SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care workers in a New York City hospital: A cross-sectional analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: New York City (NYC) has endured the greatest burden of COVID-19 infections in the US. Health inequities in South Bronx predisposed this community to a large number of infectious cases, hospitalizations, and mortality. Health care workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of exposure to the infection. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and the associated characteristics of consenting HCWs from an NYC public hospital. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes serum samples for qualitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing with nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2; PCR and completion of an online survey capturing demographics, COVID-19 symptoms during the preceding months on duty, details of healthcare and community exposure, and travel history were collected from consenting participants in May 2020. Participants' risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection in the hospital and in the community was defined based on CDC guidelines. Travel history to high-risk areas was also considered an additional risk. The Odds Ratio with bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess characteristics associated with seroprevalence. RESULTS: A total of 500 HCW were tested, 137 (27%) tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Symptomatic participants had a 75% rate of seroconversion compared to those without symptoms. Subjects with anosmia and ageusia had increased odds of seroconversion in comparison to those without these symptoms. Community exposure was 34% among those who had positive antibodies. CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence among HCWs was high compared to the community at the epicenter of the pandemic. Further studies to evaluate sustained adaptive immunity in this high-risk group will guide our response to a future surge.

Paraneoplastic Arthritis in a Patient With Gastric Cancer: A Case Report.

Paraneoplastic syndromes occur in the presence of a tumor and are known to cause a myriad of systemic manifestations by mechanisms other than direct metastasis. Although considered to be rare, tumors can cause paraneoplastic rheumatological manifestations such as paraneoplastic arthritis. Differentiating between paraneoplastic arthritis and primary rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents a diagnostic challenge to physicians. Here we describe a case of an 83-year-old male with complaints of painful joint swelling of his hands, elbows, and feet. Subsequent tests ultimately led to the diagnosis of gastric cancer with associated paraneoplastic arthritis. We highlight the physical, laboratory, and imaging findings associated with the diagnosis of paraneoplastic arthritis with emphasis on the differences between this diagnosis and that of RA. Despite the uncommon nature of paraneoplastic arthritis, it remains of paramount importance to be aware of its association with malignancies, aiding in possible earlier diagnosis.

Liquid Silicone-Induced Extensive and Debilitating Granulomatosis Responding to Hydroxychloroquine.

In the last two decades, there has been a significant rise in body-image improvement among the American consumers. Cosmetic injectable procedures have increased by 40.6% in the past 5 years. There has also been an increase in nonmedical, illegal, and self-appointed personnel, offering cheaper hazardous procedures. Silicone has been in use since 1965. In 1991, FDA issued guidelines prohibiting the marketing of injectable liquid silicone. However, it is biologically inert, is associated with inflammatory response, and leads to serious complications like granulomatosis, migration, acute pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, and even death. Here, we present a case of silicone-induced granulomatosis with extensive migration which ended in bilateral mastectomy, multiple anterior chest debulking procedures, and finally peg tube placement due to compression of the esophageal lumen by granulomas. The patient was eventually started on immunomodulatory treatment, hydroxychloroquine with good response.