HIV case reporting and HIV treatment outcomes in Qatar

AimThe aim of the paper is to provide an overview of available HIV case reporting and treatment data for in Qatar for the period 2015–2020.MethodsHIV case reporting data were analyzed by sex and mode of transmission. To construct HIV care continuum from the data available, we obtained information on the total number of HIV diagnosed patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2020, number of patients on ART who had an HIV viral load test and the number who were virally suppressed (defined as having the viral load of less than 1,000 copies/mL).ResultsA total of 515 HIV cases were reported to the Ministry of Public Health since beginning of reporting in 1986, and that included Qatari nationals and expatriate residents diagnosed in Qatar. There was an increase in the annual number of newly reported HIV cases from 16 cases in 2015 (of these, 14 were males) to 58 cases in 2020 (of these, 54 were males). The total number of HIV diagnosed people on ART increased from 99 in 2015 to 213 in 2020. During 2020 the overall viral load testing coverage and viral load suppression among those tested for viral load in men were 72.5% and 93.1%, respectively, while in women these values were 60.4% and 84.4%, respectively.ConclusionDue to increase in newly reported HIV cases, there is a need to develop an effective HIV strategic information system in Qatar and data-driven and targeted national HIV response

Reactivation cytomegalovirus leading to acute myocardial infarction- a first reported case in an immunocompetent patient

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an opportunistic organism. We report a young, healthy, immunocompetent female with no apparent cardiovascular risk factors presenting with acute myocardial infarction. She had CMV viremia and went on to develop CMV-colitis and hepatitis. This report highlights that CMV can cause clinically significant multi-organ disease in immunocompetent-patients</jats:p

Post-ERCP Dormia basket impaction: a case report and literature review

The incidence of Common bile duct stones (CBD) in patients undergoing cholecystectomy is 10%. The present-day management of common bile duct stone may be pre-, intra-, or post-operative Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) with stone extraction. The reported complications of ERCP and CBD stone extraction range from 5 to 10% cases, that might be life threatening. Herein, we reported a case of calculus obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. Unfortunately, trials for ERCP and stone retrieval was followed by impacted Dormia basket which was successfully managed by surgerys.</jats:p

Clinical manifestations and outcome of Mpox infection in Qatar: An observational study during the 2022 outbreak

Mpox emerged in May 2022 as a global outbreak, mostly in hitherto non-endemic countries. To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of mpox in Qatar, data were retrospectively retrieved for all laboratory-confirmed mpox cases diagnosed in Qatar between May and November 2022. Twelve cases were identified; of which 10 were males, and the median age was 33.5 years (IQR 24.5–37.5). Recent sexual exposure was reported in 9 patients, 6 of which were outside Qatar. Seven individuals reported exclusive heterosexual contact. Pleomorphic skin lesions were present in all cases, with anogenital involvement in 11. Fever (7/12) and lymphadenopathy (4/12) were relatively common. All cases were HIV-negative. The majority of cases had an uncomplicated and self-limiting clinical illness. In conclusion, the majority of early mpox infections in Qatar were purportedly acquired through heterosexual contact, primarily among middle-aged men. The clinical course was mostly uneventful. In the absence of active case finding and the mild and self-limiting nature of the clinical illness, undetected community transmission cannot be ruled out

Remdesivir for Covid-19 pneumonia in patients with severe chronic kidney disease: Case series and review of the literature

Remdesivir was the first antiviral agent to receive FDA authorization for severe COVID-19 management, which restricts its use with severe renal impairment due to concerns that active metabolites might accumulate, causing renal toxicities. With limited treatment options, available evidence on such patient groups is important to assess for future safety.</jats:p

The dilemma of Tocilizumab therapy for a patient with critical COVID-19 disease and neutropenia: Case report and review of the literature

Our patient is a 39-year-old male with normal baseline blood parameters who presented with COVID-19 infection, associated with neutropenia and then progressed to critical disease culminating into CSS. Based on risks and benefits evaluation, he was treated with Tocilizumab reinforced with G-CSF leading to full recovery including reversal of neutropenia.</jats:p

Remdesivir therapy causing bradycardia in COVID-19 patients: Two case reports

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an enormous public health challenge. The pursuit for an effective therapy led to the use of the antiviral drug Remdesivir for hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We reported two cases of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and worsening oxygen requirements. Both patients developed sinus bradycardia following the initiation of Remdesivir therapy and reverted after stopping it. One of the patients developed QTc interval prolongation and required intensive care unit admission. The proposed mechanism for Remdesivir-induced bradycardia and cardiac toxicity could be due to the intrinsic electrophysiological properties and the effect on the AV node; yet, further large observational studies are warranted for better understanding and correlation of Remdesivir with cardiac adverse events. Till then, healthcare providers need to be alert of this potential adverse event and to monitor their COVID-19 patients closely while on Remdesivir therapy.Other InformationPublished in: IDCasesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01254</p