Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
The first case of meningitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant infection with persistent viremia
Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 are highly frequent and disabling (Wan et al., 2021). Severe neurological disorders such as encephalitis, meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and vascular events have been described in anecdotal reports or in case series. Here, we describe the first case of a female patient infected with the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) meningitis with newly diagnosed central demyelinating disease.Simultaneous co-infection with Omicron (B.1.1.529) and Delta (21A/478K.V1) SARS-CoV-2 variants confirmed by whole genome sequencing
The national data of the epidemiological survey of COVID-19 variants carried out in France has shown a predominance of the Delta variant (21A/478K.V1) since June 29, 2021 (Santé publique France 2021). Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first reported (WHO, 2021), it has rapidly spread worldwide. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant compared with other variants of concern (VOCs) (WHO, 2021) but no simultaneous co-infection. We described herein a case of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta VOCs co-infection, confirmed by whole genome sequencing (WGS).SARS-CoV-2 dual infection with Delta and Omicron variants in an immunocompetent host: a case report
Dual infections (those caused by two different viral variants) have been described with RNA viruses but are rare among respiratory viral infections (Calistri et al., 2011; Myers et al., 2011). For SARS-CoV-2, few cases of dual infection have been reported, despite an extremely high number of persons being infected worldwide (Francisco et al., 2021; Pedro et al., 2021; Roychoudhury et al., 2022; Samoilov et al., 2021; Vankeerberghen et al., 2021). However, pinning down these cases is complicated; they can be identified with higher probability during the transition from dominance of one SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern to another in the population.Acute encephalopathy in a 6-year-old child with concurrent COVID-19 infection: a case report from Saudi Arabia
Although the primary target of SARS-CoV-2 is the respiratory system, neurologic manifestations, including encephalopathy, have been reported in some patients (Akın et al., 2021; Lin et al., 2021; McAbee et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2022; Vraka et al., 2021). The first case of meningoencephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in an adult patient in March 2020, with a positive specific SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (Poyiadji et al., 2020). Since then, only a few case reports have described the association of COVID-19 with encephalopathy or encephalitis in children (Gaughan et al.Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a young adult successfully treated with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids: a case report
A novel condition named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has raised alarm the worldwide, as it mainly affects children and leads to severe illness and long-term effects (Jiang et al., 2020). Usually, it presents 2 to 6 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection with fever, abdominal symptoms, acute cardiac injury, and shock and it has similarities with severe forms of Kawasaki disease (KD) (Feldstein et al., 2020). However, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) occurs more rarely than a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and mainly in young adults.Chronic active Epstein-Barr exacerbated by COVID-19 co-infection
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the human Herpesviridae family (Dunmire et al., 2018). It infects over 90% of adults worldwide. Typically, it is transmitted through the oral route through the exchange of saliva, where it targets B-cells and epithelial cells in the tonsils. It then undergoes an incubation where it sheds intermittently into the blood and saliva. When the immune system tries to neutralize it, the virus becomes latent and remains in B-cells for the individual's lifetime (Dunmire et al., 2018).Genomic evidence of co-identification with Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants: a report of two cases
A new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC) assigned to the lineage B.1.1.529, designated as Omicron, was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South African scientists on November 24, 2021 (World Health Organization, 2021). The first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant were reported to originate from Botswana and South Africa (World Health Organization, 2021). In Belgium, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant was identified in late November 2021 (Vanmechelen et al., 2022).Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Adult after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report
