Immunohistochemical Localization of D-ß-Aspartic Acid and Periostin in Vocal Fold Polyps.

Long-term voice abuse or sudden vocal fold microvascular disruption may lead to injury and subsequent repair/remodeling in the vocal fold mucosa. Periostin is known to be involved in airway remodeling and also in various otolaryngological diseases. D-ß-aspartic acid is the major isomer of D-aspartic acid found in elderly tissue. In this study we investigated the expression and the role of D-ß-aspartic acid and periostin in the formation of vocal fold polyps. The expression patterns of D-ß-aspartic acid and periostin in 36 surgical specimens of vocal fold polyps from 36 patients were investigated immunohistochemically. In the epithelium of vocal polyps, D-ß-aspartic acid was expressed in all cases. Expression of D-ß-aspartic acid was detected in 25 samples obtained from patients with vocal fold polyps stroma. Expression of periostin was detected in 28 samples obtained from patients with vocal fold polyps. Two patterns of D-ß-aspartic acid expression were observed in vocal fold polyps stroma: positive type and negative type. The following four patterns of periostin expression were observed in vocal fold polyps: negative type, superficial type, infiltrative type, and diffuse type. An association was observed between D-ß-aspartic acid expression patterns and periostin expression patterns. From these findings we speculate that periostin and D-ß-aspartic acid participate in certain pathological changes in vocal fold polyps, such as extracellular matrix accumulation, local fibrosis, and the formation and development of vocal fold polyps.

Expression of Periostin in Vocal Fold Polyps.

Long-term voice abuse or sudden vocal fold microvascular disruption may lead to injury and subsequent repair/remodeling in the vocal fold mucosa. Periostin is known to be involved in airway remodeling and also in various otolaryngological diseases. The aim of this article was to investigate the expression and the role of periostin in the formation of vocal fold polyps. The expression patterns of periostin in 59 surgical specimens of vocal fold polyps from 54 patients were investigated immunohistochemically. Normal vocal fold mucosa specimens from 5 patients who had undergone total laryngectomy were used as the control group. Retrospective study with planned data collection was conducted at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University. Expression of periostin was detected in 43 (72.9%) samples and four patterns of periostin expression were observed in vocal fold polyps: negative type, superficial type, infiltrative type, and diffuse type. An association was observed between periostin expression patterns and the histological subtypes of vocal fold polyps. The infiltrative pattern of periostin expression was significantly dominant in vascular-hyaline types. Expression of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) was also detected in the vocal fold polyps. Our results confirmed that periostin might be involved in certain pathological changes in vocal fold polyps, such as extracellular matrix accumulation, local fibrosis, and formation and development of vocal fold polyps.

A global phylogenetic analysis of Japanese tonsil-derived Epstein-Barr virus strains using viral whole-genome cloning and long-read sequencing.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes lifelong latent infection in the majority of healthy individuals, while it is a causative agent for various diseases, including some malignancies. Recent high-throughput sequencing results indicate that there are substantial levels of viral genome heterogeneity among different EBV strains. However, the extent of EBV strain variation among asymptomatically infected individuals remains elusive. Here, we present a streamlined experimental strategy to clone and sequence EBV genomes derived from human tonsillar tissues, which are the reservoirs of asymptomatic EBV infection. Complete EBV genome sequences, including those of repetitive regions, were determined for seven tonsil-derived EBV strains. Phylogenetic analyses based on the whole viral genome sequences of worldwide non-tumour-derived EBV strains revealed that Asian EBV strains could be divided into several distinct subgroups. EBV strains derived from nasopharyngeal carcinoma-endemic areas constitute different subgroups from a subgroup of EBV strains from non-endemic areas, including Japan. The results could be consistent with biased regional distribution of EBV-associated diseases depending on the different EBV strains colonizing different regions in Asian countries.

First case of an invasive Bacteroides dorei infection detected in a patient with a mycotic aortic aneurysm-raising a rebellion of major indigenous bacteria in humans: a case report and review.

