Biliary Rhabdomyosarcoma in an Infant Male With Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Different types of malignancies can be seen in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Herein we present a rare combination of NF-1 and biliary rhabdomyosarcoma in a male infant. An 11-month-old boy, who was recently diagnosed with NF-1, presented to the outpatient clinic with a 3-month history of prolonged jaundice, and failure to thrive. Clinical examination showed >20 café au let spots distributed mainly over the abdominal trunk. Hepatomegaly (4 cm below the costal margin) was additionally observed. His father was diagnosed with NF-1. Radiologic imaging studies showed a 6×5×5 cm in diameter cystic mass with multiple septations in the segment 4A of the liver. Surgical excision of the left hepatic lobe followed by hepatojejunostomy was further performed. Histopathology examination showed embryonal type rhabdomyosarcoma originating from the biliary duct. Chemotherapy regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, actinomycin D, and vincristine, and radiotherapy were then initiated. This treatment led to a significant improvement in the patient's clinical status, and radiologic finding portrayed attainment of complete resolution. He is still in complete remission without any sequelae for 8 years.

Treatment of sepsis: What is the antibiotic choice in bacteremia due to carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae?

Sepsis is one of the major challenges of today. Although gram-positive bacteria related infections are more prevalent in hospital setting, the highest mortality rate is associated with gram-negative microorganisms especially Enterobacteriaceae. Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. and Serratia spp. Resistance to ß-lactams in Enterobacteriaceae is primarily attributed to the production of B-lactamase enzymes with subsequent antibiotic hydrolysis and to a lesser extent by alteration of efflux pump or porins expression. Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and Acinetobacter baumannii are the most notorious pathogens due to the high incidence of morbidity and mortality especially in the immunocompromised patients in the intensive care unit. The most appropriate antimicrobial therapy to treat CRE is still controversial. Combination therapy is preferred over monotherapy due to its broad-spectrum coverage of micro-organisms, due to its synergetic effect and to prevent development of further resistance. Current suggested therapies for CRE resistance as well as promising antibiotics that are currently under investigation for winning the war against the emerging CRE resistance are reviewed and discussed.