Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia Research Articles

Impact of Immunoglobulin M-enriched Immunoglobulins on the Outcomes of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a major global health crisis, leading to a worldwide pandemic. Several therapeutic interventions have been tried with varied results. The purpose of this academic work was to assess the efficacy of immunoglobulin M (IgM)-enriched Ig in the management of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In this retrospective cohort study, severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients who received IgM-enriched immunoglobulin, in addition to standard-of-care treatment, were retrospectively enrolled. Levels of inflammatory biomarkers, oxygenation status, and organ dysfunction were evaluated, and differences were noted after giving IgM-supplemented IgM. Data from 32 consecutive severe COVID-19 patients admitted to medical intensive care units (ICUs) were analyzed. After giving IgM-enriched Ig, there was an improvement in oxygenation indices as shown by saturation of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO2/FiO2) on days 3 and 7, but it was not statistically significant. Oxygen support could be de-escalated in 13 (40.6%) patients on day 3 and in 8 (25%) patients on day 7, after giving IgM-enriched Ig. After giving IgM-enriched Ig, there was a reduction in the levels of all the studied inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, and ferritin) on days 3 and 7, but it was statistically significant only for IL-6. The overall ICU mortality was 53.1%. Outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 requiring ICU care remain dismal. IgM-enriched Ig may be helpful in improving oxygenation and combating cytokine storm in these patients. However, in the present study, the improvement in oxygenation indices (SpO2/FiO2) and reduction in inflammatory markers like D-dimer and ferritin were not statistically significant. Hence, larger randomized controlled trials are required to get more definitive evidence to support this therapy and show significant clinical and mortality benefits.

Care Bundles to Improve Hemoperfusion Performance in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Background/Objectives: Hemoperfusion (HP) is employed to modulate cytokine storms in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, requiring careful attention for success and safety. Therefore, we investigated whether our care bundles could enhance HP performance. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on adult patients (≥20 years old) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In the first wave (Phase I), we identified HP-related issues and addressed them with care bundles in the second wave (Phase II). The care bundles included early temperature control, precise hemodynamic monitoring, and clot prevention measures for the HP membrane. The HP success rate and associated adverse events (AEs) were assessed between the two phases. Results: The study included 60 HP (HA330) sessions from 27 cases (Phase I: 21 sessions from 9 cases; Phase II: 39 sessions from 18 cases). Patient characteristics and treatments for COVID-19 were similar, except for baseline body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR). Phase II showed a higher success rate (67% vs. 89%, p = 0.19), although it did not reach statistical significance. Phase I recorded a significantly higher frequency of AEs (3 [IQR 1, 4] events/case vs. 1 [IQR 0, 2] events/case, p = 0.014). After implementing the care bundles, hypothermia significantly decreased (78% vs. 33%, p = 0.037), with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.15; 95% CI 0.02-0.95, p = 0.044 for baseline BT. Conclusions: Further exploration with a larger sample size is required to establish the advantages of care bundles. However, the bundles' implementation has significantly improved hypothermia prevention.

Impact and Occurrence of Herpesvirus and Aspergillosis Superinfection in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background: Pulmonary superinfections with Herpesviridae and Aspergillus spp. are common in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia but their epidemiology and impact remain poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients at Deventer Hospital’s ICU (2020–2021) who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BL) due to clinical deterioration. We analyzed blood and respiratory samples, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Results: Among 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients who underwent BL, 34 (55.7%) had superinfections, with 18 having COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), 7 having herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and 9 having both. Patients with HSV had later diagnoses (median 14 vs. 8 days, p = 0.014), longer mechanical ventilation (median 47 vs. 18.5 days, p = 0.015), and longer ICU stays (median 74 vs. 24 days, p = 0.021) compared to CAPA patients. At baseline, laboratory parameters and treatment (dexamethasone or tocilizumab) showed no significant association with superinfections. Mortality did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage, HSV reactivation occurred later in the course of illness and was associated with longer mechanical ventilation and ICU stays compared to CAPA. Baseline parameters did not predict superinfections.