BACKGROUND: Bacteroides dorei is an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium first described in 2006. Because of the high similarity in mass spectra between B. dorei and Bacteroides vulgatus, discriminating between these species is arduous in clinical practice. In recent decades, 16S rRNA gene sequencing has been a complementary method for distinguishing taxonomically close bacteria, including B. dorei and B. vulgatus, at the genus and species levels. Consequently, B. dorei has been shown to contribute to some diseases, including type 1 autoimmune diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic diseases. However, there are no reports on invasive infectious diseases caused by B. dorei. This report describes the first case of direct invasion and colonisation of human tissue by B. dorei, thus providing a warning regarding the previously proposed application of B. dorei as a live biotherapeutic for atherosclerotic diseases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old Japanese man complained of intermittent chest/back pain and was diagnosed with a mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm by enhanced computed tomography on admission. Despite strict blood pressure control and empirical antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition worsened. To prevent aneurysmal rupture and eliminate infectious foci, the patient underwent surgical treatment. The resected specimen was subjected to tissue culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis to identify pathogenic bacteria. A few days after the surgery, culture and sequencing results revealed that the pathogen was B. dorei/B. vulgatus and B. dorei, respectively. The patient was successfully treated with appropriate antibacterial therapy and after improvement, was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation on postoperative day 34. There was no recurrence of infection or aneurysm after the patient transfer. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the first case of invasive infectious disease caused by B. dorei, casting a shadow over its utilisation as a probiotic for atherosclerotic diseases.

Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of the Olfactory Cleft and Ethmoidal Cells.

ABSTRACT: No study has examined whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone can be used for evaluating olfactory cleft and ethmoidal sinus in patients with olfactory disorders. Therefore, we analyzed the discrepancies between computed tomography (CT) and MRI in the imaging of the olfactory cleft and ethmoidal sinus. Patients who underwent CT and MRI within 30 days were evaluated. Age, sex, diagnosis, presence of bronchial asthma (BA), peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, and CT and MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed, and the sinuses were assessed on a scale of 0 to 3. Overall, 146 patients with 292 sinuses were enrolled. The ethmoid sinus score and the olfactory cleft score had 77.1% and 72.6% image similarity in CT and MRI. Sex and BA status were not associated with olfactory cleft score discrepancies (sex: P = 0.52, BA: P = 0.41). Magnetic resonance imaging scores tended to be rated higher than the CT scores as age increased, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). The higher the peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, the more the magnitude by which the CT score tended to exceed the MRI score; however, this finding was also not statistically significant (P = 0.11). Magnetic resonance imaging scans should be limited to the evaluation of intracranial regions. Scans of olfactory cleft and ethmoid cells are not accurate for the assessment of olfactory dysfunction.

Comparison between IMP carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and non-carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: a multicentre prospective study of the clinical and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are classified as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and non-CPE; the majority of CPE in Japan produce IMP carbapenemase. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinico-epidemiological and microbiological information and effects of IMP-type carbapenemase production in CRE. METHODS: Patients with isolations of CRE (MICs of meropenem ≥2 mg/L, imipenem ≥2 mg/L or cefmetazole ≥64 mg/L) from August 2016 to March 2018 were included. Microbiological analyses and WGS were conducted and clinical parameters were compared between groups. Independent predictors for the isolation of CPE from patients were identified by logistic regression. For comparing clinical outcomes, a stabilized inverse probability weighting method was used to conduct propensity score-adjusted analysis. RESULTS: Ninety isolates (27 CPE and 63 non-CPE) were collected from 88 patients (25 CPE and 63 non-CPE). All CPE tested positive for IMP carbapenemase. Antibiotic resistance (and the presence of resistance genes) was more frequent in the CPE group than in the non-CPE group. Independent predictors for CPE isolation were residence in a nursing home or long-term care facility, longer prior length of hospital stay (LOS), use of a urinary catheter and/or nasogastric tube, dependent functional status and exposure to carbapenem. Although in-hospital and 30 day mortality rates were similar between the two groups, LOS after CRE isolation was longer in the CPE group. CONCLUSIONS: IMP-CPE were associated with prolonged hospital stays and had different clinical and microbiological characteristics compared with non-CPE. Tailored approaches are necessary for the investigational and public health reporting, and clinical and infection prevention perspectives for IMP-CPE and non-CPE.

