Antibiotic Use in Dental Implant Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: This project was developed from anecdotal evidence of varied practices around antibiotic prescribing in dental procedures. The aim of the study was to ascertain if there is evidence to support whether antibiotic (AB) use can effectively reduce postoperative infections after dental implant placements (DIPs). Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA-P© methodology, a systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials was designed and registered on the PROSPERO© database. Searches were performed using PubMed®, Science Direct® and the Cochrane© Database, plus the bibliographies of studies identified. The efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics, independent of the regimen used, versus a placebo, control or no therapy based on implant failure due to infection was the primary measured outcome. Secondary outcomes were other post-surgical complications due to infection and AB adverse events. Results: Twelve RCTs were identified and analysed. Antibiotic use was reported to be statistically significant in preventing infection (p < 001). The prevention of complications was not statistically significant (p = 0.96), and the NNT was >5 (14 and 2523 respectively), which indicates that the intervention was not sufficiently effective to justify its use. The occurrence of side effects was not statistically significant (p = 0.63). NNH was 528 indicating that possible harm caused by the use of ABs is very small and does not negate the AB use when indicated. Conclusion: The routine use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection in dental implant placement was found to be not sufficiently effective to justify routine use. Clear clinical assessment pathways, such as those used for medical conditions, based on the patients' age, dental risk factors, such as oral health and bone health, physical risk factors, such as chronic or long-term conditions and modifiable health determinants, such as smoking, are required to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

The Role of Antibiotic Use in Third Molar Tooth Extractions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Anecdotal evidence suggested variation in practices for antibiotic prescribing around dental procedures including route of administration of antibiotics, timing of the course prescribed (before, after or both), length of course prescribed, narrow vs. broad spectrum agents prescribed, use of single or combination of antibiotics, and the use of loading doses. This review aims to investigate this disparity of practices and the absence of global and local recent consensus on the most appropriate antibiotic interventions around invasive dental procedures. Material and methods: Following PRISMA-P© methodology, a systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials was designed, reviewed, and entered on the PROSPERO© website prior to commencement. Ethics approval was gained from the University of Wolverhampton Committee. Searches were performed using PubMed©, Science Direct™, and the Cochrane Database, plus the bibliographies of studies identified. They investigated studies examining the efficacy and safety of any antibiotic regimen tested, independent of regimen used, versus a placebo, control, or no therapy, on outcomes in post third molar extraction. Results: The primary outcome of interest was postoperative infection and secondary outcomes were other post-surgical related complications of infectious nature and antibiotic adverse events. Sixteen RCTs were identified that met the selection criteria. Antibiotic use was reported to be safe, causing few adverse events. Meta-analysis of infection events showed antibiotics reduced the risk of an infection by 69%, but routine use for prophylaxis in uncomplicated procedures was not supported, and their role in patients with comorbidities or impaired immunity remains controversial. The effect on the incidence of dry socket showed no difference based upon regimen used. No significant benefit was found with respect to reduction of intraoral inflammation, wound dehiscence, haematoma, and lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: The effect on postoperative pain reduction was inconclusive. Routine use of antibiotics around M3 extraction procedures is not supported, but their use in the presence of co-morbidities and or immunosuppression remains controversial to be confirmed by future studies.

Burkholderia thailandensis Methylated Hydroxyalkylquinolines: Biosynthesis and Antimicrobial Activity in Cocultures.

The bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis produces an arsenal of secondary metabolites that have diverse structures and roles in the ecology of this soil-dwelling bacterium. In coculture experiments, B. thailandensis strain E264 secretes an antimicrobial that nearly eliminates another soil bacterium, Bacillus subtilis strain 168. To identify the antimicrobial, we used a transposon mutagenesis approach. This screen identified antimicrobial-defective mutants with insertions in the hmqA, hmqC, and hmqF genes involved in biosynthesis of a family of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones called 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinolines (HMAQs), which are closely related to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines (HAQs). Insertions also occurred in the previously uncharacterized gene BTH_II1576 ("hmqL"). The results confirm that BTH_II1576 is involved in generating N-oxide derivatives of HMAQs (HMAQ-NOs). Synthetic HMAQ-NO is active against B. subtilis 168, showing ∼50-fold more activity than HMAQ. Both the methyl group and the length of the carbon side chain account for the high activity of HMAQ-NO. The results provide new information on the biosynthesis and activities of HMAQs and reveal new insight into how these molecules might be important for the ecology of B. thailandensisIMPORTANCE The soil bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis produces 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones that are mostly methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines, a family of relatively unstudied metabolites similar to molecules also synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Several of the methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines have antimicrobial activity against other species. We show that Bacillus subtilis strain 168 is particularly susceptible to N-oxidated methylalkenylquinolines (HMAQ-NOs). We confirmed that HMAQ-NO biosynthesis requires the previously unstudied protein HmqL. These results provide new information about the biology of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones, particularly the methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines, which are unique to B. thailandensis This study also has importance for understanding B. thailandensis secondary metabolites and has implications for potential therapeutic development.

Survey of nurses' knowledge and practice regarding medication administration using enteral tubes.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the practice variation of the individual practitioners in medications' formulation modification for patients using enteral feeding tubing and to support health practitioners involved in this process. BACKGROUND: Blockage of enteral tubes is a common problem that can sometimes be resolved but may require replacement of the tube. Medications are a common culprit. DESIGN: A survey of 73 registered nurses' practices around medication administration via enteral feeding tubes. METHODS: A questionnaire study was undertaken within a district general hospital across a broad variety of wards to explore nurses' experiences of medication administration via enteral tubes. The study is reported in accordance with the squire 2.0 guidelines from the EQUATOR network. RESULTS: Seventy-three nurses responded. Twenty-six per cent reported never checking about drug modification for administration via a tube, 12% check every time and 61% when unsure about a new drug. The volume of fluid flushes administered after medication ranged from 7.5-150 ml. Seventy-one per cent of participants reported stopping feed when medications are required, varying from 1-60 min. Sixty per cent had experienced a blocked tube and 52% the tube being removed for these reasons. The clinical nurse specialist was the commonest first point of call to help. Staff named 15 medications as the most problematic to administer, lactulose and omeprazole were the top two. CONCLUSIONS: Practice varies significantly amongst nurses around medication administration. Theoretically, this may contribute to blocked tubes and excessive fluid administration to some patients. Barriers to medication administration were thematically grouped into: time, difficulty modifying medication, medication interactions and knowledge. Areas identified to support staff include training, devices to crush medications, medication suitability, multidisciplinary approach to streamline care and quick reference guides. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Health professionals may use these results to reduce and ultimately avoid problems with administering medications through feeding tubes. Organisations may use these results to develop their local practice pathways for prescribing, dispensing and training around administration of medications through enteral tubes. In a community setting, this paper may improve the awareness of patients, caregivers and prescribers of the possible implications of tubing blockages.

Pharmacy Students' Preparedness to Communicate With Mental Health Disorders Patients.

The aim of this project was to explore whether fourth-year pharmacy students in England are prepared to communicate with mental health patients. Mental health problems are rising in the United Kingdom, affecting around one in four people. A questionnaire-based study measured the knowledge about and attitude toward mental health problems. Participants were fourth-year pharmacy students from two west midlands universities. More males than females correctly answered the "attitude towards mental health" questions. However, overall, only 45.5% of students answered the "attitude towards mental health problems" questions correctly. Males demonstrated a better level of knowledge than females, with 33% overall answering 6 or more questions of the 13 knowledge questions correctly. Sixty-five percent of participants scored under 50%. The highest total score was 81%, and the lowest was 19%, three people did not answer any questions. In conclusion, a gap in knowledge was identified within the fourth-year pharmacy student cohort, and more intervention will be required to improve knowledge and attitudes such as the Mental Health First Aid courses.

Hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized from heart failure.

