H3N2 canine influenza virus and Enterococcus faecalis coinfection in dogs in China.

BACKGROUND: In May 2017, 17 dogs in a German Shepherd breeding kennel in northern China developed respiratory clinical signs. The owner treated the dogs with an intravenous injection of Shuang-Huang-lian, a traditional Chinese medicine, and azithromycin. The respiratory signs improved 3 days post-treatment, however, cysts were observed in the necks of eight dogs, and three of them died in the following 2 days. CASE PRESENTATION: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect canine influenza virus (CIV). All of the dogs in this kennel were positive and the remaining 14 dogs had seroconverted. Two of the dogs were taken to the China Agricultural University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for further examination. Two strains of influenza virus (A/canine/Beijing/0512-133/2017 and A/canine/Beijing/0512-137/2017) isolated from the nasal swabs of these dogs were sequenced and identified as avian-origin H3N2 CIV. For the two dogs admitted to the hospital, hematology showed mild inflammation and radiograph results indicated pneumonia. Cyst fluid was plated for bacterial culture and bacterial 16 s rRNA gene PCR was performed, followed by Sanger sequencing. The results indicated an Enterococcus faecalis infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed and dogs were treated with enrofloxacin. All 14 remaining dogs recovered within 16 days. CONCLUSIONS: Coinfection of H3N2 CIV and Enterococcus faecalis was detected in dogs, which has not been reported previously. Our results highlight that CIV infection might promote the secondary infection of opportunistic bacteria and cause more severe and complicated clinical outcomes.

A Review of Combination Antimicrobial Therapy for Enterococcus faecalis Bloodstream Infections and Infective Endocarditis.

Enterococci, one of the most common causes of hospital-associated infections, are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. Enterococcus faecalis, the more common and virulent species, causes serious high-inoculum infections, namely infective endocarditis, that are associated with cardiac surgery and mortality rates that remained unchanged for the last 30 years. The best cures for these infections are observed with combination antibiotic therapy; however, optimal treatment has not been fully elucidated. It is the purpose of this review to highlight treatment options and their limitations, and provide direction for future investigative efforts to aid in the treatment of these severe infections. While ampicillin plus ceftriaxone has emerged as a preferred treatment option, mortality rates continue to be high, and from a safety standpoint, ceftriaxone, unlike other cephalosporins, promotes colonization with vancomycin resistant-enterococci due to high biliary concentrations. More research is needed to improve patient outcomes from this high-mortality disease.

Case-Control Study of Telavancin as an Alternative Treatment for Gram-Positive Bloodstream Infections in Patients with Cancer.

Gram-positive bacterial infections are an important cause of morbidity and death among cancer patients, despite current therapy. In this case-control study, we evaluated the clinical outcomes and safety of telavancin in cancer patients with uncomplicated Gram-positive bloodstream infections (BSIs). Between March 2011 and May 2013, we enrolled cancer patients with uncomplicated Gram-positive BSIs to receive intravenous telavancin therapy for at least 14 days for Staphylococcus aureus and 7 days for other Gram-positive cocci. Patients with baseline creatinine clearance (CLCR) values of >50 ml/min received 10 mg/kg/day of telavancin, and those with CLCR values between 30 and 49 ml/min received 7.5 mg/kg/day. Patients were compared with a retrospective cohort of 39 historical patients with Gram-positive BSIs, matched for underlying malignancy, infecting organism, and neutropenia status, who had been treated with vancomycin. A total of 78 patients were analyzed, with 39 in each group. The most common pathogen causing BSIs was S. aureus (51%), followed by alpha-hemolytic streptococci (23%), Enterococcus spp. (15%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (8%), and beta-hemolytic streptococci (3%). Sixty-two percent of patients had hematological malignancies, and 38% had solid tumors; 51% of the patients were neutropenic. The overall response rate determined by clinical outcome and microbiological eradication at 72 h following the initiation of therapy, in the absence of relapse, deep-seated infections, and/or infection-related death, was better with telavancin than with vancomycin (86% versus 61%; P = 0.013). Rates of drug-related adverse events were similar in the two groups (telavancin, 31%; vancomycin, 23%; P = 0.79), with similar rates of renal adverse events. Telavancin may provide a useful alternative to standard vancomycin therapy for Gram-positive BSIs in cancer patients. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01321879.).

