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The article provides information on immunopathology in sepsis and the commonality between immunopathogenetic processes of sepsis and the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). As a result of the inability of the immune system to cope with aggression of the pathogen, inadequate immune activity occurs manifested by the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, resulting in damage to tissues of the host organism. In response, compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome is activated, which is manifested by inhibition of the immune response. One of its main mechanisms is signals produced by membrane receptors and their ligands. Against the background of inability of the host organism to neutralise the pathogen, numerous pathological phenomena and complications occur leading to damage to human tissues.Copyright © 2021, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University. All rights reserved.
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Background and purpose: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) occurs after having COVID-19. The severity and outcomes of COVID-19 with gastrointestinal symptoms are higher. The aim of this study was to investigate gastrointestinal manifestations in MIS-C patients in selected referral hospitals in Iran to obtain comprehensive information about the treatment and prevention of MIS-C. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, all MIS-C patients <21 years in Dec 2019 to Oct 2021 were included. The patients were identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) checklist and data were analyzed applying t-test and Chi-square in STATA11. Results: There were 225 patients with a median age of 55 months (26-96 months), including 59.56% boys and all had fever on admission. At least one gastrointestinal symptom was seen in 200 patients and the most common symptoms were vomiting (60.9%) and abdominal pain (45.77%). Almost 60% of the patients had positive RT-PCR results. Among the patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms 85.5% and 48% were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in respiratory symptoms, ALT, AST, NT-pro BNP, ESR, and PLT (P < 0.05). All patients without gastrointestinal symptoms were discharged but nine patients in the group with gastrointestinal symptoms deceased. Conclusion: According to the current study, gastrointestinal symptoms are common in MIS-C patients and are associated with higher rates of death and intensive care unit admission. Therefore, in providing services to COVID-19 patients, all typical and atypical signs and symptoms should be considered to prevent unnecessary interventions.
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Increasing waiting lists and a structural staff shortage are putting pressure on the health system. Because care production is lower than care demand, there is no longer competition. Competition is over and we are beginning to see the contours of the new health system. The new system takes health instead of care as its starting point by legally embedding health goals in addition to the duty of care. The new system is based on health regions, but does not require a regional health authority. It is based on health manifestos that include agreements about cooperation in good and bad times.
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Introduction: The people worldwide have been affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection since its appearance in December, 2019. Kawasaki disease-like hyperinflammatory shock associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously healthy children has been reported in the literature, which is now referred to as a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Some aspects of MIS-C are similar to those of Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome, secondary hemophagocytic syndrome, and macrophage activation syndrome. Case Presentation: This study reported an 11-year-old boy with MIS-C presented with periorbital and peripheral edema, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes, severe right pleural effusion, moderate ascites, and severe failure of right and left ventricles. Conclusion(s): Due to the increasing number of reported cases of critically ill patients afflicted with MIS-C and its life-threatening complications, it was recommended that further studies should be carried out in order to provide screening tests for myocardial dysfunction. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach was found inevitable.Copyright © 2023, Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited.