BACKGROUND: To date, the majority of studies on hyponatremia focussed on hyponatremia at admission, and came from developed countries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients hospitalized for HF and its association with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This was an observational study using retrospective data from patients' records between 2010-2013. It focused on those patients carrying an ICD-10 code of 150.0(Congestive Heart Failure) as their primary diagnosis. Hyponatremia during hospitalization was defined as serum sodium level lower than 135 mEq/L obtained from a blood chemistry measurement on the next days after admission. Patients' characteristics were examined and the association between hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 464 patients hospitalized for HF, hyponatremia during hospitalization was observed in 22 % of patients with 44 % of this group had normal serum sodium level on admission. Hyponatremia during hospitalization was associated with lower blood pressure on admission, both systolic and diastolic, peripheral oedema, ascites and fatigue. Patients having history of hospitalization for cardiac diseases and renal failure were higher in patients developing hyponatremia during hospitalization. In this group, amiodarone, heparin, insulin and antibiotics were administered more frequently. Factors potentially increase the risk of hyponatremia during hospitalization include history of fatigue (OR = 3.23, 95 % CI 1.79-5.82), presence of ascites (4.14, 1.84-9.31), and administration of heparin (3.85, 1.78-8.31) and antibiotics (3.08, 1.71-5.53). Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was also higher compared to non-hyponatremic patients, 7.7 % and 29.1 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found that the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients hospitalized for HF was almost the same as hyponatremia on admission and administration of heparin and antibiotics can potentially worsen hyponatremia during hospitalization. In this study population, hyponatremia during hospitalization was found to be associated with in-hospital mortality.

A survey of dental professionals' opinions around the use of antibiotics in molar 3 extractions and dental implant placement.

Aim: This survey was conducted to determine the type and frequency of antibiotics (AB) use for the prevention of infections in dental third molar (M3) extraction and implantation procedures (DIP) among UK dentists and the opinions underpinning their practice. Methods and design: Systematic reviews of the evidence were undertaken alongside this survey of practicing dentists in the United Kingdom to identify the opinions and practices of those undertaking the procedures.With ethical approval, a survey was designed for online delivery and was sent to every dental practitioner in the UK with a publicly available email address or social media contact. The opening page provided the project information sheet and proceeding to complete and submit the questionnaire was considered consent to participate. The online survey was circulated to 900 identified addresses and a total of 145 responses were received. Responses were collated in Microsoft® Excel™ and analyzed using IBM® SPSS™ plus thematic analysis of free text responses. Results: There were 42% of participants (n=61) who discouraged AB prophylactic use in M3 extractions in people with no systemic conditions and who also preferred postoperative AB use when required. Where, 57.9% of respondents (n=84) supported the short-term use of ABs (5-7 days) for M3 extraction and 53% (n=77) in DIP placement in patients with no relevant medical history. As an ad hoc finding, dentists reported on the negative impact of heavy smoking and oral parafunctional behavior on DIP success. Conclusion: The use of antibiotics and broad spectrum antibiotics remains higher than current guidelines would recommend. Further research is required to clarify the specific risks arising from underlying medical conditions to further clarify where prophylaxis is required.

Can medication management review reduce anticholinergic burden (ACB) in the elderly? Encouraging results from a theoretical model.

BACKGROUND: Review of recent journal articles and various relevant current textbooks provides strong evidence to show that anticholinergic burden is a material issue in frail and at-risk patients. This study assesses the anticholinergic burden in a group of patients in residential care facilities and then applies a theoretical intervention model. It is based on a scoring system known as the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale, and attempts to reduce the anticholinergic burden while maintaining therapeutic benefits. METHODS: A database of 691 patients was analyzed for each individual's ACB based on the scale of scoring produced by groups of experts in the area. A theoretical intervention was then conducted using relevant, evidence-based practice guidelines for clinical therapeutics in Australia. The intervention had the aim of reducing the total ACB without affecting the apparent intended effectiveness of the prescribed therapy. RESULTS: Of the 35% (n = 242) patients who score at least 1 point on the ACB, a reduction is achievable in 59% of the cases. In particular, the reduction from a clinically significant score of 3 or above to 2 or below for 49 of those patients is possible in 85% of the cases. Overall, this represents a reduction from 7.10% to 1.01% for the entire population. It is also found that of the 246,960 counts of items dispensed (both prescription and non-prescription) for these patients, 47,334 (or 19.2%) of these were of agents on the ACB scale. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that it appears to be possible that the total ACB of a group of 691 patients can be significantly reduced.

