Undiagnosed HIV Presenting with Lymphoid Interstitial Pneumonitis

Undiagnosed or untreated human immunodeficiency virus infection can lead to devastating complications. We present a case of a 41-year-old woman who was found to have HIV-related lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. LIP is uncommon, and its presentation can be quite similar to that of other chronic lung conditions. This case illustrates one of the possible protean manifestations of untreated HIV and is a sobering reminder of the need to screen all adults for HIV infection. Additionally, further invasive diagnostic testing may be required to guide therapy in patients with advanced acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This patient's LIP was likely related to long-standing unrecognized HIV disease

TB Peritonitis Mistaken for Ovarian Carcinomatosis Based on an Elevated CA-125

Background. In the United States, tuberculosis (TB) is of relatively low prevalence and most newly diagnosed patients are born outside of the United States. In addition, a large percentage (20.6%) of TB cases initially present with extrapulmonary manifestations (CDC, 2010). Cases of TB peritonitis are a diagnostic challenge in women due to the nonspecific clinical features overlapping with signs of ovarian cancer. (Kosseifi et al., 2009; Rashed et al., 2007; and Xi et al., 2010). We present a 27 year-old woman thought to have ovarian carcinomatosis based on elevated levels of CA-125 who was ultimately diagnosed with TB salpingitis, endometritis, and peritonitis. Methods. This brief report is a retrospective case report. Results. This case outlines the unfortunate consequences of the misdiagnosis of what probably was an antibiotic responsive illness, resulting in an unnecessarily aggressive surgical procedure. The delay in the diagnosis of tuberculous pertitonitis resulted in an unnecessary radical resection of the patient's reproductive organs. Conclusions. Patients with TB peritonitis present with non-specific signs that may be misdiagnoses as ovarian cancer. In differentiating between ovarian carcinomatosis and peritoneal TB, it is vital to consider country of origin, age, CA-125, ascitic fluid analysis, and the use of intra-operative frozen sections

Hemophilus influenzae type B cellulitis in adults

Cellulitis due to Hemophilus influenzae type B is a rare but treatable event in adults. Herein is described a 67-year-old woman with anterior neck cellulitis caused by H. influenzae type B, documented by positive blood culture results. Six additional cases reported in the literature are reviewed. The following clinical syndrome emerges: the patient is usually older than 50 years of age, and pharyngitis develops first, followed by the onset of high fever and rapidly progressive anterior neck swelling, tenderness, and erythema associated with dysphagia. Because the causative organism may be resistant to ampicillin, the early use of chloramphenicol is recommended along with a beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin or cephalosporin (to cover other potential pathogens), or an appropriate third-generation cephalosporin that would also adequately cover all possible pathogens.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26033/1/0000106.pd

The role of endorphins and vasopressin in canine endotoxin shock

Chemical antagonists were used to assess the role of [beta]-endorphin and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in canine endotoxin shock. Fifteen awake dogs were given Escherichia coli endotoxin IV. Within 5 min, CO decreased to 28%, LV dP/dt to 46%, and MAP to 52% of baseline. Fifteen minutes after endotoxin, five dogs each received naloxone, AVP antagonist, or no treatment. Control (untreated) animals exhibited persistent cardiovascular depression, with CO 49%, LV dP/dt 69%, and MAP 91% of baseline after 45 min. Naloxone improved CO to 69%, LV dP/dt to 94%, and MAP to 91% by 30 min after treatment. AVP blockade improved CO to 105%, LV dP/dt to 10%, and MAP to 95% of baseline by 30 min after treatment, and caused significant tachycardia. Plasma cortisol and AVP increased markedly in all groups after endotoxin administration. AVP antagonist treatment increased mean survival from 1.4 to 4 days. These data suggest that abnormally elevated AVP contributes to cardiovascular depression in canine endotoxin shock and that AVP blockade is therapeutic in the animal model studied.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25963/1/0000029.pd