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Aim: To determine the frequency of ear, nose and throat related disorders of covid disease in PCR proven positive Covid-19 patients. Method(s): This prospective study included 320 Covid-19 positive patients and was conducted at ENT Department of MTI Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. The acute phase of covid-19 was taken as the time interval between the onsets of symptoms as day 1 today 30th post infection. Questions were asked about the following symptoms;flu, sore throat, sinus involvement, taste disturbances, smell disturbances, hoarseness and hearing loss. Clinical examination and relevant investigations were carried out to make a diagnosis. The data was documented on a proforma & analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for windows to determine the frequencies of signs & symptoms related to ENT. Result(s): A total of 320 patients were included in the study. The ages ranged from 18-50 years with mean age of 33.96 years. The age group 18-25 years mostly presented with symptoms related to ENT. Upper respiratory tract infection was the commonest symptom (60.6%) followed by sore throat (57.5%). Smell and taste disturbances accounted for in 46.3% & 15.3 % of the patients respectively. Fungal rhinosinusitis was observed in 6.9% of the patients. As there is a wide variation of the ENT symptoms in covid disease, it is important to know the predictive symptoms so that appropriate measures can be adopted. Identification & isolation of patients will prevent spread of disease and focused therapy and investigations. Practical implication Conclusion(s): The portal of entry for the SARS-CoV-2 is through the upper airway. It is important to know the symptoms related to ENT to make an early diagnosis and therefore, institute measures for management and prevention of further spread of the disease.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Ever since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019, it has infected millions of people and resulted in more than 6.86 million deaths worldwide. Numerous novel manifestations have emerged ensuing COVID-19 and even though a full 2-year period has passed, the ongoing pandemic remains a conundrum, especially to the healthcare system. Dysphonia, or a disorder of the voice, is among the novel manifestations that have emerged. Aim of the study: To outline the outcome of new-onset dysphonia presentation in COVID-19 patients in a single tertiary centre. Case study: We aim to discuss the clinical presentation and outcome of the 3 cases that we managed in our centre to help understand the course and outcome of new- onset dysphonia among COVID-19 patients. Result and discussion: We found that despite its viral origin, dysphonia in COVID-19 patients persisted for longer compared to other viral-induced dysphonia. New-onset dysphonia is a possible silent manifestation of COVID-19.
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Background: Isolated tracheobronchial mucormycosis (ITBM) is an uncommonly reported entity. Herein, we report a case of ITBM following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and perform a systematic review of the literature. Case description and systematic review: A 45-year-old gentleman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presented with cough, streaky haemoptysis, and hoarseness of voice 2 weeks after mild COVID-19 illness. Computed tomography and flexible bronchoscopy suggested the presence of a tracheal mass, which was spontaneously expectorated. Histopathological examination of the mass confirmed invasive ITBM. The patient had complete clinical and radiological resolution with glycaemic control, posaconazole, and inhaled amphotericin B (8 weeks). Our systematic review of the literature identified 25 additional cases of isolated airway invasive mucormycosis. The median age of the 26 subjects (58.3% men) was 46 years. Diabetes mellitus (79.2%) was the most common risk factor. Uncommon conditions such as anastomosis site mucormycosis (in two lung transplant recipients), post-viral illness (post-COVID-19 [n = 3], and influenza [n = 1]), and post-intubation mucormycosis (n = 1) were noted in a few. Three patients died before treatment initiation. Systemic antifungals were used in most patients (commonly amphotericin B). Inhalation (5/26;19.2%) or bronchoscopic instillation (1/26;3.8%) of amphotericin B and surgery (6/26;23.1%) were performed in some patients. The case-fatality rate was 50%, primarily