1/5. Case report: acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia and nonhemolytic icterus probably caused by mefenamic acid (Parkemed)-dependent antibodies.A 65-year-old, previously healthy man developed acute renal failure, severe thrombocytopenia and hepatic icterus after a small dose of mefenamic acid (Parkemed). Drug-dependent antibodies reacting against platelets could be identified as the most probable cause for this acute and rapidly reversible disorder. A concomitant hemolytic reaction was not observed and accordingly no drug-dependent red cell antibodies could be demonstrated. The drug-specific antibodies were found only during the acute phase using the platelet immunofluorescence test and a solid-phase immunoassay but not with the monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of platelet antigens assay. After discontinuation of the drug the patient steadily improved and fully recovered until day 22 after admission and drug removal. The clinical course strongly suggests that drug-dependent antibodies against mefenamic acid and/or its metabolites reacting by immune complex mechanism were responsible not only for the thrombocytopenia but also for the renal and hepatic failure.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Fatal hepatitis during Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.Fulminant hepatitis by Epstein-Barr virus is a rare event which is predominantly due to primary infection. We report a rare case of fatal hepatic failure due to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in a 19-year-old boy who was taking oral steroids. Transaminase peak and the fulminant course of the disease began soon after steroid interruption. Epstein-Barr virus reactivation was diagnosed on the basis of past clinical history of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis, a high titer of IgG anti Epstein-Barr virocapsidic antigen, slight elevation of anti-virocapsidic IgM, a high titer of anti-EA IgG antibodies and elevated viral load in serum measured by polymerase chain reaction. It is concluded that Epstein-Barr virus should be considered as a possible etiological agent of fulminant hepatitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Patient with markedly elevated CA 19-9 not associated with malignancy.A 66-year-old white male presented with jaundice, pruritus, and a 30-pound weight loss over two months. physical examination revealed scleral icterus. Laboratory evaluation revealed ALT 161 U/L, AST 290 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 2004 U/L, GGT 2,552 U/L, total bilirubin 10.2 mg/dL, and a carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) level of 4,374 U/mL. Initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was unsuccessful due to ulceration in the duodenum healed with esomeprazole therapy. Subsequent ERCP showed a possible filling defect in the common bile duct treated with sphincterotomy and balloon sweeping of the common bile duct. Symptoms and jaundice resolved five months after initial presentation with normal labs and studies. While elevated CA 19-9 levels occur in most patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, it can also be elevated in patients with extrapancreatic malignancies and acute cholangitis. This case illustrates the fact that a markedly elevated CA 19-9 can be secondary to causes other than carcinoma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Intense jaundice in an adolescent. An unusual presentation of infectious mononucleosis.Hemolytic anemia is an infrequent complication of infectious mononucleosis. The hemolysis may result from the temporary production of antibodies directed against one or more red-cell antigens. This report describes an adolescent female with infectious mononucleosis who presented for evaluation of jaundice. In this patient the jaundice resulted from a combination of hemolysis and mild hepatitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Primary biliary cirrhosis associated with mixed type autoimmune hemolytic anemia and sicca syndrome: a case report and review of literature.A case presenting with an unusual association of primary biliary cirrhosis and mixed type autoimmune hemolytic anemia plus sicca syndrome is described. The 49-yr-old female primary biliary cirrhosis patient had a confirmed sicca syndrome and presented with jaundice and life-threatening anemia. Laboratory tests revealed positive Coombs' test with coexisting cold and warm autoantibodies. She was successfully treated by blood transfusion with packed red cells lacking any red cell antigens corresponding to serum alloantibodies and pulse methylprednisolone therapy. The patient remained stable under maintenance treatment using oral steroids and ursodeoxycholic acid. This case is probably the first reported showing an association between primary biliary cirrhosis and mixed type autoimmune hemolytic anemia plus sicca syndrome and was probably induced by heterogenous and complicated autoimmune reactions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |