Leptospirosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report

ABSTRACT Since SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) has been labeled as a pandemic, it took the spotlight in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with acute respiratory and systemic symptoms. Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonoses in the world, yet it is mainly a disease of differential diagnosis for places that do not have it as an endemic. Due to the high burden of COVID-19 on the healthcare field, patients suffering from other infections may have been inadvertently neglected. COVID-19 infection can mimic other infectious diseases and can confuse physicians in their search for a confirmatory diagnosis. Nonetheless, it is very crucial to broaden the differential diagnosis and keep diseases like leptospirosis within the differential diagnosis despite its rarity, especially in patients presenting with unexplained systemic infectious symptoms. This is a unique case of a patient who presented with dyspnea, jaundice and change in urine color who was suspected to be COVID-19 positive. After a detailed investigation, the patient was diagnosed with leptospirosis instead of COVID-19 and was treated with plasmapheresis and antibiotics accordingly.

Evaluation of coagulation parameters: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between survivors and nonsurvivors

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate and compare the coagulation parameters of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with mortal and nonmortal conditions. METHODS: In this study, 511 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included. Information about 31 deceased and 480 recovered COVID-19 patients was obtained from the hospital information management system and analyzed retrospectively. Whether there was a correlation between coagulation parameters between the mortal and nonmortal patients was analyzed. Descriptive analyses on general characteristics of the study population were performed. Visual (probability plots and histograms) and analytical methods (Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test) were used to test the normal distribution. Analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software package. RESULTS: Out of 511 patients, 219 (42.9%) were females and 292 (57.1%) were males. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females in terms of mortality (p=0.521). In total, the median age was 67 (22). The median age was 74 (13) in the nonsurvivor group and 67 (22) in the survivor group, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.007). The D-dimer, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, neutrophil, and lymphocyte median age values with p-values, in the recovered and deceased patient groups were: 1070 (2129), 1990 (7513) μg FEU/L, p=0.005; 12.6 (2.10), 13.3 (2.1), p=0.014; 1.17 (0.21), 1.22 (0.19), p=0.028; 5.51 (6.15), 8.54 (7.05), p=0.001; and 0.99 (0.96), 0.64 (0.84), p=0.037, respectively, with statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, D-dimer, prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio increase were found to be associated with mortality. These parameters need to be closely monitored during the patient follow-up.

The effects of favipiravir on hematological parameters of covid-19 patients

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION This study aims to evaluate changes in hematological parameters after the follow-up of patients who received treatment with favipiravir due to COVID-19 infections. METHODS Sixty-two cases receiving favipiravir treatment for at least five days due to COVID-19 infection were evaluated retrospectively. Parameters including age, gender, nasopharyngeal swab positivity, and chronic diseases were analyzed. Hematologic parameters were analyzed before and after the treatment. RESULTS The mean age of the patients receiving treatment with favipiravir was 63.7±12.3 years. Nasopharyngeal swab positivity was detected in 67.7%. The most common comorbid conditions detected in patients were hypertension in 25 cases (40.3%) and diabetes in 16 cases (25.8%). In the statistical analysis of the hematological parameters before and after treatment with favipiravir, WBC, PT-PTT-INR levels were found to be unaffected; the mean RBC was found to have decreased from 4.33 ± 0.58 M/uL to 4.16 ± 0.54 M/uL (p:0.003); the median hemoglobin level was found to have decreased from 12.3 g/dl to 11.9 g/dl (p:0.041); the hematocrit level decreased from 38.1% ± 4.8 to 36.9% ± 4.2 (p:0.026); the median neutrophil count decreased from 4.57 K/uL to 3.85 K/uL (p:0.001); the mean lymphocyte count increased from 1.22 ± 0.53 K/uL to 1.84 ± 1.19 K/uL (p:0.000); and the mean platelet count increased from 244.1 ± 85.1 K/uL to 281.9 ± 103.3 K/uL (p:0.005). CONCLUSION We concluded that the pathological effect of treatment with favipiravir on the hematologic system was the suppression in the erythrocyte series, and there were no adverse effects in other hematologic parameters.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar as alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos após o acompanhamento de pacientes que receberam tratamento com favipiravir devido à infecção por Covid-19. MÉTODOS Sessenta e dois casos em tratamento com favipiravir por pelo menos cinco dias devido à infecção por Covid-19 foram avaliados retrospectivamente. Parâmetros como idade, sexo, positividade do swab nasofaríngeo e doenças crônicas foram analisados. Os parâmetros hematológicos foram analisados antes e após o tratamento. RESULTADOS A idade média dos pacientes que receberam tratamento com favipiravir foi de 63,7±12,3 anos. A positividade do swab nasofaríngeo foi detectada em 67,7%. As condições comórbidas mais comuns detectadas nos pacientes foram hipertensão em 25 casos (40,3%) e diabetes em 16 casos (25,8%). Na análise estatística dos parâmetros hematológicos antes e após o tratamento com favipiravir, os níveis de leucócitos, PT-PTT-INR não foram afetados. Verificou-se que o RBC médio diminuiu de 4,33±0,58 M/uL para 4,16±0,54 M/uL (p=0,003); o nível médio de hemoglobina foi reduzido de 12,3 g/dl para 11,9 g/dl (p=0,041); o nível de hematócrito diminuiu de 38,1%±4,8 para 36,9%±4,2 (p=0,026); a contagem mediana de neutrófilos diminuiu de 4,57 K/uL para 3,85 K/uL (p=0,001); a contagem média de linfócitos aumentou de 1,22±0,53 K/uL para 1,84±1,19 K/uL (p=0,000); a contagem média de plaquetas aumentou de 244,1±85,1 K/uL para 281,9±103,3 K/uL (p=0,005). CONCLUSÃO Concluiu-se que o efeito patológico do tratamento com favipiravir no sistema hematológico foi a supressão na série eritrocitária e que não houve efeitos adversos em outros parâmetros hematológicos.