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Medical Mycology Case Reports Jun 2024We present the first case report of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis due to , with the same pathogen detected in her caregiver's tinea capitis. This...
We present the first case report of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis due to , with the same pathogen detected in her caregiver's tinea capitis. This confirms that touch contamination from the caregiver's infection was the primary source of this rare organism. The species of pathogen causing peritonitis and her caregiver's scalp lesions were identified by DNA barcoding. The patient responded well to timely PD catheter removal and a 2-week course of systemic amphotericin B deoxycholate. Preventive strategies should prioritize hygiene practices, including maintaining adequate personal hygiene and practicing thorough hand washing, to mitigate the risk of touch contamination and subsequent infection with fungal pathogens.
PubMed: 38884003
DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2024.100653 -
JHEP Reports : Innovation in Hepatology Jun 2024Patients with advanced cirrhosis often develop hepatic decompensation, which is accompanied by systemic inflammation and may eventually lead to acute-on-chronic liver...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Patients with advanced cirrhosis often develop hepatic decompensation, which is accompanied by systemic inflammation and may eventually lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure. One important cause of systemic hyperinflammation is a dysregulated overshooting immune response in ascites in the abdominal cavity. In this study, we analyzed the role of CD8 T cells in the ascites immune compartment.
METHODS
Peripheral blood and ascites fluid were collected from 50 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Phenotype and functional responses of CD8 T cells were analyzed, and obtained data were compared with each other as well as with healthy controls and patients with compensated cirrhosis.
RESULTS
High-dimensional flow cytometry revealed that CD8 T cells are abundant in the ascites of patients with cirrhosis and exhibit a chronically activated bystander phenotype with innate-like functions. Indeed, we identified distinct CXCR6CD69 clusters of late effector memory CD8 T cells that were rarely found in blood and correlated with clinical parameters of disease severity. Moreover, this CD8 T-cell population was hyperresponsive to innate cytokines and exhibited cytokine-mediated bystander activation. Interestingly, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib was able to effectively block bystander-activated CXCR6CD69 CD8 T cells and significantly suppress effector molecule production.
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that CXCR6CD69 CD8 T cells in ascites are associated with disease severity and may contribute to inflammation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, suggesting that targeted inhibition of this immune cell subset may be a viable therapeutic option.
IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS
Patients with advanced cirrhosis often develop hepatic decompensation, which is accompanied by systemic inflammation and eventually leads to acute-on-chronic liver failure. One important cause of systemic hyperinflammation is a dysregulated overshooting immune response in ascites in the abdominal cavity. In this study, we demonstrate that CXCR6CD69 CD8 T cells are abundant in the ascites of patients with cirrhosis, exhibit a chronically activated bystander phenotype, and correlate with clinical parameters of disease severity. Moreover, we show that the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib can effectively block these bystander-activated CXCR6CD69 CD8 T cells, suggesting that targeted inhibition of this immune cell subset may be a potential therapeutic strategy.
CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER
Prospective registry: INFEKTA (DRKS00010664).
PubMed: 38882602
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101074 -
Peritoneal Dialysis International :... Jun 2024Staff-assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) can help overcome barriers to self-care but is not yet available in the United States (US). We developed and implemented a...
BACKGROUND
Staff-assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) can help overcome barriers to self-care but is not yet available in the United States (US). We developed and implemented a staff-assisted PD program that fits within current regulatory and cost restraints in the US healthcare environment.
METHODS
Patient care technicians (PCTs) were trained on PD procedures and troubleshooting common problems. The program expanded from two centers in August 2020 to sixteen by October 2022. We described the logistic elements of program delivery, and patient and treatment outcomes for patients discharged by end of April 2023, with a cohort follow up until October 2023.
