Focus on laryngeal disease in the cat

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Increased Incidence of Ulcerative Laryngitis During Spring 2022 Omicron-Variant Wave of COVID19.

OBJECTIVES: Ulcerative laryngitis is a distinctive condition which typically follows illness with severe cough, and is characterized by dysphonia, ulcerative lesions of the vocal folds, and a prolonged clinical course. We present four patients with ulcerative laryngitis who presented in close succession amid the surge in omicron-variant COVID19 cases. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Patient records for patients with ulcerative laryngitis from April and May 2022 were reviewed and compared with patients who presented with the same diagnosis from January 2017 through March 2022. Incidence, patient demographics, occupation, vaccination status, disease history, and treatment were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Four patients presented with ulcerative laryngitis over six weeks. Compared to the previous 4 years, this represented an eight-fold increase in monthly incidence. Average time from symptom onset to presentation was 15 days. All patients presented with dysphonia, with an average VHI10 of 23 and SVHI10 of 28. Two patients were COVID positive, one negative, and one had unknown COVID status. Three patients were fully vaccinated while one patient had only received one dose. Treatments included voice rest, steroids, antibiotics, antireflux medicine, and cough suppressants. Clinical course tended to be shorter and outcomes similar to the comparison group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ulcerative laryngitis appeared to increase markedly with the prevalence of omicron-variant COVID19. Potential explanations include the apparent upper airway focus of omicron infection in contrast with prior variants and/or change in COVID19 infection characteristics in a vaccinated population.

Comparative analysis in resolving the symptoms in patients with laryngitis posterior treated with PPI and levocitirizine and PPI and desloratadine

Background: Living in a covid 19 pandemic lockdown, and the "new normal" over all, is a stressful situation for all of us. As an ENT specialist I confronted a higher incidence of laryngitis posterior and GERD patients amoung the patients with previous allergic diathesis from March 2020 until December 2020 compared with the previous years. Method(s): Two different treatments of the patients with laryngitis posterior and GER patients in the clinical hospital of Bitola, between March 2020 and December 2020. The first treatment consists of esomeprazole and levocitirizine, and the second consists of esomeprazole and desloratadine. These treatments were applied to two different groups -first group comprising 24 patients, and the second one comprising 29 patients. The follow up was a month after a given therapy. Result(s): All the patients were evaluated a month after treatment. First part of the evaluation was subjective and the patients had to answer if they are feeling better on the scale from 1 to 5. The second part was fiberlaryngoscopy and the evaluation of the interarytenoid space. Only 15% (3 patients) of the first group were feeling completely good, and 34% (10 patients) from the second group. The finding of laryngoscopy and evaluation of the interarytenoide space was without hyperemia and oedema in 50% (12 patients) from the first group and 69% (20 patients) in the second group. Conclusion(s): The comparison of the results of the two groups shows that the patients in the second group, treated with esomeprazole and desloratadin are feeling better more than twice from the first group, and for almost more than 20% have no more hyperemia and oedema compared to the first group. In order to enhance the results of the patients' treatment further follow up all patients is necessary.

Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infections are responsible for millions of physician visits in the United States annually. Although viruses cause most acute upper respiratory tract infections, studies show that many infections are unnecessarily treated with antibiotics. Because inappropriate antibiotic use results in adverse events, contributes to antibiotic resistance, and adds unnecessary costs, family physicians must take an evidence-based, judicious approach to the use of antibiotics in patients with upper respiratory tract infections. Antibiotics should not be used for the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or laryngitis. Evidence supports antibiotic use in most cases of acute otitis media, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, and epiglottitis and in a limited percentage of acute rhinosinusitis cases. Several evidence-based strategies have been identified to improve the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing for acute upper respiratory tract infections.Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Family Physicians.

Immunopathogenetic Aspects and Effectiveness of Combination Therapy for Influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 in Children.