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The article analyzes syndrome complex in sepsis and severe COVID-19, identifies the main pathophysiological priorities in the diagnosis and differences in treatment. Adap-tation of existing treatment regimens for diseases with similar pathogenesis may help to improve treatment outcomes and reduce SARS-CoV-2-related mortality. However, when discussing the parallels between COVID-19 and sepsis, focusing on their similarities in immunopathogenesis and pathophysiology, the proposed treatment options should be reviewed based on the patient's clinical assessment and laboratory parameters individually. © 2022, Zaslavsky Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) is a leading bacterial pathogen, that causes deadly infections such as bacteraemia, Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and endocarditis. It has been the main contributor to secondary bacterial infections during viral pandemics, greatly raising patient morbidity and fatality rates. It is unknown how this secondary bacteraemia would affect people who have Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Herein, the authors present a series of case studies of 8 patients, (4 males and 4 females) infected with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) at tertiary hospital, Hyderabad, India, who eventually developed S.aureus bacteraemia with widespread seeding of secondary infections including cellulitis and abscess formation. Adult patients aged 20-60 years of age who were infected with COVID-19 from June'2022-August'2022 and had positive bacterial cultures for S.aureus during admission were included in the study. A total of eight patients hospitalised for COVID-19 with secondary bacteraemia were identified. Of these patients admitted with severe limb infections, three patients expired after a week of ongoing treatment from their blood cultures. Multivariate analysis identified the onset of bacteraemia (>4 days from date of admission) and age as significant predictors of mortality in admitted patients. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) scoring and blood cultures were used to identify the mortality risk with p-value=0.05 statistical significance. The patients were subsequently treated with antibiotics and given conservative management, some of the patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who had critical co-morbidities, expired within a week of ongoing treatment. The final outcome of the present case series was that bacteraemia caused by S.aureus is associated with a high mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. More research is needed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 and secondary S.aureus bacteraemia. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research is the property of JCDR Research & Publications Private Limited 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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A few months after the COVID-19 pandemic began, an entity called inflammatory syndrome with multisystem involvement was described in children, whose main manifestations include fever, cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal, and mucocutaneous involvement, associated with elevated acute-phase reactants. These manifestations typically present a few weeks after infection. Later, in different parts of the world, cases in adults began to be published. Treatment is mainly aimed at modulating the immune response and associated hyperinflammation, with variable response and outcomes depending on the degree of multisystem involvement. We present two cases of adults treated at our institution.Copyright © 2023 Asociacion Colombiana de Infectologia. All rights reserved.
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Background: Patients with cancer are at a higher risk of getting infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 owing to their immunocompromised state. Providing care to these patients amidst the first wave of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was extremely challenging. Objective(s): This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical profile and disease-related outcomes of pediatric patients with hematological illnesses and cancer. Material(s) and Method(s): This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center in North India during the first wave of the pandemic from March 2020 to December 2020. Children aged up to 18 years, who were treated for a hematological illness or malignancy or underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and tested positive for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms were included in the study. Baseline demographic data related to the age, diagnosis, treatment status, and chemotherapy protocol used were collected. Outcomes including the cure rates, comorbidities, and sequelae were recorded. Result(s): A total of 650 tests for COVID-19 were performed for 181 children;22 patients were found to be COVID-19 positive. The most common diagnosis was acute leukemia (63.6%). None of the patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia. The majority of patients had asymptomatic infection and were managed at home. Among those with a symptomatic infection, the most common symptoms were fever and cough. A total of 3 (13.6%) patients needed oxygen therapy, one developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children leading to cardiogenic shock. Three patients required intensive care or respiratory support;all the patients had favorable clinical outcomes. The median time from the onset of COVID-19 to a negative result on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test was 21.3 days. Cancer treatment was modified in 15 patients (68.2%). Conclusion(s): Our results suggest that children with hemato-oncological illnesses rarely experience severe COVID-19 disease. The impact of the first wave of COVID-19 primarily manifested as disruptions in the logistic planning and administration of essential treatment to these children rather than COVID-19 sequelae.Copyright © 2021 Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
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Introduction: Mucinous adenocarcinomas of the appendix are defined as epithelial neoplasms often causing cystic dilation of the appendix due to accumulation of gelatinous material. Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an extremely rare complication of appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinomas with an estimated incidence rate of one to 2 people per million per year. Here-in we present a unique case of enterocutaneous fistula formation secondary to percutaneous biopsy of an enlarging omental mass in the setting of pseudomyxoma peritonei. Case Description/Methods: A 50-year-old male with a past medical history of metastatic appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma presented to the ED with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The patient had previously undergone 2 debulking surgeries over the past 2 years prior to admission and has since been on FOLFOX therapy. Due to the COVID pandemic, the patient did not follow-up in the 2 years period from previous admission. A CT scan was now notable for a new enlarging omental mass despite the recent debulking surgery. Given the enlarging mass, a decision was made to pursue a percutaneous biopsy of the mass due to concern for potential new malignancy. Two weeks after the biopsy, the patient presented to our facility due to worsening erythema and drainage from the biopsy site. The patient met SIRS criteria, thus broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated. A CT of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and IV contrast was obtained, which demonstrated a 9 cm abscess or continuation of intra-abdominal multilocular cystic lesion/ pseudomyxoma peritonei. The surgical team was consulted. Patient had 100 cc of purulent and mucinous drainage expressed from biopsy site. The patient was then placed for transfer to a hospital capable of advanced surgical management for evaluation and potential resection of fistula formation. The patient had a successful reductive surgery and intraoperative chemotherapy (Figure). Discussion(s): Given the rarity of pseudomyxoma peritonei, appropriate management is not always straightforward. A literature review yielded no previous reports of enterocutaneous fistula as a complication of percutaneous drainage in the setting of pseudomyxoma peritonei. We recommend that percutaneous drainage not be sought in individuals with this diagnosis due to potential for fistula formation.