Destruction and regrowth of lithospheric mantle beneath large igneous provinces.

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are formed by enormous (i.e., frequently >106 km3) but short-lived magmatic events that have profound effects upon global geodynamic, tectonic, and environmental processes. Lithospheric structure is known to modulate mantle melting, yet its evolution during and after such dramatic periods of magmatism is poorly constrained. Using geochemical and seismological observations, we find that magmatism is associated with thin (i.e., ≲80 km) lithosphere and we reveal a striking positive correlation between the thickness of modern-day lithosphere beneath LIPs and time since eruption. Oceanic lithosphere rethickens to 125 km, while continental regions reach >190 km. Our results point to systematic destruction and subsequent regrowth of lithospheric mantle during and after LIP emplacement and recratonization of the continents following eruption. These insights have implications for the stability, age, and composition of ancient, thick, and chemically distinct lithospheric roots, the distribution of economic resources, and emissions of chemical species that force catastrophic environmental change.

The Experience of Home Parenteral Therapy: A Thematic Analysis of Patient Interviews.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies have explored patients' experience with home parenteral (injectable) therapy (HPT) in the UK. AIM: To explore the immediate-, short-, and long-term experience of patients with self-management of any home parenteral therapy with the intention for developing a guideline for service development in the United Kingdom. METHODS AND DESIGN: An interview-based study of patients receiving HPT. Invitations were posted to all patients on the hospital HPT register. The sessions were conducted by telephone for all consenting patients. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Participants completed the 'Health Education Impact Questionnaire' (heiQ) before and after the education session. RESULTS: Of the 640 patients invited to participate in the study, 45 (7%) patients completed the interviews and the education session. An interview analysis revealed that the patients' experiences of HPT were generally positive, but the levels of training and support received showed wide individual variations. The patients had experienced periods of doubt and uncertainty, where they would have appreciated quick access to professional advice to alleviate their concerns. There was a reliable positive change (10.5-18.4%) from before and after the education sessions in six out of the eight domains on the heiQ questionnaire (health-directed behaviour, self-monitoring and insight, constructive attitudes and approaches, skill and technique acquisition, social integration and support, and emotional distress) and moderate change in two domains (5.3% in positive and negative engagement in life, and 2.6% in health services navigation). CONCLUSION: Self-administered parenteral therapy at home is a valuable option, but training and preparation standards should be optimised across hospitals and the wider NHS.

Efficacy and Tolerance of Antipsychotics Used for the Treatment of Patients Newly Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review compared the efficacy and tolerance of oral antipsychotics (APDs) used in the treatment of schizophrenia following the PRISMA-P© statement (n = 21). The primary outcomes of interest were clinical response measured with symptoms' improvement, tolerance to side effects and discontinuation reasons. There was better individual patients' response to aripiprazole vs. ziprasidone and quetiapine ((CDSS p = 0.04), BPRS p = 0.02, YMRS p = 0.001) and ziprasidone vs. quetiapine (CGI p = 0.02, CDSS p = 0.02). Aripiprazole was more tolerated than risperidone, ziprasidone and quetiapine (p < 0.05). Quetiapine was more tolerated than aripiprazole, ziprasidone and risperidone (p < 0.05). Ziprasidone was more tolerated than quetiapine haloperidol and olanzapine (p < 0.05). Risperidone was more tolerated than olanzapine (p = 0.03) and haloperidol was more tolerated than olanzapine and quetiapine (p < 0.05). Olanzapine caused less discontinuation than quetiapine; quetiapine caused less discontinuation than ziprasidone, aripiprazole and haloperidol; ziprasidone caused less discontinuation than quetiapine, aripiprazole and haloperidol; aripiprazole caused less discontinuation than quetiapine, ziprasidone and olanzapine and olanzapine caused less discontinuation than ziprasidone and haloperidol (p < 0.05). It was concluded that individual patient clinical response, tolerance to side effects and life-threatening side effects remain the most reliable basis for selecting and continuing the use of APD.

