Experience With Dexmedetomidine Use in the Treatment of Dysautonomic Crisis in Familial Dysautonomia: An Off-Label Use.

Familial dysautonomia is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by episodes of hyperautonomic state known as dysautonomic crises. The features of dysautonomic crises are hypertension, tachycardia, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and behavioral changes. The etiology of such crises is supposed to be a consequence of the inability to control sympathetic overflow due to damage to the afferent neurons carrying baroreceptor inputs to the central nervous system. A 19-year-old male with a known history of familial dysautonomia and frequent dysautonomic crises presented to the Emergency Department with intractable nausea and vomiting for six hours. He was hypertensive and tachycardic on presentation. The patient had tried oral labetalol and clonidine at home with no improvement. In the emergency room, the patient received intravenous labetalol, diazepam, and clonidine which were ineffective. He was then treated with intravenous dexmedetomidine, and his symptoms resolved within a few hours. The patient was discharged home on the same day. The mainstay of treatment for dysautonomic crises is benzodiazepines and clonidine. The use of these treatment modalities has its challenges. Here, we present a case of a dysautonomic crisis that was resistant to the conventional treatment, treated safely and successfully with dexmedetomidine.

Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices in a Midwest Urban Safety-Net Healthcare System.

AIMS: Although colorectal cancer screening (CRC) using stool-based test is well-studied, evidence on fecal immunochemical test (FIT) patterns in a safety-net healthcare system utilizing opportunistic screening is limited. We studied the FIT completion rates and adenoma detection rate (ADR) of positive FIT-colonoscopy (FIT-C) in an urban safety-net system. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional chart review on individuals ≥ 50 years who underwent CRC screening using FIT or screening colonoscopy, 09/01/2017-08/30/2018. Demographic differences in FIT completion were studied; ADR of FIT-C was compared to that of screening colonoscopy. RESULTS: Among 13,427 individuals with FIT ordered, 7248 (54%) completed the stool test and 230 (48%) followed up a positive FIT with colonoscopy. Increasing age (OR 1.01, CI 1.01-1.02), non-Hispanic Blacks (OR 0.87, CI 0.80-0.95, p = 0.002), current smokers (OR 0.84, CI 0.77-0.92, p < 0.0001), those with Medicaid (OR 0.86, CI 0.77-0.96, p = 0.006), commercial insurance (OR 0.85, CI 0.78-0.94, p = 0.002), CCI score ≥ 3 (OR 0.82, CI 0.74-0.91, p < 0.0001), orders by family medicine providers (OR 0.87, CI 0.81-0.94, p < 0.0001) were associated with lower completion of stool test. Individuals from low median household income cities had lower follow-up of positive FIT, OR 0.43, CI 0.21-0.86, p = 0.017. ADR of FIT-C was higher than that of screening colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: Adherence to CRC screening is low in safety-net systems employing opportunistic screening. Understanding demographic differences may allow providers to formulate targeted strategies in high-risk vulnerable groups.

PBP-2 Negative Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus schleiferi Bacteremia from a Prostate Abscess: An Unusual Occurrence.

Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi is a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus which has been described as a pathogen responsible for various nosocomial infections including bacteremia, brain abscess, and infection of intravenous pacemakers. Recently, such bacteria have been described to be found typically on skin and mucosal surfaces. It is also believed to be a part of the preaxillary human flora and more frequently found in men. It is very similar in its pathogenicity with Staphylococcus aureus group and expresses a fibronectin binding protein. Literature on this pathogen reveals that it commonly causes otitis among dogs because of its location in the auditory meatus of canines. Also, it has strong association with pyoderma in dogs. The prime concern with this organism is the antibiotic resistance and relapse even after appropriate treatment. Very rarely, if any, cases have been reported about prostatic abscess (PA) with this microbe. Our patient had a history of recurrent UTIs and subsequent PA resulting in S. schleiferi bacteremia in contrast to gram negative bacteremia commonly associated with UTI. This organism was found to be resistant to methicillin, in spite of being negative for PBP2, which is a rare phenomenon and needs further studies.