A 27-year experience with infective endocarditis in Lebanon.

Although rare, infective endocarditis (IE) continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Previous data from the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) had shown predominance of streptococcal infection. As worldwide studies in developed countries show increasing trends in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis, it becomes vital to continually inspect local data for epidemiological variations. We reviewed all IE cases between 2001 and 2014, and we performed a comparison to a historical cohort of 86 IE cases from 1987 to 2001. A total of 80 patients were diagnosed with IE between 2001 and 2014. The mean age was 61 years. The most commonly isolated organisms were streptococci (37%), compared to 51% in the previous cohort. S. aureus accounted for 11%. Only one S. aureus isolate was methicillin-resistant. In the historical cohort, 26% of cases were caused by S. aureus. Enterococci ranked behind staphylococci with 22% of total cases, while in the previous cohort, enterococcal IE was only 4%. Compared to previous data from AUBMC, the rates of streptococcal and staphylococcal endocarditis have decreased while enterococcal endocarditis has increased. This study reconfirms that in Lebanon, a developing country, we continue to have a low predominance of staphylococci as etiologic agents in IE.

Asymptomatic haptic migration of phakic anterior chamber intraocular lens through the peripheral iridectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Case series of haptic migration in patients with angle-supported phakic anterior chamber intraocular lens (PAC-IOL: Phakic6H) through the superior peripheral iridectomy (PI). METHODS: Charts of 23 patients (35 eyes) with at least 6 months' postoperative follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Evaluation included preoperative and postoperative cycloplegic and manifest refractions, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, corneal topography, and biometry. RESULTS: Mean UCVA was 1.67 ± 0.30 (1.17-2.00) for all 35 eyes preoperatively and 0.35 ± 0.25 (0.00-1.00) postoperatively (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.21-1.44). BCVA had a mean of 0.31 ± 0.26 for all 35 eyes preoperatively, and a mean of 0.22 ± 0.25 postoperatively (p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.04-0.14). Haptic migration into the superior PI was noted in 8 eyes (23%). The first migration was noted 2 years postoperatively and the last 8 years after implantation (mean, 5.6 ± 2 years). There was no statistically significant difference in the BCVA and UCVA before and after haptic migration. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 8.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Angle-supported PAC-IOL implantation resulted in significant improvement in both UCVA and BCVA. However, there is a 23% incidence of haptic migration in our series with no sequelae on BCVA or harmful effect on the intraocular structures. This IOL movement may be explained by changes in aqueous dynamics at the level of the PI leading to migration of the haptic into the area of least resistance.

A Patient with Keratoconus, Nanophthalmos, Lipodermoids, and Pigmentary Retinopathy.

A 44-year-old male with no pertinent history other than poor vision for more than 25 years was examined. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/80 OD [MR: +14.25 +1.00 × 15°] and 20/200 OS [MR: +15.00 +1.50 × 175°]. Significant limitation in ocular movements and the presence of an orbital lipodermoid in the infero-temporal aspect of each eye were noted. Forced duction test was positive for the same directions of limitation indicating possible extraocular muscle fibrosis. Ophthalmoscopy was remarkable for the presence of peripheral bony spicules. Corneal topography was compatible with keratoconus (Kmax = 55.04D OD and 52.87D OS). A-scan revealed axial lengths of 16.96 mm OD and 16.32 mm OS, compatible with a diagnosis of nanophthalmos. OCT revealed diffuse macular thickening for both eyes with foveal thickness of 350 µm OD and 353 µm OS. Over the next 12 years the patient had stable visual acuity, manifest refractions and anterior segment examination. Ophthalmoscopy revealed only minimal progression of pigmentary changes. We report the first case of these simultaneous multiple findings which may refer to a possible syndromic association of congenital or early childhood onset.

Complete Visual Rehabilitation in a Patient with No Light Perception after Surgical Management of a Penetrating Open-Globe Injury: A Case Report.

Open-globe injuries with no light perception (NLP) carry a poor prognosis, and many ophthalmologists select a primary enucleation or evisceration as a result. We present a case of complete visual rehabilitation in a patient who presented with NLP after a zone III penetrating open-globe injury. We recommend patient counseling regarding decision making and management of ocular trauma with NLP, since timely intervention and close follow-ups may restore useful or complete vision even in severely traumatized eyes.

Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and molecular typing of salmonella typhi isolated from patients with typhoid fever in Lebanon.

The objective of this study was to examine the epidemiology and the clinical manifestations of typhoid fever as well as the susceptibility and strain relatedness of Salmonella typhi isolates in Lebanon from 2006 to 2007. A total of 120 patients with typhoid fever were initially identified from various areas of the country based on positive culture results for S. typhi from blood, urine, stools, bone marrow and/or positive serology. Clinical, microbiological and molecular analysis was performed on cases with complete data available. These results indicated that drinking water was an unlikely mode of transmission of the infection. Despite increasing reports of antimicrobial resistance among S. typhi isolates, the vast majority of these isolates were susceptible to various antibiotic agents, including ampicillin, cephalosporins, quinolones, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Molecular analysis of the isolates revealed a predominance of one single genotype with no variation in distribution across the geographical regions.

Recurrent refractory Clostridium difficile colitis treated successfully with rifaximin and tigecycline: a case report and review of the literature.

Clostridium difficile colitis infection is on the rise and is considerably increasing the duration of hospital stay, as well as healthcare costs. The management of C. difficile colitis has become more challenging with the increasing failure of therapeutic response to metronidazole and oral vancomycin. Tigecycline is a new glycylcycline that has shown in vitro activity against C. difficile. We report herein a case of C. difficile colitis that failed to improve on a combination of metronidazole and oral vancomycin. The patient subsequently developed a surgical abdomen secondary to refractory C. difficile colitis, but was successfully treated with a combination of rifaximin and tigecycline after she refused to undergo surgical treatment.

Transfusion-related Plasmodium ovale malaria complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a non-endemic country.

46year old female presented with a one week history of high grade fever, chills, cough, and severe nausea. The patient had been admitted a month earlier with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding from hemorrhoids necessitating transfusion of 7 units of packed red blood cells. Initial work-up was unremarkable. Because of persistent symptoms, the patient was admitted 2 days later. Malaria smear was positive. Due to the severity of her symptoms, she was managed as falciparum malaria and was started on intravenous quinine and oral doxycycline. On the second day of treatment the patient developed respiratory failure, requiring intubation and ventilatory support with new bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Antimalarial treatment was continued for a total of 7 days followed by primaquine for 14 days once the blood smear results revealed Plasmodium ovale infection. The patient remained intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 16 days, and was later extubated successfully with a clear chest x-ray after a total of one month hospitalization. To our knowledge, this is the first case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to blood transfusion related P. ovale malaria infection in a non-endemic country.

Emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Lebanon: a report of three cases.

The global emergence of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to fluoroquinolones is alarming and has grown to be a cause for significant concern worldwide. We report the first three cases of levofloxacin resistant S. pneumoniae isolates in a tertiary medical center in Beirut, Lebanon. Judicious use of antimicrobial agents is imperative to limit the spread of such resistant strains.