Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of Implementing An Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Protocol In The Primary Care Setting, Teri A. Koch

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women globally. Current screening methods by clinicians include cytology sampling, high-risk human papillomavirus sampling, or co-testing with both methods. These tests may detect cell changes before they become cancerous, yet the uptake of these methods has decreased in recent years (Aginga, 2022; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023; Popalis et al., 2022; Sung et al., 2021). The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if the implementation of an updated cervical screening protocol improved the linkage of abnormal results to appropriate clinical follow-up …

A Multi-Modal Intervention To Improve Identification, Management, And Prevention Of Early Childhood Caries In The Primary Care Setting, Rieley M. Hull

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease and, if untreated, can lead to significant long-term health and social consequences, posing a substantial healthcare burden (AAPD, 2023; ADA, 2023; USPSTF, 2021; WHO, 2022). This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed to implement a multi-modal intervention to reduce ECC risk factors, prevent new dental caries, and halt the progression of existing dental caries. Conducted in a pediatric primary care setting in West Michigan, the project included patients five and under who received an oral examination and dental caries risk assessment following the AAP’s guidelines. Based on their oral health …

Prognostic Value Of Serum And Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Galactomannan Levels In Invasive Aspergillosis: An 8-Year Experience At A Tertiary Cancer Center, Saliba Wehbe, Anne-Marie Chaftari, Ray Hachem, Hiba Dagher, Andrea Haddad, Ann Philip, Ying Jiang, Ramia Zakhour, Peter Bakht, Jishna Shrestha, Peter Lamie, Robin Sherchan, Jennifer Makhoul, Patrick Chaftari, Issam I Raad

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening fungal infection that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and has high morbidity and mortality rates, necessitating timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid galactomannan levels, as well as galactomannan kinetics, in patients with IA.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with proven or probable IA from March 2016 to April 2024 at a tertiary cancer center. The collected data included patient characteristics, baseline and peak galactomannan levels in serum and BAL fluid, galactomannan trends, and …

Alzheimer’S Disease Protective Allele Of Clusterin Modulates Neuronal Excitability Through Lipid-Droplet-Mediated Neuron-Glia Communication, Xiaojie Zhao, Yan Li, Siwei Zhang, Ari Sudwarts, Hanwen Zhang, Alena Kozlova, Matthew J Moulton, Lindsey D Goodman, Zhiping P Pang, Alan R Sanders, Hugo J Bellen, Gopal Thinakaran, Jubao Duan

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have identified a plethora of risk loci. However, the disease variants/genes and the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively studied.

Methods: Bulk ATAC-seq was performed in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated various brain cell types to identify allele-specific open chromatin (ASoC) SNPs. CRISPR-Cas9 editing generated isogenic pairs, which were then differentiated into glutamatergic neurons (iGlut). Transcriptomic analysis and functional studies of iGlut co-cultured with mouse astrocytes assessed neuronal excitability and lipid droplet formation.

Results: We identified a putative causal SNP of CLU that impacted neuronal chromatin accessibility to transcription-factor(s), with …

Post-Discharge Telephone Intervention With A Clinical Pharmacy Specialist For Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Patients, Jane E. Rogers, Michael Leung, Amanda Sirisaengtaksin, Jennifer Zadlo, Van Nguyen, Morgan Mace, Wendy Covert, Makenna Smack, Stacy Diao, Zhou Fang, Andrea Landgraf, Mariela Blum Murphy

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Oncology patients are a vulnerable population with medication-related problems spanning across care settings. Gastrointestinal medical oncology (GIMO) patients often have unique medication challenges due to extensive treatment history. High-quality medication reconciliation aids in preventing medication discrepancies and potential adverse events during transitions of care. We conducted a pilot post-hospital discharge intervention with clinical pharmacy specialists for GIMO patients.

Objective: The primary objective was to identify the frequency of medication discrepancies.

Methods: GIMO patients discharged from our hospital were identified and called within 7 days of discharge. Clinical pharmacy specialist telephone encounters occurred between December 2021 and February 2022.

Results: …

Factors Associated With Emergency Difficult Tracheal Intubation And Difficult Airway Management In A Non–Operating Room Setting At A Cancer Treatment Center, Jackson Su, Neil Bailard, Jens Tan, Jeffrey Lim, Catherine Vu, Wenli Dong, Gang Zheng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Difficult tracheal intubations are reported more often in the emergency non−operating room setting than in the operating setting. To identify the factors associated with emergency difficult intubation (DI) and difficult airway (DA) management in hospitalized patients with cancer, we conducted a single-center retrospective study in hospitalized patients who underwent emergency intubations in a non−operating setting from 2016 to 2019 at a cancer treatment center. Cases of DI (inability to visualize the vocal cords and/or >2 intubation attempts) and DA (DI, advanced airway device use, and/or need for a surgical airway) were included. We reviewed 763 cases; the DI and DA …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Renal Dosing Refreshable Sidebar Report On Appropriateness Of Antimicrobial Dosing At A Large Acute Care Cancer Hospital, Emily Fox, Jovan Borjan, Nancy Vuong, Hannah Aune, Claire Marten, Joshua Hendrickson

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Appropriate antimicrobial dosing is vital in the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, though adherence to guideline recommended doses is often suboptimal.

Outcomes: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a renal dosing refreshable sidebar report, which displayed recommendations from a previously developed institutional antimicrobial dosing guide at the time of antimicrobial order entry. The primary outcome was adherence to daptomycin dosing guideline recommendations before and after implementation.

Methods: This was a pre- and post-quasi-experimental study at a 600-bed acute care cancer hospital. Adult patients (≥18 years old) that received daptomycin from February-April 2021 (pre-intervention phase) and …

Smoking Cessation Education In Caregivers Of Pediatric Patients Hospitalized With Asthma Exacerbation, Maya Emptage, Kaitlynn Lineberry, Suzanne Kayali, Bobby Bellflower Dnsc, Nnp-Bc, Faanp, Michelle Rickard Dnp, Pnpac-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Pediatric asthma is rising globally, currently affecting over 300 million individuals and projected to reach 400 million by 2025. This scoping review aims to summarize existing evidence on the impact of providing smoking education to caregivers during hospitalization on reducing pediatric asthma exacerbations, with the goal of encouraging further research.

Methods

The search spanned from August 2022 to November 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving human participants and caregivers of children receiving smoking cessation education in relation to asthma exacerbation and hospital admission. Databases searched included …

When Pressure Rises: Identifying Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Amid Critical Illness, Mariam Jamil, Muhammed Hussain, Amna Jafri, Asim Mohamed, Rajiv John

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) occurs in approximately 15% of patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis and is associated with a poor prognosis. Treatment typically involves urgent decompressive laparotomy. However, diagnosing ACS in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting can be challenging, as patients often present with primary illnesses that independently drive end-organ dysfunction. This case highlights a diagnostic framework for ACS while emphasizing common pitfalls and challenges. Case Description A 54-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse presented with a two-week history of abdominal discomfort and shortness of breath. Initial evaluation, including clinical examination, imaging, and laboratory findings, …

Water-Associated Bacterial Infection Without Aquatic Exposure, Meghan Glaser, Ashley Armstrong, Justin Skrzynski

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Shewanella algae is a gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium most commonly found in marine environments. It is an emerging human pathogen, most often associated with hepatobiliary and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) following water exposure. Known risk factors for infection include those participating in recreational water activities, flood victims, and those with underlying liver disease, immunosuppression, or IV drug use. This case involves a 70-year-old male who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 2008 leading to multiple orthopedic surgeries complicated by recurrent prosthesis infections who presented with concern for sepsis. Case Description: Patient is a 70-year-old male …

