Corticothérapie systémique et risque infectieux

[Pituitary and COVID-19: review]

A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread around the world since was first scientifically described in December 2019. At present approximately 400 million people have suffered from the disease, almost 6 million people have died.SARS-CoV-2 uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in several endocrine glands, including the pituitary, pancreas, thyroid, ovaries, and testes. Thus, the endocrine glands may be a direct target for SARS-CoV-2. The main risk factors for severity of the COVID-19 are obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), vertebral fractures, which potentially predisposes patients to a severe course of COVID-19.In this review, we present current data on the course of COVID-19 in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary diseases, and also discuss treatment for endocrinopathies during to COVID-19.

Endocrine risk factors for COVID-19: Endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess

Patients with endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoid (GC) excess exhibit a range of side effects, including an increased risk of infections. Via both mechanism, immune impairments and cardiometabolic concomitant diseases, patients with GC excess could be at increased risk for COVID-19. The impact on incidence and outcome of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population are not yet completely clear. This review aims to compile the data available to date and to discuss the existing literature on this topic. Further we highlight potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as the influence of endogenous or exogenous GC excess on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. There is growing evidence suggesting an increased risk of infection and severe outcome in patients with high-dose GC therapy after contracting SARS-CoV-2. The few data and case reports on patients with endogenous GC excess and SARS-CoV-2 infection point in a similar direction: chronic GC excess seems to be associated with an unfavorable course of COVID-19. Whether this is mainly a primary immune-mediated effect, or also triggered by the many GC-associated comorbidities in this population, is not yet fully understood. Patients with endogenous or exogenous GC excess should be considered as a vulnerable group during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Regardless of the cause, vaccination and consistent surveillance and control of associated comorbidities are recommended.

[Which adjuvant measures should be associated with long-term oral corticosteroid therapy in inflammatory diseases? A summary of existing French recommendations]

It is common to initiate a long-term corticosteroid therapy for inflammatory diseases. Various specialists are involved in this prescription, and associated measures to prevent side effects are not consensual, with the exception of osteoporosis. The specialty of the prescriber has indeed a significant impact on the attention paid to the adjuvant associated measures. The aim of this review was to draw a summary of the side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy and of the existing recommendations related to associated measures to prevent them. Unfortunately, it is difficult to give clear recommendations because of the lack of evidence in some fields, especially as they should be adapted to patient's age and comorbidities. We propose a summary table of associated measures to long-term steroid therapy prescription and suggest a monitoring frequency.

Impact of anti-inflammatory drug consumption in peritonsillar abscesses: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The experience of clinicians in charge of the in-hospital management of peritonsillar abscesses supports the association between severe forms and anti-inflammatory drug (AID) consumption. However, this observation is based on a limited number of clinical studies. Our objective was to assess the prevalence and impact of AID consumption in patients with peritonsillar abscesses.

METHODS

All patients referred to the ear, nose and throat surgery department for a peritonsillar abscess were included in a retrospective cohort study (2012-2014).

RESULTS

Among the 216 included patients (male, 55 %; median age, 32 years [IQR, 26-40]), 127 had received AID (59 %), including corticosteroids (n = 67, 31 %) and/or non-steroidal AIDs (NSAIDs, n = 76, 35 %). 199 patients (92 %) benefit from a puncture and 5 (2 %) from a surgery under general anesthesia, associated with ceftriaxone/metronidazole (51 %) or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (46 %). An iterative surgical procedure was required in 93 cases (43 %), including 19 % under general anesthesia. Bacteriological analysis (79 %) mainly disclosed streptococci (66 %) of A (18 %) and/or milleri (33 %) groups. The prevalence of anaerobes was higher in patients using AIDs (46 % versus 29 %, p = 0.034), regardless of prior antibiotic therapy. 65 patients benefited from a CT-scan; AID consumption was associated with larger abscesses (6.8 [IQR, 3.7-12.7] versus 2.9 [IQR, 0.9-7.8] cm(3); p = 0.005). AID consumption was not a risk factor of iterative surgical procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to the prescribing habits in uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection, the high prevalence of AID consumption in patients with peritonsillar suppuration suggests a role of AIDs in promoting these complications.

The spectrum of opportunistic diseases complicating sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease marked by a paradoxical immune status. The anergic state, which results from various immune defects, contrasts with the inflammatory formation of granulomas. Sarcoidosis patients may be at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs) and a substantial number of cases have been reported, even in untreated sarcoidosis. It is not clear how OIs in patients with sarcoidosis are different from other groups at risk. In this review, we discuss the most common OIs: mycobacterial infection (including tuberculosis), cryptococcosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and aspergillosis. Unlike peripheral lymphocytopenia, corticosteroids are a major risk factor for OIs but the occurrence of Ols in untreated patients suggests more complex predisposing mechanisms. Opportunistic infections presenting with extrapulmonary features are often misdiagnosed as new localizations of sarcoidosis. Aspergillomas mostly develop on fibrocystic lungs. Overall, physicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of OIs during sarcoidosis, even in untreated patients.