Sphingomonas paucimobilis Septic Shock in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis usually exhibits low virulence likely secondary to its lack of lipopolysaccharide A. Infections caused by S. paucimobilis more commonly afflict immunocompromised patients. Some case reports document pneumonia, osteomyelitis, pyomyoma, and septic arthritis secondary to S. paucimobilis in immunocompetent patients. S. paucimobilis bacteremia is associated with underlying conditions, including malignancy, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bacteremia has the potential to lead to septic shock. Antimicrobial effectiveness varies, and the mechanism that leads to resistance has not yet been elucidated. This underscores the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We present a unique case of community-acquired S. paucimobilis bacteremia and resultant septic shock in an immunocompetent patient. A 90-year-old female with a history of chronic kidney disease, acute colonic infarction status post colostomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, and schizoaffective disorder presented to the emergency department with hypotension and altered mental status. Urinalysis and chest X-ray were unremarkable. Antibiotic therapy with cefepime was initiated following gram stain, which showed gram-negative rods. The blood culture revealed S. paucimobilis. The patient was discharged with the plan to enter hospice care.

Short-term Adverse Events With BIC/FTC/TAF: Postmarketing Study.

Bictegravir (BIC)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) was Food and Drug Administration approved in February 2018. The paucity of real-world data prompted this retrospective, observational evaluation of discontinuation rates, adverse effects, and virologic control. In a Southern US, predominantly African American overweight population, we found optimal virologic control and low discontinuation rates, with 4% discontinuing BIC/FTC/TAF due to rash, low platelets, loss of appetite, and insomnia.

Comparative assessment of hypercoagulability in women with and without gynecologic malignancies using the thromboelastograph coagulation analyzer.

The hypercoagulability status of women with and without gynecologic malignancies was compared using the thromboelastograph coagulation analyzer. Blood specimens from 25 women with newly diagnosed gynecologic malignancies and from 21 age-matched controls were analyzed. Hypercoagulability is defined by a short R value (min), a short K value (min), an elevated maximum amplitude (MA) value (mm), and a broad alpha-angle (degrees). A two-tailed, two-sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. When compared with specimens from age-matched controls, specimens from women with gynecologic malignancies demonstrated values consistent with hypercoagulability. The specific parameters are presented as a mean (+/- SD). Patients with gynecologic malignancies were found to have a short R value (7.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 11.8 +/- 1.8 min; P < 0.001), a short K value (3.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.9 min; P < 0.001), a prolonged MA value (64.7 +/- 5.4 vs. 58.8 +/- 6.1 mm; P = 0.001), and a greater alpha-angle (70.6 +/- 5.3 vs. 61.6 +/- 4.9 degrees ; P < 0.001). Detection of hypercoagulability as measured by thromboelastography is statistically more common among women with gynecologic malignancies compared with age-matched controls. Future studies may address the use of thromboelastography to identify patients at risk for gynecologic malignancies.