1. Case report: Microcirculatory leukocytes in a pediatric patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Findings of leukocytes trafficking beyond the lungs.
- Author
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Bottari G, Ince C, Confalone V, Perdichizzi S, Casamento Tumeo C, Nunziata J, Bernardi S, Calò Carducci F, Lancella L, Bernaschi P, Russo C, Perno CF, Cecchetti C, and Villani A
- Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 can lead to excessive coagulation and thrombo-inflammation with deposition of microthrombi and microvascular dysfunction. Several studies in human and animal models have already evidenced biomarkers of endothelial injury during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Real-time observation of sublingual microcirculation using an handheld vital microscopy with an Incident Dark Field (IDF) technique could represent a non-invasive way to assess early signs of microvascular dysfunction and endothelial inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19 infection., Clinical Case: We report for the first time in a pediatric patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia findings about microcirculatory leukocytes in the sublingual microcirculation of a 7 month-old patient admitted to our PICU using handheld vital microscopy with IDF technique., Results: Sublingual microcirculation analysis revealed the presence of microcirculatory alterations and an extensive presence of leukocytes in the patient's sublingual microcirculation. It's significant to underline how the patient didn't show a contextual significant increase in inflammatory biomarkers or other clinical signs related to an inflammatory response, beyond the presence of severe hypoxic respiratory failure., Conclusion: Leukocyte activation in multiple organs can occur at the endothelial lining of the microvasculature where a surge of pro-inflammatory mediators can result in accumulation of activated leukocytes and degradation of the endothelium. The introduction of a method to assess in a non-invasive, real-time manner the extent of inflammation in a patient with COVID19 could lead to potential clinical and therapeutic implications. However, more studies are required to prove that studying leukocytes microcirculation using sublingual microcirculation analysis could be useful as a bedside point of care monitor to predict the presence of systemic inflammation associated with the impact of COVID-19, leading in a late phase of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection to a microvascular dysfunction and micro-thrombosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Bottari, Ince, Confalone, Perdichizzi, Casamento Tumeo, Nunziata, Bernardi, Calò Carducci, Lancella, Bernaschi, Russo, Perno, Cecchetti and Villani.)
- Published
- 2022
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