Week Of Illness Research Articles

Challenges in evaluating neurological patients in the era of Telemedicine

Telemedicine offers multiple advantages to bothpractitioners and patients with chronic diseases, includingParkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiplesclerosis. There is an insufficient number of neurologistsproviding routine follow-up care for such individuals, andsuch complex cases require specialist attention. With theCOVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine in neurology has beenmore widely implemented. Convenience and safety mayoutweigh the limitations for most, including impaireddiagnostic accuracy for specific symptoms, limited use oftelemedicine in the first week of illness for newly diagnosedpatients, and impracticality for patients in nursinghomes .

An incomplete form of Kawasaki disease in a 2-month-old girl. How the diagnostic algorithm works in practice

BACKGROUND. Kawasaki disease is a rare, self-limiting inflammatory disease primarily affecting children under 5 years old. In 25 % of cases, it can lead to coronary artery aneurysms if not treated promptly with intravenous human immunoglobulin. A significant portion of Kawasaki disease patients present with an incomplete form, complicating diagnosis, while the risk of coronary artery aneurysms remains unchanged. Particularly vulnerable are infants under 6 months old, who may exhibit even more limited clinical symptoms, making them especially susceptible to severe cardiac complications. OBJECTIVE. To analyze a clinical case of an incomplete form of Kawasaki disease in a 2-month-old girl, raise awareness of Kawasaki disease, including its incomplete form, among healthcare workers in Ukraine, emphasize the critical importance of proper diagnostic evaluation of coronary arteries, and underscore the necessity of early administration of immunoglobulin when Kawasaki disease is suspected, even in the absence of pathological changes in the heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved collecting medical history, physical examination data, laboratory and instrumental studies, and their analysis. The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, including its incomplete form, was based on the 2017 recommendations of the American Heart Association. CLINICAL CASE. A 2-month-old girl presented with symptoms initially resembling a urinary tract infection, with no therapeutic response to multiple courses of antibacterial therapy. During the second week of illness, she developed swelling in her hands and feet, which, along with persistent fever, significant inflammatory response, and lack of improvement with antibiotics, led to the suspicion and diagnosis of Kawasaki disease based on the algorithm for incomplete Kawasaki disease. After administration of an immunomodulatory dose of intravenous human immunoglobulin at 2 g/kg on the 11th day of illness, there was a rapid regression of symptoms, normalization of inflammation markers, and overall improvement in the child's condition. By the second week of illness, small aneurysms of the right and left coronary arteries had formed but regressed within a few weeks from the onset of the disease. CONCLUSIONS. Kawasaki disease requires prompt therapeutic intervention and should be suspected in any child, especially those under one year of age, with a high fever lasting at least 5 days, unexplained by a preliminary diagnosis, and no response to antibiotic treatment in the presence of “bacterial” blood tests. Serial echocardiograms assessing coronary arteries, absolute dimensions, and Z-scores are mandatory.

Tracking Wall Characteristics of Necrotic Pancreatic Fluid Collections in Acute Pancreatitis on Serial Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

Abstract Background Encapsulated pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) is a requisite for endoscopic drainage procedures. The 4-week threshold for defining walled-off necrosis does not capture the dynamic process of encapsulation. We aim to investigate the changes in the wall characteristics of PFC in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) by comparing baseline contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) with follow-up CT scans. Methods This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with ANP who underwent a baseline CECT within first 2 weeks and follow-up CECT in the third to fifth weeks of illness. Presence, extent, and encapsulation thickness (defined as enhancing wall around the collection) on baseline CECT were compared with follow-up CT (done in the third–fifth weeks of illness). Results Thirty patients (19 males and 11 females; mean age 41.5 ± 13.5 years) were included in the study. The mean time to first CECT was 10 ± 3.6 days. There were 58 collections. The most common site was the lesser sac (n = 29), followed by the left pararenal space (n = 15). At baseline CT, 52 (89.7%) collections had varying degree of encapsulation (15.3%, complete encapsulation). Complete encapsulation was seen in 52 and 82.6% collections in third and fourth week, respectively. All collections in fifth week and beyond were encapsulated. The wall was thicker on follow-up CECT scans (p < 0.01). The mean wall thickness was not significantly associated with the degree of encapsulation (p = 0.417). There was no significant association between the site and degree of encapsulation (p = 0.546). Conclusion Encapsulation is dynamic and collections may get “walled off” before 4 weeks. Walled-off collections should be defined based on imaging rather than a fixed 4-week revised Atlanta classification threshold.

