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Abstract Background Aspergillus spp. are among the fungal pathogens that can cause life-threatening infections in patients with a history of COVID-19. Case presentation We present the case of a 58-year-old Iranian woman with post-COVID-19 Aspergillus fumigatus endocarditis complicated by numerous thromboembolisms. She underwent mitral valve replacement surgery and multiple lower extremity embolectomies and was treated with voriconazole, which led to her final recovery. Conclusions Aspergillus endocarditis should be considered in any patient with suspected endocarditis who has a history of COVID-19 infection and does not respond to routine antibiotic and antifungal therapy, as COVID-19 interferes with proper immune function, and lack of underlying cardiac conditions and immunodeficiencies does not preclude the diagnosis. Culture and histopathological evaluation of vegetations and emboli, as well as PCR, can confirm the diagnosis. Early initiation of antifungal therapy and surgical removal of infected valves and emboli can improve prognosis in patients with Aspergillus endocarditis.

Abstract Background Bacterial and fungal superinfections are commonly reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Case presentation We report the first case of brain and intramedullary abscesses caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a rare case of brain abscesses caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in two post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The first patient—34-year-old Iranian woman—presented with weakness of the left upper limb, headaches, and lower limb paresthesia. She had a history of undiagnosed diabetes and had received corticosteroid therapy. The second patient—45-year-old Iranian man—presented with right-sided weakness and had a history of intensive care unit admission. Both patients passed away despite appropriate medical therapy. Conclusion The immune dysregulation induced by coronavirus disease 2019 and its’ treatments can predispose patients, especially immunosuppressed ones, to bacterial and fungal infections with unusual and opportunistic pathogens in the central nervous system. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus should be considered as potential causes of brain infection in any coronavirus disease 2019 patient presenting with neurological symptoms and evidence of brain abscess in imaging, regardless of sinonasal involvement. These patients should get started on appropriate antimicrobial therapy as soon as possible, as any delay in diagnosis or treatment can be associated with adverse outcomes.

Cancer is a primary cause of mortality around the world and imposes a significant physiological, psychological, and financial burden on patients. Lipids regulate cell cycle progression and affect cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Therefore, alterations in serum lipid levels might contribute to carcinogenesis. In this article, we review the relationships between triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and different types of cancer. Then, we examine the association between cancer and familial hypercholesterolemia. Finally, we evaluate the impact of statins on different types of cancer. Increased total cholesterol has been reported to increase cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in tumors and inhibit apoptosis. Increased LDL-C has been reported to induce inflammation and increase susceptibility to oxidative damage. HDL-C has anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. Increased levels of serum TG can induce oxidative stress and a chronic inflammatory state and therefore contribute to the proliferation and progression of cancer cells. Statins decrease downstream products of cholesterol synthesis that are crucial in cell proliferation and growth. Thus, lipid components can have prognostic value in cancer and management of serum lipid levels through lifestyle changes and medical therapy can be beneficial in cancer prevention and treatment.