Group D Salmonella

A 62-year-old male with past medical history of benign prostatic hyperplasia presented to the emergency department with complaints of decreased urinary flow, inability to fully empty his bladder, and gross hematuria. Physical examination was unremarkable. Urinalysis revealed large amount of blood and more than 700 white blood cells suggesting a urinary tract infection. Urine culture grew group D Salmonella greater than 100,000 colony-forming units per mL. He was prescribed 6 weeks of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and had resolution of symptoms. Retrospectively, he reported a 3-day history of watery diarrhea about a week prior to onset of urinary symptoms that was presumed to be the hematogenous source in this case. Urinary tract infection from nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is rare and is usually associated with immunosuppression, chronic diseases, such as diabetes or structural abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. Genitourinary tract abnormalities previously reported in the literature that predispose to nontyphoidal Salmonella urinary tract infection include nephrolithiasis, chronic pyelonephritis, retrovesicular fistula, urethrorectal fistula, hydrocele, and post-TURP. We present an exceedingly uncommon case of 62-year-old male with group D Salmonella urinary tract infection predisposed by his history of benign prostatic hyperplasia

SARS-COV-ATE risk assessment model for arterial thromboembolism in COVID-19

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at an increased risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic complications conferring an extremely poor prognosis. COVID-19 infection is known to be an independent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). We developed a risk assessment model (RAM) to stratify hospitalized COVID-19 patients for arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This multicenter, retrospective study included adult COVID-19 patients admitted between 3/1/2020 and 9/5/2021. Among 3531 patients from the training cohort, 15.5% developed acute in-hospital ATE, including stroke, MI, and other ATE, compared to 13.4% in the validation cohort. The 16-item final score was named SARS-COV-ATE (Sex: male = 1, Age [40-59 = 2, \u3e 60 = 4], Race: non-African American = 1, Smoking = 1 and Systolic blood pressure elevation = 1, Creatinine elevation = 1; Over the range: leukocytes/lactate dehydrogenase/interleukin-6, B-type natriuretic peptide = 1, Vascular disease (cardiovascular/cerebrovascular = 1), Aspartate aminotransferase = 1, Troponin-I [\u3e 0.04 ng/mL = 1, troponin-I \u3e 0.09 ng/mL = 3], Electrolytes derangement [magnesium/potassium = 1]). RAM had a good discrimination (training AUC 0.777, 0.756-0.797; validation AUC 0.766, 0.741-0.790). The validation cohort was stratified as low-risk (score 0-8), intermediate-risk (score 9-13), and high-risk groups (score ≥ 14), with the incidence of ATE 2.4%, 12.8%, and 33.8%, respectively. Our novel prediction model based on 16 standardized, commonly available parameters showed good performance in identifying COVID-19 patients at risk for ATE on admission

Data of atrial arrhythmias in hospitalized COVID-19 and influenza patients

Atrial arrhythmias (AA) are common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with limited data on their association with COVID-19 infection, clinical and imaging outcomes. In the related research article using retrospective research data from one quaternary care and five community hospitals, patients aged 18 years and above with positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test were included. 6927 patients met the inclusion criteria. The data in this article provides demographics, home medications, in-hospital events and COVID-19 treatments, multivariable generalized linear regression regression models using a log link with a Poisson distribution (multi-parameter regression [MPR]) to determine predictors of new-onset AA and mortality in COVID-19 patients, computerized tomography chest scan findings, echocardiographic findings, and International Classification of Diseases-Tenth Revision codes. The clinical outcomes were compared to a propensity-matched cohort of influenza patients. For influenza, data is reported on baseline demographics, comorbid conditions, and in-hospital events. Generalized linear regression models were built for COVID-19 patients using demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and presenting labs which were significantly different between the groups, and hypoxia in the emergency room. Statistical analysis was performed using R programming language (version 4, ggplot2 package). Multivariable generalized linear regression model showed that, relative to normal sinus rhythm, history of AA (adjusted relative risk [RR]: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.11-1.71; p = 0.003) and newly-detected AA (adjusted RR: 2.02 95% CI: 1.68-2.43; p \u3c 0.001) were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Age in increments of 10 years, male sex, White race, prior history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, presenting leukocytosis, hypermagnesemia, and hypomagnesemia were found to be independent predictors of new-onset AA in the MPR model. The dataset reported is related to the research article entitled Incidence, Mortality, and Imaging Outcomes of Atrial Arrhythmias in COVID-19 [Jehangir et al. Incidence, Mortality, and Imaging Outcomes of Atrial Arrhythmias in COVID-19, American Journal of Cardiology] [1]