A Single Center Qualitative Study To Improve Coordination Of Follow-Up Care For Patients Diagnosed With Abusive Head Trauma, Ruairi Smith-Dewey, Elise Wright, Daniella Donofrio, Hannah Goebel, Sara Kilbride

Posters

Introduction: Children diagnosed with abusive head trauma (AHT) have subsequent long-term developmental, behavioral, and medical consequences resulting in increased medical system utilization. There were 16 overall potential needs identified, with a single patient having 12. In 2023 at Children’s Mercy Hospital (CMH), 47% (8/17) of patients with AHT had < 50% of follow-up needs addressed at time of discharge. None had 100% of follow-up needs addressed. Needs not being addressed included need not identified or written documentation for need of follow-up without subsequent referral placed/appointment scheduled. Project goal was all follow-up needs to be addressed for at least 50% of children with AHT by January 2025. Methods (include PDSA cycles): Children admitted to CMH from January 2024-December 2024 and diagnosed with AHT by the Safety, Care & Nurturing (SCAN) team were included. Interventions were designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team to address barriers including variation in scheduling process per specialty, lack of knowledge, and changing caregivers. • PDSA 1 (1/1/24): SCAN added standardized list of potential follow-up needs to documentation. • PDSA 2 (2/1/24): Trauma NP placed ophthalmology outpatient referrals. • PDSA 3 (3/1/24) Social work placed and documented early intervention referrals. Transitioned to SCAN RN responsibility. • PDSA 4 (4/10/24): AHT caregiver handouts with description of all potential follow-up needs added to discharge instructions. • PDSA 5 (12/11/24): AHT Evidence Based Practice guideline created including follow-up needs. Appointments and referrals were tracked by the author. QI tools used included fault tree, fishbone, and PICK Chart. Results: In 2024, 27 children were diagnosed with AHT by SCAN team at CMH. Five children were excluded from the study as 3 died and 2 were transferred to another hospital. The number of patients with < 50% of follow-up needs addressed was reduced from 47% to 43%. All follow-up needs were addressed in 13% (3/23) of patients. Conclusions: While project aims weren’t met, there was progress. Next steps include educating all discharging teams at CMH as there is no single team discharging these patients. Overall, there are few of these patients so standardization of discharge practices is challenging. SCAN created a working group and point person for appointment tracking to ensure follow-up needs established at discharge.

Analysis Of Myositis Development In Adults And Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Yu Rim Park, Jamal Kriem

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background/Objective Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder that can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations spanning multiple organ systems. Myositis in patients diagnosed with IBD is an uncommon presentation, and the pathophysiology in this population is not well studied. Given the lack of research surrounding the natural history of myositis in IBD patients, we decided to investigate the demographics and medication use that may potentially serve as predictors of symptom development. We hypothesized increased rates of myositis development in patients on TNF-alpha inhibitors given anecdotal evidence in clinical practice and literature review of several clinical vignettes …

Hiding In The Midgut: A Case Of Small Bowel Diverticular Bleeding In An Elderly Female, Aagamjit Singh, Nishant Aggarwal, Faid Odish

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Diverticulosis in the colon is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Non-Meckel diverticula in the small bowel have been reported in the literature; however, they rarely cause significant bleeding. We present a case of an 88-year-old woman with a bleeding jejunal diverticulum that was diagnosed and treated with a push enteroscopy. Case Description An 88-year-old African-American female with a past medical history of colonic diverticulosis and atrial fibrillation on rivaroxaban presented with a 4-day history of melena. She reported having soft, black stools 2–3 times a day, associated with persistent epigastric discomfort and nausea. Her last dose …

Double Trouble: A Case Of Persistent Left-Sided Superior Vena Cava, Lark Steafo, Kateryna Strubchevska, Olena Strubchevska, Marko Kozyk, Shazil Mahmood, Steven Timmis

