Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis - A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare variant of chronic pyelonephritis, occurring in the setting of obstructive uropathy and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is difficult to diagnose as it can be asymptomatic until late-stage disease. Localized symptoms such as flank pain and dysuria may be attributed to nephrolithiasis or UTIs without prompting need for further workup. Extrarenal manifestations, most notably fistula formation, may present distal to the kidney and not be readily attributed to a renal pathology. The only known definitive therapy is nephrectomy. A delay in diagnosis can lead to fulminant complications or a more technically difficult nephrectomy. We present three cases of XGP, which serve to highlight the possibility of earlier diagnosis and resultant management options, including the potential for nephron-saving strategies. Early clinical and radiologic suspicion through awareness of risk factors may play an important role in preventing disease progression, avoiding late-stage complications, and improving treatment outcomes.

Phage Therapy of Mycobacterium Infections: Compassionate Use of Phages in 20 Patients With Drug-Resistant Mycobacterial Disease.

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous Mycobacterium infections, particularly Mycobacterium abscessus, are increasingly common among patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchiectatic lung diseases. Treatment is challenging due to intrinsic antibiotic resistance. Bacteriophage therapy represents a potentially novel approach. Relatively few active lytic phages are available and there is great variation in phage susceptibilities among M. abscessus isolates, requiring personalized phage identification. METHODS: Mycobacterium isolates from 200 culture-positive patients with symptomatic disease were screened for phage susceptibilities. One or more lytic phages were identified for 55 isolates. Phages were administered intravenously, by aerosolization, or both to 20 patients on a compassionate use basis and patients were monitored for adverse reactions, clinical and microbiologic responses, the emergence of phage resistance, and phage neutralization in serum, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS: No adverse reactions attributed to therapy were seen in any patient regardless of the pathogen, phages administered, or the route of delivery. Favorable clinical or microbiological responses were observed in 11 patients. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in serum after initiation of phage delivery intravenously in 8 patients, potentially contributing to lack of treatment response in 4 cases, but were not consistently associated with unfavorable responses in others. Eleven patients were treated with only a single phage, and no phage resistance was observed in any of these. CONCLUSIONS: Phage treatment of Mycobacterium infections is challenging due to the limited repertoire of therapeutically useful phages, but favorable clinical outcomes in patients lacking any other treatment options support continued development of adjunctive phage therapy for some mycobacterial infections.

A Risk-Stratified Peri-Operative Protocol for Reducing Surgical Site Infection after Cesarean Delivery.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are multifaceted. Pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors influence the risk of developing an infection. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an infection risk-stratification checklist, utilizing known SSI risk factors, and a tailored surgical protocol for SSI prevention in women undergoing cesarean delivery. Patients and Methods: A prospective project to reduce SSI was conducted for women undergoing cesarean delivery on the resident staff service at a midwestern, urban tertiary care hospital. Patients were categorized according to an SSI risk-stratification checklist as high risk or low risk. The low-risk group received the local standard of care (single prophylactic dose of pre-operative intravenous antibiotics and a standard pressure dressing). In the high-risk group, prophylactic antibiotic agents were given pre-operatively and continued for the first 24 hours post-operatively. Additionally, patients at high risk received an absorbent dressing (Mepilex Ag®; Mölnlycke Health Care AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) that was applied in the operating room and worn for one week. Results: The overall rate of SSIs decreased from 6.1% (pre-study rate) to 1.4% after initiation of the protocol, a 77% reduction (p < 0.001). The low- and high-risk groups did not differ in infection rate (0% and 1.4%, respectively; p < 0.59). Both deep incisional and organ/space SSIs decreased after initiation of the protocol (91% and 62% decrease, respectively). Conclusion: Stratifying patients into high- and low-risk groups with tailored peri-operative management strategies reduced overall SSIs. The protocol incorporates known risk factors for SSI in a surgical procedure with high rates of SSI. This approach offers a structured method that can be adopted by other hospital systems for SSI prevention in patients undergoing cesarean delivery.

Ceftaroline for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: case series and review of the literature.

Data regarding ceftaroline use for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (MRSAB) are lacking. Here we review the outcomes of 31 patients with MRSAB treated with ceftaroline, including 9 patients with endocarditis. Clinical success was observed in 23 patients (74.2%). Adverse events associated with prolonged therapy were rare and included eosinophilic pneumonia, rash and diarrhoea. We conclude that ceftaroline can be used for MRSAB.

Ceftaroline-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

We present a case of eosinophilic pneumonia due to ceftaroline used for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with a postoperative spinal infection. Our patient developed shortness of breath and hypoxemia on the fifth week of ceftaroline therapy. Chest imaging disclosed diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Laboratory abnormalities included peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic predominant bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The combination of ceftaroline discontinuation plus initiation of steroid treatment resulted in complete resolution of signs, symptoms, and radiologic abnormalities. We speculate about possible mechanisms underlying this adverse event and diagnostic criteria for drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.

The use of ivacaftor in an adult with severe lung disease due to cystic fibrosis (ΔF508/G551D).

We report on an adult with cystic fibrosis (ΔF508/G551D) with severe lung disease (forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in one second 24% predicted) who was admitted for a pulmonary exacerbation. He was managed with maximal medical therapy, but did not have significant improvement until after he was started on ivacaftor on hospital day 15. He subsequently had significant improvement in lung function with normalization of hypercarbia, oxygen saturation on room air, and increase in FEV1 to 36% predicted. Prior to use of ivacaftor he was being assessed for a lung transplant. However, after ivacaftor therapy for 6 months, he is no longer considering this treatment modality due to his improvement of lung function and functional status.