A Suspected Case of COVID-19-Induced Immunosuppression.

While COVID-19 has gained popularity as a pandemic and as a cause of pulmonary-systemic disease, the condition continues to evolve our knowledge and understanding of immunology and medicine through its myriad clinical presentations. This article features a previously healthy 65-year-old female who presented with sudden features of cryptococcal meningitis, the progression of which raises questions as to what role the virus plays in the innate, adaptive, and overall host factors leading to immunosuppression.

A Case Reflecting the Impact of a Deferred Transesophageal Echocardiogram on a COVID-19 Disease Patient.

COVID-19 has been amongst us for over two years and has seen a strong response from the international health community regarding mobilization. There has also been the advancement of vaccine science-regulations surrounding the day-to-day decisions regarding patients who tested positive for the virus. Guidelines for treatment continue to vary. While this may benefit most patients, more objective metrics in deciding elective, urgent, and emergent procedures have been proposed. In this paper, a patient who tested positive for the virus was refused a procedure ( transesophageal echo ) based on COVID status, which may have contributed to a delay in treatment and detrimental outcomes.

Cryptococcus Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the CNS, generally thought of as an opportunistic infection in those with T-cell immunodeficiencies including AIDS (usually with a CD4 count of less than 100), chronic steroid use, hematological malignancies, and transplant recipients. It can have irreversible CNS morbidity, including vision loss, intracranial hypertension, and cognitive decline. Diagnosis depends on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, in which cultures and cryptococcal antigen are most sensitive. CSF PCR can also be done. Most patients have disseminated disease, and blood cultures are also positive. Outcomes remain guarded, with a poor prognosis (morbidity and high mortality) among survivors. This article presents a case of cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent individual, where absolutely no identifiable risk factor was present.