SARS-CoV-2 Viral Replication Persists in the Human Lung for Several Weeks after Symptom Onset.

Rationale: In the upper respiratory tract, replicating (culturable) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is recoverable for ∼4-8 days after symptom onset, but there is a paucity of data about the frequency and duration of replicating virus in the lower respiratory tract (i.e., the human lung).Objectives: We undertook lung tissue sampling (needle biopsy) shortly after death in 42 mechanically ventilated decedents during the Beta and Delta waves. An independent group of 18 ambulatory patients served as a control group.Methods: Lung biopsy cores from decedents underwent viral culture, histopathological analysis, electron microscopy, transcriptomic profiling, and immunohistochemistry.Measurements and Main Results: Thirty-eight percent (16 of 42) of mechanically ventilated decedents had culturable virus in the lung for a median of 15 days (persisting for up to 4 wk) after symptom onset. Lung viral culture positivity was not associated with comorbidities or steroid use. Delta but not Beta variant lung culture positivity was associated with accelerated death and secondary bacterial infection (P < 0.05). Nasopharyngeal culture was negative in 23.1% (6 of 26) of decedents despite lung culture positivity. This hitherto undescribed biophenotype of lung-specific persisting viral replication was associated with an enhanced transcriptomic pulmonary proinflammatory response but with concurrent viral culture positivity.Conclusions: Concurrent rather than sequential active viral replication continues to drive a heightened proinflammatory response in the human lung beyond the second week of illness and was associated with variant-specific increased mortality and morbidity. These findings have potential implications for the design of interventional strategies and clinical management of patients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A prediction model for coronary artery abnormalities in children with Kawasaki disease older than 5 years

ObjectiveReliably prediction models for coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) in children aged >5 years with Kawasaki disease (KD) are still lacking. This study aimed to develop a nomogram model for predicting CAA at 4 to 8 weeks of illness in children with KD older than 5 years. MethodsA total of 644 eligible children were randomly assigned to a training cohort (n = 450) and a validation cohort (n = 194). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis was used for optimal predictors selection, and multivariate logistic regression was used to develop a nomogram model based on the selected predictors. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, Brier score, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess model performance. ResultsNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, intravenous immunoglobulin resistance, and maximum baseline z-score ≥ 2.5 were identified by LASSO as significant predictors. The model incorporating these variables showed good discrimination and calibration capacities in both training and validation cohorts. The AUC of the training cohort and validation cohort were 0.854 and 0.850, respectively. The DCA confirmed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram model. ConclusionsA novel nomogram model was established to accurately assess the risk of CAA at 4–8 weeks of onset among KD children older than 5 years, which may aid clinical decision-making.

РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНЕ КОГОРТНЕ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ПО ОЦІНЦІ КЛІНІЧНОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ РЕМДЕСИВІРУ В ЛІКУВАННІ ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ ТЯЖКИМ ПЕРЕБІГОМ COVID-19

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with severe COVD-19 during complex treatment according to the National Protocol of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Materials and methods. We used to the data of a retrospective cohort study in adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with severe COVID-19, who were admitted to the infectious diseases department No. 2 of the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital from December 2020 to May 2021. The statistical analysis included a group of patients who received Remdesivir (n = 98) and a control group of patients who did not receive Remdesivir (n = 190), which was modified. Results. It was found that 98 patients (n = 98) with severe COVID-19 who received Remdesivir at a course dose of 600 mg in 91.8% of cases (n = 90) recovered, the average age of those who recovered was 56.8 ± 2.56 years. On average, the beginning of the infusion of Remdesivir upon admission to the infectious diseases hospital occurred on the 9th day from the first day of the disease. In 8.2 % (n = 8), Remdesivir did not help patients with severe COVID-19 who died in intensive care, the average age of the deceased was 68.5 ± 5.83 years. During the study, it was found that the use of Remdesivir on average from the 9th day of illness at a course dose of 600 mg did not additionally affect the rate of restoration of saturation in patients with severe COVID-19 at the time of discharge from the hospital, and as an additive drug did not additionally affect on the reduction of CRP in the complex therapy with Dexamethasone of severe COVID-19, and also did not affect the use and/or reduction of the use of antibacterial drugs in patients with severe COVID-19. The use of Remdesivir did not significantly affect the decrease in the number of days of hospitalization, however, it significantly influenced the time of normalization of body temperature and, on average, this decrease was 1.7 ± 0.6 days in patients with severe COVID-19 compared with the control group without antiviral drug. It was found that Remdesivir in a course dose of 600 mg does not negatively affect creatinine levels and does not lead to renal dysfunction in patients with severe COVID-19. Despite the fact that 91.8 % of patients who received Remdesivir recovered, there was no statistically significant reduction in mortality (р &gt; 0,05) in the age group of patients aged 56 to 79 years with severe COVID-19 when using Redmesivir in the second week of illness (median onset of antiviral therapy is 9 days), therefore, Remdesivir must be administered prior to the onset of severe COVID-19 with a hyperinflammatory condition. Key words: coronavirus disease, severe COVID-19, remdesivir, retrospective cohort study.

