Mortality in patients with interstitial lung diseases hospitalized by severe or critical COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Since the first case of severe COVID-19, its effect on patients with previous interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been uncertain. We aimed to describe baseline clinical characteristics in ILD patients hospitalized by critical COVID and compare mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: We studied patients with ILD with COVID-19 and a control group matched by age, 1:2 ratio with COVID-19 without previous lung disease. On admission, laboratory tests and sociodemographic variables were evaluated. We evaluated patients critically ill and compared baseline characteristics and mortality in each group. Additionally, we performed a sub-analysis of ILD patients who died versus survivors. RESULTS: Forty-one patients and 82 controls were analyzed. In the group of ILD with COVID-19 there was a predominance of women (65 versus 33%: p < 0.001); lower leukocytes (9 ± 6 versus 11 ± 7, p = 0.01) and neutrophils (8 ± 5 versus 10 ± 6, p = 0.02). The most common ILD was secondary to autoimmune diseases. Patients with ILD and critical COVID-19 showed a significantly higher mortality compared with those without previous ILD (63 versus 33%, p = 0.007). Patients who died in this group had higher BMI (28 ± 6 versus 25 ± 4 kg/m2, p = 0.05), less extended hospital stay (20 ± 17 versus 36 ± 27 days, p = 0.01), and fewer days of evolution (9 ± 7 versus 16 ± 16, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found higher mortality in patients with ILD with critical COVID-19. Higher BMI and comorbidities were present in the non-survivors.

Severe COVID-19 Patients Show an Increase in Soluble TNFR1 and ADAM17, with a Relationship to Mortality.

Overproduction of inflammatory cytokines is a keystone event in COVID-19 pathogenesis; TNF and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) are critical pro-inflammatory molecules. ADAM17 releases the soluble (sol) forms of TNF, TNFR1, and TNFR2. This study evaluated TNF, TNFRs, and ADAM17 at the protein, transcriptional, and gene levels in COVID-19 patients with different levels of disease severity. In total, 102 patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe condition groups. A group of healthy donors (HD; n = 25) was included. Our data showed that solTNFR1 and solTNFR2 were elevated among the COVID-19 patients (p < 0.0001), without increasing the transcriptional level. Only solTNFR1 was higher in the severe group as compared to the mildly ill (p < 0.01), and the level was higher in COVID-19 patients who died than those that survived (p < 0.0001). The solTNFR1 level had a discrete negative correlation with C-reactive protein (p = 0.006, Rho = -0.33). The solADAM17 level was higher in severe as compared to mild disease conditions (p < 0.01), as well as in COVID-19 patients who died as compared to those that survived (p < 0.001). Additionally, a potential association between polymorphism TNFRSF1A:rs767455 and a severe degree of disease was suggested. These data suggest that solTNFR1 and solADAM17 are increased in severe conditions. solTNFR1 should be considered a potential target in the development of new therapeutic options.

Clinical, Histological, and Profibrotic Extracellular Matrix Protein Changes in a Model of Tracheal Stenosis Induced by Cervical Tracheal Autotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal stenosis (TS) is a complication of prolonged intubation, tracheotomy, and tracheal surgery that compromises the vascular supply. Animal models are essential for studying its pathophysiology and the effect of interventions. OBJECTIVE: To establish a TS model in rats secondary to tracheal autotransplantation with a graft submerged in bleomycin (Atx-Bleo). Additionally, to evaluate the clinical and histological changes, as well as the expression of newly formed collagen (NFC), isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), fibronectin (FN), elastin (ELN), integrin ß1 (ITGß1), and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) in TS. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group I (n = 20) control; group II (n = 10) end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea (tracheoplasty); and group III (n = 10) Atx-Bleo. The animals were evaluated clinically, tomographically, macroscopically, morphometrically, and microscopically. NFC deposition, and the expression of profibrotic and antifibrotic proteins were evaluated in tracheal scars. RESULTS: All animals survived the surgical procedure and the study period. Compared with the other study groups, the Atx-Bleo group developed TS and fibrosis, exhibited higher expression of NFC, TGFß1, TGFß2, FN, ELN, and ITGß1, and mild expression of TGFß3 and MMP1 (p < 0.005; analysis of variance, Dunnett and Tukey tests). CONCLUSION: Atx-Bleo in TS model rats produces tomographic and histological changes, and induces the upregulation of profibrotic proteins (TGFß1, TGFß2, collagen, FN, ELN, ITGß1) and downregulation of antifibrotic proteins (TGFß3, MMP1). Therefore, this model may be used to test new pharmacological treatments for reversing or preventing TS, and conduct basic studies regarding its pathophysiology.