Introduction. The continuing circulation of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 virus poses a threat of a new epidemic rise. It is known that influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 is characterized by a severe course, development of life-threatening complications, and high mortality, which is associated not only with the biological features of the pathogen, but also with the induction of deep immunosuppression, especially the interferon system and the cellular-type immune response. The role of influenza in the development of severe forms of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 has been revealed. The increase of the number of virus strains resistant to various classes of antiviral drugs is of unfavorable importance. This requires the development of new approaches to the treatment of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 with the combined use of drugs with complex antiviral and immunocorrective activity. Purpose. To substantiate the combination therapy of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 in children using oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon). Materials and methods. Clinical and laboratory examination of 85 children aged from 3 to 5 years with moderate (43) and severe forms (42) of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 was carried out. Results and discussion. In patients with severe forms of A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza, a higher frequency of anamnestic risk groups (85.7%), frequent development of febrile fever (100%), severe intoxication symptoms (100%), symptoms of laryngitis (28.6%), tracheitis (57.1%), bronchitis (76.2%), dyspeptic (42.9%) and cerebral syndromes (62.9%), other complications (80.9%) were revealed. In these patients, more significant changes of the indicators of the cellular type of the immune response were found - the decrease of CD3, CD4, CD8, the humoral type of immune response - the increase of CD20, IgM, circulating immune complexes, the decrease of IgA and IgG, innate immunity factors - the decrease of the metabolic activity of neutrophils, moderate increase of CD16. The combined administration of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon) and oseltamivir (tamiflu) compared with oseltamivir (tamiflu) monotherapy reduced the duration of fever (Me 2, IQI 1-4 days and Me 3, IQI 2-4 days), intoxication (Me 3, IQI 2-4.5 days and Me 4.5, IQI 3-7 days), symptoms of rhinitis (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 4.5-7.5 days), pharyngitis (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 4.5-7.5 days), tracheitis (Me 2, IQI 1-3 days and Me 3.5, IQI 2-4 days), bronchitis (Me 3, IQI 2-5 days and Me 5, IQI 4-6 days). In this group, the complications developed less frequently (4.5% and 33.3%);there was the decrease of hospitalization time (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 5-7 days). There was the increase of the number of children, who (after 10 days from the start of therapy) had sanitation of the nasopharynx from the virus (90.9% and 61.9%). Conclusion. The high frequency of anamnestic risk groups and the induction of deep immunosuppression, especially the cellular component of immunity, are the cause of the formation of severe forms of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009. This justified the appointment of combination therapy using the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon), which not only inhibits virus replication, but also has immunocorrective activity against the interferon system and cellular immunity. The high efficiency of the combined administration of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) lets to recommend the inclusion of these drugs in the treatment of severe forms of influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 in children.Copyright © 2020, Professionalnye Izdaniya. All rights reserved.

Immunopathogenetic Aspects and Effectiveness of Combination Therapy for Influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 in Children.

