Triage policy of severe Covid-19 patients : what to do now?

International audienc

Meningitis in a patient with neutropenia due to Rothia mucilaginosa : a case report

Abstract Background Rothia mucilaginosa is a Gram-positive bacterium occurring as a commensal in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. Although rarely pathogenic in an immunocompetent host, it can cause severe opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Case presentation A 67-year-old white woman had a routine blood analysis before undergoing knee surgery. The results showed leukopenia for which bone marrow examination was performed, showing an underlying acute myeloid leukemia. During the neutropenic phase after a second induction with cytarabine/idarubicin, she developed fever, headaches, and photophobia. Cultures of cerebrospinal fluid were positive for Rothia mucilaginosa. Despite full therapy with antibiotics, neurosurgical interventions, and intensive care support, our patient died due to refractory intracranial hypertension and transtentorial herniation. Conclusions Meningitis due to Rothia mucilaginosa is a rare but potentially lethal infection in patients with neutropenia, and evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of this disease are lacking. We suggest an empirical therapy with amoxicillin/rifampicin until adjustments can be made based on an antibiogram. Intrathecal or intraventricular administration of antibiotics can be considered if neurosurgical access is already obtained because of disease-associated complications

Low flow extracorporeal CO2 removal in ARDS patients : a prospective short-term crossover pilot study

Background: Lung protective mechanical ventilation (MV) is the corner stone of therapy for ARDS. However, its use may be limited by respiratory acidosis. This study explored feasibility of, effectiveness and safety of low flow extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R). Methods: This was a prospective pilot study, using the Abylcap (R) (Bellco) ECCO2R, with crossover off-on-off design (2-h blocks) under stable MV settings, and follow up till end of ECCO2R. Primary endpoint for effectiveness was a 20% reduction of PaCO2 after the first 2-h. Adverse events (AE) were recorded prospectively. We included 10 ARDS patients on MV, with PaO2/FiO(2) = 5 cmH(2)O, FiO(2) titrated to SaO(2) 88-95%, plateau pressure >= 28 cmH(2)O, and respiratory acidosis (pH < 7.25). Results: After 2-h of ECCO2R, 6 patients had a >= 20% decrease in PaCO2 (60%); PaCO2 decreased 28.4% (from 58.4 to 48. 7 mmHg, p = 0.005), and pH increased (1.59%, p = 0.005). ECCO2R was hemodynamically well tolerated. During the whole period of ECCO2R, 6 patients had an AE (60%); bleeding occurred in 5 patients (50%) and circuit thrombosis in 3 patients (30%), these were judged not to be life threatening. Conclusions: In ARDS patients, low flow ECCO2R significantly reduced PaCO2 after 2 h, Follow up during the entire ECCO2R period revealed a high incidence of bleeding and circuit thrombosis

Adult-onset congenital central hypoventilation syndrome due to PHOX2B mutation

Central hypoventilation in adult patients is a rare life-threatening condition characterised by the loss of automatic breathing, more pronounced during sleep. In most cases, it is secondary to a brainstem lesion or to a primary pulmonary, cardiac or neuromuscular disease. More rarely, it can be a manifestation of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). We here describe a 25-year-old woman with severe central hypoventilation triggered by analgesics. Genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of adult-onset CCHS caused by a heterozygous de novo poly-alanine repeat expansion of the PHOX2B gene. She was treated with nocturnal non-invasive ventilation. We reviewed the literature and found 21 genetically confirmed adult-onset CCHS cases. Because of the risk of deleterious respiratory complications, adult-onset CCHS is an important differential diagnosis in patients with central hypoventilation

