ABSTRACT
Two cases of myocarditis complicating meningococcal septicaemia are presented. Neisseria meningitidis infection with bacteraemia is a common entity but the important complication of myocarditis has not often been described. The autopsy findings in 1 of the 2 patients described further illustrates the significance of myocarditis. The pathology, clinical presentation and management of this complication are briefly discussed.
Subject(s)
Meningococcal Infections/complications , Myocarditis/complications , Sepsis/complications , Adult , Female , HumansABSTRACT
The diagnostic yield and risks of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) during mechanical ventilation were assessed in 13 patients with progressive pulmonary infiltrates. TBB was of considerable diagnostic value in ten patients and useful in excluding potentially treatable infections in the remaining three patients. Complications included two pneumothoraces, pulmonary hemorrhage in one case, and supraventricular tachycardia in another. No fatalities were attributable to TBB. TBB proved to be a relatively safe procedure, with a high diagnostic yield in these critically ill patients.
Subject(s)
Biopsy/methods , Lung/pathology , Respiration, Artificial , Acute Disease , Biopsy/adverse effects , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/cytology , Bronchoscopy/adverse effects , Bronchoscopy/methods , Fluoroscopy , Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Lung Diseases/etiology , Pneumothorax/etiology , Respiratory Insufficiency/complications , Respiratory Insufficiency/diagnosis , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Tachycardia, Supraventricular/etiologyABSTRACT
Cavitation is a most unusual radiological feature of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Autopsy evidence of cavities in PCP is poorly documented. We describe a case of fatal PCP occurring in a patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome; the PCP was associated with radiological as well as autopsy evidence of large intrapulmonary cavities. These cavities are ascribed to Pneumocystis carinii infection, since other possible causes were excluded.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Humans , Lung/pathology , Male , Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/pathology , RadiographyABSTRACT
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) has become one of the most important of the opportunistic pulmonary infections of the 1980s. In view of the rapidly expanding population of immunosuppressed patients, many more cases of PCP may be expected in the future. The history, microbiology, pathogenesis, pathology, clinical and laboratory features, diagnosis, treatment, course and prognosis of this disease are reviewed.
Subject(s)
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis , HumansABSTRACT
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is today an opportunistic infection of major importance, occurring in immunosuppressed patients. Twelve cases of P. carinii pneumonia were seen by the Pulmonology Unit in Johannesburg between November 1984 and December 1985. The clinical presentation, laboratory and radiographic features, method of diagnosis, treatment, complications of therapy and outcome of these 12 cases are described.
