and possibly attenuated endothelial function. Furthermore, while levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-1RA and IL-18 were normalized and evidence of contact pathway activation was no longer present, the concentrations of IL-6 and thrombin:antithrombin complexes were further increased at 18 months versus 3 months (2.5 pg/mL ± 2.6 vs. 4.0 pg/mL ± 4.6, p = 0.006 and 4.9 μg/L ± 4.4 vs. 18.2 μg/L ± 11.4, p < 0.001, respectively). DISCUSSION This study shows that 18 months after COVID-19 infection, the incidence of macrovascular dysfunction as defined by a constrictive response during carotid artery reactivity testing is not increased. Nonetheless, plasma biomarkers indicate sustained endothelial cell activation (vWF), systemic inflammation (IL-6), and extrinsic/common pathway coagulation activation (FVII:AT, TAT) 18 months after COVID-19 infection.
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Aksono EB, Iradatya KR, Sucipto TH, Fajar NS, Yuniarti WM. Phylogenetic analysis of feline infectious peritonitis virus, feline enteric coronavirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of cats in Surabaya, Indonesia. Vet World 2023; 16:76-81. [PMID: 36855370 PMCID: PMC9967723 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.76-81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Questions about the origin of coronavirus and its introduction to human beings have persisted. The detection of a variety of coronavirus related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in bats and pangolins led to the widespread belief that SARS-CoV-2 originated from wild ani-mals and was introduced to humans through an inter-mediate animal. Thus, coronaviruses from animals, especially those in close contact with humans, have attracted particular attention. This study aimed to phylogenetically analyze feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), and SARS-CoV-2 found in cats in Surabaya amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The results will provide a basis for developing basic preventive and pet healthcare strategies. Materials and Methods Samples were collected on physical examinations of domestic and Persian cats (males and females) from March 2020 to March 2022. Samples were collected if there were clinical signs of FECV and FIP based on a veterinarian's diagnosis in several clinics in Surabaya. Laboratory examinations in this study were performed by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers for conserved regions of FIP and FECV, DNA sequencing was performed with Applied Biosystem Genetic Analyzer protocol, homology analysis was performed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool NCBI, phylogenetic analysis was carried out with BioEdit 7.2 software, and sequences were compared with references from GenBank. Results Samples were collected from ten cats showing clinical signs of FECV and FIP, based on a veterinarian's diagnosis. On RT-PCR examinations performed with specifically designed primers for detecting FIPV in blood, peritoneal fluid, and feces, only one sample showed positivity for FIPV (1/10), namely, a peritoneal sample from a domestic cat in Surabaya. Homology analysis of the FIPV Surabaya isolate showed 98% similarity with FECV and FIPV reported in GenBank (MT444152 and DQ010921, respectively). In phylogenetic analysis, the FIPV Surabaya isolate was clustered together with SARS-CoV-2 of Clade A (MT198653) from Spain, SARS-CoV-2 Clade A (MT192765) from the USA, SARS-CoV-2 Clade D (039888) from the USA, and SARS-CoV-2 Clade F (MT020781) from Finland. Conclusion This study revealed a relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 viruses that infect humans and cats (FECV), which is an important finding for those keeping cats at home. However, this finding requires further comprehensive support from laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardus Bimo Aksono
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia,Natural Science and Engineering Institute, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia,Corresponding author: Eduardus Bimo Aksono, e-mail: Co-authors: KRI: , THS: , NSF: , WMY:
| | - Kania Rifa Iradatya
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Hari Sucipto
- Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | | | - Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
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Tews HC, Kandulski A, Schmid S, Schlosser S, Schirner S, Putz FJ, Cosma L, Gülow K, Müller M, Jung EM. Multimodal ultrasound imaging with conventional B-mode, elastography, and parametric analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS): A novel approach to assess small bowel manifestation in severe COVID-19 disease. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2022; 82:341-360. [PMID: 35871323 DOI: 10.3233/ch-221540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to describe the small bowel morphology with conventional B-mode and elastography and additionally to evaluate dynamic effects of COVID-19 associated small bowel microvascularization using CEUS with color coded perfusion parameters.Thirteen patients with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were investigated. 13 patients required intensive care treatment with mechanical ventilation. Five patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed by an experienced investigator as a bolus injection of up to 2.4 ml sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles via a central venous catheter. In the parametric analysis of CEUS, the flare of microbubbles over time is visualized with colors. This is the first work using parametric analysis of CEUS to detect perfusion differences in the small bowel.Parametric analysis of CEUS in the intestinal phase was carried out, using DICOM loops for 20 seconds. In 5 patients, parametric analysis revealed intraindividual differences in contrast agent behavior in the small bowel region. Analogous to the computed tomography (CT) images parametric analysis showed regions of simultaneous hyper- and hypoperfusion of the small intestine in a subgroup of patients. In 5 patients, the parametric image of transmural global contrast enhancement was visualized.Our results using CEUS to investigate small bowel affection in COVID-19 suggest that in severe COVID-19 ARDS systemic inflammation and concomitant micro embolisms may lead to disruption of the epithelial barrier of the small intestine.This is the first study using parametric analysis of CEUS to evaluate the extent of small bowel involvement in severe COVID-19 disease and to detect microemboli. In summary, we show that in COVID-19 the small bowel may also be an important interaction site. This is in line with the fact that enterocytes have been shown to a plenitude of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-2 receptors as entry sites of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Tews
