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Extra-intestinal manifestations of salmonella infections.

While salmonellosis is often considered to affect primarily the gastrointestinal tract, infection at other sites may occur, producing characteristic clinical syndromes. We reviewed cases from our institutions and the literature on focal manifestations of salmonella infections. In the past, most extra-intestinal salmonella infections were caused by S. choleraesuis; however, we found S. typhimurium to be the predominant serotype. The mortality rate for patients in our series was considerably lower than the rate described for focal infections in other reviews. This may in part be due to lower proportion of infections due to S. choleraesuis, improved microbiologic and diagnostic techniques, increased use of ampicillin, and improved surgical techniques. Salmonella endocarditis usually occurs in patients with preexisting heart disease. Unlike other salmonella infections, S. choleraesuis is the most frequent serotype. Salmonella endocarditis is often very destructive, with a fatality rate of 70%. Nonvalvular (mural) endocarditis occurs in one-fourth of patients and survival has not been reported. While antibiotic therapy should be tried initially, if response is not prompt the clinician should look for an associated site of infection (intra- or extra-cardiac abscess), which will often require surgery. Salmonella pericarditis often presents with cardiac or pulmonary symptoms, but typical signs of pericardial disease (pulsus paradoxus, friction rub) or characteristic electrocardiographic changes (low voltage, elevated ST segments) are uncommon. Early diagnosis, before infection involves other areas of the heart, is crucial for survival. In addition to antibiotic therapy, pericardiocentesis or pericardiectomy is required. Salmonella may infect the peripheral or visceral arteries, but the abdominal aorta is the most frequent site of vascular infection. Most patients are men over age 50 with preexisting atherosclerosis of the aorta who do not have a previous history of gastroenteritis. About one-fourth of patients have associated lumbar osteomyelitis. No patients have been reported to survive with medical therapy alone. Specific guidelines for surgical removal of infected aneurysms have been proposed and these (in addition to increased use of ampicillin) may be responsible for higher survival rates in recent years. Due to the high incidence of relapses, postoperative blood cultures should be done routinely. Arterial infection should be considered in any elderly patient with salmonella bacteremia especially with prolonged fever or bacteremia after an "adequate course" of antibiotic therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Antithymocyte globulin treatment of severe aplastic anaemia.

Nineteen patients with severe aplastic anaemia were treated with antithymocyte globulin. Ten patients obtained remissions (transfusion independent, at least 45000 platelets and 2000 PMN/mm3) within 2-3 months and continue in remission 5-35 months after antithymocyte globulin. Ages of responders ranged from 17 to 71. Complications of antithymocyte globulin included arthralgias, rash, serum sickness, angioedema and fever. Two patients died during, two shortly after, and one 10 months after therapy. One patient with a previous remission following antithymocyte globulin relapsed and achieved a second remission with retreatment. Previous androgen therapy did not affect outcome since two of four patients with and eight of 15 patients without previous androgen therapy achieved remission with ATG. Treatment with antithymocyte globulin is a promising alternative to bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of severe aplastic anaemia.

Adolescent↗

[Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in children: three cases].

INTRODUCTION: Polyarteritis nodosa is a necrotizing vasculitis of small and medium-size arteries. The cutaneous form of polyarteritis nodosa follows a chronic course, characterized by recurrent episodes limited to skin, muscles and joints. This entity differs from systemic polyarteritis nodosa in the absence of visceral involvement. This form is rare in children, we describe three cases. CASE REPORTS: We describe three girls with a mean age of 11 years (range: 8-13). They presented painful subcutaneous edematous nodules, arthralgia and fever. Physical examination revealed livedo reticularis (2 cases) and pharyngeal infection (1 case). Laboratory findings showed an inflammatory syndrome. Skin biopsy supported diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa. The course was characterized by periods of remission disrupted by exacerbations, well controlled by salicylotherapy, colchicine, dapsone or penicillin. Corticosteroid therapy was used only for invalidating symptoms. There was no systemic involvement after 2, 5 and 6 years of follow up. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in children must be suspected in presence of fever, subcutaneous nodules, livedo reticularis and arthralgia. Prognosis is usually benign, so we recommend no aggressive treatment. In view of the tendency to relapse, long-term follow-up is appropriate, before confirming diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

[Tetracycline pleurodesis for treatment of malignant pleural effusions. Retrospective study of 91 cases].

