A rare form of circulating plasma cell, Mott cell-like, in covid-19 patients

We presented a rare hematological anomaly observed in peripheral blood smears from two patients who tested positive for COVID-19. We found reactive lymphocytes and large plasma cells with eccentric nuclei and cytoplasm filled with vacuolar inclusions, called Russel's bodies. These particular plasma cells are most likely Mott cells. Though larger studies need to be carried out, Mott cell identification along with a systematic evaluation of morphologic changes in hematopoietic cells, could prove to be a straightforward and easy-to-perform supplementary diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with SARS-Cov2 infection.

I stay at home with headache. A survey to investigate the effects of lockdown on headache in Italian children

Background and aims: The present Italian multicenter study aimed at investigating whether the course of primary headache disorders in children and adolescents was changed during the lockdown necessary to contain the COVID-19 emergency in Italy. Methods: During the lockdown, we submitted an online questionnaire to patients already diagnosed with primary headache disorders. Questions explored the course of headache, daily habits, psychological factors related to COVID- 19, general mood and school stress. Answers were transformed into data for statistical analysis. Through a bivariate analysis, the main variables affecting the subjective trend of headache, and intensity and frequency of the attacks were selected. The significant variables were then used for the multivariate analysis. Results: We collected the answers of 707 patients. In the multivariate analysis, we found that reduction of school effort and anxiety was the main factor explaining the improvement in the subjective trend of headache and the intensity and frequency of the attacks (p<0.001). The greater the severity of headache, the larger was the clinical improvement (p<0.001). Disease duration was negatively associated with the improvement (p<0.001). It is noteworthy that clinical improvement was independent of prophylaxis (p>0.05), presence of chronic headache disorders (p>0.05) and geo- graphical area (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that lifestyle modification represents the main factor impacting the course of primary headache disorders in children and adolescents. In particular, reduction in school-related stress during the lockdown was the main factor explaining the general headache improvement in our population. (Figure Presented).