Three opportunistic infections associated with ectopic corticotropin syndrome

Article Abstract:

A 66-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital suffering from a severe cough, difficulty breathing and mental confusion. The patient suffered from hypertension, increased blood pressure, which lately had become more difficult to control. His heart appeared abnormally large upon chest X-ray and an adrenal tumor was identified. The patient had chills, chest pains, and his white blood cell count was greatly elevated and contained cells that do not normally circulate. This medical picture is indicative of infection. A biopsy of lung tissue was taken and tested for virus and bacteria. Three different organisms, often associated with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), were ultimately identified and, despite supportive measures and treatment, the patient's condition worsened and he died. Before his death levels of circulating adrenal hormone were grossly elevated. The patient did not have AIDS. In this case the patient's high circulating level of adrenal hormones, a condition known as Cushing's syndrome, was a result of his tumor and led to the development of his opportunistic infections. It has long been known that pharmacologic treatment with steroids can prevent proper function of the body's immune system and can predispose a patient to such infections. A literature search has shown that 15 of 25 patients described with hypercortisolism (increased production of corticosteroids) and opportunistic infections died of infection.

Case studies, Abnormalities, Complications and side effects, Adrenocortical hormones, Cushing syndrome, Opportunistic infections, Endocrine gland tumors

---

Infections due to Corynebacterium group D2

Article Abstract:

The bacterium Corynebacterium group D2 is a gram-positive type bacillus and is known to contaminate the skin and mucous membranes. It was recently reported in Spain that this microorganism can cause disease of the urinary tract. Corynebacterium group D2 has not been previously identified in the United States. It can be isolated from the urine 48 hours after infection, and can be identified by specific chemical reactions. This type of bacteria is resistant to many antibiotics including ampicillin, cephalothin, and gentamicin. A case is described of an 81-year-old woman with a history of urinary tract infections who had symptoms of painful urination and increased frequency of urination for six months. Urine tests confirmed an infection with Corynebacterium group D2, which was only sensitive to the antibiotic vancomycin. The infection was associated with mild dilatation of the kidney and calcium deposits in the blood vessels. The patient refused further treatment and later died of unrelated causes. This case illustrates the potential for Corynebacterium group D2 to cause disease, and also describes the clinical characteristics of infection with this bacterium. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Kidneys, Kidney, Urinary tract infections, Actinomycetales infections

---

The limited value of symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of vaginal infections

Article Abstract:

The cause of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, is difficult to determine based upon the patient's symptoms. In this study, the relationships between symptoms and three possible causes of vaginitis were assessed in 123 patients with vaginitis who had symptoms. Infection with either the yeast Candida albicans or the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis was confirmed by culture or identification of the microorganisms in samples of the patient's vaginal secretions. Bacterial vaginosis, the inflammation of the vagina due to infection with the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis, was diagnosed based on three or four signs and symptoms. However, the cause of the vaginitis was determined in only 49 percent of cases. Itching was the most frequent symptom at the time of diagnosis. Although symptoms did not differ between the three causes of vaginitis, yeast infection could be distinguished by the absence of a vaginal odor. These findings show that the cause of vaginitis is difficult to predict from clinical signs and symptoms, and infection with a specific microorganism may not be detectable in half of the women with vaginitis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Vagina, Vaginitis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Obstetric complications in a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes from the Australian and New Zealand Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Registry
• Abstracts: The role of reperfusion-induced injury in the pathogenesis of the crush syndrome. The efficacy of inosine pranobex in preventing the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection
• Abstracts: Chronic active hepatitis associated with trazodone therapy. Hepatitis G virus infection: a work in progress. Outcomes of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus
• Abstracts: Thyroid gland: US in patients with Hodgkin disease treated with radiation therapy in childhood. Nonneoplastic hematopoietic myeloproliferative syndrome induced by dysregulated multi-CSF (IL-3) expression
• Abstracts: Pleuropulmonary infections due to nontyphoid strains of Salmonella. Long-term suppression of Salmonella aortitis with an oral antibiotic

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.