Organizing pneumonia and pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration associated with daptomycin.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of organizing pneumonia with pulmonary eosinophilic infiltrates in a patient receiving daptomycin. CASE SUMMARY: An 84-year-old man developed bilateral, irregularly shaped nodules and infiltrates in the mid and peripheral lung and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes following treatment with intravenous daptomycin for infection of his left knee prosthesis. His other symptoms included decreased appetite, weight loss (6.8 kg over 4-6 wk), malaise, and generalized weakness after 4 weeks of daptomycin therapy. Transthoracic needle biopsy revealed organizing pneumonia with scattered eosinophils. His symptoms and results of computed tomography (CT) scan improved in the month following discontinuation of daptomycin. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable reaction to daptomycin. DISCUSSION: Pulmonary reactions have been reported with numerous drugs and have a wide range of clinical and radiographic presentations. Clinical trials have shown that daptomycin is well tolerated and has an adverse effect profile similar to that of vancomycin and the semisynthetic penicillins. This case report suggests that chronic use of daptomycin caused organizing pneumonia with eosinophilic infiltrates in a patient treated for an infected knee prosthesis. A definite mechanism for this reaction is not known. We speculate that the chronic administration of daptomycin allowed drug accumulation in surfactant in the alveolar spaces. This may result in higher concentrations of drug near the alveolar epithelial surface, which could injure the epithelium, resulting in organizing pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Development of new pulmonary infiltrates in patients treated with chronic daptomycin therapy should alert healthcare workers to this potential association.

Pseudallescheria boydii keratitis.

A case of Pseudallescheria boydii keratitis is presented. The patient was successfully treated with topical natamycin and systemic itraconazole in conjunction with penetrating keratoplasty, leading to visual acuity of 20/40.

Pulmonary cholera due to infection with a non-O1 Vibrio cholerae strain.

We present 2 cases of primary pulmonary non-O1 Vibrio cholerae infection. We believe that these are the first documented cases of primary pulmonary infection due to this organism from a freshwater source.

Human west nile virus neuroinvasive disease in Texas, 2003 epidemic: regional differences.

PURPOSE: Arboviral diseases, such as West Nile virus (WNV) epizootics, tend to be geographically unique because of the biomes that support the vector(s) and reservoir host(s). Understanding such details aids in preventive efforts. We studied the 2003 epidemic of human West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in Texas because it initially appeared that incidence was not uniform across regions of the state. METHODS: The epidemic was described by age, sex, and region of residence. These variables were used to compare age-specific incidence, standardized cumulative incidence, and age-adjusted relative risk (RR). We verified case data and used routine software, with population estimates from the US Census Bureau. RESULTS: Regardless of sex, risk increased with age. Males had the greater risk (RR, 1.69); however, males aged 5 to 17 years had the greatest RR. Of the five regions compared, two posed more (RRs, 7.98 and 2.14) and one posed less (RR, 0.40) risk than the remainder of the state. Proportions of Culex vector species differed significantly between regions. CONCLUSIONS: During 2003, the risk for WNND varied considerably across Texas. This suggests that various risks for WNV infection deserve additional research for preventive interventions to be regionally appropriate and effective.

Bartonella quintana associated neuroretinitis.

We report an observational case of Bartonella quintana-associated neuroretinitis. The patient had a positive IgM IFA titer for Bartonella quintana early in the disease. After treatment, the neuroretinitis and IgM resolved. Given the patient's history, symptoms, response to treatment, and IgM course, we believe his neuroretinitis was secondary to Bartonella quintana.

Aspergillus terreus endophthalmitis.

We report a case of Aspergillus terreus endophthalmitis and review the 4 previously reported cases. Immunosuppression, intravenous drug use, intraocular surgery or trauma, and a compatible clinical picture should raise suspicion of the diagnosis. This species often exhibits resistance to amphotericin B and outcomes are poor despite current therapies.

Candida glabrata endophthalmitis treated successfully with caspofungin.

