Gregory M. Anstead
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View article: A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century: Part 1: The Bacteria, the Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change
A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century: Part 1: The Bacteria, the Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change Open
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection typically causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia. About one quarter of patients suffer pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, renal, hepati…
View article: The Maturation of the International Health Crisis Response: The Polish Typhus Epidemic of 1916–1923 Compared to the African Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic of 2013–2016: Part I, the Polish Epidemic
The Maturation of the International Health Crisis Response: The Polish Typhus Epidemic of 1916–1923 Compared to the African Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic of 2013–2016: Part I, the Polish Epidemic Open
Poland suffered an epidemic of louse-borne typhus from 1916–1923, with 400,000 cases and more than 130,000 deaths. The causative factors were depressed economic conditions and a refugee crisis that engulfed Poland after World War I. The re…
View article: A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century. Part 1. The Bacteria, The Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change
A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century. Part 1. The Bacteria, The Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change Open
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection typically causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia. About one-quarter of patients suffer pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, renal, hepati…
View article: Capnocytophaga canimorsus Endocarditis Presenting with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis
Capnocytophaga canimorsus Endocarditis Presenting with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Open
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the saliva of dogs and cats. Despite the frequency of animal bites, infection with Capnocytophaga species is rare, and severe infections are usually associated with u…
View article: The Maturation of the International Health Crisis Response: the Polish Typhus Epidemic of 1916-1923 Compared to the African Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic of 2013-2016: Part I, The Polish Epidemic
The Maturation of the International Health Crisis Response: the Polish Typhus Epidemic of 1916-1923 Compared to the African Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic of 2013-2016: Part I, The Polish Epidemic Open
Poland suffered an epidemic of louse-borne typhus from 1916-1923, with 400,000 cases and more than 130,000 deaths. The causative factors were depressed economic conditions and a refugee crisis that engulfed Poland after World War I. The re…
View article: An Exuberant Case of Ulceronodular-Rupioid (Malignant) Syphilis in an HIV Patient: A Proposal for New Diagnostic Criteria
An Exuberant Case of Ulceronodular-Rupioid (Malignant) Syphilis in an HIV Patient: A Proposal for New Diagnostic Criteria Open
We report the case of a 28-year-old male with uncontrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with extensive ulcerated lesions with dark lamellated crusting on his face, torso, and limbs. The patient had a rapid pla…
View article: An Exuberant Case of Ulceronodular-Rupioid (Malignant) Syphilis in an HIV Patient. A Proposal for New Diagnostic Criteria
An Exuberant Case of Ulceronodular-Rupioid (Malignant) Syphilis in an HIV Patient. A Proposal for New Diagnostic Criteria Open
We report the case of a 28-year-old male with uncontrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with extensive ulcerated lesions with dark lamellated crusting on his face, torso, and limbs. The patient had an RPR of 1…
View article: Flea-Borne Typhus as a COVID-19 Mimic: A Report of Four Cases
Flea-Borne Typhus as a COVID-19 Mimic: A Report of Four Cases Open
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, and diverse organ manifestations. Cough occurs in about 30% of patients with FBT, and chest X-ray ab…
View article: Pseudopropionibacterium propionicum as a Cause of Empyema; A Diagnosis with Next-Generation Sequencing
Pseudopropionibacterium propionicum as a Cause of Empyema; A Diagnosis with Next-Generation Sequencing Open
Pseudopropionibacterium propionicum (P.p.) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, branching beaded rod that is a component of the human microbiome. An infection of the thoracic cavity with P.p. can mimic tuberculosis (TB), nocardiosis, and malign…
View article: Immune resilience despite inflammatory stress promotes longevity and favorable health outcomes including resistance to infection
Immune resilience despite inflammatory stress promotes longevity and favorable health outcomes including resistance to infection Open
Some people remain healthier throughout life than others but the underlying reasons are poorly understood. Here we hypothesize this advantage is attributable in part to optimal immune resilience (IR), defined as the capacity to preserve an…
View article: Flea-Borne Typhus Causing Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: An Autopsy Case
Flea-Borne Typhus Causing Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: An Autopsy Case Open
Infection with members of the order Rickettsiales (the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Orientia, and Ehrlichia) is known to cause hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The literature is scant on flea-borne typhus (FBT) being implicated i…
View article: Pandora’s Box: Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis Associated with Self-Medication with an Unregulated Potent Corticosteroid Acquired in Mexico
