Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a rare occurrence that is known to occur in young adults with no recent hospitalization. It is known to present with hemoptysis and is usually associated with concomitant influenza infection and is classically diagnosed by sputum culture or broncheoalvolar lavage. Routine treatment of community-acquired pneumonia does not suffice in the event of MRSA growth, and, if left untreated, can develop into serious medical complications of sepsis, multiloculated fluid collections, and multiorgan failure.

Aggressive Presentation of Streptococcus constellatus.

The group (SAG) consists of three bacteria (, , and ) that are known commensals of the upper respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts. While a rare occurrence, these bacteria have the capability of causing devastating pyogenic infections and ensuing abscess formations. It is often difficult to distinguish this group as a contaminant or the offending organism (as it is often cultured in respiratory specimens); therefore, it is important to understand the risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic findings that can provide a more accurate picture to identify the organism.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with antiphospholipid antibody: Call for a screening tool?

Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies are antibodies specific for anionic phospholipids. They are immunoglobulins that attack phospholipids, phospholipid-binding proteins, or phospholipid-protein complexes and are detected in anticardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant assays. aPL antibodies are often associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) which can be idiopathic or from secondary causes such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), infection or drugs.

Pulmonary manifestations of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Urothelial carcinoma (Transitional cell carcinoma) of the bladder is the pre-dominant histological type of bladder cancer in the United States and Europe. Patients with bladder cancer usually present with painless hematuria. The diagnosis is often delayed, as the symptoms are similar to various other benign conditions such as urinary tract infection, prostatitis or renal calculi.