attributed to massive haemoptysis. Conclusion: Isolated tracheobronchial mucormycosis is a rare disease. Bronchoscopy helps in early diagnosis. Management with antifungals and control of risk factors is required since surgery may not be feasible. © 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Background: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinfammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a recently identifed disorder caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene of myeloid cells. Various manifestations of pulmonary involvement have been reported, but a detailed description of lung involvement and radiologic fndings is lacking. Objectives: To describe lung involvement in VEXAS syndrome. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients iden-tifed at the Mayo Clinic with VEXAS syndrome since October 2020. Clinical records and chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans were reviewed. Results: Our cohort comprised 22 white men with a median age of 69 years (IQR 62-74, range 57-84). Hematologic disorders including multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome and pancytopenia were present in 10 patients (45%), rheumatologic diseases including granulomatosis with poly-angiitis, IgG4-related disease, polyarteritis nodosa, relapsing polychondritis, and rheumatoid arthritis were found in 10 patients (45%), and 4 patients had dermatologic presentations including Sweet syndrome, Schnitzer-like syndrome or drug rash with eosinophilia skin syndrome (DRESS). VEXAS syndrome-related features included fever (18, 82%), skin lesions (20, 91%), lung infiltrates (12, 55%), chondritis (10, 45%), venous thromboembolism (12, 55%), macrocytic anemia (21, 96%), and bone marrow vacuoles (21, 96%). Other manifestations observed were arthritis, scleritis, hoarseness and hearing loss. Median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 69 mm/1st hour (IQR 34.3-118.8) and median C-reactive protein (CRP) of 55.5 mg/dL (IQR 11.4-98.8). The somatic mutations affecting methionine-41 (p.Met41) in UBA1 gene were: 11 (50%) p.Met41Thr, 7 (32%) p.Met41Val, 2 (9%) p.Met41Leu, and 2 (9%) in the splice site. All patients received glu-cocorticoids (GC) (median duration of treatment was 2.6 years);21 (96%) received conventional immunosuppressive agents (methotrexate, aza-thioprine, mycophenolate, leflunomide, cyclosporin, hydroxychloroquine, tofacitinib, ruxolitinib) and 9 (41%) received biologic agents (rituximab, tocilizumab, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, golimumab, abatacept). Respiratory symptoms included dyspnea and cough present in 21 (95%) and 12 (55%), respectively, and were documented prior to VEXAS diagnosis. Most of the patients were non-smokers (14, 64%) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was present in 11 patients (50%). Seven patients (32%) used non-invasive ventilation, 6 used C-PAP, and 1 used Bi-PAP. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was available in 4 patients, and the findings were compatible with neutrophilic alveolitis in 3. Two patients had lung biopsies (2 transbronchial and 1 surgical) that showed ATTR amyloidosis and organizing pneumonia with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, respectively. Pulmonary function tests were available in 9 (41%) patients and showed normal results in 5;3 patients had isolated reduction in DLCO and 1 with mild restriction. On chest HRCT, 16 patients (73%) had parenchymal changes including ground-glass opacities in 9, septal thickening in 4, and nodules in 3;pleural effusions were present in 3 patients, air-trapping in 3 patients and tracheomalacia in 1 patient. Follow-up chest HRCT was available for 8 patients (36%), the ground-glass opacities resolved in 5 patients, 3 patients manifested new or increased ground-glass opacities, and 1 patient had increased interlobular septal thickening. After 1 year of follow-up, 4 patients (17%) had died;3 due to pneumonia (2 COVID-19,1 bacterial) and 1 due to heart failure. VEXAS flares occurred in 18 patients (82%), the maximum number of relapses was 7, and they were mainly managed with GC and with changes in the immuno-suppressive regimen. Conclusion: Pulmonary involvement was documented by chest HRCT in most patients with VEXAS syndrome. Respiratory symptoms occurred in over one half of patients and about 20% had PFT abnormalities. The pulmonary manifestations of VEXAS are nonspecifc and characterized predominantly by infamma-tory parenchymal involvement.
