IgA Nephropathy Associated With Castleman Disease With Cutaneous Involvement

A 35-year-old Japanese man developed systemic lymphadenopathy during the course of immunosuppressive therapy for IgA nephropathy associated with cutaneous nodules, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and persistent increased serum C-reactive protein of unknown cause. Lymph node examination showed the plasmacytic type of Castleman disease (CD). A skin biopsy showed specific pathologic findings of CD cutaneous involvement. Considering the involvement of interleukin-6 in CD, we treated the patient with humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody. Thereafter, his symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings were improved. Cutaneous CD has rarely been described in Asian population, and renal complications in CD are uncommon and heterogeneous. To our knowledge, this is the first case of IgA nephropathy associated with multicentric CD with cutaneous involvement.     

Propylthiouracil-Induced Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis With Pulmonary Hemorrhage Treated With Plasmapheresis

Propylthiouracil (PTU) can effectuate antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)–positive vasculitis. We report a case of severe, PTU-induced leucocytoclastic vasculitis with diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage within a month of initiating PTU. Emergent plasmapheresis was initiated with excellent clinical response. A clinical suspicion for this potential side effect coupled with early cessation of the drug is generally adequate. Clinical manifestations, posited pathogenetic mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies, including the role of plasmapheresis, are discussed.     

Association of Hypoglycemia With Mortality for Subjects Hospitalized With Pneumonia

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that hypoglycemia is associated with worse outcomes for the elderly, in sepsis, and in children with pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to examine whether hypoglycemia (< 70 mg/dL) is associated with increased 30-day mortality, after adjusting for potential confounders, for adults hospitalized with pneumonia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study conducted at 2 tertiary teaching hospitals. Eligible subjects were admitted with a diagnosis of, and had a chest x-ray consistent with, community-acquired pneumonia. Our primary analysis was a multivariable logistic regression with the dependent variable of 30-day mortality and with independent variable of hypoglycemia, diabetes, severity of illness determined using the pneumonia severity index, and pneumonia-related processes of care.ResultsData were abstracted on 787 subjects at the 2 hospitals. Mortality was 8.1% at 30 days. At presentation, 55% of subjects were at low risk, 33% were at moderate risk, and 12% were at high risk. In our cohort, 2.8% (n = 22) had hypoglycemia at presentation. Unadjusted mortality for those who were hypoglycemic was 27.3% versus 8.6% for those who were not (P = 0.0003). In the multivariable analysis, hypoglycemia (odds ratio: 4.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–11.7) was significantly associated with 30-day mortality.ConclusionsAfter adjusting for severity of illness and other potential confounders, hypoglycemia is significantly associated with 30-day mortality for patients hospitalized with pneumonia. Patients with hypoglycemia should be placed in closely monitored settings even when by pneumonia specific risk systems they would normally be discharged.     

变应性支气管肺曲菌病1例并文献复习

目的:提高对变应性支气管肺曲菌病(ABPA)的认识并引起对该病的重视.方法:对1例ABPA患者临床资料进行分析,并结合文献进行复习.结果:ABPA是一种慢性、免疫介导的,对寄生繁殖的曲菌过敏导致的非感染性、炎症性肺部疾病,常发生在支气管哮喘的患者.结论:目前对该病的诊断应采取多种手段,包括纤支镜检查,痰培养及影像学、免疫学等;长期吸入糖皮质激素与口服伊曲康唑能达到较好治疗效果,且最大限度减少副作用.