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Aims: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used in Internal Medicine to complement medical examination, documenting pleural and lung conditions. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of handheld ultrasound device (HHUSD) with high-end ultrasound device (HEUSD) in patients with heart failure or pneumonia, also including the assessment of costs and time-savings., Methods: In this observational study 72 patients (aged ≥ 18) admitted to Internal Medicine Unit for heart failure or pneumonia underwent LUS plus evaluation of inferior cava vein (ICV) when indicated, using both HHUSD and HEUSD. Each evaluation, independently performed by 2 different experienced operators, included B-lines number, pleural effusion, lung consolidations, ICV ectasia and its respiratory excursions., Results: Concordance between HHUSD and HEUSD findings was 79.3% ± 17.7 (mean ± SD) for B-lines, 88.6% for pleural effusion, 82.3% for consolidations and 88.7% and 84.9% for ICV ectasia and its respiratory excursions respectively. BMI didn't significantly influence concordance between the two methods. Moreover, examination time (as mean ± SD) was shorter with HHUSD (8 ± 1.5 min) compared to HEUSD (10 ± 2.5 min)., Conclusions: HHUSD demonstrated high accuracy in detecting B-lines, pleural effusions, lung consolidations and ICV evaluation when compared to HEUSD. Thus, HHUSD, not only is characterized by accessibility, portability, and easy handling due to its small size, but it also offers advantages in terms of saving costs and time, ultimately contributing to faster patient assessment compared to HEUSD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This retrospective descriptive study analyzes the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, the disease evolution and its association with laboratory markers of poor prognosis of the first 100 patients with COVID-19 admitted to internal medicine wards at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, University of Buenos Aires. Thirty-one patients were nursing home residents, the most common clinical manifestations were fever, cough and odynophagia. Regarding comorbidities, obesity was the most frequent one and hypertension was the most prevalent in patients with pneumonia. The most important predictors of mortality were age and pneumonia. Patients older than 70 years had higher acute phase reactants showing an exaggerated inflammatory response. Mortality was high (13%), compared to most reports (5%), probably because of the advanced age of our population and the unfavorable clinical conditions they presented at admission.

Background: Pneumonia is a major medical problem and is foremost infectious cause of death in developed countries. A rapid and reliable predictor might aid physicians in identifying hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and treatment changes. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has consistently been observed to improve the diagnosis and management of hospitalized patients with pneumonia. This investigation aimed to study the importance of BNP in the assessment of severity of pneumonia in a tertiary care center in South India. Subjects and Methods: A hospital-based observational research was carried out on patients admitted during the period of September 2016 to July 2018 with sample size of 108. All patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Detailed clinical history and physical examination findings were noted. Diagnostic criteria symptoms were recorded following the standard protocol. BNP was measured using the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The statistical analyses were done using the statistical software R version 3.6.3 and MS Excel. Results: Out of 108 patients, 48 (44.44%) were female and 60 (55.56%) were male. Of these, 45 (41.67%) patients identified with community-acquired pneumonia, 27 (25%) with health-care-associated pneumonia, 26 (24.07%) with aspiration pneumonia, and 10 (9.26%) with pneumonia with comorbid conditions. BNP levels among survivors and nonsurvivors were 193.52 ± 124.93 and 413.08 ± 149.38 pg/ml, respectively. The total mortality was 13/108 (12.04%). Out of 13 patients, 12 (92.31%) nonsurvivors had BNP level ≥200 pg/ml and 1 (7.69%) had 100–200 pg/ml. Conclusion: BNP levels could be a useful single prognostic marker for pneumonia. BNP levels correlated with the clinical severity of pneumonia.

Objectives: Biomarker-based clinical practice is currently gaining ground and increasingly affects decision making. A variety of biomarkers have been studied through the years and some of them have already an established role in modern medicine, such as procalcitonin (PCT) which has been proposed to reduce antibiotic exposure. We purposed to systematically review all biomarkers examined for guiding the clinical practice in patients with pneumonia.

Introduction Infant immunization programs using pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have reduced the rates of pneumococcal disease through direct vaccine-induced protection in vaccinated children and through indirect protection in non-vaccinated children and adults.Areas covered This review summarizes current evidence on the indirect protection of adults conferred by pediatric pneumococcal vaccination, including the impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence and mortality, pneumonia admissions, and nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence. Factors affecting indirect protection against IPD are also discussed.Expert opinion Pediatric immunization with PCVs has substantially decreased vaccine-serotype IPD and pneumonia through indirect protection in both older (≥65 years of age) and younger adults, including those with underlying medical conditions. However, serotype replacement by non-vaccine serotypes, the persistence of some vaccine serotypes, and divergence of serotypes between children and adults have limited the impact of pediatric PCV programs on adult populations. Designing complementary vaccines that leverage indirect protection from pediatric immunization and target the most prevalent adult serotypes may be a preferred strategy to maximize the public health impact of pneumococcal vaccination.

ABSTRACTIntroduction Lower respiratory tract infection is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world, with a substantial impact on healthcare costs. In Egypt, local consensus on its burden, diagnosis, and vaccination is scarce. This expert opinion is the first to address the local recommendations for vaccinating adults against respiratory infection. It sheds light on the growing need to understand the barriers and underpublicized concept of adult vaccination in Egypt.Areas covered A collaborative multidisciplinary panel from Egypt developed an expert opinion-based suggestions/points, including epidemiology, microbiology, and highlights on vaccination in Egypt, as well as challenges and recommendations regarding adult vaccination.Expert opinion Adult vaccinations against respiratory infections are now recommended for high-risk people by all healthcare regulatory bodies. However, it was acknowledged that there may be hesitancy and concerns among patients; in addition, healthcare professionals’ awareness about vaccination guidelines and benefits needs improvement. There are several strategies that could be implemented to enhance vaccine adherence in Egypt. These approaches encompass conducting community education programs, addressing the concerns of patients, and enhancing awareness among healthcare professionals through education, policy changes, and periodical reminders in each healthcare setting.

