ABSTRACT
Introduction: The invasion of lung tissue by a commensal like aspergillus after severe viral infection has been known.[1] But coronavirus has multiple fangs like immune dysfunction, precipitates new onset diabetes and hypercoagulability.[2] We hereby present a case of long COVID with pulmonary aspergillosis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Case Study: A 46 year old male presented with one and half month history of fever, cough with expectoration, hemoptysis. He had tested positive for COVID and diabetes two months before and had required intensive care treatment. The Chest Xray [Figure 1a] showed left upper lobe opacity. Chest CT Scan [Figure 2] showed cavity with central hypodense component within anterior segment of left upper lobe (bird's nest appearance). BAL from that segment grew aspergillus. The patient was started on voriconazole, hemoptysis was controlled and subsequently discharged. But 15 days later, he was readmitted with hemoptysis and left side calf pain and swelling. Lower limb venous doppler showed thrombosis of parts of Left Superficial femoral vein and popliteal vein. CTPA (CT Pulmonary Angiography) didn't show any filling defect. Patient was started on anticoagulation. After 8 weeks patient improved with significant clearing of lung lesion on chest X Ray [Figure 1b]. Discussion: Studies from Wuhan, China, reported secondary fungal infections in 35.3% critically ill patients.[3] Our patient, apart from other risk factors had received corticosteroids and the dose was more than 0.3 mg/kg/d and the duration was upto 4 weeks.[4] Conclusion: Post COVID cases with hemoptysis should be investigated properly considering the multiple pathogenic pathways that are implicated by this virus.
ABSTRACT
Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is the presence of postural hypoxaemia along with breathlessness in recumbent position. It is an uncommon syndrome with elusive pathophysiologic mechanisms. We observed POS in patients of moderate COVID-19 who required hospital admission to our indoor facility and oxygen supplementation when saturation was documented in sitting and supine positions for evaluation of platypnea. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational, cross sectional, retrospective analysis of pulse oximetry readings of patients with stage 2 COVID-19 admitted in ward during the period from 15th May 2020 to 30th May 2020. The difference in the peripheral oxygen saturation in sitting and supine positions, documented as a routine standard of care, especially in patients with platypnea, was calculated and demographic details and co-morbidities were noted from indoor record forms. Results: Of the 53 patients of stage 2 COVID-19 who were included in the study, 15 (28%) had platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome at the time of presentation and 18(33.9%) patients with platypnoea had ≥ 3% desaturation in sitting position as compared to supine position. Rest of the 20 (37.7%) patients had neither platypnoea nor orthodeoxia. All the patients presenting with platypnoea-orthodeoxia required oxygen therapy during the course of treatment. Amongst the 33 patients who were hypoxic and required oxygen supplementation, 15 patients (45.4%) had oxygen saturation of ≥94% in the supine position at presentation. Conclusion: Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome is common in patients with stage 2 COVID 19 infection who require oxygen therapy. POS can be easily documented by using pulse oximeter without the need of any specialised equipment. Hence, we propose that documentation of POS at the time of admission in primary health care or resource depleted settings would help in successful triage of the patients needing oxygen therapy. We also propose that oxygen saturation in sitting position be documented as far as possible. Further clinical studies are necessary to validate this observation. © 2021 Journal of Association of Physicians of India. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is a known risk factor for mortality in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Our objective was to identify prevalence of hyperglycaemia in COVID-19 patients with and without prior diabetes and quantify its association with COVID-19 disease course. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This observational cohort study included all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to John H Stroger Jr. Hospital, Chicago, IL from March 15, 2020 to May 3, 2020 and followed till May 15, 2020. The primary outcome was hospital mortality, and the studied predictor was hyperglycaemia [any blood glucose ≥7.78 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) during hospitalization]. RESULTS: Of the 403 COVID-19 patients studied, 51 (12.7%) died; 335 (83.1%) were discharged while 17 (4%) were still in hospital. Hyperglycaemia occurred in 228 (56.6%) patients; 83 of these hyperglycaemic patients (36.4%) had no prior history of diabetes. Compared to the reference group no-diabetes/no-hyperglycaemia patients the no-diabetes/hyperglycaemia patients showed higher mortality [1.8% versus 20.5%, adjusted odds ratio 21.94 (95% confidence interval 4.04-119.0), P < 0.001]; improved prediction of death (P = 0.01) and faster progression to death (P < 0.01). Hyperglycaemia within the first 24 and 48 h was also significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio 2.15 and 3.31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycaemia without prior diabetes was common (20.6% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients) and was associated with an increased risk of and faster progression to death. Development of hyperglycaemia in COVID-19 patients who do not have diabetes is an early indicator of progressive disease.