Histoplasmosis Infection Presenting as an Isolated Subcutaneous Periarticular Upper Limb Swelling in the Immunosuppressed Patient

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. SMITH ◽  
R. A. D. SHATFORD
Keyword(s):  
Acute Phase ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patient ◽  
Tissue Cultures ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients

Atypical mycobacterial and fungal infections may occur in immunosuppressed patients. The impaired host response can make the clinical presentation atypical. Blood and tissue cultures may be negative in the acute phase of the illness, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. In those patients with AIDS or other underlying immunosuppressive conditions, histoplasmosis cannot always be eradicated, but treatment that achieves chronic suppression may be adequate to maintain functional capacity. This report describes two immunosuppressed patients who presented with isolated subcutaneous histoplasmosis infection around the wrist.

Opportunistic Fungal Infections in Small Animals

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Dedeaux ◽  
Amy Grooters ◽  
Nobuko Wakamatsu-Utsuki ◽  
Joseph Taboada
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Causes Of Disease ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Opportunistic Mycoses ◽  
Hyphal Diameter

ABSTRACT Opportunistic fungal infections have long been recognized as rare causes of disease in immunocompetent dogs and cats. Recently, the escalating use of multiagent immunosuppression protocols (especially those that include cyclosporine) has resulted in an increased number of patients with opportunistic fungal infection encountered by small animal practitioners and has altered the typical case phenotype. Based on histologic and cytologic features such as pigmentation, hyphal diameter, and distribution in tissue, these opportunistic mycoses can be placed into categories such as phaeohyphomycosis, hyalohyphomycosis, and eumycotic mycetoma. This review aims to summarize the clinical presentations, methods for diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and prognosis for both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients with opportunistic fungal infections. An example case description is included to illustrate the most common current clinical presentation.

EFEITOS DO DEEP RUNNING SOBRE A AMPLITUDE DE MOVIMENTO E A CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL DOS MEMBROS SUPERIORES DE MULHERES MASTECTOMIZADAS: RELATO DE CASOS

2019 ◽  
pp. 121-131
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Range Of Movement ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
And Function

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Brazil and in the worl. The surgical treatment procedure may cause severe morbidity in the upper limb homolateral to surgery, including the reduction of the range of motion, with consequent impairment of function. A physiotherapeutic approach has an important role in the recover range of motion and the functionality of these women, guaranteeing the occupational, domestestic, familiar and conjugated activities, and, in this way, also improving the quality of life. Objectives: To analyse chances in the shoulder's range of motion and the functional capacity of the upper limbs, promoted by the deep running procedure in women with late postoperative mastectomy. Methods: All the patients were submitted to an evaluation in the beginning and end of the treatment, including: goniometry of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder joint; and function capacity analysis in activities that involve the upper members by DASH questionnaire. The treatment protocol includes twelve sessions of deep running, realized twice a week, in deep pool, for 20-minute during six weeks. Results: Were submitted to treatment a total of 4 patients. Despite the improvement in the numerical values, statistically significant differences were not found on the range of movements and in the functional capacity of upper members before and after the deep running sessions in post-mastectomy women. Conclusion: Deep running had effects on the numerical values of range of movement and upper limb functionality in women in the late postoperative period of the mastectomy procedure, but without statistically significant differences.

scholarly journals Effective use of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of persistent COVID-19 infection in a patient on rituximab

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. e243469
Author(s):  
Carlos X Rabascall ◽  
Becky X Lou ◽  
Brianne Navetta-Modrov ◽  
Stella S Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Window ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patient ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Risk Of Progression ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Potential Use

As we are over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made many forward strides in therapeutics. These treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, have help mitigate the detrimental and often fatal consequences of COVID-19. The current indication for the use of monoclonal antibodies is mild to moderate COVID-19 infection within 10 days of symptom onset in those who are at high risk of progression to severe disease. However, their role in patients with prolonged symptoms is not clear. We present a unique case of monoclonal antibodies use after 54 days of symptom onset in an immunosuppressed patient with persistent COVID-19 infection despite standard treatment. This case illustrates the potential use of monoclonal antibodies outside of the current recommended therapeutic window in immunosuppressed patients, who may have difficulty with viral clearance.

scholarly journals Radionuclide Imaging of Fungal Infections and Correlation with the Host Defense Response

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Alfred O. Ankrah ◽  
Mike M. Sathekge ◽  
Rudi A. J. O. Dierckx ◽  
Andor W. J. M. Glaudemans
Keyword(s):  
Host Response ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Human Response ◽  
Nutritional Immunity ◽  
Host Defense Response ◽  
Radiolabelled Monoclonal Antibodies

The human response to invading fungi includes a series of events that detect, kill, or clear the fungi. If the metabolic host response is unable to eliminate the fungi, an infection ensues. Some of the host response’s metabolic events to fungi can be imaged with molecules labelled with radionuclides. Several important clinical applications have been found with radiolabelled biomolecules of inflammation. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose is the tracer that has been most widely investigated in the host defence of fungi. This tracer has added value in the early detection of infection, in staging and visualising dissemination of infection, and in monitoring antifungal treatment. Radiolabelled antimicrobial peptides showed promising results, but large prospective studies in fungal infection are lacking. Other tracers have also been used in imaging events of the host response, such as the migration of white blood cells at sites of infection, nutritional immunity in iron metabolism, and radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies. Many tracers are still at the preclinical stage. Some tracers require further studies before translation into clinical use. The application of therapeutic radionuclides offers a very promising clinical application of these tracers in managing drug-resistant fungi.

