Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02293
Oulfa Boussetta-Charfi , François Duprey , Rémi Balluet , Marie-France Lutz , Sylvie Gonzalo , Anne-Camille Faure , Annie Evers , Sara Chenafi-Adham , Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers , Guillaume Dupont , Thomas Bourlet , David Boutolleau , Sylvie Pillet
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-associated hepatitis (HH) has rarely been reported in immunocompetent patients. In the absence of mucocutaneous lesions and because of nonspecific biological features such as hepatic cytolysis, its diagnosis can be missed, leading to delayed acyclovir initiation and potentially poor outcomes. We report a case of a 62-year-old immunocompetent man who developed severe HH following a primary HSV-1 infection, diagnosed by a very high plasma HSV-1 DNA load. His condition was complicated by macrophage activation syndrome, which was managed using chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Acyclovir therapy (10 mg/kg every 8 ,h) was extended to Day 74 to a persistently detectable plasma HSV-1 DNA load, despite the normalisation of liver function tests. However, the optimal duration of antiviral therapy for HH remains unclear, as prolonged treatment may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity, whereas premature discontinuation may lead to fatal outcomes. Overall, this case illustrates that discontinuation of acyclovir did not result in a rebound of HSV-1 viraemia despite the persistent detection of low viral DNA load. Clinical and biological resolution of hepatitis may be helpful in guiding the decision to discontinue antiviral therapy. This case highlights the importance of early molecular diagnosis in atypical presentations of HH and contributes to guiding management strategies, particularly regarding antiviral treatment duration.
{"title":"Prolonged acyclovir therapy for Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1–associated hepatitis in an immunocompetent man","authors":"Oulfa Boussetta-Charfi , François Duprey , Rémi Balluet , Marie-France Lutz , Sylvie Gonzalo , Anne-Camille Faure , Annie Evers , Sara Chenafi-Adham , Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers , Guillaume Dupont , Thomas Bourlet , David Boutolleau , Sylvie Pillet","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-associated hepatitis (HH) has rarely been reported in immunocompetent patients. In the absence of mucocutaneous lesions and because of nonspecific biological features such as hepatic cytolysis, its diagnosis can be missed, leading to delayed acyclovir initiation and potentially poor outcomes. We report a case of a 62-year-old immunocompetent man who developed severe HH following a primary HSV-1 infection, diagnosed by a very high plasma HSV-1 DNA load. His condition was complicated by macrophage activation syndrome, which was managed using chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Acyclovir therapy (10 mg/kg every 8 ,h) was extended to Day 74 to a persistently detectable plasma HSV-1 DNA load, despite the normalisation of liver function tests. However, the optimal duration of antiviral therapy for HH remains unclear, as prolonged treatment may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity, whereas premature discontinuation may lead to fatal outcomes. Overall, this case illustrates that discontinuation of acyclovir did not result in a rebound of HSV-1 viraemia despite the persistent detection of low viral DNA load. Clinical and biological resolution of hepatitis may be helpful in guiding the decision to discontinue antiviral therapy. This case highlights the importance of early molecular diagnosis in atypical presentations of HH and contributes to guiding management strategies, particularly regarding antiviral treatment duration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e02293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144330717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02312
Sharvari Joshi , Aparna Pai , Muralidhar Varma
The H1N1 virus commonly causes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, which have a self-limited course in most cases. Neurological complications are rare, especially in adults. This case illustrates H1N1-associated acute leukoencephalopathy in a young adult with a favorable outcome and no lasting neurological deficits. The initial presentation included fever, sore throat, and myalgia, evolving into neurological symptoms, including dysarthria, nystagmus, and left-sided motor weakness. Comprehensive laboratory tests ruled out common bacterial, viral, or autoimmune causes, while MRI findings suggested acute leukoencephalopathy of infectious or toxic etiology. Although the urine toxicology screen showed traces of phenol, clinical evidence did not correlate with toxic exposure and pointed towards an infectious origin. A throat swab for Influenza/H1N1 PCR confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with oseltamivir and methylprednisolone led to symptomatic improvement with no sequelae.
