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Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jul 2024Definite diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) requires investigation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thus, lumbar puncture is necessary, and requires...
Definite diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) requires investigation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thus, lumbar puncture is necessary, and requires administration of sedating drugs in children. This study aimed to investigate if a pattern of different inflammatory biomarkers in serum could contribute to the selection of children for lumbar puncture in suspected LNB. Patients were included from a cohort of children who was previously investigated for LNB including serum and CSF sampling during the years 2010-2014. The multiplex proximity extension assay (PEA) inflammation panel Target 96 (Olink Bioscience, Uppsala, Sweden) was used to examine 92 biomarkers in serum. Based on the presence of CSF pleocytosis and Borrelia-specific antibodies, patients were divided into a definite LNB group (n=61) and a non-LNB control group (n=58). Following PEA and statistical analysis with multivariate logistic regression, five biomarkers remained significant (p < 0.001), which were included in a calculation of protein index. The index biomarkers were CST5, IL-15RA, CXCL10, DNER and CX3CL1. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed from the index, which showed an 80 % sensitivity and 81 % specificity. Area under the curve was 0.889. We offer evidence that, with further refinements, patterns of serum biomarkers might help identify those children more or less likely to have LNB, perhaps ultimately decreasing the need for lumbar punctures.
Topics: Humans; Lyme Neuroborreliosis; Child; Biomarkers; Male; Female; Adolescent; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 38723400
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102349 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... May 2024Mycobacterium abscessus is an intrinsically drug-resistant, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium; extrapulmonary infections have been reported in association...
Notes from the Field: Potential Outbreak of Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense Infections from Stem Cell Treatment Clinics in Mexico - Arizona and Colorado, 2022.
Mycobacterium abscessus is an intrinsically drug-resistant, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium; extrapulmonary infections have been reported in association with medical tourism (1). During November-December 2022, two Colorado hospitals (hospitals A and B) treated patient A, a Colorado woman aged 30-39 years, for M. abscessus meningitis. In October 2022, she had received intrathecal donor embryonic stem cell injections in Baja California, Mexico to treat multiple sclerosis and subsequently experienced headaches and fevers, consistent with meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid revealed neutrophilic pleocytosis and grew M. abscessus in culture at hospital A. Hospital A's physicians consulted hospital B's infectious diseases (ID) physicians to co-manage this patient (2).
Topics: Humans; Colorado; Adult; Female; Disease Outbreaks; Mexico; Mycobacterium abscessus; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Arizona; Stem Cell Transplantation
PubMed: 38722805
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7318a3 -
Radiology Case Reports Jul 2024Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an extremely rare cancer in pediatric, accounting for 0.1% to 0.3% of all pediatric malignancies. Due to its low incidence in this age...
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an extremely rare cancer in pediatric, accounting for 0.1% to 0.3% of all pediatric malignancies. Due to its low incidence in this age group, literature on pediatric RCC is limited. We present a case of localized RCC in pediatric patient treated with nephroureterectomy and lymphadenectomy. A 14-year-old girl with a 2-year history of red urine, blood clots, and left flank pain underwent physical examination, revealing left flank tenderness. Laboratory results showed anemia, leukocytosis, elevated LDH, and erythrocytes in urine. Imaging revealed a hyperechoic area in the left kidney's lower pole (4.0 × 2.8 cm). Contrast abdominal CT scan indicated a solid mass (5.4 × 3.8 × 3.2 cm) in left renal pelvis extending to the minor calyx and severe hydronephrosis. The patient was diagnosed with suspected cT3N0M0 left upper tract urothelial carcinoma and underwent cystoscopy, bladder cuff excision, and left radical nephroureterectomy with paraaortic lymph node dissection. Pathological analysis revealed clear cell type renal cell carcinoma, WHO ISUP grade IV, extending to the perirenal fat, with tumor-free ureteral resection margins, and no paraaortic lymph node metastasis. Follow-up on postoperative period showed a satisfactory outcome. In cases of pediatric localized RCC, surgical therapy, including radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), can be a preferred treatment for small tumor volumes. This approach preserves kidney function and is generally considered safe for achieving tumor-free margins.
PubMed: 38721391
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.03.022 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is a very rare primary tumor of the lung. Although usually aggressive, these tumors have not been described previously to invade through...