Kinetics of IgM, IgA, IgG to SARS-CoV-2 in children with COVID-19 in Lviv region in different periods of the infectious process depending on the severity of the course and age

Aim. The research aims at analyzing the kinetics of IgA, IgM, and IgG to SARS-CoV-2 in children based on the severity of COVID-19 and age.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The conducted prospective study involved 88 children (mean age 9.4 years) with COVID-19, admitted to the "Lviv Regional Pediatric Clinical Hospital "OKHMATDYT" from 2020 to 2021. The participants included 36 males (40.90%), and 52 females (59.10%) in the observation group. Diagnosis verification relied on clinical manifestations of the disease, with the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from nasal mucus using the PCR method. The values of IgA, IgM, and IgG to S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2, determined by the ELISA method at different times of the infectious process in 380 blood serum samples, were analyzed.&#x0D; Results and Discussion.The research findings of IgM to SARS-CoV-2 in the first week of illness revealed a median value of 0.24 [0.14; 1.39], increasing to 0.49 [0.30; 2.87] in the second week. The highest median value of IgA to SARS-CoV-2 is 0.33 [0.24; 1.00] was found from 15 to 30 days, after 30 days it was 0.24 [0.20; 0.28].&#x0D; The increase in the median value of IgG-N to SARS-CoV-2 was observed from the second week of the illness, reaching 1.13 [0.52; 3.17], with its maximum value at 5.68 [2.39; 8.86] within the period up to three months. Severe COVID-19 was diagnosed in 27 children (30.68%), comprising 15 females (55.56%) and 12 males (44.44%). In the majority of hospitalized children, IgM values at different degrees of disease severity were positive from the first to the seventh day of illness. In children with a severe course of SARS-CoV-2, the median value of IgM in blood serum during this period was 1.39 [1.36; 4.07]. There was a statistically significant difference between the IgG levels for moderate and severe forms on days 15-30 of the illness: 0.54 [0.21; 1.89] compared to 5.55 [4.99; 5.80], respectively (p&lt;0.05). In patients with both moderate and severe forms of the disease, median values of IgG to N SARS-CoV-2 were positive throughout the study period. A significant increase in the median value of IgG to N SARS-CoV-2 was observed in females from day 31 to day 90. In severe cases of the disease, the median value of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 from three to six months was 9.40 [7.80; 10.60], which was higher than in patients with a moderate form of the disease - 8.72 [8.64; 8.97] (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions. Serological studies enable the investigation of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, determination of seroconversion, and characterization of the course of COVID-19, being crucial for epidemiological research. The levels of IgM, IgA, and IgG to SARS-CoV-2 depend on the disease's severity and the patient's age.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Associated with COVID-19: Diagnostic Significance of Imaging Methods (CT, LUS) and Comparative Characteristics of CT- and LUS-Patterns