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Schlosser
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Schirner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - F J Putz
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - L Cosma
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - K Gülow
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - M Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious diseases, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - E M Jung
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Agrawal S, Farfel JM, Arfanakis K, Al-Harthi L, Shull T, Teppen TL, Evia AM, Patel MB, Ely EW, Leurgans SE, Bennett DA, Mehta R, Schneider JA. Brain autopsies of critically ill COVID-19 patients demonstrate heterogeneous profile of acute vascular injury, inflammation and age-linked chronic brain diseases. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:186. [PMID: 36528671 PMCID: PMC9758667 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined neuropathological findings of patients who died following hospitalization in an intensive care unit with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Data originate from 20 decedents who underwent brain autopsy followed by ex-vivo imaging and dissection. Systematic neuropathologic examinations were performed to assess histopathologic changes including cerebrovascular disease and tissue injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory response. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and fixed tissues were evaluated for the presence of viral RNA and protein. RESULTS The mean age-at-death was 66.2 years (range: 26-97 years) and 14 were male. The patient's medical history included cardiovascular risk factors or diseases (n = 11, 55%) and dementia (n = 5, 25%). Brain examination revealed a range of acute and chronic pathologies. Acute vascular pathologic changes were common in 16 (80%) subjects and included infarctions (n = 11, 55%) followed by acute hypoxic/ischemic injury (n = 9, 45%) and hemorrhages (n = 7, 35%). These acute pathologic changes were identified in both younger and older groups and those with and without vascular risk factors or diseases. Moderate-to-severe microglial activation were noted in 16 (80%) brains, while moderate-to-severe T lymphocyte accumulation was present in 5 (25%) brains. Encephalitis-like changes included lymphocytic cuffing (n = 6, 30%) and neuronophagia or microglial nodule (most prominent in the brainstem, n = 6, 30%) were also observed. A single brain showed vasculitis-like changes and one other exhibited foci of necrosis with ball-ring hemorrhages reminiscent of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy changes. Chronic pathologies were identified in only older decedents: 7 brains exhibited neurodegenerative diseases and 8 brains showed vascular disease pathologies. CSF and brain samples did not show evidence of viral RNA or protein. CONCLUSIONS Acute tissue injuries and microglial activation were the most common abnormalities in COVID-19 brains. Focal evidence of encephalitis-like changes was noted despite the lack of detectable virus. The majority of older subjects showed age-related brain pathologies even in the absence of known neurologic disease. Findings of this study suggest that acute brain injury superimposed on common pre-existing brain disease may put older subjects at higher risk of post-COVID neurologic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Agrawal
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jose M. Farfel
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.62813.3e0000 0004 1936 7806Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Tanner Shull
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Tara L. Teppen
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Arnold M. Evia
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Mayur B. Patel
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Departments of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.452900.a0000 0004 0420 4633The Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Nashville, TN USA
| | - E. Wesley Ely
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Departments of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.452900.a0000 0004 0420 4633The Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Nashville, TN USA
| | - Sue. E. Leurgans
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - David A. Bennett
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Rupal Mehta
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Julie A. Schneider
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
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Toprak K, Kaplangoray M, Palice A, Taşcanov MB, İnanır M, Memioğlu T, Kök Z, Biçer A, Demirbağ R. SCUBE1 is associated with thrombotic complications, disease severity, and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. Thromb Res 2022; 220:100-106. [PMID: 36334396 PMCID: PMC9597517 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction COVID-19 disease, which has recently become an important cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world, is remarkably associated with thrombotic complications. Although many factors are responsible for these increased thrombotic complications in COVID-19 disease, its relationship with a marker that increases the risk of thrombosis such as Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE1) has not yet been clarified. This is the first study to examine the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of SCUBE1 levels in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between the increased risk of thrombosis and SCUBE1 in the course of COVID-19 disease. Materials and methods 553 patients with COVID-19 and 553 healthy controls were compared in terms of SCUBE1 levels. Additionally, patients with COVID-19 were divided into two groups according to their SCUBE1 levels and compared in terms of severity of disease, thrombotic complications and ın-hospital mortality. Results SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Plasma SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe disease and thrombotic complications, those with mild to moderate disease, and those without thrombotic complications (p < 0.001, for both). In addition, SCUBE1 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusions SCUBE1 may be one of the major determinants of thrombotic complications, which is an increased cause of mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 patients so inhibition of this peptide may be among the therapeutic targets in patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenan Toprak
