ABSTRACT
Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a common pathogen in the neonatal period, causing meningitis and sepsis. In non-pregnant adults it is an unusual cause of meningitis. We report about an elderly female with several risk factors for invasive GBS infection who developed GBS meningoencephalitis one month after treatment for COVID-19 upper respiratory tract infection. The patient presented with mania, and the classic triad of headache, neck stiffness, and fever was absent which contributed to the delay in diagnosis. Following initiation of treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone she attained full recovery, and her behavior returned to baseline. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of an emerging infection and should alert clinicians about this presentation. By reporting this case we want to raise awareness about mania as a presenting feature of meningoencephalitis. This should lead to more timely diagnosis and better outcomes for future patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The maternal mortality rate is an indicator that reflects the mother's health status, especially the risk of death for the mother during pregnancy and childbirth. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) has a close relationship with efforts to increase human development. Therefore, efforts are needed to reduce MMR by identifying the factors that influence MMR. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze the factors causing the incidence of Maternal Death in East Java Province. METHOD(S): The research design used in this research is a quantitative research using descriptive-analytical. The population of this research is districts/cities in East Java Province, with a sample of 38 districts/cities. The research period starts from August to September 2021. Data analysis using grouping and percentage of cases. RESULT(S): The results of the study found that cases of maternal death in East Java due to postpartum hemorrhage in 2021 were 131 cases. Cases due to hypertension as many as 115 cases. Cases due to infection as many as 25 cases. The incidence of maternal death due to abortion is 1 case. There were 13 cases of maternal death due to blood disorders. There were 6 cases of maternal death due to metabolic disorders - cases of maternal death due to Heart as many as 54 cases. Maternal deaths due to COVID-19 were 793 cases. CONCLUSION(S): Factors causing maternal death in East Java Province, namely, hypertension bleeding, infection, abortion, blood disorders, heart metabolic disorders, and COVID-19. The most influential factor in maternal mortality in 2021 is COVID-19.Copyright © 2023 Maharani Maharani, Sutrisno Sutrisno.
ABSTRACT
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen which causes high mortality rate in humans. Dromedary camels may play a central role in virus transmission to humans. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), a transmembrane protein located on the cell surface of many epithelial and endothelial tissues was identified as the receptor for MERS-CoV. The current study investigated the possibility that bacterial stimulation of camel blood could affect the expression level of DPP4 on camel leukocyte subpopulation, which in turn may contribute to the higher susceptibility of camels with bacterial infection to MERS-CoV infection. DPP4 expression was evaluated by membrane immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Stimulation of camel blood with the bacterial species S. aureus or E. coil resulted in the upregulation of DPPV on both monocytes and granulocytes, while S. agalactiae did not significantly modulate DPPV expression on either of the immune cells (p > 0.05). None of the bacterial species could induce a change in DPPV expression on lymphocytes from stimulated blood. Collectively, the present study showed an enhancing effect of bacterial stimulation on DPPV expression on camel monocytes and granulocytes.
ABSTRACT
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal infections. The genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract of pregnant women are the main source of transmission to newborns. This work investigated the prevalence and characterized GBS from pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comparing the periods before (January 2019 to March 2020; 521) and during (May 2020 to March 2021; 285) the COVID-19 pandemic. GBS was detected in 10.8% of anovaginal samples. Considering scenarios before and during the pandemic, GBS colonization rate significantly decreased (13.8% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.0001). No clinical and sociodemographic aspect was associated with GBS carriage (p > 0.05). A total of 80%, 13.8% and 4.6% GBS strains were non-susceptible to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. Serotype Ia was the most frequent (47.7%), followed by V (23.1%), II (18.4%), III (7.7%) and Ib (3.1%). An increasing trend of serotypes Ib and V, as well as of antimicrobial resistance rates, and a decreasing trend of serotypes II and III, were observed after the pandemic onset, albeit not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The reduction in GBS colonization rates and alterations in GBS serotypes and resistance profiles during the pandemic were not due to changes in the sociodemographic profile of the population. Considering that control and preventive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic onset have impacted other infectious diseases, these results shed light on the need for the continuous surveillance of GBS among pregnant women in the post-pandemic era.
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Septic arthritis is a rare but serious complication of both rheumatoid and gouty arthritis and can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. Here, we report a case of septic arthritis with bacteremia, monosodium urate crystals, and hyperuricemia in a 75-year-old male with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Arthrocentesis revealed gram-positive cocci representing group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) infection and monosodium urate crystals. A diagnosis of septic arthritis with superimposed acute gouty arthritis was made and the patient was treated accordingly. Management included surgical irrigation and debridement, antibiotic therapy, and systemic glucocorticoids which resulted in a significant improvement in the patient's clinical status.
