Disseminated Cryptococcosis Presenting as Cellulitis Diagnosed by Laser Capture Microdissection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Mycopathologia - Disseminated cryptococcosis primarily affects immunosuppressed patients and has a poor outcome if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Skin lesions are rarely manifest causing...     

A Pedigree with Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis: A Clinical Case Report and Literature Review

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the presence of innumerable calcium phosphate microliths in the alveoli. Clinical-radiological dissociation is an important hallmark of this disease. Most PAM patients are asymptomatic and pulmonary tissue changes are discovered incidentally. PAM is pathologically attributable to the formation and aggregation of calcium phosphate microliths in the alveoli after mutations in the SLC34A2 gene (the type IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter gene) coding NaPi-IIb. In the clinical work, we discovered an inbred pedigree with PAM, which include four PAM siblings. We performed a sequence analysis of the SLC34A2 gene in all members of this PAM pedigree and found that a homozygous mutation c.575C > A (p.T192 K) in exon 6 was involved. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to discover nucleotide mutations in exon 6 in Asians.     

肺淋巴管平滑肌瘤病临床病理分析及文献复习

目的:探讨肺淋巴管平滑肌瘤病(PLAM)的临床和病理特征,提高对该病的认识。方法:对1例PLAM患者的临床特点、HE及免疫组化染色结果进行分析,并结合文献进行复习。结果:PLAM是一种持续发展的弥漫性肺疾病,几乎发生于育龄期妇女,主要临床症状为进行性呼吸困难、反复气胸及乳糜胸。病理特征显示未成熟平滑肌样细胞在细支气管壁、肺泡壁、淋巴管壁和血管壁周围增生。免疫组化染色显示增生PLAM细胞Desmin、SMA、Vimentin、HMB45均呈阳性表达,部分细胞ER及PR阳性。结论:PLAM在影像学与病理组织学上有特征性表现,免疫组化HMB-45阳性具特异性。由于肺部广泛病变,预后较差。对PLAM的发病机制和治疗的研究已有了一定的进展,但今后尚需更深入地研究。     

肺放线菌病1 例报告并文献复习

目的：分析肺放线菌病的临床表现、诊断及治疗,提高对肺放线菌病的认识。方法：回顾性分析我科收治的1 例肺放线菌病 患者的临床资料,并对相关文献进行复习。结果：本例患者,43 岁,男性,以咳嗽、咳血性痰为主要临床表现,胸部CT 提示右肺上 叶结节,经皮肺穿刺活检结果确诊肺放线菌病,青霉素治疗效果好。结论：肺放线菌病是放线菌感染引起的一种少见的呼吸系统 疾病,起病隐匿,呈渐进性过程,临床表现及影像学检查均无特异性,放线菌可在肺部引起化脓性肺炎,并经叶间隙、胸膜侵犯胸 壁、肋骨,形成窦道及破坏骨质。确诊有赖于病理学或微生物学证据,主要可采用青霉素抗感染治疗,在疑似肿瘤的情况下,需通 过外科手术治疗,既可以明确诊断也避免病变进一步引起肺、胸壁等组织的不可逆性破坏。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺曲菌病一例及文献复习

目的:提高对慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并侵袭性肺曲菌病(COPD合并IPA)临床特点、诊断及治疗的认识.方法:回顾性分析2011年4月收治的一例COPD合并IPA患者的临床资料及诊治经过,并复习相关文献.结果:男患,“咳嗽、咳痰30余年,气短3年,加重1月余”入院,肺部CT示双肺多发结节影、空洞影,经抗炎、抗念珠菌治疗无效,CT下肺结节病灶活检病理示肺曲菌.抗曲菌治疗后症状好转、肺部影像明显吸收.结论:COPD合并IPA正逐渐引起重视,临床特征无明显特异性,肺部影像以结节影、空洞影多见,早期常规治疗无效时应积极抗曲菌治疗,可明显改善症状,降低死亡率,病理活检是确诊的依据.     

