Relationship Between Marijuana Use and Hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND:  Recreational marijuana use is rising, especially among young adults. The cardiovascular (CVD) effect of marijuana remains mostly unknown. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 14,490 patients admitted to our hospital between 2012 and 2014 who had urine toxicology done for various reasons. Patients with a primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were queried in both the marijuana-positive group (n = 59) and the marijuana-negative group (n = 195). The risks of having ACS were compared in both groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in the risk of having ACS between the two groups in the population < 54 years of age (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.67-1.20, p = 0.48). However, there was a significant difference in the risk of having ACS in the 18-36 age group (OR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.14-7.07, p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis performed to adjust for the potential confounding effects of smoking and cocaine use showed that marijuana use (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.68-1.25, p = 0.65) did not increase the likelihood of ACS for patients ≤ 54 years or for those in the 37-54 age group (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.79-1.53, p = 0.50). However, among the 18-36 age bracket, marijuana use was independently associated with a higher risk of ACS (OR: 5.24, 95% CI: 1.84-16.93, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In younger patients (age 18-36 years), marijuana use is independently associated with a five-fold higher risk of ACS.

Oral Fungal Infections: Diagnosis and Management.

Oral and maxillofacial fungal infections can appear in high-risk patients, including those immunocompromised. This article explores common oral manifestations of fungal infections in the oral cavity as primary lesions or as a result of disseminated disease. By far the most common oral fungal infection experienced in dentistry is oral candidiasis, which is reviewed in depth from simple oral infections to invasive candidiasis. The review aids the dental practitioner in understanding the full scope of Candida infections and other fungal infections. In addition to candidiasis, various other fungal infections are reviewed, including mucormycosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and coccidioidomycosis.

Rare Presentation of Gastroesophageal Carcinoma with Rectal Metastasis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Gastroesophageal cancers, previously considered rare, are rapidly increasing worldwide. We present here a unique case of gastroesophageal carcinoma with metastasis to the rectum. CASE REPORT A 60-year-old female patient presented with constipation, bloating, and weight loss of 4-month duration. She had undergone sleeve gastrectomy 6 years before. Endoscopies performed revealed a friable-looking mucosa in the lower esophagus and a polypoid rectal mass. Histopathological examination from both the esophageal and rectal lesions revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. Immunohistochemistry stain from both specimens was positive for CK7 supporting the gastric site primary with metastasis to the rectum. Further evaluation also revealed metastasis to bone and malignant pleural effusion. Chemotherapy with palliative intent was initiated. CONCLUSIONS Colorectal metastasis is commonly seen from cancers of the breast, stomach, melanoma, kidney, prostate, and ovaries. However, colorectal metastasis from gastroesophageal cancer has never been reported in the medical literature. Diagnosis relies on histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor. Treatment depends on the tumor stage. Tumors with widespread metastatic disease are candidates for palliative chemotherapy.

Microbiological profile of organisms causing bloodstream infection in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is the most frequent infection in critically ill patients. As BSI's among patients in intensive care units (ICU's) are usually secondary to intravascular catheters, they can be caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms as well as fungi. Infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms is becoming more common, making the choice of empirical antimicrobial therapy challenging. The objective of this study is to evaluate the spectrum of microorganisms causing BSI's in a Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) and their antimicrobial resistance patterns. METHODS: A prospective observational study among all adult patients with clinical signs of sepsis was conducted in a MSICU of an inner-city hospital in New York City between May 1, 2010 and May 30, 2011. RESULTS: A total of 722 adult patients with clinical signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and/or sepsis were admitted to the MSICU between May 1, 2010 and May 30, 2011. From those patients, 91 (12.6%) had one or more positive blood culture. A 122 isolates were identified: 72 (59%) were Gram-positive bacteria, 38 (31.1%) were Gram-negative organisms, and 12 (9.8%) were fungi. Thirteen (34.2%) Gram-negative organisms and 14 (19.4%) Gram-positive bacteria were classified as MDR. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial resistance, particularly among Gram-negative organisms, continues to increase at a rapid rate, especially in the ICU's. Coordinated infection control interventions and antimicrobial stewardship policies are warranted in order to slow the emergence of resistance.