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Microorganisms Mar 2024Systemic infection, also known as cat-scratch disease (CSD), presents a diagnostic challenge due to the variability of clinical manifestations and the potential for...
Systemic infection, also known as cat-scratch disease (CSD), presents a diagnostic challenge due to the variability of clinical manifestations and the potential for serological cross-reactivity with other organisms. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with systemic infection, to improve understanding and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. We conducted a 10-year retrospective study at the "Louis Turcanu" Children's Emergency Hospital and private clinics in Timisoara, Romania, reviewing records for confirmed cases of infection from January 2014 to January 2024. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and received approval from the Institutional Review Board. Diagnostic criteria included contact with animals, prolonged fever, hematological and/or hepatosplenic manifestations, and positive serological tests for . Nineteen pediatric patients were identified with a median age of 8.1 years. The majority were exposed to felines (94.7%), reflecting the disease's epidemiological profile. Clinical findings highlighted fever (47.4%), lymphadenopathy (78.9%), and less frequently, abdominal pain and headache (both 10.5%). Laboratory analyses revealed a mean hemoglobin of 12.6 mg/dL, WBC count of 13.1 × 10 cells/microliter, and platelet count of 340.6 × 10 per microliter. Significant findings included elevation in ESR and CRP in 47.4% and 21.1% of patients, respectively, and high seropositivity rates for IgM (63.2%) and IgG (94.7%). Imaging studies demonstrated widespread lymphadenopathy and occasional splenomegaly and hepatic microabscesses. All patients received antibiotic therapy, with azithromycin being the most commonly used (94.7%). Co-infections with Epstein-Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, and were documented, indicating the complex infectious status of the patients. Systemic infection in children predominantly manifests with fever and lymphadenopathy, with a significant history of exposure to felines. Laboratory and imaging findings support the diagnosis, which is further complicated by potential co-infections. Effective antibiotic therapy, primarily with azithromycin, underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic and treatment strategies. This study emphasizes the importance of considering systemic infection in pediatric patients with prolonged fever and contact with cats, to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.
PubMed: 38674610
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040666 -
The American Journal of Dermatopathology Jun 2024The aim of this study was to investigate whether the histopathological findings of psoriasis varied by the biopsied lesion location. Age, gender, age at disease onset,... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the histopathological findings of psoriasis varied by the biopsied lesion location. Age, gender, age at disease onset, lesion locations, presence or absence of a preliminary diagnosis of psoriasis, and histopathological findings of 307 patients were recorded. The sections prepared from the patients' paraffin blocks were reexamined microscopically, the severity of the observed findings was graded, and various histopathological features were recorded. The female-to-male ratio was 1.2 to 1. Family history for psoriasis was positive in 30% of patients. A clinically preliminary diagnosis of psoriasis was present in 232 patients. The most common histopathological features included hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, Munro/Kogoj microabscesses, suprapapillary thinning-hypogranulosis, and vascular dilation-capillary proliferation. Hyperkeratosis was least common in the trunk. A linear and moderately strong correlation was found between the histopathological findings of inflammation, capillary proliferation, and suprapapillary thinning. For the first time, the clinical and demographic features of psoriasis are evaluated and the severity of the histopathological findings is compared by the biopsied lesion location in a large number of patients.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged; Biopsy; Young Adult; Adolescent; Child; Severity of Illness Index; Aged, 80 and over; Skin; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 38648044
DOI: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000002648 -
Tropical Doctor Jul 2024We report a case of term neonate presenting with purulent and foul-smelling discharge from the umbilicus, later investigated to have multiple non-drainable, sterile...
We report a case of term neonate presenting with purulent and foul-smelling discharge from the umbilicus, later investigated to have multiple non-drainable, sterile liver micro-abscesses. Conservative management was continued with intravenous antibiotics, after completion of a total of six weeks of antibiotics, all liver abscesses resolved and the baby was discharged.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Umbilicus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Liver Abscess; Male; Female; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38634123
DOI: 10.1177/00494755241245461 -
International Journal of Surgical... Mar 2024Comorbidities between tuberculosis and leprosy are expected in endemic regions. Pulmonary tuberculosis and cutaneous leprosy are the most prevalent coinfections. One of...
