Post-mortem findings in Staphylococcus aureus acute infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a microbial infection of the heart valves or the mural endocardium that leads to the formation of vegetations composed of thrombotic debris and microorganisms often associated with the destruction of the cardiac tissues. Most of the infections are bacterial (bacterial endocarditis), although fungi and other microorganisms can be etiological agents. Causative organisms differ among the major high-risk groups. Virulent microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus, commonly found on the skin, can infect normal or deformed valves and are responsible for 20-30% of all IE cases. Staphylococcus aureus is the major offender in IE among intravenous drug abusers. Acute infective endocarditis is typically caused by infection of a previously normal heart valve by a highly virulent organism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) that rapidly produces necrotizing and destructive lesions. These infections may be difficult to cure with antibiotics, and despite appropriate treatment, death can ensue within days to weeks. Here we present autopsy findings of a 31-year-old male patient who died of acute infective endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus as the causative organism.

Ectima gangrenoso secundario a Staphylococcus aureus / Ecthyma gangrenosum caused by Staphylococcus aureus

El ectima gangrenoso es una vasculitis necrosante poco frecuente, en la mayoría de los casos secundaria a sepsis por Pseudomonas aeruginosa en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Sin embargo, existen reportes de ectima gangrenoso secundarios a otras etiologías infecciosas. Presentamos un caso de ectima gangrenoso asociado a una infección por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en una paciente sin los factores de riesgo clásicos de inmunosupresión que se describen en la literatura médica.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is an uncommon necrotizing vasculitis, in most cases secondary to sepsis by Pseudo-mona aeruginosa in immunocompromised patients. However, there have been several reports of ecthyma gangre-nosum caused by other infectious etiologies. We report an unusual case of ecthyma gangrenosum associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a patient without the classic immunological risk factors described in the literature.

Endocardite aórtica e tricúspide em pacientes de hemodiálise com embolia sistêmica e pulmonar / Aortic and tricuspid endocarditis in hemodialysis patient with systemic and pulmonary embolism

RESUMO Este artigo relata o caso de um homem caucasiano de 43 anos de idade com nefropatia terminal em tratamento com hemodiálise e apresentando endocardite infecciosa das válvulas aórtica e tricúspide. O quadro clínico foi dominado pelo comprometimento neurológico, devido à embolia cerebral e a componentes hemorrágicos. Uma tomografia computadorizada tóraco-abdominal revelou um êmbolo séptico pulmonar. O paciente foi submetido à antibioticoterapia empírica utilizando ceftriaxona, gentamicina e vancomicina, sendo o tratamento modificado para flucloxacilina e gentamicina após o isolamento de S. aureus nas hemoculturas. A equipe multidisciplinar determinou que o paciente deveria ser submetido à substituição de válvulas após estabilização da hemorragia intracraniana; contudo, no oitavo dia após a hospitalização, o paciente entrou em parada cardíaca causada por embolia séptica pulmonar maciça, vindo a falecer. Apesar do risco de agravamento da lesão hemorrágica cerebral, em pacientes de alto risco deveria ser considerado realizar precocemente uma intervenção cirúrgica.

ABSTRACT This is a case report of a 43-year-old Caucasian male with end-stage renal disease being treated with hemodialysis and infective endocarditis in the aortic and tricuspid valves. The clinical presentation was dominated by neurologic impairment with cerebral embolism and hemorrhagic components. A thoracoabdominal computerized tomography scan revealed septic pulmonary embolus. The patient underwent empirical antibiotherapy with ceftriaxone, gentamicin and vancomycin, and the therapy was changed to flucloxacilin and gentamicin after the isolation of S. aureus in blood cultures. The multidisciplinary team determined that the patient should undergo valve replacement after the stabilization of the intracranial hemorrhage; however, on the 8th day of hospitalization, the patient entered cardiac arrest due to a massive septic pulmonary embolism and died. Despite the risk of aggravation of the hemorrhagic cerebral lesion, early surgical intervention should be considered in high-risk patients.

The accessory gene regulator (agr) controls Staphylococcus aureus virulence in a murine intracranial abscesses model

Background: Intracranial abscesses are associated with high mortality. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main pathogens that cause intracranial infection. Until now, there is no report to identify the key effectors of S. aureus during the intracranial infection. Methods: The murine intracranial abscesses model induced by S. aureus was constructed. The vital sign and survival rate of mice were observed to evaluate the infection. Histological examination was used to diagnose the pathological alterations of mouse tissues. The sensitivity of S. aureus to whole blood was evaluated by whole-blood killing assay. Results: In murine intracranial abscesses model, it was shown that the mortality caused by the accessory gene regulator (agr) locus deficient strain was significant decreased compared with its parent strain. Moreover, we found that RNAIII, the effector of agr system, was essential for the intracranial infection caused by S. aureus. In the further investigation, it was shown that restoration the expression of α-toxin in agr deficient strain could partially recover the mortality in the murine intracranial abscesses model. Conclusion: Our data suggested that the agr system of S. aureus is an important virulence determinant in the induction and mortality of intracranial abscesses in mice. .

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and disease severity in atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study from South India.

Background: Colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in atopic dermatitis is little studied but has therapeutic implications. It may have a role in disease severity given the additional virulence factors associated. Aims: Our aims were to record the proportion of patients with MRSA colonization in atopic dermatitis and to ascertain if any association exists between MRSA colonization and disease severity. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study involving children aged≤12 years with atopic dermatitis attending the outpatient department of Government Medical College, Kottayam was conducted. Socio-demographic data, exacerbating factors and risk factors for hospital care-associated MRSA were documented. Extent of atopic dermatitis was recorded using a standardized scale (Eczema Area Severity Index, EASI). Skin swabs were taken from anterior nares and the worst affected atopic dermatitis sites for culture and sensitivity. Results: Of the 119 subjects recruited during the study period (November 2009-April 2011), Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 110 (92.4%) patients and MRSA from 30 (25.21%) patients. A total of 18 patients with MRSA had risk factors for healthcare associated-MRSA. The patients whose cultures grew MRSA were found to have significantly higher EASI score when compared to those patients colonized with methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.01). Presence of Staphylococcus aureus, early age of onset, presence of food allergies, seasonal exacerbation and inadequate breastfeeding did not seem to influence disease severity. Conclusions: There is a high degree of prevalence of MRSA (25.2%) in atopic dermatitis and presence of MRSA is associated with increased disease severity. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

High resistance to Azithromycin- A cause of concern.

Macrolide antibiotics are well established class of antimicrobial agents. Azithromycin due to better tolerance and once a daily dose is commonly prescribed by clinician today. The aim of our study was to analyze the resistance to erythromycin in all gram positive bacteria isolated in department of microbiology Dr. RPGMC Tanda. A result of antibiotic susceptibility testing done by Kir By bauer disc diffusion method were analysed, Of the totral gram positive isolates 54 % were resistant to Azithromycin with maximum resistance seen with Enterococcus species (75 %) . It is recommended that an antibiotic policy should be made and microbiological surveillance cotinued so as to decrease the selective pressure on microorganisms.

The first case of Staphylococcus aureus ST398 causing bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient in Greece.

We describe a case of catheter-related bloodstream infection, in a patient with colon cancer, caused by a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strain, nontypeable by pulsed field gel electrophoresis of SmaI macrorestriction fragment analysis, belonging to ST398. The patient recovered after daptomycin therapy. This is the first report that documents the emergence of ST398 in Greece.

Hantavirus asociado a sepsis estafilocócica: caso clínico / Hantavirus infection associated to a staphylococcal sepsis: report of one case

We report a previously healthy 36-year-old mole who developed a pulmonary syndrome caused by Hantavirus infection. He was admitted to an intensive care unit in shock and respiratory failure and died four hours after admission. Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. This patient could be an index case that shows, for the first time, an association of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome with Staphylococcus aureus infection similar to what happens with other viruses.

Histological study on acute inflammatory reaction to polyurethane-coated silicone implants in rats

PURPOSE: Evaluating histologically the silicone peri-implant coated by polyurethane inflammation associated to the use of anti-microbial and bacterial contamination. METHODS: It was used 35 Wistar rats. The animals were divided in seven groups: I - Control; II - implant cavity contamination with10 bacteria/ml; III - implant cavity contamination with 10 bacteria/ml; IV - implant cavity contamination with 10 bacteria/ml; V - identical contamination to group II and implant immersions in anti-microbial solution; VI - identical contamination in group III and implant immersions in the anti-microbial solution; VII - identical contamination of group IV and implant immersions in anti-microbial solution. It was evaluated morphometrically the peri-implant capsules after 30 days of introduction. RESULTS: The factors with more discriminating power were the giants cells of a strange body and the mononuclear. There was no correlation between the bacterial concentrations and the histological alterations. CONCLUSION: 1) The histological standard of the inflammatory reaction around the silicone implant coated with polyurethan is chronic granulomatosis type of a strange body; 2) There isn´t correlation between concentration of Staphylococcus epidermidis and histological changes; 3) The use of anti-microbial solution decreased the mononuclear cell reactions, with the increase of giant cells in a strange body.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, histologicamente, a reação inflamatória aos implantes de silicone revestidos por poliuretano, com contaminação bacteriana, associada ou não ao uso de antimicrobianos. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se 35 ratos Wistar. Os animais foram divididos em 7 grupos: I- Controle, II- contaminação da cavidade do implante com 10¹ bactérias/ml, III- contaminação da cavidade do implante com 10³ bactérias/ml, IV- contaminação da cavidade do implante com 10(5) bactérias/ml, V- contaminação idêntica ao grupo II e imersão dos implantes em solução antimicrobiana, VI- contaminação idêntica do grupo III e imersão dos implantes em solução antimicrobiana, VII- contaminação idêntica do grupo IV e imersão dos implantes em solução antimicrobiana. Avaliou-se morfometricamente as cápsulas peri-implantes após 30 dias da introdução. RESULTADOS: Os fatores com maior poder discriminante foram as células gigantes de corpo estranho e os mononucleares. Não houve correlação entre as concentrações bacterianas e as alterações histológicas. CONCLUSÕES: 1) O padrão histológico da reação inflamatória ao redor dos implantes de silicone revestidos com poliuretano é do tipo crônica granulomatosa de corpo estranho; 2) Não há correlação entre a concentração de bactérias Staphylococcus epidermidis e as alterações morfométricas; 3) O uso de solução antimicrobiana diminui a reação de células mononucleares, com aumento de células gigantes de corpo estranho.

