To analyze clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients with underlying rheumatic diseases (RD) on immunosuppressive agents. Method: A case series of COVID-19 patients with RD on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were studied by a retrospective chart review. A literature search identified 9 similar studies of single cases and case series, which were also included. Results: There were 4 COVID-19 inpatients with RD from our hospital, and the mean age was 57 § 21 years. Two patients had a mild infection, and 2 developed severe COVID-19 related respiratory complications, including 1 patient on secukinumab requiring mechanical ventilation and 1 patient on rituximab developing viral pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygenation. All 4 patients had elevated acute phase reactants, 2 patients had mild COVID-19 with lymphopenia, and 2 patients had severe COVID-19 with normal lymphocyte counts, and high levels of IL-6. None of the patients exhibited an exacerbation of their underlying RD. In the literature, there were 9 studies of COVID-19 involving 197 cases of various inflammatory RD. Most patients were on DMARDs or biologics, of which TNFa inhibitors were most frequently used. Two tocilizumab users had a mild infection. Two patients were on rituximab with 1 severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. Six patients were on secukinumab with 1 hospitalization. Of the total 201 cases, 12 died, with an estimated mortality of 5.9% Conclusion: Patients with RD are susceptible to COVID-19. Various DMARDs or biologics may affect the viral disease course differently. Patients on hydroxychloroquine, TNFa antagonists or tocilizumab may have a mild viral illness. Rituximab or secukinumab could worsen the viral disease. Further study is warranted.
Patient: Female, 34Final Diagnosis: Refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpuraSymptoms: FatigueMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Plasma exchangeSpecialty: Rheumatology • Hematology and Critical CareObjective:Rare co-existance of disease or pathologyBackground:Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is one of the thrombotic microangiopathic (TMA) syndromes, caused by severely reduced activity of the vWF-cleaving protease ADAMTS13. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that affects various organs in the body, including the hematopoietic system. SLE can present with TMA, and differentiating between SLE and TTP in those cases can be very challenging, particularly in patients with no prior history of SLE. Furthermore, an association between these 2 diseases has been described in the literature, with most of the TTP cases occurring after the diagnosis of SLE. In rare cases, TTP may precede the diagnosis of SLE or occur concurrently.Case Report:We present a case of a previously healthy 34-year-old female who presented with dizziness and flu-like symptoms and was found to have thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and schistocytes in the peripheral smear. She was subsequently diagnosed with TTP and started on plasmapheresis and high-dose steroids, but without a sustained response. A diagnosis of refractory TTP was made, and she was transferred to our facility for further management. Initially, the patient was started on rituximab, but her condition continued to deteriorate, with worsening thrombocytopenia. Later, she also fulfilled the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria for diagnosis of SLE. Treatment of TTP in SLE patients is generally similar to that in the general population, but in refractory cases there are few reports in the literature that show the efficacy of cyclophosphamide. We started our patient on cyclophosphamide and noticed a sustained improvement in the platelet count in the following weeks.Conclusions:Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a life-threatening hematological emergency which must be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Refractory cases of TTP have been described in the literature, but without clear evidence-based guidelines for its management, and is solely based on expert opinion and previous case reports. Further studies are needed to establish guidelines for its management. We present this case to highlight the role that cyclophosphamide might carry in those cases and to be a foundation for these future studies.
Patient: Male, 35Final Diagnosis: RhabdomyolysisSymptoms: Muscle pain • nauseaMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Intravenous fluidsSpecialty: Family MedicineObjective:Unusual or unexpected effect of treatmentBackground:Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle breakdown, that involves the release of intracellular contents into the circulation, including creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, electrolytes, organic acids, and purines. Causes of rhabdomyolysis include trauma, exertion, drugs, and toxins (including alcohol), and electrolyte abnormalities. The treatment of rhabdomyolysis is to remove the cause and use intravenous (IV) fluids. When this treatment strategy fails to work, high-dose IV steroids may be used.Case Report:We present a case of rhabdomyolysis following the use of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’ with hypophosphatemia, which was found to be refractory to intravenous hydration. In this case, pulsed dosing of steroid therapy was found to be effective.Conclusions:Rhabdomyolysis that is refractory to treatment with IV fluids may respond to a short-term, high-dose course of IV steroids.
Patient: Male, 61Final Diagnosis: Recurrent pasteurella bacteremiaSymptoms: Ankle painMedication: —Clinical Procedure: —Specialty: Infectious DiseasesObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:Pasteurella multocida is a gram negative-penicillin sensitive bacterium and is part of normal respiratory microbiota of animals (e.g., cats and dogs) and some birds. Various infections in humans, such as cellulitis, rarely bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, and septic arthritis, are a result of domestic cat or dog bites. These infections are rarely seen in an immunocompetent person, without an associated animal bite.Case Report:We present a case of refractory Pasteurella multocida bacteremia without any animal bite in an immunocompetent person.Conclusions:Pasteurella multocida bacteremia has been seen in immunocompromised patients and mostly after a cat or dog bite or scratch but might also happen in immunocompetent humans with only pet licking rather than biting, which might increase hospital and emergency department visits or admissions in the future.
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