Objective and subjective improvement in children with idiopathic detrusor overactivity after intravesical botulinum toxin injection: A preliminary report

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Intravesical Botulinum toxin injection on the symptoms and urodynamic parameters in pediatric patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB) refractory to medical treatment.

Evaluation of COVID-19 myths in Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To examine the awareness level of COVID-19 and to highlight the frequency of myths and misconceptions among Saudi Arabia’s population.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study from June 13 to 20, 2020 by distributing a 16-item online Google forms questionnaire among adults (18-65 years old) living in Saudi Arabia. We utilized the convenience sampling. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square and multiple regression analysis on Jamovi.Results:A total of 1436 responses were analyzed with 43.5% males and 56.5% females. Most respondents (89.1%) thought that only the elderly above 60 years old are considered at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Most respondents (86.5%) agreed that people with other health conditions could be more affected by COVID-19. Approximately 97.2% agreed that wearing a mask and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands was the leading preventive action. Most participants (99.4%) chose fever as an associated symptom. Respondents from the healthcare sector presented statistically higher scores than those in non-healthcare sectors (p<0.001). Higher education and higher salary were important predictors of better COVID-19 knowledge.Conclusion:Public health officials need to increase awareness measures on COVID-19 to limit myths and misconceptions and reduce psychological distress associated with it.     

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) right lower lobectomy for a giant T4 squamous cell lung tumour

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is one of the unique methods that have revolutionized the discipline of minimally-invasive thoracic surgery in the last two decades. Previously, double-port VATS lobectomy has been used for the resection of T4 tumours. This current case report presents a 68-year-old male that presented with a productive cough of 3 months'' duration, associated with fever, chest pain and loss of body weight. He was haemodynamically stable. The patient underwent surgery under general anaesthesia using a uniportal VATS (UVATS) approach. A 2-cm incision was made in the mid-axillary line through the right 5th intercostal space with no rib spreading. The tumour was put into a specimen bag, cut into pieces and then removed via the mouth of the bag using a grasper. After good haemostasis, a single chest drain was placed and the small incision was sutured in layers. The postoperative course was uneventful and no complications were observed. On the 6th day postoperative, the patient was discharged home. This current case demonstrated that UVATS resection for T4 tumours might be a viable approach in the hands of skilled surgeons. It should also provide decreased postoperative pain, faster recovery and shorter hospitalization.     

Correction to: Immunogenicity and safety of the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients

Background

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to the rapid development and administration of the COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. Data about the immunogenicity and adverse effects of the vaccine on patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) is emerging.

Aim

To evaluate Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA-based vaccine second-dose immunogenicity and safety, and the relation between them, in patients with SARDs.

Methods

A total of one hundred forty tow adults who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were included in the study. The SARDs group included Ninety-nine patients and the control group (forty-three participants) comprised a mixture of healthy participants and patients who were seen at the rheumatology clinic for non-SARDs. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the Spike protein were evaluated using a SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay. A level of > 150 AU/mL was considered positive. An adverse effects questionnaire was given to the participants upon their first visit to the clinic after their BNT162b2 vaccination.

Results

Of the 142 participants, 116 were seropositive (81.7%) and 26 (18.3%) were seronegative. Of the seronegative participants, 96.2% were SARDs patients. The proportion of seropositivity in the SARDs patients treated with any immunosuppressant was significantly lower (69.9%) compared to the control group and SARDs patients not receiving immunosuppressants (96.8%). A significant negative correlation between seronegativity and treatment with rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone was found in the SARDs group (p = 0.004, 0.044, 0.007 respectively). No fever was observed following the BNT162b2 vaccine in seronegative patients, and the frequency of musculoskeletal adverse effects upon the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine was significantly higher in seropositive compared to seronegative patients and in the control group compared to the SARDs patients (p = 0.045, p = 0.02 respectively).

Conclusion

A decline in the immunogenicity to the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA is seen in patients with SARDs, especially in patients treated with rituximab, MMF, and prednisone. Adverse effects of the vaccine including fever and musculoskeletal symptoms might be a signal for the acquisition of immunity in those patients.

Key Points

• BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is less immunogenic in SARDs patients compared to the control group.

• Rituximab, prednisone, and mycophenolate mofetil significantly reduced immunogenicity to the vaccine.

• There is a correlation between immunogenicity and adverse effects of the vaccine.

     

Isolation and characterization of bacteria from diabetic foot ulcer: amputation,antibiotic resistance and mortality rate

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus with devastating outcomes. Poorly treated DFU...     

Disease severity and renal outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease infected with COVID-19

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - While there is evidence of the presence of the coronavirus in the kidneys and resultant acute kidney injury (AKI), information on the effect of chronic kidney...