scholarly journals Variation in Tularemia Clinical Manifestations—Arkansas, 2009–2013

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K. Lester Rothfeldt ◽  
Richard F. Jacobs ◽  
J. Gary Wheeler ◽  
Susan Weinstein ◽  
Dirk T. Haselow

Abstract Background Francisella tularensis, although naturally occurring in Arkansas, is also a Tier 1 select agent and potential bioterrorism threat. As such, tularemia is nationally notifiable and mandatorily reported to the Arkansas Department of Health. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics among reported cases and outcomes to improve understanding of the epidemiology of tularemia in Arkansas. Methods Surveillance records on all tularemia cases investigated during 2009–2013 were reviewed. Results The analytic dataset was assembled from 284 tularemia reports, yielding 138 probable and confirmed tularemia cases during 2009–2013. Arthropod bite was identified in 77% of cases. Of 7 recognized tularemia manifestations, the typhoidal form was reported in 47% of cases, approximately double the proportion of the more classic manifestation, lymphadenopathy. Overall, 41% of patients were hospitalized; 3% died. The typhoidal form appeared to be more severe, accounting for the majority of sepsis and meningitis cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Among patients with available antibiotic data, 88% received doxycycline and 12% received gentamicin. Conclusions Contrary to expectation, lymphadenopathy was not the most common manifestation observed in our registry. Instead, our patients were more likely to report only generalized typhoidal symptoms. Using lymphadenopathy as a primary symptom to initiate tularemia testing may be an insensitive diagnostic strategy and result in unrecognized cases. In endemic areas such as Arkansas, suspicion of tularemia should be high, especially during tick season. Outreach to clinicians describing the full range of presenting symptoms may help address misperceptions about tularemia.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Stoeckle ◽  
Carrie D Johnston ◽  
Deanna P Jannat-Khah ◽  
Samuel C Williams ◽  
Tanya M Ellman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 and HIV co-infection remain uncertain. Methods We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalized with a COVID-19 illness in New York City between March 3, 2020, and May 15, 2020. We matched 30 people with HIV (PWH) with 90 control group patients without HIV based on age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Using electronic health record data, we compared demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes between PWH and control patients. Results In our study, the median age (interquartile range) was 60.5 (56.6–70.0) years, 20% were female, 30% were black, 27% were white, and 24% were of Hispanic/Latino/ethnicity. There were no significant differences between PWH and control patients in presenting symptoms, duration of symptoms before hospitalization, laboratory markers, or radiographic findings on chest x-ray. More patients without HIV required a higher level of supplemental oxygen on presentation than PWH. There were no differences in the need for invasive mechanical ventilation during hospitalization, length of stay, or in-hospital mortality. Conclusions The clinical manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with SARS-CoV-2 and HIV co-infection were not significantly different than patients without HIV co-infection. However, PWH were hospitalized with less severe hypoxemia, a finding that warrants further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (19) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
K. B. Manysheva ◽  
M. A. Akhmedov ◽  
A. A. Rakhmanova ◽  
S. M. Khutalieva

The article is devoted to the study of postoperative cognitive dysfunction — a syndrome that is often found in the postoperative period and does not depend on the volume of surgeon. Based on the analysis of the results of modern studies, the authors cite the most likely etiological causes of the syndrome, grouped according to different categories of risk factors. The pathogenetic algorithm for cognitive dysfunction includes the appearance of systemic inflammation, improving blood-brain barrier permeability with the endothelial dysfunction, the migration of inflammatory agents into the central nervous system, and the formation of oxidative stress. The clinical manifestations of cognitive deficit in the outcome of surgeon performed under general anesthesia, the authors illustrate with their own observations of patients with a neurosurgical profile with spinal pathology operated on with the use of propofol anesthesia, comparing the results of neuropsychological testing with an assessment of the level of anxiety. In conclusion, the authors outline a strategy for the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and recommend conducting neuropsychological rehabilitation as an important component of postoperative recovery for all patients with a diagnosed cognitive deficit that occurred after surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S254-S254
Author(s):  
Victoria Bengualid ◽  
Maria Martinez ◽  
Zhenisa Hysenaj ◽  
Debra M Willner ◽  
Judith Berger

