Cryptococcus is a yeast typically found in bird feces such as pigeon droppings. Infection may occur through inhalation of spores or via direct inoculation into the skin. Typically there is a history of immunosuppressi...Cryptococcus is a yeast typically found in bird feces such as pigeon droppings. Infection may occur through inhalation of spores or via direct inoculation into the skin. Typically there is a history of immunosuppression, but cases are also reported in immunocompetent hosts. Cryptococcus may manifest as pulmonary disease or primary cutaneous infection, but dissemination to a systemic illness is the most life-threatening concern. We present the case of a 71-year-old man with a four-year history of idiopathic lung disease, treated with oral prednisone and mycophenolate, presents with a new onset skin rash on the right wrist. He has a history of cleaning and clearing barns and sheds after a recent storm devastated the area. Birds and bats were present in these structures while he was working. Initial therapy failed, and subsequent biopsy showed the presence of Cryptococcus yeast. Further investigation yielded a positive, low titer Cryptococcus antigen screen but negative blood cultures. This case illustrates three valuable facets of patient care. Ideally, one diagnosis will explain all of the clinical presentation, but when that is not the case then multiple etiologies must be explored. Sometimes first-line therapy is ineffective, and the clinician should not be afraid to recognize that and change course. Importantly with skin lesions, failure to respond to treatment or worsening of the lesion in the face of topical and/or oral steroids should lead one to consider the possibility of infection, particularly in an immunosuppressed patient, and prompt biopsy is prudent.展开更多
The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MACPD) has been globally increasing. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical characteristics and treatment response among ...The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MACPD) has been globally increasing. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical characteristics and treatment response among patients in the Amazon region of Brazil and conduct a retrospective cohort study at a prominent referral hospital in the State of Par, Brazil, from 2012 to 2020. The M. avium group represented 58.9% of cases, followed by M. intracellulare (35.7%), M. colombiense (3.6%), and M. chimaera (1.8%). The majority of patients (73.2%) were female and with an average age of 63 years. Primary clinical manifestations included persistent cough and sputum production. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) averaged 2.47, with 36.3% of patients having a CCI score equal to higher than 3. Notably, over 70% of patients had received treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis before initiating treatment for MAC infection. The fibrocavitary radiologic form was the most prevalent (55.4%), frequently exhibiting a bilateral distribution (53.6%). Antimicrobial susceptibility revealed a significant prevalence of MAC resistance to drugs in the therapeutic regimen. Despite this, most of the patients experienced clinical improvement (50%). In conclusion, this study highlights a higher prevalence of MAC infections among middle-aged women, with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment and presenting the fibrocavitary radiological form was predominant.展开更多
Case 1 was a 49-year-old woman who visited with a dry cough. She had an underlying disease of lung adenocarcinoma and received cancer immunotherapy because of an ALK-positive response and several cancer chemotherapies...Case 1 was a 49-year-old woman who visited with a dry cough. She had an underlying disease of lung adenocarcinoma and received cancer immunotherapy because of an ALK-positive response and several cancer chemotherapies. The clinical effect was a complete response. Chest CT was performed because of continuous dry cough, and a new tumor shadow was recognized in the lingula portion of the left upper lobe. We performed CT-guided lung biopsy and could aspirate pus-fluid. The culture test for acid-fast bacilli was positive and the causative microorganism was identified as Mycobacterium avium by the DDH method. The final diagnosis was pulmonary abscess due to M. avium. Treatment using combined chemotherapy including CAM was performed and a good clinical response was obtained. Case 2 was a 67-year-old man who had a past history of surgical resection of lung adenocarcinoma eight and two years ago and received several cancer chemotherapies and radiation therapy. Because a new nodular shadow appeared in the right middle lobe one year ago and showed strong positivity on PET/CT, surgical resection was performed with the suspected recurrence of lung cancer. Subsequently, the histological diagnosis was epithelioid granuloma and a culture test of acid-fast bacilli was positive, with the identification of Mycobacterium intracellulare by the DDH method. Combined chemotherapy was not performed because the lesion was completely resected. Afterwards, a new nodular shadow appeared in the left lower lobe again and bronchoscopy was performed. Because M. intracellulare was isolated from the local specimen, we diagnosed the patient with recurrence of pulmonary MAC disease and combined chemotherapy including CAM was performed for one year. Finally, the nodular lesion disappeared. It is difficult to differentiate pulmonary MAC disease from lung cancer. Therefore, careful follow-up of patients with lung cancer while keeping in mind the possible complication of pulmonary MAC disease is necessary.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections ...BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections among immunocompromised hosts.Due to the resistance to most antibiotics,the pathogen is formidable and difficult-to-treat.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of catheter-related M.abscessus infections in a patient with motor neurone disease.Catheter and peripheral blood cultures of the patient showed positive results during Gram staining and acid-fast staining.The alarm time of catheter blood culture was 10.6 h earlier than that of peripheral blood.After removal of the peripherally inserted central catheter,secretion and catheter blood culture were positive.M.abscessus was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing.CONCLUSION For catheter-related M.abscessus infection,rapid diagnosis and timely and adequate antimicrobial therapy are crucial.展开更多
We recently encountered two patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii disease showing a solitary nodule. The patients were 53 and 66 years old and both were male. One patient had underlying diseases. The diagnosi...We recently encountered two patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii disease showing a solitary nodule. The patients were 53 and 66 years old and both were male. One patient had underlying diseases. The diagnosis was based on the clinical symptom in one patient and an abnormal chest shadow in the other. The final diagnosis was obtained by bronchoscopy and CT-guided lung biopsy. Antituberculous drugs were administered to one patient. We emphasize the importance of the positive identification of causative microorganisms in patients who present with a solitary nodule including surgical methods to differentiate the infection from lung cancer.展开更多
文摘Cryptococcus is a yeast typically found in bird feces such as pigeon droppings. Infection may occur through inhalation of spores or via direct inoculation into the skin. Typically there is a history of immunosuppression, but cases are also reported in immunocompetent hosts. Cryptococcus may manifest as pulmonary disease or primary cutaneous infection, but dissemination to a systemic illness is the most life-threatening concern. We present the case of a 71-year-old man with a four-year history of idiopathic lung disease, treated with oral prednisone and mycophenolate, presents with a new onset skin rash on the right wrist. He has a history of cleaning and clearing barns and sheds after a recent storm devastated the area. Birds and bats were present in these structures while he was working. Initial therapy failed, and subsequent biopsy showed the presence of Cryptococcus yeast. Further investigation yielded a positive, low titer Cryptococcus antigen screen but negative blood cultures. This case illustrates three valuable facets of patient care. Ideally, one diagnosis will explain all of the clinical presentation, but when that is not the case then multiple etiologies must be explored. Sometimes first-line therapy is ineffective, and the clinician should not be afraid to recognize that and change course. Importantly with skin lesions, failure to respond to treatment or worsening of the lesion in the face of topical and/or oral steroids should lead one to consider the possibility of infection, particularly in an immunosuppressed patient, and prompt biopsy is prudent.