Risk factors for delayed oral dietary intake in patients with deep neck infections including descending necrotizing mediastinitis.

Although clinical outcomes of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) and/or deep neck infection (DNI) have been extensively reported, no study has addressed delay in recovering oral ingestion after surgical interventions other than sporadic case reports. We herein compared clinical features of DNM and DNI cases over the same period, and clarified precipitating factors of delay in recovering oral ingestion by logistic regression analysis. We reviewed records of patients with DNI and DNM at our institution from August 2005 to July 2015. We extracted data on patient age, sex, complication with diabetes mellitus, gas gangrene, extension of infections, operative procedure, tracheotomy, bacterial results, and duration of empirical antibiotic therapy. Patients were categorized into three groups according to vertical spread of infection: 60 DNI patients without extension below the hyoid bone (group-A), 48 DNI patients with extension below the hyoid bone without DNM (group-B), and 10 DNM patients (group-C). Age, diabetes mellitus, and gas gangrene were significantly different among the groups. Concerning surgical intervention, tracheotomy was significantly less frequently performed in group-A (25%) than the other groups (74%) (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that extension of infections below the hyoid bone and tracheotomy were significantly associated with delayed oral dietary intake [odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) 2.96 (1.06-8.28) and 10.69 (3.59-31.88), respectively]. Along with DNM patients, patients who undergo tracheotomy for infections that extend below the hyoid bone should receive postoperative care with careful attention to avoid delay in recovering oral ingestion.

Predicting postoperative fever and bacterial colonization on packing material following endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Postoperative fever following endoscopic endonasal surgery is a rare occurrence of concern to surgeons. To elucidate preoperative and operative predictors of postoperative fever, we analyzed the characteristics of patients and their perioperative background in association with postoperative fever. A retrospective review of 371 patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal surgery was conducted. Predictors, including intake of antibiotics, steroids, history of asthma, preoperative nasal bacterial culture, duration of operation, duration of packing and intraoperative intravenous antibiotics on the occurrence of postoperative fever, and bacterial colonization on the packing material, were analyzed retrospectively. Fever (≥38 °C) occurred in 63 (17 %) patients. Most incidences of fever occurred on postoperative day one. In majority of these cases, the fever subsided after removal of the packing material without further antibiotic administration. However, one patient who experienced persistent fever after the removal of packing material developed meningitis. History of asthma, prolonged operation time (≥108 min), and intravenous cefazolin administration instead of cefmetazole were associated with postoperative fever. Odds ratios (ORs) for each were 2.3, 4.6, and 2.0, respectively. Positive preoperative bacterial colonization was associated with postoperative bacterial colonization on the packing material (OR 2.3). Postoperative fever subsided in most patients after removal of the packing material. When this postoperative fever persists, its underlying cause should be examined.

First report of severe acute otitis media caused by Campylobacter rectus and review of the literature.

Campylobacter rectus is a member of the human oral flora and is associated with periodontal disease. We report the first case of severe acute otitis media (AOM) due to C. rectus in a previous healthy 15-year-old boy, which was confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. C. rectus is a possible causative pathogen of AOM.

Graft placement with an omental flap for ruptured infective common iliac aneurysm in a patient with a continuous flow left ventricular assist device: alternative surgical approach avoiding driveline injury and pathogen identification by 16S ribosomal DNA gene analysis.

Patients supported by mechanical circulatory support have to wait for longer periods for heart transplantation in Japan. Infective events are a major complication and influence survival. Here, we present the case of a patient with an implantable left ventricular assist device for 6 months who had the complication of ruptured infective common iliac aneurysm. Graft placement with an omental flap was successfully performed via the alternative surgical approach to avoid percutaneous driveline injury. In samples of aortic specimens, 16S ribosomal DNA gene analysis identified Helicobacter cinaedi. Complete removal of the infected tissue and correct pathogen identification may have been relevant to the good clinical course.

