scholarly journals Helminthic infections mimicking malignancy: a review of published case reports

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (07) ◽  
pp. 425-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian H. Pilsczek
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
English Language ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Angiostrongylus Cantonensis ◽  
Paragonimus Westermani ◽  
Helminthic Infections ◽  
Review Reports ◽  
Toxocara Species

Background: Infectious diseases, including infections with helminths, can initially present similarly to malignancies. The goal of the article is to review reports of helminthic infections that are initially diagnosed as malignancy. Methodology: The database PubMed was searched for English language references published as of July 2009. Results: The following published case reports and case series, mainly from Asia and Africa, were identified: Nematodes: 8 publications (1 patient with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, 2 Stronglyloides stercoralis, 1 Toxocara species, 1 Dioctophyma renale, 1 Ascaris species, 1 Gnathostoma spinigerum, 1 Dirofilaria repens); Trematodes: 7 publications (46 patients with Schistosoma species, 2 Fasciola hepatica, 1 Paragonimus westermani); Cestodes: 6 publications (10 patients with Echinococcus species, 1 Sparganum mansoni). Conclusion: To avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment, physicians should be aware when diagnosing patients from Asia or Africa that a large number of helminthic infections can present similar to malignancies.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Paradigm: What is in the Wardrobe? A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Mariam M. Mirambo ◽  
Lucas Matemba ◽  
Mtebe Majigo ◽  
Stephen E. Mshana
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Zika Virus Infection ◽  
N 93

Background: Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been recently associated with congenital microcephaly and other severe neural tube defects. However, the magnitude of confirmed cases and the scope of these anomalies have not been extensively documented. This review focuses on the magnitude of laboratory-confirmed congenital Zika virus cases among probable cases and describing the patterns of congenital anomalies allegedly caused by the Zika virus, information which will inform further research in this area. Methods: We conducted a literature search for English-language articles about congenital Zika virus infection using online electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, POPLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge). The search terms used were, “zika”, “pregnancy”, [year], “microcephaly”, “infants”, “children”, “neonates”, “foetuses”, “neural tube defect”, and “CNS manifestations” in different combinations. All articles reporting cases or case series between January 2015 and December 2016 were included. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel database and analysed to obtain proportions of the confirmed cases and patterns of anomalies. Results: A total of 24 articles (11 case series, 9 case reports, and 4 others) were found to be eligible and included in this review. These articles reported 919 cases, with or without microcephaly, presumed to have congenital Zika virus infection. Of these cases, 884 (96.2%) had microcephaly. Of the 884 cases of microcephaly, 783 (88.6%) were tested for Zika virus infection, and 216 (27.6%; 95% confidence interval, 24.5% to 30.8%) were confirmed to be Zika virus-positive. In addition to microcephaly, other common abnormalities reported – out of 442 cases investigated – were calcifications of brain tissue (n=240, 54.3%), ventriculomegaly (n=93, 20.8%), cerebellar hypoplasia (n=52, 11.7%), and ocular manifestations (n=46, 10.4%). Conclusion: Based on the available literature, Zika virus infection during pregnancy might lead to a wide array of outcomes other than microcephaly. There is a need for more epidemiological studies in Zika-endemic areas, particularly in Africa, to ascertain the role of Zika virus in causing congenital neurological defects.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Paradigm: What is in the Wardrobe? A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Mariam M. Mirambo ◽  
Lucas Matemba ◽  
Mtebe Majigo ◽  
Stephen E. Mshana
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Zika Virus Infection ◽  
N 93

