A Rare Case of Isolated Pulmonary Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompromised Host.

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection found in both immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised patients; however, it is particularly prevalent in those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Patients with isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis can present with heterogeneous symptoms. The rarity of this entity makes it difficult to recognize and diagnose. We present a case of a 54-year-old female with poorly controlled HIV and seizure disorder, who presented with suspected seizures. Her CD4 count was 7. Due to fever and headache, cryptococcal meningitis was suspected, and she was empirically started on liposomal amphotericin and flucytosine. Computed tomography (CT) of the head was negative for any acute intracranial process. Serum cryptococcal antigen was positive; however cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies from lumbar puncture (LP) were entirely negative, including CSF cryptococcal antigen. CT thorax demonstrated interval development of two solid pulmonary nodules in the right upper lobe (RUL). There was no other evidence of disseminated cryptococcal disease. CT-guided biopsy of the larger RUL was compatible with Cryptococcus species. Fungal cultures of sputum and blood were negative. The patient improved, and therapy was de-escalated from liposomal amphotericin and flucytosine to oral fluconazole, with a plan to complete a six- to twelve-month course of therapy. This case illustrates that in rare cases, Cryptococcal disease may still be localized despite having a positive serum Cryptococcal antigen. It also emphasizes the importance of a thorough investigation with multimodal diagnostic tools to evaluate for disseminated Cryptococcal disease, especially in those with a history of immunocompromise.

Awareness and attitudes of the Lebanese population with regard to physician-pharmaceutical company interaction: a survey study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness and attitudes of the general public in Lebanon regarding the interactions between physicians and pharmaceutical companies. SETTING: Primary healthcare clinics and shopping malls in the Greater Beirut Area. PARTICIPANTS: 263 participants completed the questionnaire, of whom 62% were female and 38% were male. Eligible participants were Arabic-speaking or English-speaking adults (age≥18 years) residing in Lebanon for at least 5 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness, attitudes and beliefs of the general public. RESULTS: 263 out of 295 invited individuals (89% completion rate) completed the questionnaire. While the majority of participants were aware of pharmaceutical company presence (or absence) in physicians' offices (range of 71-76% across questions), smaller percentages were aware of gift-related practices of physicians (range of 26-69% across questions). 40% thought that the acceptance of small gifts or meals by physicians is wrong/unethical. The percentage of participants reporting lower trust in physicians due to their participation in various pharmaceutical company-related activities ranged from 12% to 45% (the highest percentage being for large gifts). Participants who reported receiving free medication samples were significantly more likely to consider physicians' acceptance of small gifts as 'not a problem' than 'unethical' (OR=1.53; p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Participants in our survey were generally more aware of pharmaceutical company presence (or absence) in physicians' offices than of gift-related practices of physicians. While the level of trust was not affected for the majority of participants for various types of interactions, it was affected the most for accepting large gifts.