[Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis in a 21-year-old-man]. / Hepatitis aguda por mononucleosis infecciosa en un varón de 21 años.

A 21-year-old mole was admitted because of fever, fatigue, headache, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and dark urine for three days. The patient denied recent use of medicines or any other drug. His physical examination disclosed jaundice, hepato-splenomegaly, whitish-yellow covered tonsils, bilateral anterior and posterior cervical lymph node enlargement associated with edema on the face and neck. Routine blood tests detected abnormalities in serum bilirubins and liver enzymes (total bilirubin: 14.5 mg/dl, direct-reacting bilirubin: 12.9 mg/dl, AST: 697 U/l, ALT: 619 U/l, alkaline phosphatases: 260 U/l, and GGT: 413 U/l). Serological tests showed negative results for viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and toxoplasmosis markers, while serology for recent infection by EBV was positive (IgM: 70 and 29 U/ml; EBV IgG: 25 and 156 U/ml). Although infrequently, EBV infection can cause acute hepatitis with accentuated cholestatic jaundice (5% of cases), which may constitute an additional diagnostic challenge for primary care physicians. The patient improved with supportive management and was discharged after 12 days. This case study might contribute to increase the suspicion index about acute hepatitis related to EBV.

Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis in a 21-year-old-man / Hepatitis aguda por mononucleosis infecciosa en un varón de 21 años

A 21-year-old mole was admitted because of fever, fatigue, headache, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and dark urine for three days. The patient denied recent use of medicines or any other drug. His physical examination disclosed jaundice, hepato-splenomegaly, whitish-yellow covered tonsils, bilateral anterior and posterior cervical lymph node enlargement associated with edema on the face and neck. Routine blood tests detected abnormalities in serum bilirubins and liver enzymes (total bilirubin: 14.5 mg/dl, direct-reacting bilirubin: 12.9 mg/dl, AST: 697 U/l, ALT: 619 U/l, alkaline phosphatases: 260 U/l, and GGT: 413 U/l). Serological tests showed negative results for viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and toxoplasmosis markers, while serology for recent infection by EBV was positive (IgM: 70 and 29 U/ml; EBV IgG: 25 and 156 U/ml). Although infrequently, EBV infection can cause acute hepatitis with accentuated cholestatic jaundice (5% of cases), which may constitute an additional diagnostic challenge for primary care physicians. The patient improved with supportive management and was discharged after 12 days. This case study might contribute to increase the suspicion index about acute hepatitis related to EBV.

Un paciente varón de 21 años, fue hospitalizado por fiebre, astenia, cefalea, faringitis, dolor abdominal, pérdida del apetito, vómitos y orina oscura desde tres días antes. El paciente negó uso reciente de medicamentos y cualquier otra droga. Su examen físico reveló ictericia, hepato-esplenomegalia, amigdalitis, adenopatías cervicales anteriores y posteriores, asociadas con edema facial y cervical. Los exámenes de laboratorio mostraron elevación sérica de bilirrubina y enzimas hepáticas (bilirrubina total: 14,5 mg/dl, bilirrubina directa: 12,9 mg/dl, AST: 697 U/l, ALT: 619 U/l, fosfatasas alcalinas: 260 U/l, y gama-GT: 413 U/l). Los tests serológicos resultaron negativos para hepatitis viral A, B o C, citomegalovirus, VIH-1 y VIH-2, y toxoplasmosis; pero la serología de infección reciente por VEB fue positiva (IgM: 70 y 29 U/ml; IgG: 25 y 156 U/ml). Aunque raramente, las infecciones por VEB pueden causar una hepatitis aguda con acentuada ictericia colestásica (5% de los casos), que suele constituir un desafío diagnóstico adicional para los médicos en atención primaria. El paciente mejoró durante un tratamiento de apoyo y recibió alta hospitalaria después de 12 días. Este caso estimula a aumentar el índice de sospecha de hepatitis aguda relacionada con VEB.

A woman with treated breast cancer, recent neurological symptoms and xanthoderma.

We describe a 69-year-old-woman with antecedent of breast cancer and recent transitory neurological symptoms. Physical examination showed yellow to orange skin pigmentation, more conspicuous on her palms and soles, while discoloration changes were absent in the eye and oral mucous membranes. Routine laboratory findings were not indicative of hemolytic anemia, liver or bile disorders, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus. We emphasize the role of her excessive ingestion of papaw and tomato. These foods are rich in carotenoids (ß-carotene and lycopene), which are associated with pigmentation disorders. The skin discoloration improved in about two months after correction of the inadequate diet. Major concerns about differential diagnosis of yellow skin pigmentation are also highlighted.

A 76-year-old man with a right lung adenocarcinoma and invasive Aspergillosis.

A 76-year-old male with adenocarcinoma on the right lung underwent five cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed disodium, cisplatin, and dexamethasone. Imaging studies of control showed a node in a cavitary lesion on the left lung, and the main hypothesis was Aspergillus infection. PCR was utilized and contributed to establish the early diagnosis in this patient with invasive aspergillosis. Furthermore, the species Aspergillus fumigatus was characterized by its growing at 50 °C but not at 10 °C, typical culture features, and presence of subclavate vesicles. Diagnosis criteria for Aspergillus pulmonary infection include characteristic clinical and imaging findings, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive specific serological test, and isolation of Aspergillus from bronchoalveolar cultures. Molecular methods, as PCR, have been useful to complement the conventional microbiological investigations in immunocompromised people with invasive fungal infections. The patient was successfully treated with a schedule of voriconazole 4 mg/kg intravenous infusion every 12 h for 21 days and then switched to oral administration of 200 mg twice a day. He has been comfortable, maintaining normal vital signs, and the results of the periodical microbiologic tests of control are negative. Pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis in patients with lung cancer is not completely understood. Case studies may contribute to a better knowledge about Aspergillus infection in this setting.

Plaquetopenia grave em paciente etilista com infecção por vírus da imunodeficiência humana / Severe thrombocytopenia in an alcoholic patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

A infecção por vírus da imunodeficiência humana e síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida constituem importantes problemas de saúde pública em todo o mundo e a plaquetopenia tem sido um achado frequente nesse grupo populacional. Os mecanismos da citopenia são multifatoriais e ainda não estão completamente esclarecidos. Fatores que agravam a plaquetopenia incluem coinfecção por hepatite C e cirrose hepática. O objetivo desse relato é exemplificar o caso de um paciente com o vírus, cirrose alcoólica e plaquetopenia grave, abaixo de 5.000/mm3, corrigida com a administração de corticosteroide.

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a serious public health issue worldwide, and thrombocytopenia has been a frequent finding among this group of patients. The mechanisms of this cytopenia are multifactorial and have not been completely understood. Factors that worsen thrombocytopenia include hepatitis C coinfection and hepatic cirrhosis. The aim of this report is to describe the case of an human immunodeficiency virus infection patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and severe thrombocytopenia, above 5,000/mm3, which was treated with corticosteroid use.