The introduction of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 brought hope to end the pandemic, save lives, begin economic recovery, and restore social life. An unprecedented number of mass vaccination campaigns globally were initiated to curb transmission, prevent hospitalizations and deaths, and reestablish normalcy (Our World in Data, 2021). The mRNA-based BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated a high efficacy rate with an acceptable safety profile and was rapidly rolled out through several nationwide vaccination campaigns (Frenck et al., 2021; Polack et al., 2020; Our World in Data, 2021).Varicella zoster meningitis following COVID-19 vaccination: a report of two cases
In Thailand, immunization against COVID-19 began in February 2021. The two major types of vaccines used are inactivated (CoronaVac or Sinovac®) and viral vector (AstraZeneca®). Globally, there have been a number of case reports of reactivation of varicella zoster infection within 28 days after immunization with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Chiu et al., 2021; Furer et al., 2021; Lee et al., 2021; McMahon et al., 2021; Psichogiou et al., 2021; Rodríguez-Jiménez et al., 2021). A few cases have also been reported after viral vector and inactivated COVID-19 vaccination (Aksu and Öztürk, 2021; Arora et al., 2021; Bostan and Yalici-Armagan, 2021; Chiu et al., 2021).Antibody responses after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccine in an individual with history of COVID-19 re-infection
Since December 2019, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide (Hayakawa et al., 2020). As of January 25th, 2022, 544 re-infected COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide (BNO news. 2022; Inada et al., 2021).SARS-CoV-2’s high rate of genetic mutation under immune selective pressure: from oropharyngeal B.1.1.7 to intrapulmonary B.1.533 in a vaccinated patient
This is the case report of an 84-year-old man with a medical history of chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, systemic arterial hypertension, and coronary and peripheral arterial disease, who was admitted to our unit with dyspnoea and suspected COVID-19 disease contracted after partial vaccination (Figure 1A).Trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG levels following transfusion and a third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in a patient with massive postoperative bleeding: A case report
Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with 2 doses of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has been reported to produce neutralizing antibodies and be highly effective in preventing the disease (Dagan et al., 2021; Walsh et al., 2020). However, neutralizing antibodies decrease within 6 months, which may make vaccinated patients and health care workers susceptible to nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection (Levin et al., 2021; Naaber et al., 2021; Tartof et al., 2021). A third dose has been shown to increase neutralizing antibodies to a protective level (Bar-On et al., 2021; Pfizer, 2021).Fatal thrombotic microangiopathy with rhabdomyolysis as an initial symptom after the first dose of mRNA–1273 vaccine: A case report
Although the messenger RNA (mRNA)-based mRNA-1273 vaccine is highly efficacious against COVID-19 (Baden et al., 2021), it has been reported to cause rare but serious thrombotic adverse events such as vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) (Greinacher et al., 2021). In addition to VITT, cases of rhabdomyolysis after COVID-19 vaccination have recently been reported (Ajmera, 2021; Faissner et al., 2021).SARS-CoV-2 attacks the weakest point - COVID-19 course in a pediatric patient with Friedreich's ataxia
The most common symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children are fever, cough, and pharyngitis (Mania et al., 2021). The severe course of COVID-19 infection in children (4–5%) (Cui et al., 2021) mainly affects patients with chronic diseases (Gallo et al., 2021), especially cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic disorders (Tsabouri et al., 2021). The virus entry point into the cell is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The tissues with the highest expression of the receptor may be more susceptible to damage (Muus C et al., 2021).Constrictive pericarditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A case report
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with a wide range of cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism (Chang et al., 2021). Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been widely adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, vaccine-associated cardiovascular complications, such as myocarditis and pericarditis, have been reported (Bozkurt et al., 2021; Pepe et al., 2021).Case report: Acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia related to messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccination
Patients with respiratory comorbidities are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 (Aveyard et al., 2021, Drake et al., 2020); hence, these individuals are primary candidates for vaccination against the disease. In a phase 2/3 trial, which included 1,478 patients with chronic pulmonary disease, the short-term safety of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine was established (Polack et al., 2020). Recently, few severe adverse events associated with vaccination, such as anaphylaxis (Shimabukuro et al., 2021) and myocarditis (Bozkurt et al., 2021, Montgomery et al., 2021), were reported in a healthy population.The case of fatal acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalitis in a two-month-old boy with Covid-19.