Objective — to determine the imaging changes in community-acquired pneumonia in different severity of COVID-19; to define the diagnostic significance of CT, LUS, establish the correspondence of CT- and LUS-patterns. Materials and methods. We examined 22 patients (pts) (men — 11 (50.0 %), women — 11 (50.0 %), mean age — 67.0 (54.0; 74.0) years) with COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinical examination — general investigation, assessment of dyspnea severity (mMRC), pulse oximetry. The spread of lung lesions was determined by CT and LUS. Changes were described as CT- and LUS-patterns. Non-parametric. Results and discussion. In severe COVID-19 cases (end of the 1st week of illness), the extent of lung lesions aligned with CT-1, revealing bilateral subpleural «ground glass» opacities. Bilateral changes were observed in lung ultrasound (LUS), with a Lung Ultrasound Score (LUSS) of 2—4 points. The CT pattern of «ground glass» corresponded to LUS patterns indicating mild to moderate interstitial changes (IC).By the 2nd and 3rd weeks, the area of lung lesions corresponded to CT-1 and 2, and the CT pattern of «ground glass» became diffuse and bilateral. Bilateral LUS changes were noted, with LUSS ranging from 4 to 18 points. The CT pattern of «ground glass» aligned with LUS patterns indicating mild to moderate IC, pleural thickening, and the absence of A-lines. The CT pattern of consolidation corresponded to a similar LUS pattern.In patients with a critical course during the 2nd and 3rd weeks, the lesion area extended to 60–90 %. Bilateral LUS changes persisted, with LUSS ranging from 16 to 22 points. There was a significant correlation between the area of lung lesions observed on CT and LUS (p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions. In the 1st week of illness, verification of severe COVID-19 should be grounded in the presence of severe dyspnea and decreased saturation. During the 2nd and 3rd weeks, verification can be based on decreased saturation and the extent of lung lesions as assessed by CT and lung ultrasound (LUS). In critical patients, the area of lung lesions ranged from 60 to 90 % on CT and/or exceeded 15 points on the LUSS. The CT pattern of «ground glass» corresponded to interstitial changes (IC), pleural thickening, and the absence of A-lines on LUS. Similarly, the CT pattern of consolidation corresponded to a consolidation pattern on LUS.

1762. Clinical application of handheld ultrasound devices during the 2022 Sudan Virus disease Ebola outbreak in Uganda

Abstract Background The fluid status and causes of respiratory failure in patients with Ebola disease can be challenging to determine due to concomitant severe diarrhea, vascular leakage, and multiorgan failure. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) could guide fluid resuscitation for patients in resource-limited settings. We present the clinical application of POCUS in the 2022 Sudan Virus disease Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Figure. Ultrasound findings from patient 2. 2A: Discrete B lines observed with an irregular pleural line; 2B: Inferior vena cava collapsibility &amp;lt;50% suggestive of adequate fluid resuscitation; 2C: parasternal short cardiac view with small pericardial effusion identified; 2D: apical cardiac view with small pericardial effusion redemonstrated. Methods A clinical research team in Fort Portal, Uganda was trained in advanced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to care for patients with Ebola disease and in POCUS for septic shock. The clinical team learned a standardized lung and cardiac critical care ultrasound approach to evaluate patients in septic shock. The scanning procedure was used during the care of 6 patients with confirmed Sudan virus disease within 2 weeks of outbreak declaration to make critical patient care decisions like fluid management. Chest X-ray services and mechanical ventilation were not accessible. A handheld Philips Lumify device was kept in the biocontainment area and was used in full personal protective equipment. Scanning procedures included 12-zone lung ultrasound and 4-view cardiac ultrasound scans to determine causes of respiratory disease and evaluate fluid status. Results Among 6 patients (age range 27 to 58 years; 1/6 female), 5/6 were in their third week of illness, and 1/6 was in his second week of illness. Lung ultrasound abnormalities included discrete B-lines (5/6 patients), confluent B-lines (1/6), irregular pleural lines (3/6 patients), and subpleural consolidations (1/6 patients). Two participants in respiratory distress had cardiac POCUS. Both had hyperdynamic left ventricular function and one had a small pericardial effusion (Figure). One patient had inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility &amp;lt; 50% (1.5 cm diameter), and another with a &amp;gt;50% IVC collapsibility (1.3 cm diameter). These findings contributed to a decision to continue fluid resuscitation. Conclusion Portable handheld ultrasound devices identified previously undescribed ultrasound features of Sudan virus disease. POCUS helped determine causes of respiratory failure and guided fluid resuscitation in a biocontainment ward without access to mechanical ventilation. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Impact of long COVID-19 on work: a co-produced survey

