Incidence and association of ocular manifestations with the disease severity in COVID-19 patients of northern region of India.

PURPOSE: Our study aims to find the incidence of ocular manifestations and to investigate the relation of ocular manifestations with the disease severity among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study is a cross-sectional study done between May 15, 2020, and April 15, 2021, at Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India. All COVID-19 patients who got admitted to our center between May 15, 2020, and April 15, 2021, were included in our study. We included 261 patients in our study. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by testing the nasal and pharyngeal swabs by (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]). An RT-PCR test positive was the criteria for admission in the COVID ward. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. P < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We included 261 patients in our study. Out of 261 patients, ocular manifestations were found in 43 (16.4%) patients. The patients with ocular manifestations had higher neutrophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer values (P < 0.001). Patients with ocular manifestations were relatively more symptomatic concerning fever and myalgia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ocular manifestations in COVID-19 patients was 16.4%. Ocular manifestation was significantly associated with raised neutrophil counts, CRP, ESR, PCT, and D-dimer values. Ocular manifestation was also significantly associated with higher body temperature and higher mean age. The findings of the study are suggestive of more severe disease in patients of COVID-19 with ocular manifestations.

Isolated spontaneous primary tubercular erector spinae abscess: a case report and review of literature.

Isolated spontaneous primary tubercular erector spinae abscess in an immunocompetent patient is very rare. Here, we report such a case of 21-year-old female, which was successfully managed with timely diagnosis and intervention. Isolated primary tubercular abscess of erector spinae is a rare differential diagnosis of low back pain; however, it must be suspected in an endemic region for tuberculosis, especially when raised erythrocytic sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are present. Excision along with anti tubercular therapy proved to be a successful strategy in our patient.