Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and coronavirus disease -2019 (COVID-19) are life-threatening diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Yet little is known about their co-existence.This study explored clinical and laboratory differences between PE patients who tested positive with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR+) and those who tested negative (PCR-) for SARS-CoV-2. Also, to determine whether ferritin D-dimer ratio (FDR) and platelet D-dimer ratio (PDR) can be used to predict COVID-19 in patients with PE. Files of 556 patients who underwent a computed tomography pulmonary angography (CTPA) examination were retrospectively investigated. Out of them, 197 were tested positive and 188 negative for SARS-CoV-2. One hundred thirteen patients (57.36%) in the PCR+ group and 113 (60.11%) in the PCR- group had a diagnosis of PE. Complaints, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation level in the blood (SpO2) were recorded at the first admission. Monocyte and eosinophil levels remained low, whereas FDR and PDR were higher in the PCR+ group. No difference was detected in ferritin, D-dimer levels, comorbidities, SpO2, and death rates between the two groups. Cough, fever, joint pain, and higher respiratory rate were more common in the PCR+ group. A decrease in white blood cell, monocyte, and eosinophil levels, whereas an increase in FDR and PDR levels may predict COVID-19 in patients with PE. PE patients complaining of cough, fever, and fatigue should undergo PCR testing as common symptoms. COVID-19 does not seem to increase the risk of mortality in patients with PE.

Bronchoscopic diagnostic procedures and microbiological examinations in proving endobronchial tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportional distribution of endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) subtypes and to evaluate the types of bronchoscopic diagnostic procedures that can prove granulomatous inflammation. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 18 HIV-negative patients with biopsy-proven EBTB treated between 2010 and 2014. RESULTS: The most common EBTB subtypes, as classified by the bronchoscopic features, were tumorous and granular (in 22.2% for both). Sputum smear microscopy was performed in 11 patients and was positive for AFB in 4 (36.3%). Sputum culture was also performed in 11 patients and was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 10 (90.9%). Smear microscopy of BAL fluid (BALF) was performed in 16 patients and was positive for AFB in 10 (62.5%). Culture of BALF was also performed in 16 patients and was positive for M. tuberculosis in 15 (93.7%). Culture of BALF was positive for M. tuberculosis in 93.7% of the 16 patients tested. Among the 18 patients with EBTB, granulomatous inflammation was proven by the following bronchoscopic diagnostic procedures: bronchial mucosal biopsy, in 8 (44.4%); bronchial brushing, in 7 (38.8%); fine-needle aspiration biopsy, in 2 (11.1%); and BAL, in 2 (11.1%). Bronchial anthracofibrosis was observed in 5 (27.7%) of the 18 cases evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of EBTB patients, the most common subtypes were the tumorous and granular subtypes. We recommend that sputum samples and BALF samples be evaluated by smear microscopy for AFB and by culture for M. tuberculosis, which could increase the rates of early diagnosis of EBTB. We also recommend that bronchial brushing be employed together with other bronchoscopic diagnostic procedures in patients suspected of having EBTB. OBJETIVO: Determinar a distribuição proporcional dos subtipos de tuberculose endobrônquica (TBEB) e avaliar os tipos de procedimentos diagnósticos broncoscópicos que podem revelar inflamação granulomatosa. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo com 18 pacientes HIV negativos com TBEB comprovada por biópsia tratados entre 2010 e 2014. RESULTADOS: Os subtipos mais comuns de TBEB, classificados pelas características na broncoscopia, foram tumoral e granular (em 22,2% para ambas) A baciloscopia de escarro foi realizada em 11 pacientes e foi positiva para BAAR em 4 (36,3%). A cultura de escarro também foi realizada em 11 pacientes e foi positiva para Mycobacterium tuberculosis em 10 (90,9%). A baciloscopia do LBA foi realizada em 16 pacientes e foi positiva para BAAR em 10 (62,5%). A cultura do LBA foi também realizada em 16 pacientes e foi positiva para o M. tuberculosis em 15 (93,7%). A cultura do LBA foi positiva para M. tuberculosis em 93,7% dos 16 pacientes testados. Nos 18 pacientes com TBEB, a presença de inflamação granulomatosa foi comprovada pelos seguintes procedimentos diagnósticos broncoscópicos: biópsia da mucosa brônquica, em 8 (44,4%); escovação brônquica, em 7 (38,8%); punção aspirativa por agulha fina, em 2 (11,1%); e LBA, em 2 (11,1%). Antracose/fibrose brônquica foi observada em 5 (27,7%) dos 18 casos avaliados. CONCLUSÕES: Em nossa amostra de pacientes com TBEB, os subtipos mais comuns foram o tumoral e o granular. Recomendamos que amostras de escarro e do LBA sejam avaliadas por baciloscopia para BAAR e cultura de M. tuberculosis, o que poderia aumentar as taxas de diagnóstico precoce de TBEB. Também recomendamos que a escovação brônquica seja empregada em conjunto com outros procedimentos diagnósticos broncoscópicos em pacientes com suspeita de TBEB.

Community-acquired Burkholderia cepacia pneumonia: a report of two immunocompetent patients.

Burkholderia cepacia is a gram-negative bacilli leading to pneumonia with poor prognosis and usually seen in patients with immunosuppression or with structural lung diseases. This report is about two patients with no underlying disease diagnosed as B. cepacia pneumonia mimicking malignancy and tuberculosis. Bronchoscopy was applied on both patients since no response to treatment with wide spectrum antibiotics and negative sputum smears for acid-fast bacili. B. cepacia was isolated from bronchial lavage culture. Antibiogram revealed sensitivity to quinolones in both cases. Radiological and clinical complete remission was seen in patients by quinolones. The current cases showed that community-acquired Burkholderia pneumonia is possible in healthy patients. Bronchial washing is important in diagnosis.