Abstract Background The first case of COVID-19 was admitted on March 15th 2020 to our community based hospital in the Bronx, NY. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of these first COVID-19 patients. Patient Characteristics and Outcome Methods IRB approved retrospective chart review study of all COVID-19 patients admitted during March 2020 focusing on patient characteristics, co-morbidities, clinical manifestations and outcome. Results A total of 177 patients were admitted during March 2020: 57% African American 23.1% Hispanic and 16.9% White. 44.9% female, average age 60 years, and 90% had at least one comorbidity. Outcome was available on all patients except for one who was transferred to another institution for ECMO. Overall mortality was 33%. Clinical presentation: 69.4% presented with cough or shortness of breath, 15.8% with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, and 14.6% with myalgia, dizziness or altered mental status. 6.2% presented only with fever. However 59.8% of patients presented with fever and respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. Mortality The table compares patients who died vs discharged (either home or to a short term facility). Those that were 65 years or older, hypertensive or presented to the ER with an oxygen saturation of 94% or lower, were more likely to die. Ventilated patients: 31.6% of patients were intubated with a mortality rate of 77%. 22% of these patients were intubated in the first 24 hours. Compared to non-intubated patients, there was no difference in BMI, diabetes, hypertension, COPD/Asthma, use of statins, aspirin or calcium channel blockers. Intubated patients older than 64 years had significantly higher mortality rates (p=0.0001). Conclusion This cohort of COVID-19 patients is unique as almost all received Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin. Only 9% received steroids and even fewer received an interleukin-6 inhibitor, convalescent plasma or Remdesivir. African Americans and Hispanics accounted for 80% of patients. Greater than 90% received Medicaid. Overall mortality was 33%. The most common presentation was respiratory followed by gastrointestinal symptoms. The overall mortality was 33% but increased to 77% in intubated patients. Age, hypertension, and ER oxygen saturation correlated with mortality. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1210.2-1210
Author(s):  
S. Zheng ◽  
P. Y. Lee ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
Q. Huang ◽  
S. Chen ◽  
...  

Background:The incidence of juvenile gout is increasing in China. The clinical manifestations of juvenile gout and treatment strategies to reduce uric acid levels in children are not well described due to the limited number of cases in the past.Objectives:We aim to describe the clinical characteristic of children with gout and study the treatment response to febuxostat.Methods:These studies were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Guangdong Second provincial General Hospital. We performed a retrospective analysis on 98 juvenile gout patients (age ≤ 18 years) evaluated in our hospital from Jan 2016 to Dec 2019. We analyzed clinical parameters, laboratory data and treatment response.Results:The average age of disease onset in children with gout was 15.2 ± 2.0 years and the youngest patient was 9 years old. The majority of patients were male (94/98) and mean serum uric acid (sUA) level were 705.8 ± 145.7 μmol/L (reference range <420 μmol/L). More than half of the cohort had normal body mass index (mean 24.7 ± 4.7 kg/m2; range 14.9 to 36.1 kg/m2). Renal function was generally normal in these children (serum creatinine 96.9 ± 17.8 μmol/L). In terms of joint manifestations, juvenile gout preferentially affected finger joints (29%), ankles (28%) and metatarsal joints (MTP; 20%). The most frequent sites of initial gout attack were ankles (45%), MTP (39%) and fingers (6%). In addition, tophi can occur in pediatric patients and typically develop in the finger joints (54%). Tophi was observed in about 25% of juvenile gout patients, typically within the first two years of disease onset (mean duration 1.7 ± 0. 9 years). We have found tophi in children as young as 10 years of age.For treatment for chronic hyperuricemia, 32 patients (32.7%) were started on febuxostat and 5 patients (5.1%) received allopurinol. A decrease in sUA was observed in both groups after the first month of treatment (febuxostat: baseline 690.4 ± 99.7 μmol/L to 482.7 ± 140.8 μmol/L vs. allopurinol: baseline 728.8 ±112.8 μmol/L to 565.0 ± 116.7 μmol/L, P=0.477). Serum uric acid of 6 patients in the febuxostat group (none in the allopurinol group) dropped below 360 μmol/L. There were no statistical differences in Cr, AST and ALT between the groups. During follow-up after 3 months, further decline in sUA level were observed in patients treated with febuxostat (409.5 ± 83.4, compared with baseline P<0.001).Conclusion:Juvenile gout has a different pattern of joint involvement and is less associated with elevated BMI compared to gout in adults. We show that febuxostat is effective in reducing uric acid levels in juvenile gout. These findings will help clinicians better understand the clinical manifestations and treatment response in juvenile gout.Figure 1Compared treatment response with allopurinol and febuxostatReferences:[1]Kishimoto K, Kobayashi R, Hori D, et al. Febuxostat as a Prophylaxis for Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Children with Hematological Malignancies. Anticancer Res. 2017 Oct;37(10):5845-5849.[2]Lu, C.C., et al. Clinical characteristics of and relationship between metabolic components and renal function among patients with early-onset juvenile tophaceous gout. J Rheumatol, 2014. 41(9): p. 1878-83.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Xia Huang ◽  
Lu Qin ◽  
Fei-Zhou Zhang ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
Jia-Hui Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMutation in the surfactant protein C gene (SFTPC) is a cause of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Our objective was to investigate the clinical characteristics, outcome and influencing factors of ILD in Chinese children with SFTPC mutations.MethodA total of 8 Chinese children with ILD heterozygous for SFTPC mutations that were treated in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2020 were included in our study. Candidate genes responsible for surfactant dysfunction were sequenced by next-generation sequencing. The clinical and genetic data were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThe children’s onset age was before the age of 2 years, and one case was just after birth. The most significant clinical manifestations were cough, tachypnea, hypoxemia and failure to thrive. The most common mutation was p. lle73Thr, which accounted for 87.5% (7/8) of our patients. Four patients whose onset was within 3 months, including 3 children with CMV infection, died. Conclusionp. lle73Thr mutation of SFTPC was an important and common cause of ILD in the Chinese children. The clinical manifestations of ILD associated with this mutation are not specific. The severity and outcome of the disease may be affected by factors such as onset age and viral infection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Rupesh Gautam ◽  
Maria Isabel Atienza ◽  
Maika Noda ◽  
Mariaem Andres

