Steroid-Responsive Encephalitis in Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has the potential for targeting the central nervous system, and several neurological symptoms have been described in patients with severe respiratory distress. Here, we described the case of a 60-year-old patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection but only mild respiratory abnormalities who developed an akinetic mutism attributable to encephalitis. Magnetic resonance imaging was negative, whereas electroencephalography showed generalized theta slowing. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses during the acute stage were negative for SARS-CoV-2, positive for pleocytosis and hyperproteinorrachia, and showed increased interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations. Other infectious or autoimmune disorders were excluded. A progressive clinical improvement along with a reduction of cerebrospinal fluid parameters was observed after high-dose steroid treatment, thus arguing for an inflammatory-mediated brain involvement related to COVID-19. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:423-427.

Inflammatory Myopathy in Horses With Chronic Piroplasmosis.

Horses affected by chronic piroplasmosis may develop poor performance and muscle atrophy. Here we investigate the pathological and immunopathological aspects of myopathy occurring in chronic equine piroplasmosis. The study included 16 horses serologically positive for equine piroplasms presenting with clinical signs and supporting serum biochemical evidence of a myopathy. Skeletal muscle was evaluated by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence, and molecular detection of piroplasms and inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle. Histologic lesions included muscle fiber atrophy (100% of cases), degenerative changes (13/16, 81%), and perivascular perimysial and endomysial lymphocytic infiltrates (81% of cases). In 15 cases (94%), muscle fibers had strong immunostaining for major histocompatibility complex classes I and II. T lymphocyte populations were mainly CD3+, CD8+, and CD4+ in equal proportions, with a lower number of CD79α+ cells. The serum from affected horses was tested by indirect immunofluorescence for binding of IgG, IgM, or IgA to sections of normal equine muscle to detect circulating autoantibodies against muscle antigen(s). In all cases, distinct sarcolemmal staining was detected in sections incubated with serum from affected horses, in contrast to sections incubated with phosphate-buffered saline or equine control sera. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of muscles from affected animals revealed a significant increase of interferon-γ, interleukin-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression compared to healthy controls. Theileria equi or Babesia caballi was not detected in samples of affected muscle by RT-PCR. Thus, inflammatory myopathy associated with equine piroplasmosis may involve an autoimmune pathogenesis with upregulation of inflammatory cytokines that may cause myofiber atrophy and degeneration.

Dacryocystography in a cat with orbital pneumatosis.

A 2-year-old neutered male European short-haired cat was presented for a persistent discharge from the scar of previous left eye enucleation, performed 6 months prior by the referring veterinarian. A surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and retained nictitating membrane glandular and conjunctival tissues were removed. Eleven days later, the cat developed an orbital pneumatosis caused by retrograde movement of air through a patent nasolacrimal system and diagnosed by survey radiographic examination of the skull. Nasolacrimal system patency was assessed by dacryocystography performed by injection of iodinated contrast medium under pressure into the orbital cavity. Computed tomography dacryocystography confirmed the radiographic findings. The condition resolved following dacryocystography, possibly as an inflammatory response to the contrast medium. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital pneumatosis reported in a cat.

Turning alterations detected by mobile health technology in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder.

Idiopathic REM sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) is a condition at high risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) and other alpha-synucleinopathies. The aim of the study was to evaluate subtle turning alterations by using Mobile health technology in iRBD individuals without subthreshold parkinsonism. A total of 148 participants (23 persons with polysomnography-confirmed iRBD without subthreshold parkinsonism, 60 drug-naïve PD patients, and 65 age-matched controls were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. All underwent a multidimensional assessment including cognitive and non-motor symptoms assessment. Then a Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG) at normal and fast speed was performed using mobile health technology on the lower back (Rehagait®, Hasomed, Germany). Duration, mean, and peak angular velocities of the turns were compared using a multivariate model correcting for age and sex. Compared to controls, PD patients showed longer turn durations and lower mean and peak angular velocities of the turns in both TUGs (all p ≤ 0.001). iRBD participants also showed a longer turn duration and lower mean (p = 0.006) and peak angular velocities (p < 0.001) compared to controls, but only in the TUG at normal speed. Mobile health technology assessment identified subtle alterations of turning in subjects with iRBD in usual, but not fast speed. Longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate the value of objective turning parameters in defining the risk of conversion to PD in iRBD and in tracking motor progression in prodromal PD.