文摘The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MACPD) has been globally increasing. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical characteristics and treatment response among patients in the Amazon region of Brazil and conduct a retrospective cohort study at a prominent referral hospital in the State of Par, Brazil, from 2012 to 2020. The M. avium group represented 58.9% of cases, followed by M. intracellulare (35.7%), M. colombiense (3.6%), and M. chimaera (1.8%). The majority of patients (73.2%) were female and with an average age of 63 years. Primary clinical manifestations included persistent cough and sputum production. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) averaged 2.47, with 36.3% of patients having a CCI score equal to higher than 3. Notably, over 70% of patients had received treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis before initiating treatment for MAC infection. The fibrocavitary radiologic form was the most prevalent (55.4%), frequently exhibiting a bilateral distribution (53.6%). Antimicrobial susceptibility revealed a significant prevalence of MAC resistance to drugs in the therapeutic regimen. Despite this, most of the patients experienced clinical improvement (50%). In conclusion, this study highlights a higher prevalence of MAC infections among middle-aged women, with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment and presenting the fibrocavitary radiological form was predominant.
文摘Case 1 was a 49-year-old woman who visited with a dry cough. She had an underlying disease of lung adenocarcinoma and received cancer immunotherapy because of an ALK-positive response and several cancer chemotherapies. The clinical effect was a complete response. Chest CT was performed because of continuous dry cough, and a new tumor shadow was recognized in the lingula portion of the left upper lobe. We performed CT-guided lung biopsy and could aspirate pus-fluid. The culture test for acid-fast bacilli was positive and the causative microorganism was identified as Mycobacterium avium by the DDH method. The final diagnosis was pulmonary abscess due to M. avium. Treatment using combined chemotherapy including CAM was performed and a good clinical response was obtained. Case 2 was a 67-year-old man who had a past history of surgical resection of lung adenocarcinoma eight and two years ago and received several cancer chemotherapies and radiation therapy. Because a new nodular shadow appeared in the right middle lobe one year ago and showed strong positivity on PET/CT, surgical resection was performed with the suspected recurrence of lung cancer. Subsequently, the histological diagnosis was epithelioid granuloma and a culture test of acid-fast bacilli was positive, with the identification of Mycobacterium intracellulare by the DDH method. Combined chemotherapy was not performed because the lesion was completely resected. Afterwards, a new nodular shadow appeared in the left lower lobe again and bronchoscopy was performed. Because M. intracellulare was isolated from the local specimen, we diagnosed the patient with recurrence of pulmonary MAC disease and combined chemotherapy including CAM was performed for one year. Finally, the nodular lesion disappeared. It is difficult to differentiate pulmonary MAC disease from lung cancer. Therefore, careful follow-up of patients with lung cancer while keeping in mind the possible complication of pulmonary MAC disease is necessary.
文摘BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections among immunocompromised hosts.Due to the resistance to most antibiotics,the pathogen is formidable and difficult-to-treat.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of catheter-related M.abscessus infections in a patient with motor neurone disease.Catheter and peripheral blood cultures of the patient showed positive results during Gram staining and acid-fast staining.The alarm time of catheter blood culture was 10.6 h earlier than that of peripheral blood.After removal of the peripherally inserted central catheter,secretion and catheter blood culture were positive.M.abscessus was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing.CONCLUSION For catheter-related M.abscessus infection,rapid diagnosis and timely and adequate antimicrobial therapy are crucial.
文摘We recently encountered two patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii disease showing a solitary nodule. The patients were 53 and 66 years old and both were male. One patient had underlying diseases. The diagnosis was based on the clinical symptom in one patient and an abnormal chest shadow in the other. The final diagnosis was obtained by bronchoscopy and CT-guided lung biopsy. Antituberculous drugs were administered to one patient. We emphasize the importance of the positive identification of causative microorganisms in patients who present with a solitary nodule including surgical methods to differentiate the infection from lung cancer.
