Ocular syphilis in patients with nonreactive RPR and positive treponemal serologies: a retrospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Screening for syphilis increasingly relies on positive treponemal rather than nontreponemal tests (rapid plasma reagin [RPR]). We compared ocular syphilis in patients with nonreactive versus positive RPR. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of ocular syphilis treated at two New England hospitals 1996-2021 based on ophthalmologist-diagnosed eye findings and positive treponemal serology, regardless of RPR. We excluded patients with alternative diagnoses. We categorized RPR into nonreactive RPR, low-titer RPR (<1:8), and high-titer RPR (≥1:8) and compared early and long-term response to therapy. RESULTS: Our sample included 115 patients with ocular syphilis (median follow-up 2.5 years): 25 (22%) nonreactive RPR, 21 (18%) low-titer RPR, 69 (60%) high-titer RPR. Compared with nonreactive and low-titer RPR, people with high-titer RPR were younger (mean 47 years, p<0.001), more likely male (93%, p<0.001) and more likely to be living with HIV (49%, p<0.001). People with nonreactive and low-titer RPR were less likely than high-titer RPR to have posterior/panuveitis (32% and 29% versus 75%, p<0.001) or abnormal CSF (26% and 35% versus 75%, p<0.001), and more likely to present with chronic eye findings (20% and 29% versus 1%, p<0.001). In long-term follow up, eye findings improved and did not recur in most patients (62% nonreactive, 68% low-titer, 96% high-titer RPR); improved but recurred in 29%, 11%, and 4%, respectively; and were stable in 10%, 21%, and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with ocular syphilis and nonreactive RPR are similar to patients with low-titer RPR, and antibiotic therapy is beneficial in most.

Molecular Detection and Typing of Treponema pallidum in Non-Ocular Samples from Patients with Ocular Syphilis.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular syphilis is a rare but potentially sight-threatening manifestation of infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Molecular strain typing of clinical specimens obtained from patients with syphilis can provide useful epidemiological and clinical information. In this study, we assess the utility of non-ocular clinical samples in strain typing for patients with diagnosed ocular syphilis. METHODS: We collected samples of excess blood, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 6 patients with ocular syphilis treated in 2013-2016. DNA was extracted, purified, and then analyzed using an enhanced molecular typing method including sequence analysis of tp0548, number of repeats in the arp gene, and restriction fragment length polymorphism of the tpr gene. RESULTS: Molecular strain typing based on tp0548 gene sequence analysis revealed two cases of type F and two cases of type G in 3 of 6 (50%) cases with CSF samples, 1 of which was obtained after starting antibiotics. In a patient with 2 distinct episodes, the same tp0548 type (type G) was identified in both episodes using different sample types (CSF, whole blood). Serum samples were available in 6 cases, but none were successfully typed with any of the methods. Amplification of the tpr and arp genes was unsuccessful in all cases. Overall, strain types were identified in 4 of the 7 episodes. CONCLUSION: Treponema pallidum strain types F and G were detected in CSF or whole blood in 4 of 7 episodes in this series. We demonstrate moderate sensitivity of strain typing in ocular syphilis using non-ocular clinical specimens.

Tecovirimat for the Treatment of Human Monkeypox: An Initial Series From Massachusetts, United States.

A large, ongoing multicountry outbreak of human monkeypox has the potential to cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Therapeutics for the treatment of smallpox, a related Orthopoxvirus, may be used and affect the natural history of monkeypox. We present 3 patients from our hospitals treated with tecovirimat, a pan-Orthopoxvirus inhibitor currently available under an expanded access investigational new drug protocol for monkeypox.

Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in the Setting of Cocaine-Induced Orbital and Sinonasal Inflammation.

Intranasal cocaine abuse can lead to significant sinus and orbital complications, including optic neuropathy. A 46-year-old man with a history of recurrent cocaine-induced sino-orbital inflammation and infection with bony destruction presented with acute, painless, vision loss. Examination revealed no light perception vision. MRI of the orbits demonstrated new restricted diffusion of the right optic nerve on diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient sequences, consistent with posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. This is the first among cases of cocaine-induced optic neuropathy in the literature to illustrate ischemic changes on MRI in the optic nerve, highlighting the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient sequences when optic neuropathy is suspected and further suggesting an underlying ischemic etiology in similar cases.

