Features and management of acute and chronic neuro-COVID

This book underlines how COVID-19 is a multisystem inflammatory disease and how its pathophysiology can predispose to an increased risk of neurological issues. Several scientific pieces of evidence showes the mechanisms underlying the neuroinvasive capacity of the SARS-CoV-2 through direct viral damage and indirect processes entering the CNS by different routes including the vasculature, the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the lymphatic system inducing a direct neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokine storm and oxidative stress can induce microglial activation and damage to the blood-brain barrier, culminating in widespread neuroinflammatory process. This acute neurotoxicity is clinically expressed as anosmia and ageusia, headache, nausea and vomiting, but other neurologic manifestations such as acute cerebrovascular diseases, consciousness impairment due to encephalitis, and meningitis are also described. The PNS can also be affected by infectious damage and clinical manifestations including Guillain-Barre syndrome, polyneuritis cranialis, and Miller Fisher Syndrome. A special issue concerns the neurocognitive dysfunction and altered consciousness manifested as delirium, agitation and confusion. Non-specific symptoms such as dizziness, seizures can accompany clinical pictures. Regardless of the admission diagnosis, a high percentage of patients discharged from ICUs develop disabilities affecting physical, cognitive and psychological activities. The symptoms such as asthenia, memory disturbances, depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), configure the so-called Post-intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Multimodal management during the ICU stay and implementation of follow-up programs at patient discharge can reduce the incidence of this syndrome, improving the quality of life of surviving patients. In this complex scenario, a careful clinical approach through reliable diagnostic tools, and epidemiological studies aimed at evaluating the dimensions of the problem also in economic terms, is urgently needed. This book represents a valuable aid for all those healthcare professionals (intensivists, neurologist and psychiatrists, as well) involved in the management of these critically ill patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Strategies to evaluate outcomes in long-COVID-19 and post-COVID survivors.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can impact the physical, cognitive, mental health of patients, especially in those recovered in intensive care units. Moreover, it was proved that the effects of the virus may persist for weeks or months. The term long-COVID or post-COVID syndrome is commonly used for indicating a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that continue after the resolution of the acute phase. This narrative review is aimed at providing an updated overview of the impact of physical, cognitive, and psychological health disorders in COVID-19 survivors, by summarizing the data already published in literature in the last year. Studies cited were found through PubMed searches. We also presented an overview of the post-COVID-19 health consequences on three important aspects: nutritional status, neurological disorders, and physical health. Moreover, to activate a correct health planning policy, a multidisciplinary approach for addressing the post- COVID-19 issue, has been proposed. Finally, the involvement of health professionals is necessary even after the pandemic, to reduce expected post-pandemic psychosocial responses and mental health disorders.

COVID-Pain: Acute and Late-Onset Painful Clinical Manifestations in COVID-19 - Molecular Mechanisms and Research Perspectives.

Although the respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 are predominant, signs and symptoms of an extra-pulmonary involvement are usually encompassed among the clinical picture of the disease. Several painful manifestations can occur during the acute phase but also as short- or long-term complications. Myalgia, joint pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, chest pain, and headache usually accompany respiratory symptoms, but they can also occur as isolated clinical findings or can be expressed regardless of the severity of COVID-19. On these premises, given the vast spectrum of clinical manifestations and the complexity of their pathogenesis, it would be more appropriate to refer to "COVID-pain", an umbrella term useful for encompassing all these clinical manifestations in a separate chapter of the disease. In this scenario, we addressed the topic from a molecular perspective, trying to provide explanations for the underlying pathophysiological processes. Consequently, this narrative review is aimed at dissecting the mechanisms of acute and chronic painful manifestations, summarizing fundamental concepts on the matter, controversies, current research gaps, and potential developments in this field.

Rapid and Impressive Response to a Combined Treatment with Single-Dose Tocilizumab and NIV in a Patient with COVID-19 Pneumonia/ARDS.

Treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 pneumonia (CARDS) represents a clinical challenge, requiring often invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Since the pathogenesis of CARDS it probably involves a direct viral attack to pulmonary and endothelium cells, and immune-mediated inflammation with dysfunctional coagulation, it was suggested to interfere with interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity by using the IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab (TCZ). We reported the case of a 54-year-old 100 kg male COVID-19 patient (BMI 29) with severe respiratory insufficiency featuring dyspnea and hypoxia (SpO2 89% on room; PaO2 53 mmHg). Despite treatment with antiviral and non-invasive ventilation (NIV), after 24 h there was a progressive worsening of clinical conditions with higher fever (40 °C), increased dyspnea, and hypoxia (PaO2/FiO2 or P/F ratio of 150). The patient was at the limit to be sedated and intubated for IMV. He was treated with tocilizumab (8 mg/Kg i.v., single shot 800 mg) and NIV in the prone positioning. After only 96 h, the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings showed incredible improvement. There was an important gain in oxygenation (P/F 300), a decrease of C-reactive protein values, and a decrease of the fever. Both the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the derived NLR ratio dropped down to 44%. Chest imaging confirmed the favorable response. This case suggested that for CARDS management efforts are needed for reducing its underlying inflammatory processes. Through a multiprofessional approach, the combination of IL-6-targeting therapies with calibrated ventilatory strategies may represent a winning strategy for improving outcomes.