RISK FACTORS OF ARTERIAL THROMBOEMBOLISM IN HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS: A MULTICENTER COHORT STUDY

Background: Endothelial cell dysfunction from infection by SARS-CoV-2 and inflammatory cytokines leading to hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulable state is thought to be the mechanism of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 infection is known to be an independent risk factor for acute stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). However, data on the risk factors of ATE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is limited. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included adult patients admitted to one quaternary care and three community hospitals with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2020. The composite outcome was in-hospital ATE events, including acute ischemic stroke, MI, and other ATE identified by ICD-10 codes. Student t-test was conducted for continuous variables and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression using forward selection was conducted. All statistical tests were 2-sided with an α level of 0.05. All data was analyzed using R version 4.0.4. Results: The cohort included 3531 patients with 371 (10.5%) patients who developed acute ATE. There were 398 ATE events: 270 patients had MI, 43 had stroke, 85 had other ATE, 12 had MI + stroke, 13 had MI + other ATE, and 2 had stroke + other ATE. The model suggested that initial systolic blood pressure (BP) \u3c90 mmHg and \u3e160 mmHg; elevated initial biomarkers including B-type natriuretic peptide (\u3e100 pg/mL), troponin-I (\u3e0.03 ng/mL), lactate dehydrogenase (\u3e192 U/L), creatine phosphokinase (male \u3e280 U/L and female \u3e155 U/L), C-reactive protein (\u3e0.5 mg/dL), leukocytes (\u3e11 K/uL), lactate (\u3e2.2 mmol/L), and aspartate aminotransferase (\u3e41 U/L); presenting hypoalbuminemia (\u3c3.5 g/dL) and hypomagnesemia (\u3c1.8 mg/dL); age \u3e60; male sex; and history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), coronary artery disease (CAD), hyperthyroidism, and cigarette smoking were associated with an increased risk of ATE (all p\u3c0.05). Conclusion: Hypo or hypertension on admission, elevated inflammatory and cardiac markers, hypoalbuminemia, hypomagnesemia, smoking, and comorbidities including CAD and CVA are associated with ATE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients and prediction model: a multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID-19 infection are commonly reported to have an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The choice of anti-thrombotic agents and doses are currently being studied in randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies. There exists a need for individualized risk stratification of venous thromboembolism (VTE) to assist clinicians in decision-making on anticoagulation. We sought to identify the risk factors of VTE in COVID-19 patients, which could help physicians in the prevention, early identification, and management of VTE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and improve clinical outcomes in these patients. METHOD: This is a multicenter, retrospective database of four main health systems in Southeast Michigan, United States. We compiled comprehensive data for adult COVID-19 patients who were admitted between 1st March 2020 and 31st December 2020. Four models, including the random forest, multiple logistic regression, multilinear regression, and decision trees, were built on the primary outcome of in-hospital acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and tested for performance. The study also reported hospital length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS in the VTE and the non-VTE patients. Four models were assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and confusion matrix. RESULTS: The cohort included 3531 admissions, 3526 had discharge diagnoses, and 6.68% of patients developed acute VTE (N = 236). VTE group had a longer hospital and ICU LOS than the non-VTE group (hospital LOS 12.2 days vs. 8.8 days, p \u3c 0.001; ICU LOS 3.8 days vs. 1.9 days, p \u3c 0.001). 9.8% of patients in the VTE group required more advanced oxygen support, compared to 2.7% of patients in the non-VTE group (p \u3c 0.001). Among all four models, the random forest model had the best performance. The model suggested that blood pressure, electrolytes, renal function, hepatic enzymes, and inflammatory markers were predictors for in-hospital VTE in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 have a high risk for VTE, and patients who developed VTE had a prolonged hospital and ICU stay. This random forest prediction model for VTE in COVID-19 patients identifies predictors which could aid physicians in making a clinical judgment on empirical dosages of anticoagulation

A case report of emphysematous gastritis in a diabetic patient: favorable outcome with conservative measures

