Leishmaniasis

Comments Off on Leishmaniasis
May, 31, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite of a species of sand fly. Two species of sand fly transmit Leishmania to humans: Lutzomyia in the New World and Phlebotomus in the Old World. Most forms of the disease are transmissible only from […]

Comments Off on Maternal Mirror Syndrome (Ballantyne Syndrome)
May, 31, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Maternal mirror syndrome occurs when a pregnant woman has excessive accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments. The mother suffers the same symptoms as the sick fetus. She will become ill and have signs of preeclampsia: water retention, high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is caused by problems related to […]

Comments Off on Naphthalene Poisoning
May, 30, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells. Humans, particularly children, have developed hemolytic anemia after ingesting mothballs or deodorant blocks containing naphthalene. Those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are especially susceptible. Trace amounts of naphthalene are produced by magnolias and specific types of deer, as well as the Formosan […]

Comments Off on Cortico-basal Degeneration (CBD)
May, 30, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

This is a degenerative disorder of the brain. The cause of CBD is said to be unknown. There is currently no strong evidence to suggest CBD is an inherited disease, and no other risk factors, such as toxins or infections, have been identified. However, this is probably because heavy metals are not properly evaluated in […]

Comments Off on Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)
May, 15, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a diverse group of hereditary diseases in which certain cells of the immune system have difficulty forming the reactive oxygen compounds (most importantly, the superoxide radical) used to kill certain ingested pathogens. This leads to the formation of granulomata in many organs. CGD affects about 1 in 200,000 people in […]

Comments Off on MERRF syndrome (Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers)
May, 15, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
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MERRF syndrome (or Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers) is a mitochondrial disease. It involves progressive myoclonic epilepsy, clumps of diseased mitochondria accumulated in the subsarcolemmal region of the muscle fiber which appear as “ragged-red fibers” when muscle is stained with modified Gomori trichrome stain, and short stature. MERRF syndrome is caused by a maternally-inherited […]

Comments Off on Akinotopsia
May, 15, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Akinetopsia is caused by a lesion in area V5 of the extrastriate cortex. It can also be caused as a side effect of certain antidepressant drugs, or due to damage by a stroke or certain brain surgeries. Akinetopsia is a rare neuropsychological disorder, a disorder between the nervous system and mental functions, in this case […]

Comments Off on Dercums Disease (Adiposis Dolorosa) (Morbus Dercum)
May, 13, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
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First described in the literature by Francis Xavier Dercum in 1892, Dercum’s disease (aka Dercum disease, Adiposis Dolorosa or Morbus Dercum) is described as a disease accompanied by painful localized fatty swellings and by various nerve lesions. It is usually seen in women and may cause death from pulmonary complications. It is also described in […]

Comments Off on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) (Alpha-1) (Inherited Emphysema)
May, 11, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease in adults and liver disease in adults and children. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects the lungs. The liver makes the protein, and releases it into the bloodstream. Because of a genentic abnormality, some people have little or none of it. […]

Comments Off on Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis (CIPA)
May, 10, 2009
Ron Kennedy, M.D.
Uncategorized

This is an extremely rare inherited disorder of the nervous system which prevents the sensation of pain, heat, and cold. A person with CIPA cannot feel pain or differentiate even extreme temperatures. “Anhidrosis” means the body does not sweat. This conditionis present from birth. Patients with CIPA are very likely to injure themselves in ways […]

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