Nonepisodic angioedema with eosinophilia subsequent to acute parvovirus B19 infection.

Nonepisodic angioedema with eosinophilia (NEAE) is characterised by a single episode of angioedema localised to the extremities and peripheral eosinophilia. While NEAE can develop in response to infection or vaccination, NEAE associated with acute parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is rare. We describe the case of a young woman with NEAE that developed during acute B19V infection. She presented with 1-week history of pruritus and polyarthralgia in the extremities, followed by the development of peripheral oedema, and was positive for anti-B19V IgM antibody. Her arthralgia improved within 2 weeks without any specific intervention; however, the oedema and pruritic erythema persisted and the peripheral eosinophil count increased. A short course of prednisolone therapy for suspected NEAE alleviated the symptoms, which have not recurred for more than 2 years. Thus, we believe that the patient was affected by NEAE and that NEAE can develop following acute B19 infection.

Case Report: Toxocariasis Manifesting as Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion.

Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonosis caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. It ranges in severity from mundane to life-threatening, depending on organ involvement. The lungs are often affected, manifesting as coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. However, pleural effusions rarely occur in patients with pulmonary toxocariasis. We report the case of a 74-year-old man with highly suspected toxocariasis who presented with an eosinophilic pleural effusion and eosinophilia. He developed dyspnea and a right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed an exudative effusion containing numerous eosinophils. The pleural effusion continued to increase, and the eosinophilia rapidly progressed. Although the patient had not recently had contact with animals or known exposure to contaminated food, water, or soil, toxocariasis was confirmed by positive serological test results for anti-Toxocara antibodies in the serum and pleural effusion. The patient was cured with albendazole treatment for 28 days. The pleural effusion and eosinophilia resolved and did not recur. Clinicians should consider toxocariasis in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with eosinophilic pleural effusions.

Encephalopathy induced by high levels of ceftriaxone in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Ceftriaxone is commonly used to treat bacterial infections. Encephalopathy is a rare adverse effect of ceftriaxone therapy, and most cases have been diagnosed based on medical history. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with ceftriaxone-associated encephalopathy, which was confirmed by measuring the ceftriaxone levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. She regularly underwent hemodialysis. She received intravenous ceftriaxone at a dose of 1 g/day for 4 days for enteritis, and mental status began to be disturbed during the therapy. Six days after ceftriaxone discontinuation, her consciousness level rapidly improved. Thus, ceftriaxone-associated encephalopathy was suspected. High ceftriaxone levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid were observed while the patient had disturbed consciousness. This case indicated that high ceftriaxone levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid were related to development of encephalopathy. The estimation of ceftriaxone levels may be useful for an accurate diagnosis.

Mechanisms of metformin action: In and out of the gut.

Recent evidence suggests that metformin exerts glucose-lowering effects via its action in the gut. The accumulation in the colon of 18 F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a nonmetabolizable derivative of glucose, is markedly augmented after metformin administration, indicating that metformin affects the handling of glucose in colon whereas the underlying mechanism and the significance to glucose metabolism of the finding remain to be determined.