ABSTRACT
The global incidence of primary and secondary syphilis is increasing in high-risk groups. However, pulmonary syphilis remains exceedingly rare with less than 30 cases recorded since 1967. Of these cases, none have recorded the presence of both pulmonary and renal involvement with nephrotic syndrome. Diagnosis of pulmonary syphilis remains a challenge, and there is no consensus on treatment. We report a case of a 46-year-old male with secondary pulmonary syphilis and concomitant nephrotic syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to a novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global pandemic that has resulted in over 1.5 million confirmed cases and close to 100 000 deaths. In the majority of symptomatic cases, COVID-19 results in a mild disease predominantly characterised by upper respiratory tract symptoms. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a nasopharyngeal sample is the mainstay of diagnosis, but there is an ~30% false negative rate early in the disease and in patients with mild disease, and therefore repeat testing may be required. RT-PCR positivity can persist for several days after resolution of symptoms. IgM and IgG antibody responses become positive several days after the onset of symptoms, and robust antibody responses are detectable in the second week of illness. Antibody-based immunoassays have a limited role in the diagnosis of early symptomatic disease. However, their incremental benefit over RT-PCR in the first 2 weeks of illness is currently being clarified in ongoing studies. Such assays may be useful for surveillance purposes. However, their role in potentially selecting individuals who may benefit from vaccination, or as a biomarker identifying persons who could be redeployed into essential employment roles, is being investigated. Rapid antibody-based immunoassays that detect viral antigen in nasopharyngeal samples are being developed and evaluated.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The performance of Xpert-MTB/RIF, including the newer Xpert Ultra test, for the diagnosis of pleural TB is poor (~28 - 38%). There are no data on patient characteristics that portend a positive Xpert-Ultra test in pleural fluid. These characteristics could be useful for selecting patients for Xpert-Ultra testing, thus maximising benefits of a positive test, while minimising cost. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical, radiological, microbiological and biochemical characteristics associated with Xpert-Ultra positivity in patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis. METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis of a prospective observational cohort (N=165 patients with suspected pleural TB) evaluating same-day diagnostic tools for pleural tuberculosis. Forty-nine patients with confirmed pleural tuberculosis (culture and/or histology) were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Of the 49 participants, 17 (35%) were female and 9 (18.4%) were HIV-infected. In the multivariate analysis including demographic, radiological and pleural fluid test characteristics, there were no independent predictors of Xpert-Ultra positivity. However, when pleural fluid test results were excluded, and when only rapidly ascertainable pre-test factors (demographic and radiologic variables) were considered, the multivariable analysis showed that only a chest X-ray (CXR) suggestive of active TB (cavities, consolidation and hilar lymphadenopathy) was associated with Xpert-Ultra positivity (p=0.021). Notably, only 22% (n=11/49) of the participants had a CXR suggestive of active TB and of these, 73% (n=8/11) had a positive Xpert-Ultra result. CONCLUSION: CXR features suggestive of active TB are significantly associated with a positive Xpert-Ultra test result on pleural fluid. These data inform clinical practice in resource-poor settings.
ABSTRACT
Kounis syndrome is characterised by a group of symptoms that manifest as unstable vasospastic or non-vasospastic angina secondary to a hypersensitivity reaction. It was first described by Kounis and Zavras in 1991 as the concurrence of an allergic response with an anaphylactoid or anaphylactic reaction and coronary artery spasm or even myocardial infarction. Since then, this condition has evolved to include a number of mast cell activation disorders associated with acute coronary syndrome. There are many triggering factors, including reactions to multiple medications, exposure to radiological contrast media, poison ivy, bee stings, shellfish and coronary stents. In addition to coronary arterial involvement, Kounis syndrome comprises other arterial systems with similar physiologies, such as mesenteric and cerebral circulation resulting in ischaemia/infarction of the vital organs. The incidence of this condition is difficult to establish owing to the number of potential instigating factors and its relatively infrequent documentation in the literature.We report the case of an HIV-negative 39-year-old man with no coronary risk factors or family history of premature coronary artery disease, who developed Kounis syndrome after the administration of fluoroquinolone for dysuria. However, to the best of our knowledge,no data on the incidence and prevalence of Kounis syndrome in South Africa have ever been reported in the literature. The recent understanding of Kounis syndrome has led to the condition being classified into three syndrome variants.
