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Background M. oleifera leaf extract supplement is famous for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifertility, anticancer, antihepatotoxic, and antiulcer properties. However, limited data exist on the coagulation effect of M. oleifera leaf extract in human plasma, which maybe a predisposing factor to venous thromboembolism (DVT and PE); a disorder that is well known to be induced by risk factors such as surgery, trauma, cancer, or prolonged immobility. Case presentation We report a case of a 63-year-old Hispanic female with past medical history of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency room with a three-day history of worsening shortness of breath and chest pain. Computerized tomography-pulmonary angiogram (CT-PA) revealed bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) and right ventricle strain. Based on CT imaging findings, the absence of a major transient risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), no history suggestive of an underlying hypercoagulable disorder, and a medication history that was significant for a recent 5-month use of M. oleifera leaf extract that has been reported to induce clot formation, she was diagnosed as a rare case of sub-massive pulmonary embolism provoked by M. oleifera leaf extract supplement. She received initial anticoagulation (AC) during her hospitalization and was discharged on maintenance AC for 3 months. Discussion and conclusion We report the first case of PE likely triggered by using Moringa oleifera leaf extract herbal supplement. Cohort studies on the coagulation effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in humans are necessary to determine the relationship between Moringa Oleifera leaf extract and VTEs.

The socially vulnerable have been most affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the aftermath of any major disaster. Racial and social minorities are experiencing a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of residential location/community and race/ethnicity on outcomes of COVID-19 infection among hospitalized patients within the Bronx. This was a single center retrospective observational cohort study that included SARS-CoV2 positive adult residents of the Bronx (stratified as residents of South Bronx vs Rest of Bronx) hospitalized between March-May 2020. Data extracted from hospital electronic medical records included residential addresses, race, comorbidities, and insurance details. Comorbidity burden other clinical and laboratory details were also assessed to determine their correlation to COVID-19 severity of illness and outcomes of mortality and length of stay.As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic differentially affected outcomes in those in the more socially disadvantaged area of the South Bronx versus the rest of the Bronx borough. Residents of the South Bronx had a significantly higher comorbidity burden and had public insurance to access medical care in comparison to the remainder of the Bronx. Interestingly, for the patient population studied there was no observed difference in 30-day mortality by race/ethnicity among those infected with COVID- 19 in spite of the increased disease burden observed.This adds an interesting perspective to the current literature, and highlights the need to address the social/economic factors contributing to health access disparity to reduce the adverse impact of COVID-19 in these communities.

Introduction: Strongyloides infection is most commonly caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis). It often causes asymptomatic chronic infection but through the translocation of the parasite into the bloodstream, it can lead to disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS). We describe a case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who developed Strongyloidiasis with the complication of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) meningitis. Notably, the clinical condition of the patient worsened after commencing anti-retroviral therapy (ART), raising concern for ART-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) to S. stercoralis. Case Report: A 51-year-old African female with a past medical history of HIV presented with a 1-week history of abdominal pain and a 2-month history of generalized malaise, constipation, and weight loss. She improved with symptomatic management and commenced Biktarvy. She re-presented one month later with worsening gastrointestinal symptoms. Her hospital course was complicated by septicemia with worsening mentation. Her repeat abdominal imaging showed ascending and transverse colitis and cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). During her re-admission, the patient developed persistent watery diarrhea which was found to be positive for S. stercoralis. Despite medical therapy she demised on day 28 of admission. Conclusion: Literature is very scarce concerning the progression of S. stercoralis infection to Strongyloides disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS) as a result of IRIS. As clinicians, we must have a high index of suspicion in our HIV population as DS can lead to fatal complications. It can also help guide management decisions concerning ART until complete eradication of S. stercoralis infection is obtained.