ABSTRACTIntroduction Streptococcus pneumoniae is a causative agent of pneumonia and acute otitis media (AOM), as well as invasive diseases such as meningitis and bacteremia. PCV15 (V114) is a new 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) approved for use in individuals ≥6 weeks of age for the prevention of pneumonia, AOM, and invasive pneumococcal disease.Areas Covered This review summarizes the V114 Phase 3 development program leading to approval in infants and children, including pivotal studies, interchangeability and catch-up vaccination studies, and studies in at-risk populations. An integrated safety summary is presented in addition to immunogenicity and concomitant use of V114 with other routine pediatric vaccines.Expert Opinion Across the development program, V114 demonstrated a safety profile that is comparable to PCV13 in infants and children. Immunogenicity of V114 is comparable to PCV13 for all shared serotypes except serotype 3, where V114 demonstrated superior immunogenicity. Higher immune responses were demonstrated for V114 serotypes 22F and 33F. Results of the ongoing study to evaluate V114 efficacy against vaccine-type pneumococcal AOM and anticipated real-world evidence studies will support assessment of vaccine effectiveness and impact, with an additional question of whether higher serotype 3 immunogenicity translates to better protection against serotype 3 pneumococcal disease.

Abstract Background and purpose The association of water loading with several infections remains unclear. Observational studies are hard to investigate definitively due to potential confounders. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the association between genetically predicted whole body water mass (BWM) and several infections. Methods BWM levels were predicted among 331,315 Europeans in UK Biobank using 418 SNPs associated with BWM. For outcomes, we used genome-wide association data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen consortium, including sepsis, pneumonia, intestinal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Inverse-variance weighted MR analyses as well as a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results Genetic prediction of BWM is associated with an increased risk of sepsis (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.51; P = 1.57 × 10− 6), pneumonia (OR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.29; P = 3.53 × 10− 4), UTIs (OR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.37; P = 6.29 × 10− 8), and SSTIs (OR: 1.57; 95% CI 1.25 to 1.96; P = 7.35 × 10− 5). In the sepsis and pneumonia subgroup analyses, the relationship between BWM and infection was observed in bacterial but not in viral infections. Suggestive evidence suggests that BWM has an effect on viral intestinal infections (OR: 0.86; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.03). There is limited evidence of an association between BWM levels and bacteria intestinal infections, and genitourinary tract infection (GUI) in pregnancy. In addition, MR analyses supported the risk of BWM for several edematous diseases. However, multivariable MR analysis shows that the associations of BWM with sepsis, pneumonia, UTIs and SSTIs remains unaffected when accounting for these traits. Conclusions In this study, the causal relationship between BWM and infectious diseases was systematically investigated. Further prospective studies are necessary to validate these findings.

To date more than 774 million people worldwide were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (data for February 2024), and approximately 7 million people have already died from COVID-19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many reports and studies on damage involvement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus not only the respiratory but cardiovascular system as well, including myocardial damage, endothelial dysfunction, acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, myocarditis, thromboembolism, heart failure, hypotension, cardiogenic shock and even cardiac arrest. In addition, symptomatic COVID-19 infection with a severe course is more common in comorbid patients with a history of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. According to the latest literature data, the occurrence of myocarditis associated with a new coronavirus infection is more often observed in young males and is associated with a severe or even fatal prognosis, which determines the relevance of a detailed study of the pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic possibilities for myocardial damage prophylaxis, relieving the main disease symptoms and unfavorable prognosis prevention. To date, there are also studies indicating that acute myocarditis could be a complication not only of the infection itself, but even one of the severe post-vaccination against SARS-CoV-2complications. The purpose of this study is to research the lethal clinical case of acute infectious myocarditis complicated the course of a new coronavirus infection. A retrospective analysis of the patient’s medical history with the final diagnosis: acute coronaviral myocarditis against the background of non-compact left ventricle myocardium was carried out.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Eosinophilia, which may have a significant role in the inflammation process and obstruction of airways, is present in about one third patients suffering from COPD. The significance of eosinophil counts in COPD is currently debated, but they can potentially serve as biomarkers for treatment selection. Blood eosinophil counts can assist in determining the patients who can benefit from inhaled corticosteroid therapy to prevent or eliminate exacerbations. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the significance of eosinophilic inflammation COPD and the use of eosinophilic inflammation biomarkers to guide therapy decisions. To reach this goal, a search of relevant literature on the subject was conducted. Articles were searched in electronic sources: PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords "COPD and eosinophilia", "COPD exacerbations and eosinophilia", "inhaled corticosteroids, COPD and eosinophilia" were used. One hundred and twenty sources were found, of which 66 were selected. Results of the review showed high frequency of eosinophilic phenotype detection in COPD. Blood eosinophilia becomes a potential universal marker of eosinophilic COPD. Blood eosinophils level can predict response to inhaled corticosteroids treatment patients with COPD, but increases the likelihood of pneumonia. Overall, the role of eosinophilia in COPD has not been obtained to date, which suggests it needs further study.

Despite significant progress in the field of prevention, early diagnosis and antibacterial therapy, community-acquired pneumonia still retains the status of not only the most common among acute infectious diseases, but is also a frequent source of sepsis, which greatly increases the likelihood of death in this group of patients. The purpose of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters and assess the nature of their changes in the first 48 hours from the moment of verification of sepsis that developed against the background of pneumonia in patients of the therapeutic department, depending on the outcome of hospitalization.Clinical groups and research methods. A retrospective comparative study was carried out, which included, using a continuous sampling method, patients with sepsis that developed against the background of pneumonia in patients hospitalized in therapeutic clinics of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Siberian State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia in the period from 01/01/2019 to 04/30/2023. In total, the study included 40 patients of both gender, followed by division into two comparison groups depending on the outcome of hospitalization (discharge from hospital or death) for the dynamic assessment of clinical, anamnestic and laboratory parameters in the early stages of the development of a septic condition (the first 48 hours) in order to determine their relationship with the outcome of hospitalization.Results. All patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (n=17, 42.5 %) consisted of patients with a favorable outcome of hospitalization (recovery), the second group (n=23, 57.5 %) consisted of patients with a fatal outcome. At the time of verification of sepsis, patients with a favorable outcome had a significantly lower SOFA score (3 (2; 6) points) than patients with a fatal outcome (6 (5; 7) points), p = 0.037. The change in urea concentration in the first 48 hours from the moment of verification of sepsis, which in the group of survivors was -1.3 (-4.4; 1.99) mmol/l, and in the group of deceased 5.5 (-1.5; 12. 2) mmol/l, p=0.020. In the group of deceased patients, 8 people (34 %) at the time of verification of sepsis had a combination of hypotension (5 mmol/l. In the survivor group, hypotension was observed in only 2 people (11 %), and lactate levels in these patients were in the range of 4.5- 4.6 mmol/l. At point 1, the indicators of immature granulocytes were not statistically significantly different between surviving and deceased patients (1.2 (0.7; 2.1)% vs 0.8 (0.6; 1.5)%, respectively, p>0. 05). After 48 hours, the level of immature granulocytes increased in surviving patients to 1.5 (1; 3.2)% and, conversely, decreased to 0.65 (0.45; 1.45)% in the group of deceased patients, and the difference in these indicators between groups became statistically significant, p