Conference Presentation Abstracts

A persistent left-sided superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare vascular anomaly where the left superior cardinal vein fails to regress during embryogenesis, resulting in an additional venous structure that drains into the right atrium, often via the coronary sinus. It is usually asymptomatic but may be discovered incidentally during imaging or procedures, but its presence can have implications for central venous access and pacemaker placement. Our case features an 82-year-old male with a past medical history of coronary artery disease, remote esophageal cancer, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco use disorder, referred to the emergency department from his primary care doctor’s …

A Rare Case Of Lenalidomide Associated B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Yagnapriya Ammakola, Nitya Batra, Ashbita Pokharel, Ishmael Jaiyesimi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Autologous stem cell transplantation followed by maintenance with Lenalidomide has improved the overall survival and progression free survival in patients with Multiple Myeloma. However, maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide can increase the risk of several hematological adverse events including secondary B cell lymphoblastic leukemia. We present a case of 61 year old female who was previously treated for multiple myeloma and on maintenance Lenalidomide developed B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Case presentation A 61 year old female initially presented with left sided hip pain and lower back pain in 2018.Chest X ray revealed mass like opacity in the left upper lobe and …

Dexmedetomidine As An Adjunct To Local Anesthetics In Neuraxial Anesthesia: A Scoping Review, Meaghan Elrod, Jacob Flake, Sarah Eggers, Kieraney Coston, Dwayne Accardo Dnp, Crna, Faana

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Neuraxial anesthesia is key for pain management and comfort during surgery. While local anesthetics and opioids have notable side effects, Dexmedetomidine (DEX) offers a promising alternative. Early studies suggest DEX improves pain control, prolongs anesthesia duration, and reduces opioid-related side effects. This review explores the benefits of incorporating DEX into neuraxial anesthesia for better patient safety and comfort

Methods

This scoping literature review took place from August 2023 to April 2024, utilizing PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for sources. After reviewing over 2,000 abstracts, 25 articles met the inclusion criteria, with nine selected as most relevant. Four …

Acne On The Valve: A Case Of Cutibacterium Acnes Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis And Aortic Root Abscess, Aiden Van Loo, Mitchell Schwocho, Francisco Davila

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious infection of the endocardium and the cardiac valves. Its incidence is on the rise, and this has been attributed to the aging population, healthcare-associated infections, and the growing use of intracardiac devices and prosthetic valves. IE is typically caused by gram positive cocci; although other more fastidious organisms can present in a subacute fashion. One such organism that is now becoming identified is Cutibacterium Acnes. It is a gram-positive anaerobe, most commonly known for causing acne. Given its ubiquity as skin flora, it can enter the blood stream and cause systemic infections. Here …

A Case Of Futile Mechanical Thrombectomy In Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, Daivd Connolly, Michael Barnes

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy is a mainstay therapy in the management of high-risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE), as it reduces pulmonary artery pressure and improves right ventricular function. However, the role of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in the management of chronic PE or acute on chronic PE is unclear. Case Description We present the case of a 46-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with 4 days of worsening dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. Past medical history is significant for class II obesity, prior transient ischemic attack, pulmonary hypertension with right-sided heart failure, and four admissions over the previous 10 …

Unmasking Lupus Through Myopericarditis, Athanasios Rempakos, Lark Steafo, Tawhida Khatoon

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, multisystem autoimmune that often presents with nonspecific symptoms, complicating diagnosis. Myopericarditis is a rare initial manifestation, mimicking infections or malignancies. We present a case underscoring the importance of considering SLE in refractory multisystem illness. A 26-year-old previously healthy male presented to an outside hospital with a one-week history of left-sided pleuritic chest pain, fever, chills, palpitations, fatigue, cough, sinus congestion, and headache. Initial evaluation revealed marked tachycardia (heart rate 180s/min on exertion). CT pulmonary angiography excluded pulmonary embolism but identified a large right-sided consolidation consistent with pneumonia. His initial troponin was 223 with …

Stroke With Pfo, Uncovering Underlying Mutations And Malignancy: A Case Report, Haiqi Guo, Karan Chhabra, Atulya Khosla, Florian Bukovec, Dilip Khanal

