Case report of an abdominal wet gangrene caused by Acidaminococcus.

The Acidaminococcus genus is a part of the normal flora in gastrointestinal tract. It is a strictly anaerob Gram-negative coccus that is rarely pathogenic. We report the case of a 58-year-old man, who presented to surgery department A of the Charles Nicolle hospital, complaining of a wide inflammatory lesion in the anterior abdominal wall evolving for two weeks. Patient's anamnestic data included smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with poor compliance. The patient underwent flattening with excision of necrotic tissues and surgical drainage using a DELBET blade. Empirical antibiotic therapy with imipenem 1gx3/d, teicoplanin 400 mg 1 inj x2/d and gentamicin 400 mg 1 inj/d was administered pending bacteriological results. The bacteriological examination of a sample of necrotic tissue, after 72 h of incubation at 37 °C in anaerobic atmosphere, was able to detect a Gram-negative coccus, that the VITEK2 ANC system identified as Actinomyces canis with an accuracy of 80%. Whole genome sequencing was subsequently performed, that identified Acidaminococcus sp. AM33-14BH and demonstrated the following resistance genes: cfxa, tet(X) and tet(Q). An antibiogram for anaerobes was performed showing that the strain was resistant to amoxicillin but sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, piperacillin-tazobactam, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem and rifampin. Patient's condition improved after treatment with imipenem for 2 weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for 16 days.This work highlights the role of molecular biology in the diagnosis of infections caused by anaerobes. Although the Vitek 2 ANC card provides rapid and acceptable identification of the most common anaerobic bacteria, improvements are needed for the identification of bacteria in the genera Acidaminococcus and Actinomyces.

Gas Where It Shouldn't Be! Imaging Spectrum of Emphysematous Infections in the Abdomen and Pelvis.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the spectrum, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging features, differential diagnoses, and management of emphysematous infections of the abdomen and pelvis. CONCLUSION. Emphysematous infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality and thus need urgent medical and surgical interventions. CT is the most sensitive modality to detect gas; CT provides definitive diagnosis in most cases and can depict the extent of involvement.

A rare case of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall due to Hungatella effluvii and Streptococcus constellatus.

We report a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall caused by Hungatella effluvii and Streptococcus constellatus. Necrotizing fasciitis has high mortality, so early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential for good clinical outcome. Identification of the microbial contribution to these infections is crucial for targeted antibiotic treatment.

Evaluation of antibiotic pressurized pulse lavage for contaminated retromuscular abdominal wall reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Despite patient risk factors such as diabetes and obesity, contamination during surgery remains a significant cause of infections and subsequent wound morbidity. Pressurized pulse lavage (PPL) has been utilized as a method to reduce bacterial bioburden with promising results in many fields. Although existing methods of lavage have been utilized during abdominal operations, no studies have examined the use of PPL during complex hernia repair. METHODS: Patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in clean-contaminated or contaminated fields with antibiotic PPL, from January 2012 to May 2013, were prospectively evaluated. Primary outcome measures studied were conversion of retrorectus space culture from positive to negative after PPL and 30-day surgical site infection (SSI) rate. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients underwent AWR, with 44 patients (78.6 %) having clean-contaminated fields and 12 patients (21.4 %) having contaminated ones. Twenty-two patients (39.3 %) had positive pre-PPL cultures, 18 of which (81.8 %) converted to negative cultures after PPL. Eleven patients (19.6 %) developed SSIs. Those with persistently positive cultures after PPL had the highest rate of SSI, where two out of four patients (50.0 %) developed an SSI. Contrastingly, only 5 of 18 patients (27.8 %) who converted from a positive to negative culture after PPL developed an SSI. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that antibiotic PPL is an effective method to reduce bacterial bioburden during AWR in clean-contaminated and contaminated fields. While complete conversion and eradication of SSI were not achieved, we believe that PPL may be a useful adjunct to standard operative asepsis in preventing prosthetic contamination during contaminated AWR.

Abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis: A rare but devastating complication of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tubes were often offered to patients requiring long term enteral feeding. Even though the procedure is relatively safe, it is associated with various complications such as peritonitis or even death.1 We presented a case of a 54-year-old gentleman with underlying ischemic stroke and pus discharges from a recently inserted PEG tube. Computed Topography (CT) scan confirmed abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis complicated with hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia state (HHS) and later succumbed after 48 hours of admission. Our case illustrated the rare complication related to the insertion of PEG tube; abdominal wall necrotising fasciitis that was associated with mortality.

