Summary Background COVID-19 is an ongoing threat to society. Patients who develop the most severe forms of the disease have high mortality. The interleukin-6 inhibitor tocilizumab has the potential to improve outcomes in these patients by preventing the development of cytokine release storm. Aims To evaluate the outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 disease treated with the interleukin-6 inhibitor tocilizumab. Methods We conducted a retrospective, case–control, single-center study in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease treated with tocilizumab. Disease severity was defined based on the amount of oxygen supplementation required. The primary endpoint was the overall mortality. Secondary endpoints were mortality in non-intubated patients and mortality in intubated patients. Results A total of 193 patients were included in the study. Ninety-six patients received tocilizumab, while 97 served as the control group. The mean age was 60 years. Patients over 65 years represented 43% of the population. More patients in the tocilizumab group reported fever, cough and shortness of breath (83%, 80% and 96% vs. 73%, 69% and 71%, respectively). There was a non-statistically significant lower mortality in the treatment group (52% vs. 62.1%, P = 0.09). When excluding intubated patients, there was statistically significant lower mortality in patients treated with tocilizumab (6% vs. 27%, P = 0.024). Bacteremia was more common in the control group (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.43), while fungemia was similar for both (3% vs. 4%, P = 0.72). Conclusion Our study showed a non-statistically significant lower mortality in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease who received tocilizumab. When intubated patients were excluded, the use of tocilizumab was associated with lower mortality.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a novel model for detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and metallo-betalactamase (MBL) producing Serratia and Citrobacter species using cefoperazone sulbactam as well as other inducer-substrate combinations in a disc approximation assay. In the absence of molecular tools in developing countries, we attempted to standardize simple phenotypic techniques for detection of beta-lactamases to allow effective patient care in our countries. These techniques have been scarcely used in Serratia and Citrobacter spp., which are emerging as significant pathogens in our region. Methodology: Clinical isolates of Serratia and Citrobacter were tested for ESBL production. Cefoperazone (CP)/cefoperazone sulbactam (CPS), piperacillin (PIP)/piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and ceftazidime (CAZ)/ceftazidime-clavulanic acid (CAZ-CLAV) combinations were compared for their ability to detect ESBL producers phenotypically. Multi-drug resistant strains were further tested for detection of inducible/derepressed AmpC mutants by a disc approximation assay. Isolates were screened for MBL production by Imipenem (IMI). MBL production was confirmed using Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in a double disc synergy assay and Hodge test. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed for CP, CPS and IMI by agar dilution method for all isolates of Serratia and Citrobacter spp. Results: Thirty-three percent of isolates of Serratia spp. and 35.4% of Citrobacter spp. were ESBL producers. CPS was a more sensitive inducer of ESBL than TZP and CAZ/CAZ-CLAV. AmpC producers were detected in 25.6% of the isolates of Serratia spp. (40% inducible and 60% derepressed mutants) and in 35.4% of the isolates of Citrobacter spp. (33% inducible and 66% derepressed mutants). Six isolates (four class B and two class A) of Serratia and eight isolates (seven class B and one class A) of Citrobacter spp. were MBL producers. Multiple mechanisms co-existed in eight isolates of Serratia and 15 isolates of Citrobacter spp. CPS was more effective in identifying ESBLs and inducible AmpC producers as well as type 1 carbapenemases than TZP and CAZ-CLAV were able to identify inducible AmpC producers. Conclusions: The high prevalence of ESBL, AmpC, and MBL in Serratia and Citrobacter species in this study suggests that detection of these by phenotypic methods in the absence of more specific molecular tests should be actively considered in not only developing countries but also in the developed world as this approach can lead to timely and appropriate antibiotic treatment. CPS may be advised due to the triple advantage of detection of all three types of beta-lactamases.

