Nocardia cyriacigeorgica brain abscess with Pemphigus vulgaris: first report.

Nocardia brain abscess is an uncommon but potentially life threatening opportunistic infection that generally occurs in immunocompromised patients. Nocardia cyriacigeorgica is a recently described species rarely reported as a cause of human disease. Pemphigus vulgaris is managed with immunosuppression. There have been four prior reports of brain abscess caused by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica.

Correlation of Treponemal Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay Screening Test Signal Strength Values With Reactivity of Confirmatory Testing.

BACKGROUND: Automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIAs) are the most common first step at high-volume laboratories for syphilis screening. If the initial screening test is reactive, 1 more treponemal test is required, resulting in increased cost. In this multicenter study, we aimed to determine the correlation between the CMIA signal-to-cutoff ratio (S/Co) and the confirmatory tests to reduce unnecessary confirmatory testing. METHODS: Eight hospitals from 5 provinces participated in this study. All laboratories used Architect Syphilis TP CMIA (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL) for initial screening. Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) were used as confirmatory tests according to the reverse or European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control algorithms. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimal S/Co ratio to predict the confirmation results. RESULTS: We evaluated 129,346 serum samples screened by CMIA between January 2018 and December 2020. A total of 2468 samples were reactive; 2247 (91%) of them were confirmed to be positive and 221 (9%) were negative. Of the 2468 reactive specimens, 1747 (70.8%) had an S/Co ratio ≥10.4. When the S/Co ratios were ≥7.2 and ≥10.4, the specificity values were determined to be 95% and 100%, respectively. In a subgroup of 75 CMIA-positive patients, FTA-ABS was performed and 62 were positive. Among these FTA-ABS-positive patients, 24 had an S/Co ratio <10.4, and negative TPHA and RPR. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a potentially cost-effective reverse screening algorithm with a treponemal CMIA S/Co ratio ≥10.4, obviating the need for secondary treponemal testing in about 71% of the screening-reactive samples. This would substantially reduce the confirmatory testing volume and laboratory expenses. However, in high-risk group patients with CMIA positive results, S/Co ratio <10.4, and negative TPHA and RPR, FTA-ABS may be used for confirmation.

Is adenotonsillectomy safe in covid-19 era? Investigation of sars-cov2 in adenoid and tonsil tissues.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has seriously altered physicians' approach to patients and diseases, with a tendency to postpone elective procedures. Tonsillectomy, alone or with adenoidectomy, is one of the most common surgeries performed by otolaryngologists. Although they are generally accepted as elective surgeries, they significantly improve the quality of life, and postponing these surgeries for a long time can have deteriorative effects on the patients. We aimed to investigate the presence of SARS CoV-2 in the adenotonsillectomy materials to find out if performing adenotonsillectomy is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Forty-eight tissue samples from 32 patients that underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy were investigated whose SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test in the samples obtained from nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were negative within 24 h before the operation. While 16 patients underwent only tonsillectomy and one of their tonsils was investigated, 16 of the patients underwent adenotonsillectomy and their adenoid tissues were sent along with one of their tonsils. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was investigated with Real-Time PCR in tissue samples. RESULTS: Two (4.2%) tissue samples had positive PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2, while 46 of them were negative. One of the positive patients had undergone tonsillectomy with the indication of chronic recurrent tonsillitis, and the other patient had undergone adenotonsillectomy for obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. PCR test was positive in the adenoidectomy specimen and negative in the tonsillectomy specimen in this patient. CONCLUSIONS: Adenotonsillectomy can be done safely in asymptomatic patients without a history of Covid-19, with a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 24 h.

Identification of Candida species by restriction enzyme analysis

Background/aim: The identification of Candida species isolated from clinical specimens provides information about antifungal susceptibility and sheds light on the choice of empirical treatment. In the present study, restriction enzyme analysis of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species previously identified by conventional methods was done to evaluate the utility of restriction enzyme analysis for more rapid and reliable identification of Candida species. Materials and methods: A total of 146 Candida strains isolated from various clinical specimens and ATCC strains were included. PCR products were digested with MwoI for all species and with BslI for C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis strains. Results: The strains were identified by conventional methods as 40 C. albicans, 27 C. parapsilosis, 26 C. tropicalis, 25 C. glabrata, 11 C. kefyr, 10 C. krusei, and 7 C. guilliermondii strains. Restriction digestion with MwoI was able to distinguish between five different species (C. albicans, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, C. kefyr, and C. glabrata), while BslI digestion could distinguish between C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. Conclusion: Restriction enzyme analysis with MwoI and BslI can be used for the identification of Candida species in situations where rapid identification is necessary or conventional methods are problematic.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings suggestive of widespread white matter involvement in children with Streptococcus mitis meningitis.

Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) is a rare cause of meningitis in immunocompetent children. It has been described in patients with neurosurgical procedure, previous spinal anesthesia and immunodeficiency. We report two childhood cases of S. mitis meningitis. The children were previously healthy. One of the patients had poor oral hygiene and the other had a history of sinusitis. Both of them had encephalopathy and signs of meningeal irritation at presentation. Widespread cerebral white matter lesions were found on brain magnetic resonance imaging. The lesions disappeared and encephalopathy recovered with antibiotic and immunomodulatory treatment.

Bacterial spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bloodstream infections in children with febrile neutropenia: experience of single center in southeast of Turkey.

Empirical antimicrobial therapy is usually started in febrile neutropenic patients without having culture results. The aim of this study was to help determine the policies of empirical antibiotic usage in febrile neutropenic children by detecting the antimicrobial susceptibility profile in this group of patients. In this study 811 blood cultures taken from neutropenic children hospitalized at the Department of Oncology of Gaziantep Children Hospital November 2007 and February 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Blood cultures were routinely collected in aerobic and anaerobic media and incubated using the BACTEC system. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates to antimicrobial agents was performed using the Vitek2(®) system according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Of 811 isolates analyzed, 128 (56.4%) were gram positive cocci, 43 (18.9%) were gram negative bacilli and fungi accounted for 56 (24.7%). The main isolated Gram-positive bacteria from blood were coagulase-negative staphylococcus (56.7%), followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (14.1%). S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. were all susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin. S aureus was still susceptible to few other antimicrobial agents such as tetracycline (82.4%), chloramphenicol (55.6%). Seven E. faecium, 7 E. fecalis and 1 E. hirae was isolated from blood cultures. Vancomycin resistance was detected in 6 out of 15 (40%) Enterococcus spp. isolates. Among gram-negative bacteria E. coli (30.2%) was followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.9%) and Proteus spp. (18.6%). Imipenem (89.2%), meropenem (86.6%), chloramphenicol (88.9%), amicasin (82.4%) and fosfomycin (81.3%) showed highest susceptibility in vitro activity against all Gram-negative isolates. To know the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the pathogens frequently isolated from febrile neutropenic children and to consider this profile before starting an empirical antibiotic therapy would help the clinics which have any role in the treatment of these patients to determine the empirical antibiotic usage policies.

[Evaluation of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus colonization at Gaziantep Children's Hospital, Turkey]. / Gaziantep Çocuk Hastanesinde Vankomisine Dirençli Enterokok Kolonizasyonunun Degerlendirilmesi.

Enterococci are members of normal flora of human gastrointestinal system, and occupy the first places among the agents causing nosocomial infection. The most frequent origin of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is the gastrointestinal colonization in hospitalized patients. Prolonged hospitalization, long-term antibiotic use and severe underlying diseases increase the risk of VRE colonization. Routine VRE surveillance of high-risk group patients is crucial for early detection and implementation of precautions to impede the development of infection and spread of VRE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of VRE colonization in Oncology Department of Gaziantep Children's Hospital, Turkey, following a VRE isolation from the urine sample of a patient (index case). In the first phase of this point prevalence study VRE screening was done after positive VRE result was obtained from the index case, and in the second phase VRE colonization rate was investigated after the implementation of infection control policies. Perirectal swab samples collected from patients were cultivated into supplemented VRE agar base (Oxoid, UK) including vancomycin 6 µg/ml and 5% sheep blood agar. The isolates were identified by conventional methods together with API 20 Strep (bioMerieux, France) and VITEK2 (bioMerieux, France) identification systems. Vancomycin (30 µg) and teicoplanin (30 µg) susceptibilities of the isolates were investigated by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI criteria. In addition, VITEK2 antibiogram cards, AST-592 were used to determine antibiotic susceptibilities. In the first phase of the surveillance a total of 123 perirectal swab specimens obtained from patients staying at oncology, burn, pediatric surgery and intensive care units (ICU) were investigated and the rate of VRE colonization was determined as 14.6% (18/123). Thirteen of the VRE colonized patients were from oncology wards and five were from ICU. Upon the detection of VRE colonization, contact isolation was implemented and hospital staff was educated for hand washing and restricted antibotic use policies were established. To evaluate the efficacy of infection control implementations, perirectal swab samples were collected from 242 patients under antibiotic treatment and hospitalized in several wards and ICU for ≥ 3 days. The results of this second control surveillance revealed that VRE colonization rate declined to 3.3% (8/242), and three of these VRE colonized patients were in the ICU, three in the oncology ward and one of each in burn and pediatric wards. During the study period blood stream infection developed in three of the previously colonized oncology patients of whom one patient also had simultaneous pneumoniae due to VRE. The results of this study indicated the importance of VRE surveillance at the hospital setting. The determination of the VRE colonization in the hospital will help the implementation of appropriate infection control measures and eventually decrease the rate of nosocomial VRE infection.

