Infectious diseases of neotropical primates

Neotropical primates are represented by more than 200 species and subspecies distributed in five families. Considering that some of these species are considered endangered, disease investigation in these populations is critical for conservation strategies. Therefore, an increasing number of studies and publications on this topic became available in the past few years. This review deals with infectious diseases of neotropical primates, with focus on free-ranging animals, including those caused by bacterial, viral, protozoal, metazoan, or mycotic infectious organisms, with particular emphasis on gross and microscopic lesions associated with these diseases. In addition, a few relevant unpublished cases of infection by Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. were included in this review.(AU)

Advanced detection and sensing strategies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and quorum sensing biomarkers: A review.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen, can frequently cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and chronic wounds, and potentially lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Timely and adequate treatment of nosocomial infection in clinic depends on rapid detection and accurate identification of P. aeruginosa and its early-stage antibiotic susceptibility test. Traditional methods like plating culture, polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assays are time-consuming and require expensive equipment, limiting the rapid diagnostic application. Advanced sensing strategy capable of fast, sensitive and simple detection with low cost has therefore become highly desired in point of care testing (POCT) of nosocomial pathogens. Within this review, advanced detection and sensing strategies for P. aeruginosa cells along with associated quorum sensing (QS) molecules over the last ten years are discussed and summarized. Firstly, the principles of four commonly used sensing strategies including localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), electrochemistry, and fluorescence are briefly overviewed. Then, the advancement of the above sensing techniques for P. aeruginosa cells and its QS biomarkers detection are introduced, respectively. In addition, the integration with novel compatible platforms towards clinical application is highlighted in each section. Finally, the current achievements are summarized along with proposed challenges and prospects.

Síndrome de la uña verde: revisión actualizada de una patología emergente en la era COVID-19 / 19Green nail syndrome: updated review of an emerging disease in the era of COVID-19

El síndrome de la uña verde o cloroniquia corresponde a la infección por Pseudomonas aeruginosa de una lámina ungueal dañada en pacientes con algún factor de riesgo identificable, siendo los más frecuentes la inmunosupresión, el ambiente húmedo constante y la patología ungueal preexistente. Su diagnóstico es relativamente sencillo si se logra observar la tríada característica de coloración verdosa de la lámina ungueal, paroniquia proximal crónica y onicolisis distal; en casos de duda diagnóstica se puede enviar una muestra de la uña afectada para cultivos o estudio histopatológico. El pilar de su tratamiento corresponde al uso de antibióticos tópicos o sistémicos en conjunto con medidas generales que protejan de la humedad. Es muy importante enfatizar la prevención de esta patología en el personal de salud, especialmente en el contexto del lavado de manos frecuente y riguroso implementado durante la pandemia COVID-19, ya que existen reportes de transmisión nosocomial de P. aeruginosa por profesionales de la salud con infección ungueal.(AU)

Green nail syndrome or chloronychia is the infection of a damaged nail plate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a patient with an identifiable risk factor; the most frequently described are immunosuppression, a persistent moist environment and preexisting nail disease. Its diagnosis is relatively simple if the characteristic triad of green discoloration of the nail plate, chronic proximal paronychia and distal onycholysis can be observed, in cases of doubt a sample of the affected nail can be sent for cultures or histopathology. The cornerstone of treatment is the use of topical or systemic antibiotics along with measures to protect the nail from moisture. Prevention of this disease must be emphasized in health care personnel, especially in the context of frequent and rigorous handwashing practices implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, since there are reports of nosocomial transmission of P. aeruginosaby health care professionals with nail infection.(AU)

Bilateral Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis in 7 Patients.