RESULTS
A total of 121 patients were referred to the program. The most common indications for referral were physical function limitations, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial challenges. Staff assistance was provided for 73 patients. Mean age was 72 (standard deviation 14) years. A total of 604 visits were delivered, with a median 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3-10, range: 1-49) visits per patient. Median duration of assistance was 8 (IQR: 2-21, range: 1-84) days. Assistance was most frequently needed for PD treatment setup and for observing and directing the technique. No peritonitis events or exit-site infections were reported. Sixty-eight patients (93%) were discharged on PD without staff assistance. The 6- and 12-month survival of PD without assistance was 71% and 57%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Staff-assisted PD for limited time periods is operationally feasible with PCTs in the US and can support transitioning and maintaining patients on PD. NCT04319185.
PubMed: 38881397
DOI: 10.1177/08968608241259607 -
Mycopathologia Jun 2024A 67 year-old male was admitted in the ICU because of multi-organ failure due to sepsis secondary to Fournier's gangrene. He had sustained radical prostatectomy in the...
A 67 year-old male was admitted in the ICU because of multi-organ failure due to sepsis secondary to Fournier's gangrene. He had sustained radical prostatectomy in the last 48 hours. Peritoneal fluid and fatty tissue biopsies grew Aspergillus Fumigatus without concomitant pulmonary involvement. Postoperative acquisition via exogenous and endogenous routes is discussed, as this nosocomial entity is very rarely reported apart from peritoneal dialysis, especially in non-immunosuppressed patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aspergillus fumigatus; Aged; Peritonitis; Aspergillosis; Postoperative Complications; Prostatectomy
PubMed: 38878212
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00858-x -
Medicine Jun 2024Urachal anomalies are rare and can present with various clinical manifestations. Urachal remnants, in particular, can be difficult to diagnose because of atypical...
RATIONALE
Urachal anomalies are rare and can present with various clinical manifestations. Urachal remnants, in particular, can be difficult to diagnose because of atypical symptoms at presentation. This study reports a case of intestinal obstruction in an infant secondary to an infected urachal cyst.
PATIENTS CONCERNS
A 3-month-old boy with a known febrile urinary tract infection developed acute abdominal distension.
DIAGNOSES
Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a nonspecific, ill-defined soft tissue density at the mid-abdomen, associated with intestinal obstruction.
INTERVENTIONS
Emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed. The site of the obstruction was found to be at the mid-small bowel; the proximal small bowel was markedly distended, and the small bowel and sigmoid colon were adherent to urachal remnant. The urachal remnant was excised, and the peritoneal adhesions were lysed.
OUTCOMES
The day after surgery, the patient was discharged without any complications.
LESSONS
Intestinal obstruction is an exceedingly rare presentation of urachal remnants. This case highlights that urachal anomalies should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with intestinal obstruction and a concurrent febrile urinary tract infection.
Topics: Humans; Male; Urinary Tract Infections; Urachal Cyst; Infant; Intestinal Obstruction; Fever; Diagnosis, Differential; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 38875366
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038615 -
Veterinary Research Communications Jun 2024Filaroid nematodes Setaria tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) and Setaria cervi (Rudolphi, 1819) are internal parasites from family Onchocercidae with occurrence...
Filaroid nematodes Setaria tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) and Setaria cervi (Rudolphi, 1819) are internal parasites from family Onchocercidae with occurrence in the northern hemisphere. They have a considerably wide range of final host, including many species of family Cervidae. Intermediate hosts and vectors at the same time, are represented by the several mosquito species, mostly of genus Aedes. Infection of Setaria is relatively harmless and especially in wild cervids usually pass unnoticed. Although in some cases it can induce peritonitis which might be a life threatening condition.This study was determined to reveal the presence of helminths Setaria tundra and Setaria cervi in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Slovakia. The parasites were identified morphologically and genetically, based on the sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. For this purpose we used partial results of our longer parasitological monitoring realized in one particular hunting area located in eastern Slovakia, near the city of Košice. A total of 60 red deer individuals were tested, of which one was found to be infected with Setaria tundra (prevalence of 1.7%) and four were detected to be infected with Setaria cervi (prevalence 6.7%). The intensity of infection was very low, only one specimen of Setaria spp. in each positive animal.