BackgroundA proportion of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID), a predominantly multisystem condition resulting in varying degrees of functional disability limiting day-to-day activities. We aimed to describe the impact of long COVID on work. MethodsWe co-produced baseline and follow-up online surveys with people with lived experience of long COVID (including three of the co-authors). Respondents were aged 18 years and older with self-reported long COVID following confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection who were not hospitalised in the first 2 weeks of illness. The baseline survey was administered in November, 2020, using convenience non-probability sampling through social media. Following informed consent, participants completed a follow-up survey at 1 year (November, 2021). Ethics approval was granted by the University of Southampton. FindingsOf 2210 invited, 1153 (52%) participants responded to the survey (mean age of 47·7 years [SD 10·6], 965 [84%] female, 1096 [95%] White, and 892 [78%] holding a university degree). 54 participants (4·7%) reported recovery at follow-up. Median duration of illness was 19·8 months (IQR 19·3–20·1) at follow-up. An equal proportion reported being unable to work at baseline (20·4%, n=235) and follow-up (20·6%, n=237). However, a higher proportion reported being made redundant or taking early retirement at follow-up (8·9%, n=102) than at baseline (2·2%, n=25). 209 (18·1%) reported losing or resigning or leaving their job due to long COVID at follow-up compared with 170 (14·8%) participants at baseline. 307 (26·6%) participants reported not taking time off-sick due to long COVID at baseline, decreasing to 122 (10·6%) at follow-up. Of the 656 individuals reporting length of time off-sick, 354 (54%) were off-sick for more than 3 months, with 113 (17·2%) off-sick for more than 12 months. Nearly half (47%, n=538) reported a loss in income. InterpretationThe convenience non-probability sampling limits generalisability. Research is needed in a representative population sample to characterise the effect on working patterns in people with long COVID, particularly in those with less flexible and more physically demanding occupations who may be less able to take time off to recover. FundingNone.

Murine Typhus: A Review of a Reemerging Flea-Borne Rickettsiosis with Potential for Neurologic Manifestations and Sequalae.

Murine typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia typhi, an obligately intracellular Gram-negative coccobacillus. Rats (Rattus species) and their fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) serve as the reservoir and vector of R. typhi, respectively. Humans become infected when R. typhi-infected flea feces are rubbed into flea bite wounds or onto mucous membranes. The disease is endemic throughout much of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical seaboard regions where rats are common. Murine typhus is reemerging as an important cause of febrile illness in Texas and Southern California, where an alternate transmission cycle likely involves opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Although primarily an undifferentiated febrile illness, a range of neurologic manifestations may occur, especially when treatment is delayed. Serology is the mainstay of diagnostic testing, but confirmation usually requires demonstrating seroconversion or a fourfold increase in antibody titer from acute- and convalescent-phase sera (antibodies are seldom detectable in the first week of illness). Thus, early empiric treatment with doxycycline, the drug of choice, is imperative. The purpose of this review is to highlight murine typhus as an important emerging and reemerging infectious disease, review its neurologic manifestations, and discuss areas in need of further study.

Symptom patterns and triggers of Long Covid: findings from a longitudinal online survey

Abstract Background Long Covid (LC) is a multi-system often disabling condition that develops following a SARSCoV2 infection. We aimed to characterise the pattern and triggers of LC symptoms. Methods Data from a one-year follow-up of an online survey originally conducted in November 2020 were used. Respondents were adults with LC following confirmed or probable COVID-19 who were not hospitalised in the first two weeks of illness. The baseline survey recruited mostly from support groups using convenience non-probability sampling. The content of both the baseline and follow-up surveys was co-produced with people living with LC. Results 1153 participants described their current health in the 1-year follow-up survey in November 2021 (530 with established clinical diagnosis of LC). The mean age was 47.7 years (standard deviation 10.6) with 84% females, 83% UK-based, 78% university-qualified and 90% reporting good to excellent health before SARSCoV2 infection. Only 5% of participants reported full recovery, and 45% reported a constant pattern of illness compared to 17% at baseline. Out of 637 participants reporting fluctuating or relapsing pattern, 40% reported that their illness was usually triggered by an identifiable factor. A further 30% reported that their illness generally followed a set/cyclical pattern but was occasionally triggered by something, and 10% reported that they had been unable to identify a trigger. Common triggers were physical activity (44%), stress (40%), cognitive effort (27%), social effort (25%), and work (22%). 96% of participants reported getting vaccinated, with 22% reporting improvement, 17% worsening, and 50% no change in illness after vaccination. Conclusions Needing to avoid activities that trigger symptoms means that individuals will have to adapt life routines. This has the potential to widen health inequalities and increase hardship in individuals whose life circumstances and job types may not allow them to make necessary adaptations. Key messages • Symptoms pattern in Long Covid can be constant or fluctuating/relapsing triggered by certain activities. • Having LC often means adapting daily activities to reduce the chance of triggering symptoms.

