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A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, was isolated from patients' lower respiratory tracts in December 2019. As of May 19, 2021, there were over 33 million reported infections and almost 600,000 deaths in the United States. The infection, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), can lead to cytokine storm, with elevations in interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and glutathione reductase. NF-kappaB activation is necessary for further transcription of other pro-inflammatory markers. Glutathione may play a role in modulation of NF-kappaB activation and elevated glutathione reductase may indicate glutathione depletion. Administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may replenish spent glutathione and attenuate over-activation of NF-kappaB. This retrospective case series included 10 patients who were COVID-19 positive and received intravenous NAC in an attempt to attenuate the cytokine storm. Patients' outcomes were graded based on the World Health Organization symptom severity scale from 0, no evidence of infection, to 8, death. Overall, the median WHO Scale prior to NAC was 6.5, and increased by day seven, which indicated clinical worsening. This retrospective case series showed no benefit of NAC; however, further studies are needed to elucidate if differences in drug regimens would lead to positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. The disease, typically characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and profound elevation of inflammatory markers, can range in severity from mild or asymptomatic illness to a lethal cytokine storm and respiratory failure. A number of recognized complications of COVID-19 infection are described in the literature. Common neurological complications include headache and anosmia. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon complication described in isolated case reports. However, a causal relationship has yet to be established. This case report adds to the growing body of evidence that GBS is a potential COVID-19 complication.Case Presentation: A 70-year-old Caucasian woman with recently diagnosed COVID-19 infection presented to the emergency department with 4 days of gradually worsening ascending lower extremity weakness. Exam revealed bilateral lower extremity weakness, mute reflexes, and sensory loss. Soon after starting intravenous administration of immunoglobulin (IVIG), the patient developed respiratory distress, eventually requiring intubation. She remained intubated for the duration of her IVIG treatment. After five rounds of treatment, the patient was successfully extubated and transferred to acute rehab. Following 4 weeks of intense physical therapy, she was able to walk with assistance on room air.Conclusion: At the present time, this is one of the few reports of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) or GBS associated with COVID-19 in the United States. It is unclear whether a causal relationship exists given the nature of the syndrome. However, in light of the growing number of reported cases, physicians should be aware of this possible complication when evaluating COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading throughout the world and the United States with confirmed cases in all 50 states. Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), or cytokine storm, is being increasingly reported with severe cases of COVID-19 patients and is a common cause of death in these patients. Hereby, authors report a case of critically ill COVID-19 patient who developed cytokine storm. She had a remarkable increase in inflammatory markers and went into multiorgan failure and death in less than 48 hours. Among inflammatory markers, ferritin has a high sensitivity for CRS. This case report sheds light on the importance of following the level of inflammatory markers (especially ferritin) closely in COVID-19 patients. The goal is to diagnose CRS before the patient goes into a full cytokine storm and multiorgan failure, as it may be too late to react then. Even when the patient is clinically stable, a high ferritin level could be the calm before the storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]