Human Disease due to Mycobacterium bovis Linked to Free-Ranging Deer in Michigan.

BACKGROUND: A unique enzootic focus of Mycobacterium bovis in free-ranging deer was identified in northern lower Michigan in 1994, with subsequent evidence of transmission to local cattle herds. Between 2002 and 2017, 3 Michigan deer hunters with M. bovis disease were previously reported. We present 4 additional human cases linked to the zoonotic focus in deer, utilizing genomic epidemiology to confirm close molecular associations among human, deer and cattle M. bovis isolates. METHODS: Identification of human tuberculosis (TB) cases with cultures of M. bovis was provided from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) tuberculosis database. Clinical review and interviews focused on risk factors for contact with wildlife and cattle. Whole genome sequences of human isolates were compared with a veterinary library of M. bovis strains to identify those linked to the enzootic focus. RESULTS: Three confirmed and 1 probable human case with M. bovis disease were identified between 2019 and 2022, including cutaneous disease, 2 severe pulmonary disease cases, and human-to-human transmission. The 3 human isolates had 0-3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with M. bovis strains circulating in wild deer and domestic cattle in Michigan. CONCLUSIONS: Spillover of enzootic M. bovis from deer to humans and cattle continues to occur in Michigan. Future studies should examine the routes of transmission and degree of risk to humans through expanded epidemiological surveys. A One Health approach linking human, veterinary and environmental health should address screening for TB infection, public education, and mitigation of transmission.

A Heart Gone Bananas: Allergy-Induced Coronary Vasospasm due to Banana (Kounis Syndrome).

Kounis syndrome encompasses a variety of cardiovascular signs and symptoms associated with mast cell activation in the setting of allergic or hypersensitivity and anaphylactic or anaphylactoid insults. It can manifest as coronary vasospasm, coronary, or in-stent thrombosis, and acute myocardial infarction with plaque rupture. Various medications as well as foods including fish, shellfish, mushroom, kiwi, and rice pudding have been implicated as causal agents. We present what we believe to be the first documented case of Kounis syndrome manifesting as coronary vasospasm as the result of an allergy to banana. This case highlights the importance of considering allergic causes of angina and allergy referral in a patient with known atopy and an otherwise negative cardiovascular workup. It also emphasizes to consider food allergy, especially banana, as a cause of Kounis syndrome.

Falsely decreased vancomycin caused by rheumatoid factor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is associated with potential nephrotoxicity and trough concentrations need to be monitored in certain patients. Falsely decreased vancomycin measurement may result in overtreatment and need to be identified promptly by clinicians and pharmacists to avoid toxicities. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of rheumatoid factor-mediated falsely low vancomycin measurement with Abbott particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA) method. Reanalyzing the sample using an alternative method, removing the interferences using heterophile blocking reagent as well as rheumatoid factor clean-up solution all helped to solve the false results. Results from alternative method and interference studies showed vancomycin concentrations reached toxic concentrations in the patient and administration of the drug was immediately terminated. The patient experienced a transient increase in serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Even though most modern immunoassays use blocking agents to neutralize interfering antibodies such as rheumatoid factor, it is important for health care professionals to understand that occasional interference still occurs due to the heterogeneous nature of rheumatoid factor.

Post orgasmic illness syndrome successfully managed with antihistamine: A case report.

Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is increasingly being recognized as a debilitating cause of sexual dysfunction in males. It is often misdiagnosed due to its unfamiliarity to providers, resulting in numerous potentially unnecessary tests and treatments. Currently, there is no known single most effective treatment, but several case reports suggest desensitization, hormonal therapy, and other treatment modalities may be useful. However, these treatments are experimental in nature and have not been evaluated in placebo-controlled trials. We report on the use of a simple over-the-counter antihistamine in the management of POIS.

Prognostic Value of SARS-CoV-2 Anti-RBD IgG Antibody Quantitation on Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 can be used as an indicator of recent or past vaccination or infection. However, the prognostic value of antibodies targeting the receptor binding protein (anti-RBD) in hospitalized patients is not widely reported. Purpose: Determine prognostic impact of SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantification at the time of admission on clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: We conducted a pilot observational study on patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine the prognostic impact of antibody quantitation within the first two days of admission. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG (anti-N) and Anti-RBD levels were measured. Anti-RBD level of 500 AU/mL was used as a cutoff to stratify patients. Spearman's rank Coefficient (rs) was used to demonstrate association. Results: Of the 26 patients included, those who were vaccinated more frequently tested positive for Anti-RBD (100% vs 46.2%, P = 0.005) with higher median titer level (623 vs 0, P = 0.011) compared to unvaccinated patients. Anti-N positivity was more frequently seen in unvaccinated patients (53.9% vs 7.7%, P = 0.03). Anti-RBD levels >500 were associated with lower overall hospital length of stay (LOS)(5 vs 10 days, P = 0.046). The analysis employing a Spearman Rank coefficient demonstrated a strong negative correlation between anti-S titer and LOS (rs=-.515, p = 0.007) and a moderate negative correlation with oxygen needs (rs =-.401, p = 0.042). Conclusion: Anti-RBD IgG levels were associated with lower LOS and oxygen needs during hospitalization. Further studies are needed to determine if levels on admission can be used as a prognostic indicator.

