The facultative human oral pathogen Prevotella histicola in equine cheek tooth apical/ periapical infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Prevotella histicola is a facultative oral pathogen that under certain conditions causes pathologies such as caries and periodontitis in humans. Prevotella spp. also colonize the oral cavity of horses and can cause disease, but P. histicola has not yet been identified. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-year-old Tinker mare was referred to the clinic for persistent, malodorous purulent nasal discharge and quidding. Conservative antibiotic (penicillin), antiphlogistic (meloxicam), and mucolytic (dembrexine-hydrochloride) treatment prior to referral was unsuccessful and symptoms worsened. Oral examination, radiography, sino-/ rhinoscopy, and standing computed tomography revealed severe apical/ periapical infection of the upper cheek tooth 209 with accompanying unilateral sinonasal inflammation and conchal necrosis. The tooth exhibited extensive subocclusal mesial infundibular cemental hypoplasia and caries, and an occlusal fissure fracture. After mechanical debridement and thermoplastic resin filling of the spacious subocclusal carious infundibular lesion, the tooth was extracted intraorally. The sinusitis and conchal necrosis were treated transendoscopically. Selective bacteriological swab cultures of affected tooth roots and subsequent matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry showed an infection with the obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterium P. histicola. Surgical intervention and adapted antibiotic therapy led to normal healing without complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first documented case of dental infection in a horse caused by P. histicola at once indicating necessity of more sufficient microbiological diagnostics and targeted antibiotic treatment in equine dental practice. This finding is also conducive to understand species-specific Prevotella diversity and cross-species distribution.

[The Vulnerable Heel of Achilles: Intratendinous Abscess Following a Cat Bite]. / Die vulnerable Ferse des Achilles ­ intratendinöser Abszess nach Katzenbiss.

An 83-year-old patient suffered a cat bite dorsally to the Achilles tendon. In the further course, he developed an isolated intratendinous abscess of the Achilles tendon, which was surgically revised twice and subsequently healed with antibiotic treatment. In Germany, about 40,000 bite injuries of different origins occur annually. Most of these injuries are cat or dog bites, while human bites are rare. Although the course is often complicated, there are no standard recommendations for treatment. An intratendinous abscess after animal bite injury has not been described in the literature as yet.

Porphyromonas pogonae identification from a soft tissue infection: The first human case.

We report a first human case of Porphyromonas pogonae causing soft tissue infection in a patient with open fracture. Strong ß-hemolytic, aerotolerant, and non-pigmented gram-negative coccobacilli which matched Porphyromonas pogonae by PCR for 16S rRNA genes were identified from the pus specimen. The clinical course of the patient improved with repeated surgical drainage and tigecycline administration.

Staged open, endovascular, and hybrid repair of concomitant mycotic aneurysms.

Primary mycotic aneurysms of the aorta are a rare but life-threatening condition. A 59-year-old woman developed a back abscess secondary to an insect bite. A computed tomography scan revealed 3 concomitant mycotic aneurysms, including a rupture. Staged repair was undertaken: immediate open repair for contained rupture of a type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, followed by endovascular repair of a descending thoracic aneurysm 3 weeks later and finally an aortic arch hybrid repair of a left subclavian artery aneurysm 16 months later. She remains well postoperatively. There is currently no consensus on the timing of repair or modality of treatment of mycotic aneurysms. Each patient should be treated individually based on aneurysm location, rupture, and comorbidities, as shown by this case.

Spontaneous perforation of pyometra: a report of seven cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The spontaneous perforation of pyometra is very rare and is associated with a poor prognosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for patient survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reported on 7 patients with spontaneous rupture of pyometra. We also reviewed 47 additional published cases. Thus, all 54 patients were analyzed for mortality. RESULTS: We investigated the prognosis in 44 of 54 patients, excluding 8 patients with undocumented outcome and 2 who died of other diseases. The mortality rate was 25% (11 of 44). In univariate analysis, variables such as age, correct preoperative diagnosis, comorbidities, the presence of malignancy, and hysterectomy were not significant between surviving and deceased patients. In bacterial cultures from the peritoneal cavity, the most common etiological organisms were Escherichia coli and anaerobes such as Bacteroides and Peptococcus species. The rate of isolation of anaerobic bacteria was significantly increased in patients who died (odds ratio, 6.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-31.02; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Antibiotic therapy for E. coli and anaerobes should be considered in patients with spontaneous perforation of pyometra.

