Efficacy and safefy of Polymyxin B treatment for neutropenic patients suffering from refractory Gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of polymyxin B in neutropenic patients with hematologic disorders who had refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection. Methods: From August 2021 to July 2022, we retrospectively analyzed neutropenic patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection who were treated with polymyxin B in the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Soochow University between August 2021 to July 2022. The cumulative response rate was then computed. Results: The study included 27 neutropenic patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections. Polymyxin B therapy was effective in 22 of 27 patients. The median time between the onset of fever and the delivery of polymyxin B was 3 days [interquartile range (IQR) : 2-5]. The median duration of polymyxin B treatment was 7 days (IQR: 5-11). Polymyxin B therapy had a median antipyretic time of 37 h (IQR: 32-70). The incidence of acute renal dysfunction was 14.8% (four out of 27 cases), all classified as "injury" according to RIFLE criteria. The incidence of hyperpigmentation was 59.3%. Conclusion: Polymyxin B is a viable treatment option for granulocytopenia patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections.

Replacement of the native mitral valve due to endocarditis caused by stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Abstract We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve. Right femoral artery embolectomy and mitral valve replacement were performed simultaneously. She awakened from anesthesia, but she passed away due to septic shock complications. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case in whom native mitral valve endocarditis caused by SM was observed (despite of absence of any immunosuppressive event) and needed to undergo valve replacement.

Capnocytophaga sputigena Bacteremia in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

No abstract available.

16S Ribosomal RNA Identification of Prevotella nigrescens from a Case of Cellulitis

No abstract available.

Infección respiratoria causada por Alcaligenes xylosoxidans en un paciente con síndrome de Mounier-Kuhn / Case report: respiratory infection due to Alcaligenes xylosoxidans in a patient with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a rare entity characterized by abnormal dilatation of the trachea and main bronchi (tracheobronchomegaly). Alcaligenes xylosoxidans is a non fermenting gram-negative pathogen common in extra-and intra-hospital environment, which may be related to immunosuppression states. We describe the case of a 75 years old male, ex-smoker with moderate functional obstruction, chronic respiratory failure and chronic colonization by Pseudomonas aeuriginosa. He had an infectious exacerbation of his disease, reason that previously required several hospital admissions. The patient was treated with antibiotics and his evolution was favourable with negativization in cultures of the pathogen. This is the first description of the isolation of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans as a cause of respiratory infection in a patient with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.

Espiroquetosis intestinal humana: serie clínica y revisión de la literatura / Human intestinal spirochetosis: clinical series and literature review

Introduction: Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIE) is defined as colonization by spirochetes of the large intestine. Is associated with chronic diarrhea. The incidence and prevalence ranges from 0.4% to 12%. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIE in the Salvador's Hospital, between 2003 and 2008 in patients with a history of chronic diarrhea and without abnormalities in colonoscopy, in 2 separate groups: patients with and without a history of HIV infection. Material and Methods: Retrospective morphology evaluation of the large bowel endoscopic biopsies to the selected groups. Results: We reviewed 115 biopsies, 98 were from HIV-negative and 17 HIV from positive patients. Two cases of intestinal spirochetosis were detected, both HIV negative, with a prevalence of 1.7%. Comment: The prevalence of HIE is similar to that reported in Western countries. Population studies are needed to determine the real epidemiological impact in our environment.

Introducción: La espiroquetosis intestinal humana (EIH) se define como la colonización del intestino grueso por espiroquetas. Se asocia a diarrea crónica. Su incidencia y prevalencia van desde 0,4 a 12% Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de EIH en el Hospital Del Salvador, de Santiago, Chile, entre los años 2003 y 2008, en pacientes con antecedentes clínicos de diarrea crónica y colonoscopia sin hallazgos patológicos, separados en dos grupos: pacientes con y sin antecedentes de infección por VIH. Material y Método: Evaluación morfológica retrospectiva de las biopsias endoscópicas de intestino grueso de los grupos seleccionados. Resultados: Se revisaron 115 biopsias, 98 correspondieron a pacientes sin infección por VIH y 17 a pacientes seropositivos para VIH. Se detectaron dos casos de espiroquetosis intestinal, ambos en pacientes sin infección por VIH, con una prevalencia de 1,7 %. Comentario: La prevalencia de EIH es similar a la publicada en países occidentales. Se requieren estudios poblacionales para determinar el real impacto epidemiológico en nuestro medio.

