Lactobacillus species are a group of anaerobic or facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative, gram-positive non–spore-forming rods that are usually considered benign commensal organisms present in the human mouth and gastrointestinal and genital tracts. Given their indolent nature, the presence of Lactobacillus species in cultures is often considered contaminants. In rare occasions, however, Lactobacillus species have been reported as pathogens causing a broad range of clinically significant conditions including bacteremia, endocarditis, dental abscesses, meningitis, and intra-abdominal infections such as peritonitis, endometritis, and splenic and liver abscesses. Pyelonephritis has only been seldomly reported in literature, and perinephric abscess has never been reported in literature to date. When infection happens, it usually occurs in immunosuppressed individuals such as those with cancer, transplant recipients, chronic steroid use, or human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. Despite being gram-positive, the bacteria are usually resistant to vancomycin, and treatment with a penicillin-based regimen is preferred. We describe a case of a diabetic and morbidly obese, but otherwise healthy man, who developed bacteremia and perinephric abscess due to Lactobacillus species.

We present a rare case of a 49-year-old female with very severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) having a total triglyceride (TG) count of > 10,000 mg/dL in the absence of pancreatitis. Based on literature review, this is one of the highest recorded TG counts in an adult without evidence of pancreatitis. HTG is a common occurrence in clinical practice, but rarely do numbers exceed 2000 mg/dl. It is crucial to evaluate and rapidly lower TG levels to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as severe pancreatitis. Removal of potential predisposing medications, control of underlying diseases known to cause HTG, and maintenance therapies are essential to prevent reoccurrence.

A 19-year-old man with the left main coronary artery (LMCA) arising from the right sinus of Valsalva presented with recurrent episodes of syncope and myocardial infarction (MI). Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is an uncommon but extremely important differential diagnosis that should not be missed in patients presenting with syncope, MI, ventricular arrhythmias, or cardiac arrest. A definitive diagnosis with coronary angiography and prompt surgical intervention is imperative in such symptomatic patients.

Background: A mural thrombus in the descending thoracic aorta frequently leads to distal organ and acute limb ischemia, increasing overall morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is imperative as thrombi are usually discovered after end organ damage has taken place. The formation of a mural thrombus in descending aorta has not been fully explained; however, the principle of Virchow's triad for thrombogenesis (hypercoagulability, stasis of blood flow and endothelial injury) remains the likely pathophysiologic mechanism. Case Presentation: We present a case of a descending aortic thrombus incidentally detected on computed tomography scan in a 65-year-old female and successfully treated with anticoagulation, preventing subsequent complications. Conclusions: Suspicion for an aortic thrombus should arise when the origin is not known for acute onset distal limb or organ ischemia.

We present here the case of a 55-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and respiratory distress secondary to mesenteric ischemia. His critical illness on preexisting chronic kidney disease, previously undiagnosed alcoholic cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure led to a rare yet fatal consequence of refractory hypoglycemia. Critical illness associated hypoglycemia generally occurs as a result of high metabolic consumption with relative insulin excess and insufficient nutritional intake that is seen frequently in critically ill patients. This, along with reduced hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis seen in preexisting liver and renal disease, can cumulate to life-threatening hypoglycemia and is seen as a poor prognostic factor in the ICU setting.

Mycobacterium kansasii is the second most commonly occurring Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in the United States. Infection is typically seen in middle aged males, and the risk of infection is greatly increased in immunocompromised hosts. Pulmonary infection presents in clinical parallel to that of Mycobaterium tuberculosis (TB) and is therefore often misdiagnosed. A combination of clinical, radiological, and microbiological evidence of infection is generally required to clinch the diagnosis. Treatment of such cases include prolonged courses of rifampin in combination with 2 other antimicrobial agents. The overall prognosis with appropriate treatment is good with the exception of disseminated disease in severely immunocompromised hosts. In patients who are misdiagnosed or undertreated, there is progressive destruction of the lung parenchyma with distortion of lung architecture. This can in-turn lead to bronchiectatic changes leaving the airways exposed to devastating superimposed bacterial pneumonia. We describe a case of a patient with untreated M. kansasii infection who developed superimposed necrotizing pneumonia and respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilatory support.

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attacking the transplanted liver respectively. However, even with multi-modal therapy, the patient's condition worsened indicated by a rising MELD (model of end-stage liver disease) score and bilirubin concentration to 8 mg/dL. Discussion: We present a unique case of acute (antibody-mediated) rejection progressing to chronic rejection in a LDLT patient following pregnancy due to sensitization to donor HLA DQ6. Consistent posttransplant HLA antibody testing should be a consideration for LDLT patients for early detection and treatment of DSA before memory B-cell production allows rejection to become chronic. Testing is especially important for monitoring female patients with LDLTs from spouse due to risk of blood exposure during pregnancy.