Lemierre syndrome and nosocomial transmission of Fusobacterium necrophorum from patient to physician.

BACKGROUND: Human-to-human transmission of Fusobacterium necrophorum has not been described before. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 15-year-old girl with Lemierre Syndrome and possible nosocomial transmission of F. necrophorum to her treating physician in hospital. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of anaerobic pharyngitis is critical to prevent Lemierre Syndrome. Respiratory precautions should be recommended to medical staff caring for patients with suspected Lemierre Syndrome to prevent nosocomial transmission.

Colonization pattern of periodontal bacteria in Japanese children and their mothers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the time of infection by anaerobic gram-negative rods associated with periodontal disease, and to clarify their transmission from mother to child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-eight Japanese children (including 10 siblings), aged from 3 to 9 years, and 68 mothers, were enrolled in this study. Colonization by 11 periodontal bacterial species was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification of samples of subgingival plaque obtained from the children and their mothers. RESULTS: The detection rates of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola increased in children after the age of 6 years. We found a high consistency in colonization by P. gingivalis, T. denticola, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens in 9 of the 10 siblings. The average number of bacterial species in plaque samples harboring Fusobacterium nucleatum and/or Fusobacterium periodonticum was significantly greater than in those without, in both children and mothers. Kappa statistical analysis revealed that the detection of Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Campylobacter rectus and T. denticola in children was consistent with that in the mother. CONCLUSION: Periodontal bacterial colonization in Japanese children increased with age and was associated with F. nucleatum and/or periodonticum, and the bacterial flora in children was similar to that in their mothers.

Oral species of Fusobacterium from human and environmental samples / Espécies orais de Fusobacterium de amostras humanas e ambientais

Purpose: the aim of this study was the characterization and identification of oral Fusobacterium in patients with and without periodontal disease, and from spittons and air-water syringes. The antimicrobial susceptibility of this bacterium was evaluated. Method: subgingival samples were taken using sterilized absorbent paper points. Spittoon samples were collected using sterile swabs around the drain area with shut off, and air-water syringe samples by washing the tip with Ringer solution. Samples were transferred in tubes under CO² flux. Diluted samples were inoculated on to Omata and Disraely agar and blood agar plates, which were incubated in anaerobiosis, at 37ºC, for 4 days. Bacterial species were identified biochemically. MIC was determined using an agar dilution method. Results: periodontal patients, healthy subjects, spittons and air-water syringes were 80 per cent, 67.6 per cent, 37.8 per cent and 3.3 per cent positive to Fusobacterium, respectively. Clindamycin, imipenem, lincomycin, metronidazole and tetracycline were active against all human and environmental isolates. Eighteen isolates resistant to ampicillin or penicillin G produced ß-lactamases. The presence of human oral bacteria in items of dental equipment supports the hypothesis that such equipment may serve as a vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic organisms. Conclusion: pieces of dental equipment may serve as a vehicle for the transmission of oral pathogenic organisms