{"title":"H1N1-associated acute leukoencephalopathy: An unusual presentation in a young adult indian male","authors":"Sharvari Joshi , Aparna Pai , Muralidhar Varma","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The H1N1 virus commonly causes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, which have a self-limited course in most cases. Neurological complications are rare, especially in adults. This case illustrates H1N1-associated acute leukoencephalopathy in a young adult with a favorable outcome and no lasting neurological deficits. The initial presentation included fever, sore throat, and myalgia, evolving into neurological symptoms, including dysarthria, nystagmus, and left-sided motor weakness. Comprehensive laboratory tests ruled out common bacterial, viral, or autoimmune causes, while MRI findings suggested acute leukoencephalopathy of infectious or toxic etiology. Although the urine toxicology screen showed traces of phenol, clinical evidence did not correlate with toxic exposure and pointed towards an infectious origin. A throat swab for Influenza/H1N1 PCR confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with oseltamivir and methylprednisolone led to symptomatic improvement with no sequelae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e02312"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144571786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02288
Hicham El Boté , Abdelmounim BOUGHALEB
Tuberculosis of seminal vesicles is an uncommon form of genitourinary tuberculosis, frequently presenting with nonspecific symptoms and posing diagnostic challenges. Herein is reported a case of a 33-year-old male with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood who presented with nonspecific urinary symptoms. Imaging and histopathological findings confirmed tuberculosis of the seminal vesicle. This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of genitourinary symptoms, especially in patients with a prior history of tuberculosis. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are important to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
{"title":"Tuberculosis of seminal vesicles: a rare case report","authors":"Hicham El Boté , Abdelmounim BOUGHALEB","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tuberculosis of seminal vesicles is an uncommon form of genitourinary tuberculosis, frequently presenting with nonspecific symptoms and posing diagnostic challenges. Herein is reported a case of a 33-year-old male with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood who presented with nonspecific urinary symptoms. Imaging and histopathological findings confirmed tuberculosis of the seminal vesicle. This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of genitourinary symptoms, especially in patients with a prior history of tuberculosis. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are important to prevent complications and improve outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e02288"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02356
Prasan Kumar Panda, Sukanya Ghosh
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping healthcare, offering transformative potential in infectious diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship through enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and predictive capabilities. However, its integration into clinical practice raises significant ethical challenges. These include transparency of decision-making, protection of patient privacy, algorithmic fairness, accountability, and the preservation of human oversight. Global and national bodies have developed guidance to address these concerns: the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes autonomy, inclusiveness, and equity; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates adaptive AI as medical devices; the European Union AI Act classifies medical AI as “high-risk”; and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlights accountability, data security, and cultural sensitivity. Drawing on these frameworks, this perspective discusses the ethical imperatives of deploying AI responsibly in infectious diagnostic and therapeutic stewardship. Best practices are outlined to ensure that innovation enhances patient trust, safety, and equity while mitigating risks of misuse or bias.
{"title":"Ethical use of AI in infectious diagnostic decision and therapeutic stewardship","authors":"Prasan Kumar Panda, Sukanya Ghosh","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping healthcare, offering transformative potential in infectious diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship through enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and predictive capabilities. However, its integration into clinical practice raises significant ethical challenges. These include transparency of decision-making, protection of patient privacy, algorithmic fairness, accountability, and the preservation of human oversight. Global and national bodies have developed guidance to address these concerns: the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes autonomy, inclusiveness, and equity; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates adaptive AI as medical devices; the European Union AI Act classifies medical AI as “high-risk”; and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlights accountability, data security, and cultural sensitivity. Drawing on these frameworks, this perspective discusses the ethical imperatives of deploying AI responsibly in infectious diagnostic and therapeutic stewardship. Best practices are outlined to ensure that innovation enhances patient trust, safety, and equity while mitigating risks of misuse or bias.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02356"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145061268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02372
Hang Li , Xiang Gao , Zi-yang Li , Xia Xu , Jian-ping Chen
Background
Human brucellosis, a zoonotic infection, typically manifests as fever, fatigue, anorexia, and osteoarticular pain. We report a rare case of brucellosis complicated by perinephritis, presenting with abdominal and low back pain.
Case presentation
A 74-year-old male presented with fever, abdominal and low back pain. Initial lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated L4–5 disc herniation with foraminal and spinal canal stenosis, while abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed perinephric inflammation without structural abnormalities. Upon developing intermittent fever (38 °C), epidemiological history uncovered chronic consumption of uninspected sheep meat. Brucellosis with perinephritis was confirmed via supportive Brucella agglutination test and blood culture.