Unilateral conjunctival ulcer due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection.

We report a case of unilateral conjunctival ulcer due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection in an immunocompetent individual. A 44-year-old male presented with complaints of pain and yellowish discharge in the right eye for one week. Patient underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation and relevant laboratory investigations. Anterior segment examination revealed localized conjunctival and episcleral congestion with conjunctival ulceration on the bulbar conjunctiva in the right eye. Gram's stain revealed gram-negative bacilli. Culture and sensitivity revealed S. maltophilia and responded well to topical moxifloxacin with systemic co-trimoxazole therapy.

An unknown complication of peripherally inserted central venous catheter in a patient with ventricular assist device.

We report an unknown complication of peripherally inserted central venous catheter in a patient with Ventricular Assist Device. This rare complication led to the failure of the right ventricular assist device, which could be detrimental in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Caracterización fenotípica y factores de virulencia en cepas de Aeromonas aisladas de pacientes con enfermedad diarreica aguda en Cuba / Phenotypic characteristics and virulence factors in Aeromonas strains isolated from patients with diarrheic disease in Cuba

Fifty four strains of Aeromonas spp were isolated from patients with acute diarrheic episodes by using Aerokey II and Aeroesquema methods. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors were analyzed. The most frequently isolated specie was Aeromonas caviae. Over 75 percent of strains exhibited resistance to penicillins and ce-phalosporins; for the other antibiotic groups resistance was under 20 percent. Twenty six strains (48.1 percent) were multiresist-ant. At least one virulence factor among those evaluated in the study was present in 53 (98.1 percent) of the 54 strains.

Se identificaron 54 cepas de Aeromonas aisladas de pacientes con enfermedad diarreica aguda mediante los métodos Aerokey II y Aeroesquema. Se determinó la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y algunos factores de virulencia. La especie encontrada en mayor frecuencia fue Aeromonas caviae. Se observaron valores de resistencia por sobre 75 por ciento para penicilinas y cefalotina; para el resto de los antimicrobianos estos valores se encontraron bajo 20 por ciento>; 26 cepas (48,1 por ciento) presentaron multi-resistencia. Al menos un factor de virulencia de los investigados estuvo presente en 53 (98,1 por ciento) de las 54 cepas analizadas.

Different Clinical Characteristics Among Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria and Aeromonas caviae Monomicrobial Bacteremia

This study aimed to compare the clinical presentations of Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii biovar sobria and A. caviae monomicrobial bacteremia by a retrospective method at three hospitals in Taiwan during an 8-yr period. There were 87 patients with A. hydrophila bacteremia, 45 with A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia and 22 with A. caviae bacteremia. Compared with A. hydrophila and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia, A. caviae bacteremia was more healthcare-associated (45 vs 30 and 16%; P = 0.031). The patients with A. caviae bacteremias were less likely to have liver cirrhosis (27 vs 62 and 64%; P = 0.007) and severe complications such as shock (9 vs 40 and 47%; P = 0.009) and thrombocytopenia (45 vs 67 and 87%; P = 0.002). The APACHE II score was the most important risk factor of Aeromonas bacteremia-associated mortalities. The APACHE II scores of A. caviae bacteremias were lower than A. hydrophila bacteremia and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia (7 vs 14 and 16 points; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the clinical presentation of A. caviae bacteremia was much different from A. hydrophila and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia. The severity and mortality of A. caviae bacteremia were lower than A. hydrophila or A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia.