Lung Diffusion Capacity in Patients With Bilateral COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Three-Month Follow-Up Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the short-term consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on pulmonary diffusion in patients with severe (but not critical)andmoderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia during three months after COVID-19 infection. A prospective study included 81 patients with an RT-PCR-test confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection treated in the COVID Department of Lung Diseases of University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Inclusion criteria were≥18-year-old patients, COVID-19 infection confirmed using real-time RT-PCR, radiologically confirmed bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, and diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) one and three months after COVID-19 infection. The pulmonary function was tested using the MasterScreen Body Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) and MasterScreen PFT Jaeger (Jaeger Corporation, Omaha, USA) according to American Thoracic Society guidelines one and three months after COVID-19 infection. Forced vital capacity significantly increased three months after COVID-19 infection compared to the first-month control (p<0.0005). Also, a statistically significant increase in the FEV1 value (p<0.0005), FEV1%FVC ratio (p<0.005), DLCO/SB (p<0.0005), DLCO/VA value (p<0.0005),and total lung capacity (TLC) (p<0.0005) was observed in all patients. Our study showed that recovery of DLCO/VA and spirometry parameters was complete after three months, while DLCO/SB was below normal values even after three months. Therefore, one month after the COVID-19 infection patients had partial recovery of lung function, while a significant recovery of lung function was observed three months after the COVID-19 infection.

Neuropsychiatric complications of coronavirus disease 2019: Mount Sinai Health System cohort study.

To describe the frequency of neuropsychiatric complications among hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their association with pre-existing comorbidities and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively identified all patients hospitalized with COVID-19 within a large multicenter New York City health system between March 15, 2020 and May 17, 2021 and randomly selected a representative cohort for detailed chart review. Clinical data, including the occurrence of neuropsychiatric complications (categorized as either altered mental status [AMS] or other neuropsychiatric complications) and in-hospital mortality, were extracted using an electronic medical record database and individual chart review. Associations between neuropsychiatric complications, comorbidities, laboratory findings, and in-hospital mortality were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Our study cohort consisted of 974 patients, the majority were admitted during the first wave of the pandemic. Patients were treated with anticoagulation (88.4%), glucocorticoids (24.8%), and remdesivir (10.5%); 18.6% experienced severe COVID-19 pneumonia (evidenced by ventilator requirement). Neuropsychiatric complications occurred in 58.8% of patients; 39.8% experienced AMS; and 19.0% experienced at least one other complication (seizures in 1.4%, ischemic stroke in 1.6%, hemorrhagic stroke in 1.0%) or symptom (headache in 11.4%, anxiety in 6.8%, ataxia in 6.3%). Higher odds of mortality, which occurred in 22.0%, were associated with AMS, ventilator support, increasing age, and higher serum inflammatory marker levels. Anticoagulant therapy was associated with lower odds of mortality and AMS. Neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19, especially AMS, were common, varied, and associated with in-hospital mortality in a diverse multicenter cohort at an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficacy of different doses of corticosteroids in treating severe COVID-19 pneumonia

BackgroundTo investigate the efficacy of different doses of corticosteroids in treating severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.MethodsBetween May 01, 2023, and June 20, 2023, 48 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were treated at the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Jinan Fourth People's Hospital. The observation group (21 patients) received standard care and high-dose corticosteroids, (high-dose group). The control group (27 patients) received standard care and low-dose corticosteroids (low-dose group). We collected baseline data and recorded inflammatory marker levels after 3 days of treatment, body temperature recovery time, length of stay, and 28-day all-cause mortality. The results of outpatient follow-up were recorded after 1 month.ResultsThere were no significant differences in 28-day mortality and length of stay. The number of days it took for body temperature to return to normal in the high-dose group was less than in the low-dose group. The high-dose group had significantly more reduced inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6). A total of 20 discharged patients were given 8–16 mg of methylprednisolone, depending on chest computed tomography (CT) and clinical symptoms after 1 month; in all discharged patients using oral corticosteroids, CT features improved.ConclusionHigh-dose corticosteroids had a significantly positive effect on the reduction of inflammatory factors and shortening body temperature recovery time. In the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia, early administration of high-dose, short-course corticosteroids should be implemented.

Adequacy to immunosuppression management guidelines in kidney transplant recipients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a practice survey.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses an important risk of morbidity and of mortality, in patients after solid organ transplantation. Recommendations have been issued by various transplantation societies at the national and European level to manage the immunosuppressive (IS) regimen upon admission to intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of IS regimen minimization strategy in kidney transplant recipients hospitalized in an ICU for severe COVID-19, in relation to the issued recommendations. The immunosuppressive therapy was minimized in all patients, with respectively 63% and 59% of the patients meeting the local and european recommendations upon admission. During ICU stay, IS was further tapered leading to 85% (local) and 78% (european) adequacy, relative to the guidelines. The most frequent deviation was the lack of complete withdrawal of mycophenolic acid (22%). Nevertheless, the adequacy/inadequacy status was not associated to the ICU- or one-year-mortality. In this single-center cohort, the only variable associated with a reduction in mortality was vaccination, emphasizing that the key issue is immunization prior to infection, not restoration of immunity during ICU stay.

