A retrospective study describing the effective exchange of total blood plasma for disease control in the exacerbation of serpiginous choroiditis.

INTRODUCTION: Serpiginous choroiditis presents with large yellow-white exudative lesions that occur near the optic nerve papillae, that progresses slowly with repeated relapses and cures. Although infection and autoimmunity have been implicated, the cause is unknown. METHODS: A man was diagnosed with serpiginous choroiditis on clinical and other examinations. He started treatment with oral corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, adalimumab, azathioprine, rituximab, and mycophenolate mofetil. Only the steroids and cyclophosphamide had a therapeutic effect. Plasma exchange was initiated, and the lesions quickly resolved. RESULTS: Disease control has been maintained by plasma exchange and cyclophosphamide during flare-ups in the fall and winter, suggesting that plasma exchange is effective in the treatment of serpiginous choroiditis. CONCLUSION: The reproducible response with each recurrence suggests a strong association between the disease and autoimmunity. Furthermore, that some, as yet unknown, autoantibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of serpiginous choroiditis.

The role of clinical engineers in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The duties of a clinical engineer (CE) during the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were diverse. The original duties of a CE included operation and maintenance of life support equipment used for respiratory therapy, hemodialysis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The management of life support equipment is critical. The PB-840 ventilator is equipped with a heat sink system that dissipates internal heat through thermal conduction. Therefore, internal contamination is less likely to occur. The exhalation filter used in the PB- 840 can be used for up to 15 days. It can be used for long periods of time without maintenance, reducing the risk of infection. The PB-840 is a suitable device for patients with COVID-19. Its use in critically ill patients was determined to be a priority. Thus, use of an appropriate device for infection control requires a proper understanding of and familiarity with the device in question.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Hemodialysis Effluent of Patient with COVID-19 Pneumonia, Japan.

We report detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in hemodialysis effluent from a patient in Japan with coronavirus disease and prolonged inflammation. Healthcare workers should observe strict standard and contact precautions and use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling hemodialysis circuitry from patients with diagnosed coronavirus disease.