Related Experiment Videos
An unusual presentation of a common infection
J Richter1, L Quintanilla-Martinez, K Bienemann
1Tropical Medicine Unit, University Hospital for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. Joachim.Richter@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Abstract:
A 40-year-old Ghanaian woman presented with fever and exanthema. She had anemia, leukopenia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), creatinin kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and liver enzymes. She was diagnosed with schistosomiasis and was cured with praziquantel. During the following years, she developed polymyositis, chronic nephritis, and life-threatening perimyocarditis. High numbers of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded RNA copies were demonstrated in CD8+ T-lymphocytes from endomyocardial biopsies. There was no evidence of any underlying immunosuppression or an EBV-related malignancy. Chronic active EBV infection was diagnosed, a clinical picture not described in an adult African previously. Interestingly, among all therapy attempts, only rituximab was effective at stabilizing the disease.
Related Concept Videos
Atypical Pneumonia
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...