Oesophageal Obstruction in a Donkey Due to Mediastinal Lymphadenitis Caused by Mycobacterium avium Complex.

Mycobacterial infections are rare in horses, donkeys and mules. Although there are a few reports in horses, mycobacterial disease is poorly documented in the donkey. Mycobacterial infection of equine species typically affects the alimentary tract, causing granulomatous enterocolitis resulting in diarrhoea and chronic weight loss, while lymph nodes and liver may also be affected. We now document recurrent oesophageal obstruction, secondary to cranial mediastinal lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of MAC infection in a donkey in the UK.

Actinomycosis esophagitis in a patient with persistent dysphagia.

Many causes of esophagitis exist in immunocompromised patients. Uncommon pathogens must be considered to facilitate timely and appropriate therapy. A limited number of cases of esophageal actinomycosis have been reported. This report describes an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis in a patient with persistent dysphagia. The broad differential may have delayed definitive diagnosis in the case study patient. Biopsy and culture are essential for accurate diagnosis. Although actinomycosis is a rare disease, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with oral or esophageal complaints. It may also be considered as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. The treatment of choice is parenteral penicillin G, 18 to 24 million units for 2 to 6 weeks followed by oral therapy for 6-12 months.

Bacterial colonization of central airways after stenting.

Airway stenting (AS) is increasingly used in the management of obstructive lesions of the central airways. Although retention of secretions and infection have been reported as complications of AS, the microbiological consequences of AS have not yet been evaluated. In this study, we prospectively performed protected specimen brush (PSB) sampling of the airways, before and 3 to 4 wk after AS, in 14 consecutive patients (65 +/- 17 yr), suffering from bronchial (5), extensive esophageal (2), thyroid (1), and adenocystic (1) carcinoma, stenotic tracheal burn lesions (2), postintubation stenosis (2), and Wegener's granulomatosis (1). A cutoff value of >/= 10(2) colony-forming units (cfu). ml(-)(1) was considered diagnostic for airway colonization (AC). PSB results were related to the presence and degree of secretion retention (SR) at the level of the stent. In five of the 14 patients, AC was present prior to AS; in three of these, potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) were identified. After AS, AC was found in 11 (including seven patients without prior AC) of the 14 patients. In six of these patients, one or more PPM were present (Pseudomonas aeruginosa [4], Staphylococcus aureus [3], Streptococcus pneumoniae [1], Klebsiella spp. [1]). Although AC tended to be associated with the presence of SR (PSB >/= 10(2) cfu. ml(-)(1) in 10 of 12 SR-positive and in zero SR-negative cases; PSB < 10(2) cfu. ml(-)(1) in two SR-positive and in two SR-negative cases), statistical significance was not reached (Fisher exact test, p = 0.06). We conclude that AS is frequently followed by AC, the majority of which occurs in patients without AC prior to AS, and is caused by PPM. In no case, however, AC was associated with clinical signs of infection. AC tended to be associated with SR in the stent.

[Stenosing esophagitis caused by Trichosporon beigelii: presentation of a rare case]. / Esofagite stenosante da Trichosporon beigelii: presentazione di un raro caso clinico.

The Authors describe a rare case of esophageal stenosis complicated by gastroesophageal reflux due to Trichosporon beigelii in the absence of a pathologic predisposition or immunodeficiency. The diagnosis was drawn by embedding membrane fragments obtained endoscopically in Sabouraud and blood-Agar cultures. The patient was treated with antimicotics, immunostimulants, inhibitors of the gastric protonic pump, prokinetics and later underwent endoscopic dilatation combined with Savary-Guillard and pneumatic dilatators of growing diameter, until complete "restitutio ad integrum" of the esophageal lumen.

Intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the esophagus: a case series.

Intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the esophagus is a rare benign disease of the esophageal wall, with dilation of the submucosal glands, and the predominant symptom is dysphagia. In the literature, 191 cases have been described so far. Along with a short review of the literature, the present report describes six cases of this disorder, including a patient in whom intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the esophagus was secondary to laser therapy and endoluminal afterloading of an esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.

Acremonium kiliense in oesophagus stenosis.

The aetiological significance of Acremonium kiliense is demonstrated for the first time in a human gastrointestinal infection. The mycotic oesophagitis with gastro-oesophageal reflux is described. The situation was treated effectively with itraconazole and anti-reflux surgery.

Bacteraemia with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy--a reappraisal.

To assess the risk of infective endocarditis for susceptible patients having upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, we have prospectively studied the incidence, level, duration and source of endoscopy-related bacteraemia and the microorganisms involved. Blood was drawn for aerobic and anaerobic culture and pour plate estimation from 50 patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy. Blood cultures were positive in two patients with the isolation of Streptococci and other oropharyngeal organisms during and 5 min after endoscopy. Pre-endoscopy salivary cultures in both patients grew Streptococci identical to those isolated from the blood; pour plates were negative. We conclude that though the risk of infective endocarditis after upper GI endoscopy is probably very low, the finding of a 4% incidence of transient low-level bacteraemia of oropharyngeal origin argues for antibiotic prophylaxis for susceptible patients.

[Secondary fungal esophagitis]. / Szekunder gombás oesophagitis.

Mycotic oesophagitis can be divided into two major groups: the less frequent primary form occur without any predisposing disease and the secondary one developing more frequently as a result of predisposing diseases or pathologic processes of the oesophagus. In the case reported differential-diagnostic problems of the secondary mycotic oesophagitis are discussed. The primary lesion in this case was leiomyosarcoma of the oesophagus which remained undetected by the four biopsies performed. The specimen obtained in each occasion consisted of necrotic-mycotic material. Stenosis of the oesophagus caused by the tumour, prevented the successful biopsy.