Cytokines, chemokines, and cells growth factors in patients with mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case-control study.

Several biomarkers have been evaluated as predictors of severity or in directing the treatment of COVID-19, however there are no conclusive results. In this study, we evaluated serum levels of cytokines, chemokines, and cell growth factors in association with the pathobiology of mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serum levels of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (n = 113) and flu symptoms individuals negative for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 58), tested by the RT-qPCR test-nasal swab were compared to healthy controls (n = 53). Results showed that the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, MCP-3, TNF-α, and G-CSF were increased in symptomatic patients and the cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 were associated with patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 when compared to healthy controls. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 were fever, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia. For patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection, their major symptom was sore throat. The pathobiology of mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increasing proinflammatory cytokines and a pleiotropic IL-6 and anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines compared to healthy controls. Thus, knowledge about the pathophysiology and the involvement of biomarkers in the mild to moderate profile of the disease should be evaluated. Monitoring these biomarkers in patients with mild to moderate disease can help establish adequate treatment and prevention strategies for long-term COVID-19.

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus: an emergent cause of meningoencephalitis in Northeastern Brazil.

This study describes an outbreak of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections that caused meningoencephalitis and bacteremia related to unpasteurized milk consumption in northeastern Brazil. Epidemiological investigations and a brief literature review were conducted. Strains with possible neurotropism had not been identified in Brazil before these cases; however, in 2023, another case of meningoencephalitis caused by Streptococcus equi sp. zooepidemicus was described, revealing the need to maintain surveillance and highlighting that these neurotropic strains continue to circulate in the environment.

A fatal case of COVID-19-associated meningoencephalitis in a patient coinfected with influenza A.

We report a case of COVID-19-associated meningoencephalitis with a fatal outcome in a male patient with concomitant influenza A, who had been hospitalized at the beginning of 2022, in the Northeastern region of Brazil. He died due to cardiopulmonary arrest after developing status epilepticus on the third day of hospitalization. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid and Influenza A was detected in the nasopharyngeal swab. Meningoencephalitis due to COVID-19 is a rare manifestation and physicians must be aware of this complication, mainly during the pandemic. In viral co-circulation situations, the possibility of respiratory coinfections should be remembered.

Severe mpox in patients with advanced AIDS: long-term disease and fatal outcome.

Herein, we report two cases of severe mpox in patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from Brazil who developed atypical lesions and prolonged illness, one of whom had a fatal outcome. Both patients experienced serious complications involving the perianal and genital regions and prolonged disease with persistent viremia.

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus: an emergent cause of meningoencephalitis in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT This study describes an outbreak of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections that caused meningoencephalitis and bacteremia related to unpasteurized milk consumption in northeastern Brazil. Epidemiological investigations and a brief literature review were conducted. Strains with possible neurotropism had not been identified in Brazil before these cases; however, in 2023, another case of meningoencephalitis caused by Streptococcus equi sp. zooepidemicus was described, revealing the need to maintain surveillance and highlighting that these neurotropic strains continue to circulate in the environment.

A fatal case of COVID-19-associated meningoencephalitis in a patient coinfected with influenza A

ABSTRACT We report a case of COVID-19-associated meningoencephalitis with a fatal outcome in a male patient with concomitant influenza A, who had been hospitalized at the beginning of 2022, in the Northeastern region of Brazil. He died due to cardiopulmonary arrest after developing status epilepticus on the third day of hospitalization. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid and Influenza A was detected in the nasopharyngeal swab. Meningoencephalitis due to COVID-19 is a rare manifestation and physicians must be aware of this complication, mainly during the pandemic. In viral co-circulation situations, the possibility of respiratory coinfections should be remembered.

Severe mpox in patients with advanced AIDS: long-term disease and fatal outcome

ABSTRACT Herein, we report two cases of severe mpox in patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from Brazil who developed atypical lesions and prolonged illness, one of whom had a fatal outcome. Both patients experienced serious complications involving the perianal and genital regions and prolonged disease with persistent viremia.