Conclusions
Perinephritis is an uncommon complication of brucellosis, and atypical abdominal pain warrants consideration of zoonotic exposure. Serological testing (agglutination test) and blood culture remain critical for timely diagnosis in high-risk patients.
{"title":"A case of brucellosis with perinephritis presented as abdominal and low back pain in China","authors":"Hang Li , Xiang Gao , Zi-yang Li , Xia Xu , Jian-ping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Human brucellosis, a zoonotic infection, typically manifests as fever, fatigue, anorexia, and osteoarticular pain. We report a rare case of brucellosis complicated by perinephritis, presenting with abdominal and low back pain.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 74-year-old male presented with fever, abdominal and low back pain. Initial lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated L4–5 disc herniation with foraminal and spinal canal stenosis, while abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed perinephric inflammation without structural abnormalities. Upon developing intermittent fever (38 °C), epidemiological history uncovered chronic consumption of uninspected sheep meat. Brucellosis with perinephritis was confirmed via supportive <em>Brucella</em> agglutination test and blood culture.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Perinephritis is an uncommon complication of brucellosis, and atypical abdominal pain warrants consideration of zoonotic exposure. Serological testing (agglutination test) and blood culture remain critical for timely diagnosis in high-risk patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02372"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02381
Comlan Affo , Jeanne Tisseau des Escotais , Antoine Bosquet , Isabelle Mahé
The nasopharyngeal swab is the reference test for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens. Although this procedure appears to be risk free and was performed thousands of times daily during peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during influenza and bronchiolitis outbreaks, it can be associated with minor to serious risks. These range from simple epistaxis to breaches of the meninges and skull stalks. Some breaches occur in the presence of anomalies such as congenital, traumatic or surgical encephaloceles. Neuro-meningeal breaches can be complicated by bacterial infections. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis following a nasopharyngeal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. She had been experiencing cerebrospinal fluid leakage for 1 year after a nasopharyngeal swab performed on an unidentified encephalocele. Antibiotic treatment followed by surgical repair of the encephalocele led to full recovery. Although nasopharyngeal swab tests seem simple, clear instructions are essential for both sample collectors and patients, and any complication, even minor, must be carefully considered. Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that can cause death or irreversible neurological sequelae. The presence of clear fluid flow after a nasopharyngeal swab should prompt investigation for a meningeal breach. Detecting such a breach may reveal a pre-existing or newly formed malformation, allowing for specialized care to prevent severe complications such as meningitis.
{"title":"Nasopharyngeal swab for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection complicated by severe pneumococcal meningitis","authors":"Comlan Affo , Jeanne Tisseau des Escotais , Antoine Bosquet , Isabelle Mahé","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The nasopharyngeal swab is the reference test for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens. Although this procedure appears to be risk free and was performed thousands of times daily during peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during influenza and bronchiolitis outbreaks, it can be associated with minor to serious risks. These range from simple epistaxis to breaches of the meninges and skull stalks. Some breaches occur in the presence of anomalies such as congenital, traumatic or surgical encephaloceles. Neuro-meningeal breaches can be complicated by bacterial infections. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman diagnosed with <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae</em> meningitis following a nasopharyngeal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. She had been experiencing cerebrospinal fluid leakage for 1 year after a nasopharyngeal swab performed on an unidentified encephalocele. Antibiotic treatment followed by surgical repair of the encephalocele led to full recovery. Although nasopharyngeal swab tests seem simple, clear instructions are essential for both sample collectors and patients, and any complication, even minor, must be carefully considered. Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that can cause death or irreversible neurological sequelae. The presence of clear fluid flow after a nasopharyngeal swab should prompt investigation for a meningeal breach. Detecting such a breach may reveal a pre-existing or newly formed malformation, allowing for specialized care to prevent severe complications such as meningitis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02381"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is a life-threatening condition predominantly reported in children and often associated with viral infections such as influenza. We describe a case of HSES in a 21-year-old woman following Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. She presented with a sore throat, nocturnal chills, and arthralgia one day before admission. On the day of admission, she developed fever and dyspnea and contacted emergency services. Upon arrival, her Glasgow Coma Scale score was E1V1M1 with tachycardia and hypotension. Tachycardia, hypotension, and lactate elevation persisted throughout the early phase of hospitalization. Orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were initiated. Computed tomography revealed no intracranial lesions or pneumonia. A COVID-19 antigen test was positive, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed no meningitis. Despite intensive care, shock persisted with critical coagulopathy. Hemodynamic stabilization was achieved with vasopressors and fresh frozen plasma. On day 2, mydriasis developed, and head computed tomography revealed severe cerebral edema and extensive low-density areas consistent with HSES. Despite the administration of steroids and supportive care, the patient died on day 17. The patient’s interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 levels were markedly elevated, with IL-6 peaking at 37,489 ng/mL and GDF-15 at 19,936 pg/mL, exceeding levels observed in other COVID-19 cases at our institution. HSES following COVID-19 infection can progress rapidly, accompanied by marked inflammatory cytokine elevation. Rapid onset of consciousness disorder, coagulopathy, and IL-6 elevation in COVID-19 or other viral infections should raise suspicion for HSES. Early recognition may aid in understanding its pathogenesis and guiding clinical care.
