Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Expansion Of Lyme Disease: A Case Of Infection In The Absence Of Known Exposure, James C. Curry, Shane E. Cook Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Lyme disease is a systemic infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi often carried the Ixodes tick. It is associated with dermatologic manifestations, most notably the “bullseye rash” of erythema migrans. The disease can progress in stages to involve other organs such as joints, heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is continuing to spread, with West Virginia cases increasing dramatically in the last 2 decades. As a result, physicians are likely to encounter this disease more often, making recognition and early treatment a top priority in order to prevent potentially dangerous sequelae. We present a case of a 60-year-old …

Chronic Cavitary Pulmonary Aspergillosis: An Unusual Cause Of Chronic Cough, Pleuritic Chest Pain, And Hemoptysis In A 24-Year-Old Coal Mine Worker, Emma I. Sherfinski, Emily J. Vore, Mark H. Cooper Md, Phd, Peimei He Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Pulmonary Aspergillus infections are caused by the ubiquitous fungus mold when spores found in compost, dust, and plant material are inhaled. Manifestation of the disease is represented by a delicate balance between host and pathogen interactions, making Aspergillus infection more commonly observed in immunocompromised individuals. Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) is a subtype of pulmonary Aspergillosis associated with history of chronic or prior lung disease. Here we present the case of a non-immunocompromised 24-year-old male with a history of intermittent asthma with chronic pulmonary symptoms and finding of a lung mass on imaging. We describe the diagnostic challenge and surgical …

Analysis Of Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Monitoring Protocol Adherence In An Academic Medical Center: A Seven Year Analysis And Literature Review, Natavoot N. Chongswatdi Md, Callie Seaman Md, Diane Harman Rn, Bsn, William Rollyson Md, Adam M. Franks Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Health care workers (HCW) are at risk for occupational blood borne pathogen exposures (BBPE). Effective prevention and management of BBPEs relies upon reporting and post-exposure follow-up protocol adherence. As post-exposure monitoring completion is largely unexplored, seven years of a university healthcare system’s BBPE exposure data was explored and compared to documented rates.

Methods

The Marshall Health Occupational Health and Wellness division collected seven years (2012-2018) of BBPE follow-up monitoring adherence rates and demographic data. Data for HCW occupation, exposure incident, and source patient disease status were evaluated. Differences were analyzed with Chi square, Fischer Exact and logistic regression tests. …

Blocking Serine Protease (Tmprss2) By Bromhexine; Looking At Potential Treatment To Prevent Covid-19 Infection, Ramin Tolouian, Audrey C. Tolouian, Mohammadreza Ardalan

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Not applicable. Manuscript is being submitted under Viewpoints category.

Group A Streptococcus Brain Abscess In A Patient On Adalimumab Therapy, Ryan Carroll, Ahmad Abu-Hashyeh, James Gainer, Kara Willenburg, Charles Meadows

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Brain abscesses represent a group of dangerous infections typically caused by a number of classic organisms. Group A Streptococcus is a rare cause of brain abscesses and those patients that do have this particular condition will typically have a distal source of infection. We present a case of patient with a biopsy confirmed Group A Streptococcal without a distal source of infection. His only identifiable risk factor was his adalimumab therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. While adalimumab has not been linked to Streptococcal infection in the past, it has been associated with multiple atypical infections and some of the consequences of …

An Unusual Case Of Escherichia Coli Meningitis And Bacteremia In An Elderly Woman Presenting With Intractable Low Back Pain, Andrea M. Lauffer, Mahmoud Shorman, Carl Mccomas

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction:

We report an unusual case of E. coli meningitis in an elderly woman who presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of intractable low back pain.

Case Description:

A 67 year old woman presented to the emergency room for a chief complaint of intractable low back pain. After admission, the patient developed delirium. Blood cultures were drawn. Patient underwent a lumbar puncture which revealed purulent cerebrospinal fluid. Results of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures revealed pan-sensitive E. coli.

Conclusion:

In the geriatric population, delayed presentation of meningitis can occur for various reasons. With the older …

Case Report: Recurrent Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome In Healthy Term Neonate Despite Full Course Of Antibiotic Therapy, Indira Bhavsar, Rebecca Hayes, Amy Vaughan

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Background

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) describes a blistering skin infection caused by the exfoliative toxin in the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. It more commonly affects the infant population and is characterized by large blistering bullae that rupture upon application of pressure.

Case description

We describe a case of recurrent SSSS in a healthy term neonate who initially presented with a perioral rash on day of life (DOL) 11 that quickly became vesicular with new lesions on the sternum and extremities. The patient’s rash began to resolve upon administration of culture-specific IV antibiotics. She was appropriately treated with a 14-day …