International journal of general medicine
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Kounis syndrome is a rare type of acute coronary syndrome caused by coronary spasm with or without atherosclerotic plaque erosion or rupture due to inflammatory factors released by allergic reactions. Due to a lack of awareness, Kounis syndrome is often underdiagnosed. Here, we for the first time report a case of Kounis syndrome induced by anisodamine. ⋯ The patient was diagnosed with Kounis syndrome induced by anisodamine, showing acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction due to allergic coronary vasospasm. During the 9-month follow-up, the patient did not receive further anisodamine injections and remained free of chest pain. In conclusion, it is essential for clinicians to be aware of Kounis syndrome because of the wide range of triggers and its potentially fatal evolution if not identified in time.
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A series of unexplained pneumonia cases currently were first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Official names have been announced for the virus responsible, previously known as "2019 novel coronavirus" and the diseases it causes are, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19), respectively. Despite great efforts worldwide to control SARS-CoV-2, the spread of the virus has reached a pandemic. ⋯ Some other agents such as vitamin D and melatonin, which were recommended as potential adjuvant treatments for COVID-19 infection are also presented. Moreover, the potential use of convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 infection was described. Furthermore, in the next part of the current review, various vaccination approaches against COVID-19 including whole virus vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccine, DNA vaccines, and mRNA vaccines are discussed.
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Malnutrition in patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards is highly prevalent and represents a prognostic factor of worse outcomes. Previous evidence suggested the prognostic role of the nutritional status in patients affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aim to investigate the nutritional risk in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in an internal medicine ward and their clinical outcomes using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and parameters derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). ⋯ Present findings confirm the clinical utility of NRS-2002 to assess nutritional risk in patients with COVID-19 at hospital admission and in predicting LOS, and that bioimpedance does not seem to add further predictive value. An early detection of nutritional risk has to be systematically included in the management of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards.