Good syndrome and cytomegalovirus retinitis: A literature review.

Good syndrome (GS) is a rare primary immunodeficiency in adults consisting of hypogammaglobulinemia and thymoma that affects both cellular and humoral immunity. It usually appears in patients between the 4th and 6th decade of life and affects both genders equally. Ophthalmological clinical presentation is highly variable; associations with herpetic keratitis, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) have been described. GS associated with CMVR is uncommon. Ophthalmologists may be the first to diagnose systemic disease and change the outcome. Only18 cases of CMVR have been described, most of them unilateral with poor visual outcomes. We discuss the clinical features of CMVR in patients with reported GS, pathogenesis, and outline a work-up for diagnosis. CMVR in an apparently healthy patient should encourage the clinician to search for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and non-HIV-associated immunosuppression.

[Stiff person syndrome associated with thymoma]. / Síndrome de la persona rígida asociado a timoma.

Stiff-person syndrome is a rare neurological condition characterized by muscular rigidity of the trunk and extremities and muscle spasms triggered by sensory or emotional stimuli, which progresses towards prostration. It has a pathophysiogenic mechanism with an immunological basis, in which autoantibodies, such as antiGAD65, play a central role. Likewise, the detection of these antibodies corroborates the diagnosis in a patient with a suggestive clinical picture. Four to 6% of cases have underlying neoplasms. Treatment is based on symptomatic, immunomodulatory, and underlying disease management in paraneoplastic cases. We report a case of classic stiff person syndrome associated with thymoma and review the main characteristics of this entity.

El síndrome de persona rígida es un cuadro neurológico infrecuente caracterizado por rigidez muscular de tronco y extremidades y espasmos musculares gatillados por estímulos sensoriales o emocionales, que progresa hacia la postración. Cuenta con un mecanismo fisiopatogénico con base inmunológica, en el cual los autoanticuerpos, como el antiGAD65, cumplen un rol central. Asimismo, la detección de dichos anticuerpos corrobora el diagnóstico ante un paciente con cuadro clínico sugestivo. Un 4 a 6% de los casos tienen neoplasias subyacentes. El tratamiento se basa en el manejo sintomático, inmunomodulador y de la enfermedad de base en los casos paraneoplásicos. Reportamos un caso de síndrome de persona rígida clásico asociado a timoma y describimos las características principales de esta entidad.

Síndrome de Good, una causa infrecuente de diarrea crónica / Good Syndrome, a rare cause of chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is a frequent cause of consultation in daily clinical practice. There are multiple diagnostic algorithms that allow a staggered approach to the most frequent pathologies, leaving out some lesser-known ones. This article reports the case of a 66-year-old female patient with a history of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and resected AB thymoma and a history of chronic diarrhea of 8 weeks of evolution. The etiological study ruled out infectious causes, celiac disease and negative viral serology. Due to a history of thymoma, immunoglobulin count was performed, showing severe pan-hypogammaglobulinemia. Good's Syndrome is the combination of thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia, where patients may present with diarrhea secondary to immunodeficiency. Hypogammaglobulinemia associated with the presence of a thymoma is a rare cause but widely described in the literature as Good's Syndrome. Therefore, it seems relevant to describe a case, its approach and subsequent management.

La diarrea crónica constituye una causa frecuente de consulta en la práctica clínica diaria. Existen múltiples algoritmos diagnósticos que permiten realizar un abordaje escalonado de las patologías más frecuentes y permiten descartar algunas menos conocidas. En el presente artículo se reporta el caso de una paciente de género femenino de 66 años, antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, dislipidemia y timoma AB resecado con historia de diarrea crónica de 8 semanas de evolución. Dentro del estudio etiológico se descartan las causas infecciosas, enfermedad celíaca y serologías virales negativas. Por antecedente de timoma, se realizó recuento de inmunoglobulinas, evidenciando una severa pan-hipogammaglobulinemia. El Síndrome de Good es la combinación de timoma e hipogammaglobulinemia, donde los pacientes podrían presentar diarreas secundarias a inmunodeficiencia. La hipogammaglobulinemia asociada a la presencia de un timoma es una causa poco frecuente pero ampliamente descrita en la literatura como Síndrome de Good. Por lo antes señalado, nos parece relevante describir un caso, su abordaje y manejo posterior.