Nosocomial rapidly growing mycobacterial infections following laparoscopic surgery: CT imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the distribution and frequency of computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with nosocomial rapidly growing mycobacterial (RGM) infection after laparoscopic surgery. METHOD: A descriptive retrospective study in patients with RGM infection after laparoscopic surgery who underwent CT imaging prior to initiation of therapy. The images were analyzed by two radiologists in consensus, who evaluated the skin/subcutaneous tissues, the abdominal wall, and intraperitoneal region separately. The patterns of involvement were tabulated as: densification, collections, nodules (≥1.0 cm), small nodules (<1.0 cm), pseudocavitated nodules, and small pseudocavitated nodules. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients met the established criteria. The subcutaneous findings were: densification (88.5%), small nodules (61.5%), small pseudocavitated nodules (23.1 %), nodules (38.5%), pseudocavitated nodules (15.4%), and collections (26.9%). The findings in the abdominal wall were: densification (61.5%), pseudocavitated nodules (3.8%), and collections (15.4%). The intraperitoneal findings were: densification (46.1%), small nodules (42.3%), nodules (15.4%), and collections (11.5%). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous CT findings in descending order of frequency were: densification, small nodules, nodules, small pseudocavitated nodules, pseudocavitated nodules, and collections. The musculo-fascial plane CT findings were: densification, collections, and pseudocavitated nodules. The intraperitoneal CT findings were: densification, small nodules, nodules, and collections. KEY POINTS: • Rapidly growing mycobacterial infection may occur following laparoscopy. • Post-laparoscopy mycobacterial infection CT findings are densification, collection, and nodules. • Rapidly growing mycobacterial infection following laparoscopy may involve the peritoneal cavity. • Post-laparoscopy rapidly growing mycobacterial intraperitoneal infection is not associated with ascites or lymphadenopathy.

Excessive pediatric fasciitis necrotisans due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection successfully treated with negative pressure wound therapy.

The case of a 10-year old female child is described with a history of myeloproliferative disorder having skin, bone and visceral involvement. Bone marrow biopsy revealed histiocytosis X. During chemotherapy necrotizing fasciitis of the lower abdominal wall was diagnosed. Multiple microbiological cultures taken from the wound base revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Surgical necrectomy and application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was started together with intensive care treatment for sepsis. As both wound and general condition of the patient improved, autologous split thickness skin grafting was carried out in two sitting under continuing NPWT application. The applied skin grafts showed excellent take, the perilesional subcutaneous recesses resolved and complete healing was achieved after 28 days of NPWT treatment. Proper dermatological diagnosis and immediate escharectomy complemented with application of NPWT can be life-saving in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis.

The abdominal wall lumps and bumps: cross-sectional imaging spectrum.

This article focuses on the cross-sectional imaging spectrum of abnormalities that affect the abdominal wall, with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cross-sectional imaging is valuable for diagnosing and evaluating the extent of abdominal-wall masses. With the increasing use of MRI, it is often possible to reach a diagnosis or narrow the differential diagnosis, thereby guiding effective management. Neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathologies will be illustrated, and the distinctive imaging characteristics of these entities will be highlighted.

Abdominal wall non-clostridian gas cellulitis: a rare complication of a colostoma.

The authors report the case of a 69 year-old patient, with obesity, having a left colostomy that has been made for rectal cancer (12 years ago) and who developed a non-clostridian gascellulitis of the abdominal wall as a result of intraparietal traumatic tract perforation of the colostomy. The presence of the peristomal hernia favoured the posttraumatic injury of the colostomy. Repeated surgical inteventions and the antibiotic treatment determined a favourable evolution. Despite the wound contamination with excrement, transit stoma relocation was not necessary. Some clinical and therapeutic aspects of abdominal wall infections are presented.

Abdominal wall and intra-peritoneal abscess by Propionibacterium avidum as a complication of abdominal parietoplasty.

Propionibacteria are organisms of low pathogenicity and only a minority of clinical Propionibacterium isolates is clinically significant. Herein, we report a rare case of Propionibacterium avidum abdominal wall and intra-peritoneal abscess that developed in 46-year-old woman after abdominal parietoplasty.

Resistance to infection of five different materials in a rat body wall model.

BACKGROUND: Infection occurs after approximately 1% of hernia repair procedures. The resistance to infection of the repair materials is therefore an important consideration. We evaluated the infection resistance of five different materials in a rat model of body wall repair, two of which, urinary bladder matrix (UBM-ECM) and Revive, were not previously evaluated in a controlled model of infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An inoculum of 1 × 10(8) colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus was delivered to the wound site following implantation of an autograft, UBM-ECM, Proceed, Prolene, or Revive. Infection was monitored by white blood cell counts, body temperature, bacterial culture, and histomorphologic analysis of the implant site. RESULTS: Infection was shown in all groups through increased white blood cell count and body temperature. Animals with UBM-ECM returned to pre-surgery body temperature before all other groups. Substantial bacterial clearance was found in the autograft, UBM-ECM, and Prolene. Histomorphologic analysis showed evidence for persistent bacterial infection in Prolene, Proceed, and Revive 28 d after implantation, whereas the autograft and UBM-ECM appeared free of infection. The autograft showed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction at 28 d while UBM-ECM was similar to uninfected controls. CONCLUSIONS: Superior infection resistance was shown by UBM-ECM compared with the other materials, which were substantially equivalent. Histomorphologic analysis clearly showed an increased ability to resist persistent bacterial infection for UBM-ECM. Our results suggest UBM-ECM may be useful as a repair material in areas of high risk for infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis involving the chest and abdominal wall caused by Raoultella planticola.

