The American journal of the medical sciences
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Observational Study
Infection in Hospitalized Cirrhosis Patients: Changing Epidemiology and Clinical Features.
Patients with cirrhosis are uniquely predisposed to infections, which can lead to acute decompensation and an increase in mortality rates. We hypothesized that not only are cirrhotic patients more likely to develop certain infections, but that specific infections are associated with poorer outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the epidemiology, bacteriology, and outcomes of infections in cirrhotic patients admitted to the hospital. ⋯ In summary, infections were common in patients with cirrhosis and were associated with poor outcomes, particularly in the presence of evidence of sepsis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia are now most commonly due to gram-positive organisms and fungal infections appear to be rising in prevalence.
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The purpose of the current study was to describe the clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis with IgA deposits in the kidneys. ⋯ Patients with IgA deposits presented with milder renal damage and a good prognosis, which suggested its protective role in lupus nephritis.
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The purpose of the study was to assess the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). ⋯ Atherosclerotic vascular disease was prominent in our contemporary cohort with NVO in the setting of SAB. Diabetes mellitus, tobacco consumption, older age and male sex likely contributed to this profile. Because IDU was associated with NVO, an increased number of cases should be anticipated among patients with IDU given the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.
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Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect and is associated with a number of cardiac pathologies including coarctation of the aorta (CoA), aortic dilation, aortic stenosis, and premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, BAV has been associated with left dominant coronary artery anatomy but there is still much debate regarding this association. To date, no study has investigated the association between coronary artery dominance and cardiac pathologies in patients with BAV. ⋯ Our study found a predominance of right dominant coronary artery circulation in patients with BAV, similar to the general population. Interestingly, left dominance was significantly associated with CoA in patients with BAV. This observation highlights the importance of further studies regarding how coronary artery dominance can be associated with other cardiovascular pathologies in patients with BAV.
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Editorial Historical Article
Waldemar Mordecai Wolf Haffkine, DSc: Vaccinologist.