Background: Oscillation and pulmonary expansion (OPE) therapy can decrease postoperative pulmonary complications in a general surgical population, but its effect after cardiac surgery has not been reported, to our knowledge. We hypothesized that using an OPE device after cardiac surgery before extubation would decrease pulmonary complications. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adults undergoing elective open cardiac surgery at our institution from January 2018 through January 2019, who had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater. For mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery, a new OPE protocol was adopted, comprising an initial 10-min OPE treatment administered in-line with the ventilator circuit, then continued treatments for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of severe postoperative respiratory complications, including the need for antibiotics, increased use of supplemental oxygen, and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were compared between patients receiving usual care (involving post-extubation hyperinflation) and those treated under the new OPE protocol. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of severe postoperative respiratory complications, including the need for antibiotics, increased use of supplemental oxygen, and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were compared between patients receiving usual care (involving post-extubation hyperinflation) and those treated under the new OPE protocol. Results: Of 104 patients, 54 patients received usual care, and 50 received OPE. Usual-care recipients had more men (74% vs. 62%; p = 0.19) and were older (median, 70 vs. 67 years; p = 0.009) than OPE recipients. The OPE group had a significantly shorter hospital LOS than the usual-care group (mean, 6.2 vs. 7.4 days; p = 0.04). Other measures improved with OPE but did not reach significance: shorter ventilator duration (mean, 0.6 vs. 1.1 days with usual care; p = 0.06) and shorter LOS in the intensive care unit (mean, 2.7 vs. 3.4 days; p = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, intensive care unit LOS was significantly shorter for the OPE group (mean difference, −0.85 days; 95% CI, −1.65 to −0.06; p = 0.04). The OPE group had a lower percentage of postoperative complications (10% vs. 20%). Conclusions: OPE therapy after cardiac surgery is associated with decreased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital LOS.

Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin approved by European and American regulatory agencies for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Ceftobiprole administration is useful in severe CAP as well as HAP where the potential is to save other β-lactams including carbapenems or linezolid/vancomycin in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to report the real-world evidence of ceftobiprole in patients with CAP and HAP in a single center. In this retrospective study, we included 159 patients with CAP or HAP: 105 (66%) had CAP and 54 (34%) had HAP. The median age was 70 years (IQR 60–77), the median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5 (IQR 3–7.5) and baseline INCREMENT ESBL score was 8 (IQR 6–11). Ceftobiprole was mostly given as a combination treatment (77%) or as a carbapenem-sparing strategy (44%). There were no differences in mortality between shorter and longer duration of treatment (<7 days compared with ≥7 days (HR 1.02, C.I. 0.58–1.77, p = 0.93) or between first-line (HR 1.00, C.I. 0.46–2.17, p = 0.989) and second-line therapy. Ceftobiprole use in CAP or HAP in the real world is effective as a first- and second-line treatment as well as a carbapenem-sparing strategy. Further studies are needed to explore the full potential of ceftobiprole, including its real-world use in antimicrobial stewardship programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a complex phenomenon commonly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, rarely, IRIS can develop with other diseases outside of HIV. We are discussing a rare presentation of IRIS following a pseudomonal infection. Case presentation We present a 79-year-old Hispanic male who completed a course of cefepime for Pseudomonas aeruginosa hospital-acquired pneumonia. The patient had a 21-year history of solid organ transplant and immunosuppressive therapy, and he developed a fatal form of IRIS post-Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions IRIS may occur in any immunocompromised patient who develops an insidious onset of unexplained clinical and serological deterioration.

In this study, the relationship between the duration of physical rehabilitation and occurrence of pneumonia after ischemic stroke was examined. We included 426,508 patients aged ≥75 years with acute ischemic stroke. A multilevel logistic regression analysis nested at the hospital level was conducted to examine the association between the duration of physical rehabilitation and occurrence of pneumonia. The duration of physical rehabilitation refers to the hours of physical rehabilitation performed daily until the 7th day of hospitalization. In the multivariable analysis, the intensity of rehabilitation for durations of 20–39 min/day (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.78, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.75–0.81, p < 0.001), 40–59 min/day (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.66–0.71, p < 0.001), 60–79 min/day (aOR:0.56, 95% CI: 0.53–0.58, p < 0.001), and ≥80 min/day (aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.44–0.48, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduced incidence of pneumonia. In addition, the trend identified for duration of rehabilitation was significant (p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest the usefulness of high-duration physical rehabilitation for preventing pneumonia in older patients with ischemic stroke.

In contrast to trivial bacterial pneumonia, the diagnosis of septic pulmonary embolism poses a fundamental task for the doctor to search for primary sources of emboli, including right side infective endocarditis, and to change the tactics of managing the patient accordingly. The similarity of the main clinical common and respiratory symptoms of septic pulmonary embolism with symptoms of other inflammatory processes in the lung makes their differential diagnosis difficult without the involvement of additional radiologic investigation methods. The review describes the special features of etiology and pathogenesis, as well as the clinic, complications and principles of diagnosis of septic embolic pneumonia.

