Disseminated coinfection with Mycobacterium Avium complex and Mycobacterium Kansasii in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia: A case report.

Simultaneously disseminated coinfection with two species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is extremely rare and had been reported only in immunocompromised individuals. Here, we report a 59-year-old Thai man, previously healthy. He presented with a 2-month history of prolonged fever, constitutional symptoms, and hepatosplenomegaly. His chest and abdomen computed tomography illustrated multiple enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes accompanied with multifocal crazy-paving appearance in both lungs and hepatosplenomegaly. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was performed on the mediastinal nodes. The pathologic findings were necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis with numerous AFB-positive bacilli. Blood culture subsequently isolated M. intracellulare, while BAL and lymph node culture isolated M. intracellulare and M. kansasii, which confirmed species by multiplex PCR and 16s rRNA sequencing. Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) was diagnosed as the cause of secondary immune deficiency. Intravenous imipenem, amikacin, and azithromycin were administered as an empirical antibiotic regimen for 4 weeks, then substituted to oral rifampicin, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, and ethambutol as definitive regimen. Unfortunately, it was found that he had died unexpectedly at home after 4 months of treatment, possibly related to this illness. In our view, patients with severe disseminated NTM disease should be evaluated to explore a secondary immune deficiency disorder. An ICL is a rare heterogenous syndrome but should be considered.

Effect of standard dose paracetamol versus placebo as antipyretic therapy on liver injury in adult dengue infection: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a common cause of acute liver failure in tropical countries. Paracetamol is the recommended antipyretic for dengue. Related observational studies in dengue have suggested that excessive paracetamol intake is related to hepatic injury. We aimed to evaluate whether standard dose paracetamol as an antipyretic in dengue infection caused transaminase elevation, and to evaluate the efficacy of paracetamol. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adult participants (aged ≥18 years) with dengue, as confirmed by either positive NS1 antigen, positive dengue IgM antigen with thrombocytopenia, or positive PCR test, were enrolled at three Royal Thai Army hospitals in Thailand. Key exclusion criteria were baseline AST or ALT concentrations of more than 3 times the upper limit of normal, cirrhosis, indication of paracetamol other than dengue infection, concurrent diagnosis of other causes of fever, or pregnancy. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), by a computer-generated block randomisation procedure (block size of six), to receive either paracetamol (500 mg) or placebo (500 mg) every 4 h when body temperature exceeded 38°C during hospitalisation. Participants and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with transaminase elevation, defined as serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) concentrations of more than 3 times the upper limit of normal on recovery day, in the intention-to-treat population. Prespecified interim analyses for safety and efficacy were performed with group sequential stopping boundaries. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02833584. FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2016, and Dec 12, 2017, 125 participants were randomly assigned to receive either paracetamol (n=63) or placebo (n=62). 123 participants were included in the intention-to-treat population. The median daily dose of study medication was 1·5 g (IQR 0·8-2·0). The study was terminated early owing to a higher rate of transaminase elevation in the paracetamol group than in the placebo group (22% vs 10%; incidence rate ratio 3·77, 95% CI 1·36-10·46, p=0·011). The change of AST and ALT concentrations in the paracetamol group was higher than in the placebo group (mean difference 12·43 U/L per day, 7·16-17·71, p<0·0001 for AST; 7·40 U/L per day, 95% CI 3·68-11·13, p=0·0001 for ALT). Three participants in the paracetamol group had severe dengue: two had upper gastric haemorrhage and one had acute kidney injury. No patients died or had liver failure. INTERPRETATION: Use of standard dose paracetamol in dengue infection increased the incidence of transaminase elevation, and also overall transaminase concentrations in the absence of a counterbalancing reduced fever or pain score. FUNDING: Phramongkutklao College of Medicine.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Skin Diseases Among Army Personnel and Flood Victims During the 2011 Floods in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin problems among flood victims and army personnel during the 2011 floods in Thailand. METHODS: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin symptoms, standardized questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, current skin symptoms, history of water exposure, and sanitary behaviors. A certified dermatologist evaluated those who presented with skin problems and provided diagnoses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess independent risk factors for skin symptoms. RESULTS: The most prevalent skin disease was irritant contact dermatitis. Flood victims showed a higher prevalence of skin symptoms compared with army personnel. Development of skin symptoms after exposure to floodwater was also observed earlier among flood victims. Having a history of skin diseases and delayed skin cleaning after exposure were also significant risk factors for the development of skin symptoms. CONCLUSION: This information might be used as guidelines for protecting military personnel and to educate the general public regarding flood disaster management. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:570-575).