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1.
BMC Pediatr ; 19(1): 24, 2019 01 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30651115

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the recommended 2-step rapid antigen detection test (RADT) with confirmatory culture vs the point-of-care (POC) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Roche cobas® Liat® Strep A test for detection of group A Streptococcus (GAS) in pediatric patients with pharyngitis, and to investigate the impact of these tests on antibiotic use in a large pediatric clinic. METHODS: This prospective, open-label study was conducted at a single site during fall/winter 2016-2017. A total of 275 patients aged 3 to 18 years with symptoms of pharyngitis had a throat-swab specimen analyzed using RADT, POC PCR, and culture. The sensitivity, specificity, and percentage agreement (95% CI) between assays and a laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification test were calculated. DNA sequencing was used to adjudicate discrepancies. The RADT or POC PCR result was provided to clinicians on alternating weeks to compare the impact on antibiotic use. RESULTS: A total of 255 samples were evaluated; 110 (43.1%) were GAS positive. Sensitivities (95% CI) for POC PCR, RADT, and culture were 95.5% (89.7-98.5%), 85.5% (77.5-1.5%), and 71.8% (62.4-80.0%), respectively. Specificities (95% CI) for POC PCR, RADT, and culture were 99.3% (96.2-99.98%), 93.7% (88.5-97.1%), and 100% (97.5-100%), respectively. Compared with RADT, POC PCR resulted in significantly greater appropriate antibiotic use (97.1% vs 87.5%; P = .0065). CONCLUSION: Under real-world conditions, RADT results were less specific and culture results were less sensitive than found in established literature and led to increased rates of inappropriate antibiotic use. POC PCR had high sensitivity and specificity and rapid turnaround times, and led to more appropriate antibiotic use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ID number ISRCTN84562679 . Registered October 162,018, retrospectively registered.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Pharyngitis/diagnosis , Pharyngitis/drug therapy , Point-of-Care Systems , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis , Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy , Streptococcus pyogenes , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Pharyngitis/microbiology , Primary Health Care , Prospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus pyogenes/isolation & purification
2.
N Engl J Med ; 372(10): 982-4, 2015 Mar 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25738686

ABSTRACT

Infections with chlorophyllic algae are uncommon. Invasive infection with Desmodesmus armatus developed in two patients independently after they each sustained a penetrating freshwater injury.


Subject(s)
Chlorophyta , Foot Injuries/complications , Fresh Water , Knee Injuries/complications , Soft Tissue Infections/etiology , Wounds, Penetrating/complications , Adult , Base Sequence , Chlorophyta/anatomy & histology , Chlorophyta/genetics , Femoral Fractures/complications , Humans , Joint Dislocations/complications , Male , Phylogeny , Young Adult
3.
J Clin Microbiol ; 53(10): 3239-46, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26202112

ABSTRACT

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is the gold standard genotyping technique for many microorganisms. This classification approach satisfies the requirements for a high-resolution, standardized, and archivable taxonomic system. Here, we describe the development of a novel MLST system to assist with the investigation of an unusual cluster of surgical site infections caused by Bipolaris spp. in postoperative cardiothoracic surgery (POCS) patients during January 2008 to December 2013 in the southeastern United States. We also used the same MLST system to perform a retrospective analysis on isolates from a 2012 Bipolaris endophthalmitis outbreak caused by a contaminated product. This MLST system showed high intraspecies discriminatory power for Bipolaris spicifera, B. hawaiiensis, and B. australiensis. Based on the relatedness of the isolates, the MLST data supported the hypothesis that infections in the POCS cluster were from different environmental sources while confirming that the endophthalmitis outbreak resulted from a point source, which was a contaminated medication.