Kocuria kristinae, previously known as Micrococcus kristinae, are common in nature but are included in the normal skin flora, mucous membrane, and oropharynx in humans and are generally not pathogenic. Kocuria species are facultative anaerobic, catalase positive, and coagulase negative cocci. It can cause peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis, catheterrelated urinary tract infections, acute cholecystitis, infective endocarditis, meningitis, brain abscess, and pneumonia in patients with chronic disease and immunocompromised patients. This article presents a case of pneumonia and bacteremia due to Kocuria kristinae, reported for the first time in Turkey, in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of comorbid diseases and tracheostomy.

Abstract The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the second-highest rate of increase in diabetes, especially in KSA, Egypt, and UAE. Diabetes accounts for a significant economic burden in terms of the cost of treatment, the management of complications, disability, and the loss of productivity. Diabetic adults have an increased susceptibility to infections due to the presence of hyperglycemia. The risk of pneumonia is higher in patients with diabetes. Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal infections) is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in KSA, which also increases the risk of mortality in diabetic patients. The annual planned pilgrimage to Mecca, KSA, is one of the largest frequent religious gatherings globally, and outbreaks of infectious diseases are of great concern. This review will discuss the pneumococcal infection outbreak and prevention in patients with diabetes in KSA. Also, it will gather information discussed by a scientific advisory board held in Riyadh in 2020 covering the current understanding of pneumococcal disease prevention in diabetic patients and recommendations to overcome barriers facing vaccination.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia is a differential diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); further both have similar pathogenic spectra. Both the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society follow similar empirical antibiotic choices for the two conditions. However, there are some differences in the bacterial spectra between the two conditions, particularly when the severity of the disease differs. In the present study, we want to study the differences in the clinical features, bacteriological spectra, and antibiotic susceptibilities in patients with community-acquired pneumonia versus patients with COPD exacerbation and provide a scientific basis for antibiotic selection. Aims: 1. To analyze the differences in the pathogenic spectra and antibiotic sensitivity profile between COPD exacerbation and community acquired pneumonia. 2. To study the differences in the clinical features and outcomes of the two conditions. Subjects and Methods: The study was a prospective observational study conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 in Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute on 30 patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of COPD and 30 patients diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia. Detailed history, physical examination, and standard laboratory tests were taken on admission. The presence of new consolidation on chest radiograph was recorded. Sputum specimens collected by expectoration and tracheal suctioning or bronchoalveolar lavage were analyzed by Gram staining and microscopy and also by culture. The isolates were also tested for antibiotic sensitivity. The severity of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation was assessed by the DECAF score and the severity of the CAP group was assessed by the Pneumonia Severity Index. The differences between the two groups were analyzed. The progression of the disease and the outcomes were observed. Results: Out of 30 (100%) participants in each group, both pneumonia and COPD participants had higher percentage of male participants; 24 (80%) and 26 (86.7%) participants, respectively. The COPD-exacerbation group was significantly older than the community-acquired pneumonia group (63.20 ± 11.82 vs. 43.73 ± 16.58). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia Coli were the most commonly isolated species in COPD subjects, whereas S. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and other organisms were more commonly isolated from pneumonia participants. The drug-resistance rates of S. pneumoniae to penicillin, macrolide and quinolone antibiotics commonly used empirically to treat community acquired pneumonia was 52.6%, 79% and 79% respectively. The sensitivity of Pseudomonas to Carbapenems was 50% and to fluoroquinolones was 16.7% while all the strains were found to be resistant to Aminoglycosides, Penicillin, Cephalosporins, and Macrolides. Conclusions: In our study, we found that K. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in patients with an exacerbation of COPD while S. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen in patients with community acquired pneumonia. In our study the organisms responsible for community acquired pneumonia were largely resistant to penicillins, macrolides, and tetracyclines, which are the antibiotics of choice for empirical treatment. Similarly, in patients with exacerbation of COPD, the organisms isolated had a far greater degree of resistance to the above-mentioned antibiotics than that seen in our patients with pneumonia. We conclude that antibiotic regimens should be culture driven rather than empirical to be effective while also countering drug resistance.

Post-stroke pneumonia (PSP) has an impact on acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although predictive scores for PSP have been developed, it is occasionally difficult to predict. Clarifying how PSP was treated after its onset in clinical practice is important. Admitted patients with AIS over a 2-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Of 281 patients with AIS, 24 (8.5%) developed PSP. The integer-based pneumonia risk score was higher in patients with PSP. The onset of PSP was frequently seen up to the 4th day of hospitalization. Of patients with PSP, sputum examination yielded Geckler 4 or 5 in only 8.3%. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) was more frequently administered to patients with PSP; however, all these cases were started with ACE-I following PSP onset. Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) were inserted in 16 of the patients with PSP, of whom 11 were inserted following PSP onset. Multivariate analysis showed that PSP onset was a poor prognostic factor independent of the female sex, urinary tract infection, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. PSP treatment would benefit from the administration of antimicrobials and ACE-I, as well as NGT insertion. To select effective agents for PSP and evaluate the indications for NGT insertion, further case studies are needed.

Background/Aims There are few studies assessed the efficacy and mortality of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones in the elderly aged ≥90 years. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic removal of CBD stones in nonagenarians. Methods We retrospectively reviewed ERCP reports for CBD stone removal. The endoscopic and therapeutic outcomes were collected. The length of stay (LOS), the total number of adverse events, and mortality rate were compared between groups. Results A total of 125 nonagenarians were compared with 1,370 controls (65–89 years old individuals). The mean LOS for nonagenarians was significantly higher than in controls (13.6 days vs. 6.5 days). Completed intended treatment was similar in the nonagenarians and controls (89.8% and 89.5%, respectively). The overall complication rate did not differ between the groups. However, nonagenarians had a higher incidence of post-ERCP pneumonia (3.9%). None of the nonagenarians were readmitted to the hospital within 7 days. Four nonagenarians (3.2%) and 25 (1.8%) controls died within 30 days. Conclusions Advanced age alone did not affect the decision to perform the procedure. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment of post-ERCP pneumonia in nonagenarians could improve the outcomes and reduce mortality.

