Treatment of human echinococcosis with mebendazole. Preliminary observations in 28 patients

Preliminary results of a long-term, prospective therapeutic trial with mebendazole in 28 patients mainly with inoperable echinococcosis are reported. The course of disease was monitored closely and plasma mebendazole levels were checked regularly. A major problem is the lack of reliable methods for defining and measuring early success or failure of therapy. Most of the patients improved clinically. No marked change of parasitic lesions was observed except in one patient with constantly low plasma mebendazole levels who deteriorated. No serious side effects occurred. The preliminary results are encouraging and suggest that mebendazole has a "parasitostatic" effect on larval growth.     

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated bronchiolitis successfully treated with erythromycin]

A 52-year-old man with a 4-year history of rheumatoid arthritis, and who had an episode of suspected BOOP in early 1994, was admitted to our hospital because of cough and fever. A chest X-ray film on admission showed small patchy infiltrates, and a computed tomographic (CT) scan showed centrilobular nodules and patchy infiltrates with thickened broncho-vascular bundles in both lungs. Transbronchial and thoracoscopic lung biopsies disclosed the coexistence of interstitial pneumonia with BOOP pattern, follicular bronchiolitis, and diffuse panbronchiolitis-like purulent and obliterative bronchiolitis. Due to findings of chronic sinusitis, the patient was treated with erythromycin for 8 weeks, and the abnormal CT shadows regressed. This was an interesting case of various pulmonary lesions associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and successfully treated with erythromycin.     

WEGENER’S GRANULOMATOSIS COMPLICATED WITH APHTHOID COLITIS

A 58‐year‐old man was admitted with upper abdominal pain and high fever. There was no abnormality on chest X‐ray, abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal CT and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C‐ANCA) titers were high and a chest CT scan depicted multiple nodules in the bilateral lungs. A diagnosis of Wegener’s granulomatosis was therefore made. Three weeks after admission, diarrhea and bloody stool developed. Colonoscopy revealed many aphthoid lesions surrounded by redness in the entire colon. Although the biopsy from aphtha did not show vasculitis or granuloma, the aphthoid lesions were suspected as a complication of Wegener’s granulomatosis. As a result of predonisolone medication (60 mg/day), the plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) and high fever improved promptly. In conclusion, although colonic involvement in a patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis is extremely rare, it is important to keep in mind that colonic lesions might be due to vasculitis in ANCA‐positive disease, such as Wegener’s granulomatosis.     

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis with specific CT findings

A hepatic central bisegmentectomy was performed on a 36-year-old Iranian man with suspected cystic echinococcosis. Hepatic computed tomography (CT) scan findings showed a large cystic lesion, which included many small round shaped cystic lesions. The diagnosis of hepatic cystic echinococcosis was confirmed during surgery. The aforementioned CT scan findings may be specific findings for cystic echinococcosis, in spite of a low appearance rate.     

Tuberculous peritonitis

We report a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a 24-year-old male patient. On admission, he was complaining of abdominal fullness and fever. Ultrasound tomography and computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed massive ascites with multiple septa. The most interesting feature of this case was the diffuse and intense uptake of gallium-67 in the abdomen. Though the initial chest X-ray showed only slight bilateral pleural effusion, and cultures from ascites, stool, sputum, and pleural effusion were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, CT scan of the lung showed a small consolidation shadow with contractile change, similar to tuberculosis. A few days after the CT scan of the lung, the sputum was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Finally we diagnosed active tuberculous peritonitis, and then started antituberculous therapy. In patients with massive ascites and fever of unknown origin, tuberculous peritonitis must be considered. Gallium-67 scintigraphy has been shown to be useful when there is a high index of suspicion of tuberculous peritonitis.     

肝包虫病与肝囊肿CT表现比较*

目的 探讨使用256排CT检查在鉴别肝包虫病与肝囊肿方面的临床价值。方法 2017年4月～2020年11月我院诊治的肝囊肿患者77例和肝包虫病患者34例接受256排CT增强扫描检查,采用ELISA法检测血清抗囊液抗原抗体(EgCF)、抗头节抗原抗体(EgP)、抗囊液半纯化抗原抗体(EgB)和抗泡球蚴抗体(Em2)。结果 本组肝包虫病患者术前血液嗜酸性粒细胞计数为(0.3±0.1)×10⁹/L,显著高于肝囊肿患者【(0.1±0.1)×10⁹/L,P＜0.05】;肝包虫病患者血清抗EgCF抗体和抗EgB抗体阳性率分别为85.3%和61.8%,均显著高于肝囊肿患者【分别为31.2%和0.0%,P＜0.05】;增强CT扫描,肝包虫病患者肝内存在类圆形、圆形或分叶状囊性灶,囊壁钙化;在入组的111例患者中,CT检查将3例(2.7%)肝包虫病误诊为肝囊肿,1例(1.0%)肝包虫病被误诊为肝转移癌,2例(1.8%)肝囊肿被误诊为肝包虫病。结论 CT检查能很好地显示肝包虫病囊性病灶的影像学特征,对鉴别肝包虫病与肝囊肿有帮助,为临床治疗提供可靠的影像学依据。     

