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Sound stimulation can influence electrophysiological vestibular reflexes. However, the effects of sound stimulation on space perception remain unknown.To know the effects of monaural sound stimulation on subjective visual vertical (SVV).We measured SVV with and without monaural sound stimulation (105 dB, 500 Hz short tone burst presented at 4.7 Hz) in 50 healthy volunteers (aged 20–77 [mean = 42.7] years).The mean SVV was deviated 0.139° to the left by right monaural sound stimulation and 0.123° to the right by left monaural sound stimulation. SVV changes due to right and left ear stimulations were significantly different (p = 0.019). Sound stimulation resulted in a significant change in SVV on the left side (p = 0.014) in participants aged 50 or younger (mean = 35.6 years) (n = 37).This study is the first to show the possibility that the monaural sound input deviates the SVV toward the opposite side and is more pronounced for left-ear input. The vestibular-evoked myogenic potential responses may be involved in the mechanism of the contralateral SVV deviation due to sound input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 55-year-old man, who had not suffered from any severe or recurrent bacterial infections previously, visited our hospital because of symptoms of fever, cough, sputum, and otorrhea. Chest X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated infiltrates in the right middle lobe and lingula. Pneumococcal pneumonia and tympanitis were diagnosed based on the isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sputum and otorrhea specimens. A peripheral blood analysis showed a remarkable reduction in serum IgG level and the flow cytometric analysis of his peripheral monocytes indicated a significant reduction in Bruton's tyrosine kinase expression. Thus, we diagnosed his illness as X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). Although immunoglobulin replacement therapy was performed, he developed recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Low-dose long-term erythromycin treatment resulted in decreased frequency of respiratory tract infections. These results suggest that erythromycin therapy may be useful for the control of lower respiratory tract infections in patients with XLA. Even in adults with recurrent bacterial respiratory tract infections, the presence of XLA as an underlying disease should be considered. The effect of macrolide therapy for chronic lower respiratory tract infection associated with humoral immunodeficiency has rarely been reported. This case study may provide valuable information about macrolide therapy for such an infection in patients with humoral immunodeficiency.

A 62-year-old woman was admitted with fever and bloody sputum. A mass shadow in the left S3 and obstruction of the left B3 were seen on a chest radiograph and CT. Obstructive pneumonia was suspected, and cefotiam and imipenem/cilastatin were administered. However, this treatment did not show adequate efficacy. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a yellowish-white polypoid lesion in the left B3, but histopathological findings with HE staining yielded no definite diagnosis. Subsequently, Nocardia asteroides was detected in sputum test. A sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination and minocycline were administered, and the clinical findings improved. Gram-positive microfilaments were confirmed retrospectively in the pathologic specimen, and a diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis was made.