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Biomedical subjects

M Yebra

Publications and source records attributed to M Yebra.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Meningeal infiltration by non-myelomatous IgD-secreting plasma cell dyscrasias.

Two cases of meningeal invasion by non-myelomatous plasma cell dyscrasias--a plasma cell leukaemia and an extramedullary plasmacytoma--are described. Both were secretors of IgD paraprotein and both were diagnosed in life, characteristics which we have not found in any other published case of plasma cell leptomeningitis. Analysis of our patients and of another 25 cases suggests as predisposing factors of meningeal invasion the male sex, presentation in the form of plasma cell leukaemia, presence of the IgD paraprotein and tumoral involvement of pleura, lung, pericardium and testicles. Aggressive treatment of this neurological complication controlled the meningeal disorder in some cases. However, the majority died of disseminated disease in spite of systemic chemotherapy. Until an effective treatment can be found, able to maintain remission or cure the systemic disease, prophylaxis of the central nervous system in plasma cell dyscrasias does not appear to be advisable.

Adult↗

Gastric Castleman's disease with a lupus-like circulating anticoagulant.

We report the case of a 13-yr-old patient with retarded growth and a 2-yr background of asthenia, anorexia, and fever, whose laboratory data revealed anemia, thrombocytosis, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferropenia, hyperglobulinemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and presence of a lupus-like circulating anticoagulant. Clinical studies revealed a tumor-like overgrowth in the gastric wall, and surgery confirmed its subserosal localization in the gastric fundus. After total removal of the mass, the systemic manifestations disappeared. The pathological study revealed the existence of the hyaline-vascular variety of Castleman's disease. Having reviewed the medical literature, we have not found a single unquestionable case of gastric Castleman's disease, although three other cases have been described as gastric pseudolymphoma which, when analyzed, could correspond to typical cases of Castleman's disease. Likewise, this is the second case associated with a circulating anticoagulant of lupoid characteristics. We conclude that Castleman's disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of gastric lesions of lymphoid nature and in the series of processes associated with lupus anticoagulant.

Adolescent↗

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas in visceral leishmaniasis.

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas and leishmania parasites were found in the liver biopsy specimens of 3 patients with prolonged fever and hepatosplenomegaly. It was recognition of the leishmanias in the liver biopsy specimen that prompted the diagnosis in all cases. There was no evidence of Q fever, Hodgkin's disease, cytomegalovirus hepatitis, or allopurinol treatment, which are the recognized causes of hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas. This report extends the range of etiologies of hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas. As a result, leishmaniasis should always be a consideration to the pathologist and the clinician in the differential diagnosis of fibrin-ring granulomas.

Aged↗

Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) as an opportunistic infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in Spain.

In an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, 16 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection developed the disease. All belonged to populations at risk for AIDS (15 were intravenous drug abusers). Five patients fulfilled the criteria for full-blown AIDS, and two more fulfilled them after diagnosis of leishmaniasis. All presented with the classic manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis, but leishmania serology was negative in 15 patients (93%). Leishmania donovani amastigotes were identified in the bone marrow in all cases. Most patients responded initially to treatment with pentavalent antimonial drugs, but seven (43%) followed a chronic course, with multiple relapses in five, despite alternative treatments. Visceral leishmaniasis occurred in patients with different levels of depression of the CD4 to CD8 lymphocyte ratio. Mortality was 37% (six patients) and was independent of the chronic-relapsing course of the disease. In no case was leishmaniasis the primary cause of death. Our data establish that visceral leishmaniasis is an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients, and we suggest that in endemic areas it should be considered an indicator disease for the diagnosis of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