BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus(CMV)infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals.CMV targets dysfunctional lymphocytes.Chronic rituximab(RTX)therapy can cause B-lymphocyte dysfu...BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus(CMV)infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals.CMV targets dysfunctional lymphocytes.Chronic rituximab(RTX)therapy can cause B-lymphocyte dysfunction,increasing CMV risk.Rarely,CMV infections present with critical illness such as septic shock.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old African American woman presented with generalized weakness and non-bloody watery diarrhea of 4-6 weeks duration.She did not have nausea,vomiting or,abdominal pain.She had been on monthly RTX infusions for neuromyelitis optica.She was admitted for septic shock due to pancolitis.Blood investigations suggested pancytopenia and serology detected significantly elevated CMV DNA.Valganciclovir treatment led to disease resolution.CONCLUSION This case illustrates an extremely rare case of CMV colitis associated with RTX use presenting with septic shock.High suspicion for rare opportunistic infections is imperative in individuals with long-term RTX use.展开更多
BACKGROUND Descending thoracic aortic aneurysms are dangerous and have to be treated quickly.The primary treatment methods are thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR)and open surgical repair(OSR).The comparative ef...BACKGROUND Descending thoracic aortic aneurysms are dangerous and have to be treated quickly.The primary treatment methods are thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR)and open surgical repair(OSR).The comparative effectiveness and safety of TEVAR and OSR were evaluated in this meta-analysis,focusing on perioperative and long-term outcomes.AIM To compare and contrast the efficacy and safety of TEVAR vs OSR in the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.This study aims to assess both perioperative and long-term outcomes through a systematic review and metaanalysis.METHODS A comprehensive search of PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane was conducted from inception to January 2025.Baseline characteristics and outcomes were evaluated.Odds ratios(OR)for dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data with 95%confidence intervals(CI)were analyzed using random-effects models.RESULTS A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 29465 patients(8261 TEVAR;21204 OR)showed TEVAR associated with lower operative mortality(OR=0.60,95%CI:0.42-0.85,P=0.004),shorter intensive care unit(-2.94 days,95%CI:-4.76 to-1.12,P=0.002)and hospital stays(-7.35 days,95%CI:-10.54 to-4.17,P<0.00001),and reduced rates of paraplegia(OR=0.44,95%CI:0.27-0.73,P=0.002),spinal ischemia(OR=0.30,95%CI:0.16-0.56,P=0.0002),renal failure(OR=0.29,95%CI:0.14-0.61,P=0.001),and wound infections(OR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.61,P=0.001).However,TEVAR had higher rates of vascular complications.No significant differences were noted in 1-year and 5-year mortality rates,the rate of non-elective surgery,neurological complications,or stroke rates.CONCLUSION Compared to EVAR,TEVAR revealed lower operative mortality and better perioperative outcomes across all indicators,including hospital and intensive care unit stays,as well as fewer complications,except for those related to vascular problems.Mortality results were also similar in the long run;consequently,more research is required concerning the long-term durability.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus(CMV)infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals.CMV targets dysfunctional lymphocytes.Chronic rituximab(RTX)therapy can cause B-lymphocyte dysfunction,increasing CMV risk.Rarely,CMV infections present with critical illness such as septic shock.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old African American woman presented with generalized weakness and non-bloody watery diarrhea of 4-6 weeks duration.She did not have nausea,vomiting or,abdominal pain.She had been on monthly RTX infusions for neuromyelitis optica.She was admitted for septic shock due to pancolitis.Blood investigations suggested pancytopenia and serology detected significantly elevated CMV DNA.Valganciclovir treatment led to disease resolution.CONCLUSION This case illustrates an extremely rare case of CMV colitis associated with RTX use presenting with septic shock.High suspicion for rare opportunistic infections is imperative in individuals with long-term RTX use.
文摘BACKGROUND Descending thoracic aortic aneurysms are dangerous and have to be treated quickly.The primary treatment methods are thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR)and open surgical repair(OSR).The comparative effectiveness and safety of TEVAR and OSR were evaluated in this meta-analysis,focusing on perioperative and long-term outcomes.AIM To compare and contrast the efficacy and safety of TEVAR vs OSR in the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.This study aims to assess both perioperative and long-term outcomes through a systematic review and metaanalysis.METHODS A comprehensive search of PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane was conducted from inception to January 2025.Baseline characteristics and outcomes were evaluated.Odds ratios(OR)for dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data with 95%confidence intervals(CI)were analyzed using random-effects models.RESULTS A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 29465 patients(8261 TEVAR;21204 OR)showed TEVAR associated with lower operative mortality(OR=0.60,95%CI:0.42-0.85,P=0.004),shorter intensive care unit(-2.94 days,95%CI:-4.76 to-1.12,P=0.002)and hospital stays(-7.35 days,95%CI:-10.54 to-4.17,P<0.00001),and reduced rates of paraplegia(OR=0.44,95%CI:0.27-0.73,P=0.002),spinal ischemia(OR=0.30,95%CI:0.16-0.56,P=0.0002),renal failure(OR=0.29,95%CI:0.14-0.61,P=0.001),and wound infections(OR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.61,P=0.001).However,TEVAR had higher rates of vascular complications.No significant differences were noted in 1-year and 5-year mortality rates,the rate of non-elective surgery,neurological complications,or stroke rates.CONCLUSION Compared to EVAR,TEVAR revealed lower operative mortality and better perioperative outcomes across all indicators,including hospital and intensive care unit stays,as well as fewer complications,except for those related to vascular problems.Mortality results were also similar in the long run;consequently,more research is required concerning the long-term durability.
