AIDS presenting with severe thrombocytopenia: A case report / 대한내과학회지

The hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common and may cause symptoms that are life threatening and impair the quality of life in these patients1). The most important of these manifestations is cytopenia. Among cytopenias, thrombocytopenia is caused by immune-mediated destruction of platelets, in addition to inadequate platelet production2). Thrombocytopenia has been reported in 5~15% of HIV-seropositive patients3). Profound thrombocytopenia (< 20,000/mm3) is rare (occurs in only 1.5% of cases) and presents only during advanced AIDS. With the exception of thrombocytopenia associated with advanced AIDS, severe thrombocytopenia in AIDS patients is extremely rare3). There are only a few reports of AIDS patients who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia. Here we report the case study of an AIDS patient who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia, mild abdominal distension, and edema in both lower legs. A brief review of the relevant literature is also presented.

AIDS presenting with severe thrombocytopenia: A case report / 대한내과학회지

The hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common and may cause symptoms that are life threatening and impair the quality of life in these patients1). The most important of these manifestations is cytopenia. Among cytopenias, thrombocytopenia is caused by immune-mediated destruction of platelets, in addition to inadequate platelet production2). Thrombocytopenia has been reported in 5~15% of HIV-seropositive patients3). Profound thrombocytopenia (< 20,000/mm3) is rare (occurs in only 1.5% of cases) and presents only during advanced AIDS. With the exception of thrombocytopenia associated with advanced AIDS, severe thrombocytopenia in AIDS patients is extremely rare3). There are only a few reports of AIDS patients who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia. Here we report the case study of an AIDS patient who first presented with severe thrombocytopenia, mild abdominal distension, and edema in both lower legs. A brief review of the relevant literature is also presented.

Concurrent IgA Nephropathy and Minimal Change Disease in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera: A Case Report / 대한신장학회지

Polycythemia vera is a hematopoietic stem cell disease, characterized by sustained and excessive proliferation of erythrocytic, granurocytic and megakaryocytic cells in the bone marrow resulting in pancytosis in peripheral blood. There have been a few reports of glomerulonephritis with polycythemia vera, most of which were IgA nephropathy. We report a case of a polycythemia vera associated with proteinuria. We confirmed the polycythemia vera according to World Health Organization criteria. Renal pathology showed IgA nephropathy and minimal change disease. Periodic phlebotomy was done and hydroxyurea was administered without specific managements for renal disease. After 3-month treatment, hemoglobin level decreased and proteinurea disappeared.

An Outbreak of Scabies in Neurosurgery-Intensive Care Unit of a General Hospital / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: Scabies outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities, but less commonly in acute care facilities. We experienced an outbreak of scabies that occurred in neurosurgery-intensive care unit of a general hospital, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: An outbreak of scabies was noticed on September 2006 when hospital staffs of NICU were diagnosed with scabies. The infection control nurse reviewed medical records and interviewed all of patient in NICU and health care workers. The epidemic spread of scabies from a patient to other patient, hospital employees and their families and associates was identified from historical, clinical, and microbiologic skin preparation data. RESULTS: Forty-three NICU patients and 22 health care workers were investigated. Five scabies cases were identified in total of 42 cases who are exposed to index case with attack rate of 11.9%. The attack rate of scabies in health care workers and NICU patients were 10% and 13.6%, respectively. Tertiary cases also occurred among the family members of workers, with a tertiary attack rate of 44%. CONCLUSION: The patient of acute care facilities also have chances of being exposed to scabies outbreak, since sensorimotor deficits or cognitive disorders make it difficult for individuals to communicate and understand the implication of risky contacts.