C-reactive protein level predicts need for medical intervention in pregnant women with SARS-CoV2 infection: A retrospective study.

AIM: To make effective use of the limited available hospital space during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we conducted this study to investigate the laboratory indices that identify pregnant women with SARS-CoV2 infection who require medical intervention. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of pregnant women positive for COVID-19 who were admitted to Hokkaido University Hospital from September 2020 to June 2021. Medical interventions included oxygen supplementation, systemic corticosteroids, or supplemental liquids to treat infection-related symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-two infected pregnant patients were admitted to the hospital, half of whom required medical intervention (n = 21). Fever, C-reactive protein (CRP), and platelet count are all associated with need for medical intervention. Of the 32 patients with a fever of ≥37.5°C on days 0-3 after onset of syndromes, 22 (69%) continued to have a fever on days 4-6, of which 19 (86.4%) required medical intervention. CRP level on days 4-6 predicted the presence or absence of medical intervention (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.913), with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 100% at a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: The need for medical intervention in pregnant patients can be predicted with high accuracy using a CRP cutoff of 1.28 mg/dL on days 4-6 after onset of syndromes. The presence of fever also may be an easy marker for selecting subjects who need or will need therapeutic intervention. These could be an effective triage method to determine appropriate indications for the hospitalization of pregnant women in future outbreaks.

Effect of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin on clinical outcomes of patients with coagulopathy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

From 2001 to 2012, 71 individuals with hematological diseases received HSCT in our institution. Of these, 41 developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in association with various underlying conditions. The patients who developed DIC after 2008 (n = 23) were treated by recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM), and the others (n = 11) were treated by either heparin and/or antithrombin III concentrate. Seven patients did not receive any anticoagulant therapy. Of note, treatment for coagulopathy by rTM significantly improved clinical outcomes of patients at day 100 and dramatically prolonged their overall survival (P = 0.044). Taken together, rTM is useful to improve clinical outcomes of transplant recipients with coagulopathy.

Carboplatin plus Weekly Paclitaxel with Bevacizumab for First-line Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of weekly paclitaxel (PTX) combined with carboplatin (CBDCA) plus bevacizumab (BEV), followed by maintenance BEV in patients with advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with unresectable stage IIIB and IV NSCLC (n=43) were treated with CBDCA (AUC 6, day 1), BEV (15 mg/kg, day 1), and PTX (70 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15) intravenously every 4 weeks, for 3 to 6 cycles, followed by maintenance BEV (15 mg/kg) every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The objective response rate and disease control rate were 67.4% and 90.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 7.6 months. The median overall survival was 17.7 months. Common adverse events were tolerable bone marrow suppression, fatigue, hypertension, and nasal bleeding. CONCLUSION: Weekly administration of PTX combined with CBDCA plus BEV therapy was effective, and well-tolerated by advanced NSCLC patients.

Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin is active against hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 39-year-old man was admitted to our hospital to initiate highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) for documented acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The HIV load was 2.5 million copies/mL and the CD4-positive lymphocyte count was only 52 cells/µL at presentation. The HAART regimen consisted of lamivudine and abacavir as the backbone, plus raltegravir and lopinavir/ritonavir as the base. The day after initiating HAART, his body temperature rose to 102.4 °F (39.1 °C), accompanied by elevated levels of liver enzymes, neutropenia, coagulopathies, and an extremely high serum ferritin level, prompting us to suspect hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). To correct the coagulation abnormalities, recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) was initiated at 375 U/kg. Surprisingly, fever resolved almost immediately, in parallel with dramatic decreases in serum levels of ferritin and liver enzymes and prompt normalization of coagulopathy with only two doses of rTM. The patient subsequently developed amebiasis, which was successfully treated using metronidazole. In summary, the use of rTM dramatically improved not only DIC, but also HLH, suggesting potent anti-inflammatory effects of the agent. Although further clinical reports and trials are needed, rTM appears to provide an additional therapeutic option in the management of HLH.