Native vs Prosthetic Valve Histoplasma capsulatum Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report and Systemic Literature Review Comparing Patient Presentation, Treatment Modalities, Clinical Outcomes, and Diagnostic Laboratory Testing.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a rare cause of fungal endocarditis that affects both native and prosthetic valves. It is associated with a high mortality rate if not diagnosed early and treated with a combination of antifungal therapy and surgical intervention. We present a case of a 47-year-old man with histoplasmosis infective endocarditis. He was successfully treated with antifungal therapy and surgical replacement of the infected bioprosthetic aortic valve. Our systemic literature review includes 52 articles encompassing 60 individual cases of H. capsulatum infective endocarditis from 1940 to 2020. Patient presentations, diagnostic laboratory testing accuracy, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes comparing and contrasting native and prosthetic valve infection are described.

ß-Blocker premedication does not increase the frequency of allergic reactions from coronary CT angiography: Results from the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium.

BACKGROUND: ß-Blockers are often used for heart rate control during coronary CT angiography (CTA). Increased frequency and severity of allergic reactions to radiocontrast media (RCM) have been reported with concomitant use of ß-blockers. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a higher incidence of allergic reactions to low-osmolar nonionic RCM in patients undergoing coronary CTA with concomitant ß-blockers and to define the overall incidence and severity of allergic reactions in patients undergoing coronary CTA with and without a history of allergy to RCM. METHODS: Patients undergoing coronary CTA at 47 institutions participating in the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium registry were analyzed. The incidence and severity of allergic reactions were compared between those patients who did and those who did not receive ß-blockers, as well as in subgroups of patients with and without a history of prior allergy to RCM. RESULTS: The incidence of allergic reaction in patients who received ß-blockers was 45 of 23,867 (0.19%) compared with those who did not receive ß-blockers, which was 9 of 5232 (0.17%; P = .84; odds ratio = 1.1). Of the patients with history of allergy to RCM, 4 of 706 patients (0.6%) on ß-blockers experienced allergic reactions compared to 1 of 77 patients (1.3%) without ß-blockers (P = .40; odds ratio = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: ß-Blocker pretreatment had no effect on the frequency or severity of allergic reaction in patients undergoing coronary CTA, even in patients with a past history of allergy to RCM.

In vitro susceptibility of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) to fosfomycin.

We evaluated the in vitro activity of fosfomycin against 75 clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Using the NCCLS breakpoint for susceptibility of urinary tract isolates to fosfomycin (MIC > or = 256), 51 out of 52 Enterococcus faecium and all Enterococcus faecalis isolates tested were susceptible or intermediate to fosfomycin.

Eosinophilic and neutrophilic leukemoid reaction in a woman with spindle cell sarcoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of a patient with marked eosinophilia and neutrophilia as a manifestation of a spindle cell sarcoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old African American woman presented with an enlarging, painful mass in her right knee area. Four years previously, she had had a mass similar to this diagnosed as an osteosarcoma, and had undergone a radical resection and hinge-knee replacement. Before the surgery, she was treated with neoadjuvant docetaxel and gemcitabine. A biopsy was taken from the recurrent mass, and histological examination revealed high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma. The patient received no further treatment. Complete blood counts revealed a white blood cell (WBC) count of 13.6 to 17.9 × 109/L, with neutrophils being 8.2 to 10.9 × 109/L and eosinophils 1.8 to 1.9 × 109/L. At readmission six months later, WBC was 126.7 × 109/L, with neutrophils being 57.02 × 109/L and eosinophils 60.82 × 109/L. The eosinophils peaked at 77.79 × 109/L two days later. Evaluations for allergies, infection, and autoimmune mechanisms were negative. Bone marrow revealed increased eosinophils without blasts. After resection, blood counts abruptly decreased to the normal range. Pathology confirmed high-grade spindle cell sarcoma. Approximately one year after resection, the patient was readmitted with metastatic disease to her lungs. During this presentation, her eosinophil and neutrophil count was again increased. WBC was 107.8 × 109/L, with eosinophil count of 47.43 × 109/L and neutrophil count of 44.10 × 109/L. Interleukin-5 was normal, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was elevated at 208.8 (normal < 4.8). CONCLUSION: In our case, the patient had eosinophilia and neutrophilia associated with a spindle cell sarcoma, possibly representing a paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to GM-CSF. There were no signs of infectious, allergic, or autoimmune causes for the eosinophilia or neutrophilia. Even though the occurrence of eosinophilia and neutrophilia with malignancy is rare, patients who have either condition without an apparent cause should be checked for malignancy.