Pandora’s Box: Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis Associated with Self-Medication with an Unregulated Potent Corticosteroid Acquired in Mexico Open
Coccidioidomycosis (CM), caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, typically presents as acute or chronic pulmonary disease. However, disseminated disease occurs in about 1% of patients. Disseminated CM may affec…
View article: A Surprising Cause of Liver Abscesses in a Post-Chemotherapy Patient: Herpes Simplex Virus
A Surprising Cause of Liver Abscesses in a Post-Chemotherapy Patient: Herpes Simplex Virus Open
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis is a rare complication of HSV infection, and a rare cause of hepatitis. It is often fatal, especially if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Herein, we describe the case of a 31-year-old female wit…
View article: Fatal coccidioidomycosis involving the lungs, brain, tongue, and adrenals in a cirrhotic patient. An autopsy case
Fatal coccidioidomycosis involving the lungs, brain, tongue, and adrenals in a cirrhotic patient. An autopsy case Open
In this paper, we describe a case of fatal disseminated coccidioidomycosis (CM). The patient was a 44-year old male with a history of cirrhosis who presented with altered mental status, cough, and an enlarged, ulcerated tongue. On evaluati…
View article: History, Rats, Fleas, and Opossums. II. The Decline and Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in the United States, 1945–2019
History, Rats, Fleas, and Opossums. II. The Decline and Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in the United States, 1945–2019 Open
Flea-borne typhus, due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection causing fever, headache, rash, and diverse organ manifestations that can result in critical illness or death. This is the second part of a two-part series describing …
View article: Parinaud’s Oculoglandular Syndrome: A Case in an Adult with Flea-Borne Typhus and a Review
Parinaud’s Oculoglandular Syndrome: A Case in an Adult with Flea-Borne Typhus and a Review Open
Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome (POGS) is defined as unilateral granulomatous conjunctivitis and facial lymphadenopathy. The aims of the current study are to describe a case of POGS with uveitis due to flea-borne typhus (FBT) and to pre…
View article: History, Rats, Fleas, and Opossums: The Ascendency of Flea-Borne Typhus in the United States, 1910–1944
History, Rats, Fleas, and Opossums: The Ascendency of Flea-Borne Typhus in the United States, 1910–1944 Open
Flea-borne typhus, due to Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, is an infection causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, and diverse organ manifestations. Although most cases are self-limited, 26%–28% have complications…
View article: Case Report: Early Doxycycline Therapy for Potential Rickettsiosis in Critically Ill Patients in Flea-Borne Typhus-Endemic Areas
Case Report: Early Doxycycline Therapy for Potential Rickettsiosis in Critically Ill Patients in Flea-Borne Typhus-Endemic Areas Open
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), although usually perceived as a self-resolving febrile illness, actually encompasses a wide spectrum of disease severity, including fulminant sepsis with multi-organ failure. In endemic Texas and California, the in…
View article: Hemoptysis in the Immunocompromised Patient: Do Not Forget Strongyloidiasis
Hemoptysis in the Immunocompromised Patient: Do Not Forget Strongyloidiasis Open
Strongyloidiasis, due to infection with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, affects millions of people in the tropics and subtropics. Strongyloides has a unique auto-infective lifecycle such that it can persist in the human host for de…
View article: 802. Use of N-Acetylcysteine for Prevention and Treatment of Isoniazid Induced Liver Injury During Treatment of Mycobacterial Infections
802. Use of N-Acetylcysteine for Prevention and Treatment of Isoniazid Induced Liver Injury During Treatment of Mycobacterial Infections Open
Background Hepatotoxicity secondary to therapy for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a common complication that may lead to treatment interruption. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) exerts a hepatoprotective effect by repleting glutathione stores a…
View article: Plastic Bronchitis in an AIDS Patient with Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Plastic Bronchitis in an AIDS Patient with Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma Open
Plastic bronchitis is the expectoration of bronchial casts in the mold of the tracheobronchial tree. It is a rare occurrence of unknown etiology that has been primarily described in children with congenital heart disease. In this case repo…
View article: Case Report: Fulminant Murine Typhus Presenting with Status Epilepticus and Multi-Organ Failure: an Autopsy Case and a Review of the Neurologic Presentations of Murine Typhus
Case Report: Fulminant Murine Typhus Presenting with Status Epilepticus and Multi-Organ Failure: an Autopsy Case and a Review of the Neurologic Presentations of Murine Typhus Open
Murine typhus (MT) is an important cause of febrile illness in endemic areas, and there is an epidemiologic resurgence of this infection currently transpiring in Texas and California. Fatal cases and severe neurological complications are r…
View article: Leflunomide in the Treatment of a Pseudotumoral Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in an HIV Patient
Leflunomide in the Treatment of a Pseudotumoral Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in an HIV Patient Open
The patient is a 52-year-old African American man with a past medical history of HIV infection (on antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count 399 cells/ µ L, and undetectable HIV viral load) and recurrent genital herpes. While on valacyclovir, the …