Atypical Mycobacterial Infection in Hairy Cell Leukemia Treated with Cladribine

We report a case of hairy cell leukemia who improved after cladribine but succumbed to disseminated atypical mycobacterial infection 2 months after completing cladribine.     

Unsafe abortion: a cruel way of birth control

Background

Unsafe abortion refers to a procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy performed either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both.

Objectives

The objectives of the study are to assess the factors attributing to practice of unsafe abortion and to suggest feasible and cost-effective measures to counter the same.

Methods

An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was made using library sources including Pubmed, Medline and World Health Organization. Keywords used in the search include unsafe abortion and unintended pregnancy.

Results

Multiple socio-demographic determinants and barriers such as illiterate women, poor socio-economic status, poor awareness about abortion services, associated stigma, and untrained health professionals have been identified resulting in restricted utilization/access of women to safe abortion services. Consequences of unsafe abortion have been alarming, seriously questioning the quality of health care delivery system.

Conclusion

Concerted and dedicated efforts of government in collaboration with the private sector, community members and non-governmental organizations are needed to ensure that women have a better access to contraceptives, abortion services, and post-abortion care that are safe, affordable, and free from stigma.     

Predictors of success after bilateral epididymovasostomy performed during vasectomy reversal: A multi-institutional analysis

IntroductionVasectomy reversal (VR) represents an excellent option for paternity in men who desire to expand their family following vasectomy. Traditional VR via vasovasostomy has a success rate upwards of 90%^1,2 but when sperm or sperm parts are not present in vasal fluid, epididymovasostomy (EV) must be performed instead. Our objective was to determine which factors influence success after bilateral EV.MethodsA prospectively maintained database with data from the U.S. and Canada was used to identify men who underwent bilateral EV at time of VR. Success was defined as motile sperm in any postoperative semen analyses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of success.ResultsA total of 200 men had at least one postoperative semen analysis, and 171 men were included in the analysis. Average age was 44.7 years, with average followup of seven months. Median time elapsed between vasectomy and EV was 15 years (interquartile range [IQR] 10–18). Overall success rate was 50%. Despite the study being adequately powered, factors such as years since vasectomy (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, confidence interval [CI] 0.95–1.06), age (OR 0.96, CI 0.91–1.01), intraoperative presence of motile sperm (OR 0.81, CI 0.41–1.62), and epidydimal fluid characteristics did not predict success.ConclusionsBilateral EV at time of VR is successful in 50% of cases in a multi-institutional, North American cohort. Microsurgeons can be reassured that neither time elapsed nor epididymal fluid characteristics negatively impact success rates as long as sperm or sperm parts are present. Surgeons performing VR should be comfortable and prepared to perform EV if indicated.     

Oral myiasis caused by Musca domestica larvae in a child

Myiasis or infestation of living tissues by Diptera (two winged) fly larvae is primarily a problem of cattle and livestock in tropics. Human infestation is rare, occurs accidentally in persons at extremes of age, who are debilitated or not able to ensure basic hygiene and wound cleanliness. Necrotic tissue in wounds of whatever origin provides ideal substrate for the developing larvae. Depending upon the anatomic sites affected it presents clinically as cutaneous myiasis, myiasis of external orifices (oral, nasal, ocular, aural, anal, genital), and myiasis of internal organs (intestinal, urinary). Cutaneous myiasis is perhaps the most commonly reported entity. Species causing skin, subcutaneous and mucosal myiasis include Gastrophilus intestinalis (horse botfly), Hypoderma bovis (cattle botfly), and Dermatobia homonis (human botfly). Musca domestica, the common house fly, is a rare cause of myiasis despite its presence in abundance.This paper describes oral myiasis in a 16-year-old girl of hypotonic cerebral palsy. She had episodic fever, fetid breath, erythematous, tender and ulcerated swelling over anterior palate from which pus and maggots were coming out. She had lip incompetence and bad orodental hygiene. Radiologic and laboratory investigations revealed no abnormality. The maggots were removed manually and she was treated with orodental hygiene sessions, wound care, antibiotics and nutritional supplements. The larval specimens were identified as early instar of M. domestica. Prevention of human myiasis is important and involves control of fly population, general cleanliness, basic sanitation and health education with a special emphasis on oral health care in patients with special needs.