[Mastectomy Followed by Skin-Transplantation Restored QOL and Enabled Chemotherapy in Two Cases of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer with Uncontrollable Bleeding].

Here, we report 2 cases of locally advanced breast cancer with uncontrollable bleeding treated with mastectomy followed by skin transplantation. The operation restored the QOL and enabled chemotherapy in postoperative periods. Case 1: A woman in her 70s was brought by an ambulance because of heart failure symptoms. She had a huge breast tumor on her left chest wall that bled repeatedly, necessitating frequent blood transfusions. An operation was performed, and chemotherapy was provided until she died of brain metastasis 1 year and 8 months after surgery. Case 2: A woman in her 70s was urgently hospitalized with a lumbar vertebrae bone fracture. She had a huge breast tumor on her right chest wall that bled repeatedly. Blood examination revealed severe anemia. An operation was performed, and chemotherapy was introduced sequentially. She is alive with a good status 2 years and 1 month after surgery.

Clinical and immunologic features of recurrent herpes zoster (HZ).

BACKGROUND: Recurrent herpes zoster (HZ) is thought to be rare, but there have been few large-scale studies of recurrent HZ. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a large-scale prospective cohort study to characterize recurrent HZ. METHODS: We examined 12,522 participants aged 50 years or older in Shozu County and followed them up for 3 years. We compared the incidence of HZ and postherpetic neuralgia, severity of skin lesions and acute pain, cell-mediated immunity, and varicella-zoster virus-specific antibody titer between primary and recurrent HZ. RESULTS: A total of 401 participants developed HZ: 341 with primary HZ and 60 with recurrent HZ. Skin lesions and acute pain were significantly milder and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was lower in patients aged 50 to 79 years with recurrent HZ than in those with primary HZ. Varicella-zoster virus skin test induced a stronger reaction in patients aged 50 to 79 years with recurrent HZ than in those with primary HZ. LIMITATIONS: Information on previous HZ episodes was self-reported by participants, so it could not be confirmed that they actually had a history of HZ. CONCLUSION: Recurrent HZ was associated with milder clinical symptoms than primary HZ, probably because of stronger varicella-zoster virus-specific cell-mediated immunity in the patients with recurrence.

A Cold-Blooded Tiptoer: Nonresolving Cellulitis in an Immunocompromised Patient.

Mycobacterium haemophilum is a nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) with a predilection for skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in the immunocompromised host. We report a case of disseminated M haemophilum infection initially presenting as a nonresolving subacute cellulitis of bilateral lower extremities. Genetic sequencing was used for final identification, while a commercially available polymerase chain reaction test returned a false-positive result for Mycobacterium intracellulare. Consequently, we highlight the importance of M haemophilum as a major differential diagnosis of SSTI in the immunocompromised host and the need for careful interpretation of rapid diagnostic tests.

The First Report of Calcified Amorphous Tumor Associated with Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND Calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) of the heart is a rare non-neoplastic intracardiac mass, which is composed of calcium deposition surrounded by amorphous fibrous tissue. The clinical presentation of cardiac CAT resembles that of other cardiac tumors or vegetation, though there is no previous report of a CAT complicated with infective endocarditis. CASE REPORT A 67-year-old male with a history of end stage renal failure and gastric cancer who was on adjuvant chemotherapy presented with a cardiac mass. The mass was resected and diagnosed as CAT pathologically. Two separate sets of blood cultures were positive for Enterococcus faecalis, thus, the patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis. Antibiotic treatment was continued for 6 weeks after surgery, and the patient recovered uneventfully. However, he died from a complication of his gastric cancer 5 months later. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of CAT associated with infective endocarditis. Blood cultures should be obtained to differentiate infective endocarditis or CAT with infectious endocarditis from CAT alone, because CAT with infective endocarditis may present atypically and may be more likely to require antibiotic treatment along with surgery.

The First Case Report of Acute Symptomatic HEV Genotype 4 Infection in an HIV-positive Patient in Japan.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis. Four major genotypes of HEV have been studied, with genotype 4 being the predominant genotype across Asia. We herein describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who was admitted with acute transaminitis. Serum anti-HEV-IgA and HEV-RNA were detected at the time of presentation and further testing revealed HEV genotype 4. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first clinical case report of acute symptomatic HEV genotype 4 infection in an HIV-positive patient in Japan.

The First Case of Concomitant Mycobacterium Genavense Lymphadenitis and EBV-Positive Lymphoproliferative Disorder.

This is the first case of concurrent Mycobacterium genavense lymphadenitis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) in the same lymph node with no immunocompromised history. M. genavense infection is a rare opportunistic infection mainly for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Although no immunodeficiency was detected in our patient, our case indicates that the immunodeficiency in the background of EBV latency type III and the immunosuppression by malignant lymphoma itself might induce the M. genavense lymphadenitis. This case highly alerts clinicians to the immunosuppressive state of EBV-positive LPD with latency type III even if any immunodeficient serological factors are not detected.

Vibrio fluvialis Liver Abscess and Bacteremia in a Sashimi Lover: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Vibrio fluvialis is a foodborne pathogen known to cause a cholera-like gastroenteritis syndrome. Here we report the first case of V. fluvialis liver abscess and bacteremia presumed to be from sashimi, a Japanese raw seafood delicacy. We also provide a literature review of reported cases of V. fluvialis extra-intestinal diseases including bacteremia.