Introduction. The continuing circulation of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 virus poses a threat of a new epidemic rise. It is known that influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 is characterized by a severe course, development of life-threatening complications, and high mortality, which is associated not only with the biological features of the pathogen, but also with the induction of deep immunosuppression, especially the interferon system and the cellular-type immune response. The role of influenza in the development of severe forms of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 has been revealed. The increase of the number of virus strains resistant to various classes of antiviral drugs is of unfavorable importance. This requires the development of new approaches to the treatment of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 with the combined use of drugs with complex antiviral and immunocorrective activity. Purpose. To substantiate the combination therapy of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 in children using oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon). Materials and methods. Clinical and laboratory examination of 85 children aged from 3 to 5 years with moderate (43) and severe forms (42) of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009 was carried out. Results and discussion. In patients with severe forms of A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza, a higher frequency of anamnestic risk groups (85.7%), frequent development of febrile fever (100%), severe intoxication symptoms (100%), symptoms of laryngitis (28.6%), tracheitis (57.1%), bronchitis (76.2%), dyspeptic (42.9%) and cerebral syndromes (62.9%), other complications (80.9%) were revealed. In these patients, more significant changes of the indicators of the cellular type of the immune response were found - the decrease of CD3, CD4, CD8, the humoral type of immune response - the increase of CD20, IgM, circulating immune complexes, the decrease of IgA and IgG, innate immunity factors - the decrease of the metabolic activity of neutrophils, moderate increase of CD16. The combined administration of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon) and oseltamivir (tamiflu) compared with oseltamivir (tamiflu) monotherapy reduced the duration of fever (Me 2, IQI 1-4 days and Me 3, IQI 2-4 days), intoxication (Me 3, IQI 2-4.5 days and Me 4.5, IQI 3-7 days), symptoms of rhinitis (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 4.5-7.5 days), pharyngitis (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 4.5-7.5 days), tracheitis (Me 2, IQI 1-3 days and Me 3.5, IQI 2-4 days), bronchitis (Me 3, IQI 2-5 days and Me 5, IQI 4-6 days). In this group, the complications developed less frequently (4.5% and 33.3%);there was the decrease of hospitalization time (Me 5, IQI 4-7 days and Me 6.5, IQI 5-7 days). There was the increase of the number of children, who (after 10 days from the start of therapy) had sanitation of the nasopharynx from the virus (90.9% and 61.9%). Conclusion. The high frequency of anamnestic risk groups and the induction of deep immunosuppression, especially the cellular component of immunity, are the cause of the formation of severe forms of influenza A (H1N1)pdm2009. This justified the appointment of combination therapy using the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon), which not only inhibits virus replication, but also has immunocorrective activity against the interferon system and cellular immunity. The high efficiency of the combined administration of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (Viferon) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) lets to recommend the inclusion of these drugs in the treatment of severe forms of influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 in children.Copyright © 2020, Professionalnye Izdaniya. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 presenting as acute epiglottitis: A case report and literature review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occasionally causes acute laryngitis, requiring emergency treatment. Understanding the characteristic laryngeal findings can help diagnose COVID-19 earlier, prevent worsening infection, and properly manage airway obstruction. Herein, we report the case of a 44-year-old male with acute epiglottitis likely caused by COVID-19. On presentation, chest computed tomography (CT) showed no signs of pneumonia. However, the larynx had extensive necrotic-like erosive lesions resembling those of tuberculous laryngitis. COVID-19 was diagnosed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and secondary bacterial superinfections were suspected after blood testing. The symptoms improved after administration of antibiotics (sulbactam sodium/ampicillin sodium), steroids (dexamethasone), and favipiravir. The patient developed a high fever on the sixth day of hospitalization, and pneumonia was identified on CT. Various culture tests, including tuberculosis, were negative. Thus, remdesivir was administered for COVID-19-induced pneumonia. The patient gradually recovered, was transferred to another hospital, and was discharged on the 35th day of hospitalization. Six previous case reports of COVID-19-induced acute epiglottitis suggested that acute epiglottitis preceded the onset of pneumonia. The laryngeal findings from this report may be useful for diagnosing COVID-19 that does not cause pneumonia and for bringing attention to pneumonia after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Approach to Common Pediatric Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is one of the most frequent diseases observed at centers for pediatric care and results in significant morbidity worldwide. URI is the most common cause in children treated against acute respiratory infection. The difficulty found by clinicians in establishing the differential and etiologic diagnosis of URIs and the occasionally indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs. URIs range from the common, cold-typically a mild, self-limited, catarrhal syndrome of the nasopharynx to life-threatening illnesses such as epiglottitis. Viruses account for most URIs. Appropriate management in these cases may consist of reassurance, education, and instructions for symptomatic home treatment. Diagnostic tests for specific agents are helpful when targeted URI therapy depends on the results. Bacterial primary infection or superinfection may require targeted therapy. The upper respiratory tract includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx, gateways to the trachea, bronchi, and pulmonary alveolar spaces. Rhinitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and tracheitis are specific manifestations of URIs. Most URIs are viral in origin. Typical viral agents that cause URIs include the Rhinoviruses, Coronaviruses, Adenoviruses, and Coxsackieviruses. In the emergency department, attention should be paid to the patient's vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (if obtained). Neonates are obligate nose breathers and may be at greater risk for respiratory distress;hence practitioners should auscultate the lungs for adequate aeration and assess breathing quality. The cardiovascular examination should assess adequate distal perfusion and an appropriate-for-age heart rate. Finally, dehydration can be a complication of any viral illness, and therefore, an assessment of hydration should be a part of the initial evaluation. Tests of nasopharyngeal specimens for specific pathogens are helpful when targeted therapy depends on the results (e.g., group A streptococcal infection, gonococcus, pertussis). Specific bacterial or viral testing is also warranted in other selected situations, such as when patients are immunocompromised, during inevitable outbreaks, or provide specific therapy to contacts. Symptombased therapy represents the mainstay of URI treatment in immunocompetent adults. Antimicrobial or antiviral therapy is appropriate in selected patients.

