Acute acalculous cholecystitis due to Fusarium species and review of the literature on fungal cholecystitis.

Fungal cholecystitis is an uncommon entity, and no cases of cholecystitis associated with mould infection have been reported. We present a case of acute Fusarium cholecystitis in a cytopenic patient with leukaemia who had disseminated fusariosis. We also review the published cases of fungal cholecystitis, which is most often caused by Candida species. Although it is rare, fungal cholecystitis should be part of the differential diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in high-risk patients with predisposing factors for opportunistic fungal infections.

Acalculous cholecystitis in a female with cardiac device-related infective endocarditis.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is a necroinflammatory disease of the gallbladder with no gallstones present. ACC is known to be a serious, even potentially lethal complication observed mainly in patients with various severe underlying conditions including trauma, burn and sepsis. Infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices may lead to cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). The authors describe a case of a 55-year-old female with a history of advanced heart failure and implantation/reimplantation of biventricular pacemaker/defibrillator (CRT-D) for cardiac resynchronization therapy. She was admitted presently due to the symptoms of septicemia. Echocardiography revealed CDRIE with mobile vegetations on pacemaker leads; chest computed tomography showed pulmonary infarctions. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the blood. Antibiotics were applied in accordance with antimicrobial susceptibility and were continued after percutaneous leads extraction and pacemaker explantation. After 6 weeks of hospitalization, nonspecific abdominal symptoms developed, ultrasonography and computed tomography confirmed AAC diagnosis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the case presented is the first report of ACC in a patient with CDRIE due to infection of pacemaker leads.

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with duodenogastroesophageal reflux in patients with biliary pathology: the specific features of the course and esophagogastroduodenal microbial biocenosis].

AIM: To study the specific features of the clinical course of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) in patients with chronic acalculous cholecystitis (CAC) and cholelithiasis (CL), as well as qualitative and quantitative characteristics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The clinical, morphological, motor tonic characteristics of the esophagogastroduodenal area, mucosal microbial biocenosis in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were studied in detail in 83 patients with GERD that was associated with DGER and ran concurrently with CAC or CL. RESULTS: Impaired duodenal propulsive activity as a concomitance of the signs of gastrostasis and duodenal dyskinesia with dyscoordination of both anthroduodenal and duodenojejunal propulsion and with the development of duodenogastric reflux and DGER, which in turn determine esophageal and gastric pH values is shown to be of importance in CAC and CL, which match GERD. Abnormal microbiocenosis in the upper digestive tract is characterized by the higher quantitative and qualitative content of the mucous microflora. Opportunistic microorganisms exhibit cytotoxic, hemolytic, lecithinase, caseinolytic, urease, and RNAase activities. CONCLUSION: The found specific features of the course of GERD associated with DGER in patients with biliary tract abnormalities lead us to search for novel therapeutic approaches based on the correction of digestive motor tonic disorders and abnormal microbiocenoses of the mucous flora in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

First report of human acute acalculous cholecystitis caused by the fish pathogen Lactococcus garvieae.

We report herein the first case of acute acalculous cholecystitis caused by Lactococcus garvieae, which is known as a fish pathogen. A 69-year-old fisherman underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to severe inflammation in the gallbladder. The isolate obtained from the gallbladder was identified as L. garvieae by 16S rRNA and manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (sodA) gene sequence analysis.

[Empyema thoracis, hemorrhagic pericarditis and acalculous cholecystitis caused by Eikenella corrodens sepsis]. / Empyemát, haemorrhagiás pericarditist és acalculosus cholecystitist okozó Eikenella corrodens szepszis.

The authors present a case of a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pneumonia in the left side complicated with pleural effusion and hemorrhagic pericarditis one month after she had undergone tonsillectomy. Eikenella corrodens was identified as pathogenic agent when the empyema was removed during thoracotomy. After the patient was given antibiotic treatment she was discharged from the hospital without any symptoms or complaints. However, one month after she had left the hospital she was readmitted to the surgical unit as an emergency because of acute abdominal complaints. On admission acalculous cholecystitis as well as hemorrhagic pericarditis requiring pericardiocentesis were also observed. A rare cause of sepsis, Eikenella corrodens was identified which resulted in a severe disorder including polyserositis. Pericardiocentesis was performed two times and the patient was given targeted antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. She was also treated with antimycotics as she had developed mycosis. After one month the patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital. No further recurrence of symptoms or complaints was observed during follow up.

Acalculous candidal cholecystitis after pediatric renal transplant.

AAC caused by Candida is an uncommon entity usually seen in the critically ill. Here, we present the case of an 18-month-old renal transplant patient who developed candidal AAC during the post-operative period. Previous articles have addressed acalculous cholecystitis secondary to a variety of causes, or addressed a wide variety of Candida infections in the biliary tract, but this is the first discussion of cholecystitis caused by Candida without confounding factors such as biliary calculi or multiple pathogens. After the discussion of our patient's case, we also reviewed the English-language literature regarding candidal AAC and discussed diagnosis, treatment, and mortality.

[Gastrointestinal giardiasis associated with Helicobacter pylori].

The study involved 160 patients with chronic cholecystitis associated with chronic gastroduodenitis. Obtaining biopsy specimens of gastric mucosa and bile samples allowed to compare the microbial picture and the morphological structure of gastric mucosa in the same patient, to identify patterns of colonization of the stomach, 12 duodenal ulcer and gall bladder various microorganisms. At cytological examination was detected in the gall bladder G. lamblia in 47.5 +/- 3.95% of cases in the stomach--in 29.09 +/- 6.12% of cases. The frequency of H. pylori detection in biopsy of gastric mucosa amounted to 98.18 +/- 1.8% of cases, in 12-duodenum--93.75 +/- 1.9%, in the gall bladder--to 54.38 +/- 3.94%, in the bile duct--in 54.38 +/- 3.94%. It was found strict association between the detection of H. pylori and G. lamblia in the stomach--100% of H. pylori-infection combined with giardiasis. Morphological changes of gastric mucosa in the form of lymphoid infiltration detected mainly in the mixed-infection H. pylori and G. lamblia.

Acalculous cholecystitis with gallbladder necrosis in a patient presenting without abdominal pain.

An 83-year-old man with a history of chronic myelogenous leukaemia in remission maintained with bosutinib presented with new-onset fevers. He denied pain and had no other focal symptoms. Ultrasound imaging revealed mild gallbladder wall thickening. Non-contrasted CT revealed right upper quadrant inflammation of indeterminate source. The diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis was made on the third day when a CT with oral contrast demonstrated a remarkably inflamed biliary tree. The gallbladder was surgically removed and found to be necrotic. The case highlights an unusual presentation for a well-known condition. Both ultrasound and CT have limited diagnostic sensitivity for acalculous cystitis. This case adds to existing literature to support development of acalculous cholecystitis in non-critically ill patients. Clinicians should maintain awareness of this condition among patients presenting to the hospital or clinic with abdominal pain. Careful discussion with radiology and surgery is indicated to guide diagnostic testing when initial imaging results are indeterminate.

Campylobacter cholecystitis.

There are 13 cases of campylobacter cholecystitis reported so far in the medical literature. Among them, only 4 patients had diarrhea. We report another case of acalculous cholecystitis in a setting of campylobacter enteritis. The case report is followed by a literature review regarding this rare condition.

[Helicobacter pylori in patients with disorders of hepatobiliary system].

AIM: Detection of H. pylori in gastric mucosa, bile-excreting ducts, livertissue, and bile of patients with different disorders hepatobiliary system (HBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients (52 females and 24 males) with following diagnoses: chronic noncalculous cholecystitis (25 patients), gallstone disease (28), liver cirrhosis (12), ischemic heart disease (control group, n = 11), admitted to hospitals in Kazan and Zelenodolsk (Republic of Tatarstan), were examined. Mean age of the patients was 56.5 years. Samples of bile as well as tissues of liver, bile ducts and gastric mucosa were used as materials for tests. Polymerase chain reaction and culture method were used for H. pylori detection. RESULTS: Analysis of obtained results showed association of clinical diagnosis and presence of H. pylori DNA in bile ducts mucosal epithelium. H. pylori was significantly more frequently detected in epithelium of bile ducts mucosa (66.7 +/- 13.6%) and bile(56 +/- 9.9%) than in liver tissue (33.3 +/- 13.6%) (p < 0.05). Rate of H. pylori detection in gastric mucosa (83.3 +/- 10.8% in patients with liver cirrhosis) correlated with its detection rate in bile ducts mucosa (66.7 +/- 13.6%). In the control group of 11 patients with ischemic heart disease H. pylori was not detected. In 16 samples of liver, bile ducts, and gastric tissues CagA-negative phenotype was observed. CONCLUSION: Presence of H. pylori in liver, bile ducts and bile could point to possible role of its microorganism in pathogenesis of hepatobiliary diseases.

[Cationic Blue O staining for the cytological detection of Helicobacter pylori].

This investigation was undertaken to study whether cationic blue O staining might be used to improve the cytological diagnosis of H. pylori infection at gastric and extragastric sites. One hundred and sixty-four patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the stomach and gallbladder were examined with cytological and molecular studies. Impression smears from the gastric mucosa and bile portions A, B, and C were studied. The stain proposed by the authors ensures a high efficiency in detecting H. pylori in different biological materials (gastric biopsy specimens, bile) with the determination of the degree of contamination makes it possible to evaluate the morphological changes in the gastric mucosa and bile epithelium. The detection results of smear H. pylori correlated with those of DNA in this microorganism, by using the polymerase chain reaction. The proposed cytological study may be recommended for both the primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection in patients with diseases of the stomach, duodenum, and gallbladder and the monitoring eradication therapy and its deserves extensive use by cytological laboratories.