Comorbidities between tuberculosis and leprosy are expected in endemic regions. Pulmonary tuberculosis and cutaneous leprosy are the most prevalent coinfections. One of the common manifestations of tuberculosis is generalized lymphadenopathy. In contrast, leprosy is clinically less suspected to manifest as a generalized lymphadenopathy, and it is pathologically unusual to diagnose leprosy primarily in lymph nodes. Concomitant tuberculous and lepromatous lymphadenitis are unprecedented and clinically unexpected, particularly in nonendemic countries. This imposes diagnostic challenges. We report concurrent tuberculosis and leprosy that were diagnosed in a lymph node in 45-year-old man with generalized lymphadenopathy. The effaced lymph node was predominantly replaced by caseating epithelioid granulomas alternating with foamy histiocytes. Ziehl-Neelsen stain showed positive acid-fast bacilli in the necrotizing granulomas only. The initial differential diagnosis of the nodal foamy macrophages included fungal infections, leishmaniasis, and Whipple disease, for which the special stains were negative. The vacuolated macrophages were disregarded as nonspecific lipogranuloma. A modified acid-fast stain was not considered. The histopathologic clues to nodal lepromatous leprosy included the presence of intracytoplasmic globi, intermixed microabscesses, and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and involved pericapsular nerves. Wade-Fite stain was subsequently performed. It revealed numerous lepra bacilli within the foamy histiocytes. The final diagnosis was concurrent disseminated tuberculosis and leprosy. Nodal lepromatous leprosy could be missed when compounded by concurrent nodal tuberculosis, particularly in developed countries. The clinicians and pathologists should have a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients from or with history of travel from endemic regions. Certain histopathologic features are helpful clues to avoid pitfalls.
PubMed: 38494952
DOI: 10.1177/10668969241234327 -
European Journal of Dermatology : EJD Dec 2023Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most prevalent type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is generally characterized by multiple patches or plaques with fine scales. One of its... (Review)
Review
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most prevalent type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is generally characterized by multiple patches or plaques with fine scales. One of its variants manifests with multiple purpuric eruptions, mimicking benign pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD). To investigate clinicopathological features of PPD-like MF patients. We report four PPD-like MF cases and summarize the clinicopathological features described in reports of nine PPD-like MF cases published in the past 20 years. Compared with benign PPD, petechial lesions in PPD-like MF are more generalized, persistent, and resistant to conventional steroid treatment. Histologically, a superficial dermal band-like infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes with epidermotropism seems to be the most common feature of PPD-like MF. A lymphoid phenotype of CD4+ CD7- T cells and a monoclonal T-cell profile, demonstrated by T-cell receptor gene arrangement analysis, favour a diagnosis of PPD-like MF. Although the exact relationship between PPD and PPD-like MF remains unclear, our study has attached importance to the differential diagnosis of the two diseases in cases of overlooked MF variants. If persistent or generalized purpuric lesions are present, PPD-like MF should be taken into consideration. A thorough physical examination combined with pathological findings may lead to a correct diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Mycosis Fungoides; Purpura; T-Lymphocytes; Diagnosis, Differential; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 38465544
DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2023.4574 -
International Journal of Dermatology Feb 2024Plaque psoriasis is relatively straightforward to identify. When diagnostic concerns arise in atypical cases, a biopsy is needed. It is widely accepted that the Munro...
BACKGROUND
Plaque psoriasis is relatively straightforward to identify. When diagnostic concerns arise in atypical cases, a biopsy is needed. It is widely accepted that the Munro microabscess and the spongiform pustule of Kogoj are diagnostic pathological features. However, the diagnostic dilemma is likely to arise in cases without these specific pathological changes and typical clinical features. This study aimed to investigate clinical and pathological clues in distinguishing atypical plaque psoriasis from its mimics.
METHODS
We evaluated the clinicopathological features of 20 cases of atypical plaque psoriasis and 40 cases of psoriasis mimics as controls including pityriasis rosea (n = 10), pityriasis lichenoides chronica (n = 8), and subacute dermatitis (n = 22).
RESULTS
A retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with atypical plaque psoriasis and controls was performed. Pathologically, there were significant differences between the two groups in the types of parakeratosis (P = 0.046), epidermal capture of extravasated erythrocytes (P = 0.011), focal basal liquefied degeneration (P = 0.017), types of inflammatory cells (P = 0.000), and depth of inflammation (P = 0.000). Clinically, we found the presence of scales and crusts was significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
This study offers insight into the clinicopathological features of atypical plaque psoriasis. These differential diagnostic features, compared with its mimics, are proposed to assist the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of atypical plaque psoriasis.