P6461The long-term clinical comparisons of symptomatic patients of pulmonary embolism with and those without deep vein thrombosis: from the COMMAND VTE Registry

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Murata ◽  
Y Yamashita ◽  
T Morimoto ◽  
H Amano ◽  
T Takase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Severe Clinical Presentation ◽  
Recurrent Vte ◽  
Deep Vein

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), has significant morbidity and mortality. Acute PE, in particular, is fatal if we miss it, and symptomatic patients of PE sometimes have concomitant DVT. Purpose This study compared the risk of mortality in symptomatic patients of PE with and those without DVT in the long term. Methods The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive 3027 patients with acute symptomatic VTE objectively confirmed by imaging examination or by autopsy among 29 centers in Japan between January 2010 and August 2014. Patients with both PE and DVT (N=1334) were regarded as PE patients, and the current study population consisted of 1715 PE patients and 1312 DVT patients. Results There were 1203 symptomatic patients of PE, including 381 without and 822 with DVT. In our cohort, the mean age was 67.9±14.9 years, 63% was female, 44% had hypertension, 12% diabetes mellitus, 5% history of VTE. There were 20% of active cancer. Baseline characteristics were well matched except for dyslipidemia (18% vs. 23%, p=0.021) and atrial fibrillation (8% vs. 5%, p=0.045). Patients without DVT had a more severe clinical presentation compared to those with DVT, including hypoxemia, shock and arrest. Moreover, Initial parenteral anticoagulation therapy in the acute phase was administered less frequently in patients without DVT (89% vs. 96%, P=0.0001). Two groups received thrombolysis (20% vs. 26%, P=0.18) and mechanical supports (Ventilator 14% vs. 5%, p<0.001, PCPS 5% vs. 3%, p<0.001, respectively). During follow-up, 93 (8%) patients experienced recurrent VTE events and 98 (8%) major bleeding events, and 323 (27%) patients died. The most frequent cause of death was cancer (11%). There were a significant differences in the cumulative incidences of all-cause death between the groups (32% vs. 24%, P=0.006), whereas there was significant difference in VTE-related death (13% vs. 4%, p<0.001). Estimated freedom rates from death for patients of PE without and those with DVT were as follows: 88% vs 99% at 10-day, 86% vs 95% at 1-month, 75% vs 83% at 1-year, and 64% vs 71% at 5-year, respectively. Landmark analysis Conclusions In symptomatic patients of PE, there was a difference in mortality between groups, but no difference in recurrent VTE. Patients without DVT had a more severe clinical presentation compared to those with DVT, and many VTE-related deaths in the acute phase. The one-month mortality rate differed statistically between groups, but there was no significant difference in long-term survival beyond one month. Most of deaths were due to underlying diseases, mainly cancer, and less commonly due to VTE in the long term. Acknowledgement/Funding Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

Compression neuropathies of the forearm: anatomy, clinical features and management

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alexander Scarborough ◽  
Robert J MacFarlane ◽  
Michail Klontzas ◽  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Mohammad Waseem
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Permanent Damage ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Lesions ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

The upper limb consists of four major parts: a girdle formed by the clavicle and scapula, the arm, the forearm and the hand. Peripheral nerve lesions of the upper limb are divided into lesions of the brachial plexus or the nerves arising from it. Lesions of the nerves arising from the brachial plexus are further divided into upper (proximal) or lower (distal) lesions based on their location. Peripheral nerves in the forearm can be compressed in various locations and by a wide range of pathologies. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and clinical presentations of these compression neuropathies can lead to prompt diagnosis and management, preventing possible permanent damage. This article discusses the aetiology, anatomy, clinical presentation and surgical management of compressive neuropathies of the upper limb.

scholarly journals Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibition Stabilizes Hepatic Ceramide Content and Improves Hepatic Biotransformation Capacity in a Murine Model of Polymicrobial Sepsis

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ha-Yeun Chung ◽  
C. Witt ◽  
Jorge Hurtado-Oliveros ◽  
Jonathan Wickel ◽  
Markus Gräler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Acid Sphingomyelinase ◽  
Polymicrobial Sepsis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ceramide Content ◽  
Hepatic Monooxygenase ◽  
Hepatic Biotransformation