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common complication in patients with advanced neoplasms. Even though no large series confirming this exist, tetracycline pleurodesis has become the therapy of choice. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate its efficacy, adverse effects and possible factors predicting the success of the method. METHODS: Between 1985 through 1991, 91 patients with cytologically or histologically confirmed MPE were treated with 1,000-1,500 mg tetracycline pleurodesis. There were 49 females and 42 males, with a mean age of 59 years. The most common malignancies were lung, breast and unknown primary carcinomas. 85% patients complained of dyspnea and the volume of the effusion was moderate in half the cases. 12 variables were analyzed in relation with the probability of response through chi 2 test; survival and recurrence times were calculated with Kaplan and Meier's method. RESULTS: 73 patients were evaluable, with a 67% response rate (22 complete, 27 partial). Time to relapse was significantly higher for partial responses (mean 112 days) than for failures (mean 33 days). 37 patients presented mild complications (pain and fever). Karnofsky performance status (70% or greater), size of the effusion (small or moderate), chest radiograph (only effusion) and pleural LDH (600 U/l or less) attained favourable prognostic significance. Median survival was reached at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Tetracycline pleurodesis is an effective and well-tolerated paliative treatment for MPE. Along with other known parameters (pleural pH and glucose levels), Karnofsky performance status, size of the effusion, chest radiograph and pleural LDH allow to predict its results and optimize its indications.

Adult↗

Two to three days treatment of typhoid fever with ceftriaxone.

Pharmacokinetic properties of ceftriaxone, such as sustained tissue drug levels over 24 hours after a single injection; good penetration of the antibiotic into cells; significant biliary excretion as active unchanged compound and high potency against S. typhi, should make it possible to significantly shorten the treatment of typhoid fever. To test this hypothesis a pilot, open study was initiated. 17 adult patients suffering from uncomplicated typhoid or paratyphoid fever, documented by blood culture, were treated with 4g ceftriaxone once daily for three days (4 patients) or two days (15 patients). The cure rate of 17 assessable patients was 94.2% (one failure). One possible relapse was observed two months after treatment. It is to be noted that no patient in the study suffered from a severe form of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: cure for familial Mediterranean fever.

We describe data on a 7-year-old girl with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA), who also had familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Repeated transfusions required since the age of 6 months to treat her CDA led to iron overload and a persistently high ferritin level. Her relapsing FMF made effective iron chelation therapy very difficult. Consequently, at the age of 4 years, she underwent allogeneic, sibling bone marrow transplantation (BMT). During conditioning for her BMT, symptoms of FMF, including splenomegaly, arthritis, and recurrent abdominal pain, began to resolve and she was gradually weaned off colchicine. Now, 2 years after the transplantation, she remains free from FMF symptomatology and is off all immunosuppressants. This case demonstrates that symptoms of FMF can be alleviated by the therapy used during allogeneic BMT. In this patient it is likely that the missing factor in FMF is now being provided by granulocytes derived from the stem cells within transplanted bone marrow.

Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital↗

Atypical chronic graft-versus-host disease following interferon therapy for chronic myeloid leukaemia relapsing after allogeneic BMT.

We report a 54-year-old woman who received interferon alpha for haematological relapse of Ph-positive CML, 7 years after allogeneic BMT from an HLA-identical brother. Eighteen months after relapse, cytogenetic and molecular remission was achieved. She received interferon therapy for 25 months and it was discontinued when she developed skin lesions on her face and trunk, dysphagia and fever with respiratory failure and bilateral patchy airspace consolidation of the lung without microbiologic findings. Histologic features showed discoid lupus erythematosis, oesophagitis with pseudomembranes and a mixed pattern of lymphocytic bronchiolitis involving the alveoli and interstitial spaces all compatible with chronic GVHD. The patient was commenced on immunosuppressive therapy with complete clinical and radiological resolution. The available evidence supports an atypical presentation of chronic GVHD and suggests a role for interferon alpha in the pathogenesis of GVHD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported of severe chronic GVHD occurring during the course of interferon therapy for relapsed CML.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Clinical-therapeutic considerations in a case of miliary tuberculosis in an indonesian girl].

