In non-cirrhotic subjects, those with NASH have a higher risk of HCC compared to other aetiologies of liver disease. Further study investigating the risk factors of HCC among non-cirrhotic NASH patients is needed.
ObjectivePatients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Cirrhosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) appears to be particularly prothrombotic. We investigated hospitalized patients with NASH cirrhosis to determine if they are at increased risk for VTE.MethodsData on adult hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and VTE (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) between November 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 were obtained. Cases with VTE were matched by age, gender, and model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score to corresponding controls without VTE.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety subjects (145 matched pairs) with mean age of 58.4 ± 11.8 years and MELD score of 16.0 ± 7.2 were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between cases and controls. Independent adjusted risk factors for VTE included NASH (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.07–5.65, p = 0.034), prior VTE (OR: 7.12, 95% CI: 1.99–25.5, p = 0.003), and presence of PVT (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.03–4.58, p = 0.041). Thrombocytopenia was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.95, p = 0.035).ConclusionsNASH is an independent risk factor for VTE among cirrhosis patients and provides further evidence that NASH is a hypercoagulable state. While all hospitalized patients with cirrhosis at risk for VTE should be considered for medical thromboprophylaxis, those with NASH cirrhosis are at particularly increased risk and therefore a high index of suspicion for VTE should be maintained even in the presence of thromboprophylaxis.
Background
Cryptococcosis is an increasingly common infection given the growing immunocompromised population worldwide. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing demonstrates excellent sensitivity and specificity and is the mainstay of diagnosis. However, there may be rare instances in which false-negative CrAg results can delay diagnosis and early treatment, which are critical to ensure positive outcomes.
Case presentation
A 31-year-old man living with HIV/AIDS who was not taking antiretroviral therapy was hospitalized with fever, diarrhea, and headaches. CD4 count on presentation was 71 cells/uL, and HIV viral load was 3,194,949 copies/mL. Serum CrAg testing was initially negative, however CSF CrAg performed several days later was positive at 1:40 and blood and CSF cultures grew Cryptococcus neoformans. Colonoscopy revealed mucosal papules throughout the sigmoid colon, and tissue biopsy showed yeast within the lamina propria consistent with GI cryptococcosis. Given the high burden of disease, the original serum CrAg specimen was serially diluted and subsequently found to be positive at 1:2,560, confirming the postzone phenomenon.
Conclusion
Cryptococcosis has a wide array of presentations including intraluminal GI disease, as seen in this patient. While serum CrAg testing displays excellent test characteristics, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the rare instances in which false-negative results may occur in the presence of excess antigen, as in this case.
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) strand-specific assay can be used to identify active SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. We describe the characteristics of 337 hospitalized patients with at least 1 minus-strand SARS-CoV-2 assay performed >20 days after illness onset. This test is a novel tool to identify high-risk hospitalized patients with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 replication.
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