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Introduction. Currently it is well-recognized that tissue markers allow to classify the process of different infectious diseases and help to identify patients' to subclasses and endotypes for clarifying the prognosis and therapy effectiveness. Objective. To detect different COVID-19 course types according to pathophysiological mechanisms, and evaluate clinical, lab and instrumental features of each clinical course. Material and methods. 108 first COVID-19 patients were admitted at special hospital based on Bakoulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery. The average age of patients was 57.4 +/- 2.3 years, 54.6% of women, the degree of lung damage was 36.2 +/- 2.3%. All patients were identified with C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer. Results. The patients were divided in 4 groups depending on the degree of main pathophysiological process of system inflammatory response (SIR) and hypercoagulation: with inflammatory (1group) (n = 22), coagulation (2 group) (n = 8), inflammatory-coagulation (3 group) (n = 71) and affectless (4 group) (n = 7) types of disease progression. All the 4 groups of the discharged patients were equal in pulmonic parenchymatous tissue damage degree. The level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly higher in patients of group 3 (334.2 +/- 20.6 U/L) compared with LDH in groups 1, 2 and 4 (respectively 264.2 +/- 21.5, 231 +/- 14.2, 206.3 +/- 32.2 U/L, p < 0.01), which indicates more severe damage to the pulmonary parenchyma. In groups 1 and 3, the level of lymphocytes was lower than in groups 2 and 4. In terms of the D-dimer level, the 3rd and 2nd groups did not differ (1537.4 +/- 126.7 and 1682.5 +/- 394.2, respectively, p > 0.05), but its level was significantly higher in the 3rd group compared with the 1st and 4th (359 +/- 32.9 and 309.3 +/- 50.8, p < 0.01). Over the course of staying in hospital the features of each type of disease progression kept preserved. Conclusions. It is possible to accentuate 4 possible development scenario of the COVID-19: the inflammatory one (with SVR manifestation without hypercoagulation), the hypercoagulation one (without SVR activation), the inflammatory-coagulation (active SVR together with hypercoagulation) and affectless type (without SVR and hypercoagulation). The most prevalent type of COVID-19 disease progression is inflammatory-coagulation scenario which is manifested at 65% of patients.Copyright © Creative Cardiology 2021.
