A Pathophysiological Perspective on COVID-19's Lethal Complication:From Viremia to Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis-like Immune Dysregulation / 감염과화학요법

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for our recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, is driving a lung immunopathology that strongly resembles a severe form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). A review of recent Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 medical reports, as well as described characteristics of HP, lead us to postulate a theory for SARS-CoV-2 severe disease. We propose that the novel SARS-CoV-2 can act as a trigger and substrate of an HP-like severe immune reaction especially in genetically vulnerable individuals in addition to those with immune senescence and dysregulation. Accordingly, the purpose of our letter is to shift the emphasis of concern surrounding immune activity from viral infection to an HP-like severe immune reaction. We review similarities in disease presentation between infection and allergy, relevant immunopathology, and outline phases of SARS-CoV-2 disease with perspectives on therapy and critical care. Altogether, the favored course is to begin treatments that address the disease at the earliest phase before immune dysregulation leading to uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation.

Neurocysticercosis: A case report and brief review

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the seven neglected endemic zoonoses targeted by the World Health Organization. It is considered a common infection of the nervous system caused by the Taenia solium and is known to be the primary cause of preventable epilepsy in many developing countries. NCC is commonly resulted by the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs after consuming undercooked pork, or contaminated water. The parasite can grow in the brain and spinal cord within the nervous system, causing severe headache and seizures beside other pathological manifestations. Immigration and international travel to endemic countries has made this disease common in the United States. NCC can be diagnosed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. The treatment of the NCC including cysticidal drugs (e.g., albendazole and praziquantel), and neurosurgical procedure, depending upon the situation. A patient of Asian origin came to our clinic with complaints of dizziness, headaches and episodes seizures for the past twelve years without proper diagnosis. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans indicated multilobulated cystic mass in the brain with the suspicion of neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis: A case report and brief review

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the seven neglected endemic zoonoses targeted by the World Health Organization. It is considered a common infection of the nervous system caused by the Taenia solium and is known to be the primary cause of preventable epilepsy in many developing countries. NCC is commonly resulted by the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs after consuming undercooked pork, or contaminated water. The parasite can grow in the brain and spinal cord within the nervous system, causing severe headache and seizures beside other pathological manifestations. Immigration and international travel to endemic countries has made this disease common in the United States. NCC can be diagnosed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. The treatment of the NCC including cysticidal drugs (e.g., albendazole and praziquantel), and neurosurgical procedure, depending upon the situation. A patient of Asian origin came to our clinic with complaints of dizziness, headaches and episodes seizures for the past twelve years without proper diagnosis. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans indicated multilobulated cystic mass in the brain with the suspicion of neurocysticercosis.

Clinical outcome of primary non‑metastatic breast cancer: A single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: We report on prognostic factors and long‑term survival of non‑metastatic breast cancer patients treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH and RC) in Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study is based on a review of 2829 pathologically confirmed non‑metastatic breast cancer patients managed from January 1995 to May 2009. Median age was 45 years. Stage at presentation: Stage I (9%), stage II (59%), and stage III (32%). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (92%) constituted the most prevalent histological subtype. Estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and Her2‑neu were positive in 49%, 50%, and 26%, respectively. A mastectomy was performed in 67% and conservative surgery in 33% of the patients. Post‑operative radiotherapy was delivered in 85% of the cases. Ninety percent of the patients received chemotherapy and mainly consisted of anthracycline‑based regimens + taxanes. Hormonal manipulation was done in ER/ PR positive patients. RESULTS: The 5‑ and 10‑year overall survival (OS) was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 68.2‑71.8%) and 54% (95%CI: 51.2‑56.8%), while disease free survival (DFS) was 65% (95% CI: 63‑67%) and 52% (95% CI: 49.2‑54.8%), respectively. Recurrence following primary treatment was seen in 35% of the patients. On multivariate analysis T stage, number of axillary nodal involvement, tumor grade, ER status and family history, were found to be independent predictors for OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of non‑metastatic breast cancer patients present with stagesII and III disease and a significant proportion develop distant metastasis accounting for overall long‑term outcome inferior to developed countries. Efforts should be directed to raise the level of health awareness and screening programs to improve early detection in Pakistan.

Staging laparoscopy in gastroesophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma: First experience from Pakistan.

CONTEXT: Current NCCN guidelines do not consider staging laparoscopy mandatory for detection of metastasis in gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and gastric cancer. AIMS: To determine the rate of detection of metastasis on staging laparoscopy in GEJ and gastric cancer in Pakistani population and determine the prognostic significance of cytology versus biopsy positive metastatic disease. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study conducted from January 2005 to June 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographics, clinicopathological characteristics and laparoscopic findings of 149 patients were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Categorical variables were represented as frequencies and percentages and significance was determined using Chi square test. Overall survival was calculated from the date of staging laparoscopy to the date of death/ last follow‑up. Survival for cytology versus biopsy positive metastatic disease was calculated using Kaplan Meier curves and significance determined with Log rank test. RESULTS: Overall, metastases were detected in 40% of patients on staging. Laparoscopy detected metastasis in significantly high number of gastric cancers (48% versus 28%) (P = 0.01). Peritoneal nodules were more frequent with gastric tumors (40% versus 23%) and also were more likely to be malignant (58% versus 35%). Expected one year survival in patients with positive cytology (peritoneal washing/ascitic fluid) was significantly higher than patients with a positive peritoneal nodule biopsy (29% versus 0) (P = 0.04). On univariate analysis this was the only significant factor for increased risk of death (P = 0.03, HR = 2.5, CI = 1.04‑5.98). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy detects metastatic disease in a significant number of patients deemed non metastatic on preoperative imaging. Prognostically, cytology positive metastatic cancer may be different from biopsy positive cancer.

Current perspectives on the management of gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a condition of abnormal gastric motility characterised by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical outlet obstruction. It is seen commonly in people with diabetes but is idiopathic in a third of patients. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, post-prandial fullness and early satiety, and abdominal bloating and discomfort. Investigations fall into three categories: gastric emptying studies, intraluminal pressure measurements and recording of gastric myoelectrical activity. Nuclear scintigraphy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing and quantifying delayed gastric emptying. Treatment options include diet and behavioural changes, prokinetic drugs and surgical interventions. New advances in drug therapy and gastric electrical stimulation techniques hold considerable promise.

Fishhook injury of the eye: a case report

Eye injuries caused by fishhooks are rare but there have been reports in the past with the hook either abrading the cornea or piercing the lid, orbital tissues or the eyeball. This is a case report of an Omani boy admitted with a penetrating injury of the left eyeball caused by a fishhook. The hook was successfully removed after surgically extending the wound. The wound was anterior and damage to the choroid and retina was minimal which helped in the restoration of normal vision, the child was followed up for a period of more than two years without any complications