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability, with most cases being ischemic. In patients aged 18–60 years, patent foramen ovale (PFO) is implicated in 10% of strokes. Pathophysiologies include paradoxical thromboembolism and thrombus formation in the PFO, leading to cerebral or systemic embolism. Cancer is a comorbidity in 5–10% of patients with acute stroke, with mechanisms such as direct tumor effects, coagulopathy, and cancer therapy. Two common inherited thrombophilia predisposing to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are Factor V Leiden (FVL) and G20210A Prothrombin gene mutation (PTM). FVL results in poor anticoagulant response to activated Protein C, while PTM …

Not A Cyst, But Gist: A Case Report, Jessica Kopchia, Amira Al-Nabolsi, Barbara Senger, Gurveer Gill, Yevhen Drobot

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, although they only account for 1-2% of gastrointestinal tumors. It is suspected that GISTs originate from the Cajal cells, necessary for regulating peristalsis. Diagnosis relies heavily on histopathologic examination, majority of GISTs being caused by an oncogenic mutation in the KIT gene, responsible for the regulation of tyrosine kinase. KIT upregulates the interstitial cells of Cajal, resulting in tumor formation. Therefore, these tumors are predominantly found in the stomach and small intestine, less frequently in colon, esophagus, and rectum. Often these neoplasms are benign, …

An Incidental Finding Of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis In A Patient Presenting With Gastroenteritis, Berk Celik, Ovidiu Niculescu

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is an under-recognized entity that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. IVC thrombosis is prevalent (60% to 80%) among patients with congenital IVC anomalies. These anomalies occur in 0.5%–1% of the general population. Thrombosis of the IVC in the absence of congenital abnormalities is rare and is usually a result of a predisposing hypercoagulable state or IVC filter. Here, we present a case of an incidental finding of IVC thrombosis in a patient presenting with gastroenteritis. Case description A 57-year-old female with a past medical history of obstructive sleep apnea, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis …

Recurrent Malignant Retroperitoneal Solitary Fibrous Tumour Leading To Obstructive Uropathy And Sepsis, A Case Report, Wesam Almasri, Imran Bitar, Aagamjit Singh, Yusra Zakria, Dilip Khanal

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Solitary Fibrous Tumours (SFT) are rare mesenchymal tumours. Although initially described pleural in origin, they can arise from virtually any site. SFTs of retroperitoneal origin are especially rare, with limited literature on their management. Here we present a unique case of an aggressive recurrent retroperitoneal SFT causing mass effect leading to obstructive uropathy. Brief case description A 47-year-old Hispanic man without past medical history presented to a neighboring hospital with months-long abdominal pain and urinary retention. CT showed a 14x12x12 cm pelvic mass that could not be separated from the prostate, together with right hydroureteronephrosis. He was discharged with …

Severe Digital Necrosis In The Context Of Raynaud's Phenomenon, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, And Vasculitis: A Diagnostic Dilemma, Silvana Iskandar, Karan Chhabra, Omar Jameel, Tucker Billups

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Abstract: A 73-year-old male with polyarticular gout, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis presented with non-healing necrotic wounds on the distal aspect of his upper extremity digits, most severely affecting the left index finger with eschar. His symptoms had been present for the past six weeks. He also had a history of Raynaud’s phenomenon, which preceded these symptoms. Examination revealed necrotic wounds on the nail beds of seven fingers bilaterally, with significant left index finger necrosis. Despite the severity of his condition, he remained hemodynamically stable throughout hospitalization. Laboratory studies showed positive cardiolipin IgM and beta-2 glycoprotein antibodies on two separate occasions, …

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Cervical Abscess In A Pcv-Immunized Female With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinema: Exploring The Role Of Opsosonization Failure And Functional Hyposplenesim Beyond The Spectrum Of Malignant B-Cell Disorders, Tanya Amal, Paul Johnson, Ayesha Sharif, Usman Bin Hameed

