[68Ga]Ga-Ornibactin for Burkholderia cepacia complex Infection Imaging Using Positron Emission Tomography.

Bacteria from the Burkholderia cepacia complex are generally considered to be non-pathogenic to the healthy population. However, some of these species may cause serious nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients; as such, it is essential to diagnose these infections rapidly so that adequate treatment can be initiated. We report here the use of a radiolabeled siderophore, ornibactin (ORNB), for positron emission tomography imaging. We successfully radiolabeled ORNB with gallium-68 with high radiochemical purity and proved that the resulting complex has optimal in vitro characteristics. In mice, the complex did not show excessive accumulation in organs and was excreted in the urine. We demonstrated that the [68Ga]Ga-ORNB complex accumulates at the site of Burkholderia multivorans infection, including pneumonia, in two animal infection models. These results suggest that [68Ga]Ga-ORNB is a promising tool for the diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluation of the therapeutic response to B. cepacia complex infection.

Burkholderia pyrrocinia in cystic fibrosis lung transplantation: a case report.

Infection with Burkholderia species is typically considered a contraindication leading to transplantation in cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the risks posed by different Burkholderia species on transplantation outcomes are poorly defined. We present the case of a patient with CF who underwent lung transplantation due to a severe respiratory failure from chronic airways infection with Burkholderia pyrrocinia (B. cepacia genomovar IX) and pan-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent B. pyrrocinia infections, ultimately lea ding to uncontrollable sepsis and death. This is the first case report in CF of Burkholderia pyrrocinia infection and lung transplantation, providing further evidence of the high risk nature of the Burkholderia species.

[Chronic bacterial infection and echocardiographic parameters indicative of pulmonary hypertension in patients with cystic fibrosis]. / Infecção bacteriana crônica e indicadores ecocardiográficos de hipertensão pulmonar em pacientes com fibrose cística.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between chronic bacterial infection and pulmonary hypertension, using Doppler echocardiography, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study involving CF patients (>16 years of age) admitted to a program for adults with the disease. The study included 40 patients with a mean age of 23.7 +/- 6.3 years. Patients were submitted to clinical evaluation, Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays and sputum cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. RESULTS: In terms of the following variables, no significant differences were found between P. aeruginosa-positive patients and P. aeruginosa-negative patients: clinical score (p = 0.472); forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1; p = 0.693), radiological score (p = 0.760); tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV, p = 0.330); diameter of the right ventricle (DRV, p = 0.191); and right ventricular/pulmonary artery (RV/PA) systolic acceleration time (SAT, p = 0.330). B. cepacia-positive patients presented significantly lower FEV1 than did B. cepacia-negative patients (p = 0.011). No significant differences were found between B. cepacia-positive patients and B. cepacia-negative patients regarding the following variables: clinical score (p = 0.080); radiological score (p = 0.760); TRV (p = 0.613); DRV (p = 0.429); and RV/PA SAT (p = 0.149). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic infection with P. aeruginosa or B. cepacia presented no association with pulmonary hypertension in adult CF patients. Pulmonary function was worse in B. cepacia-positive patients than in P. aeruginosa-positive patients.

Burkholderia glumae infection in an infant with chronic granulomatous disease.

An 8-month-old boy developed a necrotic lung mass from which Burkholderia glumae was recovered, leading to the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). While other Burkholderia species have been identified as important pathogens in persons with CGD, B. glumae has not been previously reported to cause human infection.

Suppurative mediastinitis secondary to Burkholderia cepacia in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Burkholderia cepacia is an important opportunistic pathogen among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF); it is associated with deterioration of lung function, poor outcome following lung transplantation and increased mortality. Fever, an elevated white blood cell count, weight loss and an often fatal deterioration in pulmonary function characterize a particular clinical course, termed "Cepacia syndrome". The present case report describes a 40-year-old man with CF who developed Cepacia syndrome complicated by suppurative mediastinitis, from which B cepacia was isolated. Despite optimal medical and surgical therapy, this patient succumbed to his illness. Those caring for patients with CF should be aware of this potentially catastrophic complication of B cepacia infection, especially in the setting of Cepacia syndrome.

Abnormal technetium labelled white cell scan in the colitis of chronic granulomatous disease.

A child with colitis was treated for Crohn's disease, diagnosed on history, clinical and colonoscopic findings, radiolabelled white cell bowel scan, and colonic histology. After septicaemia caused by an unusual organism, further investigation lead to a diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The granulomatous colitis of CGD is clinically, histologically, and on white cell scanning, indistinguishable from that in Crohn's disease and should be considered in atypical cases. Infection with unusual 'pseudomonads' should prompt the exclusion of this disorder.