amphotericin-b and Sjogren-s-Syndrome

Despite the relative high frequency of Candida bloodstream infection, Candida endocarditis is a rare entity. We report five cases of Candida endocarditis admitted to our hospital in the period between 2005 and 2011. Two cases were caused by C. albicans, two cases were caused by C. parapsilosis and in the last one, we didn't identify the species of Candida. All but one had clear risk factors for candidemia. Treatment consisted of amphotericin B with / without flucytosine in four patients, and they all underwent surgery for valve replacement and / or removal of intravascular devices. Overall mortality was 60% (40% of mortality was directly related to endocarditis). All patients who survived were given suppressive therapy with fluconazole for a minimum of two years.After stopping fluconazole there was a case of recurrence.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Adult; Aged; Amphotericin B; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacterial Infections; Candida; Candidiasis; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Combined Modality Therapy; Disease Susceptibility; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endocarditis; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fluconazole; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Middle Aged; Pacemaker, Artificial; Postoperative Complications; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Rheumatic Heart Disease; Sjogren's Syndrome; Spain; Tertiary Care Centers; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare disease characterized by marked loss of CD4 T-cells without human immunodeficiency virus infection. CD4 T-cells play an important role in granuloma formation in cryptococcal infection. Thus far, among ICL patients, it has not been concluded definitely whether granuloma is formed or not. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with ICL and disseminated cryptococcal infection with granuloma formation. She was referred to our department because of a lung mass, osteolytic lesion, and a subcutaneous mass identified on a computed tomography scan, and an elevated C-reactive protein level. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from the tissues. She also had marked CD4 lymphocytopenia (33 cells/μL), without human immunodeficiency virus infection. In a biopsy specimen of the lung mass, granulomas containing CD4 T-cells were observed. The cryptococcosis was treated with liposomal amphotericin B followed by fluconazole and she was found to be cured. The CD4 T-cell count was persistently low. This case showed that granulomas containing CD4 T-cells can be formed in ICL patients with cryptococcal infection despite very low CD4 T-cell counts.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Biopsy; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Female; Fluconazole; Granuloma; Humans; Lung; Sjogren's Syndrome; T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by decreased exocrine gland secretions; patients may also present several hematological abnormalities, like lymphopenia. We describe the case of a 28 year old man who complained of headache a month of duration, with fever and vomiting in the last 48 hours. He also presented skin lesions on trunk and face, without neck stiffness. The diagnosis of duration infection was confirmed by culture from the skin biopsy and spinal fluid specimens; in addition, the presence of lymphopenia, positive anti Ro-SSA antibodies, poor concentration of the tracer in scintigraphy and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands confirmed the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. the patient was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin and itraconazole. We report this case to emphasize that opportunistic infections, such as disseminated histoplasmosis, may be an uncommon clinical presentation of Sjögren's syndrome.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Itraconazole; Lymphopenia; Male; Sjogren's Syndrome

Topics: Amphotericin B; Biopsy; Candida albicans; Candidiasis, Oral; Cheilitis; Diabetes Complications; Endocrine System Diseases; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Leukoplakia, Oral; Metabolic Diseases; Nutrition Disorders; Nystatin; Sjogren's Syndrome; Stomatitis, Denture

Topics: Amphotericin B; Chronic Disease; Contact Lenses; Corneal Transplantation; Corneal Ulcer; Epithelium; Female; Humans; Idoxuridine; Keratitis, Dendritic; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Nystatin; Sjogren's Syndrome; Transplantation, Homologous