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Objectives: As of March 5th, 2022, around 1.585 cases of MIS-C and 98 deaths (6,4%) were reported in Brazil. The state of Rio de Janeiro State (RJ) having 94 cases (5,9%) and 4 deaths (4,2%)1.Our aim was to evaluate clinical and laboratory features, and management of MIS-C in seven pediatric hospitals in RJ, Brazil. Method(s): Multicenter, observational, ambidirectional cohort study in seven tertiary hospitals in RJ(Brazil), assessing medical charts of pediatric inpatients (0-18 years) diagnosed with MIS-C according to WHO/CDC criteria, from August, 2020 to February, 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze distributions of continuous variables, frequencies, and proportions. Result(s): A total of 112 cases of MIS-C were enrolled. The mean age was 4.2 years and thre was male predominance (59,8%). All cases had a SARS-CoV-2 contact (29.5% close contact;31.3%:positive PCR;serology:43.8%).Only 12.5% had comorbidities. Length of stay (LOS) was 7 days.Median duration of fever was 8 days. Most common symptoms were: rash(67%);gastrointestinal (67%);conjunctivitis (42%);neurological(39.6%);cardiovascular(37.5%);cervical lymphadenopathy (36.6%), and shock/hypotension(28.6%).Co-infection occurred in 3 patients. Forty-four patients fulfilled criteria for Kawasaki disease. Most patients were admitted to PICU(12;62,5%) for amedian of 2 days. Respiratory distress was seen in 18,7%;hypotension:28,6%, and shock in 23,2%. Main laboratory findings were: high C-reactive protein in 95%;D-dimer:77%, anemia:77%, thrombocytosis:63%;transaminitis:43.8%, lymphopenia:38%;hypoalbuminemia:34%;thrombocytopenia: 29%;hypertriglyceridemia:28%, and high pro-BNP in 27%. Echocardiogram was performed in 91/112 patients;abnormal in 70,3%;exhibiting myocardial dysfunction( 25%);pericardial effusion(21%);coronary dilation/aneurysms(11%) and, valvulitis (14.5%). IVIG+corticosteroids (CTC) were administered in 59.8%(67/ 112);18.6%(18/112) IVIG only;10.7%(12/112) CTC only;3.4%(4/112)biologics, and 15(13.3%) received no treatment. ASA low dose in 77.7% (87/112) and moderate/high dose in 34.8%. Oxygen support was needed in 27,7%;vasoactive amines:18,7%;dialysis:5,3%, and transfusion:18,7%.One patient died from a cytokine storm syndrome. Conclusion(s): Our study reports a higher number of MIS-C cases in RJ than the number reported to Brazilian authorities, highlighting underreporting. Our patients were younger, had fewer comorbidities, cardiovascular/gastrointestinal/renal involvement, shortest LOS in ICU, and a higher frequency of myopericarditis.
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The multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 coronavirus infection was first described in April-May 2020, mainly among children who had an acute infectious disease. Soon there were reports of the development of MIS in adults (MIS-A). More than 200 cases of MVS in adults have been described and systematized in the world, while in Russia there is no separate registration of MVS, a single description of MVS is given in the literature. Material and methods. We presented Case report of MIS-A in a 21-year-old woman, accompanied by persistent fever, multiple organ failure syndrome, is presented. The stages of diagnosis and treatment of MIS-A. Result and discussion. A positive effect was achieved during therapy with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. MIS-A is a rare life-threatening complication of a COVID-19 that requires emergency therapy with the inclusion of corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin in an adequate dose. The given example will be interesting for general practitioners, infectious disease specialists and therapists.Copyright © 2023 The authors.
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Aim - to study the clinical and laboratory manifestations of a severe course of COVID-19 in a lethal outcome with an assessment of the pathomorphological picture based on autopsy material. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as the results of a pathoanatomical study of 54 patients with severe COVID-19 who died in the intensive care unit, was carried out. Results. Among the patients included in the study, women and men were equally divided. The mean age was 73.1+/-1.86 years (median 73 years). An increase in body temperature above 38 degreeS was observed in 81.5% of cases, weakness - in 70.4%, dry cough - in 46.3%, a feeling of lack of air - in 46.3%, muscle pain - in 40.7%. The volume of lung damage by the type of bilateral polysegmental pneumonia with areas of compaction of the type of "frosted glasses" and consolidation was more than 75.0% and was determined in 68.5% of patients. Concomitant diseases were detected in 94.4% of patients. It was found that all patients had a pronounced systemic inflammatory response, as evidenced by an increase in the level of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in all patients. A decrease in albumin levels was observed in 88.9% of cases. A hypercoagulable shift with intravascular coagulation was noted. Morphological studies revealed damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas with the development of thrombovascular changes. Conclusion. A severe course of COVID-19 with a fatal outcome was observed in older patients with clinical, radiological and laboratory manifestations of a systemic inflammatory response, which was accompanied by damage to various organs and systems.Copyright © Authors, 2022.
