A multicenter clinical epidemiology of pediatric pneumococcal meningitis in China: results from the Chinese Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance (CPBMS) 2019-2020.

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including clinical features, disease prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), and drug sensitivity of S. pneumoniae isolates in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical, laboratory microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children less than 15 years of age with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals in China. Results: A total of 160 PM patients were diagnosed, including 103 males and 57 females The onset age was 15 days to 15 years old, and the median age was 1 year and 3 months. There were 137 cases (85.6%) in the 3 months to <5 years age group, especially in the 3 months to <3 years age group (109 cases, 68.2%); S. pneumoniae was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture in 95(35.6%), and 57(35.6%) in blood culture. The positive rates of S. pneumoniae detection by CSF metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS)and antigen detection method were 40.2% (35/87) and 26.9% (21/78). Fifty-five cases (34.4%) had one or more predisposing factors of bacterial meningitis; and 113 cases (70.6%) had one or more extracranial infection diseases Fever (147, 91.9%) was the most common clinical symptom, followed by vomiting (61, 38.1%) and altered mental status (47,29.4%). Among 160 children with PM, the main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 43 cases (26.9%), hydrocephalus in 24 cases (15.0%), cerebral abscess in 23 cases (14.4%), intracranial hemorrhage in 8 cases (5.0%), and other cerebrovascular diseases in 13 cases (8.1%) including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children < 1 years old (90.7% (39/43) and 83.3% (20/24), respectively). 17 cases with PM (39.5%) had more than one intracranial imaging abnormality. S. pneumoniae isolates were completely sensitive to vancomycin (100.0%, 75/75), linezolid (100.0%,56/56), ertapenem (6/6); highly sensitive to levofloxacin (81.5%, 22/27), moxifloxacin (14/17), rifampicin (96.2%, 25/26), and chloramphenicol (91.3%, 21/23); moderately sensitive to cefotaxime (56.1%, 23/41), meropenem (51.1%, 23/45) and ceftriaxone (63.5, 33/52); less sensitive to penicillin (19.6%, 27/138) and clindamycin (1/19); completely resistant to erythromycin (100.0%, 31/31). The cure and improvement rate were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.3% (106/160), respectively. 18 cases (11.3%) had an adverse outcome, including 6 cases withdrawing treatment therapy, 5 cases unhealed, 5 cases died, and 2 recurrences. S. pneumoniae was completely susceptible to vancomycin (100.0%, 75/75), linezolid (100.0%, 56/56), and ertapenem (6/6); susceptible to cefotaxime, meropenem, and ceftriaxone in the order of 56.1% (23/41), 51.1% (23/45), and 63.5 (33/52); completely resistant to erythromycin (100.0%, 31/31). Conclusion: Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to < 3 years old. Intracranial complications mostly occur in children < 1 year of age with fever being the most common clinical manifestations and subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus being the most common complications, respectively. CSF non-culture methods can facilitate improving the detection rate of pathogenic bacteria. More than 10% of PM children had adverse outcomes. S. pneumoniae strains are susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, ertapenem, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol.

