La Revue de médecine interne
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Castleman's disease is a polyclonal lymphoplasmacytic and vascular proliferation prominant in lymphoid tissues. It is associated with lymph node enlargement, hepatosplenomegaly and fever. This manifestations could be secondary to hyperproduction of interleukin 6. The prognosis is poor. The opportunistic infections which are characteristic of severe HIV infection worsen the prognosis. Prolonged monochemotherapy with vinblastine or etoposide can control Castleman's disease. ⋯ Taking into account this viral origin, alpha interferon could be an alternative in forms which are less progressive. However, antiviral therapy against HHV8 or HIV and the immunitary restoration do not have any influence on the evolution of Castleman's disease, contrary to opportunistic infections.
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Review Case Reports
[Hemolytic-uremic syndrome complicating a long-term treatment with gemcitabine. Report of a case and review of the literature].
Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog used in solid tumors since 1987. The main side effect is myelosuppression. Acute renal failure with thrombotic microangiopathy has also been reported. We report a new case and suggest to screen for this complication. ⋯ We suggest that reticulocyte count, haptoglobin level and urinalysis could help the clinician to maintain high vigilance and to have a rapid diagnosis for this rare disorder.