Antipsychotic Use: Cross-Sectional Opinion Survey of Psychiatrists in India and United Kingdom.

The aim of this survey of psychiatrists from the UK and India was to compare their opinions on antipsychotic medication choice and their experiences of such medications' effectiveness and tolerability in patients who were newly diagnosed with acute schizophrenia. Following ethical approval, a cross-sectional online survey of psychiatrists from the UK and India was conducted. Ninety-five responses were received from each country. The most selected first-line APDs in both countries were olanzapine (47.5%), risperidone (42.8%) and aripiprazole (25.3%). A total of 60% of psychiatrists from India (60%) and 48% from the UK (48%) selected 'medication efficacy' as the main factor in their choice. Reassessment and consideration to switch most often took place within 4-6 weeks (53.7%) and 3-6 months (11.6%). The major reasons for switching antipsychotic medications were poor clinical efficacy (69%) and lack of tolerability (45%). Nonadherence was the most common reason for relapse (90% of UK psychiatrists and 70% of Indian psychiatrists), followed by illicit drug use (27.6%). The most commonly reported side effects that led to nonadherence were weight gain (10.8%), drowsiness (10.4%), erectile dysfunction and movement disorders (equally 8.7%). It was concluded that olanzapine, risperidone and aripiprazole are the most commonly selected as the initial treatment choice by psychiatrists from India and the UK. They are perceived as widely effective and well tolerated.

Vitamin B group levels and supplementations in dermatology.

Irregularities of vitamin levels are being increasingly identified associated with skin conditions, and systemic and topical therapies have shown promising improvements. There have been some remarkable improvements achieved, but large variations in outcomes suggest that these conditions are not simply related to a single deficiency or solved by providing a single supplement. Cyanocobalamin, pyridoxine (B6) and riboflavin (B2) supplementation were linked with exacerbating existing acne. There were also reports of allergic reactions to parenteral cobalamin including acne, rosacea, allergic site reactions or anaphylaxis with cobalamin injections. This was also reported in patients who had allergic contact dermatitis to cobalt, where cobalamin therapy resulted in cutaneous manifestations such as chronic vesicular hand dermatitis, cheilitis and stomatitis. The use of niacinamide in acne vulgaris as an alternative to clindamycin or adjunct is also notable, as well as its application for hyperpigmentation. Vitamin B3 also has promise in chemoprevention in particular nonmelanoma skin cancer prophylaxis. Folic acid has a developing role in psoriasis. The data for vitiligo remains inconclusive. Assessment for potential vitamin deficiency, particularly B vitamins, should form part of the normal work-up for a wide range of skin conditions.

The dinitrobenzamide mustard prodrugs, PR-104A and SN27686, for use in a novel MNDEPT cancer prodrug therapy approach.

Directed enzyme prodrug therapy is a highly promising anti-cancer strategy. However, the current technology is limited by inefficient prodrug activation and the dose-limiting toxicity associated with the prodrugs being tested; to overcome these limitations, the dinitrobenzamide mustard prodrugs, PR-104A and SN27686, have been developed. The present study will assess both of these prodrugs for their potential uses in a novel magnetic-nanoparticle directed enzyme prodrug therapy strategy by determining their kinetic parameters, assessing the products formed during enzymatic reduction using HPLC and finally their ability to cause cell death in the ovarian cancer cell line, SK-OV-3. It was shown for the first time that the dinitrobenzamide mustard prodrugs are able to be reduced by the genetically modified nitroreductases, NfnB-cys and YfkO-cys, and that these enzyme/prodrug combinations can induce a significant cell death in the SK-OV-3 cell line, highlighting the potential for both enzyme/prodrug combinations for use in magnetic-nanoparticle directed enzyme prodrug therapy.

Phenotypic Characterization and Draft Genome Sequence Analyses of Two Novel Endospore-Forming Sporosarcina spp. Isolated from Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Feces.

