Post-corneal transplant Candida keratitis – Incidence and outcome

Purpose: To report the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of Candida keratitis following corneal transplantation in India. Methods: On retrospective review of medical records of 789 patients, 31 eyes developed a graft infection following corneal transplantation or keratoprosthesis and we could identify the Candida infection in only five. These cases were operated at two tertiary care centers in India. These five records were reviewed for demographics, risk factors (local and systemic) for graft infection, characteristics of infective lesion, corneal scraping results, treatment plan, and the final outcome following management. Results: The median age of the subjects with the Candida graft infection was 62.4 ± 10.33 years (range, 62–71 years). All patients were males. The predominant risk factors included repeat corneal transplantation (5/5), prolonged usage of topical steroids (5/5), and epithelial defects (4/5). The clinical characteristics included infiltrates of variable configuration like powdery deposits, white plaque, fluffy white infiltrate, and crystalline keratopathy. The smear showed budding yeasts in all five cases whereas culture was positive in four out of five cases. The final outcome with antifungals (systemic [4/5] and topical [5/5]) is variable. Two eyes underwent evisceration, two eyes had scar formation in the failed grafts, and one patient succumbed to the systemic disease 1?month post?corneal infection. Conclusion: Candida keratitis, in India, seems to be an emerging pathology following corneal transplantation and has a varied presentation. Though the outcomes following management seem to be grim, however, such infection can easily be avoided by a timely reduction of the risk factors.

The clinical value of 18F-FDG PET/CT dual-time-point imaging in diagnosing aortic graft infection / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT dual-time-point imaging (DTPI) in the diagnosis of aortic grafts infection (AGI). Methods:Forty-two patients with suspected AGI were prospectively recruited in this DTPI study from October 2014 to October 2021. There were 35(83%) males and 7 females, mean age (54±15) years old, range 22-79 years old. PET/CT image quality was scored as 5 grading scale. Semi-quantitative analysis of DTPI data was performed using maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of suspected AGI lesions. The percentage of SUVmax change between initial and delayed images were recorded as retention index (RI). Management of Aortic Graft Infection Collaboration (MAGIC) criteria were used as the diagnostic reference criteria for AGI.Results:According to the MAGIC criteria, 27 patients (64%) were positive for AGI, and 15 patients (36%) were negative. The mean RI of AGI was higher than that of non-AGI ones[(26.7±18.9)% vs. (6.4 ±18.8)%, P<0.01]. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of initial SUVmax ≥6 with the presence of AGI was 88.9%, 73.3%, and 83.3%, respectively. Delayed SUVmax ≥6 improved the sensitivity (96.3%) and accuracy (88.1%) for diagnosing AGI. DTPI with 15% increment as the optimal cut-off value of RI improved the specificity (93.3%) and accuracy (90.5%) for diagnosing AGI. Fifteen (56%, 15/27) AGI patients had improved image quality grading on the delayed images, leading to more accurately delineating the detailed extent of the infected aortic graft. Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT DTPI has better diagnostic performance for AGI than conventional Single-time-point PET/CT imaging by improving image quality as well as enhancing delineation of infected aortic graft extent.

Development of local vancomycin delivery system from fibrin gel to prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilms graft infection

Prosthetic vascular graft infection is one of the most severe vascular surgery complications. Fibrin gel (FG) hasmany useful characteristics as biocompatibility, biodegradation, adhesion, and haemostasis to develop the localantibiotic delivery system. In this study, human plasma was collected from peripheral blood that was used tocreate fibrin gel by supplement ion Ca2?. Antibiotic-containing fibrin gel was then evaluated in some characteristics such as surface structure, biodegradation, antibiotic delivery, cytotoxicity, and bacterial biofilmprevention in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that fibrin gel was excellent material for the extendeddelivery of antibiotics. Most importantly, antibiotic-containing fibrin gel was not toxic for human fibroblastcells in vitro and inhibited bacterial biofilm growth in vitro and in vivo. This research is the first step indeveloping an antibiotic delivery system for effective graft infection treatments.

