The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
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Despite myriad improvements in the care of COVID-19 patients, atypical manifestations are least appreciated during the current pandemic. Because COVID-19 is primarily manifesting as an acute respiratory illness with interstitial and alveolar pneumonia, the possibility of viral invasions into the other organs cannot be disregarded. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been associated with various viral infections including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and HIV. ⋯ Evidence suggest old age, comorbidities, ventilator support, use of vasopressors, black race, severe infection, and elevated levels of baseline serum creatinine and d-dimers are independent risk factors of COVID-19 associated with AKI. COVID-19 patients with AKI also showed unsatisfactory renal recovery and higher mortality rate as compared with patients without AKI. These findings underscore that AKI frequently occurs during the course of COVID-19 infection and requires early stratification and management.
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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Dec 2020
ReviewCOVID-19: The Current Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that has affected all African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Formidable challenges limit precautionary measures which were instituted by the government to curb the pandemic. Insufficient COVID-19 testing laboratories, limited medical and personal protective equipment, and an inadequate number of health workers leave the country ill-equipped in the fight against the pandemic. ⋯ The DRC with the cooperation of regional powers needs to address these challenges in a manner similar to that used in the previous Ebola epidemics. Moreover, the government should have a balance in shifting the available resources between COVID-19 and other diseases. Until a vaccine is available, the DRC needs to be prudent when lifting restrictions to prevent explosion of new cases.
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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Sep 2020
Review Case ReportsCase Report: COVID-19-Associated Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax-A Literature Review.
COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, primarily affecting the respiratory tract. Pulmonary complications of COVID-19 may include acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary embolism. Pneumothorax has been recently reported in association with COVID-19. We report a case of COVID-19 pneumonia with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax with no known underlying lung disease or risk factors.
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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Sep 2020
Review Case ReportsCase Report: COVID-19-Related Pneumothorax-Case Series Highlighting a Significant Complication.
COVID-19 is a recent outbreak in China and rapidly spread worldwide. Lung consolidation is the most common radiologic finding of COVID-19 pneumonia. ⋯ We here report three cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by pneumothorax. In addition, we present a brief literature review.
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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Sep 2020
Review Case ReportsCase Report: Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum as Uncommon Complications of COVID-19 Pneumonia-Literature Review.
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, awareness of uncommon presentations of the disease increases. Such is the case with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Recent evidence suggested that these can occur in the context of COVID-19 pneumonia, even in the absence of mechanical ventilation-related barotrauma. ⋯ We performed a literature review of COVID-19 pneumonia cases that developed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, or both. The analysis showed that the latter had high mortality (60%). Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to these complications as early identification and management can reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.