Psychoactive Drugs Induce the SOS Response and Shiga Toxin Production in Escherichia coli.

Several classes of non-antibiotic drugs, including psychoactive drugs, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and others, appear to have strong antimicrobial properties. We considered whether psychoactive drugs induce the SOS response in E. coli bacteria and, consequently, induce Shiga toxins in Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC). We measured the induction of an SOS response using a recA-lacZ E. coli reporter strain, as RecA is an early, reliable, and quantifiable marker for activation of the SOS stress response pathway. We also measured the production and release of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) from a classic E. coli O157:H7 strain, derived from a food-borne outbreak due to spinach. Some, but not all, serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and antipsychotic drugs induced an SOS response. The use of SSRIs is widespread and increasing; thus, the use of these antidepressants could account for some cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome due to STEC and is not attributable to antibiotic administration. SSRIs could have detrimental effects on the normal intestinal microbiome in humans. In addition, as SSRIs are resistant to environmental breakdown, they could have effects on microbial communities, including aquatic ecosystems, long after they have left the human body.

Encephalitis treatment - a case report with long-term follow-up of EBV PCR in cerebrospinal fluid.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been found to cause infectious mononucleosis multiple times, but has been associated rarely with EBV encephalitis. Also, whenever it is diagnosed, it is always treated symptomatically. CASE REPORT: A case of confirmed EBV encephalitis is presented, which was treated with antiviral therapy resulting in complete clearance of the virus in cerebrospinal fluid and minimal neurologic symptoms after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: The Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines state that intravenous acyclovir is not recommended for EBV-related encephalitis. But we reviewed the literature and found similar cases, and we believe that antiviral therapy should be recommended for EBV encephalitis because it is a potentially fatal disease and if left untreated, can lead to raised intracranial pressure, craniotomy and even death.

Clinically Silent Intracardiac Metastasis with Extremely Poor Prognosis in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Intracavitary cardiac extension remains an unusual site of extrahepatic metastasis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. While patients can present with signs and symptoms suggestive of right-sided heart failure, it may be totally asymptomatic, which is very rare with only a few cases reported so far. Also, cardiac metastasis is of great prognostic importance as patients with intracardiac metastasis can have an extremely poor prognosis. Here, we present the case of a 52-year-old male patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with an incidentally found tumor thrombus extending from the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, protruding through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, on routine echocardiography. The patient did not have any signs or symptoms of heart involvement and unfortunately died on the 18th day of the hospital stay.

Exceptionally High Creatine Kinase (CK) Levels in Multicausal and Complicated Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome caused by muscle breakdown. It can be caused by traumatic as well as non-traumatic factors such as drugs, toxins, and infections. Although it has been initially associated with only traumatic causes, non-traumatic causes now appear to be at least 5 times more frequent. In rhabdomyolysis, the CK levels can range anywhere from 10 000 to 200 000 or even higher. The higher the CK levels, the greater will be the renal damage and associated complications. We present the case of a patient with exceptionally massive rhabdomyolysis with unusually high CK levels (nearly 1 million) caused by combined etiologic factors and complicated with acute renal failure. CASE REPORT A 36-year-old African American male patient with no significant past medical history and a social history of cocaine and alcohol abuse presented with diarrhea and generalized weakness of 2 days' duration. He was found to be febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, and hypoxic. The patient was subsequently intubated and admitted to the medical ICU. Laboratory work-up showed acute renal failure with deranged liver functions test results, and elevated creatine kinase of 701,400 U/L. CK levels were subsequently too high for the lab to quantify. Urine legionella testing was positive for L. pneumophilia serogroup 1 antigen and urine toxicology was positive for cocaine. The patient had a protracted course in the ICU. He was initially started on CVVH, and later received intermittent hemodialysis for about 1 month. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of multiple etiologic factors, rhabdomyolysis can be massive with resultant significant morbidity. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for rhabdomyolysis in the presence of multiple factors, as early recognition of this diseases is very important in the prevention and active management of life-threatening conditions.

Levamisole-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis with Negative Serology in a Cocaine User.

BACKGROUND Levamisole is a common adulterant of cocaine. It can cause agranulocytosis and cutaneous vasculitis that can possibly lead to cutaneous necrosis. In all reported cases of levamisole-induced vasculitis, it has been described as a clinical syndrome characterized by a constellation of typical clinical features and a positive serum serology for ANCA levels, especially very high-titer p-ANCA levels, in the background of cocaine abuse. However, patients may have a negative serology and here, we present the first such case. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old African American man with a history of polysubstance abuse, 4 days after last cocaine use, presented with sudden onset of painful pruritic rash and polyarthralgias. He was found to have normal vital signs, with bilateral tender knees and erythematous-purplish maculopapular lesions involving the abdomen and the left thigh. Laboratory work-up was significant for elevated CRP, negative c-ANCA, p-ANCA ANA, and RA levels, and a positive urine toxicology for cocaine. Urine analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography was positive for levamisole. Ultimately, a final diagnosis was made by skin biopsy, which revealed findings suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. CONCLUSIONS Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis can be caused by levamisole, which is used as an adulterant in cocaine. Most cases are associated with positive ANCA levels; however, a negative serology is also a possibility.

Methotrexate-induced Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis appearing after 30 years of use: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate has been implicated in a variety of lung complications, one of which is hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis most often occurs within the first year of starting low-dose orally administered methotrexate. We present a case of methotrexate-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis after 30 years of methotrexate use, which is the first case to be reported so far. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old African American woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with progressively worsening shortness of breath and nonproductive cough. She was on a daily dose of 2.5 mg of methotrexate that had been orally administered for the last 30 years. A physical examination was significant for fever of 38.2 °C (100.8 °F), tachycardia, bilateral basal crackles, and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. A laboratory work up was significant for normal white blood cell count, increased eosinophil count of 18.3%, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 111 mm/hour. Sputum cultures were negative for any bacterial pathogens including acid-fast bacilli. Influenza and respiratory syncytial viral infection were ruled out. A (1-3)-B-D-glucan assay (Fungitell®) was within normal limits. Pulmonary embolism was ruled out and echocardiography was normal. A chest X-ray showed hazy opacity with prominent reticulation within the upper lung fields bilaterally, right greater than the left with no pleural effusion. Lung computed tomography revealed nonspecific bilateral upper lung opacification. A pulmonary function test was significant for no obstruction, normal maximum voluntary ventilation, and no restriction, with mildly decreased diffusion. Methotrexate was stopped, and our patient was started on prednisone 60 mg orally administered daily with dramatic clinical and radiologic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Methotrexate-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis usually occurs in the initial few weeks to months of starting treatment with methotrexate; however, it can occur late during therapy too, and prompt diagnosis is crucial as it is a reversible condition when diagnosed early.