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Introduction: Serial follow-up with pulmonary function testing (PFT) and chest computed tomography (CT) after severe COVID-19 are recommended. As a result, many longitudinal studies have been published on COVID-19 of different grade of severity up to 1-year follow-up. Therefore, we aimed at a long-term observational study throughout 2 years after severe COVID-19. Methods: Severe COVID-19 patients were consecutively recruited after hospital discharge between March and June 2020 and prospectively followed up for 24 months, with mMRC dyspnea scale and PFT at 6, 12, and 24 months. Chest CT was performed when clinically indicated. Results: One hundred one patients enrolled completed the observational study. At 24 months, those with reduced total lung capacity (TLC) were 16%, associated with fibrotic ground glass opacity (GGO) and mMRC score >1, respectively, in 75% and 69% of them. At 24 months, those with a reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for CO were 41%, associated with fibrotic GGO and mMRC score >1, respectively, in 53% and 22% of them. Conclusion: Two years after hospitalization for severe COVID-19, a non-negligible number of patients still suffer from "long COVID" due to respiratory damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a bleeding disorder due to the presence of neutralizing autoantibodies named inhibitors in patients with a previously normal hemostasis. Recent international recommendations suggest the use of bypassing agents or substitutive therapy as the first-line treatment, usually preferring the former. The adequate hemostatic therapy needs an accurate balance between bleeding and thrombotic risks. We report a clinical case of acquired hemophilia A successfully treated with recombinant porcine factor VIII (Susoctocog alfa) as the first-line treatment. Despite the patient having a high-risk thrombotic score and a history of recent myocardial infarction, our experience showed the absence of thrombotic complications related to the use of Susoctocog alfa and a complete restoration of hemostatic parameters. Limited literature is present on the use of recombinant porcine factor VIII as a first-line treatment, and our report supports its use, especially when the thrombotic risk is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder also known as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia or giant lymph node hyperplasia. CD can be unicentric CD (UCD) or multicentric CD (MCD). MCD affects more than one group of lymph nodes and/or lymphoid tissues and it is frequently associated with HIV and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) infections and, in contrast with UCD, it often results in systemic symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, anemia, inflammatory syndrome. HHV-8-associated MCD recognizes HHV-8 as an etiopathogenetic agent and occurs generally in HIV-positive subjects. Our report describes an HHV-8 positive Castleman disease with plasmablastic microlymphoma occurring in a 51-year-old HIV seronegative woman, with a previous history of HBV infection and Kaposi's sarcoma, who presented elevated procalcitonin levels during the acute phase of CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a clinical condition characterized by overactive parathyroid gland secretion of parathyroid hormone with concurrent alteration of the phosphocalcemic metabolism. We present a literature review on primary hyperparathyroidism addressing key on clinical presentation, causes, medical and surgical treatment at the best of our knowledge. Based on this review we confirm the role of serum calcium and serum level examination, as well as we define the definitive treatment for PHPT being parathyroidectomy. In case of contraindication for surgery, medical treatment can play a relevant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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