South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Available clinical data have revealed that COVID-19 is associated with a risk of pulmonary microthrombosis and small airway disease, especially in patients with severe disease. These patients present with persistent pulmonary symptoms after recovery, with ventilation and perfusion abnormalities present on several imaging modalities. Few data are available on the occurrence of this complication in patients who earlier presented with a milder form of COVID-19, and their long-term follow-up. ⋯ We confirm that persistent ventilation and perfusion abnormalities suspicious of small airway disease and pulmonary microthrombosis can occur in non-hospitalised patients diagnosed with a milder form of COVID-19. Our study also shows that these complications remain present even 1 year after the initial diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Paediatric intensive care, a valuable resource that improves the outcomes of critically ill children, is often scarce. ⋯ The need for PICU beds exceeds availability, with a consequent twofold increase in mortality among cases not admitted to PICU. Paediatric critical care services have increased at appropriate sites of need following completion of this study.
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The anatomical pathology autopsy serves several purposes, notably as a quality management tool for evaluation of accuracy in clinical diagnosis. Despite its value, for various reasons there has been an international decline in autopsies conducted. In the modern medical era, with all its advances in technology, diagnostic techniques and interventions, there is still a high discrepancy between clinical diagnoses and postmortem findings. ⋯ This study showed that there is still a high discrepancy between clinical diagnoses and postmortem findings, similar to studies conducted globally. The current COVID-19 pandemic may be a driver for revival of the anatomical pathology autopsy, and future studies are recommended to evaluate whether the decline can be reversed.
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Parvovirus B19 is notoriously a cause of normocytic anaemia in patients in an immunocompromised state, more so than in patients without prior disease. It is increasingly prevalent in children and adults in an HIV-induced immunocompromised state, and its presentation may be varied. Red-cell aplasia and normocytic anaemia are common presenting derangements found. Here, we note the typical presentation of red-cell aplasia re-entering healthcare, with a dire effect on the quality of life of this patient.