PURPOSE: To report 7 patients (14 eyes) with bilateral Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis (PAK). METHODS: Case records of patients with bilateral PAK were reviewed at a single academic medical center from April 2009 to December 2020. RESULTS: Seven patients aged 29 to 94 years presented with bilateral P. aeruginosa corneal ulcers. All patients were soft contact lens wearers except one elderly patient with a complex ocular history. Three patients wore specialty contact lens, including one cosmetic contact lens wearer, one multifocal contact lens wearer, and one extended-wear contact lens wearer. The remaining three patients were not overnight contact lens wearer but regularly showered in contact lens or used tap water for contact lens case cleaning. All patients presented with asymmetric disease, with visual acuity ranging from 20/20 to light perception. Ulcers were located centrally in 5 eyes (35.7%), diffusely over the entire cornea in 5 eyes (35.7%), temporally in 2 eyes (14.2%), and nasally in 1 eye (7.14%), and in 1 eye (8.3%), the ulcer location was not recorded. Corneal thinning was noted in 7 eyes (50%). Hypopyon was also noted in 7 eyes (50%). Two patients required procedures because of progressive stromal necrosis. All other patients were treated nonsurgically, with antibiotic drops, which resulted in ulcer resolution. Final visual acuity on last recorded follow-up ranged from 20/20 to no light perception. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series of bilateral PAK, which occurred primarily in contact lens wearer. This case series reiterates the risk of contact lens infection related to poor hygiene.

Treatment of Severe Infectious Keratitis With Scleral Contact Lenses as a Reservoir of Moxifloxacin 0.5.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of using scleral contact lenses as antibiotic reservoirs as a therapeutic approach in a case series of severe infectious keratitis and to discuss the clinical potential. METHODS: This was a prospective consecutive case series study of 12 eyes treated for infectious keratitis at the "Conde de Valenciana" Institute of Ophthalmology. A scleral lens (SL) filled with 0.5% moxifloxacin was used as a reservoir and replaced every 24 hours until epithelization was complete or the culture report and/or antibiogram demonstrated either a microorganism not susceptible to or resistant to moxifloxacin. RESULTS: The study included 12 eyes of 12 patients (7 women; 58.33%; average age of 63 ± 20.11 years). All patients completed at least 1 month of follow-up. Patients had a diagnosis of infectious keratitis, and the SL was fitted on initial consultation. Of the 12 eyes, 7 had culture-positive bacterial infection, 2 eyes were mycotic, and 3 eyes had no culture growth. In 3 eyes, SL was discontinued because of the lack of response (one eye) and to the presence of mycotic infection (2 eyes). All infections resolved favorably at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SLs could be an alternative for antibiotic impregnation and treatment of infectious keratitis. No complications or side effects were observed related to the use of the scleral contact lens as a reservoir for the antibiotic. This treatment modality could offer a comfortable treatment for the patient, ensuring good impregnation and maintenance of antibiotic concentrations during the 24-hour wear periods.

Predictors of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic patients with bloodstream infection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess risk factors for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) infection in neutropenic patients. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective analysis of consecutive bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes (2004-2017, Barcelona). Two multivariate regression models were used at BSI diagnosis and P. aeruginosa detection. Significant predictors were used to establish rules for stratifying patients according to MDR-PA BSI risk. RESULTS: Of 661 Gram-negative BSI episodes, 190 (28.7%) were caused by P. aeruginosa (70 MDR-PA). Independent factors associated with MDR-PA among Gram-negative organisms were haematological malignancy (OR 3.30; 95% CI 1.15-9.50), pulmonary source of infection (OR 7.85; 95% CI 3.32-18.56), nosocomial-acquired BSI (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.74-7.09), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 13.66; 95% CI 6.64-28.10) and piperacillin/tazobactam (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.04-5.63), and BSI occurring during ceftriaxone (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.15-15.83). Once P. aeruginosa was identified as the BSI aetiological pathogen, nosocomial acquisition (OR 7.13; 95% CI 2.87-17.67), haematological malignancy (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.07-10.98), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 3.82; 95% CI 1.42-10.22) and quinolones (OR 3.97; 95% CI 1.37-11.48), corticosteroids (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.15-7.40), and BSI occurring during quinolone (OR 4.88; 95% CI 1.58-15.05) and ß-lactam other than ertapenem (OR 4.51; 95% CI 1.45-14.04) were independently associated with MDR-PA. Per regression coefficients, 1 point was assigned to each parameter, except for nosocomial-acquired BSI (3 points). In the second analysis, a score >3 points identified 60 (86.3%) out of 70 individuals with MDR-PA BSI and discarded 100 (84.2%) out of 120 with non-MDR-PA BSI. CONCLUSIONS: A simple score based on demographic and clinical factors allows stratification of individuals with bacteraemia according to their risk of MDR-PA BSI, and may help facilitate the use of rapid MDR-detection tools and improve early antibiotic appropriateness.

