Subject(s)
Bacteremia/etiology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/etiology , Hernia/complications , Intestinal Perforation/complications , Peritonitis/etiology , Ruminococcus , Bacteremia/microbiology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Hernia/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Peritonitis/microbiology , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Ruminococcus/genetics , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Antibody deficiency is the most common immunodeficiency. In 5% to 10% of the patients with recurrent infections that are evaluated for immunodeficiency, a specific deficiency in the immune response to capsular polysaccharides can be found. Patients with recurrent infections should therefore be tested for their capacity to produce antibodies against anti-capsular polysaccharides. As a clinical test, specific antibody levels are measured before and 14 days after immunization with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. In this article we describe the indications, the method used to measure antibodies to capsular pneumococcal polysaccharide and the way the results have to be interpreted.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Immunity/physiology , Pneumococcal Infections/immunology , Pneumococcal Infections/prevention & control , Pneumococcal Vaccines/administration & dosage , Streptococcus pneumoniae/immunology , Adult , Belgium , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/immunology , Male , Patient Selection , Sensitivity and Specificity , Vaccination/methodsABSTRACT
Rothia dentocariosa is a rare cause of endocarditis. It occurs most frequently in patients with prior heart conditions. Although the clinical course is typically subacute, it has a high rate of complications. In particular, the reported incidence of mycotic aneurysms is as high as 25%. Penicillin is the treatment of choice, but additional complications may necessitate prompt surgical intervention. As far as we know, this paper reports the first case of repeated subarachnoid hemorrhages due to R. dentocariosa endocarditis.
