IVIG plus Glucocorticoids versus IVIG Alone in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is limited information available regarding the management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the optimal treatment using IVIG alone versus IVIG plus glucocorticoids. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched along with other secondary searches. Studies published within the time frame of January 2020 to August 2021 were included. We screened records, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the studies using NOS. Studies that directly compare the two treatment groups were included. Analyses were conducted using the random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird analysis) if I 2 > 50% and fixed-effects model was used if I 2 < 50%. Results: We included three studies in the final quantitative analysis. The initial therapy with the IVIG plus glucocorticoids group significantly lowered the risk of treatment failure (OR 0.57, 95% CI (0.42, 0.79), I 2 45.36%) and the need for adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy (OR 0.27, 95% CI (0.20, 0.37), I 2 0.0%). The combination therapy showed no significant reduction in occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction (OR 0.79, 95% CI (0.34, 1.87), I 2 58.44%) and the need for inotropic support (OR 0.83, 95% CI (0.35, 1.99), I 2 75.40%). Conclusion: This study supports the use of IVIG with glucocorticoids compared to IVIG alone, as the combination therapy significantly lowered the risk of treatment failure and the need for adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy.

Severe and rapidly changing hypophosphatemia in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: a case report.

The increasing prevalence of cannabis worldwide requires awareness of a potential, less recognized, paradoxical entity, the cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This includes cyclic episodes of nausea, vomiting, and compulsive hot water bathing for alleviation in individuals with chronic cannabis use. An 18-year-old male with daily and prolonged cannabis use has excessive nausea and vomiting, is diagnosed with CHS, and is further complicated by severe and rapidly fluctuating hypophosphatemia. He was successfully managed with intravenous (IV) antiemetic (metoclopramide) and IV normal saline in the emergency department. Hypophosphatemia was treated with IV phosphorous. Although hypophosphatemia in CHS is a rare encounter, the authors share their experience to promote broader recognition and insight into successful management.

Safety and efficacy of prophylactic anticoagulation versus therapeutic anticoagulation in hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease-related coagulopathy and thromboembolic complication, an important aspect of the disease pathophysiology, are frequent and associated with poor outcomes, particularly significant in hospitalized patients. Undoubtedly, anticoagulation forms a cornerstone for the management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but the appropriate dosing has been inconclusive and a subject of research. We aim to review existing literature and compare safety and efficacy outcomes of prophylactic and therapeutic dose anticoagulation in such patients. METHODS: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of prophylactic dose anticoagulation when compared with therapeutic dosing in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases from 2019 to 2021, without any restriction by language. We screened records, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. RCTs that directly compare therapeutic and prophylactic anticoagulants dosing and are not placebo-controlled trials were included. Analyses of data were conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird analysis). The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021265948). RESULTS: We included three studies in the final quantitative analysis. The incidence of thromboembolic events in therapeutic anticoagulation was lower in comparison with prophylactic anticoagulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and reached statistical significance [RR 1·45, 95% CI (1.07, 1.97) I2 -0%], whereas major bleeding as an adverse event was found lower in prophylactic anticoagulation in comparison with therapeutic anticoagulation that was statistically significant [RR 0·42, 95% CI(0.19, 0.93) I2 -0%]. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that therapeutic dose anticoagulation is more effective in preventing thromboembolic events than prophylactic dose but significantly increases the risk of major bleeding as an adverse event. So, the risk-benefit ratio must be considered while using either of them.

Severe late-onset neutropenia induced by ocrelizumab in a multiple sclerosis patient: A case report.

Ocrelizumab is a recombinant humanized antibody targeted against CD-20 molecule, which was approved for the treatment of relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Common adverse events of ocrelizumab include infusion-related reactions like rash, pruritus, and flushing. Late-onset neutropenia (LON) is a rarely reported complication of ocrelizumab therapy. We report a case of severe late-onset neutropenia in a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab with neutropenia occurring 3 months after the last dose received treated with empirical broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and filgrastim. Severe late-onset neutropenia is a rare unpredictable adverse event and outlines the importance of regular routine blood workup for detecting severe neutropenia early in its course.

Salivary alpha-synuclein as a potential fluid biomarker in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Lewy bodies are the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. There is a need for effective biomarker that is cost effective, less invasive, and easily reproducible with good sensitivity and specificity and can be used to diagnose the condition early and track its severity and progression. Alpha-synuclein (α-syn), an integral component of the Lewy body, is found in saliva and can be a potential answer to the above concerns. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and CNKI databases, along with additional sites, were searched from January 2010 to August 2021. Standard mean difference (Hedges' g) with 95% CI was used to show an association. Statistical analysis was done using STATA software version 16 (StataCorp). Results: We found a significant reduction in the mean difference of total salivary α-syn among PD patients compared to healthy controls. However, the mean difference of oligomeric α-syn and oligo/total salivary α-syn ratio was significantly increased among PD patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that salivary α-syn parameters (total, oligomeric, oligo/total) can be considered a simple, easy-to-use, cost-effective, and reliable diagnostic biomarker for PD and its progression.

Giant ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: A case report.

Giant ovarian tumors are rare in the present day due to the early diagnosis and treatment. However, owing to the large size, it can often compress the inferior vena cava and sudden decompression of it during the removal can lead to hemodynamic instability with disastrous outcomes.

An Unusual Case of Eosinophilia with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Eosinophilia can be caused by various conditions, parasitic infection being the most common cause. Here, we present a case of a 17-year male who presented with multisystem involvement and eosinophilia. He was later diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus with eosinophilia which is a rare combination. Despite being a diagnostic challenge, these patients can be well managed with immunosuppressive therapy if recognized in time.

Prevalence of Stroke in Asian Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited autosomal recessive disease. It is caused due to point mutation that substitutes glutamate with valine at the sixth amino acid position of the beta chain of hemoglobin molecules leading to the sickling of the red blood cells and decreased structural deformability. Silent cerebral infarcts are the most common neurological complication of SCA, while overt stroke comprises substantial burden in patients with SCA. This meta-analysis aimed to find the pooled prevalence of overt stroke in SCA patients and discuss the importance of screening them. PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were the electronic databases used to search the studies. A total of 765 articles were retrieved upon detailed searching in the abovementioned databases. After a series of removing duplicate articles, title and abstract screening, and full-text review, 20 articles were found eligible and included in the study. The total number of participants from all the included studies was 3,956, and pooled prevalence of stroke in patients with sickle cell anemia in Asia was found to be 5% (95% CI: 4%, 6%) with a range from 1 to 41%. Stroke occurrence in sickle cell anemia patients is an emergency complication that needs immediate intervention and management. Because of the high prevalence of stroke in patients with sickle cell anemia, clinicians should focus on its prevention and treatment strategies.

Endogenous endophthalmitis and multifocal brain abscess-An interesting case.

We present an unusual case that staphylococcal brain abscess can present in an immunocompetent with endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a septic foci and early prevention of dissemination with appropriate management to prevent its complications.