Background: The novel SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has inflicted a major blow on public health worldwide accounting for millions of deaths and subsequent socio-economic consequences. The main challenge for scientists and researchers has been to restrain transmission of the virus and prevent severe respiratory disease. Novel promising vaccines aim to fulfil these expectations, although new variants of the coronavirus have emerged. The present manuscript aims to add to the knowledge, through a case of an immunodeficient patient, who developed remarkably favorable recovery from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia after having been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Case presentation: An 82-year-old Caucasian male with a history of metastatic pancreatic cancer was admitted with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Workup revealed a positive SARS-CoV-2 real time – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further investigation identified a B.1.1.7 variant. The imaging essays showed extensive lung disease. Interestingly, the patient had already received the second dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine against the new coronavirus 16 days prior. After having been treated with appropriate antiviral and antibiotical agents the patient showed significantly favorable recovery and no need for high oxygen flows and no complications presented. The patient was discharged after six days of hospitalization in good condition, with no need for supplementary oxygen at home. Conclusions: Despite breakthrough cases, vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial for restraining the novel coronavirus. Further studies should be carried out in order to determine the optimal strategies for large-scale vaccination while minimizing the risk of further and faster evolution of the virus.
METHODS Study design and settingThis is a retrospective observational cohort study carried out in Agios Andreas General Hospital of Patras, a regional 450-bed hospital in Greece, which included 360 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with pneumonia admitted between 13 February 2021 and 31 May 2021. This period was consistent with the third pandemic wave in Greece. We collected data on patients' characteristics, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiological exams, from their medical records. All COVID-19 patients were admitted to wards with ICU potential, since the medical staff had integrated the use of high flow nasal cannula and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) devices. Study definitionsARDS was defined as per the Berlin definition. Severity of illness was evaluated using Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Severe Respiratory Failure (SRF) was defined as severe decrease of the respiratory ratio demanding intubation or mechanical ventilation. Sepsis and septic shock were defined as per the 2016 Third International Consensus Definition for Sepsis and Septic Shock. For management and therapy of critically ill patients with COVID-19, national and international established recommendations were followed [4][5][6][7] . Inclusion and exclusion criteriaAll patients included in this study were adults who were
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