Background
The body of evidence on cutaneous mucormycosis is largely derived from case reports or single‐centre databases.
Objectives
Our study aimed to describe incidence, predisposing factors and inpatient outcomes of cutaneous mucormycosis in the United States.
Methods
We conducted a population‐based retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample 2016‐17 data. Fifty‐six discharges had a diagnosis of cutaneous mucormycosis on the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision. Descriptive analysis was performed for the demographics, predisposing factors, length of stay (LOS), cost and inpatient mortality. The NIS represents 20% of all discharges in the United States, which allowed us to estimate the national incidence of cutaneous mucormycosis.
Results
An estimated total of 280 admissions occurred between 2016 and 2017, indicating 3.9 cases per million admissions across the United States. The estimated incidence rate was 0.43 cases per million people per year. Median age was 49.5 (19–59) years, 44.6% were female, and 54.9% were Caucasian. We identified haematologic malignancies (48.2%) and solid organ transplantations (10.7%), often accompanied by skin/soft tissue or post‐procedural infections, were the most common predisposing conditions. Median LOS was 15 (6–31) days, median total charges were 187,030 (65,962–446,265) USD, and in‐hospital mortality rate was 16.1%.
Conclusions
In current clinical practice, physicians may encounter cutaneous mucormycosis most commonly in severely immunocompromised hosts with haematologic malignancies or transplantations, accompanied by skin/soft tissue or post‐procedural infections. A high index of suspicion and prompt tissue sampling in at‐risk groups is important to improve the outcomes.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare idiosyncratic drug reaction with a mortality of up to 10%. As the name suggests, it is characterized by skin rash, eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms resulting from the involvement of visceral organs. We present a case of DRESS in a patient who was on both lamotrigine and levetiracetam, where levetiracetam turned out to be the inciting agent. The interesting features of the case include the onset of symptoms about 70 days after the initiation of levetiracetam, the lack of prominent eosinophilia and the involvement of the gall bladder, which was previously unknown with Levetiracetam. It also reinforces the importance of using the RegiSCAR score in the diagnosis of DRESS. The symptoms resolved over the next few months after drug withdrawal.
Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV2) hepatitis represents a rare but serious complication of HSV2 infection that can progress to acute liver failure (ALF). We describe a case of a pregnant teenager who presented with four days of fever, headache, malaise, nausea, and vomiting. She was initially misdiagnosed with sepsis of unclear source and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Empiric acyclovir was started one week into her hospitalization despite negative serologies while awaiting HSV2 PCR leading to complete resolution of symptoms. Given its high mortality and nonspecific presentation, clinicians should consider HSV hepatitis in all patients with acute hepatitis especially in high-risk population.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening event that can occur anytime during pregnancy. It has been reported following administration of various substances with adverse maternal and neonatal consequences. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intrapartum collapse. We encountered a case of severe anaphylactic reaction following a routine cesarean section. It is very important that all members of the perinatal team are aware of early recognition and management of anaphylactic reaction. We think that it is important to highlight this as a further case report of severe anaphylactic reaction to a colloid solution and discuss the pathophysiology and
management.
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