In an attempt to isolate new probiotic bacteria, two Gram-variable, spore-forming, rod-shaped aerobic bacteria designated as strain A4 and A15 were isolated from the feces of Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Strain A4 was able to grow in high salt levels and exhibited lipase activity, while A15 did not propagate under these conditions. Both were positive for starch hydrolysis, and they inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The strains of the 16S rRNA sequence shared only 94% similarity to previously identified Sporosarcina spp. The ANI (78.08%) and AAI (82.35%) between the two strains were less than the species threshold. Searches for the most similar genomes using the Mash/Minhash algorithm showed the nearest genome to strain A4 and A15 as Sporosarcina sp. P13 (distance of 21%) and S. newyorkensis (distance of 17%), respectively. Sporosarcina spp. strains A4 and A15 contain urease genes, and a fibronectin-binding protein gene indicates that these bacteria may bind to eukaryotic cells in host gastrointestinal tracts. Phenotypic and phylogenetic data, along with low dDDH, ANI, and AAI values for strains A4 and A15, indicate these bacteria are two novel isolates of the Sporosarcina genus: Sporosarcina sp. A4 sp. nov., type strain as Sporosarcina cascadiensis and Sporosarcina sp. A15 sp. nov., type strain Sporosarcina obsidiansis.

'You're less complete if you haven't got a can in your hand': alcohol consumption and related harmful effects in rural Australia: the role and influence of cultural capital.

AIMS: This study aimed to explore rural Australians' perceptions of social and cultural factors influencing alcohol use in their communities. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews exploring rural community key informants' (n = 46) perceptions of social and cultural factors influencing alcohol consumption in their community were conducted. A narrative analysis identified cultural capital as a salient concept for explaining how rural community life is created and sustained via drinking practices. RESULTS: Themes relating to participants' accounts of learning to drink, normal drinking; exclusion because of not drinking and problematic drinkers are described. CONCLUSION: In rural communities, beliefs and values about drinking as a positive social practice are transmitted, rewarded and reproduced across multiple groups and settings, reinforcing that drinking is an integral part of Australian rural culture. Drinking is so important that engaging in drinking practices creates and sustains cultural capital. As a result, alcohol-related harm is of little concern to rural dwellers.

Possible relationship between poor skin disorders prognosis and serum zinc level: A narrative review.

Zinc is a trace nutrient essential for the normal growth and development of human body. The main aim was to evaluate the significant association between measured zinc status in relation to different skin disorders and their severity. PubMed®, Google® Scholar™ and Cochrane© Reviews databases were searched for studies from January 2017 to June 2021, using the terms; zinc serum levels, zinc plasma levels and different dermatosis in the review, only human studies in English language were reviewed and the studies designs were controlled, cross sectional, observational and analytic types. A total of forty-eight research studies were included in this review. All studies have evaluated serum zinc in skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis alba, androgenetic alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, vitiligo, melasma, acne, seborrheic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppuritiva. It was found that 33 studies had validated statistically significant differences in serum zinc levels between patients and controls. There is a predominance of low serum zinc levels in all the dermatoses reviewed. The clinical significance of this finding highlights the possible value, and need to investigate, the use of Zinc supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases proven to manifest altered zinc levels.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Recent Infection with Coronavirus.

A 50-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and a recent infection with COVID-19 presented to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath twice in 10 days. She was diagnosed with myopericarditis attributed to COVID-19 infection (first admission), and chest X-ray revealed a small left-sided pneumothorax, pericardial effusion (second admission), with no mediastinal shift or other signs of tension. Computed tomography confirmed these results and revealed a few small cysts in the right lung. An echocardiogram demonstrated normal heart anatomy and filling dynamics. The patient was diagnosed with simple pneumothorax and ongoing myopericarditis managed with colchicine, ibuprofen, and low-dose prednisolone. The patient responded to treatment and was discharged. Pneumothorax association with COVID-19 is reported in a small number of publications, but the association is less clear with SLE. Our patient may have been predisposed to developing pneumothorax after COVID-19 infection due to her existing connective tissue disorder.