Optimizing antibiotic therapy of bacteremia and endocarditis due to staphylococci and enterococci: new insights and evidence from the literature.

Gram-positive cocci are a well-recognised major cause of nosocomial infection worldwide. Bloodstream infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci, and multi-drug resistant enterococci are a cause of concern for physicians due to their related morbidity and mortality rates. Aim of this article is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the management of BSI caused by staphylococci and enterococci, including infective endocarditis, and to identify those factors that may help physicians to manage these infections appropriately. Moreover, we discuss the importance of an appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs, taking in consideration the in vitro activity, clinical efficacy data, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters, and potential side effects.

A prospective interventional study in chronic prostatitis with emphasis to clinical features.

PURPOSE: Chronic bacterial prostatitis displays a variety of symptoms (mainly local pain exhibiting vari­ability in origin and intensity). These symptoms often persist despite bacterial eradication. The purpose of this article is to exam the role of phytotherapeutic agents as complementary treatment in patients with bacterial prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of individuals with reported pelvic discomfort and genital pain with or without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction visiting our department from March 2009 to March 2011. Patients underwent Stamey-Meares test (several cases underwent the two glass test). Depending on history and specific symptoms urethral smear and semen cultures were additionally obtained from several patients. All patients were randomized into two groups. Subjects in the first group (72 patients) received appropriate antibiotic (according to the sensitivity test) for 15 days, while subjects in the second group (72 patients) received phytotherapeutic agents for 30 days, additionally the conventional 15 days antibiotic treatment. The response was tested using laboratory and clinical criteria. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding bacterial and symptom persistence rate, however, symptoms burden was lower in patients receiving combinational treatment. CONCLUSION: Phytotherapeutic agents may improve pain and prostatitis related difficulty in urination. Further randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to substantiate safer conclusions.

[Urinary calculi and infection]. / Calcolosi urinaria e infezione.

Infection urinary stones resulting from urease-producing bacteria are composed by struvite and/or carbonate apatite. Bacterial urease splits urea and promotes the formation of ammonia and carbon dioxide leading to urine alkalinization and formation of phosphate salts. Proteus species are urease-producers, whereas a limited number of strains of other Gram negative and positive species may produce urease. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Corynebacterium urealyticum are urease-producers that are not isolated by conventional urine cultures, but require specific tests for identification. Primary treatment requires surgical removal of stones as complete as possible. Extracorporeal and endoscopic treatments are usually preferred, while open surgery is actually limited to few selected cases. Residual stones or fragments should be treated by chemolysis via ureteral catheter or nephrostomy or administration of citrate salts in order to achieve a stone-free renal unit. Postoperatively, recurrent urinary tract infection should be treated with appropriate antibiotic treatment although long-term antibiotic prophylaxis can cause resistance. Urinary acidification has been proposed for the prophylaxis of infection stones, but long-term acidification is difficult to achieve in urine infected by urease-producing bacteria. Urease inhibitors lead to prevention and/or dissolution of stones and encrustations in patients with infection by urea-splitting bacteria, but their use is limited by their toxicity. The administration of citrate salts involves an increase of the value of nucleation pH (pHn), that is the pH value at which calcium and magnesium phosphate crystallization occurs, in a greater way than the corresponding increase in the urinary pH due to its alkalinizing effect and resulting in a reduction of the risk of struvite crystallization. In conclusion prevention of the recurrence of infection stones can be achieved by an integrated approach tailored on the single patient. Complete clearance of the stone must be achieved by primary surgical procedure and residual fragments should be extensively treated. In the case of persistent infection, conservative measures, such as acidification and urease inhibitors or citrate administration, should be adopted to minimize its effect on urinary saturation with respect to struvite.