Post-diphtheritic Polyneuropathy in Children with Diphtheria: A Prospective Observational Study

This study aimed to determine the proportion of diphtheria patients who develop post-diphtheritic polyneuropathy (DP) later on and also to study the clinical features and outcomes of children with post-DP. This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Children under 14 hospitalized with clinically diagnosed diphtheria and post-DP were recruited (n = 81). Detailed clinical examination with appropriate investigations was conducted, including throat swabs for staining and culture for Corynebacterium diphtheria, nerve conduction studies, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Seventy-four cases of diphtheria and seven cases of post-DP were enrolled, 56.8% were male, and the most prevalent age group afflicted was two to five years. Fifty-three children (65.4%) were partially immunized for diphtheria. Neck swelling, voice change, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, respiratory involvement, and stridor were significantly more common in the unimmunized group. Voice change, heart rate irregularity, and hypotension were substantially more common in patients who developed clinical neuropathy than those who did not. Early administration of antibiotics in children with diphtheria before hospital admission was found to be significant in those children who did not develop clinical polyneuropathy, 38.5% of diphtheria survivors had abnormal nerve conduction study at six weeks of illness. Neck swelling and change in voice were significantly more common in patients with abnormal nerve conduction velocity (NCV) than in normal nerve conduction studies, 87.5% of children who had taken antibiotics before hospital admission had no clinical neuropathy, and NCV was also normal. Clinical neuropathy developed in just 20% of diphtheria patients with impaired NCV. Any child diagnosed with diphtheria should be followed for three to six months in anticipation of neurological complications. DP carries a good prognosis; hence, timely diagnosis and differentiation from other neuropathies is a prerequisite for rational management.

Impact of contrast-enhanced versus non-contrast computed tomography on acute kidney injury in acute necrotizing pancreatitis: Arandomized controlled trial.

The data evaluating contrast-induced-acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute pancreatitis is scarce. This study aimed to compare the frequency of AKI in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis undergoing non-contrast computed tomography(NCCT) with those undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT) during hospitalization. This prospective randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2019/12/022206) screened consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis for eligibility and randomly allocated patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (based on CECT in the first week of illness) and normal renal functions to receive either NCCT or CECT during hospitalization. The incidence of development of new AKI and clinical outcomes was compared between the two groups. Post-hoc analysis was done to adjust for disease severity. As many as 105 patients completed the study as per protocol (NCCT = 45 and CECT = 60). AKI occurred in 36 (34.3%) patients, nine (20%) in the NCCT and 27 (45%) in the CECT group. Contrast induced-AKI occurred in 11 (18.3%) patients, while 25 had AKI secondary to acute pancreatitis. The relative risk (RR) of AKI in the CECT group was 2.25 (95% CI 1.17-4.30, p = .0142). The frequency of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.34-3.27, p = .0001) and need for drainage of collections (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.1-1.7, p = .005) was significantly higher and the length of hospitalization (p = .001) and ICU admission (p = 0.001) were significantly longer in the CECT group. However, when adjusted for the severityof acute pancreatitis, there was no difference in AKI and clinical outcomes between the NCCT and CECT groups. The duration of AKI was significantly longer and the need for dialysis was significantly higher in patients who had AKI secondary to acute pancreatitis compared to those with contrast induced-AKI (p = .003). CECT is not significantly associated with AKI in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Epstein Barr Virus Hepatitis-A Mild Clinical Symptom or a Threat?

The present study aimed to characterize pediatric patients diagnosed with hepatitis associated with primary Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection. We described the changes in liver aminotransferases activity during the disease, and we analyzed the results of abdominal ultrasonography. A retrospective study was performed by analyzing the medical records of 166 immunocompetent children diagnosed with primary EBV hepatitis hospitalized at the Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, between August 2017 and March 2023. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was noted in the first three weeks of the disease. In 46.3% of patients, ALT values exceeded five times the upper limit of the laboratory norm in the first week of illness. Aspartate aminotransferase activity increased from the first to fourth week from the onset of symptoms and showed two peaks in the first and third weeks. The changes over time of mean AST activity demonstrated significance. Transient cholestatic liver disease was the predominant type of hepatic involvement in 10.8% of children; 66.6% of them were older than 15 years. Clinical and ultrasound criteria of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) were met in three female patients over 16 years of age. Hepatitis associated with primary EBV infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition. Significantly elevated values of liver enzymes with features of cholestatic liver disease may occur in patients with a more severe course of the infection.