Etiología de episodios de neutropenia febril en pacientes adultos con cáncer hematológico y de órganos sólidos en el Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica, Santiago-Chile / Etiology of febrile neutropenia episodes among cancer patients from Hospital Clinico Universidad Catolica, Santiago-Chile

Introduction: The surveillance of febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes in every center allows adapt the antibiotic therapy guidelines to local epidemiology. Aim: To characterize clinical features and compare the FN etiology between hematological cáncer (HC) and solid organ cancer (SOC) in our center. Patients and Methods: Surveillance study in adult patients with FN admitted to Hospital Clinico Universidad Católica, in Santiago, Chile, from January 2004 to August 2007. Results: 154 FN episodes corresponding to 87 patients were included. Mean age: 47 ± 6 years-old; 71 percent had HC and 29 percent SOC. A clinical and/or microbiologically documented infection was recognized in 76 percent. Gastrointestinal 31.5 percent, upper respiratory 30.3 percent and lower respiratory 16.9 percent were the more frequent clinical focus. In 30.5 percent blood culture resulted positive: gram negative rods 51 percent, gram positive cocci 41 percent and yeasts 8 percent; being Escherichia coli 22 percent, S. coagulase negative (SCoN) 20 percent and Klebsiella pneumoniae 12 percent most frequent bacteria; 22.2 percent Enterobacteriaceae were ESBL producers and 55.6 percent 5CoN were methicillin resistant. In 18.3 percent of FN episodes the etiology was not established. Highest mortality was observed in episodes with microbiologically documented infection (14.5 percent vs 1.3 percent, p < 0.005). A clinical observed focus and positive blood cultures were more frequently obtamed among HC than SOC associated episodes: 37.3 percent vs 13.6 percent; (p < 0.01) and 67.2 percent vs 50 percent; (p = 0.045), respectively. Conclusions: The etiological profile of FN in our center and the necessity to continue the surveillance was described. Future studies are needed regarding risk factors of invasive infection that have worst prognosis.

Introducción: La vigilancia de la etiología de los episodios de neutropenia febril (NF) en cada centro permite adaptar guías de antibioterapia a la epidemiología local. Objetivo: Caracterizar y comparar la etiología de la NF en pacientes con cáncer hematológico (CH) y de órganos sólidos (COS). Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio de vigilancia de NF de pacientes adultos en el Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica, en Santiago, Chile, entre enero 2004 y agosto 2007. Resultados: 154 episodios de NF correspondientes a 87 pacientes: 47 ± 6 años; 71 por ciento CH y 29 por ciento COS. Se documentó infección clínica y/o microbiológicamente en 76 por cientoo. Más frecuente fueron: foco gastrointestinal 31,5 por ciento, respiratorio alto 30,3 por cientoo y respiratorio bajo 16,9 por cientoo. En 30,5 por cientoo hubo hemocultivos positivos: bacilos gramne-gativos en 51 por ciento, cocáceas grampositivas en 41 por ciento, levaduras en 8 por cientoo; predominando: Escherichia coli 22 por cientoo, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCoN) 20 por cientoo y Klebsiella pneumoniae 12 por ciento; 22,2 por cientoo de las entero-bacterias eran productoras de (3-lactamasa de espectro expandido y 55,6 por cientoo >SCoN meticilina resistentes. En 18,3 por cientoo de los episodios no se identificó causa de fiebre. Hubo mayor mortalidad en episodios con documentación microbiológica (14,5 por ciento vs 1,3 por ciento, p < 0,005). En los pacientes con CH fue más frecuente obtener hemocultivos positivos (37,3 por cientoo vs 13,6 por ciento; p < 0,01) e identificar foco clínico (67,2 por ciento vs 50 por ciento; p = 0,045). Conclusiones: Se establece el perfil etiológico de las NF en nuestro centro y la necesidad de mantener vigilancia. En futuros estudios será necesario evaluar factores de riesgo de pacientes con infecciones invasores que tendrían peor pronóstico.

Oligella urethralis isolada em hemocultura de paciente internada no complexo HSP/UNIFESP / Oligella urethralis isolated in hemoculture from patient interned in HSP-UNIFESP complex

Primeiro isolado de Oligella urethralis em duas amostras de sangue periférico detectado por metodologia de monitoração contínua de metabolismo (sistema Bactec®) e identificado pelo sistema automatizado Phoenix® (BD System) em paciente com linfoma retroperitoneal com metástase em sistema nervoso central (SNC) no Hospital São Paulo da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (HSP/UNIFESP).

