Search

The clinical utility of methicillin-resistantThe objective of this study was to compare the predictive value of culture-based MRSA nasal screening for pneumonia and bacteremia in ICU and general ward patients.This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted over a 23-month period. Adult patients with MRSA nasal screening ≤48 hours of collecting a respiratory and/or blood culture with concurrent initiation of anti-MRSA therapy were included. The primary endpoint was to compare the negative predictive value (NPV) associated with culture-based MRSA nasal screening between ICU and general ward patients with suspected pneumonia.A total of 5106 patients representing the ICU (n = 2515) and general ward (n = 2591) were evaluated. The NPV of the MRSA nares for suspected pneumonia was not significantly different between ICU and general ward patient populations (98.3% and 97.6%, respectively;Our findings support the routine use of MRSA nasal screening using the culture-based method in ICU patients with pneumonia. Further research on the clinical performance for MRSA bacteremia in the ICU is warranted.

Background: The clinical utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal screening appears promising for antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, a paucity of data remains on the diagnostic performance of culture-based MRSA screen in the intensive care unit (ICU) for pneumonia and bacteremia. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the predictive value of culture-based MRSA nasal screening for pneumonia and bacteremia in ICU and general ward patients. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted over a 23-month period. Adult patients with MRSA nasal screening ≤48 hours of collecting a respiratory and/or blood culture with concurrent initiation of anti-MRSA therapy were included. The primary endpoint was to compare the negative predictive value (NPV) associated with culture-based MRSA nasal screening between ICU and general ward patients with suspected pneumonia. Results: A total of 5106 patients representing the ICU (n = 2515) and general ward (n = 2591) were evaluated. The NPV of the MRSA nares for suspected pneumonia was not significantly different between ICU and general ward patient populations (98.3% and 97.6%, respectively; P = 0.41). The MRSA nares screening tool also had a high NPV for suspected bacteremia in ICU (99.8%) and general ward groups (99.7%) ( P = 0.56). The overall positive MRSA nares rates in the ICU and general ward patient populations were 9.1% and 8.2%, respectively ( P = 0.283). Moreover, MRSA-positive respiratory and blood cultures among ICU patients were 5.8% and 0.8%, respectively. Conclusion and Relevance: Our findings support the routine use of MRSA nasal screening using the culture-based method in ICU patients with pneumonia. Further research on the clinical performance for MRSA bacteremia in the ICU is warranted.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma worldwide. It is an aggressive lymphoma that arises from germinal center or post-germinal center B cells. Patients typically present with a rapidly enlarging symptomatic mass, most usually nodal enlargement in the neck or abdomen, but may present with a mass lesion anywhere in the body. However, multiple sites of involvement occur less frequently. We report a case of a 74- year-old woman who initially presented to the hospital for evaluation of a right distal femoral fracture which resulted from a fall at home. Lytic lesions were found in the distal femur and proximal fibula. She was also found to have hypercalcemia with a calcium level of 12.2. A CT- guided biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with non-germinal center phenotype. A radical resection of the right femur was performed, and a distal femoral replacement hinged knee arthroplasty was done successfully. A venous port was also placed for chemotherapy administration. The patient was admitted to inpatient rehab with plans to initiate chemotherapy. 6 weeks later, the patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of difficulty hearing, ear discomfort, dysphagia, and dyspnea for 3 weeks. These symptoms prompted her medical oncologist to send her to the ED and postpone chemotherapy that was to begin on that day. Physical examination found the patient to have neck fullness, large palpable lymph nodes, and stridor. Upon evaluation she was also found to have impaired renal function (Blood urea nitrogen 41, Cr 3.10), severe hypercalcemia (Corrected calcium 16.2), and hypokalemia (Potassium 2.8). An EKG demonstrated sinus rhythm and non-specific t-wave abnormality. A chest radiograph showed an enlarged thyroid extending into the superior mediastinum. There was also tracheal narrowing, and tracheal deviation to the left. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for treatment of hypercalcemia and stridor. The patient was aggressively treated with fluid management. She also received loop diuretics, steroids, and calcitonin. Once stabilized, a fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland identified further involvement by diffuse B-Cell Lymphoma. The medical oncologist then initiated R-CHOP chemotherapy. The stridor resolved and the patient’s symptoms significantly improved. After two weeks in the ICU she was discharged to a rehab facility where chemotherapy was continued. This is a rare case of rapidly growing non-germinal center DLBCL that presented with involvement of both the bone and thyroid gland causing life-threatening symptoms. Upon reviewing the literature, there has been no documented cases of DLBCL simultaneously involving the bone and thyroid gland. The patient responded well to R- CHOP chemotherapy and continues to receive treatment in an outpatient facility.

