ABSTRACT
Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a type of hemolytic anemia in which cold agglutinins can cause agglutination of red blood cells in cold parts of the body and hemolytic anemia. Cold agglutinin-mediated hemolytic anemia can occur in the setting of an underlying viral infection, autoimmune disorder, or lymphoid malignancy, referred to as a secondary cold agglutinin syndrome, or without one of these underlying disorders, referred to as primary CAD (also known as idiopathic CAD). We present a case of a 71-year-old female with hemolytic anemia due to primary CAD. The secondary causes of CAD, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and malignancy, were ruled out. She was successfully treated with prednisone.
ABSTRACT
Clostridium species are spore-forming gram-positive anaerobic rod bacteria that cause a broad range of infections in humans, including intra-abdominal infections, myonecrosis, and bacteremia. Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is a severe form of infection caused by Clostridioides difficile. Clostridial bacteremia usually occurs in the settings of neutropenia, alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, malignancy, hemodialysis, inflammatory bowel disease, and AIDS. We report a case of fulminant PMC leading to C. paraputrificum bacteremia in an otherwise immunocompetent patient. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such an occurrence.
ABSTRACT
Herb-induced liver injury (HILI) is often an underreported sequela for many herbal remedies due to the lack of safety measurements involving these supplements. Cimicifuga racemosa and Thuja occidentalis are two herbal medications commonly used by women for fertility purposes. Many herbal preparations of these two supplements do not specify the risks behind their individual usage. We present a case of a 40-year-old woman who developed acute liver injury after concomitant use of these two products assessed for causality using the updated RUCAM. Upon a detailed investigation, the patient did not have evidence of underlying liver disease or any other risk factors to explain her presentation. After discontinuation of both herbal supplements, the patient had complete resolution of her symptoms and a significant improvement of transaminitis. This report highlights the importance of potential risk of hepatotoxicity induced by concomitant use of Cimicifuga racemosa and Thuja occidentalis.
ABSTRACT
Digital health technologies for people with epilepsy (PWE) include internet-based resources and mobile apps for seizure management. Since non-pharmacological interventions, such as listening to specific Mozart's compositions, cognitive therapy, psychosocial and educational interventions were shown to reduce epileptic seizures, these modalities can be integrated into mobile software and delivered by mobile medical apps as digital therapeutics. Herein, we describe: (1) a survey study among PWE about preferences to use mobile software for seizure control, (2) a rationale for developing digital therapies for epilepsy, (3) creation of proof-of-concept mobile software intended for use as an adjunct digital therapeutic to reduce seizures, and (4) broader applications of digital therapeutics for the treatment of epilepsy and other chronic disorders. A questionnaire was used to survey PWE with respect to preferred features in a mobile app for seizure control. Results from the survey suggested that over 90% of responders would be interested in using a mobile app to manage their seizures, while 75% were interested in listening to specific music that can reduce seizures. To define digital therapeutic for the treatment of epilepsy, we designed and created a proof-of-concept mobile software providing digital content intended to reduce seizures. The rationale for all components of such digital therapeutic is described. The resulting web-based app delivered a combination of epilepsy self-care, behavioral interventions, medication reminders and the antiseizure music, such as the Mozart's sonata K.448. To improve long-term patient engagement, integration of mobile medical app with music and multimedia streaming via smartphones, tablets and computers is also discussed. This work aims toward development and regulatory clearance of software as medical device (SaMD) for seizure control, yielding the adjunct digital therapeutic for epilepsy, and subsequently a drug-device combination product together with specific antiseizure medications. Mobile medical apps, music, therapeutic video games and their combinations with prescription medications present new opportunities to integrate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for PWE, as well as those living with other chronic disorders, including depression and pain.