Non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) comprises distinct group of organisms with lymphadenitis and pulmonary infection as the common manifestation. The diagnosis of pulmonary disease is based on clinical manifestations, radiologic findings and microbiologic culture. The classic NTM infection may be indistinguishable from pulmonary TB. Non-classic infection has predilection to the middle lobe and lingula unlike tuberculosis which is commonly seen in the upper lobes. The disease may also present as hypersensitivity pneumonitis with ground glass like opacities, centrilobular nodules and air trapping on imaging. The knowledge of imaging manifestations of NTM will aid in timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Nepal Journal of Radiology Vol.5(1-2) 2015: 13-20


Author(s):  
Amy C Schumacher ◽  
Lina I Elbadawi ◽  
Traci DeSalvo ◽  
Anne Straily ◽  
Daniel Ajzenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During 2017, in response to a physician’s report, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, began investigating an outbreak of febrile illness among attendees of a retreat where never frozen, intentionally undercooked, locally harvested venison was served. Preliminary testing tentatively identified the illness as toxoplasmosis. Methods Confirmatory human serology panels and testing of the venison to confirm and categorize the presence and type of Toxoplasma gondii were completed by French and American national reference laboratories. All 12 retreat attendees were interviewed; medical records were reviewed. Results All attendees were male; median age was 51 years (range: 22–75). After a median incubation period of 7 days, 9 (82%) of 11 exposed persons experienced illness lasting a median of 12 days. All 9 sought outpatient healthcare for symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, and headache (100%) and ocular disturbances (33%). Testing confirmed the illness as toxoplasmosis and venison as the infection source. Multiple laboratory results were atypical for toxoplasmosis, including transaminitis (86%), lymphocytopenia (88%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and leukopenia (63%). One exposed but asymptomatic person was seronegative; the other had immunity from prior infection. The T. gondii strain was identified as closely related to an atypical genotype (haplogroup 12, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism genotype 5) common in North American wildlife but with previously uncharacterized human clinical manifestations. Conclusions The T. gondii strain contaminating the venison might explain the unusual clinical presentations. In North America, clinicians and venison consumers should be aware of risk for severe or unusual presentations of acute toxoplasmosis after consuming undercooked game meat.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-7
Author(s):  
Lisda Amalia

Latar Belakang dan Tujuan: Trombosis sinus venosus serebral (TSVS) merupakan penyakit akibat oklusi struktur vena intrakranial, termasuk sinus serebral, vena korteks, dan bagian proksimal vena jugularis. Keterlambatan diagnosis dan terapi dapat mengakibatkan terjadinya komplikasi seperti infark berdarah bahkan kematian.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui karakteristik klinis pasien TSVS yang diagnosisnya telah dikonfirmasi melalui pemeriksaan DSA. Metode: Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif observasional retrospektif. Pada pasien yang telah didiagnosis TSVS di Bagian Neurologi Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin Bandung periode Juni 2015 sampai November 2017.Hasil: Terdapat 33 subjek dengan rentang usia 40-49 tahun (24,2%) dan mayoritas adalah perempuan sebanyak 22 orang (66,7%). Faktor resiko terbanyak adalah infeksi 8 orang (24,2%), dan kondisi protrombotik sebanyak 6 orang (18,2%). Gejala klinis terbanyak adalah nyeri kepala yaitu 27 orang (81,8%). Lokasi sinus yang tersering mengalami trombosis adalah sinus transversus pada 28 orang dengan gejala mayoritas nyeri kepala. Kadar D-Dimer ditemukan meningkat dengan rata-rata 1,21 mg/L.Simpulan: Pasien TSVS terjadi pada perempuan dengan rentang usia dekade pertengahan dan faktor resiko terbanyak adalah infeksi. Nyeri kepala merupakan gejala paling sering. Lokasi trombosis mayoritas terjadi pada sinus transversus dan ditemukan peningkatan D-Dimer. Clinical Characteristics of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) Patients in Neurology Ward Hasan Sadikin General Hospital BandungAbstractBackground and Objective: CVST is an entity caused by intracranial vein, including cerebral sinuses, cortical vein and proximal part of the jugular vein. A delay in diagnosing and treating can result in brain infarct with hemorrhagic transformation, even death. The goal of this study is to learn the clinical characteristics of patients with CVST that had been confirmed by DSA.Method: This was a retrospective observational descriptive study and subjects were hospitalized patients which had been diagnosed CVST in Neurology ward Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from June 2015 to November 2017.Results: there was 33 subjects with most (22 patient/66.7%) being women between 40-49 years old. In this study the most frequently found risk factor was infection in 8 subjects (24.2%), prothrombotic conditions in 6 subjects (18.2%). The clinical manifestations were mainly headache in 27 subjects (81,8%). The sinus most often involved was the transverse sinus (28 subjects) with the clinical manifestation being headache. D-dimer levels were also increased with mean 1.21 mg/dl.Conclusion: CVST patients are mostly in women at the midle age of decade, with infection being the most frequent risk. Headache was the most frequent clinical manifestation. Location of thrombosis were more often found on the transverse sinus and D-Dimer level was increased.


