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Typical radiological findings in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia consist of the presence of bilateral pulmonary opacities (both ground-glass attenuations and consolidations) with a peripheral or subpleural distribution, often involving the posterior regions of both lungs specifically. Although interstitial pneumonia represents the hallmark of COVID-19, the clinician should remember that sudden worsening gas exchange may have different aetiology. Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are well-known complications of invasive mechanical ventilation. However, since the beginning, the development of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum was reported in COVID-19 patients, without risk factors. The exact mechanism for the development of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 patients is still unclear, and findings suggest that these clinical manifestations can be interpreted as an index of lung disease severity associated with complicated hospital courses, worst prognosis and increase in mortality rate. We report a case of a SARS-CoV-2 infected obese male patient, in quarantine and without risk factors, presenting to the emergency department for severe dyspnea due to COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a Gram-negative bacterium, commonly found as a commensal germ in the oral cavity of dogs and cats. It is an opportunistic pathogen, but, in specific situations, it can cause very severe diseases, including arthritis, pleuritis, endocarditis, sepsis, and, in extremely rare cases, meningoencephalitis. The predisposing situations include immunosuppression, liver cirrhosis, splenectomy, hemochromatosis, beta thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia), and alcohol abuse. In this report, we describe the case of a 48-year-old male patient, with a medical history of several predisposing conditions, who developed a severe case of meningoencephalitis caused by C. canimorsus , following a dog bite on his hand. The patient was successfully treated for his meningitis, but subsequently he developed a hospital-acquired septic shock from Acinetobacter baumannii , which was treated with targeted antibiotic therapy and sequential extracorporeal blood purification therapies using Oxiris™ and Toraymyxin™ hemofilters., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, De Rosa et al.)

Background: There is a lack of data on extravascular lung water index (EVLWi), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPi), and global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVi) during prone position ventilation (PPV) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The objectives of this study were to analyze trends in EVLWi, PVPi, and GEDVi during PPV and the relationships between these parameters and PaO2/FiO2., Methods: In this preliminary retrospective observational study, we performed transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) in seven mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients without cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities requiring PPV for 18 hours, at specific times (30 minutes pre-PPV, 18 hours after PPV, and 3 hours after supination). EVLWi, PVPi and GEDVi were measured. The relationships between PaO2/FiO2 and EVLWi, and PVPi and GEDVi values, in the supine position were analyzed by linear regression. Correlation and determination coefficients were calculated., Results: EVLWi was significantly different between three time points (analysis of variance, P=0.004). After 18 hours in PPV, EVLWi was lower compared with values before PPV (12.7±0.9 ml/kg vs. 15.3±1.5 ml/kg, P=0.002). Linear regression showed that only EVLWi was correlated with PaO2/FiO2 (β =-5.757; 95% confidence interval, -10.835 to -0.679; r=-0.58; R2 =0.34; F-test P=0.029)., Conclusions: EVLWi was significantly reduced after 18 hours in PPV and values measured in supine positions were correlated with PaO2/FiO2. This relationship can help clinicians discriminate whether deterioration in gas exchange is related to fluid overload or disease progression. Further clinical research should evaluate the role of TPTD parameters as markers to stratify disease severity and guide clinical management.