Hypothetical framework for post-COVID 19 condition based on a fibromyalgia pathogenetic model.

There is a clear clinical overlap between fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and post-COVID 19 condition. Chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and widespread pain characterize these 3 syndromes. A steady line of investigation posits fibromyalgia as stress-evoked sympathetically maintained neuropathic pain syndrome and places dorsal root ganglia dysregulation with the ensuing small fiber neuropathy at the epicenter of fibromyalgia pathogenesis. This article discusses emerging evidence suggesting that similar mechanism may operate in post-COVID 19 condition.

Ruxolitinib as a treatment strategy for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: clinical experience in a real-world setting.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is characterised by a viral phase and a severe pro-inflammatory phase. The inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway limits the pro-inflammatory state in moderate to severe COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: We analysed the data obtained by an observational cohort of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with ruxolitinib in 22 hospitals of Mexico. The applied dose was determined based on physician's criteria. The benefit of ruxolitinib was evaluated using the 8-points ordinal scale developed by the NIH in the ACTT1 trial. Duration of hospital stay, changes in pro-inflammatory laboratory values, mortality, and toxicity were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients were reported at 22 sites in Mexico from March to June 2020; 80.8% received ruxolitinib 5 mg BID and 19.16% received ruxolitinib 10 mg BID plus standard of care. At beginning of treatment, 223 patients were on oxygen support and 59 on invasive ventilation. The percentage of patients on invasive ventilation was 53% in the 10 mg and 13% in the 5 mg cohort. A statistically significant improvement measured as a reduction by 2 points on the 8-point ordinal scale was described (baseline 5.39 ± 0.93, final 3.67± 2.98, p = 0.0001). There were 74 deaths. Serious adverse events were presented in 6.9% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ruxolitinib appears to be safe in COVID-19 patients, with clinical benefits observed in terms of decrease in the 8-point ordinal scale and pro-inflammatory state. Further studies must be done to ensure efficacy against mortality.

Singulto persistente en dos pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2: reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Persistent Singult in Two Patients with SARS- CoV-2 Infection: Case Report and Literature Review

Resumen En la actual pandemia por COVID-19, se han descrito manifestaciones poco frecuentes como la rabdomiólisis y la encefalomielitis aguda. Una de las presentaciones atípicas del SARS-CoV-2, es el singulto, que son contracciones repetitivas involuntarias de los músculos intercostales y del diafragma, cuyo origen puede ser gastrointestinal, neurogénico o infeccioso por tuberculosis e influenza, entre otros. En el presente reporte se describen los casos de 2 pacientes cuyo síntoma principal para el diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue el singulto, asociado con un patrón de afección pulmonar bilateral; a propósito de los casos, se incluye una revisión en la literatura de diferentes pacientes y de los factores relacionados en cada uno.

Abstract In the current COVID-19 pandemic, unusual manifestations such as rhabdomyolysis and acute encephalomyelitis have been described. One of the atypical presentations of COVID-19 is hiccups, which are involuntary repetitive contractions of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, whose origin can be gastrointestinal, neurogenic, or infectious due to tuberculosis, influenza, among others. This report describes the cases of two patients in whom the main symptom for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, was hiccups associated with a pattern of bilateral pulmonary involvement; a review of the literature is included.