ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study is to identify if there is an underlying genetic predisposition for COVID-related macroglossia and if this susceptibility is higher among individuals of African heritage. Secondary objectives include determining if genetic testing of COVID-infected patients who are intubated and prone could identify patients with higher susceptibility to the development of macroglossia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed for each patient, and prospectively, genetic and histopathologic analyses were completed. Whole-exome sequencing was completed on two patients; immunohistochemistry was completed on the COVID-positive tissue samples. RESULTS: Histopathology of the COVID-positive patient revealed significant peri-lymphocytic infiltrate, which was absent in the COVID-negative patient. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of immune cells. Results from the whole-exome sequencing were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study are consistent with others that have observed a lymphocytic infiltrate in the organs of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. On histology, IHC highlighted a CD45 + predominance, indicating that a robust immune response is present in the tissues. The pathobiology of this phenomenon and its role in the development and/or persistence of massive macroglossia requires further study.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Macroglossia , Humans , COVID-19/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Retrospective Studies , GenomicsABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of clinical manifestations. The occurrence of tongue swelling has recently reported in severe cases of COVID-19, and angioedema has suggested as the causative mechanism. Several factors, such as genetic predisposing factor and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) therapies, have proposed to induce angioedema, especially as concerns patients requiring ICU treatments. Nevertheless, the question is still debated and other causes not yet recognized should be considered. Here we present a case of macroglossia occurred in a patient deceased for COVID-19 disease, who had no family history of angioedema and did not receive ACEI as antihypertensive drug. Histological and immune-histochemical analysis revealed tongue muscle atrophy with infiltrating macrophages suggesting repair mechanisms, as seen in nerve injury recovery. These new pathological findings may open new fields of study on the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
Subject(s)
Angioedema , COVID-19 , Macroglossia , Angioedema/etiology , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors , COVID-19/complications , Humans , Macroglossia/etiologyABSTRACT
We report the case of a 59-year-old woman who developed acute macroglossia following prolonged prone positioning for management of COVID-19. We found that Biotene mixed in glycerin was effective at removing keratinised lingual plaques and better tolerated than Biotene alone. Additionally, uniform tongue compression applied via tubular elastic dressing yielded more efficacious results than uneven tongue compression via Coban.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Macroglossia , Respiratory Insufficiency , Female , Humans , Macroglossia/etiology , Middle Aged , Patient Positioning , Prone Position , Respiratory Insufficiency/etiology , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
We describe a 40-year-old woman with severe, persistent macroglossia following prone positioning as part of treatment for COVID-19. We used the treatment method of lingual compression with satisfactory results.