Introduction: Hepatitis C infection is highly prevalent worldwide and has a well-known association with B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Antiviral therapy has successfully decreased the rate of liver cirrhosis and improved the outcome in patients with hepatitis C-associated lymphomas. However, although there are a few case reports of aggressive lymphomas after successful hepatitis C therapy, the mechanism behind this association remains unclear. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 55-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C infection and liver cirrhosis who received antiviral therapy with sofosbuvir and ribavirin and achieved a sustained complete virological response. One year after successful therapy, there was an unexplained decline of his liver function and atypical liver nodularity, which led to the diagnosis of a primary liver diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Discussion: We review the evidence supporting possible mechanisms of lymphomagenesis after successful hepatitis C therapy, particularly involving late “second-hit” mutations after viral-induced DNA damage and antiviral therapy facilitating the emergence of latent malignant B-cell clones by decreasing local inflammation and immune surveillance. More reports may help elucidate any association between hepatitis C antiviral therapy and late lymphoid malignancies.
Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a Gram-negative bacillus that is known to cause nosocomial infections, primarily in patients with hematological malignancies. The most common primary manifestation is bacteremia. We report a novel case of primary A. xylosoxidans infection presenting as a cavitary lung lesion with associated pneumonia in a lung cancer patient who showed no evidence of malignant disease progression after radiation therapy. Our patient was initially admitted for acute hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Initial computed tomography (CT) revealed a cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe of the lung. Diagnostic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and was negative for infectious etiologies including tuberculosis (TB) and fungal infections. Cytology was also negative for malignancy. However, the bacterial culture grew A. xylosoxidans. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated based on culture susceptibilities and the patient showed significant improvement in oxygen requirements. Due to poor functional status, the palliative care route was pursued and mechanical ventilation weaning was not performed. Cavitary pulmonary infections secondary to A. xylosoxidans are rarely reported in the medical literature. After conducting a thorough PubMed database search of the medical literature, we believe this is the first case of A. xylosoxidans infection manifesting as a cavitary lung lesion with associated pneumonia in a lung cancer patient.
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