Utility of flow citometry for detecting metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. / Utilidad de la citometría de flujo para la detección de Pseudomonas aeruginosa productoras de metalobetalactamasas.

In order to determine the utility of flow cytometry for detecting metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we used genotypically characterized P. aeruginosa isolates from the Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics Laboratory of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. A total of 29 isolates (17 MBL-producing and 12 non-MBL-producing) were analyzed with the FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson) cell viability kit. Two treatments were used, one with meropenem and the other with meropenem-EDTA. A significant difference between MBL and non-MBL-producing P. aeruginosa was demonstrated using the fluorescence ratio in non-living cells, considering a cut-off point of >1.6. We determined a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 100%. Flow cytometry represents an alternative for the detection of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa.

Con el objetivo de determinar la utilidad de la citometría de flujo para la detección de Pseudomonas aeruginosa productoras de metalobetalactamasas (MBL), se estudiaron aislamientos de P. aeruginosa genotípicamente caracterizados del cepario del laboratorio de Epidemiología Molecular y Genética de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Se analizaron 29 aislamientos (17 productoras de MBL y 12 no productoras de MBL) con el kit de viabilidad celular FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson). Se utilizaron dos tratamientos, uno con meropenem y el otro con meropenem-EDTA. Usando la razón de aumento de fluorescencia en las células no vivas, se demostró una diferencia significativa entre las productoras de MBL y las no MBL, considerando como punto de corte una razón >1,6. Se determinó una sensibilidad de 94,1% y una especificidad del 100%. La citometría de flujo constituye una alternativa para la detección de P. aeruginosa productora de MBL.

Severe pulmonary disease in an adult primary ciliary dyskinesia population in Brazil.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is underdiagnosed in Brazil. We enrolled patients from an adult service of Bronchiectasis over a two-year period in a cross-sectional study. The inclusion criteria were laterality disorders (LD), cough with recurrent infections and the exclusion of other causes of bronchiectasis. Patients underwent at least two of the following tests: nasal nitric oxide, ciliary movement and analysis of ciliary immunofluorescence, and genetic tests (31 PCD genes + CFTR gene). The clinical characterization included the PICADAR and bronchiectasis scores, pulmonary function, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (cPA) colonization, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and mucus rheology (MR). Forty-nine of the 500 patients were diagnosed with definite (42/49), probable (5/49), and clinical (2/49) PCD. Twenty-four patients (24/47) presented bi-allelic pathogenic variants in a total of 31 screened PCD genes. A PICADAR score > 5 was found in 37/49 patients, consanguinity in 27/49, LD in 28/49, and eight PCD sibling groups. FACED diagnosed 23/49 patients with moderate or severe bronchiectasis; FEV1 ≤ 50% in 25/49 patients, eight patients had undergone lung transplantation, four had been lobectomized and cPA+ was determined in 20/49. The EBC and MR were altered in all patients. This adult PCD population was characterized by consanguinity, severe lung impairment, genetic variability, altered EBC and MR.

[Fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with multiple non-classic risk factors]. / Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva fatal en un paciente con factores de riesgo no clásicos.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary aspergillosis is a severe invasive infection that mainly affects immunocompromised patients, causing a great mortality. CLINICAL CASE: We present a male patient with chronic ethilism, diabetes mellitus, and work exposure of inhalated harmful chemicals, who had a fatal outcome, that even when not presenting typical risk factors, developed a clinical presentation compatible, and mycological evaluation that support the diagnosis of a probably invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. CONCLUSION: The effect of the combination of the described non-typical situations as predisposing factors for pulmonary aspergillosis requires further research, given that they are non-typical factors.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la aspergilosis pulmonar es una infección invasiva severa que afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunocomprometidos y representa una causa importante de mortalidad. CASO CLÍNICO: presentamos un paciente con antecedentes de etilismo crónico, diabetes mellitus y exposición laboral recurrente a sustancias químicas nocivas inhaladas, quien tuvo un desenlace fatal, y que, incluso al no presentar factores de riesgo típicos, desarrolló una presentación clínica compatible y tuvo estudios micológicos que apoyan el diagnóstico de una probable aspergilosis invasiva. CONCLUSIÓN: el efecto de la combinación de tales situaciones no típicas como factores predisponentes de aspergilosis pulmonar amerita mayor investigación, dado que se trata de factores de riesgo no típicos.