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In light of the current pandemic, doctors need to raise the suspicion of concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection with Neisseria meningitides infection. In this article we reported a case of invasive meningococcal infection in an adolescent with COVID-19. Severity of the disease depended on septic shock due to invasive meningococcal infection associated with sepsis and meningitis. The differential diagnosis with a multisystem inflammatory syndrome was tricky considering the fever, shock, meningeal symptoms, elevated levels of C-reactive protein and D-dimer, patient age, and a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. The disease outcome was good. Given the risk of invasive forms of meningococcal infection, the possible synergy of SARS-CoV-2 and Neisseria meningitidis, the complexity of differential diagnosis in patients in critical condition, immunization against meningococcal infection should be carried out according to epidemic indications, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2022 Sorbtsionnye i Khromatograficheskie Protsessy. All rights reserved.
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BACKGROUND: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome of the adult, a new condition associated with an irregular immune response similar to that of children, is characterized by shock, heart failure or persistent hypotension, dyspnea on exertion, mild-moderate hypoxemia, gastric symptoms and elevated markers of systemic inflammation after severe COVID-19 pneumonia. CLINICAL CASE: A 56-year-old patient, uncontrolled diabetic, who presented symptoms associated with dyspnea, desaturation, chest pain and persistent fever, previously with severe pneumonia after one month of treatment. He was treated with oxygen, steroids and antibiotics for 3 weeks, but his symptoms worsened and he developed severe orthopnea, hypotension, chest pain, dyspnea at rest and severe desaturation, as well as elevation of inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, ESR, D-dimer, ferritin). Tomography of the chest showed residual pneumonia based on consolidation and ground glass. Echocardiogram evidenced diastolic dysfunction, myopericarditis and secondary endocarditis. Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome of the adult was diagnosed and patient was treated with IV immunoglobulin and steroid with a favorable response to treatment. CONCLUSION(S): This case shows that the adult systemic inflammatory syndrome is a differential diagnosis in a patient with shock of unknown etiology, heart failure and severe dyspnea previously infected by SARS-CoV-2. Immunoglobulin and steroid are the effective first-line treatment with excellent clinical response.Copyright © 2022 Comunicaciones Cientificas Mexicanas S.A. de C.V.. All rights reserved.
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Background: Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is used in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) preparative regimens and lymphodepletion for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. We describe a case of cyclophosphamide hypersensitivity in a pediatric patient during CAR-T therapy. Case description: A 13 year old boy was diagnosed with very high risk ALL in 2015 and had 2 isolated CNS relapses treated with intensified chemotherapy (chemo) and cranial radiation (1st relapse) and Blinatumomab with intrathecal (IT) chemo followed by sibling donor HSCT (2nd relapse). At age 19, and 18 months after HSCT, he had a 3rd CNS relapse treated with IT chemo and referral for CAR-T therapy. At our center, leukapheresis and CAR-T production (Novartis) were performed. Later, during lymphodepletion with fludarabine (Flu) and Cy, physiologic replacement hydrocortisone (HC) was briefly held to prevent interference with CAR-T function. After 3 days of Flu/Cy, he developed fever and hypotension requiring inotropic support. Hypotension and fever resolved with stress dose HC and antibiotics and was attributed to culture-negative sepsis and adrenal crisis. CAR-T infusion was subsequently delayed by skin GVHD requiring glucocorticoids and COVID-19 infection treated with convalescent plasma and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Physiologic HC replacement was continued when he was re-admitted for CAR-T therapy, but he again developed fever, diffuse erythema and shock in hours following the first dose of Cy necessitating stress dose HC, antibiotics, inotropes, and mechanical ventilation. Negative blood cultures and ongoing physiologic HC replacement suggested an alternative explanation for shock. Case reports of anaphylaxis to Cy metabolites implicated Cy as the causative agent so it was discontinued. After recovery, CAR-T cells were infused without complications. In the following weeks, he had no evidence of recurrent leukemia but was persistently pancytopenic. A sibling donor stem cell boost was proposed but the patient accepted only palliative care. He had several opportunistic infections before succumbing to E. coli sepsis. Discussion(s): The first episode of shock