Ophthalmomyiasis externa is the infestation of external ocular structures most commonly by Oestrus ovis, sheep nasal bot fly, which have a pupal stage in soil. Farmers and shepherds are commonly affected but rarely in urban areas. This is the first case of Oestrus ovis ophthalmomyiasis externa in California since Catalina Island 1986. No livestock exposure was noted. Manure fertilizer sourced from grazing fields of natural hosts was used on a local urban sports field and is the suspected source.
1 January 2018 in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Magnusiomyces capitatus is a rare cause of fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, mainly seen in hematological malignancies. M capitatus infections are extremely rare in immunocompetent patients, as it is part of normal human microbial flora. We are presenting an extremely rare case of M capitatus peritonitis in an otherwise immunocompetent patient who suffered from gastrointestinal leakage due to pancreatitis. Fungal identification was performed at reference laboratory by phenotypic characteristics and DNA sequencing of target internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene and the D1-D2 domain of the large-subunit rRNA gene and susceptibility testing by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (document M27-S4) broth dilution method. He was successfully treated with a combination of surgical repair and voriconazole single therapy.
1 January 2022 in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious complication of chronic renal failure characterized by vascular calcium overload. It has a high mortality rate. Penile calciphylaxis is an extremely rare condition of penile necrosis due to calciphylaxis of the penile arterioles. Presented here is a severe case of systemic calciphylaxis initially presented as penile necrosis treated with sodium thiosulfate and amputation.
1 January 2019 in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, leptomeningeal meningitis, or, as referred here, leptomeningeal metastasis (LM), is a rare but frequently fatal complication seen in advanced stage of cancer either locally advanced or after a metastasis of a known primary cancer. We present a rare and uncommon case of leptomeningeal metastases from carcinoma of unknown primary. A 32-year-old female was diagnosed with LM; however, no known primary carcinoma was identified after 2 separate biopsies. The first biopsy of the right pre-tracheal lymph node showed poorly differentiated pan-keratin (AE1 and AE3) and placental alkaline phosphatase with the possibility of germ cell origin. Second cytology of cervical lymphadenopathy was remarkable for cytokeratin 7 and 20, placental alkaline phosphatase, and CDX2 suggestive of germ line tumor with both mucinous ovarian and gastrointestinal carcinomas. Unfortunately, the LM progressed rapidly despite multiple cycles of germ cell origin directed systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, and the patient opted for hospice care without getting a chance to identify the primary source.
15 December 2022 in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Aspergillus subramanianii is a very rare form of Aspergillus in section Circumdati. Aspergillus subramanianii has been rarely reported or ever published. IgG4 disease is an emerging disease entity that can be a diagnostic challenge. We report a critically ill patient who had invasive A subramanianii pulmonary aspergillosis and posthumous diagnosis of IgG subclass 4 interstitial lung disease.
1 January 2018 in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Coccidioidal meningitis typically presents with symptoms that may include headache, altered mental status including personality changes, fever, nausea, vomiting, gait abnormalities, and focal neurological deficits. This is a case of coccidioidal meningitis that initially presented as 4 consecutive crescendo cerebrovascular transient ischemic attacks with focal neurological deficits that resolved within minutes. Imaging showed a left basilar coccidioma. Follow-up at 4 months showed treatment response to conservative therapy of fluconazole 1000 mg with a dexamethasone taper. Crescendo cerebrovascular transient ischemic attacks are a unique initial presentation of coccidioidal meningitis.