Infectious Aneurysm Caused by Citrobacter koseri in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Citrobacter species can cause severe infection in immunocompetent patients. A 78-year-old man visited our hospital because he had had a fever lasting one day each month for the past 3 months. Antibiotics were initiated for suspected bronchial pneumonia, but the C-reactive protein level remained high. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed saccular brachiocephalic artery aneurysm. Citrobacter koseri was isolated from a blood culture, and he was diagnosed with infectious brachiocephalic artery aneurysm. He underwent endovascular aneurysm repair after one month of intravenous cefepime and metronidazole. We herein report for the first time an immunocompetent patient with infectious aneurysm caused by C. koseri periodontal infection.

VZV skin-test reaction, but not antibody, is an important predictive factor for postherpetic neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: The decline of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is thought to be related to the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as well as herpes zoster (HZ). However, the relationship between immunological condition and the incidence of PHN is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a large-scale prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between immunological factors for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the incidence of PHN. METHODS: We carried out a cohort study on VZV immunity in a population living on an island cluster, Shozu County in Japan, and examined the people who developed HZ during a follow-up period of 3 years, with a focus on the relationship between cell-mediated and humoral immunity and the incidence of PHN. A total of 12,522 people over the age of 50 were enrolled in this study, and 401 registrants were diagnosed with HZ, including 79 PHN cases. We evaluated anatomical location and severity of skin lesion, acute pain severity, presence or absence of abnormal sensations, CMI assessed by VZV skin test, and VZV-specific antibody titer measured by serological tests. RESULTS: The incidence of PHN was significantly associated with a weak response to the VZV skin test, as well as facial or lumbosacral localization of skin rash, severe skin lesion, severe acute pain, and presence of abnormal sensations, but not related to VZV-specific antibody titer. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PHN is significantly associated with the decline of VZV-specific CMI, but not related to VZV-specific humoral immunity.

Identification of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) as a potential marker for early indication of disease and prediction of disease activity in drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)/drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)/drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a serious acute drug reaction with fever, cutaneous eruption, lymphadenopathy, and several visceral dysfunctions. Eosinophilia is a common hematological abnormality in DIHS/DRESS suggesting that the Th2-type immune response is involved. Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) is a family of CC chemokines known to play an important role in Th2-mediated immune-inflammatory processes. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the pathogenic role of TARC in patients with DIHS. METHODS: Sera were obtained from 8 patients with DIHS, 7 patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome/Toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), and 14 patients with drug-induced maculopapular exanthema (MPE). Serum TARC levels were measured by ELISA. TARC levels were then compared with clinical symptoms and various hematological parameters. In addition, a biopsy was taken from the lesional skin of patients with DIHS and stained with anti-TARC Ab and anti-CD11c Ab. RESULTS: Serum TARC levels in patients with DIHS were significantly higher than those in patients with SJS/TEN and MPE during the acute phase. Serum TARC levels in DIHS patients correlated with skin eruptions, serum sIL-2R levels, eosinophil counts, and serum IL-5 levels. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that TARC was mainly expressed on CD11c+ dermal dendritic cells in patients with DIHS. CONCLUSION: Serum TARC levels may be associated with the initial presentation of DIHS as well as disease activity during the course. Thus, they could be useful as an indicator for early diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in DIHS. CD11c+ dendritic cells may be the main source of TARC in patients with DIHS.

An inverse correlation of VZV skin-test reaction, but not antibody, with severity of herpes zoster skin symptoms and zoster-associated pain.

BACKGROUND: Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) has been considered to be related to the development of herpes zoster (HZ). However, there have been no large-scale prospective studies on the relationship between VZV-specific CMI and severity of HZ. OBJECTIVE: We carried out a large-scale prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between immunological factors for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the clinical severity of HZ. METHODS: We carried out a cohort study on VZV immunity in a population living on an island cluster, Shozu County in Japan, and examined the people who developed HZ during a median follow-up period of 2 years, with a focus on the relationship between cell-mediated and humoral immunity and the severity of skin lesions and zoster-associated pain. A total of 12,522 people over the age of 50 were enrolled in this study, and 258 registrants were diagnosed as HZ. CMI was measured by VZV skin test, and humoral immunity was assessed with serological tests (neutralization test, immunoadherence hemagglutination test, and gpELISA test) for VZV-specific antibodies. RESULTS: CMI to VZV assessed by VZV skin test showed a significant inverse relationship to the severity of HZ skin lesions, and also to the severity of acute and subacute pain. Furthermore, weak response to the VZV skin test was associated with a high risk of post-herpetic neuralgia. In contrast, VZV-specific antibody titer was not associated with the severity of skin lesions and zoster-associated pain. CONCLUSION: VZV-specific CMI, but not humoral immunity, may play a key role in controlling the severity of HZ skin lesions and zoster-associated pain.

Variance analysis of a clinical pathway of video-assisted single lobectomy for lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Clinical pathways have contributed to standardized postoperative management, but analyzing variance is also important to maintain quality control. To evaluate the validity of our own clinical pathway for managing video-assisted lobectomy for lung cancer, we analyzed the variances influencing postoperative recovery. METHODS: Between April 2003 and April 2004, 62 consecutive patients with lung cancer underwent video-assisted single anatomic lobectomy with lymph node dissection. We evaluated 61 of these patients after the exclusion of one, who deviated from the clinical pathway management immediately as a result of serious complications. RESULTS: There were 29 men and 32 women, with an average age of 65.7 years. Complications developed in 29 patients, but there was no operative mortality. The occurrence of variance ranged from 1.6% to 34.4% for each activity and included prolonged supplemental oxygen therapy, out-of routine examination, prolonged epidural anesthesia, and delayed bathing frequently. Complications and an abnormal body mass index were significant and independent clinical factors affecting the increase in variance. CONCLUSIONS: Our original clinical pathway management was tolerable for lung cancer patients undergoing a video-assisted lobectomy. Complications and an abnormal body mass index were significant predictive factors for an increase in variance of our clinical pathway.