Internal medicine
-
Campylobacter rectus is a campylobacterium considered to be a primary periodontal pathogen. Thus, C. rectus has rarely been isolated from extraoral specimens, especially in the thoracic region. ⋯ Molecular identification was performed using polymerase chain reaction amplification and a sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Estimation of the causative bacteria using Gram staining led to the proper culture and identification of the causative bacteria.
-
We herein report a case of acute myocarditis possibly related to the second dose of an mRNA-coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine in a 45-year-old woman with no remarkable medical history. She had a fever for one week following the second dose of the mRNA-1273 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine. ⋯ Echocardiography showed segmental wall motion abnormalities of the apex, apical portion of the anterior and inferior walls. The findings of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were consistent with acute myocarditis.
-
Valproic acid (VPA) and levetiracetam (LEV) are used in epilepsy treatment. However, their use to treat short-bowel syndrome has not been reported. ⋯ VPA and LEV were administered, and good blood levels were achieved at clinical doses. This suggests that the gastrointestinal tract absorption of LEV and VPA is good even in patients with short-bowel syndrome and a 30-cm jejunum.
-
Atypical Shone's complex is a rare congenital anomaly involving a left-sided obstructive lesion of two or three cardiovascular levels. A 70-year-old man with dyspnea on exertion was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis (AS) with a bicuspid valve, complicated by severe aortic coarctation (CoA) and a double-orifice mitral valve. He underwent surgery for AS and CoA in one session. It is important to search for complicated malformations, even in cases of bicuspid aortic valve found in old age.
-
Objective To examine the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown on lifestyle factors and psychological stress in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with IBD in Japan 2 months after the initiation of the first state of emergency (June 16 to August 21, 2020). A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, and lifestyle factors and psychological stress levels before and after the state of emergency were compared. ⋯ Among elderly patients, no significant changes were identified in stress-causing factors. Conclusion The COVID-19 lockdown affected lifestyle factors and psychological stress in patients with IBD, particularly non-elderly patients. These findings may be helpful in suggesting favorable lifestyle changes for patients with IBD.