伴肺炎与低氧血症的新型甲型H1N1流感二例报告

目的 分析2例重症新型甲型H1N1流感(简称甲型流感)合并肺炎患者的临床表现、影像学特点和治疗经过,提高对本病的认识.方法 回顾性分析2009年9月入住南京市第二医院南山分院的2例确诊为甲型流感合并肺炎患者的临床表现、胸部CT特点及治疗经过.结果 2例患者中1例为女性,54岁,无基础疾病;1例为男性,31岁,有支气管哮喘史.主要症状和体征为发热、咳嗽,肺部可闻及湿性哕音.2例患者胸部CT主要表现为实变影及磨玻璃影,以双下肺和胸膜下分布为主,累及多个肺叶、肺段,实变影内可见支气管充气征.2例患者咽拭子甲型H1N1流感病毒核酸阳性,确诊为甲型流感.2例患者入院时均存在低氧血症,白细胞计数和淋巴细胞计数下降,血乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平和肌酸激酶(CK)水平明显升高.2例患者均接受奥司他韦、糖皮质激素以及吸氧等对症支持治疗,其中1例间断接受无创通气.治疗后,临床症状缓解,胸部CT示实变影和磨玻璃影较入院时明显吸收.白细胞计数、LDH及CK水平恢复正常,复查咽拭子甲型H1N1流感病毒核酸阴性,康复出院.结论 部分甲型流感患者可合并肺炎,临床表现无特异性,胸部CT主要表现为双肺弥漫性分布的实变影及磨玻璃影;及时动态复查胸部CT对诊断和了解病情进展非常必要;糖皮质激素可缓解甲型流感合并肺炎患者咳嗽及气喘等症状,有助于肺部病变的吸收.     

Sweet's syndrome during the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia

We report the case of a 52 year-old male in the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia, with Philadelphia chromosome due to t(9;22) in the karyotype. He was treated with courses of busulfan and hydroxyurea. Fourteen months after initial presentation, the patient developed fever, non-productive cough, maculonodular violaceous painful skin lesions and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates visible on a chest roentgenogram. Laboratory data, repeated bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and karyotype analysis showed findings similar to those of the initial diagnosis. A biopsy taken from one of the trunk lesions was consistent with Sweet's syndrome. Oral methylprednisolone therapy was initiated at doses of 64 mg daily, and the skin lesions and fever were rapidly resolved. When we reduced the steroid dose, skin lesions and fever recurred. Two further courses of steroid therapy were given with similar results. Finally we treated him with naproxen (750 mg daily for 1 month) with a rapid and stable response. This drug should be considered as an alternative treatment for patients with Sweet's syndrome not responding to corticosteroids or for immunocompromised hosts.     

Hepatosplenic candidiasis: successful treatment with fluconazole

PURPOSE: To determine if fluconazole is effective treatment for hepatosplenic candidiasis that has not resolved with amphotericin B and flucytosine treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients (ages 3 to 44) with acute leukemia and hepatosplenic candidiasis who did not respond to prior antifungal therapy were treated with fluconazole. RESULTS: All six patients had fever and three had nausea and vomiting; computed tomographic (CT) scan showed lucencies in the liver in six, lucencies in the spleen in five, and lucencies in the kidneys in three. Prior therapy with 1.6 to 4 g of amphotericin B in the five adults and 526 mg of amphotericin B in the child (with the addition of flucytosine in four) failed to improve clinical symptoms or lucencies in the liver, spleen, and kidneys seen on CT scan. Fluconazole was given at a dose of 200 to 400 mg daily (70 to 100 mg in the child) for 2 to 14 months. All patients had resolution of fever and other symptoms in 2 to 8 weeks. Improvement of the lesions noted on CT scan was seen in 4 to 8 weeks in all patients. Total resolution of lesions noted on CT scan occurred by 4 weeks in two patients, but took 4 to 5 months for three patients and 13 months for one patient. Three patients had relapse of their acute leukemia and two died, presumably cured of their candidiasis. Two patients underwent successful bone marrow transplantation without relapse of their candidiasis. CONCLUSION: Fluconazole appears to be useful in the treatment of hepatosplenic candidiasis that has not resolved with amphotericin B and flucytosine therapy.     