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Background: It has been more than a year and a half since the WHO announced a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. The virus belongs to the respiratory group, but it it can damage various organs and tissues of the body. COVID-19 infection is characterized by pathological activation of immunity, violated synthesis of pro-infammatory, immunoregulatory, anti-infammatory cytokines, such as interleukins-1 and-6, tumor necrosis factor α and others. These features contribute to the development of rheumatic diseases and syndromes in people who have had COVID-19. Cellular and humoral immune responses are also of primary importance in the pathogenesis of infammatory myopathies. Objectives: Description of a case of severe dermatomyositis after COVID-19. Methods: The 34-year-old female patient complained of pain and weakness in the proximal muscles of the upper and lower extremities, difficulty swallowing solid and liquid food, rash on the face, neck, chest and arms. In August 2020 she had a mild case of COVID-19. A month later, faky erythematous papules like Gottron's sign appeared on the extensor surfaces of the metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands. Six months later, sore throats, hoarseness of voice, belching of air, choking on solid food and episodes of subfebrility joined. Refux esophagitis, duodenitis was detected by fbrogastroduodenoscopy. After 9 months, there were muscle pains and muscle weakness, erythema on the face, neck and chest, the patient lost 11 kg. She was hospitalized in the rheumatology department with suspected dermatomyositis. Results: On objective examination: proximal myopathy, erythematous rashes on the face, neck, chest, Gottron's erythema on the hands. In the analyses: clinical analysis of blood and urine without pathology, ANA 1:1280, creatinkinase 5370 IU/l, with an increase in dynamics up to 9260 IU/l, CRP 0.03 mg/dl, LDH 1023 IU/l, rheumatoid factor and anti-ds DNA were negative. Nasal regurgitation was detected during radiography of the pharynx with contrast. Instrumental examination revealed no signs of a tumor process. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy-superfcial refux-esophagitis, duodenitis, Chest CT-interstitial pneumonitis, abdominal ultrasound without pathology, ECG-sinus rhythm, normal EOS position, accelerated A-V conduction, echocardiography-minor separation of pericardial leaves (up to 5 mm), colonoscopy-dolichosigma. The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic dermatomyositis of high activity. Because of progressive myopathy and increasing dysphagia, pulse therapy with methylpredniso-lone500 mg for 3 days and rituximab 1000 mg was performed. She also received metipred 48 mg per day orally, methotrexate 15 mg per week subcutaneously and folic acid 5 mg per week. Against the background of therapy, positive dynamics was noted: swallowing normalized, the severity of myopathy decreased, after 10 days CKdecreased to 2049 IU/l. After 6 months during the control examination: there are no skin rashes, muscle strength is restored, CK 300 IU/l. The dose of methylprednisolone is reduced to 10 mg per day, the patient continues injections of methotrexate 15 mg per week. Conclusion: COVID-19 may be a trigger for the development of infammatory myopathy. In this clinical case there are features of the course and therapy of infammatory myopathies in patients after coronavirus infection.
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CASE: A 35-year-old female with history of pulmonary coccidiomycosis s/p treatment 15 years ago, ex-smoker who quit 8 years ago, unvaccinated for COVID-19 presented with two weeks of progressively worsening shortness of breath, fever, chills, generalized body aches, sore throat with hoarseness of voice, nonproductive cough, wheezing and midsternal chest pain. Denied sick contacts, recent travel, allergies or bird contact. On presentation, vitals were significant for hypoxia with SpO2 84% requiring 2L of nasal canula, sinus tachycardia to 109, tachypneic in 30s. Physical exam showed stridor and bilateral diffuse expiratory wheezing. Stridor improved with racemic epinephrine and dexamethasone 10mg IV. CBC, CMP, Procalcitonin, BNP, COVID-19 and Respiratory PCR were negative, while coccidioidomycosis antibody was positive. UDS was positive for methamphetamine. Chest X-ray showed features of atypical pneumonitis. CT Chest showed similar findings and was negative for pulmonary embolism. She was managed symptomatically with albuterol inhaler. Respiratory symptoms improved during hospitalization without any further interventions. IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Methamphetamine can cause toxic lung parenchyma injury irrespective of frequency of use. With recent increase in use of methamphetamine, paucity of literature and unclear mechanism in lung injury, it is important for physicians to be aware of methamphetamine associated lung injury as a differential diagnosis of acute/subacute respiratory distress with the risk factors of illicit drug use in the era of COVID pandemic. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2018, 1.6 million people (age > 26 years) used methamphetamine in one year which is 0.5% more than 2016-2017. Crystalline methamphetamine is a widely used inhaled stimulant with few reported cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, pneumonitis, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Even though the mechanism of injury is unclear in human beings, toxicity was studied in animals. Chronic methamphetamine use causes thickened alveolar walls and reduced alveolar sacs by oxidative stress and by increased free radical formation. Patients often present with non-specific symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or chest pain. The temporal relation of symptomatology with methamphetamine use and exclusion of infectious and other pulmonary etiology based on labs and radiological findings are crucial in establishing the diagnosis. Early diagnosis, symptomatic treatment and cessation of substance use are core management. CONCLUSION: We discussed a case of methamphetamine-induced pneumonitis, who presented with upper and lower respiratory symptoms that resolved dramatically with the early diagnosis and supportive care. We recommend considering methamphetamine-induced lung injury as a differential diagnosis in patients with risk factors of illicit drug use, especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic for early diagnosis and appropriate management.