[Meningitis and white matter lesions due to Streptococcus mitis in a previously healthy child]. / Önceden Saglikli Bir Çocukta Streptococcus mitis'e Bagli Menenjit ve Beyaz Cevher Lezyonlari

Streptococcus mitis, an important member of viridans streptococci, is found in the normal flora of the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, female genital tract and skin. Although it is of low pathogenicity and virulence, it may cause serious infections in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis caused by S.mitis has been described in patients with previous spinal anesthesia, neurosurgical procedure, malignancy, bacterial endocarditis with neurological complications and alcoholics, but it is rare in patients who are previously healthy. In this report, a rare case of meningoencephalitis caused by S.mitis developed in a previously healthy child has been presented. A previously healthy eight-year-old girl who presented with fever, altered state of consciousness, and headache was hospitalized in intensive care unit with the diagnosis of meningitis. Past history revealed that she was treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate for acute sinusitis ten days before her admission. Whole blood count revealed the followings: hemoglobin 13 g/dl, white blood cell count 18.6 x 109/L (90% neutrophils), platelet count 200 x 109/L and 150 leucocytes were detected on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. Protein and glucose levels of CSF were 80 mg/dl and 40 mg/dl (concomitant blood glucose 100 mg/dl), respectively. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed widespread white matter lesions, and alpha-hemolytic streptococci were grown in CSF culture. The isolate was identified as S.mitis with conventional methods, and also confirmed by VITEK2 (bioMerieux, France) and API 20 STREP (bioMerieux, France) systems. Isolate was found susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, cefotaxime, vancomycin and chloramphenicol. Regarding the etiology, echocardiography revealed no vegetation nor valve pathology, and peripheral blood smear showed no abnormality. Immunoglobulin and complement levels were within normal limits. Ongoing inflammation in maxillary sinuses detected in brain MRI suggested that meningitis could be related to previous sinus infection. After 14 days of ceftriaxone treatment, the patient was discharged from the hospital with cure. The aim of this case presentation was to emphasize that S.mitis may cause meningitis and white matter lesions in previously healthy children with concomitant sinusitis.

The relationship between mortality and microbiological parameters in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.

OBJECTIVES: To determine effective risk factors on mortality in febrile neutropenic cases with hematologic malignancy. Patients with hematologic diseases are more prone to infections and those are frequent causes of mortality. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed using data of 164 febrile neutropenic cases with hematologic malignancies who were followed up in a hematology clinic of a tertiary health care center between 2011-2015. The relationship between descriptive and clinical parameters rates and rates of mortality on the 7th and the 21st days were investigated. RESULTS: Patients with absolute neutrophil count less than 100/mm3, duration of neutropenia longer than 7 days, pneumonia or gastrointestinal foci of infection, central catheterization (p=0.025), isolation of Gram (-) bacteria in culture, carbapenem resistance, septic shock, and bacterial growth during intravenous administration of antibiotic treatment were under more risk for mortality on both the 7th and the 21st days. The final multivariate logistic regression results showed that pneumonia (p less than 0.0001), septic shock (p=0.004) and isolation of Gram-negative bacteria (p=0.032) were statistically significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of serious infections, which are important causes of morbidity and mortality, are crucial in patients with febrile neutropenia. Thus, each center should closely follow up causes of infection and establish their empirical antibiotherapy protocols to accomplish better results in the management of febrile neutropenia.

Evaluation of blood cultures in a children's hospital located in Southeastern Anatolia.

AIM: Bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality despite antimicrobial therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment of these infections is crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from blood cultures in a children's hospital in the Southeastern Anatolia during an 18-month period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 7 040 blood cultures which were sent from hospitalized patients in Gaziantep Children's Hospital between 01.07.2010 and 01.01.2012 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 7 040 blood cultures were evaluated in this study. Microbial growth was detected in 2075 (29.47%) blood cultures. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (%45.97) which were followed by Salmonella spp. (%7.8). 12.12% of enterococcal isolates were resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics. The most frequently isolated gram negative bacterium was Salmonella spp. 15.43% of Salmonella spp. showed decreased susceptibility against quinolones. The ESBL positivity rate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains was found to be 35.08% and 57.14%, respectively. The imipenem resistance rate of P. aeruginosa was found to be 33.33%. The most common nonfermentative bacterium was S. maltophilia. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of bacteria isolated from blood cultures and antibiotic resistance rates differ among different regions of Turkey. Different results obtained in our study may be related with regional tendencies to infections and patient population. Distribution of infectious agents and antibiotic resistance rates should be evaluated at regular intervals. This will lead to establishment of proper antibiotic usage policies in our country.