[Patient with Good's syndrome and COVID-19. Report of a clinical case]. / Paciente con síndrome de Good y COVID-19. Reporte de un caso clínico.

Background: The consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with primary (now called "inborn errors of immunity") or secondary immunodeficiencies is still a matter of debate. There are few reports in the literature of patients with Good's syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 infection with variable outcomes. Clinical case: A 51-year-old male with diagnosis of Good's syndrome treated with intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) at a replacement dose with application every 21 days and prophylaxis for P. jirovecii with trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole due to profound lymphopenia at expense of T CD4+ lymphocytes who presented initially mild disease (RT-PCR+) that progressed to pneumonia with acute respiratory failure and required advanced airway management and admission to the ICU with a fatal outcome due to superinfection after 14 days hospitalized. Conclusion: It has been documented in patients with humoral immunodeficiencies a better prognosis for developing less intense cytokine release syndrome. The alteration in cellular immunity, especially lymphopenia at the expense of CD4+ T lymphocytes, may be associated with a worse prognosis as the response against viruses is compromised as well as high susceptibility to superinfection by opportunistic agents such as P. aeruginosa and Mucor sp. For this reason, we must maintain close surveillance in patients with inborn errors of immunity with cellular defects, as is the case of patients with Good's syndrome who present with COVID-19.

Introducción: las consecuencias de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con inmunodeficiencias primarias (ahora llamadas errores innatos de la inmunidad) o secundarias aún es un tema de debate. Existe en la literatura pocos reportes de pacientes con síndrome de Good e infección por SARS-CoV-2 con desenlaces variables. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 51 años de edad con diagnóstico de síndrome de Good en tratamiento con inmunoglobulina humana intravenosa (IGIV) a dosis de sustitución con aplicación cada 21 días y profilaxis para P. jirovecii con trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol por linfopenia profunda a expensas de linfocitos T CD4+, que presentó infección por SARS-CoV-2 (RT-PCR+) leve, que progresó a neumonía con falla respiratoria aguda y que requirió manejo avanzado de la vía aérea e ingreso a UCI con desenlace fatal por sobreinfección luego de 14 días hospitalizado. Conclusión: se ha documentado en pacientes con inmunodeficiencias humorales mejor pronóstico por desarrollar síndrome de liberación de citocinas de menor intensidad. La alteración en la inmunidad celular, sobre todo linfopenia a expensas de linfocitos T CD4+, puede estar asociado con un peor pronóstico al verse comprometida la respuesta contra virus, así como la alta susceptibilidad a sobreinfección por agentes oportunistas como P. aeruginosa y Mucor sp. Por esta razón, debemos mantener una estrecha vigilancia en los pacientes con errores innatos de la inmunidad con defectos celulares como es el caso de los pacientes con síndrome de Good que presenten COVID-19.

Primary thymus tumors: retrospective case analysis at a reference center in Latin America, 2011-2019.

BACKGROUND: Thymic tumors are unusual neoplasms, representing 0.2 to 1.5% of tumors in humans, but correspond to 20% of mediastinal tumors and 50% of those that occur in the anterior mediastinum. They tend to appear around the fourth and fifth decades of life without gender predilection. Up to 30% of patients are asymptomatic, therefore many are incidentally diagnosed. Radical thymectomy is the treatment of choice with high survival rates when detected in the early stages. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study, including 18 adult patients' diagnosis of thymic neoplasm, who were managed with surgical resection from 2011 to 2019. Information about demographics, clinical characteristics, imaging findings, surgical and medical management, plus histological findings was obtained and reported. RESULTS: 18 patients with thymic tumors were included, of which specific histologic studies reveled thymomas, carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, thymolipoma and thymic cyst. Mean age was 52.7 years, with a predominance of male population. The main symptom was dyspnea, followed by cough and chest pain. Paraneoplastic syndromes such as myasthenia gravis, aplastic anemia and Cushing syndrome were reported. 89% of cases were treated by radical thymectomy alone, while only 2 cases required chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There were no surgical complications. Mean hospital stay length was 11. 9 days, with only 1 mortality during hospital admission. 5-year survival rate was 81%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice is radical thymectomy, which has been shown to positively impact patient mortality. Early detection is key to improve patient outcomes.