Endobronchial valves for emphysema and persistent air-leak: 10-year experience in an Asian country.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial valve (EBV) therapy, a validated method for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) in severe emphysema, has been explored for persistent air-leak (PAL) management. However, its effectiveness and safety in the Asian population require further real-world evaluation. In this study, we assessed the outcomes of treatment with EBV within this demographic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records from 11 Korean centers. For the emphysema cohort, inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with emphysema who underwent bronchoscopy intended for BLVR. We assessed these patients for clinical outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All patients with PAL who underwent treatment with EBV were included. We identified the underlying causes of PAL and evaluated clinical outcomes after the procedure. RESULTS: The severe emphysema cohort comprised 192 patients with an average age of 70.3 years, and 95.8% of them were men. Ultimately, 137 underwent treatment with EBV. Three months after the procedure, the BLVR group demonstrated a significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (+160 mL vs. +30 mL; P = 0.009). Radiographic evidence of lung volume reduction 6 months after BLVR was significantly associated with improved survival (adjusted hazard ratio 0.020; 95% confidence interval 0.038-0.650; P = 0.010). Although pneumothorax was more common in the BLVR group (18.9% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.018), death was higher in the no-BLVR group (38.5% vs. 54.5%, P = 0.001), whereas other adverse events were comparable between the groups. Within the subset of 18 patients with PAL, the predominant causes of air-leak included spontaneous secondary pneumothorax (44.0%), parapneumonic effusion/empyema (22.2%), and post-lung resection surgery (16.7%). Following the treatment, the majority (77.8%) successfully had their chest tubes removed. Post-procedural complications were minimal, with two incidences of hemoptysis and one of empyema, all of which were effectively managed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with EBV provides substantial clinical benefits in the management of emphysema and PAL in the Asian population, suggesting a favorable outcome for this therapeutic approach.

A Rare Cause of Empyema and Bacteremia Due to Shewanella Species in Alcoholic Cirrhosis Patients: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND Shewanella spp. are gram-negative facultative anaerobic, oxidase-positive, motile bacilli that are ubiquitous but commonly occur in seawater and can cause opportunistic infection. Reports on the risk factors for Shewanella infection, its severity, antibiotic susceptibility, and prognosis are limited. This report is of a 78-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis presenting with bacteremia and empyema due to infection with Shewanella spp. CASE REPORT A 78-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B) presented to our emergency room with a high fever. He had eaten raw fish one week prior to admission. Chest computed tomography showed a right unilateral pleural effusion, and he was hospitalized with suspected empyema. Shewanella spp. was detected in the pleural effusion and blood cultures. We initiated piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin empirically and switched to ceftriaxone; the effusion was successfully treated using antibiotics and pleural drainage. However, on hospitalization day 53, the patient died of aspiration pneumonia. In our literature review, we extracted 125 reported cases (including our case) and found that men were disproportionately affected (81%); median age was 61.6 (56-75) years; underlying diseases included hepatobiliary disease (33%), malignancy (25%), and cardiac disease (24%); Shewanella spp. infection sites were skin and soft tissue (35%), respiratory system (18%), and hepatobiliary system (11%); and management included antibiotics (100%), drainage (16%), and debridement (16%). The survival rate was 74% with antibiotics alone. CONCLUSIONS Our case highlights that clinicians should recognize Shewanella spp. as a cause of empyema and bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis, and that microbiological diagnosis with antibiotic sensitivity testing and treatment should be undertaken urgently to prevent fatal sepsis.

Case report of parapneumonic effusion and mesothelial subdiaphragmatic cyst: relationship or coincidence?

Parapneumonic pleural effusions are common in patients with pneumonia. When colonized by pathogenic bacteria or other microorganisms, these effusions can progress to empyema. Additionally, empyema formation may result in extension of the infection into the infradiaphragmatic region, further complicating the clinical scenario. Many subphrenic collections are found to be mesothelial cysts, which are congenital in origin. However, data regarding the potential association between mesothelial diaphragmatic cysts and parapneumonic effusions are limited. We herein describe a toddler with pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic effusion and a lung abscess with a subphrenic collection. After abscess drainage and a full course of antibiotics, imaging revealed clear lung parenchyma with an interval resolution of the effusion and a persistent unchanged subphrenic collection that was confirmed to be mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. This case highlights the fact that not every subphrenic collection associated with parapneumonic effusion is a communicated collection formed by seeding. Such a collection can instead be an incidental cyst, which is congenital in origin and known as a mesothelial diaphragmatic cyst. A diaphragmatic mesothelial cyst is an uncommon benign congenital cyst that is unrelated to an adjacent parapneumonic effusion. It is usually incidental and can be monitored without invasive intervention.