The National Early Warning Score 2 with Age and Body Mass Index (NEWS2 Plus) to Determine Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

(1) Background: Early identification of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia at the initial phase of hospitalization is very crucial. To address this, we validated and updated the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) for this purpose. (2) Methods: We conducted a study on adult patients with COVID-19 infection in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and October 2021. (3) Results: From a total of 725 COVID-19 adult patients, 350 (48.3%) patients suffered severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In determining severe COVID-19 pneumonia, NEWS2 and NEWS2 + Age + BMI (NEWS2 Plus) showed the C-statistic values of 0.798 (95% CI, 0.767-0.830) and 0.821 (95% CI, 0.791-0.850), respectively. The C-statistic values of NEWS2 Plus were significantly improved compared to those of NEWS2 alone (p = 0.012). Utilizing a cut-off point of five, NEWS2 Plus exhibited better sensitivity and negative predictive value than the traditional NEWS2, with values of 99.7% vs. 83.7% and 98.9% vs. 80.7%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The incorporation of age and BMI into the traditional NEWS2 score enhanced the efficacy of determining severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Physicians can rely on NEWS2 Plus (NEWS2 + Age + BMI) as a more effective decision-making tool for triaging COVID-19 patients during early hospitalization.

Persistent residual lung abnormalities as final outcome in recovered severe COVID-19 pneumonia with lung function abnormalities in spirometry: Pulmonologist and radiologist perspective

Coronavirus-related (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) global pandemic has caused significant mortality and morbidity globally in the last 3 years. In the present case report, a 51-year-old man presented in the outdoor unit for shortness of breath on exertion with a history of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia resulted in acute respiratory distress syndrome with hospitalisation in the intensive care unit 1 year back and required high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with noninvasive ventilatory support (NIV) for 2 weeks. He was offered oxygen supplementation at home with antibiotics for 3 months and there was no requirement of oxygen and some respiratory symptoms even after 1 year. His high-resolution computed tomography thorax documented at 1 year of discharge from the hospital revealed typical interstitial opacities labelled as persistent residual lung abnormalities (RLAs) that are predominantly reticular and linear opacities in peripheral parts of lungs without honeycombing within typical pleural-based areas with parenchymal bands and minimally altered lung architecture and preserved lung volume.

Prevalence of Exercise-induced Desaturation in Survivors of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia and the Predictive Value of Lung Ultrasound: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Survivors of severe Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia may experience ExerciseInduced Desaturation (EID), which can remain undiagnosed at discharge, as most exhibit normal resting Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs). This undiagnosed condition may lead to unexpected hospital readmissions, causing additional burden to the health system. However, the prevalence of EID among this population, especially in developing countries, is not well documented. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of EID among survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia and to explore the predictive role of Lung Ultrasound Scan (LUS) in detecting EID. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Institute of Chest Diseases in Kozhikode, Kerala, India from October 2021 to September 2022. It involved 153 COVID-19 patients aged 18 years and above who had recovered from severe pneumonia, were otherwise fit for hospital discharge, and had normal resting ABGs. The study examined the prevalence of EID using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Additionally, it investigated the predictive ability of a LUS for EID. A LUS was performed on all patients and scoring was conducted according to the established protocol. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 53.50±14.13 years, with 119 (77.8%) being male. During the 6MWT, 96 patients (62.7%) showed significant desaturation. A total of 83 (95.4%) subjects in the desaturated group required Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) compared to 4 (4.6%) in the non-desaturated group (p&lt;0.001). All 24 (100%) subjects in the desaturated group required Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV), while none in the non-desaturated group did. The mean Length Of Stay (LOS) in the hospital was 35.50±13.35 days for the desaturated group, compared to 23.32±16.25 days for the non-desaturated group (p&lt;0.001). The LUS score was significantly higher in the desaturated group (16.61±5.92) than in the non-desaturated group (5.54±4.62). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for the LUS score indicated a cut-off value of 8.5 for identifying significant EID. Conclusion: Survivors of COVID-19 who recovered from Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) and have normal resting ABGs may still have significant EID. A protocol-based LUS score can potentially identify individuals at risk for EID.

Challenges in therapy of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with giant pneumatocele in a preterm newborn: How to optimize mechanical ventilation?

Introduction. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can require the use of mechanical ventilation (MV) and is rare in the neonatal population. Giant pneumatocele is an extremely rare complication of MV, which is practically unknown in neonates. Case report. We report a case of a two-week-old premature infant who developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 and pneumatocele as a complication of MV. The newborn was admitted in a life-threatening condition with persistent hypercapnia, which, therefore, required pro-longed MV. Chest computed tomography (CT) was done to assess the degree of fibrosis caused by COVID-19, and as an accidental finding, a pneumatocele was observed. The patient was immediately started on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation as a way of conservative treatment. After prolonged duration and gradual separation from MV, the patient was extubated, and oxygen therapy was gradually discontinued. The patient was discharged in good condition, and the follow-up chest CT showed complete regression of pneumatocele. Conclusion. Optimization of MV parameters and adequate treatment of complications such as ARDS or giant pneumatocele in neonates is an area that still requires further research, primarily due to the specificity of the neonatal age compared to adult patients.

Assessment of the prognosis, frequency, and isolated bacteria in ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia: A single-center retrospective observational study

IntroductionAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is associated with a high incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of VAP associated with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. MethodsThis retrospective observational study recruited patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS admitted to our center from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. The primary outcome was the survival-to-discharge rate. The secondary outcomes were the VAP rate, time to VAP, length of ICU stay, length of ventilator support, and isolated bacteria. ResultsSixty-eight patients were included in this study; 23 developed VAP. The survival-to-discharge rate was 60.9 % in the VAP group and 84.4 % in the non-VAP group. The median time to VAP onset was 16 days. The median duration of ventilator support and of ICU stay were higher in the VAP group than in the non-VAP group. The VAP rate was 33.8 %. The most common isolated species was Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. On admission, carbapenems were used in a maximum number of cases (75 %). Furthermore, the median body mass index (BMI) was lower and the median sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on admission was higher in the VAP group than in the non-VAP group. ConclusionsThe survival-to-discharge rate in VAP patients was low. Moreover, VAP patients tended to have long ICU stays, low BMI, and high SOFA scores on admission. Unusually, S. maltophilia was the most common isolated bacteria, which may be related to the frequent use of carbapenems.

Frequency of subclinical interstitial lung disease in COVID-19 autopsy cases: potential risk factors of severe pneumonia

Risk factors of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been previously reported; however, histological risk factors have not been defined thus far. The aim of this study was to clarify subclinical hidden interstitial lung disease (ILD) as a risk factor of severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19. We carefully examined autopsied lungs and chest computed tomography scanning (CT) images from patients with COVID-19 for interstitial lesions and then analyzed their relationship with disease severity. Among the autopsy series, subclinical ILD was found in 13/27 cases (48%) in the COVID-19 group, and in contrast, 8/65 (12%) in the control autopsy group (p = 0.0006; Fisher’s exact test). We reviewed CT images from the COVID-19 autopsy cases and verified that subclinical ILD was histologically detectable in the CT images. Then, we retrospectively examined CT images from another series of COVID-19 cases in the Yokohama, Japan area between February–August 2020 for interstitial lesions and analyzed the relationship to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. Interstitial lesion was more frequently found in the group with the moderate II/severe disease than in the moderate I/mild disease (severity was evaluated according to the COVID-19 severity classification system of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare [Japan]) (moderate II/severe, 11/15, 73.3% versus moderate I/mild, 108/245, 44.1%; Fisher exact test, p = 0.0333). In conclusion, it was suggested that subclinical ILD could be an important risk factor for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A benefit of these findings could be the development of a risk assessment system using high resolution CT images for fatal COVID-19 pneumonia.

Efficacy and Safety of Reparixin in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

Polymorphonuclear cell influx into the interstitial and bronchoalveolar spaces is a cardinal feature of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), principally mediated by interleukin-8 (IL-8). We sought to determine whether reparixin, a novel IL-8 pathway inhibitor, could reduce disease progression in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In this Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized 2:1 to receive oral reparixin 1200mg three times daily or placebo for up to 21days or until hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 28, with key secondary endpoints being the proportion of patients free of respiratory failure at Day 60, incidence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission by Day 28 and time to recovery by Day 28. Of 279 patients randomized, 182 received at least one dose of reparixin and 88 received placebo. The proportion of patients alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 28 was similar in the two groups {83.5% versus 80.7%; odds ratio 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75, 3.51]; p = 0.216}. There were no statistically significant differences in the key secondary endpoints, but a numerically higher proportion of patients in the reparixin group were alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 60 (88.7% versus 84.6%; p = 0.195), fewer required ICU admissions by Day 28 (15.8% versus 21.7%; p = 0.168), and a higher proportion recovered by Day 28 compared with placebo (81.6% versus 74.9%; p = 0.167). Fewer patients experienced adverse events with reparixin than placebo (45.6% versus 54.5%), most mild or moderate intensity and not related to study treatment. This trial did not meet the primary efficacy endpoints, yet reparixin showed a trend toward limiting disease progression as an add-on therapy in COVID-19 severe pneumonia and was well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04878055, EudraCT: 2020-005919-51.