Encephalitis in a renal transplantation patient

The patient was a 55 year-old-woman with chronic renal failure due to idiopathic mesngial deposition of Ig A. She received a second allograft of a kidney from a cadaver. Results of a preoperative serologic Ig G tests for EBV and CMV were positive. She was given triple-drug immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of cyclosporine,azathioprine, and steroids. Seven years later, azathioprine was changed to mycophenolate mofetil. One year later, she was admitted to the hospital with a three to four week history of vertigo (which did not improve after sulpiride was administrated) and an influenza-like syndrome. A CT scan of the brain appeared normal, so paroxysmal positional vertigo was the diagnosis. Two weeks after admission to the hospital, the patient reported visual hallucinations and impairment of consciousness. Results of laboratory tests were leukocyte increase (polymorphonuclear leukocytes), anemia, hyponatremia and renal failure. Chest radiography, brain CT, and electroencephalography revealed no pathologic signs. The CSF examination revealed 300 cells/ml (79% PMNL), glucose 63 mg/dl, protein 45 mg/dl. Six hours later the treatment was initiated with ampicillin, ceftriaxone and ganciclovir iv, she experienced seizures that affected the left side of her body, but without interictal recovery. The patient required intubation and mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. An MRI of the brain images, revealed high signal-intensity regions indicating lesions on the bulb, protuberance, mesencephalon, left thalamus and parenchyma adjacent to the corpus callosum (fig. 1). Six days later, the patient partially recovered consciousness, and she had not neurologic sequelae. Intubation was terminated. As soon as PCR revealed EBV DNA in CSF samples, the treatment with ceftriaxone and ampicillin was discontinued. Treatment with ganciclovir was maintained for 8 weeks (4 weeks with iv and another 4 weeks with oral treatment). On day 35, the examination of a specimen of CSF revealed: glucose 46, protein 78, 15 cells/ml (100% lymphocytes). The patient went home on day 55 after admission to our hospital. She regained her normal neurologic function. Three weeks later MRI, showed reduction of the size of the lesions and the lesions on the brain stem had disappeared.     

A rare case of alveolar echinococcosis in a 14-year-old child

Summary We report the case of a 14-year-old girl who suffered from headache, fatigue, caught and a fever with body temperature up to 40 °C for a week. The patient had abdominal enlargement and clinical examination showed the hepatomegaly +5 cm. In ELISA assays employing Em2+ antigen, high titres of specific IgG antibodies to Echinococcus multilocularis somatic antigens were found in the serum. Western blot analysis also indicated on presence of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). CT examination showed expansive foci in the right liver lobe and histological examinations of the biopsy after PAS staining confirmed the presence of alveolar echinococcosis. After 320 days of chemotherapy with albendazole, CT revealed progression of parasitic foci and new abscess lesions inside parasitic cysts were detected, with some parts being necrotic. The surgical removing of foci was performed as following — the laparotomic revision, the removal of the right liver lobe with dilatation, reconstruction of v. cavae cum prothesis PTFE in length 12 cm. Three months after the operation, the rest of the patient’s left liver lobe had grownup and compensated at least a part of the removed liver.     

Multi-skeletal Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii) in an HIV-seropositive patient

We present our experience with skeletal involvement of Pneumocystis jiroveci (ex P. carinii) infection in an HIV-seropositive patient. The objective of this study was to alert clinicians to the possibility that extrapulmonary P. jiroveci could affect the skeletal system in HIV-infected patients with extremely rapid progression. P. jiroveci infection of skeletal system has been rarely described elsewhere. A 51-year-old man complained of fever for six weeks, cough, anorexia, fatigue, and chest pain. He was found to be HIV seropositive. Repetitive (six samples) sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid microbiologic tests were negative. High-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a small pulmonary mass. Abdominal CT scan revealed lesions in liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, lumbar vertebrae, and sacrum. Brain and skull CT scan was normal. A fine-needle biopsy of the lung mass was unrevealing. Cytological examination of sputum specimens showed findings consistent with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Nineteen weeks post-presentation, the patient reported low-back pain. Within 24 hours after the onset of low-back pain, he developed focal neurological deficits, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull and spine showed osteolytic lesions of the temporal bones bilaterally, multiple vertebral lesions, and lesions of sacrum and iliac bones. Radiotherapy of the lumbar spine and pelvis was given. Sternal aspiration was performed. Cytological examination revealed P. jiroveci. In conclusion, we describe a rare case of disseminated P. jiroveci infection in an HIV-seropositive patient, with multiple skeletal lesions, especially in the skull and in vertebrae region, and concomitant non-small-cell lung cancer, with a very poor prognosis.     