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Introduction We report on three patients, who presented themselves at our clinic between February and June 2021 with impaired voice, which resulted in an aphonia after having had Covid-19 infection. Material & methods Indirect laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy were performed in all patients. The voice quality was limited in all patients. Voice analysis was performed perceptively (RHB scheme) and objectively by computer-assisted analysis (Göttingen hoarseness diagram, voice field). Self-assessment was performed using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results Laryngoscopically, all patients showed laterally mobile vocal folds, non-irritant mucosal conditions and a wide glottis. All patients showed wide, irregular vibration amplitudes and incomplete glottis closure by videostroboscopy. Objective voice analysis revealed pathological values for the irregularity and noise components as well as the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). In the VHI all patients documented a high-grade voice disorder with a mean score > 62. Our patients continued to suffer from dysphonia 6-9 months after initial presentation. Voice therapy did not provide satisfactory voice improvement. Discussion Whether glottic hypofunction is due to sensorimotor dysfunction caused by neurotropic coronavirus remains a conjecture. In addition, the hy-pofunction may be related to the general reduced performance of the patients in post-covid-syndrome. Conclusion According to our literature research, this is the first description of dysphonia as a possible symptom in post-covid-syndrome.
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Glomus tumors are benign neoplasms that can be observed in the head and neck region. Because of their critical anatomical location, the management of patients may require consultation from multiple departments. Glomus tumors affecting the middle ear may cause various symptoms including hearing loss and tinnitus. Our aim in presenting this case report is to share our treatment method for tinnitus caused by jugular glomus tumor and to emphasize the benefit of applying an individual therapy approach, especially in patients with reduced options for getting help during the pandemic period.
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Fungal infection of vocal cord in immunocompetent host is rare and may be missed as the lesion may mimic granulomatous disease, carcinoma, leukoplakia etc. Here we present a case of a healthy male patient. A 77 years old male patient presented to ENT specialist with complaints of hoarseness of voice for last 3 months. The patient was a non-smoker, not immunocompromised or taking immunosuppressive drugs. He was prone to seasonal bouts of cough & cold with sneezing. Video laryngoscopy showed inflamed tonsils and congested vallecula & epiglottis. Both vocal cords showed proliferative mass, white keratotic patch in anterior & middle third portion with restricted movement. Tissue samples from both vocal cords was sent for histopathology (HP). Slide examination revealed necrotic exudate containing broad based aseptate fungal hyphae and a provisional diagnosis of vocal cord fungal infection favoring Mucor mycosis was made. Patient was started on Itraconazole 100 mg twice daily along with treatment for patient's allergic condition. The slides and tissue sample obtained by direct laryngoscopy were sent to a different lab for reconfirmation. Further HP examination showed necrotic exudate and fibrin deposits with abundant fungal spores & hyphae. Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) stain & Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining showed fungal spores and branching septate fungal hyphae confirming a diagnosis of vocal cord aspergillosis. His routine blood tests, serology, ECG reports were normal. RTPCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) for SARS-CoV-2 was negative. After final diagnosis, patient was referred to pulmonologist to exclude pulmonary aspergillosis. Medication was changed to Voriconazole 200 mg twice daily along with antileukotrienes & antihistamines for his seasonal allergies. Patient was asked to follow up with CT chest to exclude pulmonary aspergillosis. The CT chest did not show any chest pathology. His voice was normal and other physical examinations were within normal limit. He was prescribed Voriconazole 200 mg twice daily for 3 months along with antihistamines, antileukotrienes, proton pump inhibitors & cough syrup. He was advised to come for follow up with liver function test after 4 weeks. Primary fungal infection of vocal cords is rare. Fungal infection is common in immunocompromised host but to detect such cases in healthy immunocompetent patient requires high level of suspicion and usually oral antifungal therapy for 3-4 weeks results in complete resolution of symptoms & lesion as per the current literature. (Figure Presented).
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Introduction: First synthesized in 1869, Hydroxyurea is known for its efficacy in treating myeloproliferative disorders, cervical cancer, and sickle cell disease. Usually well-tolerated, Hydroxyurea has numerous documented adverse effects, including bone marrow suppression, fevers, gastrointestinal upset, anorexia, and maculopapular rash. In addition, one rare side effect is interstitial pneumonitis, a potentially devastating complication if overlooked. We present one such case of Hydroxyurea-induced interstitial pneumonitis. Case Description: A 65-year-old man with a six-month diagnosis of Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia (CGL) on Hydroxyurea developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure saturating 80% on room air with HR 102, RR 24, and increasing oxygen requirements (10 Lpm) after being admitted with complaints of worsening dyspnea, fatigue, and productive cough with yellow/green sputum. Physical examination was notable for cachexia, ill appearance, generalized weakness, hoarse voice, tachycardia, tachypnea, diffusely diminished breath sounds, and scattered rales on auscultation of lung fields. Initial imaging was notable for bilateral airspace disease and pulmonary opacities on chest radiography and bilateral pneumonia (concerning for COVID-19 pneumonia), mediastinal adenopathy, and splenomegaly on chest computed tomography. Initial laboratory results were notable for leukocytosis 62.5 th/uL, lactic acidosis 2.5 mmol/L, procalcitonin level 4.95 ng/mL, and negative COVID-19 PCR test. Prompt initiation of Vancomycin/Cefepime therapy ensued upon collection of blood cultures in light of possible sepsis. Flagyl, Valacyclovir, and Posaconazole were added to antimicrobial coverage, along with steroid therapy, due to minimal clinical improvement. Tachycardia with significant oxygen requirements alternating between BiPAP and heated high flow nasal cannula with FiO2 ranging from 70-85% persisted. Daily imaging also showed worsening airspace disease. Negative viral, bacterial, and fungal cultures led to subsequent discontinuation of Hydroxyurea therapy due to suspicion of medicationinduced pneumonitis. Three days after cessation of Hydroxyurea, the patient's oxygen requirements began to decrease and imaging revealed interval resolution of pneumonitic changes in the absence of antimicrobial therapy. The patient was later transitioned to Ruxolitinib for his underlying CGL prior to his discharge home without the need for home oxygen therapy. Discussion: Thought to be caused by hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary toxicity from Hydroxyurea can easily be misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, while much is known about the pancytopenic, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous side effects of Hydroxyurea, few cases in the literature highlight the potentially fatal interstitial pneumopathy caused by Hydroxyurea, first reported in 1999. Thus, this case serves as an additional contribution to the minutiae of literature detailing Hydroxyurea's adverse pulmonary side effect profile. (Figure Presented).
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Objective: To explore triple overlap syndrome and immune effects of COVID-19 vaccination. Background: Neurologic immune related adverse events (nIRAE) are potential complications of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI). nIRAE of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) can present fulminantly, especially myositis, myasthenia gravis (MG), and overlap syndrome of myositis, MG, and myocarditis. Design/Methods: NA Results: 77-year old male with metastatic melanoma presented to hospital with leg weakness, hoarseness, dyspnea, and ptosis 1 week after first cycle of ipilimumab and nivolumab and 3 days after COVID-19 vaccine. He had bradycardia with heart block, and hepatorenal failure. Exam was remarkable for dysarthria, right eye ptosis, hip flexion weakness 4+/5, without fatigability. Labs showed CK 21,325, Troponin-T 4,888, Aldolase 307, AChR antibody positive, and AntiStriated Muscle Antibody 1:3840. Vital Capacity (VC) was 1.9L and Negative Inspiratory Force (NIF) -20cmH2O. Patient received BiPAP, plasmapheresis, and methylprednisolone 1000mg. After this, he developed fatigability of ocular muscles, voice, and proximal arms;VC dropped to 1.3L. He was diagnosed with triple overlap syndrome, but MG manifested after receiving first dose of high-dose steroids. Heart biopsy showed lymphohystiocytic inflammation. Muscle biopsy showed focal and dispersed lymphomononuclear cell endomysial infiltration. Electromyography demonstrated patchy myositis in lower extremities. Patient completed 3 days of high-dose steroids, 5 days of plasmapheresis, abatacept, and rituximab, followed by slow steroid taper. He did not require intubation despite tenuous respiratory status. Conclusions: nIRAE of the PNS are rare potential complications of immunotherapy, usually presenting by 6 weeks, although overlap syndrome can present hyper-acutely after 1 dose. Our patient presented 1 week after first treatment, perhaps influenced by COVID vaccine. Management of nIRAE is consensus-based, as no standard evidence-based treatment exists. Our patient was successfully treated with plasmapheresis prior to high-dose steroids (obviating steroid-induced myasthenic crisis), abatacept and rituximab. The myasthenic crisis was successfully managed with BiPAP, avoiding intubation, and he ultimately improved.