Myasthenia gravis posterior to thymectomy: Case report. / Miastenia grave posterior a timectomía: reporte de caso.

BACKGROUND: The association between myasthenia gravis (MG) and thymoma is a frequent finding; however, the post-thymectomy MG is rare. The pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood and include thymoma recurrence, surgical exposure and activation of peripheral lymphocytes after surgery. CLINICAL CASE: 39-year-old male patient who 6 months after surgical treatment of B1 thymoma presented a clinical picture, characterized by dysphagia, global weakness, diplopia and respiratory failure. The antibodies against acetylcholine receptor were positive (16.10 nmol/L). Electromyography was not performed due to technical problems. With these results, the patient's clinic was attributed due to MG Osserman IV crisis. The patient had medical management with parasympathomimetics, ventilatory support and plasmapheresis, with favorable clinical evolution. CONCLUSIONS: The late onset of MG and other autoimmune disorders should be considered as possible complications of the surgical treatment of thymomas. Therefore, after the resection of a thymoma, follow-up care with post-operative MG consideration is necessary.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La asociación entre miastenia grave (MG) y timoma es un hallazgo frecuente; sin embargo, la MG posterior a una timectomía es rara. Los mecanismos patogénicos son poco entendidos e incluyen recurrencia del timoma, exposición quirúrgica y activación de los linfocitos periféricos después de la cirugía. CASO CLÍNICO: Varón de 39 años, quien 6 meses después del tratamiento quirúrgico de un timoma B1 cursó con cuadro clínico caracterizado por disfagia, debilidad global, diplopía y dificultad respiratoria. Los anticuerpos contra el receptor de acetilcolina fueron positivos (16.10 nmol/l). No se realizó electromiografía por problemas técnicos. Con estos resultados se atribuyó que la clínica del paciente fue compatible con crisis de MG Osserman IV. El paciente tuvo manejo médico con parasimpaticomiméticos, soporte ventilatorio y plasmaféresis, con una evolución clínica favorable. CONCLUSIONES: El inicio tardío de la MG y otros trastornos autoinmunitarios deben ser considerados como posibles complicaciones del tratamiento quirúrgico de los timomas. Por lo tanto, después de la resección de un timoma es necesario el cuidado de seguimiento con consideración de la MG posoperatoria.

[Beta-hCG-producing thymic teratoma: an uncommon cause of peripheral precocious puberty]. / Teratoma tímico productor de Β-HCG: una causa infrecuente de pubertad precoz periférica.

INTRODUCTION: Among the causes of peripheral precocious puberty in men are the beta-human cho rionic gonadotropin (Β-HCG)-secreting tumors, such as hepatoblastomas, dysgerminomas, chorio carcinomas, and immature teratomas. In pediatrics, the mediastinal teratomas are rare, representing the 7-10% of extragonadal teratomas. OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a patient with peripheral precocious puberty due to a Β-HCG -secreting thymic teratoma. CLINICAL CASE: A seven-years-old schoolboy presents a three-months history of voice changes, gynecomastia, pubic hair appearance, and increased genital volume. In the exams, bone age of nine years, total testosterone 9.33ng/ml (< 0.4ng/ml), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and normal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test stand out; luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with low basal levels, Β-HCG 39.5mU/ml (< 2.5 mUI/ml), alpha feto protein (α-FP) 11,2ng/ml (0.6-2.0 ng/ml). Imaging study to determine the origin of Β-HCG secretion shows normal testicular ultrasound and thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computerized axial tomo graphy (CAT); brain and sellar resonance without significant findings. The positron emission tomography/computed scan (PET SCAN) shows a tumor image in the anterosuperior mediastinum. The tumor is resected, and the biopsy shows an immature cystic teratoma in the thymus. Post-operatory evolution was satisfactory, with normalization of hormonal levels. CONCLUSION: The appearance of a teratoma in a pediatric patient is rare, even more if it is immature, with thymic location and P-HCG- secretor. It is important to consider it within the differential diagnosis facing precocious puberty, as a better way to handle appropriately.

