Katerina Roma

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a well-described complication following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HIV. In this case report, we describe the complex clinical presentation of a 27-year-old ART-naïve male with advanced HIV who developed Kaposi sarcoma-associated IRIS (KS-IRIS) with visceral involvement and pericardial effusion shortly after starting ART. We review known risk factors for KS-IRIS, its clinical manifestations including rare cardiac involvement and paradoxical worsening with steroid use, as well as current evidence for chemotherapeutic and antiviral treatment strategies.

Purpose of Review: Hepatitis B (HBV) remains a health threat around the world. Hepatitis C is closer to meeting the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination goal compared to HBV. To achieve a successful micro-elimination and macro-elimination, there are certain objectives that need to be met. Recent Findings: HBV infects more than 262 million people worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. There have been previous HBV and hepatitis C virus micro-elimination trials with varying success. Micro-elimination programs should be designed to move services forward with a plethora of avenues for monitoring, testing, and treatment. Summary: Ultimately, successful and maintained micro-elimination is needed to achieve macro-elimination of HBV. Here, we propose 5 core tenets of micro-elimination that can be expanded to macro-elimination; these 5-line guidelines provide for 5 pillars of HBV management that support a path to a successful global elimination of HBV.

Introduction: A descemetocele is a rare type of keratopathy that occurs when an intact descemet’s membrane of the eye undergoes a herniation through an overlying stroma. Previous literature has documented corneal damage via bacterial enzymes, especially, Pseudomonas and Neisseria species. Most recent prospective interventional studies showed treatment of these infections. Case presentation: This report presents the first instance of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus descemetocele presentation in a 51-year-old African American male, with co-presenting hypopyon sequelae successfully managed conservatively in an intensive care unit setting. Clinical discussion: An instance of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has not yet been documented in the literature. Likewise, a co-presentation with a hypopyon, which is known as a formation of inflammatory debris rich in white blood cells has not been studied. Conclusion: The presence of a hypopyon in the instances of bacterial descemetocele herniation should be further evaluated to see if there are associations with conservative, nonsurgical intervention outcomes.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is an uncommon but can be a lethal presentation of a pseudoaneurysm because a rupture is associated with a 40%–80% mortality rate. We report a rare case of left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to peptic ulcer disease presenting as an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Background: The incidence of mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas (MAA) has increased over the past three decades. Advanced stage tumor diagnosis is likely attributable to non-specific findings. Here we describe advanced stage appendiceal MAA presenting as inguinal ulcers, scrotal abscesses, and other nonspecific symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MAA presenting as inguinal pain with inflamed phlegmonous tissue and scrotal abscess. Case presentation: A 67-year-old male presented to a rural facility complaining of weight-loss, fatigue, hematuria, dysuria, painful right inguinal ulceration, and right scrotal abscess drainage. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a distended appendix (> 1.3 cm) and a fistula between the appendix, urinary bladder, right scrotum, and right groin. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed and diagnosed as MAA. After a right hemicolectomy, the MAA was staged as pT3b pN0 M0 G2. Conclusion: This case highlights a unique presentation of late stage appendiceal MAA. Due to the increased incidence of appendiceal MAAs, reports of unique clinical features are needed to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention, especially in rural settings with limited access to specialists.