INTRODUCTION
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is a very rare primary tumor of the lung. Although usually aggressive, these tumors have not been described previously to invade through the diaphragm into the liver. We present a patient with a pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma with transdiaphragmatic spread into the dome of the liver.
PRESENTATION OF CASE
An 82-year-old female with a lifetime non-smoking history presented with generalized fatigue, fever, night sweats, cough, and pleuritic chest pain. She had recently traveled to the western United States. Additionally, she had recently undergone periodontal deep cleaning with no peri-procedural antibiotics. Laboratory testing was significant for a leukocytosis of 13.5 white blood cells per microliter and a negative viral panel. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large heterogeneous mass extending from the right pulmonary hilum through the diaphragm. Although initial radiology reports suggested hepatic abscess, percutaneous fine needle aspiration was performed. Biopsy revealed pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. She was begun on systemic treatment.
DISCUSSION
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma can exhibit transdiaphragmatic invasion into the liver. This clinical situation can easily be confused with a hepatic abscess, but suspicion should remain for abscess. Clinical suspicion for neoplasm should warrant biopsy when technically possible.
CONCLUSION
Although hepatic abscesses can exhibit transdiaphragmatic spread into the chest, pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma can also invade the abdomen. Biopsy should be performed during the evaluation and workup of the patient.
PubMed: 38718493
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109675 -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... May 2024The constellation of fevers accompanied by headache and vomiting is a red flag for clinicians that appropriately triggers evaluation for meningitis and other...
The constellation of fevers accompanied by headache and vomiting is a red flag for clinicians that appropriately triggers evaluation for meningitis and other life-threatening diagnoses. When symptoms persist even after these conditions are ruled out, patient care becomes more challenging. We present the case of a 6-year-old male with a history of autism spectrum disorder who presented with 6 months of headaches and associated vomiting and intermittent fevers with negative infectious workup despite cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Serial neuroimaging and laboratory evaluation ultimately led to a diagnosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) presenting as aseptic meningitis. The clinical and radiographic findings of MOGAD are widely variable and overlap with several other inflammatory conditions, which makes diagnosis challenging. This case highlights the importance of recognizing this rare MOGAD presentation as an infectious meningitis mimic.
Topics: Humans; Male; Diagnosis, Differential; Child; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Headache Disorders; Meningitis, Aseptic; Meningitis; Headache
PubMed: 38718245
DOI: No ID Found -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... May 2024Acute myelomonocytic leukemia is a type of acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic expansion. Both the disease and its treatment can be immunocompromising....
INTRODUCTION
Acute myelomonocytic leukemia is a type of acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic expansion. Both the disease and its treatment can be immunocompromising. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to infections, such as Fournier's gangrene, a rare necrotizing infection of the groin.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 56-year-old male presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and perineal ecchymosis. Overnight, his perineal discoloration and tenderness worsened. He underwent irrigation and debridement for Fournier's gangrene and received broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Subsequent workup revealed acute myeloid leukemia with leukemia cutis and central nervous system involvement, necessitating chemotherapy initiation prior to complete wound healing.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the challenges in the diagnosis and management of acute leukemia in the setting of a concomitant life-threatening soft tissue infection, as both the hematologic disease and treatment thereof can exacerbate infectious complications.
Topics: Humans; Fournier Gangrene; Male; Middle Aged; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute; Diagnosis, Differential; Debridement; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 38718243
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Intrathecal corticosteroids, initially employed in the 1950s, faced declining use due to complications like arachnoiditis and aseptic meningitis. Triamcinolone, which is...
Intrathecal corticosteroids, initially employed in the 1950s, faced declining use due to complications like arachnoiditis and aseptic meningitis. Triamcinolone, which is nowadays used as intrathecally applied glucocorticoid formulation, has been shown to beneficially influence spasticity without demonstrable influence on disease activity or progression. We here present the case of a patient with recurrent episodes of aseptic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neutrophilic pleocytosis over a year following intrathecal triamcinolone treatment. CSF analyses revealed a post-injection CSF cytokine profile resembling cytokine release reaction rather than drug hypersensitivity. This case thus highlights a potential side effect of intrathecal triamcinolone injection with yet unclear clinical relevance, underscores the need for further assessment of clinical benefits of intrathecal triamcinolone, and emphasizes potential short and long-term side effects associated with extended intrathecal triamcinolone use.