The authors describe the case of widespread miliary tuberculosis, that arose in a ten year-old Indonesian girl of middle-class, who has been living in Italy from about three years. The girl was probably contaminated by a subject belonging to the same ethnic-social community, who was affected with tubercular disease. The diagnosis was effected on the ground of: clinical picture including continued-remitting fever, a loose cough, asthenia, anorexia, weight reduction, aching tumefaction on the left side of the neck; isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the expectoration, blood, urine, and a lymph node located on the left side of the neck; radiological picture that revealed a widespread miliary tuberculosis. In spite of polychemotherapy with isoniazid , rifampicin, pirazinamide, and streptomycin that was subsequently replaced by ethambutol, the course of the illness worsened and it was characterized with fever, cachexia, respiratory insufficiency and repeated episodes of pneumothorax. For such reasons on the ground of susceptibility to the antibiogram amikacin and ciprofloxacin, as well as glucocorticoids to limit the fibrousness, were added to the specific therapy that was already being out. For persisting of relapsing pneumothoraxes, the patient underwent a thoracoscopy and plerodesis with talcum powder. After four months of antitubercular therapy, the research of M. tuberculosis resulted negative in the expectoration, urine, bronchus-alveolar washing liquid and blood, in addition to improvement in general state of health with remission of fever was noticed.

Child↗

[Cutaneous filariasis Loa Loa: 26 moroccan cases of importation].

INTRODUCTION: Loa Loa filariasis or loiasis is a subcutaneous and bloody vectorial parasitosis. It is endemic in forest and swamp areas of west and central Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 moroccan cases of importation. All patients had visited Equatorial Guinea. Transient and migratory edema with pruritus were described in all cases and seen in 5 cases. A history of eyeworm was reported in 13 patients and subcutaneous migration of adult Loa Loa in 19 patients. Other features including fever and asthenia were reported in 11 patients. Microfilaremia was positive in 8 patients and eosinophilia was present in 22 patients. Fifteen patients were treated with diethylcarbamazine alone and 9 patients with ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine. Two patients were treated with ivermectin alone. Relapses were noted in 8 cases. No visceral complications were noted excepting one case of terminal hematury. DISCUSSION: Loiasis is a filarial infection of man that occurs exclusively in central and West Africa. The most common symptoms being pruritus with temporary, localised edema, subcutaneous and subconjonctival eye passage of the adult worm, fever and fatigue. The biologic diagnosis of loaisis is made on peripheral microfilariae, filarial serology and eosinophil count. Travel and visits endemic areas were at the origin of the emergence of this pathology in Morocco. Filarial Loa Loa infection should be treated with diethylcarbamazine and/or ivermectin.

Adult↗

Paclitaxel plus topotecan treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Used as single agents, paclitaxel and topotecan have demonstrated promising activity in treating patients with relapsed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We conducted a phase II clinical trial to investigate the activity and tolerability of the combination of both drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with refractory or relapsed aggressive NHL who had previously been treated with a maximum of two prior chemotherapeutic regimens were given intravenous infusions of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 over three hours on day one and topotecan 1 mg/m2 over 30 minutes daily from days one to five. All patients received daily subcutaneous injections of filgrastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) 5 microg/kg starting 24 hours after the last dose of chemotherapy until neutrophil recovery. Treatments were repeated every three weeks for a maximum of six courses. Patients who achieved partial remission or complete remission (CR) after at least two courses were offered stem cell transplantation, if eligible. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients eligible for this trial, 66 (93%) were evaluable for treatment response. The median age was 53 years (range 23 to 74 years). Thirty-six percent of the patients had previously been treated with ara-C/platinum-based regimens, and 48% failed to achieve CR after primary induction therapy. Sixty-seven percent of the patients had elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels at the time of treatment initiation. The overall response rate was 48% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 36%-61%). Patients who had primary refractory disease had a response rate of 31%, compared with 65% for patients who did not. Similarly, the response rate of patients who failed to achieve CR after their most recent previous therapy was 37%, compared with a 65% response rate in patients who relapsed from a first or second CR. The median duration of response was six months. A total of 199 courses were given, with a median of three courses per patient. Neutropenia at levels < or = 500 leukocytes per microliter was observed after 32% of the courses, and thrombocytopenia at levels < or = 20,000 platelets per microliter was observed after 17% of the courses. Grade 3-4 neutropenic fever occurred after 6% of the courses. Non-hematologic toxic effects were predominantly grade 1-2. CONCLUSION: The combination of paclitaxel and topotecan is an effective first or second line salvage therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL who had prior anthracycline- or platinum-based chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Leishmaniasis as an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients: determinants of relapse and mortality in a collaborative study of 228 episodes in a Mediterreanean region.

The clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis shares similarities with other geographically specific infectious diseases associated with AIDS in terms of relapsing course and atypical presentation. However, visceral leishmaniasis has not, until now, been included in the AIDS case definition. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and determinants for relapse and case-fatality of visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients from a Spanish Mediterranean area. A chart review was conducted in 16 hospitals in the autonomous communities of Valencia and Murcia (Spain). From 1988 to 2001, a total of 228 episodes of visceral leishmaniasis were diagnosed in 155 HIV-infected patients by the detection of amastigotes in bone marrow aspirates or in other tissue samples. Most patients had advanced HIV disease, with a median CD4(+) lymphocyte cell count of 55 cells x 10(9) l, and 56% of them had a previous AIDS-indicator disease. The median duration of follow-up was 8.4 months. HIV-infected patients with visceral leishmaniasis presented with fever (76%), hepatomegaly (77%), splenomegaly (78%), and varying degrees of cytopenias. Leishmania was detected in atypical sites in 22 (14%) patients. A total of 37 (24%) patients had a relapse of visceral leishmaniasis. Female gender was a risk factor for relapse, whereas administration of secondary prophylaxis for visceral leishmaniasis and a completed therapy for visceral leishmaniasis were protective factors against relapse. A total of 86 (54%) patients died. Independent determinants for survival were CD4(+) lymphocyte cell count, completed therapy for leishmania, and secondary prophylaxis for visceral leishmaniasis. The findings show that, in HIV-infected patients, visceral leishmaniasis occurs in late stages of HIV disease and often has a relapsing course. Secondary prophylaxis reduces the risk of relapse. Visceral leishmaniasis in the HIV-infected population should be included in the CDC clinical category C for the definition of AIDS in the same way that other geographically specific opportunistic infections are included.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Management of catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: when may sonographic study be unnecessary?

This study reviews the outcome of patients with uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia diagnosed in our hospital from January 1997 to December 1999 and treated with short-course antibiotic therapy. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of this regimen for minimizing complications (relapses, endocarditis and metastatic foci). A total of 213 episodes of bacteremia were registered and 167 (78.4%) were nosocomial. Among these, 87 (52.1%) were catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 20 were primary nosocomial bacteremia. Endocarditis was diagnosed during the acute episode in 7/107 of these patients (2 by persistent fever after catheter removal and 5 by metastatic foci; 3 of them also had cardiac risk factors) and confirmed with transesophageal echocardiography. Among the 84/87 catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and 16/20 primary nosocomial bacteremia patients who did not develop endocarditis, 31 patients died during the acute episode (16 due to sepsis despite initiation of antibiotic treatment and 15 due to the underlying disease) and five had osteoarticular foci. The remaining 64 episodes were considered to be uncomplicated bacteremia (no cardiac risk factors, persistent fever, metastatic foci, or clinical signs of endocarditis) and were treated with 10-14 days of high-dose antistaphylococcal antibiotics. Echocardiography was not mandatory in these patients. Of the 64 uncomplicated episodes, 62 were followed for at least 3 months and none relapsed or developed endocarditis. Even though some of the patients might have had subclinical endocarditis, short-course therapy with high doses of antistaphylococcal antibiotics was effective for treating uncomplicated catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Transesophageal echocardiography may not be necessary in these cases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Short course chemotherapy with cefixime in children with multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi Septicaemia.

Increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella typhi strains in pediatric cases of typhoid fever and chemotherapy restrictions in children, such as fluoroquinolones, require ongoing clinical evaluations of different antibiotic regimens. Previously reported clinical trials with oral cefixime therapy given as a 12-day regimen (20-30 mg/kg divided twice daily) demonstrated both safety and efficacy. An open trial was undertaken to investigate a short course (8-day) regimen of oral cefixime in an Egyptian public fever hospital. Eighty children were initially enrolled with blood culture confirmation in 60 children. Clinical cure was documented in 57 (95 per cent) with three children requiring a change in antibiotic regimen due to therapeutic failure and one child with culture-confirmed relapsed 21 days post-therapy. All S. typhi isolates were sensitive to cefixime as measured by disk diffusion. Cefixime was well-tolerated with only mild side-effects, including nausea/vomiting (8 per cent) and abdominal cramping with loose stools (6 per cent), which may have been secondary to typhoid fever. Cefixime given in a short 8-day course is safe and effective in the management of MDR typhoid fever in children.

Adolescent↗

Liposomal vincristine in relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: early results of an ongoing phase II trial.

