scholarly journals Nocardia Arthritidis Keratitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Gieger ◽  
Stephen Waller ◽  
Joseph Pasternak

Introduction: Keratitis due to Nocardia infection is not commonly encountered in clinical practice and may therefore be mistaken for fungal or viral keratitis leading to delayed treatment and increased risk of permanent visual impairment. Case: An otherwise healthy 27 years old Caucasian Active Duty military member presented to the clinic with three days of light sensitivity and irritation of his right eye. He carried a history of PRK in both eyes six years prior and admitted to recent contact lens overuse. With empiric treatment for typical bacterial keratitis including corticosteroids, his condition worsened on close follow-up. While awaiting cultures, a shift to fortified topical antibiotics tobramycin, moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin showed improvement with closure of the epithelial defect. Ulcerative relapse occurred with withdrawal of therapy. Culture proven Nocardia arthritidis prompted successful treatment with topical antibiotic amikacin. On follow-up at three months, the patient was doing well with a small peripheral anterior stromal scar without permanent visual sequelae. Visual acuity returned to baseline of 20/20 in the affected eye. Conclusion: Keratitis caused by Nocardia species, including arthritidis, responds well to amikacin. Late diagnosis and early treatment withdrawal may lead to a prolonged recovery. Current literature indicates that corticosteroids may be harmful in the treatment of Nocardia keratitis. Increased awareness of Nocardia as an ocular pathogen has the potential to reduce unnecessary morbidity related to delayed diagnosis, inadequate therapy and inappropriate use of corticosteroids. 

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Noah R. Delapaz ◽  
William K. Hor ◽  
Michael Gilbert ◽  
Andrew D. La ◽  
Feiran Liang ◽  
...  

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental disorder marked by psychological and behavioral changes. Currently, there is no consensus of preferred antipsychotics to be used for the treatment of PTSD. We aim to discover whether certain antipsychotics have decreased suicide risk in the PTSD population, as these patients may be at higher risk. A total of 38,807 patients were identified with a diagnosis of PTSD through the ICD9 or ICD10 codes from January 2004 to October 2019. An emulation of randomized clinical trials was conducted to compare the outcomes of suicide-related events (SREs) among PTSD patients who ever used one of eight individual antipsychotics after the diagnosis of PTSD. Exclusion criteria included patients with a history of SREs and a previous history of antipsychotic use within one year before enrollment. Eligible individuals were assigned to a treatment group according to the antipsychotic initiated and followed until stopping current treatment, switching to another same class of drugs, death, or loss to follow up. The primary outcome was to identify the frequency of SREs associated with each antipsychotic. SREs were defined as ideation, attempts, and death by suicide. Pooled logistic regression methods with the Firth option were conducted to compare two drugs for their outcomes using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). The results were adjusted for baseline characteristics and post-baseline, time-varying confounders. A total of 5294 patients were eligible for enrollment with an average follow up of 7.86 months. A total of 157 SREs were recorded throughout this study. Lurasidone showed a statistically significant decrease in SREs when compared head to head to almost all the other antipsychotics: aripiprazole, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone (p < 0.0001 and false discovery rate-adjusted p value < 0.0004). In addition, olanzapine was associated with higher SREs than quetiapine and risperidone, and ziprasidone was associated with higher SREs than risperidone. The results of this study suggest that certain antipsychotics may put individuals within the PTSD population at an increased risk of SREs, and that careful consideration may need to be taken when prescribed.


