Post-COVID-19 patients show an increased endothelial progenitor cell production.

SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, has generated a global emergency. The endothelium is a target of SARS-CoV-2, generating endothelial dysfunction, an essential step for the development of cardiovascular complications. The number of endothelial progenitor cells acts as an indicator of vascular damage. However, its role in SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. The aim of this study was to quantify the number of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and assess for the first time if there is a significant increase after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study also evaluates whether the number of ECFC is related to the presence of pulmonary embolism (PE), and if this increase correlates with any of the clinical parameters studied. A total of 63 subjects were recruited including 32 subjects 3-months after overcoming COVID-19 and 31 healthy controls. The results confirm the presence of vascular sequelae in post-COVID-19 patients, with an abnormal increase in the number of ECFCs in blood circulation compared to controls (2.81 ± 2.33 vs 1.23 ± 1.86, P = 0.001). There was no difference in ECFC production in COVID-19 who presented acute PE compared to those that did not (3.21 ± 2.49 vs 2.50 ± 2.23, P > 0.05). The appearance of ECFC colonies in COVID-19 patients was significantly related to male gender (P = 0.003), the presence of systemic hypertension (P = 0.01) and elevated hemoglobin levels (P = 0.02) at the time of ECFC isolation and lower PaO2 levels (P = 0.01) at admission. Whether these results indicate a prompt response of the patient to repair the damaged endothelium or reflect a postinfection injury that will persist in time is not known.

Pulmonary Endothelial Dysfunction and Thrombotic Complications in Patients with COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new strain of a Coronaviridae virus that presents 79% genetic similarity to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, has been recently recognized as the cause of a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, implying a major threat to world public health. SARS-CoV-2 infects host human cells by binding through the viral spike proteins to the ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor, fuses with the cell membrane, enters, and starts its replication process to multiply its viral load. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was initially considered a respiratory infection that could cause pneumonia. However, in severe cases, it extends beyond the respiratory system and becomes a multiorgan disease. This transition from localized respiratory infection to multiorgan disease is due to two main complications of COVID-19. On the one hand, it is due to the so-called cytokine storm: an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction of the immune system in which defensive molecules become aggressive for the body itself. On the other hand, it is due to the formation of a large number of thrombi that can cause myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. The pulmonary endothelium actively participates in these two processes, becoming the last barrier before the virus spreads throughout the body. In this review, we examine the role of the pulmonary endothelium in response to COVID-19, the existence of potential biomarkers, and the development of novel therapies to restore vascular homeostasis and to protect and/or treat coagulation, thrombosis patients. In addition, we review the thrombotic complications recently observed in patients with COVID-19 and its potential threatening sequelae.

Effects of Pulmonary Hypertension on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / Efectos de la hipertensión pulmonar en la capacidad de ejercicio en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

INTRODUCTION: The impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been fully elucidated. It is necessary to characterize pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with moderate to severe COPD in order to improve their management. The aim of the study was to determine whether in COPD the presence of PH is associated with reduced exercise tolerance in a cohort of stable COPD patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 174 COPD patients clinically stable: 109 without PH and 65 with PH (COPD-PH). We assessed socio-demographic data, lung function, quality of life, dyspnea, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), constant workload endurance time (CWET), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). We elaborated a logistic regression model to explore the impact of PH on exercise capacity in COPD patients. RESULTS: COPD-PH patients showed lower exercise capacity both at maximal (CPET) (43 (20) versus 68 (27) Watts and 50 (19)% versus 71(18)% predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), COPD-PH and COPD, respectively), and at submaximal tests (6MWT) (382 (94) versus 486 (95) m). In addition, the COPD-PH group had lower endurance time than the non-PH COPD group (265 (113) s and 295 (164) s, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of PH is an independent factor that impairs exercise capacity in COPD