Bacteriemia por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) en niños / Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated bacteremia en children

Introducción. La bacteriemia por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) en niños es infrecuente. Objetivo.Describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, microbiológicas y evolutivas en niños con bacteriemia por PAE. Métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Resultados. Se incluyeron 100 pacientes (p). La mediana de edad fue de 27 meses (RIC 6-88).Tenían enfermedad de base: 93 p (93%) y 36 de ellos estaban neutropénicos. Ochenta y cinco p (85%) habían recibido antibióticos en el último mes, 60 (60%) tuvieron procedimientos invasivos previos y 81 (81%) tuvieron internaciones previas. Ingresaron con shock séptico 42 p (42%), 56 p (56%) fueron admitidos en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) y 49 (49%) requirieron ventilación mecánica (VM). La bacteriemia fue primaria en 17 p (17%); asociada a catéter en 15 p (15%) y secundaria en 68 p (68%). El foco más frecuente fue mucocutáneo, 21 p, seguido por el pulmonar, 20 p. El tratamiento empírico fue adecuado en 84 p (84%). La resistencia a uno o más grupos de antibióticos se dio en el 38% de los casos, 11% fueron multirresistentes y 15% fueron resistentes sólo a carbapenemes. Fallecieron 31 p (31%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenemes en forma exclusiva o combinada con otros antibióticos se relacionó en esta serie a exposición previa a antibióticos, (p≤0,03), tratamiento empírico inicial inadecuado (p≤0,006) y mayor mortalidad (p≤0,01), prolongación de la internación y del tiempo de tratamiento (p≤0,001)

Introduction. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) associated bacteremia is uncommon in children. Objective. To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological features and outcome in children with PAE-associated bacteremia. Methods. A retrospective cohort study. Results. 100 patients (p) were included. Median age was 27 months (IQR 6-88). Overall 93 p (93%) had an underlying disease, 36 of whom had neutropenia. Eighty-five p (85%) had received antibiotics over the previous month, 60 (60%) had undergone previous invasive procedures, and 81 (81%) had been previously admitted. Forty-two p (42%) were admitted because of septic shock, 56 p (56%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 49 (49%) required mechanical ventilation (MV). Seventeen p (17%) had primary bacteremia, 15 p (15%) had catheter-related bacteremia, and 68 p (68%) had secondary bacteremia. The most common focus was mucocutaneous (21 p), followed by pulmonary (20 p). Emperical treatment was adequate in 84 p (84%). Resistance to one or more groups of antibiotics was observed in 38% of the cases; 11% were multiresistant and 15% were only resistant to carbapenems. Thirty-one p (31%) died. In our series, Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems only or combined with other antibiotics was associated with previous exposition to antibiotics (p≤0.03), inadequate initial emperical treatment (p≤0.006), and higher mortality (p≤0.01), and longer hospital stay and treatment duration (p≤0.001)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced bilateral endophthalmitis after bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery: case report / Endoftalmite bilateral induzida por Pseudomonas aeruginosa após cirurgia bilateral simultânea de catarata: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery (BSCS) has gained popularity among eye surgeons in many countries. This study examines the case of a 77-year-old patient who developed bilateral Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis following bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery. Immediate bilateral vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics injection were performed. Ultimately, both eyes were eviscerated due to pain refractory to treatment and no light perception.