PubMed: 38874831
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10394-0 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Serratia marcescens, as a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, is a rare cause of peritonitis and has worse clinical outcomes than Gram-positive peritonitis. In this... (Review)
Review
Serratia marcescens, as a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, is a rare cause of peritonitis and has worse clinical outcomes than Gram-positive peritonitis. In this case report, we describe a case of Serratia marcescens associated peritonitis that was successfully cured without catheter removal. A 40-year-old male patient with peritoneal dialysis who worked in the catering industry was admitted to the hospital for 16 hours after the discovery of cloudy peritoneal dialysate and abdominal pain. Ceftazidime and cefazolin sodium were immediately given intravenously as an empirical antibiotic regimen. After detecting Serratia marcescens in the peritoneal diasate culture, the treatment was switched to ceftazidime and levofloxacin. The routine examination of peritoneal dialysate showed a significant decrease in white blood cells, the peritoneal dialysate became clear, and the peritoneal dialysis catheter was retained. The patient was treated for 2 weeks and treated with oral antibiotics for 1 week. It is necessary to further strengthen the hygiene of work environment to prevent Serratia marcescens infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. We recommend that patients with Serratia marcescens associated peritonitis should be treated with a combination of antibiotics as early as possible empirically, and at the same time, the peritoneal dialysis fluid culture should be improved, and the antibiotic regimen should be timely adjusted according to the drug sensitivity results. For patients with clinical symptoms for more than 3 days, considering the strong virulence of Serratia marcescens, whether to use meropenem directly or not can provide a reference for clinical decision-making. Further clinical studies are needed to achieve more precise anti-infective treatment.
Topics: Humans; Serratia marcescens; Male; Peritonitis; Adult; Serratia Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Peritoneal Dialysis; Treatment Outcome; Device Removal; Levofloxacin; Ceftazidime; Cefazolin
PubMed: 38873095
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1373036 -
Virology Journal Jun 2024Infection with SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk groups such as kidney transplant and dialysis patients is shown to be associated with a more serious course of the disease. Four...
BACKGROUND
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk groups such as kidney transplant and dialysis patients is shown to be associated with a more serious course of the disease. Four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, crucial knowledge on the immune responses in these patient groups is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the humoral immune response after a SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to vaccination as well as the evolution of immunoglobulins over time.
METHODS
Kidney transplant recipients, patients on haemodialysis or on peritoneal dialysis and healthy controls were included in this longitudinal multicenter study. SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD, anti-NP and anti-S1S2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and A (IgA) as well as the neutralizing antibody capacity were measured.
RESULTS
Kidney transplant recipients had a significantly better humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 after infection (86.4%) than after a two-dose mRNA vaccination (55.8%) while seroconversion was comparable in patients on haemodialysis after infection (95.8%) versus vaccination (89.4%). In individuals without prior COVID-19, the IgG levels after vaccination were significantly lower in kidney transplant recipients when compared to all other groups. However, the IgA titres remained the highest in this patient group at each time point, both after infection and vaccination. A history COVID-19 was associated with higher antibody levels after double-dose vaccination in all patient categories and, while decreasing, titres remained high six months after double-dose vaccination.
CONCLUSION
Kidney transplant recipients had a more robust humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 following infection compared to a two-dose mRNA vaccination, while patients on haemodialysis exhibited comparable seroconversion rates. Notably, individuals with prior COVID-19 exhibited higher IgG levels in response to vaccination. Hybrid immunity is thus the best possible defence against severe COVID-19 disease and seems also to hold up for these populations. Next, it is not clear whether the higher IgA levels in the kidney transplant recipients is beneficial for neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 or if it is a sign of disease severity.
Topics: Humans; Kidney Transplantation; COVID-19; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Female; Immunoglobulin A; Middle Aged; Antibodies, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Immunity, Humoral; Renal Dialysis; Transplant Recipients; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Vaccination; Aged; Adult; Longitudinal Studies; COVID-19 Vaccines; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
PubMed: 38872127
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02410-1 -
Aging Jun 2024Gastric carcinoma (GC) is one of the most fatal human malignancies globally, with a median survival time less than 1 year. E-cadherin exerts a crucial role in the...