INTRODUCCIÓN: El impacto de la hipertensión pulmonar (HTP) en la tolerancia al ejercicio en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) no se ha dilucidado en su totalidad. Es necesario caracterizar la hemodinámica pulmonar de los pacientes con EPOC moderada a grave para poder mejorar su manejo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la presencia de HTP en la EPOC se asociaba con una disminución en la tolerancia al ejercicio en una cohorte de pacientes con EPOC estable. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de 174 pacientes con EPOC clínicamente estables: 109 de ellos no mostraban HTP y 65 de ellos sí (EPOC-HTP). Valoramos la información sociodemográfica, la función pulmonar, la calidad de vida, la disnea, realizamos una prueba de ejercicio cardiopulmonar (PECP), medimos el tiempo de tolerancia de ejercicio constante y realizamos de marcha de seis minutos (6MWT, por sus siglas en inglés). Elaboramos un modelo de regresión logística para explorar el impacto de la HTP en la capacidad de ejercicio de los pacientes con EPOC. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con EPOC-HTP mostraron una menor capacidad de ejercicio, tanto en las pruebas máximas (PECP) (43 (20)W frente a 68 (27)W y 50(19)% frente a 71 (18)% de consumo de oxígeno máximo predicho (VO2max), para pacientes con EPOC-HTP y pacientes con EPOC, respectivamente) como en las pruebas submáximas (6MWT) (382 (94)m frente a 486 (95)m). Además, el grupo de EPOC-HTP presentó un menor tiempo de resistencia que el grupo de EPOC sin HTP (265 (113) s y 295 (164) s, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de HTP es un factor independiente que afecta a la capacidad de ejercicio en la EPOC

Effects of Pulmonary Hypertension on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been fully elucidated. It is necessary to characterize pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with moderate to severe COPD in order to improve their management. The aim of the study was to determine whether in COPD the presence of PH is associated with reduced exercise tolerance in a cohort of stable COPD patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 174 COPD patients clinically stable: 109 without PH and 65 with PH (COPD-PH). We assessed socio-demographic data, lung function, quality of life, dyspnea, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), constant workload endurance time (CWET), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). We elaborated a logistic regression model to explore the impact of PH on exercise capacity in COPD patients. RESULTS: COPD-PH patients showed lower exercise capacity both at maximal (CPET) (43(20) versus 68(27) Watts and 50(19)% versus 71(18)% predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), COPD-PH and COPD, respectively), and at submaximal tests (6MWT) (382(94) versus 486(95) m). In addition, the COPD-PH group had lower endurance time than the non-PH COPD group (265(113) s and 295(164) s, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of PH is an independent factor that impairs exercise capacity in COPD.

Síndrome celulitis-adenitis, una forma infrecuente de presentación de la sepsis neonatal tardía: A propósito de dos casos / Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome, an infrequent form of presentation of the late-onset neonatal septicemia: Report of two cases

La sepsis es la principal causa de mortalidad neonatal. La forma precoz, habitualmente, está relacionada con la colonización recto-vaginal u otros factores de riesgo materno. En la forma tardía, es difícil establecer su origen; por lo general, es nosocomial o de la comunidad. El Streptococcus agalactiae (Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B) es el germen implicado con más frecuencia en la sepsis neonatal en países desarrollados. La forma tardía, generalmente, se presenta con septicemia y meningitis, y, en ocasiones, pueden detectarse infecciones osteoarticulares o de piel y tejidos blandos. El síndrome celulitis-adenitis en la región cervical, forma poco frecuente de presentación, es causado por Staphylococcus aureus y, ocasionalmente, por Streptococcus agalactiae. Se reportan 2 casos de sepsis neonatal tardía con clínica de celulitis-adenitis cervical causados por Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B, con una evolución satisfactoria con terapia antibiótica de amplio espectro.

Septicemia is the main cause of neonatal mortality. The early-onset neonatal sepsis is usually related to maternal factor risks including recto-vaginal colonization. In the late-onset neonatal septicemia it is more difficult to establish the etiology because the majority of the cases are nosocomial or community related. The Streptococcus agalactiae (beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) is the most frequent germ associated with neonatal sepsis in developed countries. The late-onset form usually occurs with septic symptoms and meningitis and, in a few cases, with osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue infection. Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome is rarely seen, and its main cause is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae. We report two cases of group B Streptococcus late-onset neonatal septicemia, both of them with adenitis-cellulitis syndrome. Patients recovered uneventfully after an adequate antibiotic therapy.

[Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome, an infrequent form of presentation of the late-onset neonatal septicemia: Report of two cases]. / Síndrome celulitis-adenitis, una forma infrecuente de presentación de la sepsis neonatal tardía: A propósito de dos casos.

Septicemia is the main cause of neonatal mortality. The early-onset neonatal sepsis is usually related to maternal factor risks including recto-vaginal colonization. In the late-onset neonatal septicemia it is more difficult to establish the etiology because the majority of the cases are nosocomial or community related. The Streptococcus agalactiae (beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) is the most frequent germ associated with neonatal sepsis in developed countries. The late-onset form usually occurs with septic symptoms and meningitis and, in a few cases, with osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue infection. Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome is rarely seen, and its main cause is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae. We report two cases of group B Streptococcus late-onset neonatal septicemia, both of them with adenitis-cellulitis syndrome. Patients recovered uneventfully after an adequate antibiotic therapy.

