In Vitro Susceptibility of the Relapsing-Fever Spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi to Antimicrobial Agents.

Hard-tick-borne relapsing fever (HTBRF) is an emerging infectious disease throughout the temperate zone caused by the relapsing-fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi Antibiotic treatment of HTBRF is empirically based on the treatment of Lyme borreliosis; however, the antibiotic susceptibility of B. miyamotoi has not been studied to date. Thus, we set out to determine the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of B.miyamotoi A microdilution method with 96-well microtiter plates was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibilities of two B.miyamotoi strains isolated on two different continents (Asia and North America), two Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato strains, and one Borrelia hermsii isolate for purposes of comparison. The MIC and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by both microscopy and colorimetric assays. We were able to show that relative to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates, both B.miyamotoi strains and B. hermsii demonstrated greater susceptibility to doxycycline and azithromycin, equal susceptibility to ceftriaxone, and resistance to amoxicillin in vitro The MIC and MBC of amoxicillin for B. miyamotoi evaluated by microscopy were 16 to 32 mg/liter and 32 to 128 mg/liter, respectively. Since B. miyamotoi is susceptible to doxycycline, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone in vitro, our data suggest that these antibiotics can be used for the treatment of HTBRF. Oral amoxicillin is currently used as an alternative for the treatment of HTBRF; however, since we found that the B. miyamotoi strains tested were resistant to amoxicillin in vitro, this issue warrants further study.

The quality of 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis and transurethral resection of bladder tumors: does the urologist play a role?.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) among different urologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The selected data consists of 194 patients, 268 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced PDD procedures and 934 biopsies. Tumors were resected and biopsies were taken from suspicious areas under guidance of white light endoscopy and 5-ALA-induced fluorescence cystoscopy. The quality of PDD was determined by evaluating the mean number of tumors resected by 5 urologists and, thereafter, assessing the time to recurrence between groups. RESULTS: Urologist 1 took 37% more biopsies (p < 0.001) and diagnosed 42% more tumors (p = 0.005) and 46% more false positives (p < 0.001) from bladders compared to urologists 2, 3, 4 and 5 together. The mean time to bladder cancer recurrence for all recurrences within 0-18 months was 11.0 months for operator 1 and 8.3 months for the other urologists (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The resecting urologist appears to be an important factor for the quality of standard and PDD-assisted TURBT. Learning curve programs may be required with experienced surgeons accompanying those with less experience.

In vivo bladder cancer diagnosis by high-volume Raman spectroscopy.

We studied the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy for the diagnosis of bladder cancer in vivo. Since the invasion stage is crucial for the treatment choice, a high-volume based Raman probe was used to investigate the potential of determining the invasiveness of bladder cancer. High quality spectra were obtained from suspicious and nonsuspicious bladder locations during the procedure of transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) with collection times of 1-5 s. Multivariate analysis was used to generate the classification models. The algorithm was able to distinguish bladder cancer from normal bladder locations with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 79%. The Raman spectra of bladder cancer stages showed a gradual increase in the intensity of specific amino acid peaks and, most likely, an increase in the intensity of DNA peaks.

Photodynamic diagnosis (5-aminolevulinic acid) of transitional cell carcinoma after bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy and mitomycin C intravesical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) is a technique that enhances the detection of occult bladder tumors during cystoscopy using a fluorescent dye. OBJECTIVE: To study the differential effects of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and mitomycin C (MMC) intravesical therapy on the false-positive rate of PDD of bladder cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included 552 procedures and 1874 biopsies. INTERVENTION: Tumors were resected and biopsies were taken from suspicious areas, under guidance of white-light endoscopy and 5-ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid)-induced fluorescence cystoscopy. MEASUREMENTS: The influence of intravesical BCG immunotherapy and intravesical MMC chemotherapy on pyuria, inflammation, and PDD specificity was examined in univariate analyses. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: BCG significantly results in inflammation (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53, p=0.002), leukocyturia (OR: 1.84, p=0.034), and false positives in PDD (OR: 1.49, p=0.001). However, a single BCG instillation within 3 mo before PDD is most likely not associated with increased false-positive rates (OR: 0.35, p=0.26). Leukocyturia normalizes within 6 wk after the last BCG instillation, but PDD specificity is reduced up to 3 mo. CONCLUSIONS: BCG is an important predictor for false positives in PDD (5-ALA). More than one BCG instillation within 3 mo before fluorescence cystoscopy decreases the specificity of PDD.

Predictors of false positives in 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic diagnosis of bladder carcinoma: identification of patient groups that may benefit most from highly specific optical diagnostics.

OBJECTIVES: To identify patient groups associated with a high probability of false positives in photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) of bladder cancer for which the use of highly specific optical instruments could be beneficial. METHODS: This study includes the data of 306 patients. Under white light and 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescence light guidance, tumor locations were recorded, cold-cup biopsies were taken and tumors resected. Age, gender, recent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), previous intravesical therapy, and urinary tract infections were examined for association with the false-positive rates in fluorescence cystoscopy by performing a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Significant univariate associations were found between false positives and gender (P = .009, odds ratio [OR] = 0.51), previous intravesical therapy (P = .03, OR = 1.78), previous BCG instillations (P = .03, OR = 2.05), and TURBT in the past 90 days (P = .01, OR = 2.37). In the multivariate regression model, female gender (male; P = .005, OR = 0.41) and TURBT within 90 days before PDD (P = .01, OR = 2.38) are significant independent predictors of false-positive findings in PDD. CONCLUSIONS: Recent TURBTs and female gender are significant independent predictors of false positives in fluorescence cystoscopy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: factors associated with fever after the first postoperative day and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fever after the first postoperative day (POD1) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is most likely caused by an infection that increases hospital stay and healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to find factors associated with fever after POD1 and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety patients underwent 117 PCNLs. Patient characteristics, stone burden, and pre- and postoperative treatments were analyzed for association with fever (temperature >or=38 degrees C) and SIRS using univariate analysis. RESULTS: In 35% of the patients with fever (temperature >or=38 degrees C), fever was present after POD1. Twelve patients developed signs of SIRS (11.2%). In univariate analysis, significant association was observed between fever after POD1 and previous ipsilateral PCNL (p = 0.022, odds ratio OR = 3.1), and between SIRS and paraplegia (p = 0.005, OR = 10.7) and caliceal stones (p = 0.03, OR = 4.8). CONCLUSIONS: Previous ipsilateral PCNL increases the risk of fever after POD1. Paraplegic patients are at risk for developing SIRS after PCNL.