Author(s):  
Shinwan Kany ◽  
Johannes Brachmann ◽  
Thorsten Lewalter ◽  
Ibrahim Akin ◽  
Horst Sievert ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-paroxysmal (NPAF) forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported to be associated with an increased risk for systemic embolism or death. Methods Comparison of procedural details and long-term outcomes in patients (pts) with paroxysmal AF (PAF) against controls with NPAF in the prospective, multicentre observational registry of patients undergoing LAAC (LAARGE). Results A total of 638 pts (PAF 274 pts, NPAF 364 pts) were enrolled. In both groups, a history of PVI was rare (4.0% vs 1.6%, p = 0.066). The total CHA2DS2-VASc score was lower in the PAF group (4.4 ± 1.5 vs 4.6 ± 1.5, p = 0.033), while HAS-BLED score (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.40) was comparable. The rate of successful implantation was equally high (97.4% vs 97.8%, p = 0.77). In the three-month echo follow-up, LA thrombi (2.1% vs 7.3%, p = 0.12) and peridevice leak > 5 mm (0.0% vs 7.1%, p = 0.53) were numerically higher in the NPAF group. Overall, in-hospital complications occurred in 15.0% of the PAF cohort and 10.7% of the NPAF cohort (p = 0.12). In the one-year follow-up, unadjusted mortality (8.4% vs 14.0%, p = 0.039) and combined outcome of death, stroke and systemic embolism (8.8% vs 15.1%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the NPAF cohort. After adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc and previous bleeding, NPAF was associated with increased death/stroke/systemic embolism (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.02–2.72, p = 0.041). Conclusion Atrial fibrillation type did not impair periprocedural safety or in-hospital MACE patients undergoing LAAC. However, after one year, NPAF was associated with higher mortality. Graphic abstract


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001948
Author(s):  
Marion Denos ◽  
Xiao-Mei Mai ◽  
Bjørn Olav Åsvold ◽  
Elin Pettersen Sørgjerd ◽  
Yue Chen ◽  
...  

IntroductionWe sought to investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults who participated in the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), and the possible effect modification by family history and genetic predisposition.Research design and methodsThis prospective study included 3574 diabetes-free adults at baseline who participated in the HUNT2 (1995–1997) and HUNT3 (2006–2008) surveys. Serum 25(OH)D levels were determined at baseline and classified as <50 and ≥50 nmol/L. Family history of diabetes was defined as self-reported diabetes among parents and siblings. A Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) for T2DM based on 166 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was generated. Incident T2DM was defined by self-report and/or non-fasting glucose levels greater than 11 mmol/L and serum glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody level of <0.08 antibody index at the follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to calculate adjusted ORs with 95% CIs. Effect modification by family history or PRS was assessed by likelihood ratio test (LRT).ResultsOver 11 years of follow-up, 92 (2.6%) participants developed T2DM. A higher risk of incident T2DM was observed in participants with serum 25(OH)D level of<50 nmol/L compared with those of ≥50 nmol/L (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.86). Level of 25(OH)D<50 nmol/L was associated with an increased risk of T2DM in adults without family history of diabetes (OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.62 to 9.24) but not in those with a family history (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.62, p value for LRT=0.003). There was no effect modification by PRS (p value for LRT>0.23).ConclusionSerum 25(OH)D<50 nmol/L was associated with an increased risk of T2DM in Norwegian adults. The inverse association was modified by family history of diabetes but not by genetic predisposition to T2DM.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Ariceta ◽  
Fadi Fakhouri ◽  
Lisa Sartz ◽  
Benjamin Miller ◽  
Vasilis Nikolaou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Eculizumab modifies the course of disease in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), but data evaluating whether eculizumab discontinuation is safe are limited. Methods Patients enrolled in the Global aHUS Registry who received ≥1 month of eculizumab before discontinuing, demonstrated hematologic or renal response prior to discontinuation and had ≥6 months of follow-up were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients suffering thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) recurrence after eculizumab discontinuation. Additional endpoints included: eGFR changes following eculizumab discontinuation to last available follow-up; number of TMA recurrences; time to TMA recurrence; proportion of patients restarting eculizumab; and changes in renal function. Results We analyzed 151 patients with clinically diagnosed aHUS who had evidence of hematologic or renal response to eculizumab, before discontinuing. Thirty-three (22%) experienced a TMA recurrence. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with an increased risk of TMA recurrence after discontinuing eculizumab were those with a history of extrarenal manifestations prior to initiating eculizumab, pathogenic variants, or a family history of aHUS. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of TMA recurrence in patients with pathogenic variants and a family history of aHUS. Twelve (8%) patients progressed to end-stage renal disease after eculizumab discontinuation; 7 (5%) patients eventually received a kidney transplant. Forty (27%) patients experienced an extrarenal manifestation of aHUS after eculizumab discontinuation. Conclusions Eculizumab discontinuation in patients with aHUS is not without risk, potentially leading to TMA recurrence and renal failure. A thorough assessment of risk factors prior to the decision to discontinue eculizumab is essential.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045356
Author(s):  
Nick A Francis ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Matthew Knight ◽  
Rama Vancheeswaran ◽  
Charles Oliver ◽  
...  