A Rare Complication of Chronic Otitis Media: Central Skull Base Osteomyelitis Managed With Combined Endoscopic Transmastoid and Transsphenoidal Debridement.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes a case of otogenic central skull base osteomyelitis (CSBO) requiring complex surgical intervention and reviews the literature on management of this entity. PATIENT: A 76-year-old man presented with a nearly 20-year history of chronic otomastoiditis and cholesteatoma with ultimate progression to severe CSBO with involvement of the petrous apex, clivus, and craniocervical junction. INTERVENTIONS: CSBO was managed with culture-directed antibiotic therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and surgical intervention including serial combined endoscopic transmastoid and transsphenoidal debridements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptom resolution, antibiotic holiday, and stable disease on surveillance imaging. RESULTS: With antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement including creation of a drainage pathway from the skull base to the sphenoid sinus, intermittent stretches of disease quiescence were realized over the course of nearly a decade. Despite extensive debridement and skull base reconstruction, the patient ultimately succumbed to the disease process. CONCLUSIONS: CSBO poses significant management challenges to the otologist. Herein, we present a rare case of CSBO managed over a prolonged period of time with antibiotics and combined anterior and lateral skull base debridement.

Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, and Clostridioides difficile infection following major head and neck free and pedicled flap surgeries.

OBJECTIVES: Medical postoperative infections (MPIs) are important causes of morbidity following major head and neck free and pedicled flap reconstruction, but the incidence, time of onset, and microbiology are not well characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were reviewed of all head and neck flap surgeries performed 2009-2014 at an academic medical center. Postoperative pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), bloodstream infection (BSI), Clostridioides difficile (CDI), and surgical site infections (SSI) were noted. Catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI), central line-associated BSI (CLABSI), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) BSI were also evaluated. RESULTS: Following 715 free (540) or pedicled (175) flap surgeries, 14.1% of patients developed ≥one MPI including pneumonia (10.6%), UTI (2.1%), BSI (0.7%), and CDI (2.4%). Onset was ≤7 days in 77%. The MPI incidence in free vs pedicled flaps was similar. By multivariate analysis, age ≥65 and clindamycin perioperative prophylaxis were associated with increased MPI risk, clean class surgery with decreased risk. The incidence of CAUTI (<1.0%), CLABSI (0.1%), and hospital-onset MRSA BSI (0.1%) was low. SSI rate (7.8% overall) was higher in patients who developed pneumonia (18.4 vs 6.6, p = 0.004). MPI cultures grew gram-negative bacilli or S. aureus in 75%. The length of stay was longer in patients who developed a MPI than those who did not (17.4 vs 10.4 days, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: One-seventh of major head and neck flap surgeries were complicated by MPIs, three-quarters of infections developed within 1 week postoperatively. Gram-negative bacilli and S. aureus were the predominant pathogens.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Diagnostic Clinical Decision Support: A Pre-Post Implementation Study of CORAL (COvid Risk cALculator).

BACKGROUND: Isolation of hospitalized persons under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reduces nosocomial transmission risk. Efficient evaluation of PUIs is needed to preserve scarce healthcare resources. We describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of an inpatient diagnostic algorithm and clinical decision support system (CDSS) to evaluate PUIs. METHODS: We conducted a pre-post study of CORAL (COvid Risk cALculator), a CDSS that guides frontline clinicians through a risk-stratified COVID-19 diagnostic workup, removes transmission-based precautions when workup is complete and negative, and triages complex cases to infectious diseases (ID) physician review. Before CORAL, ID physicians reviewed all PUI records to guide workup and precautions. After CORAL, frontline clinicians evaluated PUIs directly using CORAL. We compared pre- and post-CORAL frequency of repeated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), time from NAAT result to PUI status discontinuation, total duration of PUI status, and ID physician work hours, using linear and logistic regression, adjusted for COVID-19 incidence. RESULTS: Fewer PUIs underwent repeated testing after an initial negative NAAT after CORAL than before CORAL (54% vs 67%, respectively; adjusted odd ratio, 0.53 [95% confidence interval, .44-.63]; P < .01). CORAL significantly reduced average time to PUI status discontinuation (adjusted difference [standard error], -7.4 [0.8] hours per patient), total duration of PUI status (-19.5 [1.9] hours per patient), and average ID physician work-hours (-57.4 [2.0] hours per day) (all P < .01). No patients had a positive NAAT result within 7 days after discontinuation of precautions via CORAL. CONCLUSIONS: CORAL is an efficient and effective CDSS to guide frontline clinicians through the diagnostic evaluation of PUIs and safe discontinuation of precautions.