Proteomic Profiling of Urine From Hospitalized Patients With Severe Pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 vs Other Causes: A Preliminary Report.

The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia remains poorly understood. The urine proteome of hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, compared with severe non-COVID-19 pneumonia controls, was distinct and associated with lower abundance of several host proteins. Protein-specific machine learning analysis outlined biomarker combinations able to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from non-COVID-19 pneumonia controls.

Real-World Evidence to Supplement Randomized Clinical Trials: Tocilizumab for Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia vs. a Cohort Receiving Standard of Care.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard for evaluating treatment efficacy, but real-world evidence can supplement RCT results. Tocilizumab was not found to reduce 28-day mortality in a phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (COVACTA) among hospitalized patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. We created a real-world external comparator arm mirroring the COVACTA trial to confirm findings and assess the feasibility of using an external comparator arm to supplement an RCT. Eligible COVACTA participants in both the tocilizumab treatment and placebo arms were matched 1:1 using propensity score matching to persons without tocilizumab exposure in an external comparator arm. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models estimated differences in 28-day mortality comparing COVACTA participants to matched external comparator arm participants. Patients in the COVACTA tocilizumab treatment arm had a similar risk of death compared with patients in the external comparator arm (hazard ratio (HR): 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-1.84) with similar estimated 28-day mortality in the COVACTA tocilizumab treatment arm compared with the external comparator arm (18%, 95% CI: 13-24 vs. 19%, 95% CI: 13-24, P > 0.9). COVACTA placebo treatment arm participants had a similar risk of mortality (adjusted HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.32-1.46) compared with the external comparator arm. Using an external comparator arm has the potential to supplement RCT data and support results of primary RCT analyses.

Endotheliopathy, Soluble Thrombomodulin and Its Role in Predicting Prognosis in Severe Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pneumonia

Endotheliopathy, Soluble Thrombomodulin and Its Role in Predicting Prognosis in Severe Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pneumonia

Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in a previously healthy COVID-19 patient: A case report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is commonly linked with mild cough, fever, and shortness of breath symptoms. However, there have been reports of pneumothorax, which particularly occurred at least 1 week following symptom onset in elderly COVID-19 patients. Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is an uncommon but possibly fatal complication of COVID-19 pneumonia and is rarely reported in non-intubated patients. We report a case of a healthy, non-smoker 35-year-old young woman who presented with a 7-day cough, fever, and sudden shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, experienced a right SP, and developed a second pneumothorax on the contralateral side. She improved gradually following chest tube insertion in the right lung and conservative management for the left pneumothorax.

Efficacy of baricitinib in severe coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme through a viral spike protein prompting an inflammatory cascade. Baricitinib, an oral drug, is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2 and interferes with the intracellular signaling pathway of many cytokines and in combination with remdesivir may give good results in severe COVID-19 infection. Aim The aim was to assess the effect of baricitinib in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients with SARS-CoV-2-confirmed positive cases by nasopharyngeal swab/reverse transcriptase PCR with severe pneumonia received oral baricitinib 4 mg daily, and patients were followed for at least 14 days, unless previously discharged or dead. Results Patients were admitted to the ICU, with a mean duration of 11 days. All patients received high-flow oxygen with nonrebreathing mask. A total of 18 (60%) patients improved and 12 (40%) patients died. Moreover, 15 patients had comorbidities, and mortality was high in this group (10 patients). No serious adverse effects of baricitinib were detected in our study. All patients were hypoxic at admission. The mean oxygen saturation on room air was 70%. There was a statistically significant improvement in oxygenation on discharge after receiving treatment, with mean oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. Conclusion Baricitinib with remdesivir improves clinical status and oxygen saturation in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia with no serious adverse effects.

Severe COVID-19 pneumonia in a pregnant lady with diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma: a case report from a semi-urban primary care center in Bangladesh

Pregnant women are more susceptible to complications from respiratory disease due to physiological changes in pregnancy. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) like its ancestors, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), may be associated with more severe disease course in pregnancy and possible adverse outcome to mother and the newborn baby. Here, we present a case of a pregnant lady with severe COVID-19 with oligohydraminos with less fetal movement managed in a resource poor primary care setup. BIRDEM Med J 2023; 13(2): 107-110