COVID 19 infection associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) which can cause significant mortality is a thrombotic microangiopathy due to deficiency of VWF cleaving protease...     

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: Understanding the association in light of current evidence

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have posed a problematic healthcare situation worldwide since December 2019. Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While interacting with various other risk factors, high blood sugar was found to reduce immunity and increase the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Oxidative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines are greater in diabetic individuals than in healthy people, worsening the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in diabetics. Increased expression of furin and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor in the hyperglycemic environment may promote the entry of SARS-CoV-2 in the host cell. COVID-19 infection primarily modulates immune and inflammatory responses, and may cause a cytokine storm, resulting in possible lethal outcomes in diabetics. An experimental report suggests that ACE expressed in the pancreas and the SARS-CoV-2 virus invariably destroy β-cells which contain ACE-2 receptors and results in acute diabetes. Moreover, COVID-19 also causes hyperglycemia in an individual with diabetes which may be related to insulin resistance and destruction of β-cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Early observations also suggest a correlation between oral hypoglycemic agents and the risk of COVID-19. This review focused on the possible cause and mechanism involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in diabetics and the role of antidiabetic drugs in COVID-19.     

Leishmania-induced biphasic ceramide generation in macrophages is crucial for uptake and survival of the parasite

The initial macrophage-Leishmania donovani interaction results in the formation of membrane platforms, termed lipid rafts, that help in the entry of the parasite. Therefore, it is imperative that the parasite designs a strategy to modulate its uptake and survival within the macrophages. Herein, we report Leishmania-triggered biphasic ceramide generation. In the first phase, L. donovani promastigotes induce activation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase), which catalyzes the formation of ceramide from sphingomyelin. Inhibition of ASMase resulted in reduced uptake and infection with the parasite. In the second phase, de novo synthesis generates ceramide that reduces the cellular cholesterol level and displaces the cholesterol from the membrane, leading to enhanced membrane fluidity, disruption of rafts, and impaired antigen-presentation to the T cells. The results reveal a novel role for ceramide in the perspective of L. donovani infection and help formulate an antileishmanial strategy that can possibly be applied to other intracellular infections as well.     

Anaesthetic management of a patient with complete tracheal rupture following blunt chest trauma

Complete tracheal resection is extremely rare after blunt chest trauma. A high degree of suspicion is essential to identify these cases and early intervention is associated with better outcome. We report a patient with complete tracheal resection, in whom the airway was secured whilst the patient remained awake, breathing spontaneously under fibreoptic bronchoscopic guidance. As a precautionary measure, we had kept cardiopulmonary bypass set up in readiness. Anaesthetic management needed to be modified during repair of the trachea, by using total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and rocuronium infusion and insertion of a separate endotracheal tube into the distal portion of the trachea whilst reconstruction of the trachea took place. The usual inhalational technique could not be used. The anaesthesiologist managing such a case should be aware of the difficulties during securing the airway and during repair of the trachea. Proper planning and keeping back-up plans ready helps in successful management of these patients.