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AIM: To determine the relationship between working conditions, especially room acoustics, with voice symptoms and voice-related quality of life among Colombian school and college teachers during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Exploratory cross-sectional study. Participants were thirty-two primary, secondary and university Colombian teachers, who were invited to fill in an online survey about working conditions and voice symptoms during online classes in times of COVID-19 pandemic. In the statistical analysis, four dependent variables and eight independent variables were defined. We used Generalized Linear Model with a Gamma distribution and Binary Logistic Regression to determine the association between voice with working conditions. RESULTS: High reverberation time and stress during online classes in times of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced slightly the VRQOL scores. For Factor 3 of the VFI, high reverberation time and months teaching online classes were associated at the multivariate analysis. Stress and years of experience were statistically associated with an increased odds of reporting hoarseness. CONCLUSION: Similar to pre-COVID-19, teachers with online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic are affected by two work-related factors namely high reverberation time and stress. These two factors are increasing their likelihood of reporting hoarseness and having lower voice-related quality of life, which may confirm the relationship between reverberation, stress, and voice also during online classes. This highlights the need of implementing workplace vocal and mental health programs to decrease the occurrence of voice problems among teachers in times of and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
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B Introduction: b Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a severe acute paralytic neuropathy, with an annual incidence of about 100,000 cases worldwide. 213: A CASE OF GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME CAUSED BY COVID-19 INFECTION His hospital course was complicated by progressive muscular weakness, areflexia, new onset urinary retention, increased hoarseness, and dysphagia. [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Critical Care Medicine is the property of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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Background: COVID-19 vaccines are being administered all over the world, but information is lacking about the frequency and type of allergic reactions associated to these new vaccines. Method: Retrospective study of health care professionals (HCP) from our hospital who received COVID 19 vaccine Comirnaty, between 29/12/2020 and 20/2/2021. We reviewed clinical data, particularly the immediate reactions after the administration (<6h), skin tests (ST) and graded vaccine administration. Following national guidelines, all HCP with previous history of food, drug or hymenoptera venom allergy or idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) were first evaluated by an allergist. Vaccination was postponed if HCP had previous history of IA and/or recurrent anaphylaxis (RA), severe allergic reactions to vaccines and mast cell activation syndromes. ST to the vaccine (prick and intradermal) were performed in HCP with IA and/ or RA, severe allergic reactions to vaccines and HCP with immediate reactions to the 1st dose. Graded administration of the vaccine (0.1+0.2cc after 30') was performed in the postponed HCP and the ones with immediate reactions to the 1st dose. Results: From 3073 HCP who received the vaccine, 74.2% were female, mean age 40.2 years-old ± 13.4, 316 (10.3%) were evaluated by an allergist and 4 (1.3%) postponed the administration and performed allergy investigation. 2955 HCP (97%) were able to receive the 2 doses of the vaccine. 118 employees received only one dose: 98 had COVID-19 meanwhile, 7 got pregnant, 13 due to other conditions. Adverse reactions to the vaccine with possible hypersensitivity mechanisms, occurred in 17 (0.6%) HCP, 12 on the 1st dose and 5 on the 2nd dose. Observed reactions were 6 (0.2%) urticaria, 5 (0.16%) pruritus with or without flushing, 2 (0.07%) anaphylaxis (mild), 2 (0.07%) flushing and hoarseness, 1 (0.03%) flushing and nausea and 1 (0.03%) asthma exacerbation. ST with the vaccine were performed in 4 HCP, all negative in the immediate reading and 1 positive in non-immediate reading. 7 HCP undertook the graded administration with the vaccine: 6 tolerated, but one reproduced the immediate urticaria with 0.1cc of the vaccine (0.03% vaccine allergy). Conclusion: In the evaluated sample, suspicious allergic reactions to COVID19 vaccine Commirnaty were rare and allergy was only confirmed in one HCP. The allergist initial evaluation was essential for a safe risk stratification and permitted the non-exclusion of a considerable number of HCP from the vaccination program.
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BACKGROUND: Recently, hoarseness affecting the supraglottic structure has been reported in Kawasaki disease (KD). The objective of this study was to characterize the frequency of hoarseness in acute KD patients in Latin America. METHODS: We used prospective data from the multinational Red de Enfermedad de Kawasaki en America Latina (REKAMLATINA) network. A total of 865 patients from 20 countries were enrolled during the 3 year study period. Data on hoarseness were available in 858 (99.2%) patients. The clinical and laboratory characteristics between hoarse and non-hoarse KD were compared. RESULTS: Hoarseness was documented in 100 (11.6%) patients. Hoarse patients were younger than those with KD without hoarseness (median age 18 vs 26 months; P = 0.002) and presented with lower hemoglobin (10.7 g/dL vs 11.3 g/dL; P = 0.040) and hematocrit levels (32% vs 33%, P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Hoarseness was found to be prevalent as a presenting sign of acute KD in younger children. Anemia may indicate the presence of active inflammation.