{"title":"Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome with hyper-inflammation and elevation of IL-6 and GDF-15 following COVID-19: A case report","authors":"Yoshinori Yokono , Takeshi Ebihara , Shinya Onishi , Yusuke Takahashi , Hisatake Matsumoto , Kentaro Shimizu , Satoshi Kutsuna , Jun Oda","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02390","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02390","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is a life-threatening condition predominantly reported in children and often associated with viral infections such as influenza. We describe a case of HSES in a 21-year-old woman following Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. She presented with a sore throat, nocturnal chills, and arthralgia one day before admission. On the day of admission, she developed fever and dyspnea and contacted emergency services. Upon arrival, her Glasgow Coma Scale score was E1V1M1 with tachycardia and hypotension. Tachycardia, hypotension, and lactate elevation persisted throughout the early phase of hospitalization. Orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were initiated. Computed tomography revealed no intracranial lesions or pneumonia. A COVID-19 antigen test was positive, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed no meningitis. Despite intensive care, shock persisted with critical coagulopathy. Hemodynamic stabilization was achieved with vasopressors and fresh frozen plasma. On day 2, mydriasis developed, and head computed tomography revealed severe cerebral edema and extensive low-density areas consistent with HSES. Despite the administration of steroids and supportive care, the patient died on day 17. The patient’s interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 levels were markedly elevated, with IL-6 peaking at 37,489 ng/mL and GDF-15 at 19,936 pg/mL, exceeding levels observed in other COVID-19 cases at our institution. HSES following COVID-19 infection can progress rapidly, accompanied by marked inflammatory cytokine elevation. Rapid onset of consciousness disorder, coagulopathy, and IL-6 elevation in COVID-19 or other viral infections should raise suspicion for HSES. Early recognition may aid in understanding its pathogenesis and guiding clinical care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02390"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A case of a patient who developed a radiation recall reaction (RRR) triggered by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection following surgery and chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is reported. A 75-year-old woman presented in October 2023 with pyrexia and erythema extending from the left cheek to the anterior chest area. In December 2021, she had undergone surgery to remove a carcinoma of the left buccal mucosa (pT2N0M0), followed by left comprehensive neck dissection for delayed cervical lymph node metastasis in June 2022, with subsequent adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Her course was uneventful until September 2023, when she developed COVID-19. Twenty-three days after COVID-19 infection had been confirmed, she developed systemic pyrexia with erythema and a heat sensation from her left cheek to the left anterior chest. On presentation, her temperature was 39 ºC, and she had a mild sore throat. Erythema and a heat sensation were apparent from the left cheek to the neck and anterior chest, corresponding to the previously irradiated area. Laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 11,760/μl, and C-reactive protein of 16.0 mg/dl. Computed tomography did not show any obvious abscess formation or infection source. An RRR was diagnosed, and she was admitted for treatment with intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin and intravenous hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Five days after admission, the inflammatory reaction had improved, and she was discharged. Her subsequent course has been uneventful, with no flareup of the RRR. This case is presented along with a review of relevant literature.