First confirmed case of spondylodiscitis with epidural abscess caused by Parvimonas micra.

Parvimonas micra was renamed species as within Gram-positive anaerobic cocci and rarely causes severe infections in healthy people. We report the first confirmed case of spondylodiscitis with epidural abscess caused by P. micra in a healthy women. The patient has a pain in low back and anterior left thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography detected the affected lesion at the L2 and L3 vertebral bodies. All isolates from the surgical and needle biopsy specimens were identified as P. micra by 16S rRNA and MALDI-TOF. In this case, P. micra showed high sensitivity to antimicrobial therapy. She was successfully treated with debridement and sulbactam/ampicillin, followed by oral metronidazole for a total of 10 weeks. The causative microorganisms of spondylodiscitis are not often identified, especially anaerobic bacteria tend to be underestimated. On the other hand, antimicrobial therapy for spondylodiscitis is usually prolonged. Accordingly, we emphasize the importance of performing accurate identification including anaerobic bacteria.

Microbiological and molecular epidemiological analyses of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a tertiary care hospital in Japan.

Molecular characterization of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is generally conducted referred to staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV or V. CA-MRSA is now a cause of concern since such strains have been isolated not only from individuals in a community but also from patients in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to analyze microbiological and molecular epidemiological features of CA-MRSA strains at a Japanese tertiary care hospital using PCR based-open reading frame typing (POT). This technique allows for molecular classification into CA-MRSA (POT-CA) and hospital-associated (HA-) MRSA (POT-HA) with clonal discrimination. Clinical MRSA isolates obtained from consecutive patients between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 at the hospital were analyzed in combination with the clinical definition for CA-MRSA by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and POT. Of 219 isolates (76 clonal groups), 64 (29.3%) were clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates (22 clonal groups). Some clones of them accumulated in this hospital and might be involved in nosocomial transmission. Virulent factors of the isolates were analyzed, and only one (1.6%) Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene positive isolate but no arginine catabolic mobile element genes positive isolate were found in clinical-HA/POT-CA. Additionally, clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates showed higher antimicrobial susceptibility than clinical-HA/POT-HA, especially to minocycline, doxycycline, and amikacin. The most frequent genotype of molecular CA-MRSA was multi-locus sequence type 5-SCCmecIV, previously not detected in Japan. Although CA-MRSA at this hospital showed low virulence and higher antimicrobial susceptibility, the risk of nosocomial infection from them should be recognized, requiring stricter infection control measures.

A case of culture-negative endocarditis due to Streptococcus tigurinus.

Culture-negative endocarditis remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge despite recent medical advances. Streptococcus tigurinus, a novel member of the Streptococcus mitis group, was first identified in Zurich. S. tigurinus possesses virulence determinants and causes invasive infections. We report a case of culture-negative endocarditis with serious complications due to S. tigurinus, which was identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis of excised valve tissue specimens. This technique is useful for identification of the causative microorganism in patients with culture-negative endocarditis and may facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial treatment.

Twelve-year survey (2001-2012) of the antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from otorhinolaryngology clinics in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common bacteria causing otorhinolaryngological infections, such as acute otitis media and upper respiratory tract infection. Our group surveyed the drug susceptibility profile of S. pneumoniae isolates from otorhinolaryngology patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 41,069 S. pneumoniae isolates were detected at Miyagi Medical Association Health Center between May 2001 and December 2012. Specimens were obtained from patients at 40 otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8 antimicrobial agents were measured using the broth microdilution method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULTS: In children aged 0-2 years old, the MIC50 values of penicillins decreased after 2010 (PCG: 1 µg/ml (2010) to 0.06 µg/ml (2012); ABPC: 1 µg/ml (2010) to 0.25 µg/ml (2012)). The prevalence of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) decreased from 35.2% (2010) to 14.6% (2012) in rhinorrhea specimens and from 43.4% (2010) to 14.3% (2012) in otorrhea specimens. Susceptibility to cephems (ceftriaxone and cefditoren) and carbapenems (panipenem) also showed improvement after 2010. For macrolides (clarithromycin) and lincosamides (clindamycin), MIC50 values increased in all age groups during the study period, and a high level of resistance was seen until 2012. There were no marked changes of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (LVFX) during the study period. CONCLUSION: Improvement of susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to ß-lactams occurred after 2010 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Severe acute otitis media caused by mucoid Streptococcus pyogenes in a previously healthy adult.

Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes is well recognized as the most common pathogen causing pharyngotonsillitis in school-age children. In Japan, mucoid Streptococcus pneumoniae is well known as a causative agent of severe acute otitis media (AOM); however, mucoid S. pyogenes has rarely been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an AOM patient caused by mucoid S. pyogenes in Japan. A 36-year-old previously healthy female was referred to our hospital with suspicion of cerebrospinal otorrhea due to increasing otalgia accompanied by headache following myringotomy. Bacterial cultures of middle ear secretions were performed, and mucoid-form colonies surrounded by zones of complete ß-hemolysis were produced on sheep's blood agar. Antigen-agglutination test results were positive for S. pyogenes, and thus the patient received treatment with panipenem-betamipron 2.0 g/day for 10 days, which resolved nearly all symptoms. The bacteriological features of this strain were then investigated. The M-protein genotype encoded by the emm gene, the major virulence factor of S. pyogenes, was determined to be emm75. Generally, S. pyogenes forms colonies having non-mucoid matt appearances based on ß-hemolysis of sheep's blood agar. The mucoid phenotype results from abundant production of hyaluronic acid capsular polysaccharide, a key virulence determinant. emm75 is common in noninvasive, but less common in invasive disease. In conclusion, mucoid S. pyogenes can cause severe infection even in previously healthy persons. Emergence of mucoid S. pyogenes and drug resistance trends should be monitored in the future.

Central-part laryngectomy is a useful and less invasive surgical procedure for resolution of intractable aspiration.

A novel narrow-field laryngectomy procedure known as central-part laryngectomy (CPL) for less invasive laryngeal diversion in patients with intractable aspiration is introduced. We conducted retrospective case reviews of 15 patients who underwent CPL. In this procedure, an area of the glottis including the mid-part of the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage is removed to separate the digestive tract from the air way. The lateral part of the thyroid cartilage, the entire hypopharyngeal mucosa and epiglottis are preserved. The superior laryngeal vessels and nerve are not invaded. All fifteen patients were relieved of aspiration without major complications. In good accordance with cutting of the cricopharyngeal muscles and removal of the cricoid cartilage, postoperative videofluoroscopy demonstrated smooth passages of barium. Ten of 12 patients who had hoped to resume oral food intake became able to do so after CPL and two others also achieved partial oral deglutition. CPL is a useful procedure for treatment of intractable aspiration and offers considerable advantages over other laryngotracheal diversion procedures from the view point of oral food intake.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of persistent bacteremia in patients with head and neck cancer in a tertiary care hospital.

Introduction: Compared to other cancers, research on bloodstream infection in head and neck cancer is scarce, lacking comparative studies on persistent versus transient bacteremia outcomes. Methods: This retrospective survey examined patients with head and neck cancer undergoing blood culture at our center from June 2009 to May 2023. Blood culture-positive cases suspected of infection were divided into persistent bacteremia and transient bacteremia groups. We investigated their clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological features, including risk factors for persistent bacteremia and mortality. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Results: In this 97-patient cohort, 14 (14%) cases were assigned to the persistent bacteremia group. Catheter-related bloodstream infections were the leading cause of infection in both groups, consistently contributing to a high proportion of overall bloodstream infections. The mortality rate was generally higher in the persistent bacteremia group than in the transient bacteremia group (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-11.1), particularly in the non-clearance subgroup (OR, 9; 95% CI, 0.5-155.2). Pyogenic spondylitis was a key risk factor for persistent bacteremia, while hypoalbuminemia increased mortality. Conclusion: In patients with bacteremia and head and neck cancer, persistent bacteremia was associated with higher mortality than was transient bacteremia. Adittionally, bacteremia clearance in persistent bacteremia is thus crucial for prognostic improvement.