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Bulled N, Singer M. Conceptualizing COVID-19 syndemics: A scoping review. JOURNAL OF MULTIMORBIDITY AND COMORBIDITY 2024; 14:26335565241249835. [PMID: 38682155 PMCID: PMC11055430 DOI: 10.1177/26335565241249835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background COVID-19's heavy toll on human health, and its concentration within specific at-risk groups including the socially vulnerable and individuals with comorbidities, has made it the focus of much syndemic discourse. Syndemic theory recognizes that social factors create the conditions that support the clustering of diseases and that these diseases interact in a manner that worsens health outcomes. Syndemics theory has helped to facilitate systems-level approaches to disease as a biosocial phenomenon and guide prevention and treatment efforts. Despite its recognized value, reviews of syndemics literature have noted frequent misuse of the concept limiting its potential in guiding appropriate interventions. Objective To review how the term 'syndemic' is defined and applied within peer-reviewed literature in relation to COVID-19. Design A scoping review of definitions within COVID-19 literature published between January 1, 2020 to May 15, 2023 was conducted. Searches took place across six databases: Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, JSTOR, MEDLINE/Pubmed, PsycINFO and Scopus. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Results Content analysis revealed that COVID-19 has varied clustered configurations of communicable-non-communicable diseases and novel communicable disease interactions. Spatial analysis was presented as a new strategy to evidence syndemic arrangements. However, syndemics continue to be regarded as universal, with continued misunderstanding and misapplication of the concept. Conclusion This review found that current applications of syndemics remain problematic. Recommendations are made on the design of syndemic studies. A syndemic framework offers an opportunity for systems-level thinking that considers the full complexity of human-disease interactions and is useful to inform future pandemic preparations and responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merrill Singer
- Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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Sharma AK, Nagarkar NM, Gandhoke CS, Sharma S, Juneja M, Kithan ZM, Aggarwal A, Arora RD, Mehta R, Syal S, Anjankar SD, Thangaraju P. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM): To study the clinical spectrum and outcome of 61 cases of RCM managed at a tertiary care center in India. Surg Neurol Int 2023; 14:15. [PMID: 36751448 PMCID: PMC9899475 DOI: 10.25259/sni_1065_2022] [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: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavities that can easily spread to the orbit and the brain. It is caused by fungi of the family Mucoraceae. We present a case series of 61 patients diagnosed and treated for rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) at a single tertiary health care center. Methods After obtaining ethical clearance, all patient files with a final diagnosis of RCM were thoroughly analyzed in departmental records and a master chart was prepared. The study evaluated the etiology, clinical spectrum, diagnosis, management, complications, and outcome at 3 months of RCM cases. Results About 93.4% of the RCM cases were diabetic and an equal number had a past history of COVID infection. About 85.2% had received steroids for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 infection. The most common presentation of RCM was temporal lobe abscess (25.7%) followed by frontal lobe abscess (16.6%). At 3 months post-diagnosis, mortality in our study was 42.6%. About 26.2 % of the RCM cases had no disease, 23% had a static disease, and 8.2% had progressive disease at the end of 3 months. Conclusion We report the largest single-center case series of RCM, comprising 61 patients. This case series underscores the importance of the early diagnosis and prompt treatment for a better prognosis for this dreadful disease. The three pillars of treatment for RCM cases include reversal of the immunosuppressive state, administration of antifungal drugs, and extensive surgical debridement. In spite of all this, mortality remains high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Nitin M. Nagarkar
- Director and CEO (ENT Surgeon), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Charandeep Singh Gandhoke
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.,Corresponding author: Charandeep Singh Gandhoke, Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
| | - Siddharth Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Mohit Juneja
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Zijano M. Kithan
- Department of General Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Aakash Aggarwal
- Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Ripu Daman Arora
- Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Rupa Mehta
- Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Simran Syal
- Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Shailendra D. Anjankar
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Pugazhenthan Thangaraju
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