Cuidados de enfermería para la prevención de las infecciones posnatales / Nursing care for the prevention of postnatal infections

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal y retrospectivo en el departamento de cuidados intensivos neonatales del Hospital Ginecoobstétrico "Ramón González Coro" para precisar los factores de riesgo más frecuentes en las infecciones posnatales y el cumplimiento de los índices profilácticos para su prevención . El período de trabajo fue desde el 1ro. de enero hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2002. Se consideró como universo a todos los recién nacidos ingresados en el departamento en ese tiempo, de ellos se seleccionó una muestra de 43 neonatos con infección posnatal. Los métodos utilizados fueron la observación documental y la recopilación de datos que se registraron en las historias clínicas: peso, motivo de ingreso, vía de administración de medicamentos, asistencia con ventilación mecánica y crecimiento bacteriano. Se observó que los recién nacidos con enfermedad de la membrana hialina (18,6 por ciento) fueron los que más sepsis padecieron y los de bajo peso, el grupo más susceptible a las infecciones adquiridas (53,4 por ciento). Las vías de acceso que más se infectaron fueron el catéter venoso umbilical y el catéter epicutáneo. El germen que más creció fue el estafilococo coagulasa negativo con 19 crecimientos. Se concluye que es de vital importancia para la prevención de las infecciones posnatales, el dominio de los cuidados de enfermería que se relacionan en este trabajo(AU)

He/she was carried out a descriptive study of traverse and retrospective type in the department of cares intensive neonatales of the Hospital Ginecoobstétrico Ramón González Choir to specify the most frequent factors of risk in the infections posnatales and the execution of the index preservatives for their prevention. The period of work was from the 1ro. of January up to December 31 2002. It was considered as universe to all the recently born ones entered in the department in that time, of them a sample of 43 neonatos was selected with infection posnatal. The used methods were the documental observation and the summary of data that registered in the clinical histories: I weigh, entrance reason, road of administration of medications, attendance with ventilation mechanics and bacterial growth. It was observed that those recently born with illness of the membrane hialina (18,6 percent) those that more sepsis suffered were and those of under weight, the most susceptible group to the acquired infections (53,4 percent). The access roads that more they were infected they were the umbilical veined catheter and the catheter epicutáneo. The germ that more it grew it was the estafilococo negative coagulasa with 19 growths. You concludes that it is of vital importance for the prevention of the infections posnatales, the domain of the infirmary cares that you/they are related in this work(AU)

Successful Treatment of Left Atrial Auricular Abscess

Mural endocarditis causing myocardial abscess without valvular involvement is very rare. We report an unusual case of left atrial auricular abscess which was successfully treated by surgical resection, treatment with antibiotics, and mediastinal irrigation. A 9-yr-old female patient with previous history of urinary tract infection was admitted because of persistent fever. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed massive pericardial effusion and a mass lesion at the left upper cardiac border. Pericardiocentesis isolated Staphylococcus aureus on culture. The patient underwent mass removal under cardiopulmonary bypass. The mass was located in the left atrial auricle with fibropurulent abscess formation inside. Postoperative mediastinal irrigation was performed using povidone iodine solution. Pathological examination of the mass showed organized thrombi with chronic fibrosing mural endocarditis.

Cancrum oris (noma) in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A complication of chemotherapy induced neutropenia

Cancrum oris (noma) has been most commonly described in malnourished debilitated children with poor oral hygiene following systemic childhood infections such as measles, pertussis or scarlet fever. We describe a patient who developed this condition during a period of profound neutropenia following cytotoxic chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.