Stent graft infection after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report and literature review

Aortic end graft (EVAR) infection isa challenging management problem in aortic surgery with 0.2% to 0.7% incidence, which is similar to aortic graft infection after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Although much attention has been given to the more common problem of endo leak management, yet only sporadic case reports have been reported about the late complication of endograft infection. We reported a case of elderly Saudi male, known to have multiple medical problems presented to our emergency department with severe progressive abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever over the last 7 days. He was evaluated and diagnosed as septic shock due to and infected stent graft following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, 4 years ago, with peritonitis. He underwent emergency laparotomy and a left paraaortic abscess was drained and a part of exposed metals of the stent graft found. Other intraperitoneal abcesses were drained and abdomen closed over drains. Patient remained under ICU care, but unfortunately deteriorated and died 3 days postoperatively.

Infección de tubo protésico en aorta ascendente. Rol de la tomografía por emisión de positrones en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Reporte de caso / Infection of prosthetic aortic graft in ascending aorta and role of positron emission tomography in the diagnosis. Case report / Infecção do tubo protético na aorta ascendente e papel do tomografia por emissão de pósitrons no diagnóstico. Relato de caso

Resumen: La infección sobre injerto protésico a nivel de aorta ascendente se considera una rara complicación con una incidencia de 0,5%-6%, pero de alta mortalidad (88%), incluso con tratamiento quirúrgico. Los factores de riesgo vinculados a este tipo de infección son: diabetes mellitus, insuficiencia renal e insuficiencia cardíaca. El microorganismo más frecuentemente implicado es Staphylococcus aureus. La presentación clínica puede ser muy variada, desde cuadros oligosintomáticos hasta sepsis. En cuanto al diagnóstico, los métodos de imagen clásicos (ecocardiograma, angiotomografía aórtica) resultan de gran relevancia. En la última década, la tomografía por emisión de positrones ha adquirido un rol relevante en las situaciones que presentan dudas diagnósticas, como es el caso del paciente que analizaremos.

Summary: Infection in a prosthetic graft in the ascending aorta is considered an infrequent complication with an incidence of 0.5%-6% but with high mortality (88%), even with surgical treatment. Related risk factors are diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and heart failure. The most frequent microorganism is Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical presentation can be very variable, from oligosymptomatic to sepsis. The classical imaging methods (ultrasonography, aortic angiotomography) are very relevant for diagnosis. In the last decade, positron emission tomography has acquired a relevant role in cases with diagnostic doubts, such as the patient to be analyzed.

Resumo: A infecção em prótese ao nível da aorta ascendente é considerada uma complicação rara, com incidência de 0,5%-6% mas com alta mortalidade (88%), mesmo com tratamento cirúrgico. Os fatores de risco ligados a esse tipo de infecção são: diabetes mellitus, insuficiência renal e insuficiência cardíaca. O microrganismo mais frequentemente implicado é o Staphylococcus aureus. A apresentação clínica pode ser muito variada, desde casos oligossintomáticos até sepse. Com relação ao diagnóstico, os métodos clássicos de imagem (ecocardiografia, angiotomografia aórtica) são altamente relevantes. Nas últimas décadas, a tomografia por emissão de pósitrons tem adquirido papel relevante nos casos que apresentam dúvidas diagnósticas como as do paciente, que será analisado.

A Case of an Aortoenteric Fistula Occurring 27 Years after Y Graft Replacement / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 92 year-old-female with melena was admitted to our hospital. She underwent Y-graft replacement of the abdominal aorta at the age of 65. Gastroduodenal fiberscopic examination and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of aortoduodenal fistula. The fistula in the proximal anastomotic site was occluded with a suture ligature and omentopexy was performed. On the 15th post-operative day she developed high-grade fever. CT revealed a pseudoaneurysm formation at the proximal anastomosis site. She underwent emergency endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR). Her postoperative course was uneventful. She is doing well without symptoms of recurrent infection.

A case study of nursing cooperation in axillobifemoral bypass surgery treating stent-graft infection after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To summarize the nursing cooperation of axillobifemoral bypass surgery treating stent graft infection after endovascular aortic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.@*Methods@#To review a case of stent graft infection after endovascular aortic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm and summarize the nursing cooperation of this patient retrospectively.@*Results@#After the medical care tacit cooperation and the infection protection, the procedure was successfully completed. The artificial blood vessels of the patient were unobstructed after the operation, and the pulse of both dorsalis pedis arteries was strong.@*Conclusions@#Axillobifemoral bypass surgery poses the characteristicsof long duration and complex. Designation of appropriate nursing measures, such as multi-incision management, thrombosis preventing and prevention of ischemia based on potential complications, are essentials of successful operation.