Background: Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been recently associated with congenital microcephaly and other severe neural tube defects. However, the magnitude of confirmed cases and the scope of these anomalies have not been extensively documented. This review focuses on the magnitude of laboratory-confirmed congenital Zika virus cases among probable cases and describing the patterns of congenital anomalies allegedly caused by the Zika virus, information which will inform further research in this area. Methods: We conducted a literature search for English-language articles about congenital Zika virus infection using online electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, POPLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge). The search terms used were, “zika”, “pregnancy”, [year], “microcephaly”, “infants”, “children”, “neonates”, “foetuses”, “neural tube defect”, and “CNS manifestations” in different combinations. All articles reporting cases or case series between January 2015 and December 2016 were included. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel database and analysed to obtain proportions of the confirmed cases and patterns of anomalies. Results: A total of 24 articles (11 case series, 9 case reports, and 4 others) were found to be eligible and included in this review. These articles reported 919 cases, with or without microcephaly, presumed to have congenital Zika virus infection. Of these cases, 884 (96.2%) had microcephaly. Of the 884 cases of microcephaly, 783 (88.6%) were tested for Zika virus infection, and 216 (27.6%; 95% confidence interval, 24.5% to 30.8%) were confirmed to be Zika virus-positive. In addition to microcephaly, other common abnormalities reported – out of 442 cases investigated – were calcifications of brain tissue (n=240, 54.3%), ventriculomegaly (n=93, 20.8%), cerebellar hypoplasia (n=52, 11.7%), and ocular manifestations (n=46, 10.4%). Conclusion: Based on the available literature, Zika virus infection during pregnancy might lead to a wide array of outcomes other than microcephaly. There is a need for more epidemiological studies in Zika-endemic areas, particularly in Africa, to ascertain the role of Zika virus in causing congenital neurological defects.

Drug-Induced Restless Legs Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 662-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna Patatanian ◽  
Melanie K. Claborn
Keyword(s):  
Restless Legs Syndrome ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Restless Legs ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Study Selection

Objective: To review the literature on drug-induced restless legs syndrome (DI-RLS). Data Sources: The review included a search for English-language literature from 1966 to December 2017 in the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Ovid databases using the following search terms: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement, adverse effects, and drug-induced. In addition, background articles on the pathophysiology, etiology, and epidemiology of RLS were retrieved. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All case reports, case series, and review articles of DI-RLS were identified and analyzed. There were only a small number of controlled clinical trials, and most data were from case reports and case series. Results: Several drugs and drug classes have been implicated in DI-RLS, with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics having the most evidence. In addition, RLS may be linked with a number of disorders or underlying predisposing factors as well. Conclusions: The prevalence of RLS is variable and ranges from 3% to 19% in the general population. There are many predisposing factors to RLS, but an emerging body of evidence suggests that there is an association between numerous drugs and RLS.

scholarly journals Bacillus cereus Typhlitis in a Patient with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
James D. Denham ◽  
Sowmya Nanjappa ◽  
John N. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
English Language ◽  
Neutropenic Patient ◽  
Hematologic Malignancy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Acute Myelogenous

Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive rod that is now recognized as a rare cause of frank disease in the neutropenic hematologic malignancy patient. Because this pathogen is rarely isolated in clinical specimens, no large studies exist to guide the management of these acutely ill patients. Individual case reports and case series exist in the literature describing various clinical manifestations of B. cereus in the neutropenic patient including bacteremia/septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis/encephalitis, hepatic abscesses, and gastritis. In this report, we describe a case of typhlitis caused by B. cereus in a 74-year-old female with recently diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and we summarize the available English language literature to draw tentative conclusions regarding the clinical manifestations of this organism.

A Review and Assessment of Drug-Induced Thrombocytosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quyen T. Vo ◽  
Dennis F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Reactive Thrombocytosis ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Mesh Terms

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on drug-induced thrombocytosis with the goal of critically assessing causality and providing a comprehensive review of the topic. Thrombopoietic growth factors, such as thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) and erythropoietin are not included in our review. Data Sources: The literature search included published articles limited to the English language and humans in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. MEDLINE/PubMed (1966 to September 2018) was searched using the MeSH terms thrombocytosis/chemically-induced and thrombocytosis/etiology. EMBASE (1980 to September 2018) was searched using the EMTAGS thrombocytosis/side effect. Web of Science (1970 to September 2018) was searched using the search term thrombocytosis. References of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations and information. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Review articles, clinical trials, background data, case series, and case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis were collected, and case reports were assessed for causality using a modified Naranjo nomogram. Data Synthesis: Drug-induced thrombocytosis, a form of reactive thrombocytosis cannot be easily differentiated from more common etiologies of reactive thrombocytosis. In all, 43 case reports of drug-induced thrombocytosis from a wide variety of drugs and drug classes were reviewed using a modified Naranjo probability scale that included criteria specific for thrombocytosis. Conclusions: Drug-induced thrombocytosis is a relatively rare adverse drug reaction. The strongest evidence of causality supports low-molecular-weight heparins and neonatal drug withdrawal. Weaker evidence exists for all-trans retinoic acid, antibiotics, clozapine, epinephrine, gemcitabine, and vinca alkaloids.