First time isolation of Oligella urethralis in two samples of peripheral blood detected by continuous metabolism monitoring methodology (Bactec 61650 system) and identified by the automatized Phoenix 61650 system (BD System) in patient with retro-peritoneal lymphoma with metastasis in the central nervous system at São Paulo hospital of Federal University of São Paulo (HSP/UNIFESP).

Influence of bacterial endotoxins on bone marrow and blood components

Endotoxin [Lipopolysaccharide, LPS] a component of the bacterial wall of gram-negative bacteria, has been recognized as one of the most potent bacterial products in the induction of host inflammatory responses and tissue injury and was used in this study to mimic infections. LPS induces production and release of several cytokines. In response to these cytokines, different effects of endotoxins are seen. The effect of three types of endotoxins [Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium] on bone marrow, differential counts and peripherial blood parameters were investigated in adult rats. Male spraguo Dawely albino rats weighing 220 - 250 g were used. They were injected i.p. [1 mg/kg body weight] with single dose of 3 types of endotoxins. Blood samples were collected from the experimental animals at 24 and 72 hours of the injection. At 72 hours the bone marrow aspirations were harvested from the femur of the rats for microscopic examination. Endotoxins induced different changes in the cells of bone marrow. Also, lipopolysaccharide caused significant decreases in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets counts, hemoglobin content and hematocrit percent. Data of the present study point out to the dose of these toxins according to suitable pharmacopeia. Lemulus amebocyte lysate [LAL] test is specificly used for determination of the endotoxin limit. This recommendation should be observed to avoid the toxic effects of endotoxins

Fatal septicaemia due to Chromobacterium violaceum

Human infection caused by Chromobacterium violaceum is rare but when it occurs, it is associated with a high mortality rate. This is a report of a young adult male who presented as a surgical emergency and succumbed soon after. The most common feature of this infection is sepsis, followed by cutaneous involvement and liver abscesses. Chromobacterium infection as a differential in a case of sepsis is important for clinicians to suspect, especially in tropical countries.

Late prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis, an unusual complication.

We report a case of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis in a patient who had undergone atrial septal defect closure and mitral valve replacement of the heart in 1978. He presented with pyrexia of unknown origin and congestive cardiac failure. Investigations revealed infective endocarditis of prosthetic valve in mitral portion. Blood culture samples grew C. hominis. The patient was empirically started on vancomycin and gentamicin intravenously and ceftriaxone was added after isolation of the organism. Though subsequent blood cultures were negative, patient remained in congestive cardiac failure and died due to complications.

Evento sentinela em saúde ocupacional: mudanças da temperatura corporal / Sentinel event in occupational health: corporal temperature changes

Trata-se de uma revisão de algumas enfermidades ocupacionais que são deflagadas por alterações de temperatura corporal, seja por modificações de temperatura externa (calor e frio) ou por mudanças da temperatura interna (febre e hipotermia) do próprio organismo. Utiliza-se o conceito de evento sentinela em saúde ocupacional para agrupá-las, tentando despertar o leitor para a importância dessas condições nosológicas resultantes da exposição a riscos ambientais. Reúne e distingue as doenças que provocam hipotermia e hipertermia no trabalho, diferenciando-as daquelas que produzem as febres ocupacionais. Abre espaço para o maior aprofundamento sobre o tema no país, refletindo sobre as febres ocasionadas por múltiplas causas, como as medicamentosas, a síndrome do edifício doente e a sensibilidade clínica múltipla.

Estimation of endotoxin in infected bile from patients with biliary diseases.