Successful treatment by a drainage of subdural hematoma in a case of intracranial hemorrhage due to DIC complicated with acute promyelocytic leukemia

A 24 year-old female was admitted because of hypermenorrhea and petechiae. The peripheral blood tests on admission were consistent with acute promyelocytic leukemia complicated with DIC. BHAC-DMP therapy was started along with platelet transfusions and heparin administration. On the day 9 of admission, on the contrary to the improvement of hematological data, the patient suffered from severe headache and nausea. The neurological examination revealed anisocoria. Right side chronic subdural hematoma was a diagnosis made by emergency CT scan and was treated with drainage of the hematoma. Post-operatively, the patient did well, and achieved complete remission on the day 43 of admission. Since intracranial hemorrhages due to DIC complicated with leukemia are often fatal, those patients are usually treated conservatively. However, as shown in this case report, some cases might have an indication for the neurosurgical operation. It is important to check conditions carefully whether the patient has an indication for the operation.     

Panniculitis in familial Mediterranean fever. Case report with histopathologic findings

A 79-year-old Armenian-born woman with stable, long-term familial Mediterranean fever had progression of chronic renal failure concurrently with two types of skin lesions. One lesion resembled erysipelas, which is quite common in familial Mediterranean fever, whereas the other was panniculitis, only occasionally described in familial Mediterranean fever. The unique histopathologic features of the latter are presented. The onset of acute cutaneous disease in this patient coincided with worsening renal disease and preceded a flare of disease activity in other sites after a 14-year period of quiescence. The severe and unremitting pain from the skin lesions and their tendency to form nonhealing ulcers were substantial causes of morbidity in this patient with familial Mediterranean fever.     

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia induced by cigarette smoking: positive lymphocyte stimulation test of a cigarette extract]

A 21-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with high fever, general fatigue and dyspnea. Chest radiography on admission showed diffuse bilateral infiltrate shadows with Kerley's B lines, and a CT scan showed patches of infiltrates with thickened interlobular septa in both lungs. Examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the clinical course led to a diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia. The patient improved without steroid therapy. We suspected that the disease was related to smoking because the patient had started smoking seven days before the onset of the symptoms. Because a lymphocyte stimulation test gave a positive reaction to a cigarette extract, a challenge test was done. After this, the patient had fever and hypoxemia. These findings suggest that cigarette smoking induces acute eosinophilic pneumonia.     

Marchiafava-Bignami disease. 3 cases with favorable prognosis

INTRODUCTION: Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a complication of chronic alcoholism, with acute or subacute demyelination of the corpus callosum. Although subacute and benign forms of the disease have been described since the development of CT scan and MRI, it has usually a poor prognosis. EXEGESIS: We report three cases of Marchiafava-Bignami disease with favorable outcome. One of the patient was comatose upon hospital admission. Interhemispheric dysconnection syndrome was evidenced in two patients. CT scan and MRI showed lesions extending to the callosal white matter in these patients. CONCLUSION: Potential existence of Marchiafava-Bignami disease should be investigated in patients presenting with chronic alcoholism and mental confusion. However, accompanying coma and white matter demyelination should not necessarily be considered of poor prognosis. Clinical evaluation of interhemispheric dysconnection is of value in patients presenting with chronic alcoholism and mental confusion.     

A case of cervical-mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis progressed to pulmonary lesion through a bronchial fistula]

The patient was a 25-year-old man who had been admitted to a local hospital due to fever and trachelophyma. Tubercle bacillus was detected in pus culture obtained by biopsy of the trachelophyma, but not in sputum culture. Because combined therapy with 3 antituberculous drugs (RFP, INH and SM) failed to reduce the fever or drainage from the biopsy region, the patient was transferred to our hospital. Chest X-ray films taken on admission revealed dilatation of the superior mediastinal shadow; chest CT images revealed cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and an anterior mediastinal abscess, but no pulmonary lesion. About 2 months after admission, cough developed and Gaffky type 2 was detected in the patients sputum. Bronchoscopy and bronchography revealed a bronchomediastinal fistula. Forty days after the onset of cough, reticulogranular shadows were observed in the right upper lobe on chest X-ray films, and a diffuse centrilobular lesion was observed in the right upper lobe on chest CT images. From these clinical observations, the patient was given a diagnosis of cervical-mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis, which had progressed to pulmonary lesion through a bronchial fistula due to lymphadenitis.     