Subject(s)
Ascomycota/classification , Ascomycota/genetics , Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods , Mycological Typing Techniques/methods , Mycoses/microbiology , Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Cluster Analysis , Disease Outbreaks , Endophthalmitis/epidemiology , Endophthalmitis/microbiology , Genotype , Humans , Molecular Epidemiology/methods , Mycoses/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Southeastern United States/epidemiology , Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology , Surgical Wound Infection/microbiology
4.
J Clin Microbiol ; 51(5): 1548-54, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23486713

ABSTRACT

This study compared the Biomic automated well reader results to the MicroScan WalkAway results for reading MicroScan antimicrobial susceptibility and identification panels at four different sites. Routine fresh clinical isolates and quality control (QC) organisms were tested at each study site. A total of 46,176 MicroScan panel drug-organism combinations were read. The Biomic category agreement for 3,117 Gram-negative bacteria was 98.4%, with 1.4% minor and 0.2% major discrepancies. The Biomic category agreement for 5,233 Gram-positive bacteria was 98.7%, with 0.9% minor, 0.3% major, and 0.1% very major errors. Essential agreement, defined as Biomic results that were within ±1 2-fold dilution of the MicroScan results, was 99.3% for Gram-negative bacteria and 98.3% for Gram-positive bacteria. Biomic reading of MicroScan identification panels provided an overall agreement (first- and second-choice organism match) of 99.5% with 846 Gram-negative isolates and 99.5% with 430 Gram-positive isolates. These results suggest that the Biomic automated reader can provide accurate reading of MicroScan panels and has the capability of a visual panel read for manual adjustment of results.


Subject(s)
Automation, Laboratory/methods , Bacterial Typing Techniques/methods , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Gram-Positive Bacteria , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Automation, Laboratory/instrumentation , Bacterial Typing Techniques/instrumentation , Gram-Negative Bacteria/classification , Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/classification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/instrumentation
5.
J Clin Microbiol ; 51(12): 4120-5, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24088862

ABSTRACT

The Verigene Clostridium difficile Nucleic Acid test (Verigene CDF test) (Nanosphere, Northbrook, IL) is a multiplex qualitative PCR assay that utilizes a nanoparticle-based array hybridization method to detect C. difficile tcdA and tcdB in fecal specimens. In addition, the assay detects binary toxin gene sequences and the single base pair deletion at nucleotide 117 (Δ 117) in tcdC to provide a presumptive identification of the epidemic strain 027/NAP1/BI (referred to here as ribotype 027). This study compared the Verigene CDF test with anaerobic direct and enriched toxigenic culture on stool specimens from symptomatic patients among five geographically diverse laboratories within the United States. The Verigene CDF test was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and the reference methods performed by a central laboratory included direct culture onto cycloserine cefoxitin fructose agar (CCFA) and enriched culture using cycloserine cefoxitin mannitol broth with taurocholate and lysozyme. Recovered isolates were identified as C. difficile using gas liquid chromatography and were tested for toxin using a cell culture cytotoxicity neutralization assay. Strains belonging to ribotype 027 were determined by PCR ribotyping and bidirectional sequencing for Δ 117 in tcdC. A total of 1,875 specimens were evaluable. Of these, 275 specimens (14.7%) were culture positive by either direct or enriched culture methods. Compared to direct culture alone, the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the Verigene CDF test were 98.7%, 87.5%, 42%, and 99.9%, respectively. Compared to combined direct and enriched culture results, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of the Verigene CDF test were 90.9%, 92.5%, 67.6%, and 98.3%, respectively. Of the 250 concordantly culture-positive specimens, 59 (23.6%) were flagged as "hypervirulent"; 53 were confirmed as ribotype 027, and all 59 possessed Δ 117 in tcdC. Time to results was approximately 2.5 h per specimen. The Verigene CDF test is a novel nucleic acid microarray that reliably detects both C. difficile toxins A and B in unformed stool specimens and appears to adequately identify ribotype 027 isolates.


Subject(s)
Bacteriological Techniques/methods , Clostridioides difficile/isolation & purification , Clostridium Infections/diagnosis , Enteritis/diagnosis , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods , Bacterial Toxins/analysis , Cell Culture Techniques , Chromatography, Gas , Clostridioides difficile/chemistry , Clostridioides difficile/genetics , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Enteritis/microbiology , Feces/microbiology , Humans , Predictive Value of Tests , Prospective Studies , Ribotyping , Sensitivity and Specificity , United States
6.
J Clin Microbiol ; 50(9): 3139-40, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22785189
7.
South Med J ; 103(10): 1061-2, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20818301

ABSTRACT

It is not appreciated by most physicians that vibrio infections can be acquired from freshwater exposure. A case of non-O1 Vibrio cholerae urinary tract infection associated with freshwater exposure is reported. The potential for vibrios to grow in brachish water and for summer heat to cause evaporation leading to relative increased salinity in freshwater bodies and the broad geographic range of these occurrences to include North American and both eastern and western Europe is noted. A literature review of vibrio infection acquired from freshwater exposure and the relationship to these epidemiologic and pathophysiologic events is discussed.