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey,Corresponding author
| | | | - Ali Palice
- Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital, Sanlıurfa, Turkey
| | | | - Mehmet İnanır
- Abant Izzet Baysal University, Medical Faculty, Cardiology Department, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Tolga Memioğlu
- Abant Izzet Baysal University, Medical Faculty, Cardiology Department, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Zafer Kök
- Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Asuman Biçer
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Recep Demirbağ
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
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Teixeira JG, Pitta GBB, da Silva CRA, Teixeira LR, Panazzolo GLG, Sampaio JA, de Sousa AKR, Moura CC. Diagnosis and management of patients with acute limb ischemia after Covid-19 infection: a case series. J Vasc Bras 2022; 21:e20220044. [PMID: 36505347 PMCID: PMC9716358 DOI: 10.1590/1677-5449.202200441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic caused by the Sars-Cov-2 virus created challenges and stimulated development of new forms of treatment in many different areas of medicine. Studies have described the clinical characteristics of patients and their outcomes, including disorders affecting the coagulation system, in which patients infected by the virus enter a hypercoagulable and proinflammatory state that mimics vasculitis. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical status and the treatment administered to three patients who developed acute arterial occlusion after Covid-19 infection. The management adopted in these cases enabled the patients to recover without sequelae. The low incidence and scarcity of published reports make it difficult to establish universally accepted treatment criteria and options for cases of ischemia in patients infected with the novel coronavirus, whether presenting early or late.
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Antonescu Ghelmez D, Moraru A, Antonescu F, Chelmambet AS, Bucur AI, Tuţǎ S. Double seropositive neuromyelitis optica associated with COVID-19: A case report. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1004132. [PMID: 36341113 PMCID: PMC9629861 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1004132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are characterized by severe demyelination and axonal damage with autoimmune mechanisms, predominantly targeting the optic nerves and the spinal cord. Patients often test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies, while some have anti-MOG antibodies. Double seropositivity has been described, with a variable prevalence (0 to 26%) dependent on the testing method. The clinical significance of double seropositivity remains unclear. We present the case of a 65-year-old patient, admitted to our clinic with optical neuritis, followed up approximately 10 days later by cervical myelitis, who tested positive for both anti-AQP4 and anti-MOG antibodies. The clinical onset coincided with a mild form of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neurological symptoms were initially relatively subdued, which delayed the diagnosis. The patient was not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The clinical picture was compatible with an anti-AQP4 phenotype. The patient was started on corticosteroid therapy, under which the clinical response was good. Our case reinforces the idea that SARS-CoV-2 can precipitate autoimmune demyelinating diseases since SARS-CoV-2 infection has already been demonstrated as a risk factor for NMOSD relapses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of double seropositive neuromyelitis optica associated with COVID-19. We expect that in the near future, as the true burden of COVID becomes clearer, we shall encounter other cases which can trace their apparent clinical onset to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Careful attention should be paid to the apparent minor neurological symptoms of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Antonescu Ghelmez
- Department of Neurology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Moraru
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- *Correspondence: Adriana Moraru
| | - Florian Antonescu
- Department of Neurology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Altay Sercan Chelmambet
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Amanda Ioana Bucur
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Tuţǎ
- Department of Neurology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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Oral mucosa lesions in confirmed and non-vaccinated cases for COVID-19: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY 2022; 123:e241-e250. [PMID: 35550190 PMCID: PMC9085350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review purposed to investigate reports of oral lesions in confirmed COVID-19 patients summarizing clinical characteristics, histological findings, treatment and correlation of oral lesions and COVID-19 severity. Electronic search was conducted on November 2021 using seven databases to identify case reports/series describing lesions in oral mucosa in COVID-19 confirmed cases. A total of 5,179 studies were found, being 39 eligible from 19 countries, totalling 116 cases. It was observed only COVID-19 non-vaccinated cases and no sex or age predilection. The oral lesions presentation was mostly single location (69.8%), commonly in the tongue, lips, and palate, being ulcer the main clinical presentation. According to severity index for COVID-19, the reports were more frequent in patients with mild and moderate symptoms, being 75.8% in acute phase. The oral lesion appearance in post-acute COVID-19 were described after 14 to two months after patient recovery. Histologically, keratinocytes with perinuclear vacuolization, thrombosis and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate were also described with the presence of the virus in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and minor salivary glands. In conclusion, health care professionals should consider COVID-19 association when patient present ulcerated oral lesions and mild to moderate symptoms for COVID-19 or had acute-COVID-19.
