Report of Weil's disease with a fatal course triggered by Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease characterized by a spectrum of influenza-like symptoms, can manifest as severe cases so called Weil's disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid the potentially fatal course of the disease. Within 24 hours of the initial administration of antibiotics, patients may experience the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR), characterized by chills, fever, hypotension, and impaired consciousness. The Okinawa Prefecture, where our hospital is situated, boasts the highest incidence rate of leptospirosis among all regions in Japan. This reports our encounter with the initial leptospirosis case after a period of 16 years within the Okinawa Prefecture. This case exhibited JHR and required the utilization of noradrenaline (NA). Despite evidence indicating that JHR does not correlate with mortality, we contend that diagnosis of Weil's disease necessitates admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and vigilant monitoring for JHR, as it may result in impairment of general condition and fatal outcome, as observed in our case.

Anti-SOX1 Antibody-positive Small-cell Lung Cancer That Triggered Opsoclonus.

A 72-year-old woman with opsoclonus visited our hospital and was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. Blood tests revealed anti-SOX1 antibodies, so the patient was diagnosed with paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. After steroid pulse therapy was started, chemotherapy of treatment, the opsoclonus showed an improving trend. Anti-Ri and anti-Hu antibodies have been reported as autoantibodies associated with neoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome; however, there are no such reports concerning anti-SOX1 antibody. Therefore, this is a valuable case.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and elevated levels of C-reactive protein associated with COVID-19 aggravation in patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has become a significant health threat and a primary healthcare concern among the most vulnerable patients with cancer. Patients with COVID-19 who have lung cancer are at great risk and need careful monitoring if they are affected. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19-positive patients with lung cancer and the risks associated with anticancer medication. METHODS: This study was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Patients with lung cancer who presented with COVID-19 during hospitalization were divided into two groups: those who presented with respiratory failure and those who did not. The patient's background, clinical laboratory values, and anticancer drugs used for therapy were investigated to identify risk factors for respiratory failure. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included in the study; 18 (58.1%) were in the respiratory failure group and 13 (41.9%) were in the group without respiratory failure. In the respiratory failure group, there was a significant difference in using immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use within 90 days (p = 0.025) and the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) level (p = 0.017). The analysis of the operating characteristic of the receiver revealed a cutoff value of 2.75 mg/dL for CRP (area under the curve = 0.744, sensitivity 0.611, specificity 0.923). CONCLUSIONS: A history of ICI within 90 days and elevated CRP (≥ 2.75 mg/dL) levels are potential factors leading to respiratory failure in COVID-19-affected patients undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer.

Anterior spinal cord syndrome-"owl's eye sign".

Magnetic resonance imaging revealing abnormally high signal intensity in the thoracic cord, extending from T5 to T10 on a sagittal T2-weighted image (Figure 1A). An axial T2-weighted image showing "owl's eye sign" involving central-anterior cord (Figure 1B), which was consistent with anterior spinal cord syndrome.