BACKGROUNDS
Gastric carcinoma (GC) is one of the most fatal human malignancies globally, with a median survival time less than 1 year. E-cadherin exerts a crucial role in the development and progression of GC as an adhesive, invasive suppressor gene. Whether reduced E-cadherin has an impact on prognosis, clinicopathological features for GC has been well studied, but no conclusive results has been obtained.
METHODS
Eligible studies and relevant data were obtained from PubMed, Elsevier, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases until June 30, 2023. A fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Correlation of E-cadherin expression with overall survival (OS), clinicopathological features and risk factors were evaluated.
RESULTS
36 studies fulfilled the selected criteria. 9048 cases were included. This meta-analysis showed that patients with GC with reduced E-cadherin had unfavourable clinicopathological features and poor OS. The pooled ORs of one-, three- and five-year OS were 0.38 ( = 25 studies, 95%CI: 0.25-0.57, Z = 4.61, < 0.00001), 0.33 ( = 25 studies, 95% CI: 0.23-0.47, Z = 6.22, < 0.00001), 0.27 ( = 22 studies, 95% CI: 0.18-0.41, Z = 6.23, < 0.00001), respectively. Moreover, reduced E-cadherin expression significantly correlated with differentiation grade (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.22-0.39, Z = 8.58, < 0.00001), depth of invasion (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.36-0.66, Z = 4.58, < 0.00001), lymphatic node metastasis (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38-0.64, Z = 5.38, < 0.00001), distant metastasis (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.62-3.09, Z = 4.88, < 0.00001), peritoneal metastasis (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.39-3.39, Z = 3.40, = 0.0007), TNM stage (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.28-0.61, Z = 4.44, < 0.00001), lymphatic vessel invasion (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.11-2.82, Z = 2.39, = 0.02), vascular invasion (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.22-1.96, Z = 3.58, = 0.0003), Lauren type (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21-0.57, Z = 4.14, < 0.0001), Borrmann classification (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25-0.99, Z = 1.97, = 0.048) and tumor size (≥5 cm vs. <5 cm: OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.34-2.23, Z = 4.19, < 0.0001; ≥6 cm vs. <6 cm: OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.51-3.49, Z = 3.87, = 0.0001). No significant association was observed between reduced E-cadherin expression and liver metastasis, perineural invasion, alcohol consumption, smoking status, familial history, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection.
CONCLUSIONS
The reduced expression of E-cadherin is significantly correlated with poor OS and unfavourable clinicopathological features in GC. The expression level of E-cadherin not only serves as a predictor for disease progression and prognosis in GC but also emerges as a novel therapeutic target.
PubMed: 38870263
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205929 -
Tuberkuloz Ve Toraks Jun 2024Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Although it typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), one-fifth of TB...
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Although it typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), one-fifth of TB cases present as extrapulmonary TB. The diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB is often overlooked due to its atypical clinical and radiological manifestations. Differentiating TB from neoplastic conditions poses significant challenges. A 33-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency clinic with shortness of breath, cough, and abdominal pain. Postero-anterior chest X-ray revealed massive pleural effusion leading to mediastinal shift. With a preliminary diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, a pleural catheter was inserted, and the patient was referred for a positron emission tomography (PET/CT) to assess the primary site and the optimal location for a biopsy. The PET/CT revealed asymmetric soft tissue thickening on the left side of the nasopharynx, and increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the left cervical lymph nodes raised suspicion regarding primary nasopharyngeal cancer. Additionally, there was an increased FDG uptake observed in the mass lesion located in the right upper lobe, mediastinal lymph nodes, pleural surfaces in the left hemithorax, perihepatic areas, and peritoneum, indicating diffuse metastatic disease. Tuberculosis diagnosis was confirmed through biopsies demonstrating granulomatous inflammation in the lung and nasopharynx, along with culturing MTB from pleural effusion. Positron emission tomography played a crucial role in identifying sites of TB involvement. Despite its rarity, healthcare professionals should consider nasopharyngeal TB as a potential diagnosis when evaluating nasopharyngeal masses.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Tuberculosis; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Neoplasm Metastasis
PubMed: 38869209
DOI: 10.5578/tt.202402915