A Unique Case of Goodpasture's Syndrome-Induced Cardiorenal Syndrome.

Goodpasture's syndrome (GPS) is a rare small vessel vasculitis characterized by circulating antibodies directed against the glomerular and alveolar basement membrane leading to renal and pulmonary manifestations. Here, we discuss a unique case of a 30-year-old Caucasian male smoker initially presenting with hemoptysis and anemia who was found to have biopsy-proven GPS with elevated anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies. Unfortunately, the patient failed four months of standard treatment for GPS leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), while uniquely developing cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy resulting in systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF). Despite aggressive medical management and hemodialysis, the patient's cardiac function continued to decline and the decision was made to insert an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an anti-GBM-positive GPS patient who developed dilated cardiomyopathy. The importance of this report is to illustrate the rarity of developing CRS with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure from GPS and highlight the difficulty of determining management changes beyond guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in GPS to slow the progression of worsening cardiac function.

COVID-19-Associated Acute Myocarditis: Risk Factors, Clinical Outcomes, and Implications for Early Detection and Management.

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus causing acute respiratory distress with multisystem complications, including cardiac complications. Acute myocarditis is one possible complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Previous studies revealed that mortality from COVID-19 was higher in patients with cardiac complications. Objectives We aim to identify if patients with COVID-19 develop myocarditis and if this condition is associated with an increased incidence of ventilatory support and mortality. We also aim to identify if preexisting cardiac conditions are associated with an increased incidence of ventilatory support and mortality in those who developed COVID-19. Methods This is a multicenter, retrospective study including patients aged 18 years and older. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the incidence of in-hospital mortality and ventilatory support in COVID-19-positive patients with and without myocarditis. In this study, we defined myocarditis using elevated troponin-T (TnT) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as proxy. Results A total of 8,162 patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test were identified. Of those, 1,643 (20.1%) were found to have new-onset acute myocarditis. The risk of ventilation and mortality in these patients was significantly elevated (p<0.001) compared to patients without acute myocarditis. Underlying heart failure was associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality, which was 1.6 times greater when compared to patients without heart failure. The odds of in-hospital mortality were 2.33 times as likely for those who had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy as opposed to those who did not. Conclusion Myocarditis is a serious and potentially fatal complication of COVID-19. The results of this study highlight the importance of routine testing of troponin-T and BNP levels to identify those at risk. Furthermore, underlying heart conditions are associated with a worse outcome, and those patients should be watched closely.

Hepatic Abscess as Early Presentation of Perforated Diverticulitis.

A hepatic abscess is a rare condition which can have multiple etiologies, including biliary disease, intra-abdominal collections (appendicitis, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease), abdominal surgery, liver transplantation, and liver trauma. The diagnosis is primarily based on imaging findings of ultrasound and computed tomography scan. Management includes antibiotics and percutaneous drainage or surgical drainage of the abscess. Here, we present a case of a 43-year-old Hispanic female who initially presented with left lower quadrant and right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 1 week. She was found to have a hepatic abscess and pelvic abscess likely secondary to perforated diverticulum.

A Case of Immune Thrombocytopenia After COVID-19 Infection.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hematological condition that is characterized by a low platelet count. ITP can be primary or secondary. Secondary causes are diverse and include viral infections. The novel coronavirus has rarely been recognized as cause of ITP. This is a case of an 82-year-old Caucasian male who was infected by the novel coronavirus four weeks prior. His platelet count on admission was 1,000/mm3. He was diagnosed with ITP caused by the novel coronavirus as there were no other causes for his thrombocytopenia. The patient was treated with platelet infusions, high-dose corticosteroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin infusions.

Pheochromocytoma Presenting as Testicular Pain: An Unusual Case Report.

Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor that arises from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla which are derived from the neural crest. This report illustrates a 51-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hypertension diagnosed two years ago who presented to the hospital due to acute onset of right testicular pain of 3-day duration. Laboratory results and imaging revealed a presumptive diagnosis of PCC. The patient had undergone robot-assisted laparoscopic right adrenalectomy 14 days after being diagnosed with PCC due to perioperative management with phenoxybenzamine. The final pathology report revealed a PCC. At follow-up two weeks after discharge, the patient reported complete resolution of his testicular pain.

Bilateral Pneumonia in a Patient with Chronic Bronchiectasis Caused by Achromobacter xylosoxidans Subspecies denitrificans.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a gram-negative bacillus that has a multitude of inherent and acquired antimicrobial resistance. It is a rare, isolated pathogen in patients without cystic fibrosis (CF). We report the case of a 76-year-old Caucasian male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), previous Mycobacterium-avium intracellulare (MAI) infection, and chronic bronchiectasis who did not respond to three courses of outpatient antibiotics for a chronic cough. He also had a 21-lb weight loss. The diagnosis of Achromobacter xylosoxidans subspecies denitrificans was made through bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). There are few case reports describing Achromobacter xylosoxidans subspecies denitrificans in non-CF patients. Achromobacter xylosoxidans colonization might be linked to predisposing lung damage such as in CF and bronchiectasis. The bacterium is frequently multidrug-resistant. More studies are needed to develop recommendations for clinical guidelines to address the increasing antibiotic resistance to Achromobacter xylosoxidans.

Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis 10 Years After Bone Marrow Transplant in a Patient With Multiple Myeloma.

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that mostly affects immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is based on the detection of cryptococcal antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum. Antifungal resistance is emerging, making treatment difficult and long. We report a case of cryptococcosis in a patient with multiple myeloma, years after undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Symptoms were mild, and imaging studies were nonspecific. CSF analysis revealed positive cryptococcal antigen. The patient was started on the standard three-phase antifungal therapy and recovered.