Teratoma tímico productor de beta-HCG: una causa infrecuente de pubertad precoz periférica / Beta-hCG-producing thymic teratoma: an uncommon cause of peripheral precocious puberty

INTRODUCCIÓN: Entre las causas de pubertad precoz periférica en el varón están los tumores secretores de betagonadotrofina coriónica humana (Β-HCG), como hepatoblastomas, disgerminomas, corio-carcinomas y teratomas inmaduros. En pediatría los teratomas mediastínicos son raros, representan el 7-10% de los teratomas extragonadales. OBJETIVO: Describir caso de un paciente que cursa con pubertad precoz periférica debida a teratoma tímico secretor de Β-HCG. CASO CLÍNICO: Escolar masculino de 7 años 10 meses consultó por cuadro de 3 meses de cambios de la voz, ginecomastia, aparición de vello pubiano y aumento de volumen genital. En exámenes destacaba edad ósea de 9 años, testosterona total 9,33ng/ml (< 0,4ng/ml), dehidroepiandrosterona sulfato (DHEAS), 17-hidroxi-progesterona (17-OH-P) y prueba de hormona adrenocorticotrofina (ACTH) normales, hormona luteinizante (LH) y hormona folículo estimulante (FSH) basales bajas, Β-HCG 39,5mU/ml (< 2,5 mUI/ml), alfa fetoproteína (α-FP) 11,2ng/ml (0,6-2,0 ng/ml). Estudio de imágenes para determinar origen de secreción de Β-HCG incluye: ecografía testicular y tomografla axial computarizada (TAC) torácica, abdominal y pelviana normales; resonancia cerebral y selar sin hallazgos significativos. Tomografía por emisión de positrones/tomografía computada (PET SCAN) evidenció imagen de tumor en mediastino antero-superior. Se resecó el tumor, cuya biopsia evidenció teratoma quístico inmaduro en timo. Evolución postoperatoria fue satisfactoria, con normalización de niveles hormonales. CONCLUSIÓN: La presentación de un teratoma en paciente pediátrico es infrecuente, aún más, si es inmaduro, su localización es tímica y es secretor de Β-HCG. Es relevante considerarlo dentro de diagnósticos diferenciales frente a pubertad precoz, de modo que pueda efectuarse un manejo oportuno.

INTRODUCTION: Among the causes of peripheral precocious puberty in men are the beta- human cho rionic gonadotropin (Β-HCG)-secreting tumors, such as hepatoblastomas, dysgerminomas, chorio carcinomas, and immature teratomas. In pediatrics, the mediastinal teratomas are rare, representing the 7-10% of extragonadal teratomas. OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a patient with peripheral precocious puberty due to a Β-HCG -secreting thymic teratoma. CLINICAL CASE: A seven-years-old schoolboy presents a three-months history of voice changes, gynecomastia, pubic hair appearance, and increased genital volume. In the exams, bone age of nine years, total testosterone 9.33ng/ml (< 0.4ng/ml), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and normal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test stand out; luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with low basal levels, P-HCG 39.5mU/ml (< 2.5 mUI/ml), alpha feto protein (Α-FP) 11,2ng/ml (0.6-2.0 ng/ml). Imaging study to determine the origin of P-HCG secretion shows normal testicular ultrasound and thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computerized axial tomo graphy (CAT); brain and sellar resonance without significant findings. The positron emission tomography/computed scan (PET SCAN) shows a tumor image in the anterosuperior mediastinum. The tumor is resected, and the biopsy shows an immature cystic teratoma in the thymus. Post-operatory evolution was satisfactory, with normalization of hormonal levels. CONCLUSION: The appearance of a teratoma in a pediatric patient is rare, even more if it is immature, with thymic location and Β-HCG- secretor. It is important to consider it within the differential diagnosis facing precocious puberty, as a better way to handle appropriately.

