International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2017
Case ReportsBabesia microti infection and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient.
Babesiosis is a rare and potentially severe tick-borne illness endemic to the Northeastern and upper Midwestern regions of the USA. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is an uncommon condition resulting from over-activation of the immune system. The first known case of babesiosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent patient is reported here.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2017
Central nervous system infections in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.
Previous multicenter/multinational studies were evaluated to determine the frequency of the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis in patients with central nervous system infections, as well as the clinical impact of this condition. It was found that 18% of neurosyphilis, 7.9% of herpetic meningoencephalitis, 3% of tuberculous meningitis, 1.7% of Brucella meningitis, and 0.2% of pneumococcal meningitis cases did not display cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Most patients were not immunosuppressed. Patients without pleocytosis had a high rate of unfavorable outcomes and thus this condition should not be underestimated.
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Int. J. Infect. Dis. · Dec 2017
Zika virus epidemic in Puerto Rico: Health justice too long delayed.
Over the course of 16 months, more than 35400 cases of Zika virus infection have been confirmed in Puerto Rico. This represents 85% of all cases reported in the USA and its territories. ⋯ The allocation and equitable management of resources for research and intervention are required in order to understand and address the barriers to and facilitators of prevention at the individual, social, and structural levels. Further, the impact of efforts to tackle the social determinants of the Zika virus epidemic on the island should be assessed.