{"title":"Radiation recall reactions triggered by COVID-19 infection in a patient with buccal cancer; A clinical report and review of the literature","authors":"Yuto Takada , Hiroshi Doi , Yuko Kinoshita , Miku Kawaguchi , Yukino Numata , Akifumi Enomoto","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A case of a patient who developed a radiation recall reaction (RRR) triggered by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection following surgery and chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is reported. A 75-year-old woman presented in October 2023 with pyrexia and erythema extending from the left cheek to the anterior chest area. In December 2021, she had undergone surgery to remove a carcinoma of the left buccal mucosa (pT2N0M0), followed by left comprehensive neck dissection for delayed cervical lymph node metastasis in June 2022, with subsequent adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Her course was uneventful until September 2023, when she developed COVID-19. Twenty-three days after COVID-19 infection had been confirmed, she developed systemic pyrexia with erythema and a heat sensation from her left cheek to the left anterior chest. On presentation, her temperature was 39 ºC, and she had a mild sore throat. Erythema and a heat sensation were apparent from the left cheek to the neck and anterior chest, corresponding to the previously irradiated area. Laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 11,760/μl, and C-reactive protein of 16.0 mg/dl. Computed tomography did not show any obvious abscess formation or infection source. An RRR was diagnosed, and she was admitted for treatment with intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin and intravenous hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Five days after admission, the inflammatory reaction had improved, and she was discharged. Her subsequent course has been uneventful, with no flareup of the RRR. This case is presented along with a review of relevant literature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02392"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02403
Mengjie Luo, Yi Wu, Qiling Lin, Chunlei Zhang
Background
Syphilis serological false positives associated with interference from heterophile antibodies induced by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) remain rarely reported. This report aims to document a rare case of syphilis serology discordance ultimately attributed to EBV infection, imitating syphilis serology.
Case Presentation
A 34-year-old woman presented with facial skin lesions and underwent syphilis screening. Initial testing revealed reactive Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) antibody (TP-Ab), positive T. pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA), and negative toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST). Subsequent testing, including chemiluminescent platforms, immunofluorescence (FTA-ABS), Western blot, and colloidal gold methods, was non-reactive. Comprehensive workup for autoimmune and endocrine disorders was unremarkable. Further investigation revealed elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and positive EBV serologies. EBV DNA was detected. After heterophilic antibody blocking, TPPA and TP-Ab returned to negative, confirming false-positive results.
Conclusion
This case illustrates that heterophile antibody interference can simultaneously affect both particle agglutination and chemiluminescence-based treponemal assays, leading to false-positive results. It emphasizes the necessity of interpreting serological findings in conjunction with clinical history and, when appropriate, confirmatory molecular testing, in order to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
背景:梅毒血清学假阳性与eb病毒(EBV)诱导的嗜异性抗体干扰相关的报道很少。本报告旨在记录一例罕见的梅毒血清学不一致,最终归因于EBV感染,模仿梅毒血清学。一例34岁女性,因面部皮肤病变接受梅毒筛查。初步检测显示梅毒螺旋体(T. pallidum)抗体(TP-Ab)反应性,梅毒螺旋体颗粒凝集试验(TPPA)阳性,甲苯胺红无热血清试验(TRUST)阴性。随后的测试,包括化学发光平台,免疫荧光(FTA-ABS), Western blot和胶体金方法,无反应。自身免疫和内分泌疾病的综合检查无显著差异。进一步调查显示抗磷脂抗体升高和EBV血清学阳性。检测EBV DNA。经异源性抗体阻断后,TPPA和TP-Ab恢复为阴性,证实假阳性结果。结论本病例表明,嗜异性抗体干扰可同时影响颗粒凝集和基于化学发光的密螺旋体检测,导致假阳性结果。它强调必须结合临床病史解释血清学结果,并在适当时进行确证性分子检测,以防止误诊和不必要的治疗。
{"title":"False-positive treponemal syphilis serology linked to EBV-related heterophile antibodies: Insights from a multi-platform diagnostic","authors":"Mengjie Luo, Yi Wu, Qiling Lin, Chunlei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Syphilis serological false positives associated with interference from heterophile antibodies induced by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) remain rarely reported. This report aims to document a rare case of syphilis serology discordance ultimately attributed to EBV infection, imitating syphilis serology.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>A 34-year-old woman presented with facial skin lesions and underwent syphilis screening. Initial testing revealed reactive <em>Treponema pallidum</em> (<em>T. pallidum</em>) antibody (TP-Ab), positive <em>T. pallidum</em> particle agglutination assay (TPPA), and negative toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST). Subsequent testing, including chemiluminescent platforms, immunofluorescence (FTA-ABS), Western blot, and colloidal gold methods, was non-reactive. Comprehensive workup for autoimmune and endocrine disorders was unremarkable. Further investigation revealed elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and positive EBV serologies. EBV DNA was detected. After heterophilic antibody blocking, TPPA and TP-Ab returned to negative, confirming false-positive results.