Primary joint infection caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Neisseria meningitidis is rare. Normally, joint involvement comes secondary to meningitis or severe sepsis caused by this agent. When primary arthritis is seen, monoarthritis is the most common presentation. A meningococcal polyarthritis is described in less than 10 case reports according to current literature. This case report aims to briefly review this rare clinical event in an adult woman with no previous history of rheumatological disease. Early diagnosis of polyarthritis caused by meningococcal bacteria usually present a good prognosis when properly treated.
Risk factors that determine the severity of Covid-19 have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of coronary artery calcification (CAC) as a risk factor for death or mechanical ventilation (MV) of patients without known heart disease infected with Covid-19. We analyzed 283 consecutive in-patients with acute respiratory symptoms with chest computed tomography (chest-CT), without previous heart disease, and criteria for Covid-19 (RT-PCR positive and/or typical clinical and chest-CT findings). CAC was classified by the number of coronary segments affected as absent (0), mild (1-3), and severe calcification (more than 3). The association between CAC, CAC severity, and death or MV due to severe respiratory failure was assessed by logistic regression. The mean age was 58.7±15.7 years and 54.1% were men. Patients with CAC were older, more likely to have hypertension, and less likely to be obese. CAC was present in 75 patients (26.5%), of which 42 had a mild calcification and 33 had severe calcification, and was associated with death (OR=2.35, 95%CI: 1.01-5.48) or MV (OR=2.72, 95%CI: 1.20-6.20) adjusted for multiple confounders, with significant and increased odds ratio for the severe form of CAC (death: OR=3.70, 95%CI: 1.20-11.42; MV: OR=3.30, 95%CI: 1.09-9.95). We concluded that CAC was an independent risk factor for death or MV in Covid-19 patients without previous heart disease, particularly for those with severe calcification. CAC can be easily visualized on common chest-CT, widely used in evaluation of moderate to severe Covid-19.
This is a report of a patient who had a previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, nonerosive, rheumatoid factor negative, that despite the therapeutic approach presented progressive worsening of the articular and general condition. After extensive research, she had a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Joint symptoms are common manifestations in hemochromatosis. The arthropathy of hemochromatosis may resemble inflammatory arthropathy mimicking RA, particularly in the most common sites as 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal. Radiologically are observed decreased joint space, subchondral sclerosis, cyst formation and chondrocalcinosis. Treatment with disease modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis tend to worsen the clinical picture, since the liver is the major site of deposition of iron in hemochromatosis and these medications are known to be hepatotoxic. Phlebotomy treatment for hemochromatosis is apparently ineffective in reversing the articular manifestations, which requires the association with iron chelating drugs. Due to the apparent difficulty in differentiating between the two diseases, a screening profile of iron in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with atypical progression is necessary.
The aim of the present work is to discuss the report of a patient who had simultaneous diagnosis of two rare diseases, vasculitis related to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both are diseases that may be multisystemic and thus cause diagnostic confusion. In this case, the patient had renal, pulmonary, hematological, and ocular symptoms, which could be secondary to vasculitis both as to leukemia. With the aid of imaging studies, pathological studies, immunohistochemistry and immunophenotyping, we conclude that it was a combination of the two diseases. There are other reports in literature of this association, however, with pANCA positive, this is the first report of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with cANCA positive vasculitis.
A Faculdade de Medina de Jundiaí realizará no dia 18 de setembro de 2020, sextafeira, o XVI Fórum de Iniciação Científica PIBIC-FMJ-CNPq. Devido à pandemia do novo coronavírus e à necessidade de distanciamento social, este ano o evento será realizado on-line, através de videoconferências no Google Meet. Voltado aos alunos e professores dos cursos de Graduação e Pós-Graduação da FMJ, o evento tem como objetivo reunir a comunidade acadêmica da Faculdade para a apresentação dos trabalhos de Iniciação Científica, pertinentes à vigência 2019/2020. A organização do evento é de responsabilidade do Comitê Institucional de Pesquisa Científica -CIP da FMJ.
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