scholarly journals Oral White Lesions: An Updated Clinical Diagnostic Decision Tree

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Mortazavi ◽  
Yaser Safi ◽  
Maryam Baharvand ◽  
Soudeh Jafari ◽  
Fahimeh Anbari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Tree ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Diagnostic Decision ◽  
General Search ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Special Pattern ◽  
Meta Analyses

Diagnosis of oral white lesions might be quite challenging. This review article aimed to introduce a decision tree for oral white lesions according to their clinical features. General search engines and specialized databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, EBSCO, Science Direct, Scopus, Embase, and authenticated textbooks were used to find relevant topics by means of MeSH keywords such as “mouth disease”, “oral keratosis”, “oral leukokeratosis”, and “oral leukoplakia”. Related English-language articles published since 2000 to 2017, including reviews, meta-analyses, and original papers (randomized or nonrandomized clinical trials; prospective or retrospective cohort studies), case reports, and case series about oral diseases were appraised. Upon compilation of data, oral white lesions were categorized into two major groups according to their nature of development: Congenital or acquired lesions and four subgroups: Lesions which can be scraped off or not and lesions with the special pattern or not. In total, more than 20 entities were organized in the form of a decision tree in order to help clinicians establish a logical diagnosis by a stepwise progression method.

Clinical Toxicology of Yew Poisoning

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander W. Labossiere ◽  
Dennis F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Extracorporeal Life Support ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Life Threatening

Objectives: Yew plant materials contain highly toxic taxine alkaloids. Serious ingestions can result in life-threatening toxicity. The purpose of this article is to summarize the literature on the treatment of acute yew poisoning. Data Sources: PubMed (January 1946 to November 2017) was searched using the search terms “taxus/po”. EMBASE (1980 to November 2017) was searched using the search terms “taxus/to” and “yew.mp.” Web of Science (1945 to November 2017) was searched using the text words taxus, taxine, and yew. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Available English language articles involving case reports, epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes were included. Data Synthesis: Although not uncommon, unintentional yew poisoning rarely results in significant morbidity or mortality. A total of 26 case reports of yew poisoning were evaluated along with 4 case series articles (totaling 22 additional cases). Only 4 of the 48 total cases (8%) were accidental poisonings, the rest being deliberate ingestions. In 20 patients (42%), it resulted in fatalities. Severe, acute yew poisoning results in symptomatology largely resistant to pharmacotherapy intervention. Conclusions: Most nonintentional ingestions of yew plant constituents are asymptomatic and require little intervention. Severe poisoning can result in life-threatening cardiac toxicity and require aggressive supportive care. Therapeutic interventions, such as sodium bicarbonate, digoxin immune fab, and hemodialysis that have been utilized in case studies and case series in the literature have little proven benefit. Extracorporeal life support should be considered in severe yew poisoning.