Severe drug-induced liver injury associated with prolonged use of Linezolid

This study aims to describe a patient developing concomitant severe liver failure and lactic acidosis after long-term treatment with linezolid. A 55-year-old Caucasian woman developed concomitant severe liver failure and lactic acidosis after a treatment with linezolid for 50 days because of infected hip prosthesis. Other causes of liver failure and lactic acidosis were excluded by extensive diagnostic workup. A liver biopsy showed microvesicular steatosis. As linezolid toxicity was considered to be the cause of the lactic acidosis and the severe hepatic failure, the antibiotic was withdrawn. After 4 days of supportive therapy and hemodialysis, the serum lactate level returned within normal limits. The prothrombin time ratio and thrombocytes recovered within 2 weeks. Bilirubin levels normalized within 14 weeks. Since no other cause could be identified, liver injury was considered to be drug-related. Resolution of the hepatotoxicity occurred after discontinuation of linezolid, supportive treatment measures, and hemodialysis. Both lactic acidosis and microvesicular steatosis after the use of linezolid are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences/Roussel Ucalf Causality Assessment Method scale revealed that the adverse drug event was probable. Prolonged exposure to linezolid may induce severe hepatotoxicity. Clinicians should be aware of this possible adverse effect especially in case of long-term treatment

Conceptions of the pathophysiology of happy hypoxemia in COVID-19

In their letter-to-the-editor entitled "Misconceptions of pathophysiology of happy hypoxemia and implications for management of COVID-19", Tobin et al. (Respir Res 21:249, 2020) debated our views on happy hypoxemia in COVID-19 (Respir Res 21:198, 2020). We thank the authors for their interesting comments and alternative viewpoints, and we would like to clarify several important aspects raised

The pathophysiology of 'happy' hypoxemia in COVID-19

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global crisis, challenging healthcare systems worldwide. Many patients present with a remarkable disconnect in rest between profound hypoxemia yet without proportional signs of respiratory distress (i.e. happy hypoxemia) and rapid deterioration can occur. This particular clinical presentation in COVID-19 patients contrasts with the experience of physicians usually treating critically ill patients in respiratory failure and ensuring timely referral to the intensive care unit can, therefore, be challenging. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiological determinants of respiratory drive and hypoxemia may promote a more complete comprehension of a patient's clinical presentation and management. Preserved oxygen saturation despite low partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood samples occur, due to leftward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve induced by hypoxemia-driven hyperventilation as well as possible direct viral interactions with hemoglobin. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch, ranging from shunts to alveolar dead space ventilation, is the central hallmark and offers various therapeutic targets

Anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis complicated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease : a case report

Case presentation: We present a case of a 55-year-old Caucasian male with manifestations of dermatomyositis complicated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). Diagnosis of anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis was made. Discussion: Myositis specific antibodies (MSA) can be used for diagnosis and predicting prognosis in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis should be considered in patients presenting with dermatomyositis and a disease course resembling antisynthetase syndrome in the absence of antisynthetase autoantibodies, especially if a remarkably high ferritin is noted. Anti-MDA5 autoantibodies have been associated with RP-ILD and adverse outcome. In patients with anti-MDA5 autoantibodies, early diagnosis and aggressive immunosuppressive treatment may improve prognosis. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of determining MSA in patients with dermatomyositis and associated interstitial lung disease, as this has implications for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy

Foxglove poisoning : diagnostic and therapeutic differences with medicinal digitalis glycosides overdose

We report a case of a 19-year-old woman who ingested Digitalis purpurea leaves as a suicide attempt. She developed gastro-intestinal symptoms, loss of colour vision, cardiac conduction disturbances as well as an elevated serum potassium. Treatment was initiated in analogy to medicinal digoxin poisoning by means of digoxin-specific Fab-fragments with a good effect. However during the further course we faced difficulties of prolonged intestinal absorption and inability to estimate the ingested dose or half-life of the vegetal cardiac glycoside compounds. To prevent further absorption and interrupt enterohepatic recycling, multi-dose activated charcoal was administered. Because of a relapse of cardiac conduction disturbances and hyperkalemia, two supplementary doses of Fab-fragments were given, up to a total dose of nineteen vials (one vial containing 40 mg). The important diagnostic and therapeutic differences of vegetal digitalis intoxication as compared to medicinal intoxication and the applicability of existing guidelines on medicinal digitalis intoxication in the light of these differences will be discussed here