ABSTRACT
Between June and September 2019, a disease outbreak resulted in high mortality rates on four American bullfrog farms in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. The main clinical signs included congestion and hemorrhage of the skin on the abdomen and hind limbs, ascites, hepatomegaly and internal organ hyperemia. Gram-positive cocci were isolated from the primary organs and tissues of 149 of 160 collected dead and moribund bullfrogs. The isolates were identified as Streptococcus agalactiae based on their morphology, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. S. agalactiae was isolated from diseased bullfrogs from all farms, and strain WH914 was selected for experimental infection of bullfrogs. Similar lesions were observed in the experimental bullfrogs, and 17.0%, 33.3% and 100.0% mortality occurred 14 days after administering 8.3 × 104 CFU/ml, 8.3 × 106 CFU/ml and 8.3 × 108 CFU/ml of the bacteria, respectively. Molecular serotyping of the capsular polysaccharide gene clusters revealed that the S. agalactiae isolates were serotype Ib. The sequence type (ST) of 30 isolates randomly selected from each bullfrog farm was determined by multilocus sequence typing as ST261. Virulence gene profiles for 14 virulence-related genes were constructed via multiplex PCR. All strains contained pavA, sip, iagA, cfb, hylB, bibA, cspA and fbsA but lacked cylE, bac, imb, scpB, rib and bca. S. agalactiae serotype Ib ST261 was isolated from sick or deceased farmed bullfrogs and is recognized as a pathogen of bullfrogs. Natural infections of S. agalactiae serotype Ib ST261 have not been previously reported in American bullfrogs. • Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from diseased American bullfrog. • Histological characteristics were necrotizing hepatitis, splenitis and nephritis. • S. agalactiae isolates are serotype Ib and sequence type ST261. • S. agalactiae risks should be warned in bullfrogs aquaculture. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Aquaculture is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Vaccination during pregnancy, which is finding increasing use worldwide, is one of the most effective and promising strategies for preventing morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases among pregnant women and newborn babies. Vaccination for pregnant women has been shown to be highly effective and safe in a number of important infections, such as influenza, pertussis, and tetanus. As there is more evidence that vaccination during pregnancy against the novel coronavirus infection is effective and safe, an increasing number of countries include it in priority vaccination programs. In recent years, progress has been made to design new vaccines against Group B streptococcus, respiratory syncytial virus, and cytomegalovirus, which are designed mainly for pregnant women. According to many studies, an obstetrician/gynecologist’s vaccination recommendation with sufficient information on the need and safety of vaccination for a woman and a newborn baby is a key factor for a pregnant woman’s decision to get vaccinated. Conclusion: This review analyzes the literature on the main aspects of vaccination during pregnancy: the efficacy and safety of currently recommended vaccines and the factors influencing the attitude of pregnant women to vaccination. It discusses the issues of pregnant women’s vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection and the promising areas and developments in vaccination during pregnancy.
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Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection that requires immediate treatment. Recommended empiric antimicrobial therapy is based upon the most likely pathogen, according to a patient’s age and immune status. Antimicrobial therapy should be modified after identification of the causative microorganism and results of susceptibility tests. Preventive measures include the use of vaccines that target Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as the use of chemoprophylaxis in selected situations. Pharmacists are in a key position to recommend appropriate antimicrobial therapy for the treatment and prophylaxis of bacterial meningitis and to ensure that patients are receiving recommended vaccinations.
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The administration of probiotics via live feeds, such as Artemia and rotifers, has gained significant attention. Moreover, indiscriminate use of antibiotics in conventional aquaculture practices in order to prevent or control disease outbreaks has resulted in the occurrence of residues and antimicrobial resistance. Thus, the application of eco-friendly feed additives, such as probiotics, as a safer alternative has received increasing attention in recent years. However, only minimal information on the administration of probiotics via freshwater cladoceran Moina micrura is available despite being commonly used for larval and post-larval feeding of freshwater crustaceans and fish. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the application of Bacillus pocheonensis strain S2 administered via M. micrura to red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) larvae. Bacillus pocheonensis that has been previously isolated from Spirulina sp. was subjected to preliminary in vitro evaluation of antagonistic properties. The agar well-diffusion assay revealed that this probiont could inhibit the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae and Aeromonas hydrophila. The size of inhibition zones ranged from 8.8 ± 0.2 to 18.2 ± 0.4 mm. Moina micrura was later used as a biological model in preliminary in vivo bacterial challenge assays to evaluate the efficacy of B. pocheonensis in protecting the host from diseases. Moina micrura was pre-enriched with B. pocheonensis at 104 and 106 CFU mL-1 before S. agalactiae and A. hydrophila were introduced into the culture. The study revealed that B. pocheonensis at 104 CFU mL-1 was able to significantly enhance the survival of M. micrura after being challenged with both pathogens (63 ± 3%) in comparison to the control group. The relative percentage survival (RPS) of M. micrura was highest (p < 0.05) when treated with B. pocheonensis at both concentrations 104 and 106 CFU mL-1 (38.33) after being challenged against S. agalactiae. To assess the efficacy of B. pocheonensis in protecting red hybrid tilapia against streptococcosis, the larvae were fed with either unenriched (control) Moina or probiont-enriched Moina daily for 10 days. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher survival rate (77 ± 3%) was observed in larvae fed with probiont-enriched M. micrura compared to other treatments, and the RPS was recorded at 62.90. In addition, the S. agalactiae load was suppressed in larvae fed probiont-enriched M. micrura (6.84±0.39 CFU mL-1) in comparison to the control group (7.78±0.09 CFU mL-1), indicating that the probiont might have contributed to the improvement of tilapia health and survival. This study illustrated that M. micrura was suitable to be used as a vector for probiotics in freshwater fish larvae as an alternative to hazardous antibiotics for disease control.