BACKGROUND: Raoultella planticola was originally considered to be a member of environmental Klebsiella. The clinical significance of R. planticola is still not well known. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the first case of necrotizing fasciitis involving the chest and abdominal wall caused by R. planticola. The identity of the organism was confirmed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The patient was successfully treated with the appropriate antibiotics combined with operative drainage and debridement. CONCLUSIONS: R. planticola had been described as environmental species, but should be suspected in extensive necrotizing fasciitis after minor trauma in mild to moderate immunocompromised patients.

Atypical presentation of abdominal group A streptococcal-necrotizing fasciitis after pessary removal.

Group A streptococcal (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially life-threatening infection. We report on a patient with a history of prolonged pessary use with traumatic removal who developed ascending GAS infection in her gynecologic organs that tracked along the round ligament to her anterior abdominal wall.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall following an emergency colostomy: a case report.

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) are acute surgical conditions that demand prompt and multi-faceted treatment. Early recognition, appropriate resuscitation measures, aggressive surgical debridement, and targeted antimicrobial therapy significantly affect the overall outcome and survival of NSTI patients. Necrotizing fasciitis refers to a particular type of NSTI, where necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia is predominant and there is very little muscle involvement. A 51-year-old woman presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall following colostomy for obstructive colon carcinoma. In this particular case, stoma relocation was necessary because of the need for large parietal surgical debridement.

Endogenous gas gangrene after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Clostridial gas gangrene of the abdominal wall is rare, and it is usually associated with organ perforation, immunosuppression or gastrointestinal malignancies. In this paper we present a case of fulminant, endogenous gas gangrene in a 58-year old diabetic female with arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, following uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She developed gas gangrene of the abdominal wall 12-hours after cholecystectomy and died 24-hours after the onset of the first symptoms, in spite of treatment.

Abdominal wall infected ischemic necrosis mimicking necrotizing fasciitis.

Emergency surgery to revascularize an ischemic leg in the presence of an aortic aneurysm presents a series of difficult management decisions in both the operative and postoperative phases. We present a case of infected ischemic necrosis that developed in a discrete tissue plane from a transverse incision mimicking necrotizing fasciitis. A 57-year-old man presented with an ischemic leg associated with a 5-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. The sudden appearance of gangrenous tissue in the inferior flap of the transverse abdominal incision prompted urgent surgical debridement. This case report describes the management of a potentially misleading clinical condition. The key points to remember are to maintain a high index of suspicion for potentially life-threatening soft tissue infections, to be vigilant about regular wound inspection, and to act decisively when urgent wound debridement is indicated.

Foreign-body response to sterile catheters is variable over 20 weeks.

We hypothesized that placement of sterile catheter material into the peritoneal cavity results in a foreign-body response that varies with exposure duration. Sterile medical Silastic catheter material was aseptically implanted into the abdomens of 42 anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Controls (n = 18) underwent sham operations without catheter implantation. After 4, 8, or 20 weeks, the animals were anesthetized, the abdomen was opened, and the catheter material was recovered and processed to separate the cells adhering to the catheters. The cells, abdomen, and catheter material were all cultured to demonstrate sterility, and transport experiments were carried out. After euthanasia of the animals, abdominal wall tissue was examined for submesothelial thickness and vascular density, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for cytokines was performed. Cells from the catheter material were processed for immunocytochemistry (ICC). The catheter, adherent cells, and abdomen were free of bacteria. Inflammatory changes in peritoneal thickness and angiogenesis were highest at 4 weeks and declined thereafter to 20 weeks. Transport of mannitol was higher at 4 weeks in treated animals than in controls, and albumin transport was higher at 8 weeks in treated animals than in controls. The IHC for cytokines demonstrated changes paralleling the structural alterations (p < 10(-5)). The ICC of the catheter cell layer demonstrated mesothelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and T cells. Over 20 weeks, the foreign-body response to polymer catheters placed intraperitoneally in rats without injection of solution depends on exposure time, with an initial immune response evident at 4 weeks and decreasing thereafter.

Surgical site infection caused by Aeromonas hydrophila presenting as necrotizing soft tissue infection after esophagectomy.

Several virulence factors of Aeromonas such as hemolysin, proteases and lipases have been characterized. The relationship between these virulence factors and disease remains unclear. A 71-year-old man underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy, lymph node dissection and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for esophageal cancer. On postoperative day 1, redness around the wound on the thoracic abdominal wall gradually enlarged and necrosis became apparent with septic shock. Necrotizing soft tissue infection was suspected and emergency surgical debridement was performed. Blood and wound cultures were positive for Aeromonas hydrophila. The strain was found to have hemolytic activity, proteolytic activity and extremely high elastolytic activity. In addition, the strain actively produced elastolytic metalloprotease, which may contribute to extensive tissue necrosis.