Clinical and immunological features of laryngeal cryptococcosis.

The literature holds few descriptions on immune response findings for laryngeal cryptococcosis. Immunology has been more extensively described in cases involving the central nervous system and the lungs, although many of these studies were conducted in animal models. We aimed to analyze the clinical and immunological characteristics of three patients with laryngeal cryptococcosis. We observed a weak participation of the innate immune response, whereas adaptive immunity showed the predominance of a Th2-type response over a Th1-type response. Most cases occur in male older adults with immunosuppressive conditions, of which HIV infection was absent. Hoarseness configured the main symptom. We found a disease that was restricted to the larynx and possibly the lungs by contiguity. Patients with hoarseness and lesions in nasal endoscopy should be investigated for cryptococcosis by a biopsy of the larynx, including with negative serum cryptococcal antigen. The immunological aspects of our findings of laryngeal involvement resembled those in the most commonly affected systems.

Voice Prosthesis Coated with Sustained Release Varnish Containing Clotrimazole Shows Long-Term Protection against Candida albicans: An In Vitro Study.

Fungal biofilm formation on voice prosthesis (VP) is a major health problem that requires repeated replacement of the prosthesis. Candida albicans is one of the pathogens that frequently inhabits the VP. We proposed that coating VPs with sustained-release varnish (SRV) containing clotrimazole (CTZ) might prevent fungal biofilm formation. The long-term antifungal activities of SRV-CTZ- versus SRV-placebo-coated VPs was tested daily by measuring the inhibition zone of C. albicans seeded on agar plates or by measuring the fungal viability of C. albicans in suspension. The extent of biofilm formation on coated VPs was analyzed by confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We observed that SRV-CTZ-coated VPs formed a significant bacterial inhibition zone around the VPs and prevented the growth of C. albicans in suspension during the entire testing period of 60 days. Fungal biofilms were formed on placebo-coated VPs, while no significant biofilms were observed on SRV-CTZ-coated VPs. HPLC analysis shows that CTZ is continuously released during the whole test period of 60 days at a concentration above the minimal fungistatic concentration. In conclusion, coating VPs with an SRV-CTZ film is a potential effective method for prevention of fungal infections and biofilm formation on VPs.

Cryptococcal Anterior Glottic Web from Disseminated Infection Presenting as Confusion: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVES: To educate healthcare providers on Cryptococcus neoformans as a novel cause of glottic webs especially in an immunocompromised patient and discuss recurrence of the glottic web. This case also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive patient evaluation in cases such as this, as laryngeal involvement in this case was only a portion of the patient's disease burden. METHODS: An extensive review of the patient's clinical course was assessed including patient presentation, diagnostic techniques, medical and surgical treatment, and complications. RESULTS: Prolonged Fluconazole therapy and two excisions of the glottic web, the second with keel placement, was an effective treatment course for our patient. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal glottic webs are rare, and this case report demonstrates successful treatment in one such case with operative intervention following medical management of disseminated disease.

Pseudomonas laryngeal perichondritis: unexpected diagnosis.

A 57-year-old male chronic smoker with underlying diabetes mellitus presented with dysphonia associated with cough, dysphagia and reduced effort tolerance of 3 months' duration. Videoendoscope finding revealed bilateral polypoidal and erythematous true and false vocal fold with small glottic airway. The patient was initially treated as having tuberculous laryngitis and started on antituberculous drug. However, no improvement was observed. CT of the neck showed erosion of thyroid cartilage, which points to laryngeal carcinoma as a differential diagnosis. However, the erosion was more diffuse and appeared systemic in origin. The diagnosis of laryngeal perichondritis was made when the histopathological examination revealed features of inflammation, and the tracheal aspirate isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa The patient made a good recovery following treatment with oral ciprofloxacin.

An open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of antiseptic mouthwash versus antibiotics for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment (OMEGA2).

New treatments for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea are required to address rising antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to examine the efficacy of a 14-day course of mouthwash twice daily compared to standard treatment (antibiotic) for the treatment of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. The OMEGA2 trial was a parallel-group and open-labelled randomised controlled trial among men with untreated oropharyngeal gonorrhoea that was conducted between September 2018 and February 2020 at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia. Men were randomised to the intervention (rinsing, gargling and spraying mouthwash twice daily for 14 days) or control (standard treatment) arm and followed for 28 days. Participants in both arms were advised to abstain from sex and kissing with anyone for 14 days after enrolment. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected at baseline, Day 14 and Day 28 and tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and culture. The primary outcome was the detection of oropharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae by NAAT at Day 14 after treatment. This trial was registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001380280). This trial stopped early due to a high failure rate in the mouthwash arm. Twelve men were randomly assigned to either mouthwash (n = 6) or standard treatment (n = 6). Of the 11 men who returned at Day 14, the cure rate for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea in the mouthwash arm was 20% (95% CI 1-72%; 1/5) and in the standard treatment arm was 100% (95% CI 54-100%; 6/6). A 14-day course of mouthwash failed to cure a high proportion of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea cases.

Laryngeal chondritis as a differential for upper airway diseases in German sheep.

BACKGROUND: Ovine laryngeal chondritis is a rare entity of sheep in the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand and Iceland, but has not been reported in Germany so far. Here, two German cases are reported. CASE PRESENTATION: Two rams showed severe and progressive signs of dyspnea. Endoscopically, a severe bilateral swelling of the larynx was identified in both rams. Due to poor prognosis and progression of clinical signs one ram was euthanized, while the other ram died overnight. In both cases, a necrosuppurative laryngitis and chondritis of arytenoid cartilages was found at necropsy. Fusobacterium necrophorum and Streptococcus ovis were isolated from the laryngeal lesion in one animal. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of ovine laryngeal chondritis in continental Europe. This entity should be considered a differential diagnosis for upper airway disease in sheep.