RESUMO A cirurgia bilateral simultânea de catarata ganhou popularidade entre cirurgiões oftalmológicos em muitos países. Este estudo examina o caso de um paciente de 77 anos que desenvolveu endoftalmite bilateral por Pseudomonas aeruginosa após uma cirurgia bilateral simultânea de catarata. Vitrectomia bilateral imediata e injeção de antibióticos intravítreos foram realizadas. Em última análise, ambos os olhos foram eviscerados devido à dor refratária ao tratamento e sem percepção de luz.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced bilateral endophthalmitis after bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery: case report.

Bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery (BSCS) has gained popularity among eye surgeons in many countries. This study examines the case of a 77-year-old patient who developed bilateral Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis following bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery. Immediate bilateral vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics injection were performed. Ultimately, both eyes were eviscerated due to pain refractory to treatment and no light perception.

The Utility of Ultrasound to Diagnose Tunnel-Tract Infection Related to Indwelling Pleural Catheters.

Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) infections lead to increased morbidity and treatment failure in patients with chronic recurrent pleural effusions. Ultrasonography is a readily available diagnostic tool used by pulmonologists on a daily basis. Ultrasonography has been used to identify the etiology of indwelling peritoneal catheter obstruction, including infection of the exit site and tunnel tract. The use of ultrasonography to identify tunnel-tract infection involving IPC has not been reported. We describe the ultrasonographic characteristics of 3 cases of confirmed tunnel-tract infection and compared them with noninfected chronic IPCs. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the soft tissue tunnel tract can accurately identify fluid collections around the catheter and cuff, which is highly suggestive of tunnel-tract infection.

IgG avidity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa over the course of chronic lung biofilm infection in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mechanisms leading to low effectiveness of the humoral immune response against P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to assess the avidity maturation of specific antipseudomonal IgG before and during the development of chronic lung infection in a cohort of Danish CF patients. METHODS: Avidity maturation was assessed against a pooled P. aeruginosa antigen (St-Ag) and against P. aeruginosa alginate in 10 CF patients who developed chronic lung infection and 10 patients who developed intermittent lung colonization, using an ELISA technique with the thiocyanate elution method. Avidity was quantitatively determined by calculating the avidity Constant (Kav). RESULTS: IgG avidity to St-Ag significantly increased at the onset (Median Kav=2.47) and one year after the onset of chronic infection (Median Kav=3.27), but did not significantly changed in patients who developed intermittent colonization. IgG avidity against alginate did not significantly change over the years neither in patients who developed chronic lung infection (Median Kav=3.84 at the onset of chronic infection), nor in patients who developed intermittent colonization. CONCLUSION: IgG avidity to P. aeruginosa alginate does not significantly enhance as chronic lung infection progresses. This probably plays a role in the difficulty to mount an effective opsonophagocytic killing to clear mucoid P. aeruginosa infection in CF.

Absorbable Antibiotic Beads Prophylaxis in Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders is the most common mode of reconstruction following mastectomy. Infection necessitating tissue expander removal is a significant complication leading to patient distress and increased health care costs. METHODS: Over 3 years, 127 breast reconstructions with tissue expanders were performed by a single surgeon. Fifty-nine of these reconstructions were performed using a standardized protocol in which patients washed with chlorhexidine several days before surgery and received intravenous antibiotics preoperatively. Intraoperatively, the submuscular pocket was irrigated with triple-antibiotic solution and the skin was prepared again with povidone-iodine before expander placement. This group was referred to as the preintervention group. Sixty-eight of the reconstructions were performed using the standardized protocol with the addition of biodegradable antibiotic beads (Stimulan with vancomycin and gentamicin) in the submuscular pocket. This group made up the postintervention group. The primary outcome was the rate of infection necessitating tissue expander removal. RESULTS: The rate of tissue expander loss caused by infection was 11.9 percent in the preintervention group and 1.5 percent in the postintervention group (p = 0.024). Higher body mass index was associated with a statistically significant increase in infections necessitating expander removal. CONCLUSION: The use of absorbable antibiotic beads in the submuscular pocket reduced the risk of periprosthetic implant infection necessitating implant removal by 8-fold. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.