SARS-CoV-2 infection is benign in most pediatric patients (Bailey et al., 2021; He et al., 2020). However, its clinical course in children is highly variable, with many asymptomatic or monosymptomatic cases with anosmia and hypogeusia. Among hospitalized children, fever, chills and gastrointestinal symptoms prevail, whereas cough and respiratory signs are less common (Kim L. 2020). It has been established that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has neuroinvasive properties (Iadecola et al., 2020; Severo Bem Junior et al., n.d.Efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech in SARS-CoV-2 Delta cluster
With the world in a race to vaccinate as many people as possible, concerns about vaccine efficacy have continued to arise, particularly related to variants of concern (VoC). The latest variant to be upgraded to a VoC was first discovered in India: B.1.617. This variant has three different subtypes including Delta or B.1.617.2, which has become the most reported lineage in India and has been responsible for a devastating second wave of infection in the country (Outbreak.info, 2021). This variant is defined by seven mutations in the spike protein, two of which – L452R and T478K – are suspected to increase transmissibility (Adam, 2021).Heart failure secondary to myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 reinfection: a case report
Cardiac involvement in COVID-19 can range from mild damage to severe myocarditis. SARS-CoV-2 binds with high affinity to human angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor 2 (ACE 2), which is expressed in the entire body, including the heart. Severe systemic manifestations, such as myocarditis, have been reported in association with COVID-19 (Kerneis et al., 2021; Hamming et al., 2004). Some COVID-19 patients have persistent tachycardia, sustained asymptomatic hypotension, and bradycardia (Huang et al., 2020).Sudden sensorineural hearing loss after COVID-19 vaccination
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread rapidly and was declared a pandemic (Kilic et al., 2020, Iftikhar et al., 2021). At present, more than 200 million people worldwide have been infected, among whom more than four million have died. In this situation, vaccination for COVID-19 is important and is being prompted in many countries.Persistent IgG anticardiolipin autoantibodies are associated with post-COVID syndrome
There is increasing evidence for the persistence of various symptoms in patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), defined recently as ‘long COVID’ or ‘post-COVID syndrome’ (PCS) (Tenforde et al., 2020). While markers associated with the severity of COVID-19, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), immunoglobulin G (IgG) anticardiolipin autoantibodies (aCL), eosinopenia and haemogram-derived ratios, have been described in the acute phase of the disease (Bertin et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2020; Lindsley et al., 2020; Zhou et al., 2020), no biological markers have been proposed to date to predict PCS.Hypersensitivity reaction to hyaluronic acid dermal filler after the Pfizer vaccination against SARS-CoV-2
The novel coronovirus (2019-nCoV), named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)has infected approximately 250 million people worldwide killed more than 3.7 million individuals (n.d.). The rapid spreading of the pandemia has stimulated the implementation of numerous measures to combat the spread of the virus, such as closures of geographical areas, lockdowns, restrictions on the circulation of citizens and closure of various types of activities and businesses (Galanakis, 2020).A case of varicella zoster virus meningitis following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in an immunocompetent patient
Since December 2019, COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has been a major health threat worldwide (Hayakawa et al., 2020). The mRNA-based BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated a high efficacy rate with an acceptable safety profile (Polack et al., 2020). In Japan, a nationwide mass BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination campaign was launched and rolled out at an exceptionally rapid pace with high vaccine acceptance. As of June 13, 2021, 14.0% (n=17 580 587) and 4.9% (n=6 104 732) of the population had received their first and second vaccine dose, respectively (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, 2021).Potential recurrence of COVID-19 in a healthcare professional: SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing confirms contagiousness after re-positivity
On 27 May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated criteria for releasing COVID-19 patients from isolation, exempting the need to perform a laboratory RT-PCR test [WHO, 2020a; WHO, 2020b], considering that, even if a positive result is obtained after symptoms resolution, patients are unlikely to be infectious and therefore unable to originate secondary cases (WHO, 2020). Aligned with this, the recovery of replication-competent virus from re-positive patients has been unsuccessful Li et al., 2020; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) and no cases of infection among people who had contact with re-positive patients have been reported to date (Azam et al., 2020; Bongiovanni et al., 2020; Dao et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2020; Kang, 2020).Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 relapse with remdesivir and neutralizing antibodies cocktail in a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients with humoral immunodeficiency are at higher risk of developing chronic infection and having a negative outcome. Few data are available on therapeutic options for this population. This case report discusses the treatment of disease relapse with remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies in an adult patient with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia.
