Identification of Clinically Relevant Mycobacterial Species After Extended Incubation Times in the BACTEC MGIT System.

Objectives: Traditionally, for mycobacterial culture both solid and broth media are used and routinely held for 6 weeks minimum to optimize yield. We retrospectively reviewed all positive mycobacterial cultures over a 12-month period to assess growth kinetics of clinically relevant isolates.

Methods: From January to December 2015, 658 positive mycobacteria cultures by solid (7H11 and 7H10 plates) and/or broth (BACTEC MGIT) media were identified and reviewed.

Diagnostic utility of fine-needle aspiration cytology of lesions involving bone.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is utilized in the diagnostic work-up of bone lesions in a number of institutions, either in isolation or in conjunction with core biopsy. We report our experience with FNA of bone-based lesions, including comparison of this approach with concurrent core biopsy specimens.

Methods: Retrospective review over a 5-year period (2011-2015) revealed 233 cases of bone FNAs.

Primitive Neuro Ectodermal Tumor Arising in a Testicular Teratoma with Retroperitoneal Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

A 38-year-old man presenting with left testicular mass and extensive retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy underwent radical orchiectomy and specimen showed a germ cell tumor of primarily primitive neuroectodermal tumor mixed with mature teratoma. He then underwent RPLND, followed by adjuvant CAV (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine) and IE (ifosfamide, etoposide) alternating chemotherapy given the high rate of recurrence and high rate of response to the PNET-specific chemotherapy.

Renal arteriolar C4d deposition: a novel characteristic of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Background: The mechanism of kidney injury in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is not completely understood. Renal C4d staining is a marker of classic complement activation and endothelial injury and has been described in preliminary reports of HSCT recipients with TA-TMA. Our objective was to evaluate complement in the pathogenesis of small vessel injury in children receiving HSCT.

Absence seizures associated with efavirenz initiation.

Efavirenz, used in treating pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection, has central nervous system side effects. We report on a 5-year-old girl with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection, presenting with new onset absence seizures after starting treatment with efavirenz. Plasma efavirenz values were above therapeutic range.