Coccidioidomycosis with diffuse miliary pneumonia.

Coccidioidomycosis is a well-known infection in the southwestern United States, and its occurrence is becoming more frequent in endemic areas. This disease can have a significant economic and medical impact; therefore, accurate diagnosis is crucial. In conjunction with patient symptoms, residence in or travel to an endemic area is essential for diagnosis.

Nonhepatic hyperammonemic encephalopathy due to undiagnosed urea cycle disorder.

Ornithine transcarbamoylase deficiency is the most common inherited urea cycle disorder. In adults, its phenotypes are diverse. In asymptomatic patients with late presentations, symptom onset is often associated with a precipitating factor.

Round pneumonia in an elderly woman.

We describe a case of pneumococcal round pneumonia in an elderly smoker and it demonstrates the role of inflammatory biomarkers and follow-up imaging in ruling out more ominous diagnoses.

Safety and feasibility of antibiotic de-escalation in bacteremic pneumonia.

Background: Antibiotic de-escalation is a potential strategy advocated to conserve the effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and feasibility of antibiotic de-escalation in patients admitted with bacteremic pneumonia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was done for patients with bacteremic pneumonia admitted to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, TX, USA, during 2008.

A pneumonia that will not go away.

Pneumonia is a common diagnosis with significant morbidity and mortality. However, pneumonia is a commonly overdiagnosed entity, with many similar-appearing conditions. A young, previously healthy woman was misdiagnosed with a variety of respiratory tract infections over the course of five months before establishing the correct diagnosis - chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.