Clinical spectrum and laboratory profile of scrub typhus in children: A study from tertiary care hospital in Uttarakhand, Northern India

Background: Scrub typhus is a mite-born disease scrub. It commonly manifests as an acute febrile illness with multi-system involvement. It is regarded as a life-threatening disease in children, with serious complications usually occurring in the 2nd week of illness. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore the clinical and laboratory profile of children with scrub typhus. Materials and Methods: All children admitted with scrub typhus over 1-year duration were enrolled in the study. The clinical, laboratory profile, and outcome were observed and analyzed. Results: A total of 47 children were diagnosed with scrub typhus, 17 (36.1%) children had clinical and laboratory evidence of meningitis. The most frequent presenting features were fever (100%), headache (82.4%), vomiting (82.4%), seizures (41.2%), and altered sensorium (70.6%). The mean duration of fever was 6.57 days, eight children (7%) had persistent fever for &gt;14 days duration. Other complications reported were hepatitis 2 (4.3%), hepatosplenomegaly in 18 (38.3%) acute respiratory distress syndrome 2 (4.3%), and shock 31 (66%). The mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, glucose, and cell count was 65.75±9.27 mg/dL, 45.00±7.23 mg/dL, and 65.94±52.72 cells/mm3 of CSF, respectively, with lymphocyte count of more than 96% in all cases. Most patients had lymphocytic pleocytosis and the mean lymphocyte percentage was 96.2%±4.5%. Out of all 47 patients, 45 (84.61%) patients recovered with appropriate antibiotics in both groups, while two (15.38%) patients expired in the group without meningitis. Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion and knowledge of the geographical distribution of Rickettsial diseases is crucial for its early diagnosis and favorable outcome. Scrub typhus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of aseptic meningitis.

Cytomegalovirus reactivation with high viral load in a patient of coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report

IntroductionCytomegalovirus establishes life-long latency after primary infection in childhood. Cytomegalovirus reactivation has been well reported in immune-compromised patients; however, in the last few years it has been observed that cytomegalovirus reactivation also occurs in critically ill patients without exogenous immunosuppression, which increases length of intensive care unit stay and mortality rate.Case reportA 63-year-old Indian male, without any known comorbidity, developed severe coronavirus disease 2019 and was admitted to the intensive care unit. He received remdesivir, tocilizumab, steroids, anticoagulants, and empiric antibiotics over the next 3 weeks. However, his clinical condition did not improve much, and during the 9th week of illness his condition started deteriorating and routine bacterial cultures, fungal cultures, and cytomegalovirus real-time polymerase chain reaction on blood were negative. His clinical condition worsened rapidly, which led to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Tracheal aspirate bacterial and fungal culture showed no growth, but cytomegalovirus real-time polymerase chain reaction showed 21,86,000 copies/mL in tracheal aspirates. After 4 weeks of ganciclovir treatment, the patient improved clinically and was discharged. Currently he is doing well and able to do his routine activity without the need of oxygen.ConclusionTimely management with ganciclovir is associated with favorable outcome in cytomegalovirus infection. Thus, it can be suggested that treatment should be initiated with ganciclovir if a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 has high cytomegalovirus load in tracheal aspirates, along with unexplained and prolonged clinical and/or radiological features.