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case illustrates that heterophile antibody interference can simultaneously affect both particle agglutination and chemiluminescence-based treponemal assays, leading to false-positive results. It emphasizes the necessity of interpreting serological findings in conjunction with clinical history and, when appropriate, confirmatory molecular testing, in order to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02386
Bilal Hassouneh , Francesco Genderini , Joachim G. Schulz , Stelianos Kampouridis , François Willermain , Tom Buelens
We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who initially presented with headache, right hemifacial hypoesthesia, and a right abducens palsy. Initial external investigations failed to identify an etiology, and cerebral MRI was considered normal, although later review revealed subtle meningeal thickening. Approximately two months later, she developed a right pupil-involving oculomotor nerve palsy, followed by progressive visual loss in the right eye, a right inferior quadrantanopia, and a left abducens palsy. Repeat MRI demonstrated a new contrast-enhancing lesion in the right cavernous sinus, vasculitis involving the intracavernous segment of the left internal carotid artery, FLAIR hyperintensity involving the optic chiasm and left optic tract, and dural thickening with contrast enhancement consistent with pachymeningitis. Tuberculosis was suspected based on a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis but was negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) by staining, culture, and PCR. Chest imaging was normal; however, 18F-FDG PET-CT identified a hypermetabolic iliac lymph node. Excision revealed epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis, and PCR testing (Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra) detected M. tuberculosis, confirmed by culture as drug-sensitive. The patient was treated with a four-drug antitubercular regimen combined with corticosteroids, leading to clinical improvement. She experienced neurological worsening during corticosteroid tapering, which resolved after dose escalation. Cavernous sinus involvement is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis, typically occurring without pulmonary disease and with nonspecific imaging or CSF findings. High clinical suspicion is essential, and identification of an accessible extracranial biopsy site may enable definitive diagnosis while avoiding invasive neurosurgical procedures.
{"title":"Ophthalmoplegia and vision loss in extrapulmonary tuberculosis with bilateral cavernous sinus involvement","authors":"Bilal Hassouneh , Francesco Genderini , Joachim G. Schulz , Stelianos Kampouridis , François Willermain , Tom Buelens","doi":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who initially presented with headache, right hemifacial hypoesthesia, and a right abducens palsy. Initial external investigations failed to identify an etiology, and cerebral MRI was considered normal, although later review revealed subtle meningeal thickening. Approximately two months later, she developed a right pupil-involving oculomotor nerve palsy, followed by progressive visual loss in the right eye, a right inferior quadrantanopia, and a left abducens palsy. Repeat MRI demonstrated a new contrast-enhancing lesion in the right cavernous sinus, vasculitis involving the intracavernous segment of the left internal carotid artery, FLAIR hyperintensity involving the optic chiasm and left optic tract, and dural thickening with contrast enhancement consistent with pachymeningitis. Tuberculosis was suspected based on a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis but was negative for <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> (<em>M. tuberculosis</em>) by staining, culture, and PCR. Chest imaging was normal; however, 18F-FDG PET-CT identified a hypermetabolic iliac lymph node. Excision revealed epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis, and PCR testing (Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra) detected <em>M. tuberculosis</em>, confirmed by culture as drug-sensitive. The patient was treated with a four-drug antitubercular regimen combined with corticosteroids, leading to clinical improvement. She experienced neurological worsening during corticosteroid tapering, which resolved after dose escalation. Cavernous sinus involvement is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis, typically occurring without pulmonary disease and with nonspecific imaging or CSF findings. High clinical suspicion is essential, and identification of an accessible extracranial biopsy site may enable definitive diagnosis while avoiding invasive neurosurgical procedures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47045,"journal":{"name":"IDCases","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e02386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}