The presence of staphylococcal superantigens in nasal swabs and correlation with activity of granulomatosis with polyangiitis in own material.

OBJECTIVES: Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and its superantigens (SAg) seem to be a risk factor disease exacerbation in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). We investigated the association between the presence of SAg in nasal swabs and activity of disease in GPA patients also taking into account correlation with an antimicrobial treatment. METHODS: In a prospective study of a total of 150 GPA patients hospitalised in the period 2009-2016, nasal swabs were examined for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and SAg. Subsequently, the association with disease activity was assessed. RESULTS: Of 362 Staphylococcus aureus-positive nasal swab cultures from 115 of the 150 patients, the presence of at least one SAg in 126 samples (34.8%) from 56 patients (48.7%) was found. Among the 17 patients with limited to subglottic stenosis (SGS) disease, SAg were detected in 6 cases (35.3%). We did not find a significant correlation between the presence of SAg and disease activity (p=0.986), although when individual SAg were analysed separatively, SED and TSST-1 were more frequently present in active disease. Additionally, the results of the analysis demonstrated a protective effect of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (T/S) treatment (0R 0.52, p<0.0092) in GPA patients. Interestingly, GPA limited to SGS appeared as an unfavourable factor associated with disease activity (0R 1.84, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The association between staphylococcal SAg in nasal swabs and GPA activity is not evident. Multiple mechanisms that may lead to disease activation still need to be investigated.

[Disseminated pulmonary actinomycosis - an unusual presentation]. / Rzadka manifestacja plucna promienicy w postaci zmian rozsianych.

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic infectious disease caused by anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria Actinomyces spp. They induces suppurative inflammation in tissues. They live as commensals in the oropharynx, interstitial tract and genital mucosa, causing almost exclusively endogenic infections. Beacause variable clinical course, its chronicity, quite often actinomycosis mimics rather neoplasmatic disease than infection. We present the case of 56-year old male with unusual pulmonary actinomycosis manifestation as bilateral disseminated lung nodules with systemic symptoms, after initial antitubercular treatment. Diagnosis definitely was made of histologic evaluation of lung specimen from surgical biopsy. After 7-month antibacterial treatment we have achived clinical and radiological improvement.

[Yellow nail syndrome in a patient with membranous glomerulonephritis]. / Zespól zóltych paznokci u chorego na bloniaste klebuszkowezapalenie nerek.

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a condition characterized by yellow-green coloration of nails, respiratory manifestations and lymphoedema. This article presents 52-year-old patient with membranous glomerulonephritis, hospitalized at the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute in Warsaw, because of suspected allergic aspergillosis. Based on clinical and radiological evaluation the diagnosis of YNS was established. Treatment of renal disease did not affect the course of yellow nail syndrome. During the two-year follow-up, despite stable renal parameters we observed the progression of respiratory manifestations (bronchiectasis, pleural effusions).

[Common variable immunodeficiency in a patient with suspected sarcoidosis]. / Pospolity zmienny niedobór odpornosci u chorej z podejrzeniem sarkoidozy.

Common variable immunodeficiency is a primary immunodeficiency disease, characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, low serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and recurrent bacterial infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. We report on a 33-year-old patient with suspected sarcoidosis, diagnosed on the basis of an open lung biopsy, who was admitted to the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute because of severe pneumonia and streptococcal sepsis. During diagnostics based on typical, clinical and laboratory features, CVID was diagnosed. The antibiotic treatment was successfully administered and the patient was directed to supplementary treatment.

Diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage accompanied by haemothorax as a rare presentation of primary lung angiosarcoma.

Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is an extremely rare disease. Chest computed tomography demonstrates solitary or multifocal lesions, sometimes associated with ground-glass opacities or pleural effusion. Diagnosis is based on histological examination that reveals spindle-shaped epithelioid cells with positive staining for endothelial markers (factor VIII, CD 31, CD34, Fli-1, Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1, vimentin). The prognosis is poor and effective treatment is still being researched. This is a report of a 65-year-old patient with a four-month history of haemoptysis, cough, and dyspnoea. The primary radiological findings suggested interstitial lung disease. After one month the clinical presentation evolved into diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage with concomitant haemothorax. The diagnosis of primary lung angiosarcoma was based on histological and immunohistochemical examination of the lung and pleural biopsy obtained by videothoracoscopy.