Objective: Since the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused respiratory failure in many patients, oxygen delivery methods had to be diversified, and their numbers increased. High flow nasal cannula (HFNC), which has been shown beneficial in acute respiratory failure previously, also came to the fore. We investigated the efficacy of HFNC on patients hospitalized in intensive care units due to COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively screened the patients followed up in the intensive care unit due to COVID-19. Patients treated with HFNC performed the study group. We analyzed the relationships among demographics, laboratory results, treatment modalities, complications, and outcomes. Results: Among the 330 patients including mean ventilation duration with HFNC was 7.84 days. One hundred seventy (51.5%) patients were intubated during HFNC treatment. Only 5 of them were extubated. Intubated patients had higher mean HFNC duration [9.74 days - minimum (min): 2 , maximum (max): 49] compared to non-intubated patients (6.05 days - min: 1, max: 30). There was a significant relationship between mortality and age [Odds ratio (OR): 1.04], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score (OR: 1.35), having cancer (OR: 3.89), receiving non-invasive ventilation (OR: 5.94), and presence of secondary bacterial infection (OR: 44.6). Conclusion: HFNC, whose benefit in acute respiratory failure has been proven, is also widely and successfully used in COVID-19 patients. Comprehensive randomized studies are required to demonstrate the effect of HFNC use on intubation requirement and mortality.

Candida pneumonia remains a difficult diagnosis and is most common in immunocompromised individuals. It has been rarely reported in immunocompetent individuals. We present a case of unsuspected Candida pneumonia associated with Candida esophagitis and gastritis discovered on postmortem examination in a presumably immunocompetent patient. The patient was a 71-year-old male who presented with chest pain and was subsequently found to have a myocardial infarction treated with angioplasty and drug-eluting stent placement. The patient’s recovery was complicated by pneumonia refractory to antibiotics, and he went on to experience acute hypoxic respiratory failure, sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and ultimately expired. Autopsy revealed evidence of myocardial infarction as well as unsuspected Candida albicans pneumonia, esophagitis, and gastritis. Our case highlights how a presumably immunocompetent individual can develop this infection and how Candida esophagitis and Candida gastritis can be seen in association with Candida pneumonia. Due to the difficulty in diagnosing Candida pneumonia antemortem, autopsies provide a key opportunity to better understand these cases and the factors that may contribute to their development.

The safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) use in coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is not well understood. PPIs are potent suppressors of gastric secretion and become one of the ten most widely used drugs in the world. They are expected to influence virus susceptibility, severity, and outcomes in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This concern is based on their mechanism of action — suppression of gastric acidity, which is considered the first line of defense against infections. Taken together, the results of most studies and meta-analyses support that PPIs use has been associated with increased risk of COVID-19 and severe outcomes. However, taking into account all potential risk factors for disease severity seems impossible in the real world in the context of COVID-19, so conclusions about causal relationships between PPI use and COVID-19 should be treated with great caution. An additional interesting point about the use of PPIs in the pandemic is that it reduced absorption of certain vitamins. On the other hand, several studies have appeared in the literature regarding the protective therapeutic effects of PPIs. There is growing evidence of an immunomodulatory and antifibrotic role of PPIs that could be used in the treatment of COVID-19. In addition, their ability to alkalize the contents of endosomes and lysosomes serves as an obstacle to the penetration of the virus into host cells. This review analyzes the possible effects of PPIs in patients with COVID-19.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as nosocomial pneumonia that develops in patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. This study aimed to determine the bacteriological profile of VAP in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as well as patient outcomes in a hospital in India. Methods: The study included 190 children (99 males and 91 females) aged 1 month to 12 years who were either manually or mechanically ventilated in a PICU. Clinical characteristics, microbiological profile, intubation details, complications, and outcomes were recorded. Blood and endotracheal aspirate were collected from VAP suspects and semi-quantitatively processed using standard microbiological techniques. Results: Septic shock, bronchopneumonia, acute encephalopathy, acute central nervous system infection, congenital heart disease, and snake envenomation poisoning were diagnosed in 57, 41, 23, 15, 11, and 7 cases, respectively. The most common neurological causes were status epilepticus, neuromuscular diseases, and raised intracranial pressure. Nosocomial pneumonia (16%) and air leak (8.9%) were the most common complications in ventilated children. There was a 10% mortality rate among children in PICU. There were 100 VAP suspects, with 33 developing VAP. There were 11 children with early-onset VAP (4 days). Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from 31 intubated children who were suspected of having VAP. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant isolate from both early-onset and late-onset VAP cases. The majority of deaths were related to infection with Acinetobacter baumannii. Gram-negative isolates from early-onset VAP showed sensitivity to meropenem (87.5%), piperacillin-tazobactam (75%), and ciprofloxacin (62.5%). Enterobacteriaceae isolates from late-onset VAP showed susceptibility to meropenem (82%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (27%). Conclusion: Infection with A. baumannii may be a risk factor for death in children with VAP. The most common pathogens isolated from children with VAP are K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii.

Background and Purpose: Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 are risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Both influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis result in high mortality and poor clinical outcomes. No prospective study has so far compared the features, treatment, and outcomes of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis within a similar time frame. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with influenza, COVID-19, and community-acquired pneumonia.Materials and Methods: This prospective study included adult patients with pneumonia and was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Patients were divided into three groups, including community-acquired pneumonia, influenza pneumonia, and COVID-19 pneumonia. The data collected included information on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical features, laboratory results, treatment, and outcomes.Results: A total of 140 patients were included in this study. These included 35 (25%), 70 (50%), and 35 (25%) patients with community-acquired pneumonia, influenza pneumonia, and COVID-19 pneumonia, respectively. In addition, 20 (14.2%) patients were found to have invasive aspergillosis, of whom 10/35 (28.5%), 9/70 (12.8%), and 1/35 (2.8%) patients were in the COVID-19, influenza, and community-acquired pneumonia groups, respectively. Moreover, nine (90%) COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients required vasopressors, compared to three (33%) patients with influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (P=0.020). In total, seven (70%) COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients required invasive mechanical ventilation compared to four (44%) influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients (P=0.37). The mean±SD length of hospital stay was highest in the COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients (18.3±7.28 days) compared to influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients (11.7±5.34 days) (P=0.036). The number of deaths in influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients was three (33.3%) and five (50%), respectively (P=0.526).Conclusion: A higher proportion of patients with COVID-19 developed invasive aspergillosis compared to those with influenza. Although the mortality rate in COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis was comparable to that in influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis patients had a significantly longer stay in the hospital.