Clinical predictors of descending necrotizing mediastinitis after deep neck infections.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To identify the clinical predictors of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) secondary to deep neck infections (DNIs) before treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: We reviewed 73 patients with DNIs who had been treated with external drainage at our institute between April 2009 and March 2019. We divided these patients into either a DNI group without mediastinitis (n = 55) or a DNM group secondary to DNI (n = 18). We collected clinical data and compared them between the groups, conducting univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors of DNM. RESULTS: We identified age, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), presence of comorbidities, presence of gas, and abscess extension below the hyoid bone as statistically significant by univariate analysis. Moreover, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥55 years, NLR ≥13, and CRP ≥30 mg/dL were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We identified age ≥55, NLR ≥13, and CRP ≥30 before DNI treatment as clinical predictors of a DNM complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E567-E572, 2020.

Primary Laryngeal Blastomycosis: Diagnostic Challenges and Advances in a Rare Cause of Laryngitis.

Blastomyces dermatitidis is a fungal organism endemic to the central and southern United States and capable of causing numerous diseases. Primary blastomycosis of the larynx is a rare clinical entity with a limited number of reported cases in the literature. Diagnosis is challenging as a result of nonspecific physical exam findings, difficulty of histopathologic detection and culture, and need for operative laryngeal biopsy for definitive identification. Molecular and serologic testing is not widely available. The authors present a case of laryngeal blastomycosis, the diagnosis of which was facilitated by in-office biopsy, and discuss diagnostic challenges. Laryngoscope, 129:2531-2533, 2019.

Candidiasis Causing Vocal Fold Leukoplakia: Review of Clinical and Pathological Results of 289 Cases With Vocal Fold Leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVE: In laryngology practice, vocal fold leukoplakia is frequently evaluated by suspension laryngoscopy and biopsy examination upon the patient's complaints of hoarseness and dysphonia. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and analyze risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results of cases with Candida leukoplakia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case control study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia who underwent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy between 2007 and 2017 and diagnosed as candida or noncandida in their histopathology were assigned into 2 groups. Then they were compared in terms of their demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results. RESULTS: Of the 289 vocal fold leukoplakia cases, 36 were candida, and 253 were noncandida. The mean age of the patients with Candida leukoplakia was 60.86 years. As for the age groups, the largest group (26.1%) was in the seventh decade (P < .001). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was a significant risk factor (P < .001). For their medical therapy, the patients were administered fluconazole 200 mg per day for 3 weeks, and the treatment yielded successful results in 91.66% of them. In 5 of the patients, candida leukoplakia and superficial epithelial dysplasia were observed, and no malignant transformation was observed during a mean follow-up of 28 ± 13 months. CONCLUSION: Candidiasis causing vocal fold leukoplakia is rare, and we report the findings of the largest published case series to date. Eliminating predisposing factors and administrating oral fluconazole 200 mg for 3 weeks are sufficient for medical treatment.

Laryngeal Cryptococcoma Resulting in Airway Compromise in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a yeast than can result in isolated or disseminated infections. This case report describes an immunocompetent patient presenting with airway obstruction secondary to laryngeal crypotococcoma, mimicking a laryngeal malignancy, and describes associated management. A 68-year-old immunocompetent female with a new positron emission tomography-avid laryngeal lesion was intubated after acute respiratory decompensation. Airway evaluation revealed diffuse mucosal changes throughout the endolarynx with significant loss of normal native tissue architecture. Operative biopsy confirmed infection of C neoformans. The patient was treated with extended-course fluconazole. This case reinforces characteristic physical and histologic findings described for laryngeal cryptococcal infection. Laryngoscope, 129:926-929, 2019.

Histoplasmosis of the head and neck in the immunocompetent patient: Report of 2 cases.

Histoplasmosis of the head and neck is rarely seen in immunocompetent patients. We report 2 new cases of histoplasmosis of the head and neck in immunocompetent patients, one an 80-year-old man and the other a 57-year-old man. The older man presented with oral cavity histoplasmosis; his symptoms included pain, dysphagia, and ulcerative lesions. The younger man had laryngeal histoplasmosis, which resulted in hoarseness and dyspnea. We discuss the methods of diagnosis and the classic findings in histoplasmosis, including the microscopic appearance of caseating granulomas, the results of periodic acid-Schiff staining and Gomori staining, and antibody detection of histoplasmosis. We also review the treatment options with antifungals, including amphotericin B and the oral conazole drugs. With an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, both of our patients recovered well and their symptoms resolved. Because their symptoms overlapped with those of other, more common disease processes, an accurate diagnosis of these patients was essential to treating their infection.

Primary invasive laryngeal mycosis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and clinico-epidemiological update.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal aspergillosis is uncommon and is usually secondary to pulmonary involvement in immunocompromised patients. Primary laryngeal aspergillosis in immunocompetent individuals is extremely rare, with a few cases documented over the last five decades. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of primary localised laryngeal aspergillosis in a 21-year-old apparently immunocompetent student. Septate hyphae were observed on histopathology of the laryngeal lesion, which was further confirmed as Aspergillus fumigatus after extraction of fungal DNA from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPET) and sequencing. The patient responded well to oral itraconazole therapy over a month. CONCLUSIONS: Since last few decades, cases of primary laryngeal aspergillosis in immunocompetent individuals are on the rise, globally. This is the first case of invasive laryngeal aspergillosis reported in Nepal. The extraction of DNA from tissue and sequencing helps to identify the etiological agent, when culture fails to isolate the fungus.