Clinical and Virological Features of Patients Hospitalized with Different Types of COVID-19 Vaccination in Mexico City.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines effectively protect against severe disease and death. However, the impact of the vaccine used, viral variants, and host factors on disease severity remain poorly understood. This work aimed to compare COVID-19 clinical presentations and outcomes in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in Mexico City. From March to September 2021, clinical, demographic characteristics, and viral variants were obtained from 1014 individuals with a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. We compared unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated patients, stratifying by age groups. We also fitted multivariate statistical models to evaluate the impact of vaccination status, SARS-CoV-2 lineages, vaccine types, and clinical parameters. Most hospitalized patients were unvaccinated. In patients over 61 years old, mortality was significantly higher in unvaccinated compared to fully vaccinated individuals. In patients aged 31 to 60 years, vaccinated patients were more likely to be outpatients (46%) than unvaccinated individuals (6.1%). We found immune disease and age above 61 years old to be risk factors, while full vaccination was found to be the most protective factor against in-hospital death. This study suggests that vaccination is essential to reduce mortality in a comorbid population such as that of Mexico.

[Assessment of pulmonary complications in renal transplantation through the use of radiography]. / Evaluación de complicaciones pulmonares en trasplante renal a partir de imagen radiológica.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infections are the most common complications in kidney transplant patients in the first six months and they are associated with high mortality. Other complications include pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary complications in kidney transplant patients by using chest radiography. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 516 chest X-rays of 150 patients who received a kidney transplant in 2014. Chest radiographs were performed in the preoperative and in the postoperative assessments, as well as within the next 48 hours after the surgery, and from 3 to 7, 8-15, 16-30, 31-90, 91-180 and 180 days. For the radiographic study of the lung parenchyma, chest was divided into four quadrants by assigning a value of 1 to each radiographic pattern: reticular, nodular alveolar occupation; lobar or segmental; atelectasis; and ground-glass. Lung parenchyma obtained a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 16 points. Also, we assessed variables such as gender, age, associated comorbidity, and type of renal transplantation. RESULTS: We obtained data from a total of 150 patients; 19 patients had pulmonary complications in the first 24 to 48 hours and 15 patients between 90 and 180 days after the kidney transplantation. The most frequent complications were acute pulmonary edema in early stage and infections in late stage. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of complications diagnosed by chest radiograph was low and it was observed more often in early and late stages.

Introducción: las infecciones del tracto respiratorio inferior son la complicación más frecuente en pacientes trasplantados de riñón en los primeros seis meses y están asociadas a alta mortalidad. Otras complicaciones pulmonares incluyen edema, embolia y hemorragia pulmonar. Se buscó evaluar las complicaciones pulmonares en los pacientes trasplantados de riñón utilizando la radiografía de tórax. Métodos: se analizaron 516 radiografías de tórax de 150 pacientes que recibieron trasplante renal en el 2014. Las radiografías se tomaron en la valoración preoperatoria, postoperatoria dentro de las 48 horas posteriores, 3 a 7, 8 a 15, 16 a 30, 31 a 90, 91 a 180 y más de 180 días. Para el estudio del parénquima pulmonar se dividió el tórax en cuatro cuadrantes asignando un valor de 1 a cada patrón radiográfico que se encontrara: reticulonodular o de ocupación alveolar, lobar o segmentario, atelectasia y vidrio deslustrado; el parénquima pulmonar obtuvo un valor mínimo de 0 y un mayor de 16 puntos. También se evaluó género, edad, comorbilidad asociada y tipo de trasplante renal. Resultados: se obtuvo la información de un total de 150 pacientes; 19 presentaron complicaciones pulmonares en las primeras 24-48 horas y 15 entre los 90 y los 180 días posteriores al trasplante renal. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron edema agudo pulmonar en la etapa temprana e infecciones en la etapa tardía. Conclusión: la prevalencia de complicaciones diagnosticadas por radiografía de tórax fue baja y se observó más en la etapa temprana y tardía.

Enfisema lobar congénito coexistente con pecho excavado. Presentación de un caso clínico radiológico / Congenital lobar emphysema associated witn pectus excavatum. A clinical radiological case

El enfisema lobar congénito es la hiperinsuflación con atrapamiento de aire de uno o más lóbulos pulmonares histológicamente normales, por un mecanismo valvular; produce compresión del parénquima normal y desplazamiento del mediastino. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 45 días con dificultad respiratoria in específica y pectum excavatum. La radiografía de tórax mostró hiperclaridad del pulmón derecho y desplazamiento del mediastino. Se realizó lobectomía, que confirmó el enfisema lobar congénito. Continúa evolución favorable 29 meses después.

Congenital lobar emphysema results from hyperinsufflation and air trapping in an otherwise histologically normal lobe, secondary to a bronchial valvular mechanism. It induces compression of normal lung and mediastinal shift. We present the case of a 45 day old male infant seen due to nonspecific respiratory difficulty and pectus excavatum; the chest X-ray showed a hyperlucent right lung and mediastinal shift. The resected middle lobe showed lobar emphysema. He remains in good condition 29 months later.