Liver dysfunction during sepsis is an independent risk factor leading to increased mortality rates. Specifically, dysregulation of hepatic biotransformation capacity, especially of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, represents an important distress factor during host response. The activity of the conserved stress enzyme sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) has been shown to be elevated in sepsis patients, allowing for risk stratification. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether SMPD1 activity has an impact on expression and activity of different hepatic CYP enzymes using an animal model of polymicrobial sepsis. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced in SMPD1 wild-type and heterozygous mice and hepatic ceramide content as well as CYP mRNA, protein expression and enzyme activities were assessed at two different time points, at 24 h, representing the acute phase, and at 28 days, representing the post-acute phase of host response. In the acute phase of sepsis, SMPD1+/+ mice showed an increased hepatic C16- as well as C18-ceramide content. In addition, a downregulation of CYP expression and activities was detected. In SMPD1+/− mice, however, no noticeable changes of ceramide content and CYP expression and activities during sepsis could be observed. After 28 days, CYP expression and activities were normalized again in all study groups, whereas mRNA expression remained downregulated in SMPD+/+ animals. In conclusion, partial genetic inhibition of SMPD1 stabilizes hepatic ceramide content and improves hepatic monooxygenase function in the acute phase of polymicrobial sepsis. Since we were also able to show that the functional inhibitor of SMPD1, desipramine, ameliorates downregulation of CYP mRNA expression and activities in the acute phase of sepsis in wild-type mice, SMPD1 might be an interesting pharmacological target, which should be further investigated.

scholarly journals Central nervous system involvement in Chagas' disease: an updating

1993 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Eymard Homem Pittella
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Central Nervous System Involvement ◽  
Cns Infection ◽  
Cns Involvement ◽  
Anatomical Basis ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Acute Form

A review was made of the available literature on central nervous system (CNS) involvement in Chagas' disease. Thirty-one works concerning the acute nervous form and 17 others dealing with the chronic nervous form, all presenting neuropathologic studies, were critically analysed. Based on this analysis, an attempt was made to establish the possible natural history of CNS involvement in Chagas' disease. Among others, the following facts stand out: 1) the initial, acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is usually asymptomatic and subclinical; 2) only a small percentage of cases develop encephalitis in the acute phase of Chagas' disease; 3) the symptomatic acute forms accompanied by chagasic encephalitis are grave, with death ensuing in virtually all cases as a result of the brain lesions per se or of acute chagasic myocarditis, this being usually intense and always present; 4) individuals with the asymptomatic acute form and with the mild symptomatic acute form probably have no CNS infection or, in some cases, they may have discrete encephalitis in sparse foci. In the latter case, regression of the lesions may be total, or residual inflammatory nodules of relative insignificance may persist. Thus, no anatomical basis exists that might characterize the existence of a chronic nervous form of Chagas' disease; 5) reactivation of the CNS infection in the chronic form of Chagas' disease is uncommon and occurs only in immunosuppressed patients.

scholarly journals Subungual Glomus Tumor- Clinical Presentation And Treatment

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyamal Chandra Debnath ◽  
Suman Kumar Roy ◽  
RR Kairy
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Soft Tissue Tumor ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Glomus Tumor ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Tissue Mass ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Nail Deformity

Glomus tumor is a rare condition and constitutes only 1 % of all soft tissue tumor of body. Glomus tumor is familiar for its unusual presentation and long standing symptoms due to delay in diagnosis. Authors have presented the clinical behavior and treatment of 7 patients with subungual soft tissue mass. Following surgical excision, all patients cured of symptoms, at the end of follow up, no recurrence occurred; post operative nail deformity was insignificant. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bdjps.v3i2.18250 Bangladesh Journal of Plastic Surgery July 2012, 3(2): 45-48

Results of alemtuzumab-based reduced-intensity allogeneic transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Study

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 1724-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Delgado ◽  
Kirsty Thomson ◽  
Nigel Russell ◽  
Joanne Ewing ◽  
Wendy Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Allogeneic Transplantation ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
British Society ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Blood And Marrow Transplantation ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Related Mortality

We report results in 41 consecutive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after fludarabine, melphalan, and alemtuzumab conditioning. Donors were 24 HLA-matched siblings and 17 unrelated volunteers, 4 of them mismatched with recipients. All but 3 patients had initial hematologic recovery, but 5 more patients had secondary graft failure. Median intervals to neutrophil (greater than 0.5 × 109/L) and platelet (greater than 20 × 109/L) recovery were 14 days (range, 9-30 days) and 11 days (range, 8-45 days), respectively. Eleven (27%) patients had relapses and received escalated donor lymphocyte infusions, but only 3 of them had sustained responses. Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was observed in 17 (41%) and 13 (33%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (41%) patients have died, 5 of progressive disease. The 2-year overall survival and transplantation-related mortality (TRM) rates were 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33%-69%) and 26% (95% CI, 14%-46%), respectively. The alemtuzumabbased regimen was feasible and effective in patients with CLL with a relatively low rate of GVHD. However, TRM remains relatively high as a result of a variety of viral and fungal infections. Studies are ongoing to address the efficacy of reduced doses of alemtuzumab in this group of immunosuppressed patients.

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