A Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mystery: Persistent Fevers and Leukocytosis in a Patient With Severe COVID-19.

Short-course glucocorticosteroids are being used and tocilizumab (TCZ) had been used to treat patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. These agents, when administered individually, have been associated with tuberculosis (TB) during chronic use. We report a case of TB in a 44-year-old male with diabetes and severe COVID-19 who received high-dose short-course glucocorticosteroids and a single dose of TCZ. The clinical presentation was atypical with unresolving fevers and leukocytosis, progressive lower lobe cavities, and hilar adenopathy. Delayed diagnosis led to prolonged hospitalization and extensive antibiotic use.

Alcohol and the Hospitalized Patient.

Alcohol use is a common social and recreational activity in our society. Misuse of alcohol can lead to significant medical comorbidities that can affect essentially every organ system and lead to high health care costs and utilization. Heavy alcohol use across the spectrum from binge drinking and intoxication to chronic alcohol use disorder can lead to high morbidity and mortality both in the long and short term. Recognizing and treating common neurologic, gastrointestinal, and hematological manifestations of excess alcohol intake are essential for those who care for hospitalized patients. Withdrawal is among the most common and dangerous sequela associated with alcohol use disorder.

Relationship between proteinuria and venous thromboembolism.

Nephrotic syndrome is known to cause venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to urine loss of antithrombin III and activation of the coagulation system. We hypothesized that the degree of proteinuria may predict the development of VTE. This was a retrospective case-controlled study of in-patients urban academic teaching hospital from April, 2007 to March, 2009 and who had undergone an imaging study for VTE. All radiology reports (N = 1,647) for CT angiography of chest and Doppler sonogram of extremities were reviewed. The following data were collected: race/ethnicity, degree of proteinuria on urinalysis, serum protein and albumin levels, risk factors for VTE and renal function. The study population consisted of 284 patients with VTE and 280 age/sex matched controls. Relative to those who did not have proteinuria, patients who tested positive for protein had a 3.4-fold increased risk of VTE (odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval [2.4, 5.0]). The association was unchanged when adjusted for other risk factors. Patients with proteinuria may have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.