ABSTRACT
An immunocompetent 82-year-old woman developed endocarditis caused by an atypical organism called Achromobacter xylosoxidans, after a first valvular surgery. The intravenous antibiotic therapy with ceftazidime - 2 g every 8 hours during five weeks - a key part of the treatment, induced agranulocytosis as an adverse event. Cross-reactivity between antibiotics was suspected. Finally, the patient's cure was the result of a coordinated effort between medical and surgical professionals. Postoperative follow-up is six years.
ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious disease. Its annual incidence was 10 million cases in 2019. We report the case of a 40 years old immunocompetent patient presenting with two large subcutaneous masses in his back. The diagnosis work-up will reveal multifocal tuberculosis with pulmmonary, vertebral, muscular and lymph node lesions. This case is unusual due to its presentation in an immunocompetent patient. Several laboratories have conducted experiments to isolate characteristics of the host that would allow the infection to spread despite the absence of an immunosuppressive medical condition. We also analyze the role of the PET scanner in the initial assessment and its interest in the monitoring of extra-pulmonary disease under anti-tuberculosis treatment. Multifocal tuberculosis cases are no longer the preserve of the immunocompromised and can be found in our industrialized countries. We must enonciate this diagnosis in front of unusual presentations. The delay in consultation, but also the delay of treatment, allows more widespread infections.
La tuberculose est une des maladies infectieuses les plus mortelles. Son incidence annuelle était de 10 millions de cas en 2019. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient immunocompétent de 40 ans qui se présente avec deux volumineuses masses sous-cutanées au niveau du dos. La mise au point révélera une tuberculose multifocale avec une atteinte pulmonaire, vertébrale, ganglionnaire et des collections abcédées musculaires plurifocales. Ce cas est atypique de par sa présentation chez un patient immunocompétent. Plusieurs laboratoires ont essayé d'isoler des caractéristiques de l'hôte qui permettraient à l'infection une extension disséminée malgré l'absence de condition médicale immunodépressive. Nous analysons également le rôle du PET scanner dans le bilan initial et son intérêt dans le suivi des foyers extra-pulmonaires sous traitement anti-tuberculeux. Les cas de tuberculose multifocale ne sont plus l'apanage des patients immunodéprimés et peuvent se rencontrer dans les pays industrialisés. Le diagnostic doit pouvoir être évoqué devant des présentations atypiques. Le retard du diagnostic et de la prise en charge thérapeutique favorise des infections plus étendues.
Subject(s)
Tuberculosis , Humans , Adult , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/drug therapy , ImmunocompetenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer seems to have an independent adverse prognostic effect on COVID-19-related mortality, but uncertainty exists regarding its effect across different patient subgroups. We report a population-based analysis of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 with prior or current solid cancer versus those without cancer. METHODS: We analysed data of adult patients registered until 24 May 2020 in the Belgian nationwide database of Sciensano. The primary objective was in-hospital mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis among patients with solid cancer versus patients without cancer. Severe event occurrence, a composite of intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation and/or death, was a secondary objective. These endpoints were analysed across different patient subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between cancer and clinical characteristics (baseline analysis) and the effect of cancer on in-hospital mortality and on severe event occurrence, adjusting for clinical characteristics (in-hospital analysis). RESULTS: A total of 13 594 patients (of whom 1187 with solid cancer (8.7%)) were evaluable for the baseline analysis and 10 486 (892 with solid cancer (8.5%)) for the in-hospital analysis. Patients with cancer were older and presented with less symptoms/signs and lung imaging alterations. The 30-day in-hospital mortality was higher in patients with solid cancer compared with patients without cancer (31.7% vs 20.0%, respectively; adjusted OR (aOR) 1.34; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.58). The aOR was 3.84 (95% CI 1.94 to 7.59) among younger patients (<60 years) and 2.27 (95% CI 1.41 to 3.64) among patients without other comorbidities. Severe event occurrence was similar in both groups (36.7% vs 28.8%; aOR 1.10; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.29). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based analysis demonstrates that solid cancer is an independent adverse prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19. This adverse effect was more pronounced among younger patients and those without other comorbidities. Patients with solid cancer should be prioritised in vaccination campaigns and in tailored containment measurements.