PubMed: 38366678
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17063 -
The Lancet. Rheumatology Jan 2023Neutrophilic inflammation is a pervasive characteristic common to spondyloarthropathies and related disorders. This inflammation manifests as Munro's microabscesses of... (Review)
Review
Neutrophilic inflammation is a pervasive characteristic common to spondyloarthropathies and related disorders. This inflammation manifests as Munro's microabscesses of the skin and osteoarticular neutrophilic inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis, intestinal crypt abscesses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, ocular hypopyon in anterior uveitis, and neutrophilic macroscopic and microscopic inflammation in patients with Behçet's disease. Strong MHC class I associations are seen in these diseases, which represent so-called MHC-I-opathies, and these associations indicate an involvement of CD8 T-cell immunopathology that is not yet well understood. In this Personal View, we highlight emerging data suggesting that the T-cell-neutrophil axis involves both a T-cell-mediated and interleukin (IL)-17-mediated (type 17) recruitment and activation of neutrophils, and also a sequestration of activated neutrophils at disease sites that might directly amplify type 17 T-cell responses. This amplification likely involves neutrophilic production of IL-23 and proteases as well as other feedback mechanisms that could be regulated by local microbiota, pathogens, or tissue damage. This crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity offers a novel explanation for how bacterial and fungal microbes at barrier sites could innately control type 17 T-cell development, with the aim of restoring tissue homoeostasis, and could potentially explain features of clinical disease and treatment response, such as the fast-onset action of the IL-23 pathway blockade in certain patients. This axis could be crucial to understanding non-response to IL-23 inhibitors among patients with ankylosing spondylitis, as the axial skeleton is a site rich in neutrophils and a site of haematopoiesis with myelopoiesis in adults.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Interleukin-23; Neutrophils; Spondylarthropathies; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Abscess
PubMed: 38251507
DOI: 10.1016/S2665-9913(22)00334-4 -
Cureus Nov 2023Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by an elevation in serum calcium levels, sometimes leading to aggravated clinical conditions, namely nephrolithiasis,...
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by an elevation in serum calcium levels, sometimes leading to aggravated clinical conditions, namely nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, and/or fractures. A 55-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with acute obstructive pyelonephritis in March 2021, having another episode one year later. Initial blood and urine analysis detected inflammatory markers, namely C-reactive protein, and the presence of leucocytes and blood in the urine. The renal computed tomography scan exhibited renal asymmetry, nephrocalcinosis, and multiple kidney stones. The patient was scheduled for a follow-up one year later to perform blood and urine analysis to uncover the cause of nephrocalcinosis, displaying high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The thyroid ultrasound revealed a parathyroid adenoma, which was removed through a right lower parathyroidectomy, improving the symptoms. The clinical condition described here is an atypical manifestation of this disease because PHPT is normally asymptomatic. In the present case study, nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis were strong indicators of the underlying disease. However, the delay in the follow-up consultation resulted in complications for the patient, such as microabscesses in the kidneys, which could lead to reduced renal function in the future. Early detection of key aspects of the disease could avoid further complications and suffering for the patient. For example, the family physician's follow-up of the patient's condition could surpass the waiting time between consultations with different specialties, and promote early treatment.
PubMed: 38146580
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49383 -
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy May 2024
PubMed: 37995769
DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.11.026 -
World Journal of Clinical Oncology Oct 2023Primary benign splenic tumours are unique and account for < 0.007% of all tumours identified during surgery and autopsy. Splenic lymphangiomas are rarely seen in adults....
BACKGROUND
Primary benign splenic tumours are unique and account for < 0.007% of all tumours identified during surgery and autopsy. Splenic lymphangiomas are rarely seen in adults. Splenic lymphangiomas may be asymptomatic, or may present with upper left abdominal pain, splenomegaly, hypersplenism, or splenic rupture with haemorrhagic shock. The clinical and radiological features of these lesions are not specific. This case report serves to remind the clinician to consider the rare but important differential diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma while treating splenic lesions.
CASE SUMMARY
We report a case of splenic lymphangioma in a 22-year-old woman who presented with left upper quadrant abdominal pain for three months. Initial investigations were unremarkable; however, computed tomography later revealed multiple splenic micro-abscesses. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, and histopathological examination revealed splenic lymphangioma. The patient was discharged on postoperative day three. One month after surgery, the abdominal pain resolved completely, with no new complaints. Splenic lymphangiomas present clinically as splenomegaly or left upper quadrant abdominal pain; prompt intervention is necessary for avoiding complications.
CONCLUSION
This case report concludes that splenic lymphangiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of splenomegaly or left upper quadrant pain, even in adults, because they are amenable to curative treatment. Delays in surgical intervention may lead to severe complications, such as infection, rupture, and hemorrhage. Such lesions can be safely managed with laparoscopy, involving less postoperative pain and early patient discharge with excellent cosmetic outcomes.
PubMed: 37970112
DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i10.440