PubMed: 38715689
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1372266 -
SAGE Open Medicine 2024Arboviruses are RNA viruses and some have the potential to cause neuroinvasive disease and are a growing threat to global health. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Arboviruses are RNA viruses and some have the potential to cause neuroinvasive disease and are a growing threat to global health.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective is to identify and map all aspects of arbovirus neuroinvasive disease, clarify key concepts, and identify gaps within our knowledge with appropriate future directions related to the improvement of global health.
METHODS
: A scoping review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Hinari. : Original data including epidemiology, risk factors, neurological manifestations, neuro-diagnostics, management, and preventive measures related to neuroinvasive arbovirus infections was obtained. Sources of evidence not reporting on original data, non-English, and not in peer-reviewed journals were removed. : An initial pilot sample of 30 abstracts were reviewed by all authors and a Cohen's kappa of = 0.81 (near-perfect agreement) was obtained. Records were manually reviewed by two authors using the Rayyan QCRI software.
RESULTS
A total of 171 records were included. A wide array of neurological manifestations can occur most frequently, including parkinsonism, encephalitis/encephalopathy, meningitis, flaccid myelitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain often reveals subcortical lesions, sometimes with diffusion restriction consistent with acute ischemia. Vertical transmission of arbovirus is most often secondary to the Zika virus. Neurological manifestations of congenital Zika syndrome, include microcephaly, failure to thrive, intellectual disability, and seizures. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis often shows lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated albumin, and protein consistent with blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
CONCLUSIONS
Arbovirus infection with neurological manifestations leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for disease include living and traveling in an arbovirus endemic zone, age, pregnancy, and immunosuppressed status. The management of neuroinvasive arbovirus disease is largely supportive and focuses on specific neurological complications. There is a need for therapeutics and currently, management is based on disease prevention and limiting zoonosis.
PubMed: 38711470
DOI: 10.1177/20503121241229847 -
Journal of Education & Teaching in... Apr 2024Gastric emphysema (GE) and emphysematous gastritis (EG) share similar clinical presentations but exhibit drastically different prognoses. While GE is generally benign,...
UNLABELLED
Gastric emphysema (GE) and emphysematous gastritis (EG) share similar clinical presentations but exhibit drastically different prognoses. While GE is generally benign, EG is associated with mortality rates up to 60%. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and epigastric abdominal pain. Clinical evaluation revealed tachycardia, pain out of proportion, leukocytosis, and metabolic acidosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan unveiled the presence of air within the gastric wall, and a presumptive diagnosis of gastric emphysema was made. The patient responded positively to conservative management and was discharged after a two-day hospitalization. This case report emphasizes the need for physicians to adeptly distinguish between GE and EG. Timely identification and precise differentiation of the two conditions allow for timely and tailored management, ultimately leading to improved clinical outcomes in patients. By providing insights into the etiologies, clinical presentations, and imaging findings for the two pathologies, we aim to empower clinicians to make informed decisions for optimal patient care.
TOPICS
Gastric emphysema, emphysematous gastritis, gastric pneumatosis.
PubMed: 38707941
DOI: 10.21980/J8ZH26 -
Cureus Apr 2024We present a case admitted for evaluation of suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with an unusual but important departure from the expected algorithm. A...
We present a case admitted for evaluation of suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with an unusual but important departure from the expected algorithm. A 31-year-old lady came with a two-week duration of a mild headache and one-week duration of double vision with no previously documented fever or any comorbidities. Clinically, she had papilledema and bilateral abducens palsy with no signs of meningeal irritation. MRI brain radiology was consistent with IIH. Her CSF study showed pleocytosis with elevated protein levels and normal glucose. Serology was positive for at low titers but CSF culture grew , confirming the diagnosis of neurobrucellosis. Her headache and abducens palsy improved over the first two weeks, and the papilledema resolved over two months with antibiotics. This clinical mimic is important for physicians (including neurophysicians) and Infectious Disease specialists. The radiological mimic comes from chinked (small) ventricles, unlike most meningeal diseases which can present with papilledema and abducens palsy including tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. A CSF study is mandatory in the workup of IIH despite massive improvements in imaging.
PubMed: 38707027
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57496