A Japanese case of melioidosis presenting as multiple organ lesions accompanied by sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation, after a visit to Thailand

A 65-year-old man with diabetes mellitus reporting fever and urination disturbance on a flight from Bangkok back to Japan in July 2003 was admitted elsewhere for acute prostatitis. Despite intravenous antibiotics, his condition deteriorated. On admission to our hospital, he suffered from respiratory failure, with laboratory data showing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Computed tomography (CT) shows infiltrative and nodular shadows in both lung fields and low-density areas in the left kidney and prostate gland, consistent with pneumonia and abscesses in these organs. He also developed broad osteomyelitis in the right lower extremity with cellulitis and arthritis in the right hand, knee, and foot. Blood, urine, and joint fluid culture all yielded Burkholderia pseudomallei, so he was diagnosed with melioidosis. Treatment was started with meropenem and minocycline, then meropenem was changed to imipenem. His symptoms gradually improved after ciprofloxacin was added, so all intravenous antibiotics were discontinued and he underwent oral treatment with chloramphenicol, minocycline, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim in September 2003. He developed fever again, however, and oral therapy was discontinued and intravenous antibiotics restarted. After resolution of fever, oral maintenance therapy was initiated again with levofloxacin and minocycline in October, and his condition remained stable. After discharge in April 2004, he has been followed up with no evidence of relapse. This is considered to be the seventh case of melioidosis reported in Japan. Our patient manifested multiple organ lesions with sepsis and DIC, and was difficult to treat, but clinical symptoms improved in long-term antibiotic administration. With travelers to Southeast Asia increasing, greater attention must be paid to imported infectious diseases, such as melioidosis.     

A case of Wegener's granulomatosis with necrotizing granuloma limited to intraorbital lesions]

A patient of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who developed intraorbital tumor without pulmonary and renal involvement was reported. A 52-year-old male has suffered from visual disturbance and right proptosis. Administration of betamethasone resulted in a temporary relief of his symptoms. However, following the reduction of steroid dosage, severe recurrence of ocular symptom occurred and his right sight was completely lost. On admission to our hospital, there were swollen eyelids and saddle nose. The CT scan demonstrated intraorbital tumors bilaterally associated with chronic sinusitis. The repeated biopsies of nasal mucosal lesions disclosed presence of a giant cell granuloma with necrotizing vasculitis. A diagnosis of WG had been made, so intermittent high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy were initiated. The size of the bilateral intraorbital tumors reduced with continuous cyclophosphamide therapy. At the last observation during 22 months after the initiation of cytotoxic therapy, there was no evidence of clinical and radiological recurrence. Three cases of WG with intracranial tumors in our hospital showed multiple cranial nerve palsy and poor response to corticosteroid therapy. The "limited form" without renal involvement has been known as a subset of WG with a relatively good prognosis. This report suggest the existence of further limited form with intracranial granuloma as a cardinal presentation of WG. Although the extent of granulomatous lesions are limited and progression is slow, the treatment by corticosteroid alone is not sufficient and as the systems form of WG, combined therapy with cyclophosphamide appeared to be indicated.     

Rapid excretion of gallium-67 isotope in an iron-overloaded patient receiving high-dose intravenous deferoxamine

A 23 year-old black male with homozygous sickle cell disease (Hb SS disease) and transfusional iron overload was admitted for evaluation of response to intravenous deferoxamine (DFO) therapy. Soon after admission, the patient suffered an intraventricular hemorrhage and during his subsequent hospitalization developed a persistent fever of undetermined origin (f.u.o.). Included in the diagnostic evaluation of fever was a gallium 67 scan (Ga-67), which was initially nondiagnostic because of Ga-67 citrate's preferential chelation by DFO. After DFO was discontinued, a repeat scan demonstrated a lesion above the left kidney. To our knowledge the unusual interaction in vivo of DFO with Ga-67 citrate has not been reported in the clinical literature. With the anticipated increased use of chelation therapy for patients with transfusional iron overload, this interaction may be encountered more frequently. DFO should be discontinued before the use of Ga-67 scanning in this clinical situation, or an alternative isotopic scan, such as indium-labelled white cells, should be considered.