[Good's syndrome. Report of case]. / Síndrome de Good. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Good's syndrome is an association of thymoma and immunodeficiency. The symptoms are recurrent sinopulmonary infections in addition to the compressive side of thymoma. A laboratory finding is notable for the absence or decrease of B lymphocytes, hypogammaglobulinemia, inversion ratio CD4/CD8 and abnormal proliferative response to mitogens. CASE REPORT: Female, 49-year-old started five months earlier with lower limb edema, postprandial vomiting, dysphagia, chronic diarrhea and weight loss. A second endoscopy ruled gastric neoplasia. Chest radiography with mediastinal widening, Thoraco-abdominal CT with bilateral pleural effusion and a mass in the anterior mediastinum, histopathological report of the tumor: B1 thymoma. Laboratory findings: IgG 349 mg/dL, IgA 70.3 mg/dL, 37.1 IgM mg/dL, Ca125 631 UI/mL, leukocytes 7890 mm3, hemoglobin 13.2 g/dL, lymphocytes 2060 mm3, CD16+CD56+ 122 cells/µL, CD19 77 cells/µL, CD3 2052 cells/µL, CD4 977 cells/µL, CD8 998 cells/µL; ratio CD4/CD8 0.98, hepatitis C, B and HIV negative. They requested valuation to Clinical Immunology and Allergy due to hypogammaglobulinemia, the diagnosis of Good's syndrome was confirmed and initiated with intravenous gamma globulin replacement to immunomodulatory dose of 1 g/kg, she reached replacement goal in the third dose of immunoglobulin intravenous, with clinical improvement. She died four months later from cardiac complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the variability of presentation, Good's syndrome should be suspected as part of the paraneoplastic manifestations of thymoma.

Introducción: El síndrome de Good es una asociación de timoma e inmunodeficiencia. Los síntomas son infecciones sinopulmonares recurrentes, además de los provocados por la compresión del timoma. Los exámenes paraclínicos se caracterizan por ausencia o disminución de linfocitos B, hipogammaglobulinemia, inversión de la relación CD4/CD8 y respuesta proliferativa anormal a mitógenos. Caso clínico: Mujer de 49 años de edad con edema de miembros inferiores, vómito posprandial, disfagia, diarrea crónica y pérdida ponderal. Con una segunda endoscopia se descartó cáncer gástrico. En la placa de tórax se observó ensanchamiento de mediastino y en la tomografía toracoabdominal, derrame pleural bilateral y tumor en mediastino anterior. El reporte histopatológico fue timoma B1. Exámenes paraclínicos: IgG, IgA e IgM de 349, 70.3 y 37.1 mg/dL, respectivamente; Ca125 631 UI/mL, leucocitos 7890 mm3, hemoglobina 13.2 g/dL, linfocitos 2060 mm3; CD16+CD56+, CD19, CD3, CD4 y CD8 de 122, 77, 2052, 977 y 998 cel/µL, respectivamente; relación CD4/CD8 0.98; panel viral para hepatitis C, B y VIH negativo. La hipogammaglobulinemia confirmó síndrome de Good; se inició con 1 g/kg de gammaglobulina intravenosa, alcanzando meta de reemplazo a la tercera dosis, con mejoría clínica. La paciente falleció a los 4 meses por complicaciones cardiacas. Conclusiones: A pesar de la variabilidad de la presentación del síndrome de Good, debe sospecharse como parte de las manifestaciones paraneoplásicas del timoma.

[Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in Morvan syndrome secondary to recurrent thymic carcinoma]. / Inmunoglobulina intravenosa en el tratamiento del síndrome de Morvan secundario a la recurrencia de un carcinoma tímico.

Morvan's syndrome is a rare autoimmune channelopathy. A case of Morvan's syndrome is presented as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated to the recurrence of a well-differentiated thymic carcinoma, which showed a good clinical response to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

El síndrome de Morvan es una canalopatía rara de origen autoinmune. Se presenta el caso de un síndrome de Morvan como una entidad paraneoplásica asociada a la recurrencia de un carcinoma tímico bien diferenciado, el cual presentó una buena respuesta clínica al tratamiento con inmunoglobulina intravenosa.

[Thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma with Pompe's disease of the adult]. / Carcinoma neuroendocrino de timo con enfermedad de Pompe del adulto.

Pompe disease (glycogenosis type II) is an inherited autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of acid alpha-glucosidase. Thymic neuroendocrine tumors, are primary thymic neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation that generally present as a mass within the anterior mediastinum. Both diseases are considered rare. To our knowledge the co-existence of Pompe disease and thymic neuroendocrine tumor in the same patient has not been previously reported. We could not find biological plausibility between both diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm the finding and to further increase our understanding of this association. Clinical data from epidemiological studies, case reports, case series and small formal open or controlled clinical trials may define both clinical plausibility and causality between the two conditions.