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-928
Author(s):  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Chan Soon Park ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Hyo-Jeong Ahn ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
...  

The association between the cumulative hypertension burden and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension burden and the development of incident AF. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we identified 3 726 172 subjects who underwent 4 consecutive annual health checkups between 2009 and 2013, with no history of AF. During the median follow-up of 5.2 years, AF was newly diagnosed in 22 012 patients (0.59% of the total study population; 1.168 per 1000 person-years). Using the blood pressure (BP) values at each health checkup, we determined the burden of hypertension (systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg), stratified as 0 to 4 per the hypertension criteria. The subjects were grouped according to hypertension burden scale 1 to 4: 20% (n=742 806), 19% (n=704 623), 19% (n=713 258), 21% (n=766 204), and 21% (n=799 281). Compared with normal people, subjects with hypertension burdens of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were associated with an 8%, 18%, 26%, and 27% increased risk of incident AF, respectively. On semiquantitative analyses with further stratification of stage 1 (systolic BP of 130–139 mm Hg or diastolic BP of 80–89 mm Hg) and stage 2 (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg) hypertension, the risk of AF increased with the hypertension burden by up to 71%. In this study, both a sustained exposure and the degree of increased BP were associated with an increased risk of incident AF. Tailored BP management should be emphasized to reduce the risk of AF.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh An P Phan ◽  
Bernard Weigel ◽  
Yifei Ma ◽  
Rebecca Scherzer ◽  
Danny Li ◽  
...  

Background: While HIV infection is associated with increased risk of ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), it is unknown whether guidelines can identify HIV-infected adults who may benefit from statins. The purpose of our study was to compare the 2013 ACC/AHA and 2004 ATP III recommendations in a HIV population, and to evaluate associations with carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque. Methods: We used ultrasound to measure CIMT at baseline and 3 years later in 352 HIV-infected adults with no ASCVD and not on statins. Plaque was defined as IMT > 1.5 mm. We compared 2013 ACC/AHA and 2004 ATP III recommendations, and evaluated associations with CIMT and plaque. Results: At baseline, the median age was 43 (IQR 39-49), 85% were male, 74% were on antiretroviral medication, and 50% had plaque. At follow-up, the median IMT progression was 0.052 mm/yr, and 66% had plaque. The 2013 guideline was more likely to recommend statins compared with the 2004 guideline, both overall (26% vs. 14%, p<.001), in those with plaque (32% vs. 17%, p=.0002), and in those without plaque (16% vs. 7%, p=.025). In unadjusted linear regression, the 2004 and 2013 risk score were strongly associated with CIMT (0.01 mm per 10% increase in risk, p<.001) and with CIMT progression (0.01 mm/yr per 10% increase in risk, p<.001). In multivariate analysis, older age, higher LDL-C, pack-years of smoking, and history of opportunistic infection were associated with baseline plaque. Conclusions: While the 2013 ACC/AHA guideline recommended statins to a greater number of HIV-infected adults compared to the 2004 ATP III guideline, both failed to recommend therapy in the majority of HIV-affected adults with carotid plaque. Both the 2004 and 2013 guidelines predicted higher levels of baseline CIMT and faster progression. HIV-specific guidelines that include detection of subclinical atherosclerosis may help to identify HIV-infected adults who are at increased ASCVD risk and may benefit from statins.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P DeFilippis ◽  
Holly J Kramer ◽  
Ronit Katz ◽  
Nathan Wong ◽  
Alain Bertoni ◽  
...  

