Israel Medical Association Journal

Background: Skin colonization of microorganisms in blood cultures (BCs) are generally considered clinically non-significant and can be the source of a true infection, particularly in immunosuppressed patients.

Objectives: To study the epidemiology and risk factors for bacteremia caused by contaminants.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study is based on adult BCs collected (2004–2013) and categorized as positive (True bacteremia [TrueB] or contamination) or negative. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory characteristics of BCs positive for the six most common potential contaminant pathogens (PCPs) that can cause TrueB and contamination (Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus [CoNS], Streptococcus viridans, Propionibacterium acnes, Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus spp., Clostridium spp.) were assessed. Ninety-two TrueB were identified vs. 196 contaminations (1:2 ratio).

Results: From 74,014 BCs, PCPs were found in 3735 samples, of which 3643 (97.5%) were contaminations and 92 (2.5%) were TrueB. The overall rate of BC contamination decreased during the study period from 6.7% to 3.8%. CoNS was the most common PCP. Bacillus spp. were only contaminants. Clostridium spp. and Streptococcus viridans were more often TrueB. In a multivariate model, predictors of TrueB included high creatinine levels, Streptococcus viridans in BC, and multiple positive BCs. A single culture of CoNS was strongly predictive of contamination.

Conclusions: Ten years of data on BCs, focusing on six PCPs, demonstrates a significant, yet insufficient reduction in the rate of contamination. High creatinine level, isolation of Streptococcus viridans, and multiple positive BCs were predictors of TrueB, while growth of CoNS was strongly predictive of contamination. This model could assist in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease in which genetic susceptibility and environmental factors induce pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Additional factors such as hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia have roles in β-cell dysfunction and disease progression. The phenomenon of lipid-induced pancreatic β-dysfunction, designated as lipotoxicity, has been observed in several in vitro and in vivo experiments; however, there is still no solid evidence for the occurrence of this event in humans. The toxic effect of high lipid levels on β-cell function consists of impaired insulin gene expression, apoptosis, and reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of treating hypertriglyceridemia in reducing glucose intolerance and the need for insulin therapy in hospitalized diabetic patients.

Methods: We evaluated five clinical case reports and conducted a detailed literature review via the PubMed search engine.

Results: Reduction in elevated blood triglyceride and glucose levels in hospitalized diabetic patients resulted in a rapid decline in glucose levels and in the need for insulin therapy.

Conclusions: A decrease in high triglyceride levels in “lipotoxic” diabetic patients may improve insulin intolerance and glucose homeostasis and reduce the need for insulin therapy.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been reported in fibromyalgia. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one study has evaluated the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] supplementation on fibromyalgia symptoms.

Objectives: To analyze the effects of 3 months of 25(OH)D supplementation on symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Methods: This study included 11 female patient. Demographic and clinical data, tender points, visual analog scale results, and pre- and post-serum levels of 25(OH)D supplementation were analyzed. The levels of 25(OH)D were measured by a radioimmunologic test.

Results: Patients with fibromyalgia diagnosis and 25(OH)D values ≤ 30 ng/ml were recruited to receive 50,000 IU of oral vitamin D once every week for 3 months. The disease was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The median age of all patients was 48.5 (28–67) years and 63.4% were Caucasian. Disease duration varied from 1–10 years. The 25(OH)D levels increased significantly after 3 months, 18.4 (15.5–25.8) ng/ml vs. 33.8 (28–58) ng/ml, P = 0.01. Interestingly, an improvement of visual analog scale scores was observed at 3 months, 90 (0–100) vs. 30 (0–80), P = 0.002. Eight patients (72.2%) responded that they experienced a very significant improvement in symptoms. In addition, a trend for reduction of the number of tender points was observed after 3 months, 17 (11–18) vs. 10 (0–18), P = 0.07.

Conclusions: The 25(OH)D levels and disease symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency seem to improve with vitamin D supplementation.

Aging has been associated with perceived lowering of health, especially in post-traumatic individuals. The effects may be more complex or even different for Holocaust survivors as they age due to their inherited resilience and life perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted of Holocaust survivors and a matched comparison group recruited from the general Israeli population. All participants underwent a personal interview and completed the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale and a survey of subjective Likert-scale questions about perceived health. The study comprised 214 older adults: 107 Holocaust survivors and 107 comparison participants; 101 women and 113 men. The mean age for the participants was 80.7 ± 4.7 years (range 68–93). Holocaust survivors did not differ from comparison subjects in general health measures (mean 51.50 ± 3.06 vs. 52.27 ± 3.24, respectively). However, the Holocaust survivors' subjective health was significantly lower, F (2,211) = 4.18, P < 0.05, and associated with decreased quality of life. The present study demonstrates the complex interplay between general and subjective health and suggests that future interventions need to focus on improving the psychological and social well-being of Holocaust survivors to achieve successful aging.

Background: Chronic fatigue is common among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), affecting quality of life. Osteoporosis is a prevalent co-morbidity in RA patients.

Objectives: To assess the effect of long-term treatment with tocilizumab on fatigue and bone mineral density (BMD) in RA patients with inadequate response to synthetic or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. 

Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, non-controlled, single-arm study, patients ≥ 18 years of age received intravenous tocilizumab 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks for 96 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue score from baseline to weeks 24, 48, 72, and 96. BMD was assessed before and 96 weeks after treatment. 

Results: The study comprised 145 patients (mean age 53.4 ± 13.4 years, 83.4% women). Of these, 88 (60.7%) completed the 2 year treatment period. The mean FACIT-Fatigue score improved consistently starting from week 4 and showed a statistically significant increase of 5.0 ± 9.7, 6.8 ± 10.5, 7.3 ± 10.9, and 7.3 ± 10.4 from baseline to weeks 24, 48, 72, and 96, respectively (P < 0.0001). Mean BMD of femoral neck and total spine remained stable. Disease activity, acute phase reactants, and composite efficacy measures decreased during the study, while hemoglobin levels increased. Adverse events and serious adverse events were as expected for the known and previously described data.

Conclusions: Tocilizumab therapy for 2 years significantly and clinically decreased fatigue. BMD remained stable and no new safety issue was reported. 

 

Background: Male infertility is solely responsible for approximately 20% of all infertility in couples. Various factors have been proposed as having a negative effect on sperm quality; however, the reasons for the global decline in sperm parameters during the last few decades are still controversial. 

Objectives: To investigate the fluctuations of semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) in three sperm quality groups and to examine the trends of those parameters in the same men over time. 

Results: Our data showed deterioration in all semen parameters assessed in the group of men originally considered as having normal semen values according to the 2010 criteria of the World Health Organization. In contrast, we found significant improvement over time in all semen parameters in the group of men with severe oligo-terato-asthenozoospermia. 

Conclusions: Our results suggest that, although there were changes in sperm quality over time in the groups assessed, the clinical significance is negligible and does not necessarily justify a change in the therapeutic approach to infertility or sperm cryopreservation. 

 

Background: Right hydronephrosis secondary to acute appendicitis is an under-reported phenomenon with only several case reports published.

Objectives: To assess the incidence of this phenomenon in our database of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis.

Methods: Data were collected on 1092 patients who underwent surgery due to acute appendicitis between 2003 and 2007 in our tertiary medical center. The data entailed demographic, surgical, and hospitalization parameters including ultrasound or computed tomography examinations and presence of right hydronephrosis prior to surgery.

Results: Out of 1092 patients, appendicitis was eventually diagnosed in 87.4% of the patients. Only 594 (54%) had preoperative imaging performed prior to surgery (ultrasound or computed tomography). Out of these 594 patients, 21 (3.5%) had a new right hydronephrosis diagnosed and all had appendicitis with 15/21 (71%) having a retrocecal appendix. Of those with retrocecal appendix, 10 were pregnant women (48%). Erythrocyturia was present in 15/21 patients (71%) and in 10/11 of patients (91%) after excluding those who were pregnant. No significant differences were seen in patients with hydronephrosis regarding age, hospitalization, and surgery time. In all patients, an ultrasound was performed 2 weeks after surgery demonstrating the disappearance of hydronephrosis. Median follow-up time was 41.7 months (range 14.8–118.4 months).

Conclusions: Our study shows that 3.5% of our cohort had right hydronephrosis secondary to acute appendicitis. Although this presentation is very rare, physicians should be aware of this phenomenon and the risk for delayed diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening disease with poor prognosis despite intensive therapy.

Objectives: To discuss the ideal therapy of EBV-associated HLH for adults.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 23 adult patients with EBV-associated HLH at our institution between January 2000 and June 2015. The clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of adult EBV-associated HLH were analyzed. The median age was 38 years (range 18–72).

Results: All patients were found to have high fever, thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver function, elevated ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Leukopenia, anemia, coagulopathy, hypofibrinogenemia, and splenomegaly were found in more than 80% of patients. Ten patients were treated with HLH-2004 protocol. Eventually, 95.7% of patients died of EBV-associated HLH. Non-HLH-2004 treatment and bone marrow suppression may predict early relapse independently, and the poor performance status and high lactate dehydrogenase level can be poor prognostic factors. It was also validated in comprehensive analysis of published articles.

Conclusions: Adult EBV-associated HLH occurs most often in people of Asian descent who are older than 35 years. These patients had a disappointing outcome despite intensive treatment, especially with high lactate dehydrogenase levels, poor performance status, and bone marrow suppression. HLH-2004 protocol has shown a glimmer of hope in the adult populations.

Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses found in humans, causing lifelong infection in up to 95% of the world population.

Objectives: To analyze the seroprevalence of EBV infection in different population groups in Croatia.

Methods: During a 2 year period (2015–2016), a total of 2022 consecutive serum samples collected from Croatian residents were tested for the presence of EBV-specific viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. IgM/IgG-positive samples were further tested for IgG avidity.

Results: The overall prevalence of EBV IgG antibodies was 91.4%. Females had significantly higher IgG seroprevalence than males (93.1% vs. 89.9%, P = 0.008). According to age, IgG seropositivity increased progressively from 59.6% in children age < 9 years to 98.3% in 30–39 year olds, and remained stable thereafter (P < 0.001). The IgG seroprevalence differed significantly among groups: 68.1% in children/adolescents and 95.9% in adults; multiple sclerosis (100%), hemodialysis patients (97.7%), heart transplant recipients (93.8%), hematological malignancies (91.2%), and Crohn’s disease (88.5%), P < 0.001. IgM antibodies were detected in 9% of participants. Using IgG avidity, recent primary EBV infection was documented in 83.8% of IgM-positive subjects < 9 years old, 69.2% age 10–19, 33.3% age 20–29, and 3.6–4.2% > 40. All IgM positive participants > 40 years showed high IgG avidity. Logistic regression showed that age is associated with EBV IgG seropositivity.

Conclusions: EBV is widespread in the Croatian population. Older age appears to be the main risk factor for EBV seropositivity.

Background: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare disease characterized by scleroderma-like skin, inflammation of deep muscle fascia, hypergammaglobulinemia, peripheral eosinophilia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Objectives: To present our experience in diagnosis and treatment of seven biopsy-proven EF patients in a large tertiary medical center.

Methods: We screened all patients who were admitted to our tertiary medical center and diagnosed with EF by tissue biopsies from January 2000 to January 2016. We analyzed relevant patient files regarding diagnosis, treatment, and outcome parameters. A comprehensive framework was presented based on the results of our observations and the corresponding literature.

Results: We identified seven patients (six males; one child). Mean age at diagnosis was 37.4 years (range 10–67 years). Underlying autoimmune disorders were observed in three patients (42.8 %). Disease anatomical distribution was noted in lower and upper limbs (85.7% and 57.1%, respectively) as well as neck and shoulders (14.3% each). Three patients (42.8%) had a history of initial misdiagnosis. The mean time period from first clinical presentation to histopathological diagnosis was 150.3 days (range 16–602 days). Treatment included oral glucocorticoids (71.4%), pulse methylprednisolone (14.2%), and methotrexate (42.8%). Recovery from symptoms related to EF was observed in six patients.

Conclusions: Diagnosis of EF is primarily based on clinical and histopathological findings. As eradication of this disease can be expedited with early treatment, it is important to increase awareness in the medical community.

Background: The distribution of pathology and clinical characteristics of lacrimal gland diseases are different in different areas of the world.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence rate, patient characteristics, and indications for surgical intervention of lacrimal gland lesions in a tertiary care center in Israel.

Methods: All biopsied or surgically removed lacrimal gland lesions at the Goldschleger Eye Institute from 2009 to 2015 were identified. The following data were collected: age, gender, indications for surgical intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Results: We evaluated 28 lacrimal gland biopsies from 26 patients (11 men, 15 women). Mean age at biopsy was 47.5 years old. The most common presenting symptoms were: eyelid swollenness (57.14%), ptosis (32.14%), and proptosis (10.71%). All patients underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In 28 cases, infiltrations of the lacrimal gland were found. In nine cases infiltration of muscles or orbital extension were found. The most common pathologies were non-specified inflammation (44.82%), lymphoma (20.68%), and immunoglobulin G4-related disease (10.34%). The treatment was diverse according to the patient diagnosis. Prognosis of lacrimal gland disease was good; however, in five patients the systemic disease progressed.

Conclusions: Lesions of the lacrimal gland comprise a wide variety of pathological findings that require different treatment strategies. Lacrimal gland biopsies enable physicians to precisely recognize the pathology; therefore, it is important to consider this surgical method in any patient with lesions in the lacrimal gland.

Electrocardiography abnormalities are a common finding in athletes. To facilitate the differentiation of physiological adaptation versus pathological remodeling, a series of guidelines has emerged in the past decade that attempt to improve specificity while maintaining a high sensitivity. Recently, T wave inversion in the athletic population gained more attention, resulting in accelerated research leading to novel findings not yet integrated into clinical practice. We aim to simplify the knowledge to date and integrate it into one easy to use practical flowchart.