Diseases of the biliary tract can get complicated by infection. Endotoxin may theoretically be responsible for damage to the gall bladder due to its numerous pathophysiological effects. The aim of the present study was to detect and semi-quantitate the amount of endotoxin present in the bacteriologically positive bile samples and to correlate the endotoxin levels with the clinical profile of the patients. One hundred patients with gall bladder diseases and with infected bile constituted the population for investigation. The clinical profile included presence of fever, jaundice, abdominal pain and gall bladder stones. Endotoxin detection and semi-quantitation in the bile samples were carried out using the Limulus amoebocyte assay: Of 100 infected bile samples investigated, 9 samples (9%) were positive for endotoxin ranging from 1.9 EU/ml to 15 EU/ml. Four of them had Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 had Acinetobacter anitratus and one each of the remaining 3 samples was positive for (i) Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens (ii) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and (iii) Salmonella enteritidis. The stool sample of the patient with S. enteritidis in the bile also grew the same microorganism. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the presence ofjaundice (p<0.05) and abdominal pain (p<0.01) in the endotoxin positive patients compared to the endotoxin negative ones. Hitherto this is the first report that investigated the endotoxin levels in the bile of patients with gall bladder and biliary tract diseases, along with their biliary bacterial profile. Further research is warranted on the effects of endotoxin on gall stone formation.

Possible acute coinfections in Thai malaria patients.

We conducted serodiagnostic testing for dengue virus infection, murine typhus, scrub typhus and leptospirosis in Plasmodium falciparum-infected individuals in Thailand. Sera from 194 malaria patients with a median age of 24 years were tested. No antibody titers diagnostic of dengue virus infection were demonstrated, but 29 (15%) of patients had serological evidence of scrub typhus, 45 (23.2 %) patients had evidence of murine typhus, and 15 (7.7%) sera tested positive for leptospirosis. Our serological results suggested that duel infections are not uncommon in malaria that is acquired in Thailand. However, our results must be confirmed by prospective studies aimed at describing the causative organisms. Mixed infections would have multiple implications for clinicians, including unexpected clinical findings and apparent poor responses to antimalarial treatment in patients thought only to have malaria.

Co-infection between influenza virus and flagellated bacteria

Tripsina é necessária na ativação da clivagem do vírus influenza A in vitro. Esta clivagem é importante para entrada do vírus na célula por endocitose mediada pelo receptor celular. Bactérias presentes no trato respiratório são fontes de proteases que podem contribuir na replicação do vírus influenza in vivo. Entre 47 amostras coletadas de cavalos, suínos e humanos, a influenza foi isolada e confirmada em 13 que estavam co-infectadas com bactéria flagelada: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia desde o início destes experimentos. Apesar do tratamento das amostras com antibióticos, as bactérias resistiram em diversas delas (48.39%). A protease (elastase), secretada pela Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, desenvolveu papel decisivo na potencialização da infecção pelo vírus influenza. Essa atividade proteolítica foi detectada pelo teste de ágar-caseína. Amostras positivas para o vírus influenza isolado em animais, bem como em humanos tiveram potencialização da infectividade (ECP) em células MDCK e NCI-H292, sempre que a Stenotrophomonas maltophilia esteve presente. Os referidos microorganismos, bactéria e vírus foram observados ultra-estruturalmente. Esses achados in vitro demonstram como complicações respiratórias podem ocorrer in vivo, através da contribuição de protease microbiana, provocando aumento da inflamação ou destruição dos inibidores celulares de proteases endógenas, nos hospedeiros susceptíveis à influenza.

Endocardite infecciosa causada por Eikenella corrodens / Eikenella corrodens infective endocarditis

Os microorganismos do grupo HACEK (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens e Kingella kingae) são responsáveis por 3 por cento dos casos de endocardites. Eles apresentam propriedades clínicas e microbiológicas semelhantes entre si: são bacilos gram-negativos, isolados mais facilmente em meios aeróbicos, suas culturas necessitam de tempo prolongado de incubacão para crescimento (média 3,3 dias) e podem ser considerados como parte da flora normal do trato respiratório superior e da orofaringe1,2. Algumas características foram identificadas nas endocardites por esses agentes, como o quadro clínico insidioso , diagnóstico difícil pela natureza fastidiosa e culturas negativas3,4. A endocardite por Eikenella corrodens foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1972(5) e continua sendo um agente etiológico raro. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com valva nativa que apresentou endocardite infecciosa causada por Eikenella corrodens.