Erratum to: Antimicrobials: a global alliance for optimizing their rational use in intra-abdominal infections (AGORA).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-016-0089-y.].

Biodistribution and genetic stability of the novel antitumor agent VNP20009, a genetically modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium.

VNP20009 is a genetically modified strain of Salmonella typhimurium possessing an excellent safety profile, including genetically stable attenuated virulence (a deletion in the purI gene), reduction of septic shock potential (a deletion in the msbB gene), and antibiotic susceptibility. VNP20009 is genetically stable after multiple generations in vitro and in vivo. In mice, VNP20009 is rapidly cleared from the blood from a peak level of 1x104 cfu/mL to undetectable levels in 24 h. In tumor-bearing mice, VNP20009 accumulates preferentially in tumors over livers at a ratio of 1000&rcolon;1. In nonhuman primates, VNP20009 was also rapidly cleared from the blood, from a peak level of 1.0x106 cfu/mL to undetectable levels in 24 h. VNP20009 was detected in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow of monkeys; the amount decreased over time, and VNP20009 was cleared from all organs by day 41; no VNP20009 could be detected in the urine or feces of the monkeys. VNP20009 is genetically stable after many generations of growth (>140) both in vitro and in vivo.

Molecular confirmation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin as the cause of pulmonary infection following urinary tract instillation.

Instillation into the urinary tract of the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is associated only rarely with severe side effects. We report here two cases of culture-proven pulmonary infection due to therapy with BCG. The first patient, who was seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus, developed bilateral interstitial pneumonitis after instillation of BCG into the bladder. The second patient developed a right-lower-lobe infiltrate and empyema after instillation of BCG into the right renal pelvis. The clinical isolates from these two patients and from a third patient with a psoas abscess following intravesical instillation were analyzed with use of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to resolve chromosomal restriction fragment polymorphisms. The clinical isolates were confirmed to be BCG by comparison with known vaccine strains that differed from M. bovis isolates. We conclude that the potential for subsequent dissemination be considered prior to the intravesical administration of BCG. Analysis with PFGE may be useful for identifying species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis after transbronchial needle aspiration. Case report with an investigation on the risk of bacterial contamination during fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

A 63-yr-old man developed pericardial effusion with tamponade after transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of a subcarinal mass. A diagnosis of polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis was made when pericardiocentesis revealed purulent fluid that grew a mixed culture of anaerobes and aerobes, organisms that constitute part of the normal upper respiratory tract flora. To examine the possibility that contamination of the transbronchial needle (TBN) could lead to purulent pericarditis by inoculation of bacteria into the mediastinum, quantitative cultures of the TBN content were performed in seven consecutive patients. Abundant growth of multiple anaerobic and aerobic organisms was demonstrated in all seven cultures. We conclude that subcarinal TBNA is another potential cause of purulent pericarditis. This results from upper respiratory tract contamination of the open distal end of the TBN as it passes through the suction channel of the bronchoscope.