State transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum: scoping review and evidence gaps

The spectrum of diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) ranges from superficial to serious life-threatening invasive infections. We conducted a scoping review of published articles between 1980 and 2021 to synthesize evidence of state transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum. We identified 175 articles reporting 262 distinct observations of Strep A disease state transitions. Among the included articles, the transition from an invasive or toxin-mediated disease state to another disease state (i.e., to recurrent ARF, RHD or death) was described 115 times (43.9% of all included transition pairs) while the transition to and from locally invasive category was the lowest (n = 7; 0.02%). Transitions from well to any other state was most frequently reported (49%) whereas a relatively higher number of studies (n = 71) reported transition from invasive disease to death. Transitions from any disease state to locally invasive, Strep A pharyngitis to invasive disease, and chronic kidney disease to death were lacking. Transitions related to severe invasive diseases were more frequently reported than superficial ones. Most evidence originated from high-income countries and there is a critical need for new studies in low- and middle-income countries to infer the state transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum in these high-burden settings.

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated with acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Kidney diseases are a recognized cause of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome, usually abbreviated as PRES. The purpose of this review was to systematically address the association between acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis and PRES.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature on acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis associated with PRES. The principles recommended by the Economic and Social Research Council guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis and on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses were used. Databases searched included Excerpta Medica, US National Library of Medicine, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

For the final analysis, we evaluated 47 reports describing 52 cases (32 males and 20 females). Fifty patients were ≤ 18 years of age. Blood pressure was classified as follows: normal-elevated (n = 3), stage 1 hypertension (n = 3), stage 2 hypertension (n = 5), and severe hypertension (n = 41). Acute kidney injury was classified as stage 1 in 32, stage 2 in 16, and stage 3 in four cases. Neuroimaging studies disclosed a classic posterior PRES pattern in 28 cases, a diffuse PRES pattern in 23 cases, and a brainstem-cerebellum PRES pattern in the remaining case. Antihypertensive drugs were prescribed in all cases and antiepileptic drugs in cases presenting with seizures. A resolution of clinical findings and neuroimaging lesions was documented in all cases with information about follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The main factor associated with PRES in acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis is severe hypertension. Prompt clinical suspicion, rapid evaluation, and management of hypertension are crucial. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Multiple Causes of Hyponatremia: A Case Report

OBJECTIVE

To present a case with 4 different potential causes of hyponatremia.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

The patient presented with the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark urine after drinking large amounts of fluids that included alcohol and caffeine. Laboratory, microbiological, and morphological examinations revealed the existence of severe hyponatremia and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The patient developed acute symptomatic seizures and coma. Gradual normalization of the sodium level led to a recovery of consciousness.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with hypertonic sodium, fluid restriction, and antibiotics led to a complete recovery. In the case of multiple causes of hyponatremia, it is necessary to treat all causes.