Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2022 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 6 Articles
Introduction: Black water fever (BWF) is a complication of severe Plasmodium falciparum infection in hemolysis of erythrocytes into the bloodstream releasing the hemoglobin directly into the blood vessels and causes severe anemia and passage of dark/cola color urine, leading to acute renal failure. Hemoglobinuria or BWF is a rare and severe manifestation of falciparum malaria characterized by sudden intravascular hemolysis followed by fever and presence of abnormal hemoglobin in the urine. Aim: The aim of this study was to diagnose and treat severe malaria infection in a Nigerian patient admitted to the Casualty of the IDH Hospital. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old Nigerian boy came to Kuwait and started complaining abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever two days after his arrival. The investigation revealed high fever (40.8˚C), heart rate 125, blood pressure of 100/60 mmHg. The physical examination was unremarkable, including a normal neurologic examination, no hepatosplenomegaly, rash and neck rigidity. The Giemsa stained thick and thin blood examination confirmed the severe infection of Plasmodium falciparum with 41.0% parasitemia. The patient was admitted to the hospital and started intravenous Quinine (1200 mg loading dose in 5% glucose over 4 hours). The patient was feeling much better on next morning but became unconscious by evening and shifted to ICU. His all CBC parameters were higher and started passing dark/cola color urine. The 12 units of whole blood were exchanged on next morning and became fully conscious on 4th day and his anemia and thrombocytopenia were improved and the color of the urine also became normal. Conclusion: Quinine is used in both complicated and uncomplicated malaria and may cause black water fever in severe infection of P. falciparum . It is caused by the hemolysis of erythrocytes due to malaria and also with the metabolism of quinine, making these cells more vulnerable to hemolysis in falciparum malaria and also in G6PD deficiency....
Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus that typically causes disease in immunocompromised hosts, but can affect immunocompetent patients as well. Here we present a case of disseminated blastomycosis in a pregnant patient at 11 weeks gestation who was successfully treated with systemic antifungal therapy. Data regarding treatment of blastomycosis in pregnancy is limited, and choice of antifungal agent remains challenging due to uncertainties regarding fetal toxicity....
Background: This is an update on the existing evidence regarding a relationship between infection with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and multiple sclerosis (MS) in order to contribute on the attempt to define the nature and strength of that relationship. Results: Study quality was assessed using the criteria proposed by Moore and Wolfson and by the classification criteria used by the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. Studies were categorized both by experimental technique and by quality (high [A], intermediate [B], and low [C]) as determined by the Moore and Wolfson criteria. Overall, 27 (90%) of 30 studies, 18 (86%) of which were classified as A quality, reached a statistically significant result. According to the Canadian Task Force classification, all studies were categorized as evidence of qualityII-1. Limitations of the available experimental techniques and perspectives for future research are discussed. Conclusions: The current review continues to emphasize the need for further, objective, evidence-based examination of the relationship between HHV-6 infection and multiple sclerosis....
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibro-inflammatory and idiopathic autoimmune disorder. IgG4-RD can be characterized by the presence of pseudotumors. Inflammatory pseudotumors may involve any part of a human organ. There are few reports of sinus lesions in IgG4-RD. An 82-year-old man has a history of chronic sinusitis for the last several years and no remarkable family history. Two years before disease presentation, the patient experienced intermittent nasal bleeding, stuffy nose, dizziness, and fatigue. Blood test revealed positive (160X) antinuclear antibody with a mixed speckled and nucleolar pattern, IgG level of 1370 mg/dL, and IgG4 level of 99.7 mg/dL. Computed tomography (CT) of the sinus revealed several calcifications in the sphenoid sinus. Surgical findings revealed tumor-like materials. Pathological examination of the soft tissues revealed acute and chronic granulomatous inflammation. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated high levels of positive-affinity markers of IgG, IgG4, and CD138 and a IgG4/IgG ratio > 40%. IgG4-RD with pseudotumor was diagnosed. The initial treatment was intravenous methylprednisolone 120 mg daily for three days and oral prednisolone 10 mg twice a day and azathioprine 50 mg daily. The efficacy of the treatment was insufficient, and nasal bleeding did not decrease. Subsequently administered intravenous rituximab 1000 mg monthly for 2 months. Following this treatment, nasal bleeding stopped. CT revealed reduction in nasal mucosal swelling compared with that in a previous scan. This report highlights that in cases with an inflammatory mass mimicking malignancy, IgG4RD should always be considered, and rituximab treatment is recommended upon failure of steroid and azathioprine therapy....
Understanding the T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 is critical to vaccine development, epidemiological surveillance, and control strategies for this disease. This review provides data from studies of the immune response in coronavirus infections. It describes general mechanisms of immunity, its T cell components, and presents a detailed scheme of the T cell response in SARS-CoV- 2 infection, including from the standpoint of determining the most promising targets for assessing its level. In addition, we reviewed studies investigating post-vaccination immunity in the development of vaccines against COVID-19. This review also includes the peculiarities of immunity in different age and gender groups, and in the presence of a number of factors, for example, comorbidity or disease severity. This study summarizes the most informative methods for assessing the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection....
Objective: Reliable high-throughput serological assays for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies present an important role in the strength and duration of immunity after vaccination. The study investigated the analytical and clinical performances of neutralizing antibodies (NTAb) assay by chemiluminescent (CLIA), and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody after vaccination in real world. Methods: The analytical performances of CLIA for SARS-CoV-2 NTAb were evaluated, followed by the sensitivity and specificity identified with a PRNT test from 50 volunteers. Then, a cohort of vaccine recipients (n = 37) were tracked with SARS-CoV-2 NTAb assay at prior to vaccination, one, three and six months post two doses. In real world, a total of 737 cases were recruited from physical examination center in Shenzhen Luohu People’s Hospital (from Jun to August 2021) to analyze vaccination status. Results: Serological assays on the CLIA were found with excellent characteristics including imprecision, repeatability and linearity. Besides, it was robust to icterus, lipemia and hemolysis. The good sensitivity and specificity were obtained at 98% and 100%, respectively. NTAb results showed a high correlation with PRNT50 titers (r 0.61). Until July 2021, the BBIBP-CorV (76.3%) and Sinovac CoronaVac (20.5%) were the predominant vaccines injection in Shenzhen, China. Adolescent less than 18 years was the main unvaccinated group (52.1%). The seropositive rate of inactive SRAR-CoV-2 vaccines exceeded 97% after inoculation. The NTAb generated by Sinovac CoronaVac with the schedule of 0–56 days was found significantly lower than that by BBIBP-CorV (P < 0.001). The follow-up of NTAb changes in a cohort and the dynamic variation of NTAb in real world disclosed steep downward by almost three times for NTAb level occurred at three months post twice vaccinations. The seropositive ratio was at least 50% over 6 months. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies assay show excellent analytical and clinical performances, and a high correlation with neutralizing activity. Anti-epidemic measures and the urgent trial of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was calling for adolescents....
Loading....