Articles: sars-cov-2.
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Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a significant symptom of COVID-19 and may be the earliest symptom, or it may sometimes be the only manifestation of the disease. ⋯ The patients presenting to the hospital with self-reported OD may have less lung involvement and a milder disease course compared to patients without OD on admission.
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To assess the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on erythropoiesis and red blood cells (RBC) surface markers by evaluating erythroid progenitor cells (CD [cluster of differentiation]71+/CD235a+) and RBC surface markers (CD235a and CD36), together with various hematological parameters. ⋯ Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 promoted the expansion of erythroid progenitors in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients. In addition, the expression of RBC surface markers was higher in COVID-19 patients. The expansion of erythroid progenitors and alteration of RBC surface markers can contribute to erythrocytopathies observed in severe COVID-19 patients and can therefore be used as prognostic factors.
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A 23-year-old previously healthy male presented to the hospital with symptoms of heart failure. He was diagnosed with pericarditis and found to have a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%. He was noted to have mediastinal lymphadenopathy. ⋯ A QuantiFERON Gold returned positive. After a thorough travel history and detailed exam, the patient was diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis after the discovery of a cutaneous gumma that was found to have acid-fast bacilli present on biopsy with Fite's stain. 18F-FDG PET CT and cardiac MRI were pursued given that pericardial and myocardial biopsy could not be safely performed due to the patient's hemodynamics. 18F-FDG PET CT and cardiac MRI did not demonstrate any myocardial pathology responsible for the left ventricular ejection fraction. This case highlights that pulmonary involvement is not necessary for disseminated TB, Fite's stain may be used to identify M. tuberculosis, and that cardiac MRI and 18F-FDG PET CT may be useful to delineate myocardial involvement in high-risk situations.
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To assess the survival of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia and to investigate possible mortality predictors. ⋯ Age, asthma, some in-hospital complications are important survival indicators in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The controllable co-factors should be monitored and managed by healthcare workers to reduce mortality rates in those hospitalized with COVID-19.