Clinical study of early infection of multi-drug resistant organisms after renal transplantation from organ donation after citizen's death / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) infection early after renal transplantation from donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 166 patients undergoing allogeneic renal transplantation and regular follow-up in Xijing Hospital from November 2011 to September 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. General conditions were statistically compared between the recipients undergoing renal transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) and their counterparts receiving living related donor renal transplantation. The incidence of MDROs infection, onset time, course of diseases, complications, infection site and etiological type were observed. The therapeutic methods and clinical prognosis were summarized. Results The incidence of MDROs infection early after renal transplantation in the recipients undergoing DCD renal transplantation was 14%, significantly higher than 2% in those receiving living related donor renal transplantation, and 13% and 2% for the incidence of delayed graft function with statistical significance (both P<0.05). The incidence of renal graft loss was 8%and 2%, and 5% and 1% for the mortality rate without statistical significance between two groups (both P>0.05). MDROs infection occurred in 11 patients after DCD renal transplantation. The most common infection site was urinary system(n=6) and the most prevalent pathogenic bacterium was Escherichia coli (n=4). All patients infected with MDROs were treated with a sufficient dosage of effective antibiotics according to the outcomes of bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test. Eight patients obtained favorable clinical prognosis, one underwent nephrectomy and two died. Conclusions The incidence of MDROs infection early after DCD renal transplantation is higher than that after living related-donor renal transplantation. Strict donor screening, early detection, intimate monitoring and timely treatment can effectively reduce the risk of MDROs and enhance clinical prognosis.

Endovascular Stent Graft Infection due to Esophageal Perforation after Surgical Treatment for Type II Endoleak / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of distal aortic arch aneurysm. A preoperative chest CT demonstrated a 54 mm in diameter distal aortic arch and coronary angiography revealed stenosis of LAD and the diagonal branch. We planned a thoracic endovascular repair after total arch replacement with a coronary artery bypass graft. A ZTEG-2P-30-200-JP was deployed at the proximal side of the elephant trunk, and a ZTEG-2P-34-152-JP was deployed. About 10 months later, a chest CT demonstrated a 90 mm in diameter distal native aortic arch, and anemia had increased to Hb 7.7 g/dl. A CT and angiography revealed a type II endoleak and so we tried to close the endoleak through a left thoracotomy approach. Twenty-eight months after the TEVAR, the patient had esophageal perforation and stent graft infection. At first, we resected the esophagus and reconstructed it with a gastric tube. Secondly, a descending thoracic aorta replacement was performed. The patient suffered from a cerebral infarction. However, infection was controlled successfully and he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation 69 days after the descending aorta replacement.

Successful Treatment of Prosthetic Graft Infection 7 Years after Ascending Aorta Replacement and Aortic Root Replacement with a Freestyle Stentless Valve / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 62 year-old man presented with severe septic shock complicated by prosthetic graft infection, 7 years after aortic root replacement with a Freestyle stentless valve and graft replacement of the ascending aorta. We initially managed the patient with antimicrobial therapy for 2 months and subsequently surgery was performed, replacing the infected aortic graft with rifampicin-bonded prostheses, and added omentopexy. The infection was cured and has not recurred.

Factors Affecting Treatment Outcome of Graft Infection Following Penetrating Keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors affecting treatment outcome of graft infection following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 28 patients who underwent PKP between January 2005 and January 2013 and who were diagnosed with graft infection were classified into a treatment success group or a treatment failure group. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the results of the microbiologic investigation, were analyzed and compared. A subsequent binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the prognostic factors affecting treatment outcome. RESULTS: Graft infection occurred at a mean of 38.29 +/- 36.16 months (range, 1 to 96 months) after PKP. Seventeen patients developed bacterial keratitis, and 11 patients developed fungal keratitis. Overall, of the 28 patients, nine (32.1%) were classified in the treatment failure group. Multivariate analysis identified pre-existing graft failure (p = 0.019), interval longer than 72 hours between donor death and PKP (p = 0.010), and fungal infection (p = 0.026) as significant risk factors for treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing graft failure, extended interval between donor death and PKP, and fungal infection were important risk factors for treatment failure of graft infection following PKP.

A Case of Vascular Graft Infection by <i>Aspergillus </i>Causing Distal Embolism to the Foot / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 77-year-old woman with previous aortic grafting for abdominal aortic and iliac artery aneurysms developed a blue toe in her left foot. Enhanced CT showed a high density area around the vascular graft of the left iliac artery, which partially protruded into the graft. Because of the elevated <i>β</i>-D glucan level, fungal infection of the vascular graft was strongly suspected. Her general condition precluded the graft removal. Instead, thrombectomy was performed. Microbial examination of the removed clot revealed infection by <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>. Voriconazole was administered for 3 months. The <i>β</i>-D glucan level was normalized. Only thrombectomy and Voriconazole administration can be an alternative in case with vascular graft infection by <i>Aspergillus</i>.

Endovascular Aneurysmal Repair for an Aortoenteric Fistula / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a case of secondary aortoenteric fistula (SAEF). A 76-year-old man who had undergone bifurcated graft replacement for an abdominal aortic aneurysm 18 years previously was admitted to our hospital on 2008. Since the patient was in hemorrhagic shock and had several comorbidities, he first underwent emergency endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR). The patient recovered from shock, and then the duodenal fistula was closed and a temporary tube enterostomy was made on the next day. The patient's recovery was uneventful and he was discharged 34 days after EVAR without any sign of infection. However, the patient was admitted for a recurrent SAEF 16 months after the procedure. Although emergency surgery was performed, he died due to sepsis 11 days after surgery. EVAR could be useful to control bleeding associated with SAEF ; however, it would be necessary for a long-term results to perform additional radical surgery subsequently to ensure the patients' hemodynamic recovery.

Anterior Small Thoracotomy Drainage and Intermittent Lavage in 2 Cases of Prosthetic Graft Infection after Arch Replacement Surgery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Prosthetic graft infection after arch replacement surgery is a serious complication that is often resistant to antibiotics. However, graft replacement is difficult and is very invasive. We performed anterior small thoracotomy drainage and intermittent lavage in 2 patients. First, the prosthetic graft was approached via a left third intercostal thoracotomy. After the ablation of infected tissues and cleansing with saline, drains were placed both proximally and distally to the vascular graft. An irrigation withdrawal drain was then implanted in the left thoracic cavity. After surgery, diluted povidone iodine solution, pyoktanin solution, and saline were used for pleural lavage. Case 1 : An 82-year-old man underwent arch replacement for a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm in November 2005. He suffered from high-grade fever from March 2008 and was referred to our hospital from another hospital with a diagnosis of vascular graft infection. A small anterior thoracotomy and drainage were performed on April 9. Pleural lavage with povidone iodine solution was performed 9 days after surgery, then was performed with saline from days 10-13 after surgery. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 30. Case 2 : A 58-year-old man complained of high-grade fever from March 16, 2009. He had undergone arch replacement for an aortic arch aneurysm in 1997. He consulted a physician and was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of vascular graft infection. Methicillin-sensitive <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MSSA) was identified by blood culture. A small anterior thoracotomy and drainage were performed on March 24. Immediately after surgery pleural lavage was performed with pyoktanin blue solution changing to povidone iodine on postoperative day 10. Pleural lavage was continued until day 34, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 64. In both cases, drainage and pleural lavage with antibiotic solutions improved the patients' general condition. The infections have not recurred since discharge. Small anterior thoracotomy for graft infection after arch replacement, in addition to being minimally invasive, can avoid the need for a second median sternotomy, and can provide an adequate view of the full length of the arch prosthetic graft.

A Stent Graft Infection after Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We present a rare case of stent graft infection. A 69-year-old man, who had undergone endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with an Inoue stent graft 5 years previously, was admitted with high-grade fever. An abscess around an abdominal aortic aneurysm was found on abdominal computed tomography (CT) and he was given a diagnosis of stent graft infection. The stent graft was removed and vascular reconstruction was performed using a Gelweave graft bonded with rifampicin. The graft was then covered with the greater omentum, and he was discharged on the 27th postoperative day.

PET and PET-CT imaging in infection and inflammation: Its critical role in assessing complications related to therapeutic interventions in patients with cancer.

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing evidence of false-positive FDG uptake in several infectious diseases and aseptic inflammatory processes. With the widespread application of FDG-PET imaging in oncology, the interpreting physicians have come across these conditions frequently leading to false-positive diagnosis. Such conditions can coexist with metastatic lesions in patients with cancer, and hence, early and accurate diagnosis or exclusion of infection and inflammation is of utmost importance for the optimal management of these patients. Also, this powerful imaging modality can play an invaluable role for the appropriate management of these complicated benign conditions. The present communication on this non-oncological application of FDG is intended as an educative primer for practicing oncologists on this very important aspect of PET-CT imaging with an ultimate aim for bettering patient management.

FDG Uptake Pattern of a Prosthetic Graft without Infection on a PET/CT Scan

PURPOSE: A prosthetic graft infection is a rare but often disastrous complication during vascular surgery. Diagnosis of a prosthetic graft infection is not always easy, particularly with a low virulent bacterial infection or in a deeply placed graft in the retroperitoneal space. Recently, fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has been proposed as a diagnostic modality for prosthetic graft infection. However, some reports have indicated that high FDG uptake occur in grafts without infections. This study analyzed FDG uptake patterns in prosthetic grafts of asymptomatic patients. METHODS: We reviewed 14,545 patients who had received PET/CT in a tertiary hospital between July 2007 and March 2010. Of them, 11 patients who had undergone previous bypass surgery with a prosthetic graft were identified. Four underwent an aortic bypass and the others received lower extremity bypass grafting. PET/CT images and patient clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax, A) in the graft, the mean SUV (SUVmean, B) of the blood-pool, and the target-to-background ratio (T/B, A/B) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean duration between bypass grafting and the PET/CT scan was 21 months (range, 1~80 months). No clinical evidence of graft infection was observed in any of the patients. PET/CT revealed an uneven, diffuse FDG uptake pattern on the grafts, and the mean T/B was 2.0 (range, 0.9~4.6). T/B was greater than 2.0 in six patients (55%). CONCLUSION: A prosthetic graft without an infection can result in increased FDG uptake during PET/CT. A further prospective study is necessary to evaluate the usefulness of FDG PET/CT for diagnosing a prosthetic graft infection.

Deep Vein as a Graft Conduit: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

The ideal graft requires acceptable size, less tissue toxicity, resistance to infection, and long-term durability. Great saphenous veins are gaining popularity as acceptable graft conduits, but they require time to grow in caliber. We report 2 cases of graft bypass and reconstruction using superficial femoral veins to acheive immediate high-flow patency.

Experience with Transobturator Foramen Bypass Surgery: a Case Report

The obturator bypass operation is not a common procedure. In 1963, Shaw and Baue first described performing bypass surgery through the obturator foramen as a technique to deal with infected arterial prostheses in the groin. This operation has been used to reconstruct patients with groin infection, irradiation ulcer, mycotic aneurysm, trauma and excessive scar tissue in the femoral region. We experienced one case of transobturator foramen bypass surgery from a Dacron iliac limb to the popliteal artery.

A Case of Aorto-femoral bypass Graft Infection Complicated with Infective Endocarditis

Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) is a relatively uncommon complication of peripheral vascular surgery and although rare, is the most severe complication in reconstructive vascular surgery. The early diagnosis of this complication can reduce the mortality. We report a case of aorto-femoral bypass graft infection, which was diagnosed by Tc-99m HMPAO WBC scan, complicated with infective endocarditis. A 60-year-old man had been operated with aortofemoral bypass graft because of aortojejunal fistula due to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Nine months later, he was admitted with fever of two months' duration. On echocardiolography, aortic regurgitation and vegetation were observed, and then he was diagosed with infective endocarditis. He was treated with antibiotics for 6 weeks. Recurrent bacteremia of unknown origin persisted despite antibiotic therapy. Multiple microorganisms were separately isolated from the blood cultures. He complained of intermittent right groin pain. Imaging study (CT, MRI, US) showed no definite evidence of graft infection. However, Tc-99m HMPAO WBC scan demonstrated uptake in the aortofemoral bypass graft site. The patient underwent emergent aortofemoral graft removal with axillobifemoral bypass and right femoropopliteal bypass.