OBJECTIVE: Vincristine is an active agent in lymphomas, but is often neurotoxic, and the resulting dose reductions have been associated with lower remission and survival rates in Hodgkin's disease. Liposomal vincristine (Onco-TCS) has prolonged half-life, reaches higher concentration in tumors and lymph nodes than in nerves, and administered at full doses appears to be less neurotoxic, and more active then free vincristine in mice bearing L-1210 and P-388 leukemias. We therefore explored its activity in relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically proven relapse, age > or = 16 years, normal renal function, neutrophils > 500/microliter, platelets > 50,000/microliter, and no HIV infection, central nervous system disease, or serious neuropathy. Patients were treated with 2.0 mg/m2 of liposomal vincristine i.v. over 60 minutes q 14 days. Responders received up to 12 injections. RESULTS: Of the 51 registered patients, 35 are currently evaluable for response. Median age was 62 years (range 19-86), and 21 were male. The median number of prior regimens was 3 (range 1-10) and had included vincristine in all patients, of whom 51% were refractory to their last regimen. Serum LDH was high in 46%, and beta 2-microglobulin > 3.0 mg/l in 63% of patients. Of the 155 administered injections, 138 (89%) were at the 2.0 mg/m2 level. The median injected dose was 3.8 mg (range 2.6-4.8 mg), and median number of injections was 4 (range 1-12). Responses were seen in 14 of 34 (41%) patients with NHL (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 25%-59%). Response rates were 10% for indolent, 71% for transformed, and 47% for aggressive NHL, but the 95% confidence intervals overlapped. Median progression-free survival was 5.5 months for responders. Grade 3-4 motor or sensory neuropathy was seen in 11, and caused termination of therapy in five patients. All five had prior neuropathy, two had previously received paclitaxel, one platinum, and two paclitaxel and platinum. Fever was detected in three patients, but there were no toxic deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal vincristine is active and well tolerated in this heavily pretreated population with relapsed NHL, but can be neurotoxic in a fraction of patients heavily exposed to prior neurotoxic agents. These data, if confirmed, would suggest a potential role for liposomal vincristine in the combination therapy of previously untreated patients with NHL.

Adult↗

Prospective evaluation of a model of prediction of invasive bacterial infection risk among children with cancer, fever, and neutropenia.

A risk prediction model for invasive bacterial infection (IBI) was prospectively evaluated among children presenting with cancer, fever, and neutropenia. The model incorporated assessment of 5 previously identified risk factors: serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) >/=90 mg/L, hypotension, identification of relapse of leukemia as the cancer type, platelet count of </=50,000 platelets/mm(3), and recent receipt of chemotherapy [16]. Children were uniformly evaluated at enrollment and were classified as having high or low risk for IBI according to a model that considers the number and type of variables present. Of the 263 febrile episodes evaluated during a 17-month period, 140 (53%) were in IBI-positive children. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the model were 92%, 76%, 82%, and 90%, respectively. Identification of these 5 risk factors during the first 24 h of hospitalization was helpful in discriminating between children with a high or low risk for IBI.

Adolescent↗

[Evolution of rheumatism in children during the past 30 years (1960-1989)].

The results of the anamnesis of more than 3000 case reports of patients with rheumatic fever treated at the pediatric hospital of the Institute of Rheumatology, USSR AMS during the recent 30 years have been presented. The authors established favourable tendencies of clinical evolution of rheumatism which found their reflection in a decreased markedness of carditis and extracardiac manifestations of the disease, considerable decrease in the number of relapses, development of cardiac defects and hospital lethality.

Acute Disease↗

[Mediterranean spotted fever in childhood. Prospective study of 130 cases].

Authors present a prospective study of 130 cases of Mediterranean spotted fever treated between 1983 and 1985 in two Departments of Paediatrics of the Valles Occidental, area near Barcelona. Thirty-eight percent of the children came from suburban areas, an urban areas, an urban or rural origin being less frequent. Previous contacts with dogs existed in 86% of the cases. Most frequent clinical signs were fever (100%) maculo-papular rash (97%) and arthromyalgias (70%). The "tache noire" was found in 87% of the cases. Presence of arthritis in two patients is underlined. Indirect immunofluorescence to Rickettsia conorii was positive (much greater than 1/40) in 75% of the cases. All patients improved after treatment with tetracycline or erythromycin. There were no relapse.

Adolescent↗

Three cases of Q fever osteomyelitis in children and a review of the literature.

Q fever is a common zoonosis worldwide. Awareness of the disease and newer diagnostic modalities have resulted in increasing recognition of unusual manifestations. We report 3 cases of Q fever osteomyelitis in children and review the literature on 11 other reported cases. The cases demonstrate that Coxiella burnetii can cause granulomatous osteomyelitis that presents without systemic symptoms and frequently results in a chronic, relapsing, multifocal clinical course. Optimal selection and duration of antimicrobial therapy and methods of monitoring therapy are currently uncertain.

Adult↗