Introduction : Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is used in multiple metabolic processes, functioning primarily as a coenzyme with Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and Methionine synthase in humans. Without functioning enzyme, substrate levels build up which are neurotoxic, leading to neurological debilitation. Lack of enzyme also halts cellular replication processes causing severe anemia. Since numerous studies have found decreased cobalamin levels in patients who regularly take metformin1, then could regular monitoring of cobalamin levels in such patients prevent these outcomes? Case Presentation : We present a 50-year-old female who reported to the ED with general weakness and shortness of breath after having a seizure. Her medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus being treated with metformin and a history of seizures controlled by carbamazepine since childhood. Neurological exam abnormalities consisted of DTRs that were 1/4 on all proximal and distal upper and lower extremities and absent fine sensory and vibratory sensation on ankles and feet bilaterally. Patient was also ataxic. Hgb A1c was 14%. Head CT, chest x-ray, EKG, and cardiac markers found no abnormalities. CBC found a profound pancytopenia with WBC 1.6, RBC 1.27, Hgb 5.2, MCV 119, MCH 40.9, MCHC 34.3, RDW 18.2, and platelets 113. Blood smear was normal. Bone marrow sample showed normochromic macrocytic cells with no other abnormalities. Folate level was normal and cobalamin was found to be low (61.5 pmol/L). Intrinsic factor antibodies were negative. Extensive autoimmune workup was also negative. Discussion: Our patient’s neurological symptoms and pancytopenia were found to be due to multiple factors. R. Pawlak, found that metformin use had a 2.45 (p < 0.0001) times higher odds of developing B12 deficiency in comparison to non-metformin users1. This was also supported by a systemic review of the impact of metformin Carbamazepine is known for its effects on decreasing the absorption of folate and has statistically been found to decrease cobalamin significantly as well. There are several B12 assessment methods available to providers, including serum/plasma B12, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Homocysteine (Hcy), Holotranscobalamin II (holoTCII), and serum and urinary Methylmalonic Acid (MMA). Urinary MMA has been found to be the most specific and sensitive of these markers when adjusted by kidney function (through serum creatinine levels) and while fasting Conclusion : Currently, there are no screening guidelines by the U.S.P.S.T.F or American Diabetes Association for cobalamin deficiency. However, neurologic deficits and macrocytic anemia could be prevented through monitoring cobalamin levels in diabetics receiving metformin treatment. This monitoring might be needed more in patients with seizure disorderon Carbamazebin.

When examining the relationship of locus of control (LOC) with mental and physical health, internal and external loci of control have typically been defined as a single, bipolar construct, despite prior evidence that the two are orthogonal. Across three cross-sectional studies, we hypothesized that internal and external locus of control would each predict unique variance in well-being. Study 1 examined the association of LOC with psychological well-being, Study 2 examined the association between LOC and physical well-being, and Study 3 examined the association of three types of LOC with psychological, subjective, and physical well-being. Study 3 also employed three types of LOC assessments. In all three studies (n = 1181 for Study 1, n = 577 for Study 2, n = 271 for Study 3), undergraduate participants completed self-report surveys through an online data-collection system. Through a series of regression analyses, the results showed that external LOC was a more consistent predictor of well-being than Internal LOC. More specifically, perceived constraints (a form of external LOC) were the strongest LOC predictor over all other types. This suggests that internal and external LOC should be measured as two separate constructs, and that external LOC is more strongly associated with well-being than internal LOC.