Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae infective endocarditis with embolic events: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) infections, usually related to upper airways involvement, could be highly invasive. Especially in developing countries, non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains are now emerging as cause of invasive disease like endocarditis. The present case stands out for reinforcing the high virulence of this pathogen, demonstrated by the multiple systemic embolism and severe valve deterioration. It also emphasizes the importance of a coordinated interdisciplinary work to address all these challenges related to infectious endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old male cocaine drug abuser presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of fever, asthenia and dyspnea. His physical examination revealed a mitral systolic murmur, signs of acute arterial occlusion of the left lower limb, severe arterial hypotension and acute respiratory failure, with need of vasoactive drugs, orotracheal intubation/mechanical ventilation, empiric antimicrobial therapy and emergent endovascular treatment. The clinical suspicion of acute infective endocarditis was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography, demonstrating a large vegetation on the mitral valve associated with severe valvular regurgitation. Abdominal ultrasound was normal with no hepatic, renal, or spleen abscess. Serial blood cultures and thrombus culture, obtained in the vascular procedure, identified non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae, with antibiotic therapy adjustment to monotherapy with ampicillin. Since the patient had a severe septic shock with sustained fever, despite antimicrobial therapy, urgent cardiac surgical intervention was planned. Anatomical findings were compatible with an aggressive endocarditis, requiring mitral valve replacement for a biological prosthesis. During the postoperative period, despite an initial clinical recovery and successfully weaning from mechanical ventilation, the patient presented with a recrudescent daily fever. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a hypoattenuating and extensive splenic lesion suggestive of abscess. After sonographically guided bridging percutaneous catheter drainage, surgical splenectomy was performed. Despite left limb revascularization, a forefoot amputation was required due to gangrene. The patient had a good clinical recovery, fulfilling 4-weeks of antimicrobial treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite the effectiveness of toxoid-based vaccines, recent global outbreaks of invasive C. diphtheriae infectious related to non-toxigenic strains have been described. These infectious could be highly invasive as demonstrated in this case. Interdisciplinary work with an institutional "endocarditis team" is essential to achieve favorable clinical outcomes in such defiant scenarios.

Splenic Abscesses in Endocarditis: A Rare Disease with High Mortality. The Experience of a Heart Institute in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Splenic abscess secondary to endocarditis is a rare complication with high mortality. The treatment modality, splenectomy versus percutaneous drainage, and the best time, before or after valve replacement, are controversial. In the literature, there are only a few small case series about the subject. The objective of this study is to analyze the experience of a referral center in treating such condition. METHODS: Patients with splenic abscesses due to endocarditis from 2006 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (mean age 46 years old, 69% male) were identified. Eight patients (62%) had at least 2 comorbidities and 5 (38%) had a history of cardiac surgery. The diagnosis was incidental in 6 (46%). The mean time of abscess diagnosis after endocarditis definition was 14 days. Six patients (46%) had at least two organ dysfunctions. The median APACHE II score was 12 overall, and 24.5 in patients who died. Six patients (46%) had a valve replacement, and in two the abscess was diagnosed postoperatively. Of the other four patients, splenectomy was performed before the cardiac operation in three and at the same time in one. Splenectomy was performed immediately in 9 (69%) patients while three patients had percutaneous drainage (23%), one of which underwent splenectomy due to drainage failure. Exclusive antibiotic treatment was performed on only one patient. The median length of hospitalization was 24 days and mortality was 46%. CONCLUSION: Splenic abscess due to endocarditis is a life-threatening condition with controversial treatment that results in a prolonged length of stay and high mortality.