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Hashemi HA, Saeed S, Abedzadeh A, Hashmi AA. COVID-19 related vascular complications in a pediatric patient: A case report. Radiol Case Rep 2022; 17:3801-3805. [PMID: 35965933 PMCID: PMC9358307 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a relatively recent infection that has resulted in a global pandemic, appearing first at the end of 2019. While initially presenting as a predominantly respiratory disease, with a classical picture of fever, dry cough, dyspnea and, in some cases anosmia and ageusia, recent cases have shown increasingly atypical and more systemic manifestation of the disease. A precise understanding of the extent and pathophysiology of COVID-19 remains underway to this day, particularly concerning its behavior in the pediatric population. Moreover, there has been an increasing number of COVID-19 reports with neurological complications and manifestations, prompting inquiry into neuroinvasion. Postulations include indirect invasion through a surge of inflammatory mediators “cytokine storm” and subsequent widespread endothelial injury; and direct neural tropism. We report the case of a previously healthy 12-year-old male presenting with acute right-sided hemiparesis, new-onset seizures and a generalized petechial rash. Laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory markers and radiological investigations confirmed an evolving left middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct and large vessel vasculitis. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection was positive.
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Lötscher F, Pop R, Seitz P, Recher M, Seitz L. Spectrum of Large- and Medium-Vessel Vasculitis in Adults: Neoplastic, Infectious, Drug-Induced, Autoinflammatory, and Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2022; 24:293-309. [PMID: 35920952 PMCID: PMC9362566 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-022-01083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide a comprehensive review of drugs and neoplastic, infectious, autoinflammatory, and immunodeficiency diseases causing medium- to large-vessel vasculitis in adults with emphasis on information essential for the initial diagnostic process. RECENT FINDINGS Entities with medium- to large-vessel vasculitis as clinical manifestations have been described recently (e.g., adenosine deaminase-2 deficiency, VEXAS-Syndrome), and vasculitis in established autoinflammatory or immunodeficiency diseases is increasingly being identified. In the diagnostic process of medium- to large-vessel vasculitis in adults, a large variety of rare diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially if diagnosis is made without histologic confirmation and in younger patients. Although these disorders should be considered, they will undoubtedly remain rare in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Lötscher
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roxana Pop
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mike Recher
- Immunodeficiency Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University Center for Immunology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland.