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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) isolates in Chinese children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information, laboratory data, and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country. RESULTS: Among the 160 children with PM, there were 103 males and 57 females. The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years, with 109 cases (68.1%) aged 3 months to under 3 years. SP strains were isolated from 95 cases (59.4%) in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases (35.6%) in blood cultures. The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87) and 27% (21/78), respectively. Fifty-five cases (34.4%) had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis, 113 cases (70.6%) had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci, and 18 cases (11.3%) had underlying diseases. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (147 cases, 91.9%), followed by lethargy (98 cases, 61.3%) and vomiting (61 cases, 38.1%). Sixty-nine cases (43.1%) experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization, with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication [43 cases (26.9%)], followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases (15.0%), brain abscess in 23 cases (14.4%), and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases (5.0%). Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old, with rates of 91% (39/43) and 83% (20/24), respectively. SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin (100%, 75/75), linezolid (100%, 56/56), and meropenem (100%, 6/6). High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin (81%, 22/27), moxifloxacin (82%, 14/17), rifampicin (96%, 25/26), and chloramphenicol (91%, 21/23). However, low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin (16%, 11/68) and clindamycin (6%, 1/17), and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin (100%, 31/31). The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160) and 66.2% (106/160), respectively, while 18 cases (11.3%) had adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years. Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old. Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM, and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications. Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates. Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases. SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid, meropenem, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol.

Application of a meshed artificial dermal scaffold and negative-pressure wound therapy in the treatment of full-thickness skin defects: a prospective in vivo study.

Artificial dermal scaffolds (ADSs) have great value in repairing deep skin defects. However, problems such as unsatisfactory angiogenesis and local dropsy or empyema often occur, resulting in delayed or even failed wound healing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an effective therapy to promote wound healing or shorten wound bed preparation time. Studies on whether it can improve the effects of ADSs have never been interrupted, and no consensus has been reached. In this study, an improved ADS was prepared by mesh technology, physicochemical experiments were conducted, cell adhesion and proliferation were assessed with the meshed ADS, and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of meshed ADS or ADS combined with NPWT in repairing full-thickness skin defects. The results showed that the meshed ADS showed through-layer channels arranged in parallel longitudinal and transverse intersections. The cell experiments confirmed the good cytocompatibility. The in vivo experiments showed that there were no differences in the take rate or contraction of grafted skin among all experiment groups. The meshed ADS exhibited good histocompatibility, and there were no differences in tissue inflammation, dermal angiogenesis, or degradation among all groups. In addition, necrosis, dropsy, or empyema of the dermal scaffold were found in all experiment groups except for the meshed ADS + NPWT group, which showed better wound repair results, including fewer scaffold-related complications and satisfactory skin graft survival and wound contraction. In conclusion, this novel meshed ADS, which has a regular through-layer mesh structure and possesses stable physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility, combined with NPWT can ensure adequate subdermal drainage and reduce the risk of scaffold-related complications, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of wound repair, promoting a broader application of biomaterials, and helping physicians and readers implement more effective wound management.

Inverted Placement of Endoscopic One-Way Endobronchial Valve Combined with Gelfoam in the Closure of Bronchopleural Fistula with Empyema in a Mechanically Ventilated Patient: A Case Report.

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with empyema caused by severe necrotizing pulmonary infection is a complicated clinical problem that is often associated with poor general condition so surgical interventions cannot be tolerated in most cases. Here, we present the successful management of multiple BPF with empyema in a mechanically ventilated patient with aspiration lung abscess. Occlusion utilizing Gelfoam followed by endobronchial valves (EBVs) implanted inverted via bronchoscope decreased the air leaking significantly and made intrapleural irrigation for empyema achievable and safe. This is the first report of a novel way of EBV placement and the combination use with other occlusive substances in BPF with empyema in a patient on mechanical ventilation. This method may be an option for refractory BPF cases with pleural infection.