COVID-19 Omicron variant-induced laryngitis.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 omicron variant has a low affinity for the lower respiratory tract. However, upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as nasal discharge and sore throat, characterize the infection with this variant. Therefore, in laryngeal stenosis, disease severity assessment through blood oxygen saturation has not been useful. METHODS: We report the case of "omicron laryngitis" in a 59-year-old male who visited the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic with complaints of a sore throat and difficulty in swallowing saliva that persisted for a day. RESULTS: Laryngoscopy revealed severe swelling of the transglottic region and exudates on the larynx. He was then diagnosed with COVID-19 and subjected to emergency tracheostomy for airway management. Until the emergence of the omicron variant, COVID-19 showed mainly lower airway and mild upper airway inflammatory features. However, upper airway stenosis should be suspected in cases presenting with "muffled speech," "dysphagia," "severe pain on swallowing," and "inspiratory dyspnea or stridor." CONCLUSION: Therefore, laryngeal and pharyngeal evaluation using a flexible laryngoscope under appropriate infection control measures is necessary, considering the possibility of progression to fatal laryngeal stenosis, as noted in this case.

Evolution of throat symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.

OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) structure and host tropism have changed over time, and so has the involvement of throat structures. This infodemiological analysis is hence aimed at investigating the evolution of throat symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. METHODS: We searched Google Trends using the medical search terms "ageusia", "hoarseness", "dysphonia", "pharyngitis" and "laryngitis", setting geographical location to "United States", within the past 5 years. The weekly Google Trends score for these symptoms, which reflects their national Web popularity, was divided in three parts, as "pre-COVID" (July 2017 to February 2020), COVID-19 "pre-Omicron" (March 2020 to November 2021), and COVID-19 "Omicron" (December 2021 to July 2022), and then compared. RESULTS: The volume of searches for ageusia increased in the pre-Omicron period and remained significantly higher also during Omicron prevalence, though a significant decrease (∼30%) occurred with Omicron lineages compared to previous strains. The Google searches for hoarseness and dysphonia were relatively similar between the pre-COVID and pre-Omicron periods, but then significantly increased during Omicron predominance. The Google searches for pharyngitis and laryngitis decreased in the pre-Omicron period, but then considerably increased following Omicron emergence. Omicron endemic spread could be significantly and independently predicted by the volume of searches for pharyngitis, laryngitis and hoarseness. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological burden of throat symptoms has considerably changed after Omicron emergence, with a lower likelihood of developing chemosensory dysfunctions and enhanced risk of throat involvement.

Child wake-up cough

Introduction: The tiring, persistent cough of a child is one of the most common reasons for visiting a primary health care physician. It is usually a symptom of an upper respiratory tract infection, so it is not a serious illness. However, the doctor, without examining the child, cannot guarantee that the cough is only associated with a banal infection. We know that it accompanies many diseases, but the lack of studies assessing the extent to which acute coughing in a child with a cold disease indicates infection in the lower respiratory tract. Aim: The aim of the study was to establish the causes of acute awakening and/or tiring cough in children suffering from upper respiratory tract infection. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the medical history of children examined due to cough interrupting sleeping and/or tiring cough upon awakening. 112 children up to six years of age (median age 2.8 years) with an upper respiratory tract infection were included in the study. Based on information obtained from parents, it was determined whether the family had SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in the 10 days before or after the test. The group of children with the acute nonobstructive bronchitis was analyzed in an additional analysis. In these patients, the number of days with coughing before diagnosis and the nature of percussion and auscultation changes were assessed.