Emphysematous gastritis (EG) is a rare cause of abdominal pain, which should be differentiated from gastric emphysema. It is hypothesized to result from air-producing microorganisms in patients with underlying predisposing factors. Because of the non-specific presentation of EG, it is diagnosed radiographically. CT scan is the diagnostic modality of choice that typically reveals irregular, mottled appearance of the air in the thickened gastric wall and in the portal vein in the liver. We report a rare case of EG in a male with a history of diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency department with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. On examination, he was hypotensive and had mild tenderness in the epigastrium. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis, elevated lactate, anion gap metabolic acidosis, and acute kidney injury. A non-contrast CT abdomen revealed findings consistent with EG. Even though mortality rate in access of 60% have been reported without prompt surgical intervention in EG, recent literature suggests favorable prognosis with conservative measures in patients without an overt surgical indication. Our patient was also managed conservatively with IV antibiotics and gradual advancement of diet and had complete resolution of symptoms over the ensuing few days. The factors that correlate with a poor prognosis include elevated serum lactate, serum creatinine, and concomitant pneumatosis in small bowel and colon

Thyroid follicular carcinoma presenting as metastatic skin nodules

Background: Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) metastasizes most commonly to the lungs and non-cranial bones. Skull and skin are uncommon sites and usually manifest well after the diagnosis of primary malignancy. Metastasis to skull and skin as the presenting feature of FTC is infrequently reported in the literature. Case presentation: A 65-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of thyroid nodule presented with the complaint of rapidly growing skull nodules which had been present for 3 years but were stable previously. She denied any fevers, chills, history of trauma, or weight loss. She denied any history of smoking or head and neck irradiation. On physical examination, she had two non-tender gray cystic lesions – one on her left temporal region and the other on the right parietal region. Biopsy was consistent with metastatic FTC. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated 7.1×3.8 cm and 3.7×4.5 cm fairly homogeneous, enhancing, relatively well-defined masses centered in the posterior and left anterior lateral calvarium with intracranial and extracranial extensions but without any vasogenic edema or mass effect on the brain. Thyroid ultrasound showed numerous nodules in both lobes. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy. Histopathological studies of the thyroid gland revealed a well-differentiated FTC in the left lobe. Then she underwent resection of the tumor in multiple stages. She did not have any recurrence of the FTC or metastases during the follow-up period and will be receiving radioactive iodine treatment. Conclusion: Bone and lung are the common sites of metastasis from FTC, but involvement of skull or skin is unusual, particularly as the presenting feature. Metastases from FTC should be in the differential of patients with new osteolytic hypervascular skull lesions or cutaneous lesions in head and neck area

Group D Salmonella Urinary Tract Infection in an Immunocompetent Male

A 62-year-old male with past medical history of benign prostatic hyperplasia presented to the emergency department with complaints of decreased urinary flow, inability to fully empty his bladder, and gross hematuria. Physical examination was unremarkable. Urinalysis revealed large amount of blood and more than 700 white blood cells suggesting a urinary tract infection. Urine culture grew group D Salmonella greater than 100,000 colony-forming units per mL. He was prescribed 6 weeks of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and had resolution of symptoms. Retrospectively, he reported a 3-day history of watery diarrhea about a week prior to onset of urinary symptoms that was presumed to be the hematogenous source in this case. Urinary tract infection from nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is rare and is usually associated with immunosuppression, chronic diseases, such as diabetes or structural abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. Genitourinary tract abnormalities previously reported in the literature that predispose to nontyphoidal Salmonella urinary tract infection include nephrolithiasis, chronic pyelonephritis, retrovesicular fistula, urethrorectal fistula, hydrocele, and post-TURP. We present an exceedingly uncommon case of 62-year-old male with group D Salmonella urinary tract infection predisposed by his history of benign prostatic hyperplasia

A rare initial presentation of gastric cancer with multiple osteolytic lesions.

Gastric cancer is the 12th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and commonly metastasizes to the bones. However, the presentation of gastric cancer as bony metastases without preceding gastrointestinal symptoms is rare which has been infrequently reported in the literature. Moreover, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is an unusual complication of gastric cancer accounting for less than 1 percent of these patients. We present a unique case of a middle aged male who presented to the emergency department with worsening backache which started one month priorly. The only abnormal laboratory test was an elevated alkaline phosphatase of 154 IU/L. The imaging of his spine showed osteolytic lesions which on biopsy revealed signet ring cells. A small 2 cm ulcerated mass was found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the gastric cardia which on biopsy revealed signet ring gastric carcinoma. The patient received chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin as well as radiation and showed a good response initially. A few months later, he presented with persistent worsening headaches and on brain imaging was found to have leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Ten months after the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma, he passed away