Nocardia species are aerobic, gram positive filamentous branching bacteria that have the potential to cause localized or disseminated infection. Nocardiosis is a rare disease that usually affects immunocompromised patients and presents as either pulmonary, cutaneous or disseminated nocardiosis. Forty-two year-old hispanic male presented to our care with bilateral lower extremity weakness, frontal headache, subjective fever, nausea, and vomiting. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple hyperdense lesions with vasogenic edema in the frontal, parietal and left temporal lobes. Chest CT demonstrated bilateral cavitary nodules in the lung and right hilar lymphadenopathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple bilateral supratentorial and infratentorial rim enhancing lesions involving the subcortical gray-white matter interface with vasogenic edema. Patient was started on empiric therapy for unknown infectious etiology with no response. He eventually expired and autopsy findings revealed a right hilar lung abscess and multiple brain abscesses. Microscopic and culture findings from tissue sample during autopsy revealed nocardia wallacei species with multidrug resistance. The cause of death was stated as systemic nocadiosis (nocardia pneumonitis and encephalitis). The presence of simultaneous lung and brain abscesses is a reliable indication of an underlying Nocardia infection. An increased awareness of the various presentations of nocardiosis and a high index of clinical suspicion can help in a rapid diagnosis and improve survival in an otherwise fatal disease. This case highlights the importance of obtaining a tissue biopsy for definitive diagnosis on the initial presentation when an infectious process is considered in the differential diagnosis and early treatment can be initiated.
Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Classifications and treatment of the MetS have recently been redefined. While the majority of the cardiac components such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia (DLD) are objectively measurable elements, a few disparities among the definitions have to be considered that can variably modify diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Non-cardiac factors such as liver disease (including, but not limited to, alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatosis/hepatitis), renal disease, severe obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), may have independent or synergistic relationship with complementary cardiac MetS elements, and these additional risk factors may have an incremental adverse impact on CV outcome. The combination of all these factors potentiates the adverse significance on CV events. MetS not only increases morbidity and mortality but also has economic ramifications for the healthcare system. Prevention of CV disease includes primary and secondary aspects. Besides overall advances to provide optimal care for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, early-targeted inventions to diagnose, treat and prevent OSA, and severe obesity, are needed.
Patient: Female, 24Final Diagnosis: DRESS syndromeSymptoms: Fever • rash • facial and body swelling • muscular pain • diarrheaMedication: CiprofloxacinClinical Procedure: —Specialty: Internal Medicine • HematologyObjective:Unusual or unexpected effect of treatmentBackground:Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is a rare, potentially life-threatening drug reaction with a mean latency period of 3.9 weeks. It has been described in association with many medications; yet, Ciprofloxacin was reported once in literature to be the offending drug. We are presenting a rare case of Ciprofloxacin-induced DRESS syndrome with symptom onset 2 days after exposure.Case Report:A 24-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of UTI and was prescribed Ciprofloxacin. Two days later she started to complain of fever, diffuse rash, swelling of her face, arms and flanks, watery diarrhea and muscular pain. Five days after symptom onset she presented to our institution with WBC count 38,810 cells/μL and absolute Eosinophil count 17,080 cell/μL. Peripheral blood smear showed immature Eosinophilic myelocytes and metamyelocytes. Skin biopsy showed superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltration with dermal edema. Further workup was negative for parasitic infestations, HIV and viral hepatitis, allergic diseases, hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies, vasculitides and autoimmune processes. Ciprofloxacin was discontinued upon admission and the patient started to improve quickly. Patient was followed in clinic after 3 weeks and was completely asymptomatic with WBC count 7,250 cell/μL and absolute Eosinophil count 2,900 cell/μL.Conclusions:DRESS syndrome is a possible complication of Ciprofloxacin treatment that clinicians should consider. Shorter latency period might be a unique feature of Fluoroquinolone-induced DRESS syndrome. According to RegiSCAR scoring system, our case is categorized as (probable) with a score of (4). In fact, the vast majority of reported cases are classified as (probable/definite).
PatientMale, 32Final Diagnosis: Dural arterio-venous fistulaSymptoms: Eye redness • post-trauma headache • tinnitusMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Fistula embolizationSpecialty: NeurologyObjective:Mistake in diagnosisBackground:A dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), is an abnormal direct connection (fistula) between a meningeal artery and a meningeal vein or dural venous sinus. The pathogenesis of DAVF still remains unclear. Sinus thrombosis, head trauma, chronic central nervous system, hypercoagulable state, surgery, and hormonal influence are the pre-disposing factors that initiate this disease. The symptoms experienced by the patient will depend on the location of the fistula.Case Report:Thirty-two year old Hispanic male who presented one day after a rear ended motor vehicle collision (MVC) with a severe throbbing headache in the left parietal region, left eye redness but no retro-orbital pain and tinnitus in the left ear. He was initially misdiagnosed to have a carotid-cavernous fistula but upon cerebral angiogram was actually diagnosed with a dural arterio-venous fistula in the posterior fossa venous system followed by successful embolization of the fistula.Conclusions:A cerebral angiography is the gold standard for detection and characterization of a DAVF and will distinguish it from a CCF. Endovascular surgery involves a catheter-based technique for embolization of the lumen of arteries feeding the DAVF, or directly into the vein draining the DAVF. It is very important to recognize the typical findings of patients presenting with a DAVF then quickly proceeding with a cerebral angiogram to determine the exact location of the fistula and the appropriate treatment plan. By diagnosing and treating a DAVF as early as possible, the associated fatal complications can be averted.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.