Background Approximately 19% of people infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) progress to severe or critical stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. We aimed to examine the characteristics, mortality rates, intubation rate, and length of stay (LOS) of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 disease with high oxygen requirements (critically ill). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis in a single center in Brooklyn, New York. Adult hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease and high oxygen requirements were included. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses for statistically significant variables to reduce any confounding. Results A total of 398 patients were identified between March 19th and April 25th, 2020 who met the inclusion criteria, of which 247 (62.1%) required intubation. The overall mortality rate in our study was 57.3% (n = 228). The mean hospital LOS was 19.1 ± 17.4 days. Patients who survived to hospital discharge had a longer mean LOS compared to those who died during hospitalization (25.4 ± 22.03 days versus10.7 ± 1.74 days). In the multivariate analysis, increased age, intubation and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were each independently associated with increased odds of mortality. Diarrhea was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.4; CI 0.16, 0.99). Obesity and use of vasopressors were each independently associated with increased intubation. Conclusions In patients with COVID-19 disease and high oxygen requirements, advanced age, intubation, and higher LDH levels were associated with increased mortality, while diarrhea was associated with decreased mortality. Gender, diabetes, and hypertension did not have any association with mortality or length of hospital stay.

Current mainstay treatment for pulmonary embolism (PE) includes oral anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, catheter embolectomy and acute surgical embolectomy. Surgical embolectomy is reserved for hemodynamically unstable patients (cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest) and contraindication to thrombolytic therapy. We report a case of saddle PE in a young female with echocardiographic signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction who underwent early acute surgical embolectomy with a positive outcome. It would be beneficial to use bedside echocardiography even in hemodynamically stable patients to determine RV strain as this could act as an early indicator suggesting the escalation of therapy.

Introduction:Surgical management of pulmonary aspergilloma in symptomatic patients offers a significant chance of cure. Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a valid alternative for properly selected cases. We herein report our experience with thoracoscopic management of pulmonary aspergilloma.Patient and Methods:This retrospective analysis was performed on 41 patients operated between 2012 to 2015. The patient records were thoroughly analyzed for demography, clinical presentation, computed tomography, the procedure performed, post-operative complications and course during 6 month's follow up.Results:Out of total 41 patients, 23 (56%) were treated by VATS and 18 (44%) by thoracotomy. Average intraoperative blood loss was 214 ml (±106) in VATS group and 461 ml (±167) in thoracotomy. Mean operative time was 162 (±14) minutes in VATS and 239 (±12) minutes in thoracotomy group. In VATS group, postoperative complications were found in 5 patients and in 11 patients in the thoracotomy group. Average duration of chest tube was 5.43 () days in VATS group and 8.94 () days in thoracotomy group. Average length of hospital stay was 5.04 in VATS group and 6.55 days in thoracotomy group.Conclusions:VATS for pulmonary aspergilloma, if applicable, may be a safe and efficacious option in experienced hands. Simple aspergilloma, in particular, is considered to be a good indication for VATS. Some cases of complex aspergilloma may also be amenable to VATS. However, the long term results need to be further analyzed using a larger study group.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a novel model for detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and metallo-betalactamase (MBL) producing Serratia and Citrobacter species using cefoperazone sulbactam as well as other inducer-substrate combinations in a disc approximation assay. In the absence of molecular tools in developing countries, we attempted to standardize simple phenotypic techniques for detection of beta-lactamases to allow effective patient care in our countries. These techniques have been scarcely used in Serratia and Citrobacter spp., which are emerging as significant pathogens in our region. Methodology: Clinical isolates of Serratia and Citrobacter were tested for ESBL production. Cefoperazone (CP)/cefoperazone sulbactam (CPS), piperacillin (PIP)/piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and ceftazidime (CAZ)/ceftazidime-clavulanic acid (CAZ-CLAV) combinations were compared for their ability to detect ESBL producers phenotypically. Multi-drug resistant strains were further tested for detection of inducible/derepressed AmpC mutants by a disc approximation assay. Isolates were screened for MBL production by Imipenem (IMI). MBL production was confirmed using Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in a double disc synergy assay and Hodge test. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed for CP, CPS and IMI by agar dilution method for all isolates of Serratia and Citrobacter spp. Results: Thirty-three percent of isolates of Serratia spp. and 35.4% of Citrobacter spp. were ESBL producers. CPS was a more sensitive inducer of ESBL than TZP and CAZ/CAZ-CLAV. AmpC producers were detected in 25.6% of the isolates of Serratia spp. (40% inducible and 60% derepressed mutants) and in 35.4% of the isolates of Citrobacter spp. (33% inducible and 66% derepressed mutants). Six isolates (four class B and two class A) of Serratia and eight isolates (seven class B and one class A) of Citrobacter spp. were MBL producers. Multiple mechanisms co-existed in eight isolates of Serratia and 15 isolates of Citrobacter spp. CPS was more effective in identifying ESBLs and inducible AmpC producers as well as type 1 carbapenemases than TZP and CAZ-CLAV were able to identify inducible AmpC producers. Conclusions: The high prevalence of ESBL, AmpC, and MBL in Serratia and Citrobacter species in this study suggests that detection of these by phenotypic methods in the absence of more specific molecular tests should be actively considered in not only developing countries but also in the developed world as this approach can lead to timely and appropriate antibiotic treatment. CPS may be advised due to the triple advantage of detection of all three types of beta-lactamases.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive medical staff compared with those of public. Methods: A total of 108 COVID-19-positive medical staff patients were included in the study from March 23, 2020 to June 15, 2020. Patients were analyzed for demographic data, clinical presentations, and in-hospital outcomes and compared against 661 COVID-19-infected patients of non-medical personnel. Results: Mean age of medical staff patients was 44.05±13.9 years, most of whom were women (63.9%). The infected medical staff members consisted of 63 nurses (58.3%), 37 physicians (34.3%), 5 technicians (4.6%), and 3 pharmacists (2.8%). Smoking (60.2%) was the most frequent, followed by diabetes mellitus (37%). Of 108 COVID-19 infected medical staff, 18 (16.6%) were isolated in the intensive care unit (ICU), of which 14 (77.8%) were male, 16 (88.9%) were smokers, and 16 (88.9%) presented with pneumonia. Fatality ratio among medical staff patients was 4.6%. Male gender with odds ratios (OR) of 7.771 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.837-72.195 and a history of chronic kidney disease of (OR=10.778, 95% CI: 1.503-77.287) were predictors of death among the medical staff group. Conclusion: The incidence of COVID-19 infection among medical staff is quite high, but the occurrence of extreme illness and death is significantly low compared with the general community. Training should be implemented for all hospital staff on infection prevention techniques. Reliable and quick access for testing medical personnel is essential to maintain health, safety, and availability of health care workers during this pandemic.

Introduction. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the ileum is an extremely rare cause of recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Case Report. An 89-year-old man was admitted with melana. He had extensive PMH of CAD post-CABG/AICD, AAA repair, chronic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lung cancer after resection, and recurrent GIB. Prior EGDs, colonoscopies, and upper device-assisted enteroscopy showed duodenal ulcer, A-V malformation s/p cauterization, and angioectasia. On admission, Hb was 6.0 g/dL. An endoscopic capsule study showed an ulcerated tumor in the ileum. CT showed no distant metastasis. The lesion was resected successfully and confirmed as a high-grade GIST. The patient was discharged with no further bleeding. Discussion. Early diagnosis for patients with ileal GIST is often challenging. Video capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy could be useful diagnostic tools. Surgical removal is the first line for a resectable GIST. Imatinib has become the standard therapy. Conclusion. This is a unique case of an ileal GIST in a patient with recurrent GIB which was diagnosed by video capsule. Complicated medical comorbidities often lead to a significant delay in diagnosis. Therefore, we recommend that if GIB does not resolve after appropriate treatments for known causes, the alternative diagnosis for occult GIB must be considered, including malignancy such as GIST.