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RATIONALE: Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) is an enzyme secreted by activated macrophages. The role of CHIT1 in the pathogenesis of some pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary infections and pulmonary sarcoidosis was reported. The potential role of CHIT1 in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine if serum CHIT1 activity is elevated in a group of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: The single-center case-control study included 40 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 associated pneumonia confirmed by high-resolution CT and 40 non-COVID-19 patients with no signs of lung damage as a control group. We compared the serum CHIT1 activity levels between the two groups. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's ρ were used for statistical processing. RESULTS: The groups were comparable in age, sex and body mass index. The median of lung involvement percentage was 36.50% (15.0-48.0%). The median of serum CHIT1 activity level in COVID-19 patients was 42.50 U/ml (27.25-70.00) that is significantly higher than 30.00 U/ml (15.50-45.00) in the control group (U=543, p=0.013). There was no correlation between CHIT1 activity and the percentage of lung tissue damage. A moderate negative correlation between serum CHIT1 activity and the duration of illness was found (ρ=-0.502, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Present study did not confirm the interrelation between the activity of CHIT1 and the severity of lung damage. Still, due to CHIT1 taking part in cytokine release syndrome, it could be an early marker of macrophage activation in COVID-19.

A 28 year-old male with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and endocardium thickening, conduction disorders, heart failure, and depressive disorder treated with paroxetine was admitted to the clinic. Blood tests revealed an increase in serum iron level, transferrin saturation percentage, and slightly elevated liver function tests. Sarcoidosis, storage diseases and Loeffler endocarditis were ruled out. Mutations in desmin (DES) and hemochromatosis gene (HFE1) were identified. Liver biopsy was obtained to verify the hemochromatosis, assess its possible contribution to the RCM progression and determine indications for treatment. Biopsy revealed signs of drug-induced injury, subcompensated heart failure, and hemosiderin accumulation. Thus, even if one obvious cause (desmin mutation) of RCM has been identified, other less likely causes should be taken into consideration.

The article is devoted to the diverticular colon disease, its uncomplicated form, the connection with age. Symptoms allowing to define presence at this form of disease of IBS-like symptoms – pains and infringements of the psycho-emotional status are highlighted. The results of psychometric research and psychiatrist’s consultation of 102 patients are presented. The role of obesity in the genesis of diverticular disease is highlighted. The significance of spasmolytic therapy, in particular mebeverine, is presented.