John Norwood

Preliminary Findings: 25(OH)D Levels and PTH Are Indicators of Rapid Bone Accrual in Pubertal Children

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of serum levels of 25(OH)D and PTH on the accumulation of whole body bone mass in a cohort of children. Methods: This was a longitudinal study (1.98 ± 0.07 y) of sixty-nine children (89% Caucasian, 44% male) enrolled in a calcium supplementation trial. Bone area, bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) of the whole body and radius were assessed using a QDR 2000 (Hologic, Inc) dual energy x-ray absorptiometer. Serum PTH and 25(OH)D were measured using radioimmunoassays. Results: Vitamin D stores were inversely related gain in bone area (p < 0.002), BMC (p < 0.002) BMD (p < 0.027), as well as to PTH levels (p < 0.0001). Compared to those with adequate vitamin D stores (>34 ng/ml), those who had consistently low vitamin D stores (18 ng/ml) had a 8% larger gain in bone area (p < 0.05); 11% in BMC (p < 0.05) and no differences in gain in BMD; after adjusting for baseline bone measurements, race, gender, season measured, Tanner stage, and calcium intake. Conclusions: High normal PTH with low-normal 25(OH)D stores and moderate to high calcium intake may be beneficial to accruing larger bone size and BMC during puberty.

Interaction between rifampin and levothyroxine

Rifampin is a potent inducer of hepatic enzymes and is well documented to cause many clinically significant drug interactions. Studies in normal volunteers have shown its ability to decrease circulating levels of thyroid hormone, while having no effect on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Reports of rifampins effects on patients on hormone replacement in the clinical setting are of interest since we believe only one such case has been described. We report the case of a man, stable on levothyroxine, who exhibited significantly elevated TSH levels during therapy with rifampin. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels returned to baseline 9 days after discontinuance of rifampin.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole associated rhabdomyolysis in a patient with AIDS : Case report and review of the literature

We report a case of rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in a newly diagnosed AIDS patient with presumed Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly named Pneumocystis Carinii) pneumonia. The present case is significant because of the paucity of similar cases in the literature and the relative frequency with which TMP-SMX is used today.

Scedosporium apiospermum infection presenting as a pneumothorax and cavitary lung lesions in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The Scedosporium genus consists of filamentous fungi that inhabit soil, sewage, manure, and polluted waters, and contains two medically important species: Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium prolificans. Scedosporiosis is caused by inhalation or traumatic subcutaneous implantation of the organism, and may have varied clinical presentations. A variety of pulmonary manifestations can occur, but to our knowledge, pneumothorax as initial presentation has not been reported. Treatment may be difficult, as the disease occurs more commonly in immunocompromised patients, and the organism may demonstrate resistance to various antifungal agents. We describe successful treatment of extensive pulmonary disease due to S apiospermum in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS FOR THE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN

Respiratory tract infections cause nearly half of deaths owing to infectious disease in the United States. This article has discussed the management of several common respiratory tract infections, with an emphasis on appropriate diagnosis and use of antimicrobial agents. Understanding the cause of various respiratory tract infections enables primary care physicians to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, decreasing adverse effects owing to medications and preventing the rise in antimicrobial resistance.

Failure of echinocandin therapy in the treatment of Candida glabrata chorioretinitis.

Echinocandins are commonly used as initial empiric therapy in cases of moderate to severe invasive candidiasis. The authors demonstrate that caution should be exercised in applying this approach in certain clinical situations. A case of Candida glabrata fungemia and associated chorioretinitis that was clinically resistant to therapy with micafungin but appeared to resolve with amphotericin B is presented. The authors then briefly review current issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of C glabrata chorioretinitis.