ABSTRACT
RESUMEN La agranulocitosis es el recuento bajo de glóbulos blancos (neutrófilos), que puede ser inducida por tratamientos con algunos medicamentos como los antitiroideos, que ocasionan manifestaciones orales como úlceras o necrosis gingival difusa. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mujer de 26 años, con antecedente de hipertiroidismo, quien acude a emergencia del Hospital Nacional Alberto Sabogal Sologuren por presentar tumefacción en la hemicara izquierda, asociada a disfagia, múltiples lesiones ulceradas en mucosa oral, con compromiso de tejido óseo, fiebre y malestar general. Luego de los exámenes auxiliares, se categoriza como una infección oral y cervicofacial por agranulocitosis debido al tratamiento con el metimazol. La literatura mundial reporta casos de agranulocitosis como efecto adverso del consumo de drogas antitiroideas, con reporte de manifestaciones orales; sin embargo, pocos casos evidencian compromiso cervical. Por lo cual se presenta este caso poco usual desde su diagnóstico hasta el tratamiento.
ABSTRACT Agranulocytosis refers to a low white blood cell count, specifically neutrophils, which can be caused by certain medications such as antithyroid drugs (ATD). This condition can result in oral manifestations, including diffuse gingival ulceration or necrosis. We present the case of a 26-year-old female patient with a history of hyperthyroidism who came to the emergency department of Alberto Sabogal Sologuren National Hospital with swelling on the left side of her face, accompanied by dysphagia, multiple ulcerated lesions in the oral mucosa involving bone tissue, as well as fever and general malaise. After conducting additional tests, the patient was diagnosed with oral and cervicofacial infection secondary to agranulocytosis caused by methimazole treatment. While the global literature reports cases of agranulocytosis as an adverse effect of antithyroid medication, with documented oral manifestations, only a few cases demonstrate cervical involvement. Therefore, we present this uncommon case from diagnosis to treatment.
ABSTRACT
Introduction/objectives: An interleukin-6 inhibition strategy could be effective in selected COVID-19 patients. The objective is to present our experience of tocilizumab use in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: Observational retrospective cohort study. Hospitalized patients were evaluated by our multidisciplinary team for eventual use of tocilizumab. Patients with progressive ventilatory impairment and evidence of a hyperinflammatory state despite usual treatment received tocilizumab 8 mg/kg intravenous (maximum dose 800 mg), in addition to standard treatment. The use and time of use of mechanical ventilation (MV), the change of the Alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient, of the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) and of inflammation laboratory parameters after 72 h of tocilizumab use was evaluated. Results: 29 patients received tocilizumab. 93.1% were men, 37.9% were obese, and 34.5% had hypertension. Of the 20 patients who were not on MV when receiving tocilizumab, 11 required non-invasive MV, for an average of 5 days, and one of them required intubation. A-a gradient, PaO2/FiO2, and inflammation parameters improved significantly. A better lymphocyte count, which improved significantly after tocilizumab use, was significantly associated with less use of MV. Five patients presented positive culture samples after tocilizumab, three being of clinical significance. A lower lymphocyte count was associated with having a positive culture. No other significant adverse events were seen. Conclusion: Our study suggests the utility and shows the safety of tocilizumab use in COVID-19 patients who have respiratory failure and evidence of hyperinflammation. Lymphocyte improvement was a predictor of good response.
ABSTRACT
The pandemic of the new coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has urged the nations to an unprecedented world-wide reaction, including an accelerated exploration of therapeutic options. In the absence of a vaccine and specifically designed antivirals, the medical community has proposed the use of various previously available medications in order to reduce the number of patients requiring prolonged hospitalizations, oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation and to decrease mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are among the proposed drugs and are the most widely used so far, despite the lack of robust evidence on their usefulness. The objective of this article is to review and discuss the possible role of these drugs in the therapy of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Chloroquine/therapeutic use , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Hydroxychloroquine/therapeutic use , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The financial coverage granted by law in Chile for patients with psoriatic arthritis who require biological treatment is of paramount importance and a great advance. However physicians must be knowledgeable about the advantages and limitations of this therapy. The challenge of clinicians is to choose the drug with the greater odds of achieving therapeutic success, with less adverse events and lower costs for our health system. This article aims to help doctors to select the best biological treatment for a specific patient, trying to optimize its effectiveness, minimizing adverse effects, always looking for an efficient use of resources.
Subject(s)
Humans , Physicians/psychology , Biological Factors/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Psoriatic/drug therapy , Clinical Decision-Making , ChileABSTRACT
The financial coverage granted by law in Chile for patients with psoriatic arthritis who require biological treatment is of paramount importance and a great advance. However physicians must be knowledgeable about the advantages and limitations of this therapy. The challenge of clinicians is to choose the drug with the greater odds of achieving therapeutic success, with less adverse events and lower costs for our health system. This article aims to help doctors to select the best biological treatment for a specific patient, trying to optimize its effectiveness, minimizing adverse effects, always looking for an efficient use of resources.