RESUMEN
West Nile virus (WNV) is classified as a Flavivirus, belonging to a Japanese encephalitis subgroup often transmitted via mosquitoes. The classic presentation of a WNV infection usually displays high fevers, myalgias, and headache which can progress to neck stiffness, stupor, and coma (Case Rep Infect Dis. 2020;2020:6501658). Our case study presented with a rare manifestation of ascending paralysis, encompassing the feared neuroinvasive disease pattern that is seldom exhibited. This case had an unusual presentation as certain manifestations experienced by our patient closely resembled that of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although others were more indicative of poliomyelitis-like syndrome. Overall, the mainstay of therapy in both conditions is supportive care, although the prognosis varies substantially depending on the underlying diagnosis.
RESUMEN
Bleomycin is an antibiotic that is often used as a chemotherapeutic agent due to its antitumor activities against a variety of malignancies. A feared and often fatal side effect of this drug is a pulmonary injury causing inflammation that can progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Bleomycin damages lung endothelial cells by the production of free radicals that can only occur when it is bound to certain metals in the body. It forms a complex with iron and once activated by iron reduction, it destroys deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Therefore, it is suggested that the availability of iron in the body may play a role in the pathogenesis of bleomycin toxicity although no related cases have been documented. This is a case of a 75-year-old female with no prior history of pulmonary disease who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and received 12 doses of bleomycin over the course of six cycles of chemotherapy. She then presented to the hospital with respiratory failure five months after her completion of treatment. Interestingly, one month prior to presentation, she was given two intravenous iron infusions of ferumoxytol five days apart for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Within a week of receiving the iron, she developed dyspnea with a nonproductive cough. About a month after she developed these symptoms, she presented to the hospital and was found to be hypoxic with any activity and was subsequently placed on oxygen via nasal cannula. Her lung imaging showed new reticulonodular and patchy infiltrates bilaterally concerning for pneumonitis and her physical examination was significant for black discoloration of her fingertips and toes along with expiratory rhonchi heard throughout her lungs. During the hospitalization, her oxygen requirements increased, and the patient ended up in the intensive care unit on bilevel positive airway pressure. Her lung imaging, rapid progression, and skin findings made the clinical diagnosis of bleomycin toxicity. Out of concern that the intravenous iron may have played a role in the toxicity, iron chelation was attempted. The patient was given two doses of deferoxamine over two consecutive days and her symptoms of dyspnea along with her oxygen requirements improved. Unfortunately, these positive effects only lasted a few days and the patient continued to decline and ultimately passed away. This case raises many questions regarding iron's role in bleomycin toxicity, including if intravenous iron infusions may increase the risk of pulmonary injury from bleomycin. There are currently no guidelines or recommendations that suggest withholding iron supplementation in patients undergoing chemotherapy with bleomycin. There is also insufficient evidence to support the routine use of iron chelation in a patient that presents with bleomycin-induced lung injury. However, some studies suggest that iron chelation may play a role in preventing pulmonary toxicity. It may also lessen the severity of the toxicity or improve some of the related symptoms, thus warranting further research.
RESUMEN
Vaping's popularity has grown exponentially since its introduction to the US market in 2003. Its use has sky-rocketed since the unveiling of the vaping pods in 2017 which may account for the advent of the vaping related illnesses we are now seeing. Substances such as nicotine solution, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil, cannabidiol (CBD) oil, and butane hash oil (BHC) packaged in cartridges available in various flavors and concentrations are aerosolized by the heating of metal coils in the e-cigarette/vaping devices. Cases from all over the country have recently been coming to light in which vaping has led to severe acute pulmonary disease or vaping-associated-pulmonary-injury (VAPI). A vast majority of the presenting patients in the reported cases have required hospitalization and intensive care, needing supplemental oxygen and even endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. 98% of patients present with respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, hypoxia, chest pain, cough, hemoptysis), 81% of patients have gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), and 100% of patients have constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue/malaise on presentation. Although based on history and clinical presentation it is reasonable to have a high suspicion for VAPI, diagnostic workup to rule out alternative underlying causes such as infection, malignancy, or autoimmune process should be performed before establishing the diagnosis. Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the chest have predominantly shown ground-glass opacity in the lungs, often with areas of lobular or subpleural sparing. Although lung biopsies have been performed on a relatively low number of cases, lung injury patterns so far have shown acute fibrinous pneumonitis, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, or organizing pneumonia, usually bronchiolocentric, and accompanied by bronchiolitis. Treatment plans that have led to clinical improvement in the reported cases center around high-dose systemic steroids, although there are a lack of data regarding the best regimen and the absolute need for corticosteroids. The role of antibiotics appears to be limited once infection has definitively been ruled out. We present the case of a young male who vaped THC oil and developed severe acute pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and showed a remarkable response to high dose steroid therapy with improvement in clinical symptoms and resolution of diffuse ground glass opacity on repeat HRCT scan.
RESUMEN
Background: Evidence regarding the use of antipsychotics and associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is inconclusive. Studies finding a relationship lack in-depth analysis; thus, the VTE risk among those treated with antipsychotic remains largely unknown. Objectives: The primary objective of this investigation was to compare the incidence of antipsychotic use in patients who developed a VTE versus those who did not. Methods: Data were collected via retrospective chart review from an ambulatory care clinic between January 2012 and August 2017. All active clinic patients within the study period were included unless they met the following criteria: age <18 years, pregnancy within the study period, and/or current or historical malignancy. The odds ratio (OR) of developing a VTE was determined using multivariate regression analysis controlling for age, gender, obesity, and smoking. Secondary end points were reviewed for participants who were exposed to an antipsychotic and subsequently developed a VTE within the study period. Results: A total of 7079 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 314 developed a VTE. Of these, 45 were exposed to an antipsychotic prior to VTE development. Nearly 25% of patients receiving an antipsychotic did not have a primary psychiatric diagnosis. Results suggest that antipsychotic use was significantly associated with increased risk of VTE development (OR = 1.481 [95% CI = 1.067 to 2.055]). Conclusion and Relevance: The results of this study suggest an association between antipsychotic use and VTE development. This association should be considered when prescribing antipsychotics and treating patients who develop a VTE after antipsychotic exposure.