Brucellosis, an uncommon cause of acute acalculous cholecystitis: two new cases and concise review.

Acalculous cholecystitis etiologies while numerous, some of them are less-known such as brucellosis. In this report, we elaborate the clinical findings, investigations and management of two female patients presenting acalculous cholecystitis in whom diagnosis of acute brucellosis was retained. Both patients had fever, asthenia and abdominal tenderness. Laboratory results showed evidence of inflammation as well as hepatic cytolysis while cholestasis was noted in one patient. In both cases, ultrasound study and CT confirmed the presence of acalculous cholecystitis. Serology (tube agglutination test) led to the diagnosis of brucellosis. Diagnosis of brucellosis-related acute cholecystitis was established in both cases based on imaging findings as well as serology without resorting to cholecystectomy. Favourable clinical response to specific antibiotic therapy further supported our diagnosis as well as our decision to avoid surgery. Although few cases have been reported, brucellosis must be considered as a cause of acalculous cholecystitis, especially in endemic countries.

Acalculous cholecystitis due to Salmonella enteritidis.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is defined as an acute inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of stones. We herein report a case of a young man who developed AAC after a Salmonella enteritidis gastrointestinal infection.

Acalculous and clostridial cholecystitis in a pig.

A 21-month-old domestic Hanford pig (Sus scrofa domestica) in a 1-year study for experimental myocardial infarction was euthanized at the end of the study. One week earlier, the animal had symptoms and elevated clinical chemistry results suggestive of hepatobiliary disease, which resolved after medical therapy. At necropsy, the gallbladder was markedly enlarged, discolored, and had a thickened wall. Within the gallbladder, there was abundant friable green-brown material. A culture of the gallbladder luminal material yielded Clostridium perfringens type A. Histopathology of the gallbladder demonstrated multifocal areas of necrosis of varying depths, admixed with an inflammatory infiltrate that was also observed on the serosa and within the associated adipose tissue. Luminal material was composed of cellular debris and bile sludge admixed with numerous bacterial rods. Smooth-muscle hypertrophy of numerous small arterioles with narrowed lumina was observed in the gallbladder. A diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis presumably because of ischemia of the gallbladder with secondary clostridial infection was made. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of acalculous cholecystitis with evidence of vascular compromise in a pig, as well as cholecystitis secondarily attributed to Clostridium perfringens type A.

[Acute acalculous cholecystitis as a complication of hepatitis A: report of 2 pediatric cases]. / Colecistite acuta acalcolotica in corso di epatite A: 2 casi pediatrici.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (CAA) is very rare in children and it is usually related to infectious agents. We report 2 paediatric cases of CAA complicating hepatitis type A, with a favourable evolution with conservative treatment.

A case of multi-drug resistant ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei acute acalculous cholecystitis and gastroenteritis in a returned traveller.

The first case of Shigella-associated acalculous cholecystitis is described. A 27-year-old woman presented to hospital with diarrhoea and acute acalculous cholecystitis one day after return to Australia from Vietnam. Her feces culture grew multi-drug resistant ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei and she improved with antimicrobial therapy and intravenous fluids.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis: a rare complication of typhoid fever.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a very rare complication of typhoid fever, and may be due to multi-drug resistant and virulent forms of Salmonella infection. It is particularly rare in adults. A 21-year-old woman, presenting with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, was found to have acute acalculous cholecystitis due to typhoid fever on basis of ultrasonographical findings and a positive Widal's test for Salmonella typhi. She was treated with antibiotics and made a full recovery.

Anicteric leptospirosis with pneumonitis, pericarditis and acalculous cholecystitis.

We report the case of a 19-year-old male patient admitted to hospital with fever, asthenia, vomiting, abdominal and chest pains, cough with yellowish sputum, and hypotension. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis and high creatine phosphokinase levels, without hyperbilirubinaemia or renal failure. The tomographic images of the chest and abdomen showed a right basal pneumonia and acalculous cholecystitis. The electrocardiograms revealed significant characteristics of acute pericarditis. Specific serology for leptospirosis done in the second and third weeks of disease showed positive results. The use of ceftriaxone 1g intravenously, twice a day for 7 days, resulted in an overall clinic improvement. The role of the suspicion index for diagnosis of leptospirosis is emphasized in anicteric patients, as well as the unsuspected possibility of pulmonary, pericardial and gallbladder involvement.