Internal medicine
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Tuberculosis is a common etiology of granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN). However, the absence of evidence of lung involvement and lack of mycobacterial isolation in cultures make the etiological diagnosis and treatment decision challenging. ⋯ Despite no evidence of tuberculosis except for a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), the patient was successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs. Our case suggests that anti-tuberculosis therapy should be considered for patients with IGRA-positive GIN after excluding other etiologies.
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Observational Study
Antimicrobials in the Hospital are Unevenly Discontinued on Weekdays.
Objective Amid the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship should be further promoted in the clinical setting. Our previous study suggested an intra-week disproportion of discontinuation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We therefore explored the generalization of this prescription trend by investigating the use of all intravenous antibiotics. ⋯ Similarly, antimicrobials were unevenly discontinued on the day after holidays compared to other days (p<0.001), with an approximately 2-fold difference. The use of antimicrobials in the hospital was thus unequally terminated on weekdays. Conclusion To further promote antimicrobial stewardship, clinicians should be aware of the influence of behavioral, environmental, and social factors on antimicrobial prescription, which is seemingly beyond medical indications.
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Objective Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most critical manifestation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In some cases, ILD may appear before the RA onset. Some patients with an initial diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIPs) develop RA; however, few studies have reported on its features, and the details remain unknown. ⋯ Pathological findings showed plasma cell infiltration, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), and bronchiolitis in the lobules. Cellular and destructive bronchiolitis was noticeable in many patients with ILD preceding RA and contributed to the destruction and dilation of the bronchiole. Conclusion In ILD patients with IIP, radiological and pathological findings with increased attenuation around the cysts, prominent inflammatory cell infiltration (especially in plasma cells), an increase in the BALT number, and cellular and destructive bronchiolitis might serve as helpful RA development indicators.
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Review Case Reports
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease with Marked Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Literature Review.
We encountered a 78-year-old Japanese man with IgG4-related sialoadenitis complicated with marked eosinophilia. We diagnosed him with IgG4-RD (related disease) with a submandibular gland tumor, serum IgG4 elevation, IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration, and storiform fibrosis. During follow-up after total incision of the submandibular gland, the peripheral eosinophil count was markedly elevated to 29,480/μL. ⋯ The patient exhibited a prompt response to corticosteroid therapy. His peripheral blood eosinophil count was the highest ever reported among similar cases. We also review previous cases of IgG4-RD with severe eosinophilia.
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We herein report a patient with primary effusion lymphoma-like adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (PEL-like ATL) that developed during hemodialysis. A 77-year-old man developed a fever and ascites. Elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) along with antibodies to human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) were seen in his blood. ⋯ He was therefore diagnosed with PEL-like ATL, acute-type. After administration of brentuximab vedotin, his serum LDH, sIL-2R and atypical cells in ascites cytology decreased. The development of novel effective molecular-targeted therapies is warranted.