A 39-year-old man with Candida glabrata endophthalmitis was successfully treated with a 28-day course of intravenous caspofungin. Presence of underlying renal insufficiency and infection with a drug-resistant strain precluded use of amphotericin B or fluconazole. Intravitreal administration of antifungals and vitrectomy were not required. The role of caspofungin in Candida endophthalmitis is discussed.

Endophthalmitis caused by non-perfringens Clostridium species.

The role of other non-perfringens Clostridium species in endophthalmitis infections has not been analyzed. We describe a case of non-perfringens Clostridium endophthalmitis and review prior cases in the literature. Fulminant clinical presentations and poor visual outcomes are the rule, but a combined aggressive medical and surgical approach may conserve vision.

Population patterns and antimicrobial resistance of Aeromonas in urban playa lakes.

Bacteria belonging to the genus Aeromonas are indigenous to aquatic environments. Once regarded as unimportant human pathogens, reports of opportunistic infections caused by these organisms have appeared increasingly in the medical literature. To estimate the potential for human infection by Aeromonas where limited water resources are being used intensively, we studied the spatial and temporal variation and incidence of antimicrobial resistance among environmental isolates of Aeromonas from two urban playa lakes in Lubbock, Texas. Aeromonas population densities varied seasonally, with the highest densities occurring from mid-April to late October. The greatest range of densities was 100-fold, from 2.50 to 255.17 colony-forming units per 0.1 mL of water sample. Densities also varied with water depth, although the variation did not display a consistent pattern. One hundred fifty-one Aeromonas isolates were divided into 10 species or subspecies groups by using the BIOLOG identification system. Nine isolates displayed resistance to co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, and cefuroxime, and none was resistant to more than one of these antimicrobial agents. In summary, the results of this study showed that the densities of Aeromonas peak in the late spring and again in late summer, times when human activity around the playa lakes is also high. Thus, we infer that human exposure to these potential pathogens varies seasonally. Compared to other published studies, the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant Aeromonas is relatively low in urban playa lakes in Lubbock, Texas. Nevertheless, resistant organisms were detected.

Deep sternal wound infection caused by group g streptococcus after open-heart surgery.

We report the first case of deep sternal wound infection caused by group G Streptococcus after open-heart surgery. The patient's clinical presentation was nonspecific and his diagnosis was delayed. Surgical debridement and a 4-week course of intravenous antibiotics consisting of sequential penicillin plus gentamicin/ceftriaxone led to recovery. Group G Streptococcus should be suspected as an important postoperative pathogen.

CD4+ T lymphocytopenia with disseminated HPV.

BACKGROUND: There have been several reports of HIV-negative patients with chronic idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia, the diagnostic criteria for which are: depressed numbers of circulating T lymphocytes (less than 300/ micro l or less than 20%) on more than one occasion; no laboratory evidence of HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection; and the absence of any defined immunodeficiency or therapy associated with depressed levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes. METHODS: We report a patient with disseminated human papillomavirus infection associated with idiopathic CD4+ T-cell lymphocytopenia. A 50-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic with a 10-year history of widespread verrucae involving the skin and the cervix. RESULTS: Biopsy from the arm revealed a common wart. PCR analysis performed from the paraffin-embedded block was strongly positive for HPV type 2. Other HPV types (including EV-associated HPV 5, 8, 14, 15, 17) were not found. Further laboratory work up revealed T-cell lymphocytopenia, with an absolute CD4 count of 21. HIV tests were repeatedly negative. She was treated with interferon A 8 million units SQ three times per week with partial improvement. The patient underwent a hysterectomy for cervical dysplasia and a vulvectomy for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. She developed small-cell lung carcinoma and died. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of idiopathic CD4+ T-cell lymphocytopenia should be considered in any patient with widespread viral, fungal, or mycobacterial infection whose HIV test is negative, and appropriate evaluation of the absolute CD4+ counts should be performed.