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: In the health insurance system, there are 2 main pillars, namely service quality and financing control. The quality of health services can be identified by measuring the suitability of the service with the agreed clinical pathway. Data from SEAMIC Health Statistics 2011 shows that pneumonia is the 6th cause of death in Indonesia, therefore a good quality clinical pathway is needed. Integrated Care Pathway Appraisal Tool (ICPAT) is one of the instruments that has been validated and can be used to evaluate the content and quality of ICP. Subjects and Method: Study design using qualitative methods and with a case study research design. Population: quantitative data population from all medical records, qualitative data population the researchers involved all officers involved in implementing the clinical pathways. Instrument: List of questions to evaluate the implementation of the use of clinical pathways and ICPAT. Validity: with triangulation techniques. Outcome: compliance assessment and recommendations for improvement to maintain quality. Results: Input Aspect, In Dimension 1 What are the Correct Clinical Pathways? it the percentage content was 50%, and the quality was 50%. Dimension 6 (Organizational Role?) in the CP content value is 100% and the quality is 58%. Process aspect, Dimension 2 (Clinical Pathway Documentation Process) CP documentation process in terms of content is 30.43% and quality is 25%. Dimension 3 (Clinical Pathway Development Process) the content is 61.54% and the quality is 41.18%. Dimension 4 (Clinical Pathway Implementation Process) the percentage of content is 60% and the quality is 100%. Dimension 5 (Maintenance Process of clinical pathways) the percentage of the content is 25% and the quality is 38.46%. Aspects of Output Those who comply with using the clinical pathway are 0 (0%), meaning that no one is compliant in using the clinical pathway. Conclusion: CP Pneumonia at Risa Sentra Medika Hospital complies with the ICPAT assessment standards but the quality and content only meet less than 50% based on the aspects assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the investigation was to study the relationship between the content of whole blood in mononuclear leukocytes in pneumonia and in apparently healthy individuals of cytokine signaling suppressor 2 (SOCS2) with the production of cytokines (TNFα, TGFb, IFNα, IFNβ, IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, RAIL-1, RANTES) and individual factors of the NF-kB and JAK / STAT signaling pathways (NF-kB2, p65, p50, STAT1, STAT3, STAT5B, STAT6). Materials and research methods. The research material was mononuclear cells isolated from venous blood samples, as well as blood plasma of practically healthy individuals and patients with pneumonia. In nuclear-cytoplasmic lysates of mononuclear blood cells, the concentration of the components of the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB, p65, p50, NF-κB2, factors STAT1, STAT3, STAT5B, STAT6, and protein SOCS2, was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. We also determined the concentration of TNFα, IL-1β, TGFb, IFNα, IFNβ, IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A, RAIL-1, RANTES. The results of this study indicate that the stage of pneumonia convalescence is accompanied by dysregulation of the production of the main proinflammatory cytokines, manifested by a decrease in the level of TNFα, TGFb, RANTES, IL-4, IL-17A, IFNβ, IFNγ and an increase in the production of IL-2 and IFNα. Against this background, a decrease in the phosphorylation of the STAT3 and STAT4 factors was noted, as well as a decrease in the content of p50 and p65 proteins in MNCs. These changes were associated with an increased content of the SOCS2 factor in MNCs. The analysis showed that an increase in the content of SOCS2 in MNCs from the minimum level determined by the concentration corresponding to the 1st quartile of the sample (1.3 ng / ml) to the maximum, determined by the 4th quartile of the sample (1.7 ng / ml) is associated with a decrease in production IL-1β, IL-4, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A, TGFb, RANTES and IFNβ against the background of an increase in the level of INFα, INFγ and IL-2. Changes in cytokine production were accompanied by an increase in STAT5B, STAT4, and NF-kB2 levels and a decrease in STAT3 phosphorylation. a decrease in the content in the cell of the components of the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB, in particular, p50, p65. Conclusion. The peculiarities of the relationship of SOCS2 with the studied factors suggests that its high level helps to limit the production of proinflammatory cytokines, in particular those produced by type 2 T-helpers and Th17, stimulates an increase in ICC sensitivity to IL-2 and stimulation of type 1 T-helpers. These effects are realized due to an increase in the phosphorylation of the STAT5 and STAT4 factors, a decrease in the STAT3 activity, and a change in the ratio of the components p50, p65 and NF-κB2 of the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB in the cell.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that has recently emerged as a global threat associated with high morbidity, mortality, and antibiotic resistance. We determined the role of type I interferon (IFN) signaling in A. baumannii infection. We report that A. baumannii can induce a type I IFN response that is dependent upon TLR4-TRIF-IRF3 and phagocytosis of the bacterium. Phase variants of A. baumannii that have a reduced capsule, lead to enhanced TLR4-dependent type I IFN induction. This was also observed in a capsule-deficient strain. However, we did not observe a role for this pathway in vivo. The enhanced signaling could be accounted for by increased phagocytosis in capsule-deficient strains that also lead to enhanced host cell-mediated killing. The increased cytokine response in the absence of the capsule was not exclusive to type I IFN signaling. Several cytokines, including the proinflammatory IL-6, were increased in cells stimulated with the capsule-deficient strain, also observed in vivo. After 4 h in our acute pneumonia model, the burden of a capsule-null strain was significantly reduced, yet we observed increases in innate immune cells and inflammatory markers compared to wild-type A. baumannii. This study underscores the role of phase variation in the modulation of host immune responses and indicates that the capsule of A. baumannii plays an important role in protection against host cell killing and evasion from activation of the innate immune response.