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Almyroudi MP, Akinosoglou K, Rello J, Blot S, Dimopoulos G. Clinical Phenotypes of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM): A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123092. [PMID: 36553099 PMCID: PMC9777018 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123092] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A mucormycosis surge was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. A literature search until 14 July 2022, with the aim of updating COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM), identified 663 studies and 88 met inclusion criteria (8727 patients). India reported 8388 patients, Egypt 208 and Europe 40. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) was identified among 8082 (98.3%) patients, followed by 98 (1.2%) with pulmonary. In India, 82.6% of patients had diabetes mellitus, with 82% receiving corticosteroids. In Europe, 75% presented pulmonary CAM, 32.5% had diabetes and 40% were immunocompromised. CAM was identified at a median of 17.4 days (IQR 7.5 days) post COVID-19 diagnosis, and PCR was performed in five studies. Rhino-orbital invasion is clinically obvious, while cerebral involvement presents with cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis and cerebrovascular disease. Symptoms of pulmonary CAM usually overlap with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. High-dose liposomal Amphotericin B (and early surgical debridement in ROCM) are the mainstay of therapy. The median mortality rate was estimated to be 21.4% (IQR 31.9%), increased by the presence of pulmonary (80% (IQR 50%) or cerebral involvement (50% (IQR 63.9%). In summary, different CAM clinical phenotypes need to be distinguished, influenced by geographical presentation. Opportunities exist for diagnosis and therapy optimization, based on earlier high-dose antifungal therapy, early source control, strict glycemic control and restriction of steroids to COVID-19 patients with oxygen requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Panagiota Almyroudi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece
| | - Jordi Rello
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research, Barcelona, Spain & Clinical Research, CHU Nîmes, 30900 Nîmes, France
| | - Stijn Blot
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4029, Australia
| | - George Dimopoulos
- 3rd Department of Critical Care, EVGENIDIO Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-6944756565
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Retrobulbar Amphotericin B Injection in Curbing the Progression of COVID Associated Rhino-orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Retrospective Case Series. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 74:3352-3358. [PMID: 36246726 PMCID: PMC9547996 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-022-03199-7] [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: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess whether transcutaneous retrobulbar Amphotericin B (TRAMB) injection can halt disease progression and reduce the requirement of exenteration in post-COVID 19 Rhino-orbital cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM)) with limited orbital disease. Methods Retrospective series from a single center included 22 patients with KOH proved post-COVID 19 ROCM with radiographic evidence of limited orbital involvement were evaluated from May 2021 to October 2021. TRAMB was given along with systemic intravenous Amphotericin B injection and sinus debridement. Demographic profile, clinical data, operative notes, blood and radiological investigations were evaluated. The primary outcome was to assess the halt in the progression of orbital disease. The primary outcome measure was to assess the halt of the disease progression and the secondary outcome was improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms. Results The mean age was 50.36 ± 9.72 years and 77.3% were men. The Stagewise distribution was twelve (54.5%) patients in stage 3a, four (18.2%) patients in stage 3b, four (18.2%) in stage 3c, one (4.5%) patient in stage 3d and one (4.5%) had stage 4 disease. Improvement in lid edema and conjunctival chemosis were noticed and it was statistically significant (p value < 0.01), similarly visual acuity and ocular motility showed significant improvements (p value 0.04 and < 0.01 respectively). 1 patient died and 1 patient required exenteration later. Twenty patients showed halting of orbital disease after TRAMB injection. Conclusion TRAMB can be an alternative adjuvant therapeutic option to preserve the globe in patients with limited orbital disease but not at all replacement for exenteration.
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Weller JM, Messmer E. Focus on Ophthalmopathology - Orbital Infections from Hordeolum to Necrotizing Fasciitis. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:886-893. [PMID: 35858598 DOI: 10.1055/a-1709-6152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
(Peri)orbital infections comprise a multitude of diagnoses, ranging from common hordeolum to rare but life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis. However, these disease entities are rarely diagnosed by an ophthalmic pathologist because (peri)orbital infections are usually diagnosed clinically, with the help of imaging and microbiological techniques when indicated. In this review article, the role of ophthalmopathology in the diagnosis of (peri)orbital infections is illustrated on the basis of several exemple diagnoses. An infectious hordeolum must be distinguished from a noninfectious chalazion. A nodular thickening of the eyelid, which is diagnosed and treated as a chalazion, can hide a malignant neoplasia. The correct diagnosis and treatment of canaliculitis is often delayed. In this context the most common causative organism, Actinomyces, can be depicted histologically, as can lacrimal stones/dacryoliths. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly worsening infection of the fascia, which can lead to necrosis, sepsis, and death. During the Sars-CoV2 pandemic, an increased incidence of mucormycosis cases was observed, especially in India. This superinfection was facilitated by the widespread use of steroids and immunosuppression. Histologically, it is possible to visualize infiltration of vessel walls by the fungus. Ophthalmopathology contributes to the diagnosis and to understanding the pathophysiology of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Weller
- Augenheilkunde, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Elisabeth Messmer
- Augenklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Medizinische Fakultät, Deutschland
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