Management of Ureters Involved in Inguinal Hernias

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Sarah Perz ◽  
Timothy Suttle ◽  
Puneet Sindhwani
Keyword(s):  
Inguinal Hernia ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ureteral Injury ◽  
Hernia Sac ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Inguinal Hernias ◽  
Year 2000

Background: The presence of a ureter in a hernia sac presents a unique surgical challenge and can increase the likelihood of ureteral injury at the time of surgery as they are often not identified pre-operatively. Here we present our institutional experience and thorough systematic review in order to provide guidance on the urologist’s role in this situation.Materials and Methods: A PubMed and Medline search was conducted to identify relevant literature published in the year 2000 or later. Case reports and case series in the English language were included using terms “ureter and hernia”, “herniated ureter”, “ureteral hernia”, inguinal hernia and ureter”.Results: The presence of a ureter in an inguinal hernia sac is an uncommon finding. When present, many are not identified pre-operatively, which places the patient at risk for ureteral injury during herniorrhaphy.Patients with ureters contained in their inguinal hernias, that were identified pre-operatively or intra-operatively and not injured, recovered well. Post-operative imaging, when performed, showed stabilization or improvement of hydronephrosis and a more normal course of the ureter. One case reported the identification of ureteral involvement post-operatively after injury, which resulted in worsened renal function and required a re-operation.Conclusions:The presence of a ureter in an inguinal hernia can be differently managed. The primary goal should be avoidance of injury intra-operatively.

scholarly journals Emergence of evidence during disease outbreaks: lessons learnt from the Zika virus outbreak

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel J Counotte ◽  
Kaspar W Meili ◽  
Nicola Low
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
First Case ◽  
Over Time

AbstractIntroductionOutbreaks of infectious diseases trigger an increase in scientific research and output. Early in outbreaks, evidence is scarce, but it accumulates rapidly. We are continuously facing new disease outbreaks, including the new coronavirus (SARS-nCoV-2) in December 2019.The objective of this study was to describe the accumulation of evidence during the 2013-2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Pacific and the Americas related to aetiological causal questions about congenital abnormalities and Guillain-Barré syndrome.MethodsWe hypothesised that the temporal sequence would follow a pre-specified order, according to study design. We assessed 1) how long it takes before findings from a specific study design appear, 2) how publication of preprints could reduce the time to publication and 3) how time to publication evolves over time.ResultsWe included 346 publications published between March 6, 2014 and January 1, 2019. In the 2013-–2016 ZIKV outbreak, case reports, case series and basic research studies were published first. Case-control and cohort studies appeared between 400–700 days after ZIKV was first detected in the region of the study origin. Delay due to the publication process were lowest at the beginning of the outbreak. Only 4.6% of the publications was available as preprints.DiscussionThe accumulation of evidence over time in new causal problems generally followed a hierarchy. Preprints reduced the delay to initial publication. Our methods can be applied to new emerging infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Outbreaks of publications about emerging infectious diseases: the case of SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz Mert Ipekci ◽  
Diana Buitrago-Garcia ◽  
Kaspar Walter Meili ◽  
Fabienne Krauer ◽  
Nirmala Prajapati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Review Team ◽  
Over Time

SummaryBackgroundOutbreaks of infectious diseases generate outbreaks of scientific evidence. In 2016 epidemics of Zika virus emerged, largely in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2020, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared patterns of scientific publications for the two infections over time.MethodsWe used living systematic review methods to search for and annotate publications according to study design. For Zika virus, a review team performed the tasks for publications in 2016. For SARS-CoV-2, a crowd of 25 volunteer scientists performed the tasks for publications up to May 24, 2020. We used descriptive statistics to categorise and compare study designs over time.FindingsWe found 2,286 publications about Zika virus in 2016 and 21,990 about SARS-CoV-2 up to 24 May 2020, of which we analysed a random sample of 5294. For both infections, there were more epidemiological than laboratory science studies. Amongst epidemiological studies for both infections, case reports, case series and cross-sectional studies emerged first, cohort and case-control studies were published later. Trials were the last to emerge. Mathematical modelling studies were more common in SARS-CoV-2 research. The number of preprints was much higher for SARS-CoV-2 than for Zika virus.InterpretationSimilarities in the overall pattern of publications might be generalizable, whereas differences are compatible with differences in the characteristics of a disease. Understanding how evidence accumulates during disease outbreaks helps us understand which types of public health questions we can answer and when.FundingMJC and HI are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF grant number 176233). NL acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme - project EpiPose (grant agreement number 101003688). DBG is funded by the Swiss government excellence scholarship (2019.0774) and the Swiss School of Public Health Global P3HS.

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