Background: In COVID-19 pneumonia, chest CT scan plays a crucial role in diagnosing and closely monitoring lung parenchyma. The main reportedly chest CT features of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) have been fully discussed in the literature, but there is still a paucity of reports on uncommon CT manifestations. Case presentation: Herewith, we have reported ten rRT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients with CT target signs (bull’s eye appearance); additionally, we have reviewed previously reported cases. Reviewing the literature, we found eight COVID-19 patients with target sign in the literature. 18 patients were included with a median age of 43. 11 (61%) patients were males. In 87% of patients, the lesions developed within the second-week post symptom onset. These patients mostly experienced an extended hospital stay (median = 10 days), with 53.8% of cases being admitted in ICU. The in-hospital mortality rate was 23%. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that lesions with a bull’s eye appearance are not significantly associated with higher mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Background and aim Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the frequent causes of hospital admission, whereas hyponatremia (HN) is a common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Mean platelet volume (MPV) may be a useful predictor for the diagnosis of CAP but not in disease severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum levels of sodium and MPV in a child with CAP. Patients and methods This is a case–control study that has been carried out in a Malawi General Hospital. The total (100) participants included in the study were classified into two groups as follows: group I which is the case group included 50 children with clinical and laboratory evidence of pneumonia ranging from 1 month to 3 years. Group II which is the control group included 50 children (apparently healthy control) who attended for nonchest problem or serious medical condition. Serum sodium levels, hemoglobin levels, MPV, platelet count, total leukocyte count, and C-reactive protein were done to all children. Results HN was present in 82% of patients with CAP (41 out of 50). Patients with CAP had lower MPV than their healthy counterparts (7.11±0.42 vs. 9.14±1.04 fl; P

A fatal case of severe stenosis of the aortic orifice in a patient with not diagnosed in time, long-term persistent covid infection is presented. The patient was hospitalized to resolve the issue of surgical correction of the aortic stenosis. On admission, there were symptoms of circulatory failure at the level of 3–4 functional class according to NYHA and angina pectoris clinic. A detailed collection of anamnesis about the epidemiological environment and symptoms of pneumonia suffered in the fall of 2020 raised suspicions of its covid genesis. Subsequently, this assumption was confirmed by the data of laboratory, instrumental studies, as well as the results of the pathological and anatomical autopsy. The study of microslides showed signs of extensive vasculitis with thrombosis of small branches of the pulmonary artery and foci of pneumofibrosis of various degrees of prescription, which also testified in favor of the transferred covid infection. Taking into account the severity of the patient’s condition upon admission, it was not possible to perform emergency intervention on the aortic valve. After stabilization of the state and regression of the phenomena of circulatory failure, it was planned to simultaneously perform endovascular revascularization of the coronary valve bed and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The planned surgical intervention failed. The immunosuppressive effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, apparently, led to the activation of autoflora and an increase in inflammation for nosocomial infection. Bilateral polysegmental bacterial pneumonia that joined during hospitalization, against the background of postcoid changes in the lung parenchyma, contributed to the development of acute coronary syndrome with ventricular arrhythmias. The patient died from acute cardiopulmonary failure. The article also presents ideas about the operational tactics of managing patients with aortic stenosis in a pandemic.

Background: The main aim of the study was to evaluate the different parameters of the COVID-19 pneumonia in India during the first and second waves. Method: Five hundred RT-PCR positive and HRCT documented COVID-19 pneumonia patients each from first wave (June 2020-December 2020) and second wave (March 2021-May 2021) were selected. The results were evaluated in terms of age groups affected, gender wise distribution, and CT severity score on HRCT. The final conclusion was done by comparing these variables from first wave with the ones during the second wave and inferences drawn upon thereof. Results: During the first wave, majority of the population involved belonged to more than 45 years category whereas during the second wave majority belonged to the 18-45 years category. Further, the severity of the disease was more during the second wave than the first wave with more males being affected than females in both the waves. Conclusion: Second COVID-19 wave in India was more severe than the first wave in terms of the number of patients affected as well as the severity of the pneumonia in the involved patients, likely due to continuously mutating variants of the virus & lifting up of the restrictions.

Introduction: In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the prevalence of hyponatremia has been reported with varying outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Patients and Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, information about hospitalized patients with COVID-19 admitted between March 2020 and September 2020, including age, gender, and serum levels of sodium, creatinine, and potassium, as well as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), was analyzed, while P value level less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 667 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study, of which 54.4% were male. The median age of patients was 63 years old. About 39.4% of patients had hyponatremia on admission day. More than 80% of patients had mild hyponatremia. The median age of the hyponatremia group was significantly higher than that of eunatremia group. Conclusion: Our data showed that hyponatremia is observed in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is often mild.

Objective:Laboratory parameters may predict the severity and mortality of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the relationship of laboratory findings obtained at admission and 72nd hour and mortality and morbidity of patients with pneumonia who were treated in two intensive care units.Materials and Methods:Chart data of 75 patients (March-May 2020) were retrospectively analysed. Patient characteristics and laboratory parameters were compared according to the presence of COVID-19 and mortality. Patients with COVID-19 were compared according to mortality and gender.Results:The mean patient age was 74.7±11.3 years. COVID-19 positivity was not associated with marked differences in laboratory values. Lung disease, bedridden status, worse renal function scores, and high C-reactive protein level was more often observed in non-survivors (p