HISTO-ANATOMICAL STUDIES IN TUSSILAGO FARFARA L. A SPECIES WITH MEDICINAL POTENTIAL AGAINST RESPIRATORY DISEASES

This study aimed to describe the histo-anatomy of Tussilago farfara L. species from the Asteraceae family, with medicinal importance in Romania for the alternative treatment of respiratory diseases (asthma, laryngitis, cough, emphysema) and other disorders. The chemical composition of Coltsfoot includes more than 150 chemical substances (triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids) with different medicinal proprieties (expectorant, antimicrobial, antitussive) and contraindications (pregnancy, lactation, hepatic disorders). The vegetal material used in this study was collected from the waterside of river Sireţel in the village Sireţel from Sireţel commune in Iaşi County. The cross-sections were performed manually through vegetative organs (rhizome, stem, and leaf) with the help of a hand microtome and a botanic razor. The structures of the sections were highlighted by double coloration (iodine green and ruthenium red), the observation was performed on a Novex microscope. The characteristics structures observed by us (epidermis, vascular bundles, trichomes, angular collenchyma, assimilating parenchyma, stomata, mesophyll) correspond with Toma and Rugină (1998) observations and descriptions.

Acute odynophagia: A new symptom of COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant wave in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present a novel clinical manifestation of infection with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus affecting mainly young, vaccinated, and healthy adults. We describe a new group of COVID-19 patients seeking emergency care with symptoms similar to the life-threatening condition epiglottitis. Here, we present a case series and discuss management. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center case study of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were referred to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Emergency Department (ENT ED) between January 1 and January 23, 2022 with clinical symptoms such as acute odynophagia, severe sore throat, and fever. Ethical approval was obtained from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2020-02579). Informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Fifteen patients were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Four patients needed a short hospitalization for their symptoms. The most common diagnoses were COVID-19-associated acute viral laryngotracheitis and/or viral pharyngitis. Six patients presented with signs of secondary bacterial infection and were put on antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Previous variants of SARS-CoV-2 infection affected predominantly the lower respiratory tract and were associated with loss of smell and taste in many patients. The Omicron variant seems to affect predominantly the upper airways and cause acute laryngitis without olfactory dysfunction. In some patients, the clinical manifestation is similar to the symptoms of epiglottitis. In such a case, a prompt examination of the larynx is the gold standard to exclude inflammatory edema in the upper airways. None of the patients described in this study developed epiglottitis. In this study, we discuss the management of acute odynophagia in COVID-19 patients.

Association between obesity and chronic laryngitis in women and their effects on phonation

Introduction: 'Phonation' is the physical process by which the vocal folds produce certain sounds. According to laryngology, there are different factors that can affect our larynx (voice box) negatively, such as: Obesity, benign vocal cord lesions, sex hormones, head and neck surgeries and patients who are suffering from health complications recovered from COVID-19 after a prolonged intubation. These factors could show difficulties in voice, airway, and swallowing. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity and chronic laryngitis in which this inflammation hinders phonation and voice/sound output. This investigation in South Korea using data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) collected during 2008 - 2010. Method: (KNHANES) was a cross-sectional survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of South Korea (n=13,819) aged 19 years or older. Obesity status was measured by using BMI and waist circumference. Conclusions: Obese women in Korea have an elevated risk for developing chronic laryngitis. Chronic laryngitis itself is a misfortune. Chronic laryngitis (CL) causes excess mucus, a sore throat, a persistent dry cough, loss of voice and phonation and difficulty swallowing. Moreover, obese women will suffer from hormonal imbalances that show changes in their voice tones. Elevated estrogen levels cause gastric acid secretion and GERD in women. To help those patients, it is better to shift into a healthy lifestyle, manage their weight by healthy diet and exercises. In this way, a lot of complications will be lessened such as: GERD that is responsible for benign vocal cord lesions possibility. Some women who suffer from chronic laryngitis and turns into cancer decide to do neck surgery. Otolaryngologists stated common side effects from head and neck surgery include temporary or permanent loss of normal voice, impaired speech, and hearing loss.