La sepsis es la principal causa de mortalidad neonatal. La forma precoz, habitualmente, está relacionada con la colonización recto-vaginal u otros factores de riesgo materno. En la forma tardía, es difícil establecer su origen; por lo general, es nosocomial o de la comunidad. El Streptococcus agalactiae (Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B) es el germen implicado con más frecuencia en la sepsis neonatal en países desarrollados. La forma tardía, generalmente, se presenta con septicemia y meningitis, y, en ocasiones, pueden detectarse infecciones osteoarticulares o de piel y tejidos blandos. El síndrome celulitis-adenitis en la región cervical, forma poco frecuente de presentación, es causado por Staphylococcus aureus y, ocasionalmente, por Streptococcus agalactiae. Se reportan 2 casos de sepsis neonatal tardía con clínica de celulitis-adenitis cervical causados por Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B, con una evolución satisfactoria con terapia antibiótica de amplio espectro.

Utilidad del esputo inducido en la práctica clínica habitual / Utility of Induced Sputum in Routine Clinical Practice

Objetivos: Determinar la utilidad general y específica (diagnóstica y/o terapéutica) del recuento de las células inflamatorias (RCI) del esputo inducido (EI) en situación de asistencia clínica real. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a los 171 pacientes que durante un año se les recogió un EI para determinar su RCI en un servicio de Neumología de un hospital de referencia. Observadores independientes al equipo médico habitual establecieron si la información proporcionada por el RCI del EI fue útil en la toma de decisiones diagnósticas y terapéuticas. Resultados: Las causas más frecuentes que motivaron la solicitud del RCI del EI fueron: asma 103 (59,20%); asma de control difícil 34 (19,54%); tos crónica 19 (10,9%), y reflujo gastroesofágico 15 (8,6%). En 115 (67,3%) pacientes el RCI del EI resultó clínicamente útil (valoración general); en 98 (57,3%) proporcionó información diagnóstica, y en 85 (49,7%), información terapéutica relevante. En el asma, asma de control difícil, tos crónica y reflujo gastroesofágico fue útil en el 71,8, el 67,6, el 47,4 y el 60%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La información proporcionada por el RCI del EI resulta de gran utilidad en la práctica clínica, particularmente en el asma y la tos crónica. Estos resultados podrían proporcionar argumentos para recomendar la incorporación de la técnica en los servicios de Neumología de referencia y en las unidades de excelencia de asma)

Objective: To determine the general and specific utility in diagnosis and/or treatment of induced sputum (IS) inflammatory cell counts in routine clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective study of 171 patients referred for clinical sputum induction over a 1-year period in the pulmonology department of a referral hospital. Independent observers established whether the information provided by IS inflammatory cell count was useful for making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Results: The most frequent reasons for determination of IS inflammatory cell count were: asthma 103 (59.20%); uncontrolled asthma 34 (19.54%); chronic cough 19 (10.9%), and gastroesophageal reflux 15 (8.6%). In 115 patients (67.3%) it was generally useful for diagnosis and/or treatment; in 98 patients (57.3%) it provided diagnostic information and in 85 patients (49.7%) it assisted in therapeutic decision-making. In asthma, uncontrolled asthma, chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux, the results were useful in 71.8%, 67.6%, 47.4% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: The information provided by IS inflammatory cell count is extremely useful in clinical practice, especially in asthma and chronic cough. These results may justify the inclusion of the IS technique in pulmonology departments and asthma units of referral centers

Utility of Induced Sputum in Routine Clinical Practice. / Utilidad del esputo inducido en la práctica clínica habitual.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the general and specific utility in diagnosis and/or treatment of induced sputum (IS) inflammatory cell counts in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Retrospective study of 171 patients referred for clinical sputum induction over a 1-year period in the pulmonology department of a referral hospital. Independent observers established whether the information provided by IS inflammatory cell count was useful for making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. RESULTS: The most frequent reasons for determination of IS inflammatory cell count were: asthma 103 (59.20%); uncontrolled asthma 34 (19.54%); chronic cough 19 (10.9%), and gastroesophageal reflux 15 (8.6%). In 115 patients (67.3%) it was generally useful for diagnosis and/or treatment; in 98 patients (57.3%) it provided diagnostic information and in 85 patients (49.7%) it assisted in therapeutic decision-making. In asthma, uncontrolled asthma, chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux, the results were useful in 71.8%, 67.6%, 47.4% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The information provided by IS inflammatory cell count is extremely useful in clinical practice, especially in asthma and chronic cough. These results may justify the inclusion of the IS technique in pulmonology departments and asthma units of referral centers.