Improvement in Laboratory Diagnosis of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

A new differential colour medium prepared with an extract of potatoes and carrots produced ochre-brown pigmentation in Cryptococcus neoformans colonies, identical to that obtained with Guizotia abyssinica seed extract. The pigment formation was observed to be specific for this pathogenic yeast in a survey of 534 yeast-positive specimens during routine diagnostic work; among 47 C. neoformans-positive specimens were 27 sputa and bronchial aspirations, many overgrown by common yeasts.Detection of C. neoformans in the contaminated specimens was credited largely to the differential medium used. Twelve cases of cryptococcosis were investigated between 1962 and 1968, five of which presented involvement of the respiratory tract only.     

Intra-abdominal Cryptococcosis by Cryptococcus gattii: Case Report and Review

Although abdominal cryptococcomas and visceral cryptococcal lymphadenitis as part of disseminated fungal infection have been reported mostly in HIV-infected patients, localized intra-abdominal involvement due to Cryptococcus gattii has not been previously described in non-HIV-infected patients. In general, a smaller proportion of cryptococcosis is caused by C. gattii. We report here on a type II diabetic HIV-negative patient who presented with a localized intra-abdominal cryptococcal mass due to C. gattii. In addition, we review the general aspects of intra-abdominal and gastrointestinal involvement by Cryptococcus neoformans in the literature and discuss the importance of identifying the C. neoformans varieties and C. gattii in routine laboratories.     

多发巨大肺大疱治疗成功1 例并文献复习

目的:总结成功治愈的一例多发巨大肺大泡患者的临床经验,并结合文献报道对肺大泡的治疗方法进行复习,以提高临床对肺大泡治疗方法的认识,为临床肺大泡的治疗提供新的思路与借鉴。方法:采用内科胸腔镜下肺减容术,即在胸腔镜下夹破充气的肺大泡,同时胸腔内注入自体血60 mL及凝血酶1000U一次,嘱患者翻身活动,促进胸膜表面混合均匀,连续行胸腔闭式引流。结果:患者治疗后,右肺复张良好,患者胸膜破口愈合,且康复出院。结论:应用内科胸腔镜下肺减容术,具有经济、疼痛小、自体血来源方便、患者更易接受的优点,疗效确切,值得临床推广。     

Combined Intravitreal Anti-VEGF and Photodynamic Therapy versus Photodynamic Monotherapy for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors compared to those of PDT alone in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods

A systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the outcomes of the two approaches. Outcomes of interest included visual outcomes, anatomic variables, and adverse events.

Results

Two randomised controlled trials and nine retrospective studies including a total of 543 cases were identified. At three and six months post-injection, no significant difference in visual acuity was found in the combined therapy group compared with the PDT monotherapy group, with pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) of 0.074 (−0.021, 0.17) at three months and 0.082 (−0.013, 0.18) at six months. However, the mean changes in visual acuity at month 12 in the combined therapy group were significantly better than those in the PDT monotherapy group, with pooled WMDs of 0.11 (0.012, 0.21). Similar efficacy was found at 24 months (WMD: 0.21; 95%CI: 0.054, 0.36; P = 0.008). Patients in the combined therapy group also might benefit from reduced retinal haemorrhage (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.74; P = 0.008). Polyp regression, recurrence of PCV, central retinal thickness reduction, and pigment epithelial detachment resolution did not differ significantly between the two treatments.

Conclusions

Combined treatment appeared to result in better visual acuity and lower retinal haemorrhage. However, combined treatment did not affect the resolution and recurrence of lesions. Given the inherent limitations of the included studies, future well-designed RCTs are awaited to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.     

Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm in COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Mucormycosis: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

Mycopathologia - Literature on COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) is sparse. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary mucormycosis (PM), and...     