A Case of Paratyphoid with Diarrhea as the Only Symptom in a 5 Year Old Boy from Southern Part of India

Paratyphoid fever is a systemic bacterial infection caused by bacteria Salmonella paratyphi serovars A, B, or C. It is most associated with travel to endemic areas but can occur sporadically in non-endemic areas. While the disease is more commonly seen in adults, it can occur in children, and the presentation can be variable. It is clinically difficult to differentiate Typhoid from Paratyphoid without isolation of organism. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy, from Telangana state of South India, who presented with watery diarrhea of 8 to 10 episodes per day and abdominal discomfort for 5 days. At presentation child had some dehydration and very poor oral intake. Child did not respond to standard acute gastroenteritis with some dehydration management and continued to have persistent loose watery stools. Routine blood investigations, urine and stool microscopy revealed normal study. Further evaluation in the second week of illness revealed paratyphi on stool culture, and the child started to respondwithsensitive antibiotic cefotaximeinjections after 3 days of starting. However the child did not have other classical symptoms caused by paratyphi, such as fever, vomiting, or rose spots. Other classical investigations like blood culture and urine culture were negative. This case highlights the importance of considering paratyphoid as a potential cause for persistent diarrhea, even in young children, and the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics, especially in the absence of classical clinical or laboratory findings.

Coronary Artery Involvement in Kawasaki Disease-Echocardiographic Evaluation of Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of childhood acquired heart disease. Cardiovascular manifestations can be prominent in the acute phase of the illness. Echocardiography is useful in recognizing these cardiac manifestations. We carried out a retrospective study by analyzing the data of Kawasaki disease patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: The prevalence of coronary artery dilatation and clinical outcome were documented. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings were obtained at baseline and 1 week, 6 weeks after initial therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin in addition to high doses of Aspirin which reduces the risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Results: One hundred and forty-nine patients with mean age 3± 2 years old, 60% males with Kawasaki disease were included. One hundred and thirty-two patients had coronary involvement (left main coronary artery 36.37 %, left anterior descending artery 28.03%, right main coronary artery 24.25%, circumflex branch in 11.37%). Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin has greatly reduced the incidence of coronary lesions in affected children. The initial cardiac findings developed over first few weeks of illness resolved in most of the cases in the subsequent echocardiogram studies after IVIG. The mean duration to normalization of abnormal echocardiography findings is 6±3 months. Conclusion: Coronary artery involvement is seen in most of children with Kawasaki disease. Intravenous gamma globulin and aspirin has been reported to reduce the likelihood of development of giant coronary artery aneurysms and appears to have a direct beneficial effect on abnormalities in cardiac function associated with the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Cardiovasc j 2023; 15(2): 144-150

Clinical case of severe COVID-19 in a child with morbid obesity

The pandemic of coronavirus infection is characterized by a low percentage of complications and severe forms in sick children compared to the adult population. However, there have been described cases of severe clinical course of COVID-19 in children with comorbidities among which is obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the severe course of a new coronavirus infection paralleled with morbid obesity in a pediatric patient. Materials and methods. All accompanying patient medical documentation was examined. Results and discussion. From the anamnesis of life it is known that the patient was long time complained of intensively increased body weight, on which she repeatedly underwent examinations. In 2018, hypothalamic pubertal syndrome was diagnosed for the first time, for which the patient received hypoglycemic and antihypertensive drugs, hepatoprotectors on an ongoing basis. In the epidemiological anamnesis, the intrafamilial COVID-19 contact with mother was established. The main disease began acutely with a rise in body temperature up to 3939.5C, cough and weakness. During the first week of illness, the patient did not seek medical help and receive self-treatment, but the positive effect was not achieved. Saturation measurement showed low oxygen level (SpO2 71%). In this regard, the patient underwent chest computed tomography, which revealed a bilateral interstitial polysegmental lung lesion with signs of consolidation. After emergency hospitalization, the patient was prescribed empiric antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic treatment, as well as respiratory support. A positive PCR result of a throat and nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 was obtained in the hospital. Due to a poor response to therapy, the patient was transferred to a respiratory hospital. At the time of hospitalization, the condition was considered severe due to severe respiratory failure and premorbidity. The range of treatments included oxygenotherapy, antibacterial and anticoagulation therapy, as well as surfactant and the nucleoside analogue Remdesivir. During treatment, the clinical picture gained a positive trend, and after 6 days of hospitalization the patient no longer needed respiratory support. According to the results of repeated computed tomography, bilateral interstitial polysegmental pneumonia was diagnosed with damage to the lung tissue up to 95%. The patient remained stable and showed no signs of respiratory failure during the following days of hospitalization. On the 20th day of ilness, the patient was discharged from hospital with full clinical recovery. Conclusion. This clinical case demonstrates the role of premorbid background in aggravating the clinical picture of a new coronavirus infection in a child. Careful study of anamnestic characteristics is necessary in patients of any age, even with an uncomplicated disease course.