Coccidioidomycosis and tuberculosis coinfection at a tuberculosis hospital: clinical features and literature review.

Tuberculosis (TB) and coccidioidomycosis can have similar clinical and radiologic presentations but require different treatments. Coinfection with TB and Coccidioides immitis is uncommonly reported and may be underdiagnosed in endemic areas.We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of all patients admitted to a TB referral hospital between 1995 and 2007, and selected all cases of TB and coccidioidomycosis coinfection in patients aged 18 years or older.

Case-control study of armadillo contact and Hansen's disease.

Hansen's disease (HD) continues to have worldwide impact despite efforts to eradicate the disease. Although a definitive transmission mode has not been identified, data supports an association between HD and contact with the nine-banded armadillo. We conducted a case-control study of 28 HD patients to determine if there is an association between armadillo exposure and HD.

Short report: Treatment failure in Hansen's disease.

Areas of low endemicity of Hansen's disease, such as Texas, California, and Hawaii, exist due to immigration and rare autochthonous infections. Managing this disease in these areas of low endemicity is difficult, especially in observing for relapse. The accurate diagnosis of relapse is imperative so that appropriate therapy can be promptly reinstituted and unnecessary treatment can be avoided.

Validation of catheter semiquantitative culture technique for nonstaphylococcal organisms.

The catheter semiquantitative culture roll tip technique has been validated as a discriminator between non-catheter-related bacteremias and catheter-related bacteremias (CRBs) caused by Staphylococcus species. However, this technique has not been specifically validated when used for the evaluation of catheters infected with organisms other than staphylococci. We reviewed catheters that had been submitted for semiquantitative roll tip culture as well as hospital records to determine clinical correlates of infection.

Septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein (pylephlebitis): diagnosis and management in the modern era.

Pylephlebitis usually occurs secondary to infection in the region drained by the portal venous system. We describe a case of pylephlebitis at our institution and examine 18 other cases culled from the literature since 1979, reviewing diagnostic and management issues. A precipitating focus of infection (most commonly diverticulitis) was identified in 13 (68%) of the cases.