Medida da pressão intra-abdominal após colocação de compressas ao redor do fígado: estudo experimental em porcos / Intra-abdominal pressure measurement after sponge placement around the liver: experimental study in pigs

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome compartimental abdominal (SCA) é uma complicação frequente da cirurgia de controle de dano, podendo ocorrer em até 33% dos casos. A medida da pressão intra-abdominal para diagnóstico da SCA é avaliada através da pressão intravesical. OBJETIVO: Avaliar, através de modelo experimental, as repercussões da colocação de compressas sobre a pressão intravesical e em diferentes regiões do abdome. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 10 porcos machos, entre 45 e 60 dias, com peso entre 15 e 18 kg, submetidos a laparotomia exploradora para colocação de compressas e avaliação de medidas de pressão no espaço supra-hepático (Psh), espaço infra-hepático (Pih), espaço subfrênico esquerdo (Psfe), veia cava inferior (Pvci), veia porta (Pvp) e bexiga (Pv). Foi também avaliada a pressão arterial média (PAM) e o débito cardíaco. As diferentes medidas de pressão foram comparadas no mesmo animal com diferentes tipos de fechamento da parede abdominal: bolsa de Bogotá (CCB), total da aponeurose (CCAF), pele (CCPF) e total da pele e aponeurose (CF). Os resultados foram submetidos a análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre as medidas de PAM em todas as fases de fechamento do abdome. A pressão de veia cava inferior e a pressão intravesical foram diferentes (p<0,05) entre os grupos CF e CCAF. Psfe, Psfd e Psh foram diferentes (p<0,05) entre CF e CCB, CF e CCPF e CF e CCAF. Foram diferentes (p<0,05) Pv e Psfd, Pv e Psh e Psfe e Psfd nos grupos CCB, CCPF e CCAF. No grupo CCAF ainda foram diferentes (p<0,05) Pv e Psfe e Psh e Psfd. A avaliação de Pvp mostrou-se diferente (p<0,05) em relação ao grupo controle (CF) nos grupos CCB, CCPF e CCAF, e ainda entre CCB e CCAF. CONCLUSÃO: A pressão intra-abdominal não é uniforme quando são colocadas compressas na cavidade peritoneal. A pressão vesical é menor que em outras regiões da cavidade peritoneal. As pressões não ultrapassaram níveis de Síndrome Compartimental Abdominal.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal compartment syndrome is a frequent complication of damage control surgery and can occur in approximately 33% of cases. Diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome depends on measurement of abdominal pressure which is usually assessed through intravesical pressure. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the consequences of liver packing with sponges to the intravesical pressure and to pressures in different sites of the abdomen in an animal experimental model. METHODS: 10 adult male pigs, aged 45 to 60 days, weighing 15 to 18 kg, underwent laparotomies for liver packing and evaluation of pressures in suprahepatic space (Psh), infrahepatic space (Pih), left subphrenic space (Psfe), inferior vena cava (Pvci), portal vein (Pvp) and bladder (Pv). Other variables such as mean arterial pressure and cardiac output, were also measured. Different pressure measurements were compared in the same animal with different types of closures of the abdominal wall: Bogota bag (CCB), total closure of aponeurosis (CCAF), skin closure (CCPF) and total skin and aponeurosis closure (CF). Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: There was no difference (p>0,05) between mean arterial blood pressure in all phases of abdominal closure. Pressure in inferior vena cava and intravesical pressure were different (p<0,05) in groups CF and CCAF. Psfe, Psfd and Psh were different (p<0,05) between CF vs CCB, CF vs CCPF and CF vs CCAF. Pv vs Psfd, Pv vs Psh and Psfe vs Psfd were different (p<0,05) in groups CCB, CCPF and CCAF. In group CCAF, Pv vs Psfe and Psh vs Psfd were also different (p<0,05). Evaluation of Pvp has shown to be different (p<0,05) when compared to control group (p<0,05) in groups CCB, CCPF and CCAF, and also between CCB and CCAF. CONCLUSION: Intra-abdominal pressure is not uniform when sponges are placed in the abdomen. Intravesical pressure is lower than pressures in other sites of the peritoneal cavity. No pressure measurement reached levels of abdominal compartment...