Pyomyoma after uterine artery embolization.

BACKGROUND: Pyomyoma (suppurative leiomyoma of the uterus) is a rare condition resulting from infarction and infection of a leiomyoma. It can lead to sepsis and death unless treated with antibiotics and aggressive surgical intervention. CASE: A 47-year-old multigravid woman with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas presented with fever, pelvic pain, and leukocytosis after uncomplicated uterine artery embolization. Pyomyoma was suspected after computed tomography scan demonstrated an enlarged, heterogeneous uterus containing copious myometrial air. She underwent supracervical hysterectomy, lysis of adhesions, and right salpingo-oophorectomy. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of pyomyoma may be necessary early in the management of pyomyoma after uterine artery embolization.

Abdominal wall phlebitis due to Prevotella bivia following renal transplantation in a patient with an occluded inferior vena cava.

Pre-existing occlusion of the inferior vena cava may complicate renal transplantation. Suppurative abdominal wall phlebitis following renal transplantation was diagnosed in a patient with pre-existing thrombosis of the inferior vena cava of unknown cause. The phlebitis developed in the subcutaneous collateral veins of the abdominal wall contra-laterally to the renal transplant. Cultures from abdominal wall micro-abscesses yielded Prevotella bivia as the causative agent. This complication has not been described before in the context of renal transplantation. The pathogenesis and management of this serious complication are discussed in this paper.

Brain abscess from a peritonsillar abscess in an immunocompetent child: a case report and review of the literature.

A brain abscess is uncommon but potentially lethal. Common predisposing risk factors include congenital cyanotic heart disease, immunocompromised status, and the presence of septic foci. We describe a left frontal brain abscess accompanied by fever, headache, and weight loss for a 3-month period. The presumptive source of the brain abscess involved a left peritonsillar abscess. To the best of our knowledge, one similar case was reported in the literature in 1929. The specific signs of peritonsillar abscess in our patient included trismus, decreased phonation, and a muffled voice. The peritonsillar abscess was not clinically diagnosed, but incidentally detected on lower axial sections of cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Fever and trismus improved after surgical drainage of the peritonsillar abscess. The cerebral abscess was conservatively treated with intravenous antibiotics. The patient developed hydrocephalus as a sequela to the involvement of the basal meninges.

Giant dacryocystomucopyocele in an adult: a review of lacrimal sac enlargements with clinical and histopathologic differential diagnoses.

Dacryocystocele is an umbrella term that refers to any diffuse, centrifugal enlargement of the lacrimal sac that results from combined proximal and distal obstructions in the tear drainage system. In adults, the presence of mucus in the cyst's contents leads to the modified term of dacryocystomucocele. If infection supervenes, which almost always occurs in protracted cases and adds the clinical dimension of a dacryocystitis, then a dacryocystomucopyocele is created. Dacryocystocele and its congeners are much rarer in adults than in children. We describe a 95-year-old woman with an acquired, enormous dacryocystomucopyocele, larger than any previously reported, that developed over 25 years and produced globe displacement with an associated conspicuous enlargement of the nasolacrimal duct. The aspirated sac fluid was mucopurulent and harbored low-virulence bacterial organisms of the Prevotella and Petosteptococcus species. In infants, dacryocystoceles are transitory as the result of spontaneously reversible factors. In adults, secondary proximal irreversible fibrotic strictures or bony changes around the nasolacrimal duct typically arise from chronic inflammation or low grade infection. Other possible causations of duct obstruction, in addition to florid mucosal edema, include encroachment on the duct by enlarged contiguous ethmoid air cells; a sinus mucocele or sinusitis; idiopathic, post-traumatic or dysplastic bony remodeling of the wall of the duct; and a neoplasm-all of which require some form of surgical intervention, typically dacryocystorhinostomy. The differential diagnosis of medial canthal swellings centered on the lacrimal sac spans malformations, diverticula, dermoid/epidermoid cysts, sac inflammations/infections causing swelling without generalized sac enlargement, encephaloceles and primary epithelial tumors, as well as extrinsic tumors impinging on the sac.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis with pancreatic abscess due to Prevotella species in a diabetic.