Fluconazole Alters the Polysaccharide Capsule of Cryptococcus gattii and Leads to Distinct Behaviors in Murine Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcus gattii is an emergent human pathogen. Fluconazole is commonly used for treatment of cryptococcosis, but the emergence of less susceptible strains to this azole is a global problem and also the data regarding fluconazole-resistant cryptococcosis are scarce. We evaluate the influence of fluconazole on murine cryptococcosis and whether this azole alters the polysaccharide (PS) from cryptococcal cells. L27/01 strain of C. gattii was cultivated in high fluconazole concentrations and developed decreased drug susceptibility. This phenotype was named L27/01_F, that was less virulent than L27/01 in mice. The physical, structural and electrophoretic properties of the PS capsule of L27/01_F were altered by fluconazole. L27/01_F presented lower antiphagocytic properties and reduced survival inside macrophages. The L27/01_F did not affect the central nervous system, while the effect in brain caused by L27/01 strain began after only 12 hours. Mice infected with L27/01_F presented lower production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, with increased cellular recruitment in the lungs and severe pulmonary disease. The behavioral alterations were affected by L27/01, but no effects were detected after infection with L27/01_F. Our results suggest that stress to fluconazole alters the capsule of C. gattii and influences the clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis.     

Childhood Intussusception: A Literature Review

Background

Postlicensure data has identified a causal link between rotavirus vaccines and intussusception in some settings. As rotavirus vaccines are introduced globally, monitoring intussusception will be crucial for ensuring safety of the vaccine programs.

Methods

To obtain updated information on background rates and clinical management of intussusception, we reviewed studies of intussusception in children <18 years of age published since 2002. We assessed the incidence of intussusception by month of life among children <1 year of age, seasonality, method of diagnosis, treatment, and case-fatality.

Findings

We identified 82 studies from North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, and Central & South America that reported a total of 44,454 intussusception events. The mean incidence of intussusception was 74 per 100,000 (range: 9–328) among children <1 year of age, with peak incidence among infants 5–7 months of age. No seasonal patterns were observed. A radiographic modality was used to diagnose intussusception in over 95% of the cases in all regions except Africa where clinical findings or surgery were used in 65% of the cases. Surgical rates were substantially higher in Africa (77%) and Central and South America (86%) compared to other regions (13–29%). Case-fatality also was higher in Africa (9%) compared to other regions (<1%). The primary limitation of this review relates to the heterogeneity in intussusception surveillance across different regions.

Conclusion

This review of the intussusception literature from the past decade provides pertinent information that should facilitate implementation of intussusception surveillance for monitoring the postlicensure safety of rotavirus vaccines.     

Efficacy and Safety of Metronidazole Monotherapy versus Vancomycin Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a global epidemiological problem for both hospitalized patients and outpatients. The most commonly used drugs to treat CDI are metronidazole and vancomycin. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of metronidazole monotherapy with vancomycin monotherapy and combination therapy in CDI patients.

Methods

A comprehensive search without publication status or other restrictions was conducted. Studies comparing metronidazole monotherapy with vancomycin monotherapy or combination therapy in patients with CDI were considered eligible. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated and reported.

Results

Of the 1910 records identified, seventeen studies from thirteen articles (n = 2501 patients) were included. No statistically significant difference in the rate of clinical cure was found between metronidazole and vancomycin for mild CDI (OR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.45, 1.00), p = 0.05) or between either monotherapy and combination therapy for CDI (OR = 1.07, 95% CI (0.58, 1.96), p = 0.83); however, the rate of clinical cure was lower for metronidazole than for vancomycin for severe CDI (OR = 0.46, 95% CI (0.26, 0.80), p = 0.006). No statistically significant difference in the rate of CDI recurrence was found between metronidazole and vancomycin for mild CDI (OR = 0.99, 95% CI (0.40, 2.45), p = 0.98) or severe CDI (OR = 0.98, 95% CI (0.63, 1.53), p = 0.94) or between either monotherapy and combination therapy for CDI (OR = 0.91, 95% CI (0.66, 1.26), p = 0.56). In addition, there was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events (AEs) between metronidazole and vancomycin (OR = 1.18, 95% CI (0.80, 1.74), p = 0.41). In contrast, the rate of AEs was significantly lower for either monotherapy than for combination therapy (OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.17, 0.51), p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Metronidazole and vancomycin are equally effective for the treatment of mild CDI, but vancomycin is superior for the treatment of severe CDI. Combination therapy is not superior to monotherapy because it appears to be associated with an increase in the rate of AEs.     

