Characterization of Coinfections in Patients with COVID-19.

Background: Little is known about coinfections in patients with COVID-19, with antibiotics often initiated empirically.

Objectives: To determine the rates and characteristics of early and late coinfections in COVID-19 patients and to characterize the use of anti-infective agents, especially antibiotics.

Methods: This retrospective chart review involved patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Lions Gate Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) between January 1 and June 30, 2020.

Rituximab for Adults With Multi-Drug Resistant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background: Adults with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are frequently resistant to multiple immunosuppressive agents, which is associated with ongoing complications of nephrotic syndrome and a high risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against the B cell CD20 antigen, has shown some preliminary evidence in treating nephrotic syndrome.

Objectives: Describe the usage and the efficacy of rituximab for adults with FSGS in British Columbia (BC) (Canada) and perform a literature review of multi-immunosuppressive drug resistant FSGS in adult patients treated with rituximab to estimate the overall response rate.

Prescription Patterns in Dialysis Patients: Differences Between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Opportunities for Deprescription.

Background: Patients treated with maintenance dialysis are at high risk of polypharmacy given their many comorbidities as well as complications from their disease state and treatment. The prescribing patterns and burden of polypharmacy in patients treated with maintenance dialysis, and specifically the difference between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) prescribing, are not well characterized.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to review the prescribing patterns for patients treated with maintenance dialysis, to compare prescribing pattern between HD and PD, and to identify opportunities for deprescription.

Microvascular Effects of Pulsed Dye Laser in Combination With Oxymetazoline.

Background And Objective: Oxymetazoline, an α-1A agonist, is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea and induces vasoconstriction by interacting with α receptors. The objective of our study was to study the microvascular effects of oxymetazoline and pulsed dye laser (PDL).

Materials And Methods: A dorsal window chamber was surgically installed on 20 mice.