Acute pancreatitis occasionally presents as pancreatic abscess with complications like pleural effusion and ascites. There are several pre-disposing factors, the most common being cholelithiaisis, alcohol abuse, infective causes, trauma, and metabolic causes such as diabetic ketoacidosis, while some cases are idiopathic. Here, we report a rare case of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in a 40-year-old male who presented with pain in the abdomen, ascites and left basal pleural effusion. A computerized tomography (CT) scan showed findings suggestive of pancreatic necrosis, with abscess formation and free-fluid surrounding area. The aspirated pus sample was processed for Gram staining and culture, which yielded growth of Prevotella species in an anaerobic culture. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and intra-abdominal collection drained. Necrosectomy of the distal tail and body of the pancreas was performed. The patient was started on antibiotics and along with supportive treatment, responded well.

Meningitis and epidural abscess related to pansinusitis.

Sinusitis can rarely be latent and present directly with intracranial complications. We present the case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with typical features of meningitis. She underwent neuroimaging because of slow improvement and concern for a brain abscess. Despite no history or examination findings suggestive of sinusitis, she was found to have pansinusitis with intracranial extension causing meningitis and epidural abscess.

Chest wall abscess due to Prevotella bivia.

Prevotella bivia is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. A 77-year-old man developed a rapidly growing chest wall abscess due to P. bivia within days. He underwent surgical resection of the infected area; his postoperative course was uneventful. This is the first case of chest wall abscess due to P. bivia infection. Its correct diagnosis cannot be underestimated because fulminant infections can occur in aged or immunocompromised patients if treated incorrectly. Prompt, appropriate surgical management, and antibiotic therapy affect treatment outcome.

[Complications of injections of hypoosmotic solutes in an underage patient]. / Complications d'injections de solutés hypoosmotiques chez une patiente mineure.

Liposuction represents the standard surgical treatment of localized fat excess. Some non-plastic-surgery-board-certified practitioners are likely to offer non-invasive alternatives treatments. We report the clinical case of a 14-year-old female patient who followed a Lipectomy treatment. The Lipectomy technique consists in a hypodermic injection of hypotonic solutions in order to obtain an adipocytes lysis by osmotic shock. No PubMed referenced scientific publication is related to the efficacy or the tolerance of this technique. Postoperative evolution was marked by a polymicrobial subcutaneous abscess that needed two surgical evacuations and 10 days of overnight stay in our department. Through this clinical case, we evoke the possible dangers linked to the application of a non-evaluated medical technique and the necessity of establishing an official validation agency related to innovative techniques in aesthetic medicine and surgery.

Recurrent unilateral periorbital cellulitis in a pediatric patient--an anatomic abnormality.

A 2-year-old male, otherwise healthy, suffered a total of 7 episodes of recurrent right-sided periorbital celluitis (POC) which began at 11 months of age. Five of the 7 episodes of right eye swelling/erythema required hospital admission for intravenous antibiotics. Imaging studies demonstrated a well-defined dehiscence in the lamina papyracea. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed and an abnormal uncinate process was visualized, fused to the lateral nasal wall and ethmoid bulla. Post-operatively, the patient had no further infections. Nasal endoscopy and high-resolution imaging in pediatric patients with recurrent POC could identify those who would benefit from early surgical intervention.

An ex-situ arterial reconstruction for the treatment of an infected suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels.

A 66-year-old man, who had complaints of back pain, high fever, and constipation, with a suprarenal infected abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels, was successfully treated by an ex situ arterial reconstruction. Blood culture revealed bacteroides melaninogenicus. After establishing a temporary bypass from right axillary to right external iliac artery, both renal arteries--superior mesenteric artery and common hepatic artery--were preliminary bypassed from external iliac arteries. Then aortic trunk reconstruction was performed with the body twisting left side to separate the graft from the infected field. The patient had good recovery and no evidence of recurrent infection 31 months after the operation.