- Immunodeficiency Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Chen Y, Li Y, Zhan T. A case report of possible concurrent vasculitis in vertebral bodies and partial transverse myelitis following COVID-19 vaccination. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30814. [PMID: 36181106 PMCID: PMC9524522 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cases with organ-specific and systemic vasculitis associated with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination have been reported. However, acute partial transverse myelitis (APTM) is rare adverse events following received COVID-19 vaccines. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on vaccine-associated APTM accompanied by possible concurrent vasculitis. Herein we present a case with possible concurrent spinal vasculitis and APTM following the second dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. CASE SUMMARY A 33-year-old man presented with weakness of left lower limb and aberrant sensation of his left lower trunk and limb (from T9 level to toes) for 2 days following receipt of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Remarkable demyelinating lesion at T7 spinal cord was showed by 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Moreover, vertebral bodies of T3-T7 also presented high signal in T-2 weighted imaging (T2WI) accompanied by multiple sites of flowing void effect indicating possible vasculitis. Oligoclonal band was positive in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) while it was negative in sera. Intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/d) was administrated for 5 days followed by subsequent dose-tapering prednisone. His limb weakness and aberrant sensation both improved and he was able to walk unaided after treatment. The MRI recheck also showed remarkable improvement on the lesions in spinal cord and vertebral bodies. CONCLUSION this case illustrates the concurrence of possible vasculitis in vertebral bodies and acute transverse myelitis (ATM) following COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyi Chen
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tao Zhan
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Zhan, Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan 410005, China (e-mail: )
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Solimando AG, Marziliano D, Ribatti D. SARS-CoV-2 and Endothelial Cells: Vascular Changes, Intussusceptive Microvascular Growth and Novel Therapeutic Windows. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2242. [PMID: 36140343 PMCID: PMC9496230 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial activation in infectious diseases plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting the outcomes and future treatments of several clinical conditions. COVID-19 is no exception. Moving from basic principles to novel approaches, an evolving view of endothelial activation provides insights into a better knowledge of the upstream actors in COVID-19 as a crucial future direction for managing SARS-CoV-2 and other infections. Assessing the function of resting and damaged endothelial cells in infection, particularly in COVID-19, five critical processes emerged controlling thrombo-resistance: vascular integrity, blood flow regulation, immune cell trafficking, angiogenesis and intussusceptive microvascular growth. Endothelial cell injury is associated with thrombosis, increased vessel contraction and a crucial phenomenon identified as intussusceptive microvascular growth, an unprecedented event of vessel splitting into two lumens through the integration of circulating pro-angiogenic cells. An essential awareness of endothelial cells and their phenotypic changes in COVID-19 inflammation is pivotal to understanding the vascular biology of infections and may offer crucial new therapeutic windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Donatello Marziliano
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Lee JH, Yim JJ, Park J. Pulmonary function and chest computed tomography abnormalities 6-12 months after recovery from COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Respir Res 2022; 23:233. [PMID: 36068582 PMCID: PMC9446643 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02163-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience prolonged and varying symptoms, a condition termed post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). However, the prevalence of chronic pulmonary sequelae of PACS during long-term follow-up remains unclear. Several studies have examined this issue and reported heterogeneous results. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of the pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19, as demonstrated by pulmonary function testing (PFT) and chest computed tomography (CT) performed at least 6 months after initial infection. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 to identify related studies. We investigated whether the prevalence of pulmonary sequelae decreased over time and attempted to identify the factors associated with their development by performing multiple subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Results Of the 18,062 studies identified, 30 met our eligibility criteria. Among these studies, 25 and 22 had follow-up PFT and chest CT data, respectively. The follow-up durations were approximately 6 and 12 months in 18 and 12 studies, respectively. Impaired diffusion capacity was the most common abnormality on PFT (pooled prevalence 35%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30–41%) with a prevalence of 39% (95% CI 34–45%) and 31% (95% CI 21–40%) in the 6-month and 12-month follow-up studies, respectively (P = 0.115). Restrictive pulmonary dysfunction evident as reduced forced vital capacity was less frequent (pooled prevalence 8%, 95% CI 6–11%); however, its prevalence was lower in the 12-month follow-up studies than in the 6-month follow-up studies (5% [95% CI 3–7%] vs. 13% [95% CI 8–19%], P = 0.006). On follow-up chest CT, the pooled prevalence of persistent ground-glass opacities and pulmonary fibrosis was 34% (95% CI 24–44%) and 32% (95% CI 23–40%), respectively, and the prevalence did not decrease over time. As every meta-analysis showed significant between-study heterogeneity, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to identify potential effect modifiers; the severity of index infection was associated with the prevalence of impaired diffusion capacity and pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions A substantial number of COVID-19 survivors displayed pulmonary sequelae as part of PACS. Except for restrictive pulmonary dysfunction, the prevalence of these sequelae did not decrease until 1 year after initial infection. Considering the association between the severity of acute COVID-19 and risk of pulmonary sequelae, patients who recover from severe COVID-19 require close respiratory follow-up. Systematic review registration number PROSPERO CRD42021234357 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02163-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Hyuk Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Yim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jimyung Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
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