Subject(s)
Fresh Water/microbiology , Sulfadoxine/therapeutic use , Trimethoprim/therapeutic use , Vibrio Infections/etiology , Vibrio cholerae non-O1 , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Disease Outbreaks , Drug Combinations , Female , Humans , Seasons , Texas/epidemiology , Vibrio Infections/diagnosis , Vibrio Infections/drug therapy , Vibrio Infections/epidemiology , Vibrio Infections/microbiology
8.
South Med J ; 103(11): 1084-91, 2010 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20926991

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recognition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage by active surveillance cultures has been widely debated. Our institution implemented universal nasal screening by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for MRSA and isolation of screen positive patients in December 2007. Here we present data about the correlation between screen positivity and subsequent development of infection and the impact of isolation on surgical site infection rates. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, on all inpatient admissions with a nasal MRSA PCR screen. Genotype of 15 MRSA blood isolates was determined utilizing the Diversilab® (bioMérieux, Hazelwood, MO) system. A phenotypic rule was deduced and utilized for analyzing all MRSA clinical isolates. RESULTS: 5375 patients were screened at ≤48 hours following admission. 581 MRSA positive nasal carriers (10.80%) were identified. 496 (85.3%) were asymptomatic MRSA nasal carriers. There were a total of 158 MRSA clinical infections. 85 (14.6%) MRSA nasal carriers had clinical infection. Of the 4794 (89.1%) non-nasally colonized patients, 73 (1.5%) had MRSA clinical infection. MRSA surgical site infection rate remained unchanged during the intervention period. Phenotypic predictive rule inferred 59.8% community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections and 40% hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a positive correlation between having a nasal screen positivity and subsequent development of infection. Isolation of MRSA screen positive patients alone as an intervention did not reduce the surgical site infection rates. Since most of our isolates are CA-MRSA, our institution is implementing several new interventions to further reduce the incidence of HA-MRSA conditions.


Subject(s)
Carrier State/prevention & control , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Population Surveillance/methods , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control , Carrier State/epidemiology , Carrier State/microbiology , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/economics , Mass Screening/methods , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification , Middle Aged , Nose/microbiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology , Surgical Wound Infection/microbiology , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Texas/epidemiology
10.
Am J Med Sci ; 337(4): 297-9, 2009 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19402209

ABSTRACT

We present what we believe is the first case of Brevibacillus (Bacillus) brevis peritonitis in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly caused by the ingestion of fermented foods containing B. brevis spores. This case also demonstrates a pattern of antibiotic susceptibility with differing in vitro and in vivo bactericidal efficacy.


Subject(s)
Brevibacterium/pathogenicity , Peritonitis , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Female , Fermentation , Food Microbiology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/complications , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Middle Aged , Peritonitis/diagnosis , Peritonitis/microbiology , Spores, Bacterial/pathogenicity
11.
IDCases ; 14: e00460, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30370224

ABSTRACT

Treatment of enterococcal endocarditis in patients with history of renal transplantation is complicated. Treatment failure and/or drug toxicities are not uncommon. Treatment with ampicillin and daptomycin in a renal transplant patient has been rarely reported. Here we report a patient who was successfully treated with this novel combination.

12.
IDCases ; 12: 21-24, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29942740

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Talaromyces marneffei infection is a systemic mycosis, caused by a dimorphic fungus, an opportunistic pathogen formerly known as Penicillium marneffei. This disease is endemic to Southeast Asia and common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with low CD4 counts. Here we present a very rarely reported case of Talaromyces marneffei infection in an apparent non-immunosuppressed patient presenting decades later in a non-endemic setting (United States). Presentation of case: Our patient was a 75-year-old Caucasian Navy veteran, who served in Vietnam as a part of the Swift Boat service in 1966. He presented to his primary care provider with uncontrolled nonproductive cough and abnormal chest computerized tomography. Bronchoscopy specimens showed Talaromyces. He was empirically treated with itraconazole and then switched to voriconazole after confirmation of diagnosis but he later deteriorated was changed to liposomal amphotericin B and isavuconazole. Patient did well for the next 90 days on isavuconazole until the therapy was stopped. Soon after stopping the medication (isavuconazole) his symptoms recurred and ultimately patient expired. Discussion: Talaromycosis generally presents as pulmonary infection with manifestations similar with other endemic fungi. It is often seen HIV patients with travel to South east Asia. Very rarely this infection is seen and reported in non-immunosuppressed and in non-endemic areas. To date there are 4 well-documented cases among non-HIV, non-endemic population. Conclusion: Talaromyces can cause infection in non-HIV and non-endemic population and could be an underrecognized cause of pulmonary infections among veterans with even a remote history of exposure to the organism during deployment.