Conference Presentation Abstracts

A 64-year-old female with recently diagnosed Waldenström's macroglobulinemia presented with pain and swelling in the neck. Three weeks prior, she had accidentally punctured her neck with her fingernail, leading to initial swelling. She visited the ER, but workup showed no acute infection. A contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed enlarged bilateral cervical lymph nodes. Over the next two weeks, the swelling became increasingly painful. On presentation, she had sharp, localized pain (10/10 intensity), tachycardia, and a 3x3 cm swelling on the right side of her neck, with redness, warmth, and tenderness. Laboratory results showed lymphocytic leukocytosis (WBC 31.5, lymphocyte 24.8%, neutrophil 6.1%). …

A Rare Case Of Horner Syndrome Secondary To Perineural Catheter Placement After Orif Of The Right Humeral Shaft, Joseph Dakki, Natalie Dakki, Sant Yadav, Justine Nasr

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Horner Syndrome (HS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the triad of unilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. HS is caused by an interruption of the oculosympathetic nerve pathway, a three-neuron pathway. Common causes of Horner Syndrome include carotid dissection, stroke, trauma, tumors, cluster headaches, inflammation, and medical and surgical procedures. However, many cases of HS are also idiopathic. The standard workup of Horner Syndrome includes MRI of the brain, cervical spine, and upper thoracic spine and CT angiography of the circle of willis, aortic arch, and intracranial arteries. This case report will analyze an instance of Horner Syndrome that …

The Diagnostic Dilemma Of Multisystemic Vasculitides - A Case Report Of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis, Muhammed Hussain, Tabssum Chauhan, Hafsa Hassan, Marian Jamil, Cecilia Big, Rajiv John

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a small vessel vasculitis disorder that classically involves the upper and lower respiratory tract as well as the kidneys. However, its presentation is not limited to these organ systems as it can present with ocular, dermatological or cardiac involvement, thus creating a broad differential when evaluating patients. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges with infectious and inflammatory etiologies in a patient with systemic symptoms, concerning imaging and travel to a TB-endemic region. A 57-year-old female with a pertinent history of recurrent sinusitis, left otitis media, and prior sinus surgeries was evaluated for suspicion of possible …

Septic Arthritis Caused By A Rare Yeast, Lodderomyces Elongisporus, Osman Muslehuddin, Daphne Pete, Husam Muslehuddin, Hafeezuddin Ahmed

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: We present a rare case of septic arthritis caused by Lodderomyces elongisporus, a yeast rarely implicated in human infections. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and management strategies for fungal septic arthritis in an immunocompromised patient. Case Presentation: A 63-year-old African American woman with a complex medical history, including chronic heart failure (CHF), hypertension, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, severe protein-energy malnutrition on total parenteral nutrition, duodenal switch with malabsorption, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on warfarin, and previous sepsis episodes, presented with worsening dyspnea. She was admitted in August 2024 for acute-on-chronic CHF exacerbation. During her admission, she …

Characterization Of Contributors To Pleural Fluid Viscosity, Yujai Lin, Megan Rushmeyer, Christopher G. Roy, Shannon Donovan, Rachel Cutting, Matthew Buttarazzi, Charlotte Crist, Ted Sears, J B. Zuckerman

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Background: Pleural effusion is a common consequence of pulmonary disease and may result from a spectrum of conditions. This pilot study seeks to describe relationships between pleural fluid viscosity and fluid analytes commonly measured in clinical laboratories.

Physical Activity Programming To Improve Qol In Pediatric Ibd Patients, George Russell, Anya K. Cutler, Anna Furr, Julia Fritz, Kevin Sztam, Birgitta Polson, Rebecca Edwards, Noah Hoffman

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Discussion: This work contributes to limited literature supporting the positive impact of PA in a target population and provides novel guidelines to implement an accessible PA program proven to be effective and well-liked by patients & families. Findings support incorporation of PA into the holistic care of pediatric patients with IBD.