以肺部病变为主要表现的韦格纳肉芽肿1例并文献复习

目的:促进韦格纳肉芽肿的早期诊断和治疗,提高患者的生存率.方法:回顾性分析我院收治的1例韦格纳肉芽肿患者的发病诊治过程的临床资料并结合文献进行复习.结果:入院后行胸部CT、抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)等检查,明确诊断后给予糖皮质激素、细胞毒类药物等治疗后短期缓解,5个月后死亡.结论:韦格纳肉芽肿的临床表现多种多样,诊断困难,实验室检查无特异性,临床上对于多系统受累的疾病应警惕此病,应结合患者临床表现及辅助检查做出早期诊断,及早治疗,从而提高患者的生存率.     

Drug Withdrawal Syndromes: A Literature Review

Drug withdrawal syndromes reportedly have been caused by numerous pharmacological agents, but only a few drugs have been adequately studied in this regard. Criteria for evaluating drug withdrawal syndromes have been proposed. Sedative-hypnotic agents, opiates, corticosteroids, clonidine, tricyclic antidepressant medications and beta-adrenergic blocking agents meet the criteria for such syndromes. Gradual tapering of the dose of these drugs is recommended when therapy must be discontinued. Whether or not other drugs cause rebound reactions is questionable, but caution should be used when discontinuing drugs for which numerous reports of withdrawal syndromes exist.     

LCA for Site Remediation: A Literature Review

Remediation of contaminated sites provides a cleaner local environment, but may also have negative environmental impacts on the local, regional, and global scales. Methods based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are designed to take the negative effects into consideration when deciding how to treat a site, and to improve the environmental efficiency of remediation techniques. This paper reviews nine case studies that use LCA tools to evaluate alternative remediation techniques to summarize the findings of methodologies and results. The methodologies were found to differ in the limitation of the LCA for space, time and secondary processes. This strongly influenced the results. Bioremediation was the worst when the secondary process of producing electron acceptors was included; otherwise it was the best. The choice of impact categories heavily affected the results. Inclusion of land use was especially important in site remediation studies. In general, the negative impact of site remediation was due to energy consumption. For excavation combined with ex-situ treatment, the transport of contaminated soil to the treatment facility or landfill required the most energy. For in-situ treatment of soil and groundwater, pumping consumed the most energy. It is proposed that different methods be applied to the same site.     

Evaluation of a New Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Immunoassay in Serum,Cerebrospinal Fluid and Urine for the Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

BackgroundA new lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) for the detection of cryptococcal antigen was developed.ObjectiveWe aimed to systematically review all relevant studies to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the cryptococcal antigen LFA on serum, CSF and urine specimens.MethodsWe searched public databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier Science Direct and Cochrane Library for the English-language literature published up to September 2014. We conducted meta-analyses of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) and SROC of LFA in serum and CSF, respectively. The sensitivity of LFA in urine was also analyzed. Subgroup analyses were carried out to analyze the potential heterogeneity.Results12 studies were included in this study. The pooled sensitivity and specificity values of LFA in serum were 97.6% (95% CI, 95.6% to 98.9%) and 98.1% (95% CI, 97.4% to 98.6%), respectively. The average PLR of LFA in serum was 43.787 (95% CI, 22.60–84.81) and the NLR was 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01–0.09). The pooled DOR was 2180.30 (95% CI, 868.92–5471.00) and the AUC was 0.9968. The pooled sensitivity and specificity values of LFA in CSF were 98.9% (95% CI, 97.9% to 99.5%) and 98.9% (95% CI, 98.0% to 99.5%), respectively. The average PLR of LFA in serum was 48.83 (95% CI, 21.59–110.40) and the NLR was 0.02 (95% CI, 0.01–0.04). The pooled DOR was 2931.10 (95% CI, 1149.20–7475.90) and the AUC was 0.9974. The pooled sensitivity value of LFA in urine was 85.0% (95% CI, 78.7% to 90.1%)ConclusionsThe study demonstrates a very high accuracy of LFA in serum and CSF for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis in patients at risk. LFA in urine can be a promising sample screening tool for early diagnosis of cryptococcosis.