was initially attributed to adrenal crisis and sepsis, although no organism was identified. The second episode appeared anaphylactic in timing and clinical presentation with adequate HC replacement and negative cultures, suggesting Type I hypersensitivity. The patient previously received Cy uneventfully before HSCT, suggesting that the donor-derived immune system was the source of new Cy hypersensitivity. Onset of anaphylaxis within hours rather than minutes after Cy administration supports hypersensitivity to Cy metabolites rather than to the drug itself. This case highlights the importance of consideration of sensitivity to Cy metabolites as well as acquired donor-specific allergy even when alternative explanations are likely.Copyright © 2023 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
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The multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 coronavirus infection was first described in April-May 2020, mainly among children who had an acute infectious disease. Soon there were reports of the development of MIS in adults (MIS-A). More than 200 cases of MVS in adults have been described and systematized in the world, while in Russia there is no separate registration of MVS, a single description of MVS is given in the literature. Material and methods. We presented Case report of MIS-A in a 21-year-old woman, accompanied by persistent fever, multiple organ failure syndrome, is presented. The stages of diagnosis and treatment of MIS-A. Result and discussion. A positive effect was achieved during therapy with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. MIS-A is a rare life-threatening complication of a COVID-19 that requires emergency therapy with the inclusion of corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin in an adequate dose. The given example will be interesting for general practitioners, infectious disease specialists and therapists.Copyright © 2023 The authors.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease that is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by hyperinflammation and multiorgan involvement. Cardiovascular involvement is common, including myocardial dysfunction often leading to cardiogenic shock. We present the case of a 17-year-old boy with fever, odynophagia, maculopapular rash and abdominal pain who developed a cardiogenic shock. Due to progressive deterioration of cardiac function despite optimized vasoactive support, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was initiated 12 hours after admission, with successful decannulation after seven days and discharge after 23 days, with normal cardiac function. The patient received corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. Early recognition and intensive care support are crucial for ensuring a successful outcome in severe cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome. In cases of severe cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support can be critical for survival and rapid recovery.
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Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)/pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome(PIMS) is a rare but severe hyper inflammation following exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The exact pathogenesis is unknown, butSARS-CoV-2 is linked to vascular-endothelial pathology. We therefore longitudinally analyzed endothelial function and microcirculation in children with MIS-C/PIMS. Method(s): Overall 17 pediatric patients with MIS-C/PIMS (mean age: 9.4 +/- 4.5 years;30% female) were included in our study. They were examined during the acute phase and in follow-up visits after 3 and 6 months. We assessed the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) as a surrogate for the endothelial function using the Endo PAT device. The microcirculation was visualized using sublingual sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging, which permits analyzing the microvascular flow index (MFI)(0 = no flow, 1 = intermittent, 2 = sluggish, 3 = continuous). Result(s): During the acute phase of MIS-C/PIMS both, macrovascular and microvascular markers were distinctively restricted. Mean RHI was 1.11 +/- 0.25 indicating limited endothelial function in comparison to a group of healthy controls(mean RHI = 1.36 +/- 0.22;n = 14;mean age: 12.8 +/- 2.2 years;50% female). After 3 months, mean RHI improved to 1.42+/-0.45 and even increased to 1.75 +/- 0.66 after 6 months. SDF imaging revealed an impaired microcirculatory flow during the acute phase (mean MFI: 2.45 +/- 0.28), which surprisingly did not improve after three months (mean MFI: 2.45 +/- 0.33).Six months after the acute phase, the microvascular flow ameliorated toward a more continuous flow (mean MFI: 2.66 +/- 0.29). Conclusion(s): Our preliminary results indicate an impaired microcirculation and endothelial function in children with MIS-C/PIMS. The process of full vascular recovery seems to take several months. More research in this field is necessary to better understand the patho physiology and the time course of this rare new SARS-CoV-2-related syndrome.