Paronychia due to Prevotella bivia that resulted in amputation: fast and correct bacteriological diagnosis is crucial.

Prevotella bivia is mainly associated with endometritis. The case of a patient with paronychia in a thumb due to P. bivia resulting in osteitis and amputation is reported. The species was not acknowledged in the first bacterial culture 2 weeks before surgery.

[Portal vein thrombosis and Prevotella melanigenica revealing an appendicular abscess]. / Thrombose de la veine porte et septicémie à Prevotella melaninogenica révélant un abcès appendiculaire.

INTRODUCTION: The misleading aspects of appendicitis are multiple. We report an observation, original not only from a clinical and bacteriological point of view but also because of the presence of a portal vein thrombosis. OBSERVATION: A 48 year-old man was hospitalized for prolonged fever. Examination revealed a thrombosis of the portal vein. Several hemocultures were positive for Prevotella melaninogenica. There was no abnormality in blood crasis and/or thrombophilia. Since the digestive and endoscopic control was negative, as well as the scanographic and sonographic exploration of the appendix area, exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed an abscess on the appendix, which was responsible for the clinical, biological and radiological images. Appendectomy led to complete, immediate and permanent regression of the fever. COMMENTS: The discovery of a Prevotella-type germ disputes the pathogenicity of such an anaerobic germ, at distance from a site where it is normally saprophyte.

Anaerobic orbital abscess/cellulitis in a Yorkshire Terrier dog.

A retrobulbar abscess/cellulitis occurred in a Yorkshire Terrier dog. The clinical signs were exophthalmos, prolapsed nictitating membrane and purulent ocular discharge. Ultrasonography showed a marked soft tissue swelling of the retrobulbar tissues as well as echogenic parallel lines between the globe and the medial orbital rim. Surgical exploration of the orbit was performed and no foreign body was found. The pterygopalatine fossa was incised and therapeutic retrobulbar drainage attempted. A drain was placed to encourage ventral drainage of the abscess. Anaerobic cultures revealed heavy growth of gram negative rods (prevotella bivia and prevotella buccae were isolated). Recovery was successful but subsequent treatment for keratoconjunctivitis sicca was necessary. A full recovery of tear production occurred after several weeks.

Sinusitis in neurologically impaired children.

The microbiologic features of infected sinus aspirates in nine children with neurologic impairment were studied. Anaerobic bacteria, always mixed with aerobic and facultative bacteria, were isolated in 6 (67%) aspirates and aerobic bacteria only in 3 (33%). There were 24 bacterial isolates, 12 aerobic or facultative and 12 anaerobic. The predominant aerobic isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (2 each) and Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (1 each). The predominant anaerobes were Prevotella sp. (5), Peptostreptococcus sp. (4), Fusobacterium nucleatum (2), and Bacteroides fragilis (1). Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria were isolated from 8 (89%) patients. Organisms similar to those recovered from the sinuses were also isolated from tracheostomy site and gastrostomy wound aspirates in five of seven instances. This study demonstrates the uniqueness of the microbiologic features of sinusitis in neurologically impaired children, in which, in addition to the organisms known to cause infection in children without neurologic impairment, facultative and anaerobic gram-negative organisms that can colonize other body sites are predominant.

Role of anaerobic bacteria in chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma.

Otitis media (OM), a common infection in children, can cause significant morbidity. Selection of the most appropriate treatment regimen directed against the pathogens responsible for the OM can minimize complications. The most frequently isolated bacteria from chronic OM are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and anaerobic bacteria. The predominant anaerobes are Peptostreptococcus spp., pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp., Bacteroides spp. and Fusobacterium spp. Many of the organisms causing OM can produce beta-lactamase, which can contribute to the failure of penicillins therapy. The appropriate surgical and medical therapy for chronic OM is reviewed.