1.A Pathophysiological Perspective on COVID-19's Lethal Complication:From Viremia to Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis-like Immune Dysregulation
Marcos A. SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ ; Dave MOSKOWITZ ; Priya D. ISSUREE ; George YATZKAN ; Syed A.A. RIZVI ; Kenneth DAY
Infection and Chemotherapy 2020;52(3):335-344
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for our recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, is driving a lung immunopathology that strongly resembles a severe form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). A review of recent Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 medical reports, as well as described characteristics of HP, lead us to postulate a theory for SARS-CoV-2 severe disease. We propose that the novel SARS-CoV-2 can act as a trigger and substrate of an HP-like severe immune reaction especially in genetically vulnerable individuals in addition to those with immune senescence and dysregulation. Accordingly, the purpose of our letter is to shift the emphasis of concern surrounding immune activity from viral infection to an HP-like severe immune reaction. We review similarities in disease presentation between infection and allergy, relevant immunopathology, and outline phases of SARS-CoV-2 disease with perspectives on therapy and critical care. Altogether, the favored course is to begin treatments that address the disease at the earliest phase before immune dysregulation leading to uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation.
2. Neurocysticercosis: A case report and brief review
Syed A.A. RIZVI ; Syed A.A. RIZVI ; Ronda D. EDWARDS ; Sultan S. AHMED ; Ayman M. SALEH ; Hanns FRIMPONG ; Hussain M. AL MOHIY ; Jasmin AHMED
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2016;9(1):100-102
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the seven neglected endemic zoonoses targeted by the World Health Organization. It is considered a common infection of the nervous system caused by the Taenia solium and is known to be the primary cause of preventable epilepsy in many developing countries. NCC is commonly resulted by the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs after consuming undercooked pork, or contaminated water. The parasite can grow in the brain and spinal cord within the nervous system, causing severe headache and seizures beside other pathological manifestations. Immigration and international travel to endemic countries has made this disease common in the United States. NCC can be diagnosed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. The treatment of the NCC including cysticidal drugs (e.g., albendazole and praziquantel), and neurosurgical procedure, depending upon the situation. A patient of Asian origin came to our clinic with complaints of dizziness, headaches and episodes seizures for the past twelve years without proper diagnosis. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans indicated multilobulated cystic mass in the brain with the suspicion of neurocysticercosis.