13.
J Surg Orthop Adv ; 16(4): 196-8, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18053402

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a member of the rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. Although mortality is rare from M. fortuitum, morbidity depends on the localized site of infection. M. fortuitum is ubiquitous in the environment and has been reported to cause infections of prosthetic devices. There have been seven previously reported cases of prosthetic joint infections due to M. fortuitum. This article presents three additional cases of postoperative joint infections due to M. fortuitum. All three cases were confirmed to be genetically indistinguishable by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. Awareness of its importance is especially noteworthy in the realm of ongoing antibiotic resistance.


Subject(s)
Hip Prosthesis/adverse effects , Knee Prosthesis/adverse effects , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/diagnosis , Mycobacterium fortuitum/isolation & purification , Prosthesis-Related Infections/diagnosis , Aged , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Debridement , Device Removal , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reoperation , Therapeutic Irrigation
14.
Am J Infect Control ; 45(11): 1279-1280, 2017 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28596022

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alcohol-based dispensers as potential fomites for Clostridium difficile. A convenience sample of 120 alcohol-based dispensers was evaluated for the presence of C difficile either by culture or polymerase chain reaction for C difficile toxin. The results demonstrated that C difficile was not cultured, and C difficile toxin was not detected using polymerase chain reaction; however, gram-positive rods, Clostridium perfringens, Pantoea agglomerans, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Bacillus spp, and microaerophilic Streptococcus were present within the overflow basins of the alcohol-based dispensers.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile , Clostridium Infections/etiology , Hand Sanitizers/adverse effects , Clostridioides difficile/genetics , Clostridioides difficile/growth & development , Clostridium Infections/epidemiology , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Cross Infection/etiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Equipment Contamination , Fomites/microbiology , Fomites/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Observational Studies as Topic
16.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis ; 51(2): 131-3, 2005 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15698719

ABSTRACT

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes an aggressive infection with high mortality, especially in patients with liver disease. Wound infections due to V. vulnificus occur via direct contamination of cutaneous tissues and can include the uterus. We report a case of V. vulnificus tubo-ovarian infection from an unusual method of acquisition in the Gulf of Mexico.


Subject(s)
Abscess/diagnosis , Fallopian Tube Diseases/diagnosis , Ovarian Diseases/diagnosis , Vibrio Infections/diagnosis , Vibrio vulnificus/isolation & purification , Abscess/therapy , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Drainage/methods , Drug Therapy, Combination/therapeutic use , Fallopian Tube Diseases/therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Ovarian Diseases/therapy , Risk Assessment , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment Outcome , Vibrio Infections/drug therapy
17.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis ; 53(4): 289-92, 2005 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16269223

ABSTRACT

A retrospective chart review was performed on 54 patients with positive urine cultures during a 1-year period to assess the clinical significance of Aerococcus urinae. Based on predetermined criteria, patients were classified into 2 groups: those with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and those who were considered colonized. The majority of the patients were > or =65 years old and were female. Only 31% of patients with UTI and 45% of colonized patients had A. urinae isolated in pure cultures. Both groups had significant but similar underlying medical conditions, with urologic conditions being predominant. Significantly more patients in the UTI group had urinary catheters (P < .01). No direct complications or invasive disease was recognized in either group regardless of whether patients were treated with antibiotics. Apparently, A. urinae is a relatively avirulent organism when cultured from urine.