Background: Microalbuminuria (MA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but the mechanism by which microalbuminuria imparts this increased risk is not known. In this study we assessed the relationship between MA and the development and progression of atherosclerosis by measuring the incidence of new CAC and the progression of existing CAC in individuals free of clinical CVD. Methods : The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a prospective cohort study of 6,814 participants free of clinical CVD at entry who underwent assessment of coronary artery calcification (CAC) by computerized tomography at baseline. Overall, 6,775 individuals had data available on urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR); 1,109 individuals were excluded for missing data or macroalbuminuria (UACR≥300 mg/g). Incident CAC was defined as detectable CAC at follow-up among those with CAC=0 at baseline, and absolute CAC score change among those with CAC>0 at baseline. Relative risk (RR) regression adjusted for covariates; and multivariable adjusted median regression was employed to assess the independent relationship of MA with CAC incidence and progression. Results : Of the 5,666 subjects (mean age 62±10 years, 48% males), baseline MA was seen in 424 (7%) participants, who were more likely to have CAC compared to those with normal UACR (62% vs. 48%, p<0.0001). During a mean follow-up of 2.4±0.8 years, those with MA were more likely to develop CAC (28% vs. 15%, p<0.0001) and they had a higher absolute median increase in CAC (47 vs. 29 Agatston Units, p<0.0001). After adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, site, follow-up duration, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family history of heart attack, total cholesterol, lipid lowering medications and body mass index; MA was associated with incident CAC (RR 1.65; 95%CI 1.41–2.48) among those with CAC=0 at baseline. Among those with CAC>0 at baseline, MA was associated with a median increase in CAC of 7.93 (95%CI 0.38 –15.47) Agatston Units in multivariable adjusted analyses (variables noted above). Conclusion : MA is independently associated with development of incident CAC and progression of CAC in an asymptomatic multi-ethnic population, and may in part explain its associated increased risk of CVD.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Khan ◽  
Setor Kunutsor ◽  
Jussi Kauhanen ◽  
Sudhir Kurl ◽  
Eiran Gorodeski ◽  
...  

Background: There remains uncertainty regarding the association between fasting glucose (FG) and the risk of heart failure (HF) in individuals without a history of diabetes. Methods and Results: We assessed the association between FG and HF risk in a population-based cohort of 1,740 men aged 42-61 years free from HF or diabetes at baseline. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis of relevant prospective studies identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. During a mean follow-up of 20.4 years, 146 participants developed HF (4.1 cases per 1000 person-years). In models adjusted for age, the hazard ratio (HR) for HF per 1 mmol/L increase in FG was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22, 1.48). This association persisted after adjustment for established HF risk factors (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.14, 1.42). Compared with FG< 5.6 mmol/L, there was an increased risk amongst those with FG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.82, 1.88) and ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.50, 7.08). HRs remained consistent across several clinical subgroups. In a meta-analysis of 10 prospective studies (Figure 1) involving a total of 4,213 incident HF cases, the HR for HF per 1 mmol/L increase in FG level was 1.11 (95% CI 1.04, 1.17), consistent with a linear dose-response relationship with evidence of heterogeneity between studies (I2=79%, 63-89%; P<0.001). Conclusions: A positive, continuous, and independent association exists between FG and risk for HF. Further studies are needed to evaluate the causal relevance of these findings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-303
Author(s):  
Sanne A. E. Peters ◽  
◽  
Ling Yang ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractPregnancy and pregnancy loss may be associated with increased risk of diabetes in later life. However, the evidence is inconsistent and sparse, especially among East Asians where reproductive patterns differ importantly from those in the West. We examined the associations of pregnancy and pregnancy loss (miscarriage, induced abortion, and still birth) with the risk of incident diabetes in later life among Chinese women. In 2004–2008, the nationwide China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 302 669 women aged 30–79 years from 10 (5 urban, 5 rural) diverse localities. During 9.2 years of follow-up, 7780 incident cases of diabetes were recorded among 273,383 women without prior diabetes and cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cox regression yielded multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of diabetes associated with pregnancy and pregnancy loss. Overall, 99% of women had been pregnant, of whom 10%, 53%, and 6% reported having a history of miscarriage, induced abortion, and stillbirth, respectively. Among ever pregnant women, each additional pregnancy was associated with an adjusted HR of 1.04 (95% CI 1.03; 1.06) for diabetes. Compared with those without pregnancy loss, women with a history of pregnancy loss had an adjusted HR of 1.07 (1.02; 1.13) and the HRs increased with increasing number of pregnancy losses, irrespective of the number of livebirths; the adjusted HR was 1.03 (1.00; 1.05) for each additional pregnancy loss. The strength of the relationships differed marginally by type of pregnancy loss. Among Chinese women, a higher number of pregnancies and pregnancy losses were associated with a greater risk of diabetes.


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