Background: Pneumonia is a lung parenchyma acute infection usually treated with antibiotics. Increasing bacterial resistances force the review and control of antibiotic use criteria in different health departments. Objective: Evaluate the adequacy of antibiotic treatment in community-acquired pneumonia in patients initially attended at the emergency department and then admitted to the internal medicine service of the Alto Deba Hospital—Osakidetza Basque Country Health Service (Spain). Methods: Observational, retrospective study, based on the review of medical records of patients with community-acquired pneumonia attended at the hospital between January and May 2021. The review was made considering the following items: antimicrobial treatment indication, choice of antibiotic, time of administration of the first dose, adequacy of the de-escalation-sequential therapy, duration of treatment, monitoring of efficacy and adverse effects, and registry in the medical records. The review was made by the research team (professionals from the emergency department, internal medicine, and pharmacy services). Results: Fifty-five medical records were reviewed. The adequacy of the treatments showed that antibiotic indication, time of administration of the first dose, and monitoring of efficacy and adverse effects were the items with the greatest agreement between the three departments. This was not the case with the choice of antibiotic, de-escalation/sequential therapy, duration of treatment, and registration in the medical record, which have been widely discussed. The choice of antibiotic was optimal in 63.64% and might have been better in 25.45%. De-escalation/oral sequencing might have been better in 50.91%. The treatment duration was optimal in 45.45% of the patients and excessive in 45.45%. Discussion: The team agreed to disseminate these data among the hospital professionals and to propose audits and feedback through an antibiotic stewardship program. Besides this, implementing the local guideline and defining stability criteria to apply sequential therapy/de-escalation was considered essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium is a disorder of acute full attention, and cognitive function commonly occurs at elderly which can prolong hospitalization, dependence rate, morbidity, and mortality, with pneumonia infection as one of its risk factors. Several markers have been studied for delirium, but relationship between delirium severity and persistence remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of hs-CRP, pNF-H, S100B, and NLR to predict delirium persistence. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 80 subjects who were admitted to the internal ward in dr. M. Djamil Hospital in Padang. Subjects were grouped based on severity of delirium using the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale and followed up until discharged to determine delirium persistence event. Results: Mean age of subjects is 70.7±7.4 years, 39 (48.8%) male and 41 (51.2%) female,consisting of 29 mild, 26 moderate, and 25 severe delirium. Levels of hs-CRP in mild, moderate, and severe delirium are 13.36±0.79, 13.56±0.78, and 13.88±0.59 mg/L (p=0.038), respectively. Median NLR values for mild, moderate, severe delirium were 6.80 (1.00-31.00), 9.50 (3.60-46.00), and 11.90 (2.80-46.50) (p=0.026). Cut off value hs-CRP 13.61 mg/L has significant difference for delirium persistence event (OR 2,54; 95% CI 1,01-6,39). Median levels of pNF-H and S100B are not significant in different delirium severity, regardless of non-persistent or persistent. Conclusion: Hs-CRP levels exceeding 13.61 can predict risk of persistent delirium, but not with levels pNF-H, S100B, and NLR.

In 2020, a new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) whose disease is called Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported. This virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China and has infected 90,308 people per March 2, 2020. As of the end of October 2020, more than 40 million people have been infected, with the death toll reaching 1,150,000 worldwide. Apart from respiratory tract infections, patients infected with this virus may exhibit other symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. This means that the virus can be found in feces and anus, hence the anal swab can be used as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 infection. The results of the specimen test show that the sensitivity of the nasopharyngeal swab positive detection rate is the highest and remains the gold standard for diagnosis. This sensitivity can also be influenced by the course of the disease that can infect the gastrointestinal tract so that anal PCR is performed for the diagnosis to detect the COVID-19 virus in patients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia is a well-known cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with a history of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Radiographically, CMV pneumonia most commonly presents as bilateral ground glass opacities; however, the presentation is non-specific and can be variable, including presenting as areas of air-space consolidation or pulmonary nodules. We report a case of a 70-year-old man who presented with rapidly progressive bilateral pulmonary nodules approximately two months after receiving a bone marrow transplant. No infectious etiology was identified for the pulmonary nodules, and a bronchoscopy was unable to be performed due to a rapid decline in the patient’s overall condition and respiratory status. The patient died shortly after the decision was made to transition to palliative care and a limited autopsy was performed to explore the pulmonary findings. Corresponding to premortem imaging were the postmortem gross findings of numerous bilateral pulmonary nodules and a large mass-like area of consolidation in the right upper lobe. Microscopic examination of the nodules demonstrated a necrotizing pneumonia with few foci of viral cytopathologic change consistent with CMV, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. While CMV is a common infectious agent in the immunocompromised population, CMV pneumonia continues to be a challenging entity due to difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Rapidly enlarging pulmonary nodules in an immunosuppressed patient is highly suggestive of an infectious process and careful histologic examination for viral cytopathologic change is essential.

The classic presentation of pulmonary embolism is rather uncommon. The lack of pathognomonic signs and symptoms makes the diagnosis of PE difficult. Here, we report a patient presented with symptoms suggestive of pneumonia and ultimately diagnosed as PE. A 75 years old male patient with no known co-morbidity, presented with of breathlessness for 1 week, cough for one week, productive in type, with scanty sputum, chest pain since one week, sharp, aggravated on coughing. His respiratory system examination revealed increased VF/VR in right mammary and left infrascapular areas, equal air entry with normal vesicular breath sounds, crepitations in the right mammary and left infrascapular areas. He was initially treated as pneumonia but did not respond. His chest X-ray PA view showed probable mass lesion in the right para cardiac region, ECG– sinus tachycardia with right axis deviation and RV strain pattern. CECT Thorax- Intraluminal thrombus in Rt and Lt pulmonary artery consistent with acute pulmonary thromboembolism.The patient was lysed with Inj. Streptokinase and subsequently improved over the next 6 days. Whilst established criteria aid in ruling in or out the diagnosis in a setting, the gestalt of a clinician is the most appropriate defence against a missed diagnosis especially in settings of confounded presentation. Therefore, until conclusively proven with the help of imaging and lab-work, PE should be a diagnosis that needs be considered in any case of atypical pneumonia who is not responding to first line therapies.

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially detected in Wuhan city, China. Chest CT features of COVID-19 pneumonia have been investigated mostly in China, and there is very little information available on the radiological findings occurring in other populations. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of chest CT findings in confirmed cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in an Iranian population, based on a time classification.

The number of pregnant women with oral cancer is thought to increase as the childbearing age rises. Herein, we report two cases of tongue cancer occurring in pregnant women at different gestational periods. Case 1 was in the second trimester of pregnancy and developed pneumonia preoperatively, and the operation was postponed to avoid respiratory complications which might be related with the risk of teratogenicity as well as fetal functional abnormalities. In Case 2, during induction of general anesthesia, hypoxemia and decreased fetal heart rate were observed due to short period of apnea. Although the toxicity of modern anesthetics to pregnant women is low, perioperative episodes have a significant impact on the fetus and require exceptionally careful anesthetic management.