A Case of Thoracic Empyema Caused by Actinomyces naeslundii.

BACKGROUND Actinomycosis is a clinically significant but uncommon infectious disease caused by anaerobic commensals of Actinomyces species, and the incidence of thoracic empyema is rare. We report an extremely rare case of empyema caused by Actinomyces naeslundii (A. naeslundii). CASE REPORT A 39-year-old man presented to our hospital with fever and dyspnea. He had massive pleural effusion and was diagnosed with a left lower-lobe abscess and left thoracic empyema. Thoracic drainage was performed and Ampicillin/Sulbactam was administered for 3 weeks. Four years later, the patient presented with back pain, and chest X-ray showed increased left pleural effusion. After close examination, malignant pleural mesothelioma was suspected, and computed tomography-guided needle biopsy was performed, which yielded a viscous purulent pleural effusion with numerous greenish-yellow sulfur granules. A. naeslundii was identified through anaerobic culture. Thoracoscopic surgery of the empyema cavity was conducted, and Ampicillin/Sulbactam followed by Amoxicillin/Clavulanate was administered for approximately 6 months. No recurrence has been observed for 1 year since the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS Actinomyces empyema is a rare condition, and this case is the second reported occurrence of empyema caused by A. naeslundii. The visual identification of sulfur granules contributed to the diagnosis. Long-term antibiotic therapy plays a crucial role in treatment.

Empyema necessitans caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare condition characterized by pleural infection with pus spreading into adjacent soft tissues. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Actinomyces israelii are common causative agents, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is relatively rare, but it is associated with high mortality in empyema cases. We aimed to report a unique case of EN caused by MRSA and present a literature review to better understand this rare condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man with a history of right ureteral stone presented with fever and left anterior thoracic pain. A physical examination revealed redness and swelling in the left thoracic region. Imaging studies confirmed EN with fluid accumulation around the sternocostal joint of the left first rib. MRSA was identified from blood and pleural fluid cultures. The patient received antimicrobial therapy, and a chest tube was inserted for drainage. Despite initial improvement, vertebral osteomyelitis was diagnosed on day 17. The antimicrobials were subsequently terminated after 6 weeks, but vertebral osteomyelitis recurred, and treatment was resumed and completed on day 215. CONCLUSION: EN caused by MRSA is rare, and the literature review revealed 14 cases from human sources. Positive blood cultures were observed in 40% of cases, and metastatic infections were present in 30% of cases. Osteomyelitis was the most common type of metastatic lesion. All the patients underwent drainage. Patients with MRSA-associated EN frequently develop disseminated lesions and should therefore be carefully examined. Moreover, appropriate treatment with antibiotics and drainage is necessary for a good prognosis. Although the prognosis appeared to be favorable in our review, publication bias and treatment challenges for metastatic infections should be considered.

Pediatric intracranial empyema complicating otogenic and sinogenic infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare clinical and microbiological features, surgical and medical management, and outcomes of children with otogenic and sinogenic intracranial empyema (IE) in an institution with an established multidisciplinary protocol. To use the study findings to inform and update the institutional algorithm. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out on the electronic healthcare records of all children with oto-sinogenic IE admitted in a 5-year period. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were identified and treated according to an institutional protocol. Two distinct groups were identified: intracranial empyema related to otogenic infection (OI-IE, n = 36) or sinogenic infection (SI-IE, n = 40). SI-IE was seen in older children and had a significantly higher morbidity. Sub-dural IE was seen in a minority (n = 16) and only in SI-IE and required urgent collaborative ENT-neurosurgery. Extra-dural IE occurred more frequently and was seen in both SI-IE and OI-IE. No death and overall low morbidity were observed. Particularities found in SI-IE and OI-IE groups (as thrombosis, microbiology, antibiotic treatment, duration and outcome) permitted the delineation of these groups in our updated algorithm. CONCLUSION: The presence of a collaborative multidisciplinary protocol permits the step-wise co-ordination of care for these complex patients in our institution. All patients received prompt imaging, urgent surgical intervention, and antibiotic treatment. Microbiological identification was possible for each patient and antibiotic rationalization was permitted through use of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in cases of sterile cultures. Of note, intracranial empyema related to sinogenic infection is shown to have significantly more severe clinical presentation, a higher morbidity, and a longer duration of antibiotic therapy than that related to otogenic infection. Study findings allowed for the update and clarification of the institutional protocol, which now clearly demarcates the clinical presentation, biological evidence, radiology, surgical and medical treatments in children with oto-sinogenic IE.