Disseminated Intravascular Infection Caused by Paecilomyces variotii: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Paecilomyces variotii is a ubiquitous environmental saprophyte with worldwide distribution. Commonly found in soil and decomposing organic material [1, 2], P. variotii can also be isolated from drinking water [3] and indoor and outdoor air [4-6]. In immunocompetent hosts, P. variotii has been reported as a cause of locally invasive disease including prosthetic valve endocarditis [7, 8], endophthalmitis [9, 10], rhinosinusitis [11, 12], and dialysis-associated peritonitis [13, 14]. In contrast, disseminated infections are more commonly reported in immunocompromised patients, including those with chronic granulomatous disease [15], solid malignancy [16], acute leukemia [17], lymphoma [18], multiple myeloma [19], and after stem cell transplant for myelodysplasia [20]. In 1 case series examining invasive infections by non-Aspergillus molds, P. variotii was the most common cause after Fusarium spp. [21]. Here, we present the case of an immunocompetent patient with extensive intravascular infection involving prosthetic material. We describe successful induction therapy with combination antifungals and extended suppression with posaconazole with clinical quiescence and eventual normalization of serum fungal biomarkers.

Otogenic brain abscesses: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Otogenic brain abscesses are one of the most significant life-threatening complications of otologic infections. Given their low prevalence, otogenic brain abscesses require a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. In this systematic review, we aim to provide an analysis of otogenic brain abscesses and describe common clinical signs and symptoms, bacteriology, location, treatment options, morbidity, and mortality. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL database, Google Scholar, and Scopus. METHODS: A systematic review of literature was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses recommendations. Variables assessed included clinical signs and symptoms, bacteriology, location, treatment, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria, corresponding to a total of 1307 otogenic abscess cases for review. Fifty-five percent of abscesses were found in the temporal lobe and 28% in the cerebellum. Most patients (88.3%) had a history of suppurative chronic otitis media. The most common symptoms were headache, altered mental status, papilledema, and meningeal irritation. Fever, nausea, and vomiting affected about 40% of patients. The most commonly cultured bacterial species was Proteus mirabilis. In addition to antibiotics, most otogenic brain abscesses were treated by burr hole aspiration. Average mortality following advent of computed tomography was 8.11%. CONCLUSION: Although rare, otogenic brain abscesses may occur as a complication of suppurative otitis media and require a high index of suspicion. Appropriate imaging studies and multidisciplinary expertise are crucial in the diagnosis and management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Treatment of Refractory Acute Retinal Necrosis with Intravenous Foscarnet or Cidofovir.

PURPOSE: To report use of intravenous foscarnet or cidofovir for the treatment of refractory acute retinal necrosis (ARN). METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Four immunocompetent men aged 45-90 years presented with ARN from 2008-2014. One patient with two prior episodes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) ARN developed ARN after 6 years of antiviral prophylaxis. His condition worsened on acyclovir followed by intravenous foscarnet but responded to intravenous cidofovir (final VA in involved eye 20/20). Another patient with HSV ARN had received prolonged acyclovir prophylaxis for HSV keratitis; ARN improved after switching from acyclovir to intravenous foscarnet (final VA 20/125). Two patients with varicella zoster virus (VZV) ARN initially responded to acyclovir but developed fellow eye involvement 2-8 weeks later that worsened on acyclovir but responded to intravenous foscarnet (fellow eye final VA 20/20, 20/40). CONCLUSIONS: Cases of HSV or VZV ARN that worsen despite intravenous acyclovir treatment may respond to intravenous foscarnet or cidofovir.