Subject(s)
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Streptococcaceae/isolation & purification , Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology , Age Factors , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sex Factors , Urinary Catheterization/adverse effects , Urinary Tract Infections/complications , Urine/microbiology
18.
Clin Infect Dis ; 34(8): 1039-46, 2002 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11914991

ABSTRACT

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a recently developed ophthalmic procedure. When 2 patients developed keratitis caused by Mycobacterium szulgai after they underwent LASIK surgery, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all LASIK procedures performed at Scott & White Clinic (Temple, Texas) during a 4.5-month period. Seven patients had compatible symptoms and signs, 5 of whom had confirmed M. szulgai keratitis. Five cases occurred among 30 procedures performed by doctor A, and there were no cases among 62 procedures performed by doctor B (approximate relative risk, 12.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-679.0; P=.0029). Doctor A had chilled syringes of saline solution in ice for intraoperative lavage-the only factor that differentiated the procedures of the 2 surgeons. Cultures of samples from the source ice machine's drain identified M. szulgai; the strain was identical to isolates recovered from all confirmed cases and differed from 4 standard M. szulgai strains, as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Intraoperative contamination from ice water apparently led to M. szulgai keratitis in these patients.


Subject(s)
Keratitis/epidemiology , Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/adverse effects , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Equipment Contamination , Female , Humans , Keratitis/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/microbiology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome
19.
Cornea ; 21(6): 546-54, 2002 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12131028

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe the time course, diagnosis, clinical features, and treatment of seven patients with Mycobacterium szulgai keratitis that developed from 7 to 24 weeks after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Seven of 30 eyes of 18 patients were identified with keratitis after LASIK. The first two patients presented 12 to 14 weeks after LASIK; nontuberculous mycobacteria were identified 1 month after the flaps were cultured. Patient recall identified three additional cases by culture and two cases by clinical features alone. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to type the isolates, and treatment was modified based on susceptibilities. RESULTS: M. szulgai was identified in five patients for whom cultures were performed, but response to empiric therapy based on cultures proved unsatisfactory. The keratitis resolved in all patients with treatment including clarithromycin based on susceptibilities. Medical therapy was sufficient, although one patient required flap amputation. Six of seven patients recovered best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), while one patient lost one line of BCVA. Two patients lost one line of postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), two patients gained one line of UCVA, and three patients recovered postoperative UCVA. PFGE analysis revealed that the M. szulgai strains were identical, and the infection source was contaminated ice used to chill syringes for saline lavage. CONCLUSIONS: Nontuberculous mycobacterial keratitis after LASIK is a diagnostic and management challenge, but outcomes can be preserved with treatment based on susceptibilities. This cluster underscores the importance of adherence to sterile protocol during LASIK.


Subject(s)
Keratitis/microbiology , Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/adverse effects , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/isolation & purification , Postoperative Complications/microbiology , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Azithromycin/therapeutic use , Equipment Contamination , Female , Humans , Keratitis/drug therapy , Keratitis/epidemiology , Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/instrumentation , Male , Middle Aged , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/drug therapy , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/drug therapy , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Time Factors
20.
Am J Med Sci ; 345(5): 349-54, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23044652

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in medical therapies, pleural infections remain a common disease. The characteristics of this disease seem to change over time, with alterations in patient characteristics and bacteriology. The purpose of this study was to provide a retrospective descriptive analysis of pleural infections during a 9-year period. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective review of all culture-positive pleural infections between January 2000 and December 2008. The primary outcome was assessment of long-term survival and associated independent risk factors affecting survival. Length of survival was determined using the Social Security Death Index. Case characteristics and bacteriology were reviewed for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: During a 9-year period, 187 culture-positive pleural infections were identified. Review of bacteriology revealed gram-positive cocci as the predominate organisms, most commonly Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Anaerobes were found in 9.1% of the cases. Independent risk factors associated with risk of death based on multivariable survival analysis were age older than 65, cirrhosis and past and present malignancy. The hospital mortality was 10.7%, and the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year estimated survival rates were 73.8%, 63.3% and 60.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural infections continue to remain a major health problem and carry significant morbidly and mortality. The importance of Staphylococcus aureus in this population has yet to be fully examined, and although potentially underestimated in this study, anaerobic infections remain a common pathogen.


Subject(s)
Pleural Diseases/diagnosis , Pleural Diseases/mortality , Adult , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospital Mortality/trends , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pleural Diseases/microbiology , Pneumococcal Infections/diagnosis , Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology , Pneumococcal Infections/mortality , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/mortality
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