Value of preoperative evaluation of FEV1 in patients with destroyed lung undergoing pneumonectomy - a 20-year real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend a preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of > 2 L as an indication for left or right pneumonectomy. This study compares the safety and long-term prognosis of pneumonectomy for destroyed lung (DL) patients with FEV1 ≤ 2 L or > 2 L. METHODS: A total of 123 DL patients who underwent pneumonectomy between November 2002 and February 2023 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chest Hospital were included. Patients were sorted into two groups: the FEV1 > 2 L group (n = 30) or the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group (n = 96). Clinical characteristics and rates of mortality, complications within 30 days after surgery, long-term mortality, occurrence of residual lung infection/tuberculosis (TB), bronchopleural fistula/empyema, readmission by last follow-up visit, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 96.7% (119/123) of patients were successfully discharged, with 75.6% (93/123) in the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group. As compared to the FEV1 > 2 L group, the FEV1 ≤ 2 L group exhibited significantly lower proportions of males, patients with smoking histories, patients with lung cavities as revealed by chest imaging findings, and patients with lower forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted values (FVC%pred) (P values of 0.001, 0.027, and 0.023, 0.003, respectively). No significant intergroup differences were observed in rates of mortality within 30 days after surgery, incidence of postoperative complications, long-term mortality, occurrence of residual lung infection/TB, bronchopleural fistula/empyema, mMRC ≥ 1 at the last follow-up visit, and postoperative readmission (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As most DL patients planning to undergo left/right pneumonectomy have a preoperative FEV1 ≤ 2 L, the procedure is generally safe with favourable short- and long-term prognoses for these patients. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that DL patient preoperative FEV1 > 2 L should not be utilised as an exclusion criterion for pneumonectomy.

Empyema caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis subsequently to bacteraemia.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) commonly causes a variety of infections in older individuals. However, respiratory infections are uncommon. We present the case of an older man with empyema due to SDSE subsequently to bacteraemia. He presented with a 1-day history of fever and laboratory findings revealed an increased white blood cell count and C- reactive protein (CRP) level. Chest CT revealed no infiltration and no pleural effusion. SDSE was detected in the blood cultures. Primary bacteraemia was suspected and antibiotic administration was initiated; however, 2 days later, his right breath sound diminished, and chest radiography revealed right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yielded cloudy fluid with frank pus; thus, he was diagnosed with empyema due to SDSE, and a drainage tube was placed. Thereafter, his fever improved, and his CRP level decreased. Thus, SDSE can cause empyema probably by haemotological spread of SDSE to the pleura.

The importance of the bacterial spectrum in the clinical diagnostics and management of patients with spontaneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis and isolated spinal epidural empyema: a 20-year cohort study at a single spine center.