Author(s):  
Rattanavalai Nitiyarom ◽  
Sirirat Charuvanij ◽  
Surachai Likasitwattanakul ◽  
Chaiwat Thanoophunchai ◽  
Wanee Wisuthsarewong

Background: Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare condition, but it is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in pediatric patients. Aim: To study the clinical manifestations, investigations, treatment, clinical course, and outcomes of juvenile dermatomyositis in Thai children. Method: This retrospective study included juvenile dermatomyositis patients treated at Siriraj Hospital, a 2,300-bed national tertiary referral center in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1994 to 2019. Results: Thirty patients (22 females and 8 males) were included with a female to male ratio of 2.7:1. Median age at diagnosis was 5.1 years (range, 2.6-14.8 years). Median duration of illness before diagnosis was 6.5 months (range, 0.3-84.0 months). Acute and subacute onset occurred in the majority of patients. Presenting symptoms included muscle weakness in 27/30 (90%), skin rash in 26/30 (86.7%), muscle pain in 17/26 (65.4%), and arthralgia in 4/18 (22.2%) of patients. Dermatologic examination revealed Gottron’s rash, heliotrope rash, and periungual telangiectasia in 25/30 (83.3%), 21/30 (70.0%), and 15/24 (62.5%) of patients, respectively. Interestingly, scalp dermatitis was found in 8/21 (38.1%) of patients. The most commonly used treatment regimen in this series was a combination of prednisolone and methotrexate. During the median follow-up of 3.1 years (range, 0.0-18.5 years), only one-third of patients were seen to have monocyclic disease. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma at a previous lesion of calcinosis cutis was observed in one patient at 12 years after juvenile dermatomyositis onset. Limitations: This was a retrospective single-center study, and our results may not be generalizable to other healthcare settings. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study. Conclusion: juvenile dermatomyositis usually poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, which can be compounded by the ethnic variations in the clinical presentation, as observed in this study. Asian patients tend to present with acute or subacute onset of disease, and arthralgia and/or arthritis are less common than in Caucasian patients. Scalp dermatitis is not uncommon in pediatric juvenile dermatomyositis patients. An association between juvenile dermatomyositis and malignancy, though rare, can occur.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenzhi ZHANG ◽  
Hui LI ◽  
Jingzhen LIU ◽  
Jiawei XU ◽  
Jinjin HAO ◽  
...  

Abstract The knowledge of clinical characteristics and prognosis of pediatric acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AMKL) with or without acquired +21 was limited. We reported 15 AMKL pediatric patients without Down Syndrome (four cases with acquired +21 and 11 cases without acquired +21) with the clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and prognosis. The clinical features and laboratory data between patients with acquired +21 and patients without acquired +21 are similar. As for prognosis, three of the 11 cases without acquired +21 obtained complete remission (CR) after 1st induction. The median follow-up time of the 11 cases was 9 months. Among four cases with acquired +21, one case gave up treatment during 1st induction, one obtained CR after 1st induction and was still alive after 49 months of follow-up. One case obtained CR after 2nd induction and was still alive for 15 months of follow-up after bone marrow transplantation, the other patient was planning for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) without CR. The median follow-up time of the four cases was 12 months. None relapsed in our study. In conclusion, acquired trisomy 21 may not be an indicator for poor prognosis. Cytogenetics analysis can help us for diagnosis stratification, prognostic judgment and individualized treatment of AMKL.


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