BACKGROUND: Personalized clinical management of spondylodiscitis (SD) and isolated spinal epidural empyema (ISEE) is challenging due to limited evidence of microbiologic findings and their clinical impact during the clinical course of the disease. We aimed to characterize clinico-microbiological and imaging phenotypes of SD and ISEE to provide useful insights that could improve outcomes and potentially modify guidelines. METHODS: We performed chart review and collected data on the following parameters: bacterial antibiogram-resistogram, type of primary spinal infection, location of spinal infection, source of infection, method of detection, clinical complications (sepsis, septic embolism, and endocarditis), length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, relapse rate, and disease-related mortality in patients with proven pyogenic SD and ISEE treated surgically in a university hospital in Germany between 2002 and 2022. RESULTS: We included data from 187 patients (125 SD, 66.8% and 62 ISEE, 33.2%). Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) were overall more frequently detected than gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (GPB: 162, 86.6% vs. GNB: 25, 13.4%, p < 0.001). Infective endocarditis was caused only by GPB (GPB: 23, 16.5% vs. GNB: 0, 0.0%, p = 0.046). Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated strain (MSSA: n = 100, 53.5%), occurred more frequently in the cervical spine compared to other bacteria (OB) (MSSA: 41, 41.0% vs. OB: 18, 20.7%, p = 0.004) and was most frequently detected in patients with skin infection as the primary source of infection (MSSA: 26, 40.6% vs. OB: 11, 16.7%, p = 0.002). Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. (SE: n = 31, 16.6%) were more often regarded as the cause of endocarditis (SE: 8, 27.6% vs. OB: 15, 11.4%, p = 0.037) and were less frequently detected in intraoperative specimens (SE: 19, 61.3% vs. OB: 138, 88.5%, p < 0.001). Enterobacterales (E: n = 20, 10.7%) were identified more frequently in urinary tract infections (E: 9, 50.0% vs. OB: 4, 3.6%, p < 0.001). Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS: n = 20, 10.7%) were characterized by a lower prevalence of sepsis (CoNS: 4, 20.0% vs. OB: 90, 53.9%, p = 0.004) and were more frequently detected in intraoperative specimens (CoNS: 20, 100. 0% vs. OB: 137, 82.0%, p = 0.048). Moreover, CoNS-associated cases showed a shorter length of ICU stay (CoNS: 2 [1-18] days vs. OB: 6 [1-53] days, median [interquartile range], p = 0.037), and occurred more frequently due to foreign body-associated infections (CoNS: 8, 61.5% vs. OB: 15, 12.8%, p = 0.008). The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prolonged hospital stay by 56 [24-58] days and ICU stay by 16 [1-44] days, whereas patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa spent only 20 [18-29] days in the hospital and no day in the ICU 0 [0-5] days. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective cohort study identified distinct bacterial-specific manifestations in pyogenic SD and ISEE regarding clinical course, neuroanatomic targets, method of pathogen detection, and sources of infection. The clinico-microbiological patterns varied depending on the specific pathogens.

Rapid detection of S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae in pleural fluid for diagnosis of parapneumonic empyema.

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) for Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) and Streptococcus pneumoniae on pleural fluid samples for diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion/empyema (PPE) and their potential for improving pathogen identification rates. Sixty-three pleural samples were included from 54 patients on which GAS and S. pneumoniae RADT (BinaxNOW), culture, 16S rRNA PCR, and S. pneumoniae-specific PCR were performed. GAS RADT showed a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 100%. Pneumococcal RADT showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 88.6%. Both RADT increased the pathogen identification rate in PPE compared to culture.

Pharyngo-cervicospinal fistula with destructive osteomyelitis after laryngopharyngectomy and radiotherapy, managed successfully with a vascularized fibula free flap.

Total laryngectomy is an operation mainly employed in recurrent laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma after previous radiotherapy. The most feared complication after this procedure is a pharyngocutaneous fistula. An extremely rare complication is the development of osteomyelitis of the cervical spine, which is associated with high rates of neurological impairment and epidural empyema, often requiring surgical treatment. This report describes the case of a patient with neck and shoulder pain and progressive motor weakness of the left deltoid and biceps muscle, caused by a pharyngo-cervicospinal fistula with spinal empyema. This condition resulted in destructive osteomyelitis of the cervical spine. A successful reconstruction of the cervical spine and neopharynx was performed using a free vascularized fibula bone and skin graft in a complex area because of previous treatments. It appears that no similar case has been described previously.