Etiology of peritonitis.

AIM: To determine the etiology of peritonitis, as well as the sensitivity of isolated bacteria to antibiotics. METHODS: Study was performed at the Surgical Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Department of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Pharmacology of University Clinical Centre (UCC) Tuzla. In a prospective study, starting from 1.6.2009. to 30.6.2010., was 60 patients analyzed who underwent surgery for acute peritonitis in the Surgical Clinic, UCC Tuzla. RESULTS: After microbiological processing of the content of the operative field, wound swabs and smears of drainage, we isolated Gram positive coccid bacteria: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 18.36%, Staphylococcus aureus in 12.6%, while Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecum were found in 3.44% isolates. In the group of Gram-negative bacteria we isolated: Escherichia coli in 15.51%, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 10.34% of the cases. The sensitivity of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was largest to vancomycin (100%), and lowest to penicillin (10%) and Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity was largest to vancomycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate (100%) and lowest to penicillins (3.7%). Sensitivity of the facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli was highest to carbapenems 95-100%, and lowest to penicillin preparations 0-56%. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of microbiological findings of 83.33% patients empirical antibiotic therapy was appropriately involved, and in 16.67% was inadequate and later changed, following the results of microbiological findings. This study indicates the importance and validity of microbiological diagnostics to determine the etiology of peritonitis and appropriate selection of antibiotics to treat these infections, with the required surgical treatment.

[Experience of use of prolit septo in the complex treatment of patients with urolithiasis].

The efficacy of phytogenic drug prolit septo in the complex treatment of patients with urolithiasis complicated by infectious-inflammatory process was evaluated. The effects of prolit septo were assessed by a comparative evaluation of the results of microbiological analysis of urine in 14 patients of main group and 12 patients of control group. Patients in both groups were matched by sex, age, and results of raiological, clinical, biochemical and microbiological methods of examination. For the treatment of 11 patients of the main group, prolit septo was applied in combination with standard anti-bacterial treatment, 3 patients received monotherapy with prolit septo within 3-6 weeks. The drug was administered at a dose of 1200 mg (2 capsules) 3 times a day. Twelve patients of the control group received only standard treatment. The duration of treatment in both groups was 1-2 weeks. It was found that combined therapy with prolit septo is more effective than standard antibacterial treatment. Against the background of combined therapy the disappearance of bacteriuria was noted in 54.5% of patients of main group compared with 8.3% of patients of control group.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis with Sepsis Caused by Enterococcus hirae

Selective intestinal decontamination (SID) with norfloxacin has been widely used for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) because of a high recurrence rate and preventive effect of SID for SBP. However, it does select resistant gut flora and may lead to SBP caused by unusual pathogens such as quinolone-resistant gram-negative bacilli or gram-positive cocci. Enterococcus hirae is known to cause infections mainly in animals, but is rarely encountered in humans. We report the first case of SBP by E. hirae in a cirrhotic patient who have previously received an oral administration of norfloxacin against SBP caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and presented in septic shock.

Emergence of daptomycin-resistant VRE: experience of a single institution.

Recent surveillance from US hospitals shows that more than 99.5% of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolates remain susceptible to daptomycin. This report describes emergence of daptomycin-resistant VRE at a major cancer center. The percentage of patients with daptomycin-resistant VRE bacteremia increased from 3.4% in 2007 to 15.2% in 2009 ([Formula: see text]). Without susceptibility data, empiric daptomycin therapy for VRE infections should be used with caution.

[Antibiotic therapy in the infected diabetic foot]. / Terapia cu antibiotice în infectiile piciorului diabetic.

UNLABELLED: Foot infections in patients with diabetes cause substantial morbidity and may lead to amputation of a lower extremity. Management of diabetic foot infections involves evaluating and determining the severity of infection as the basis for selecting the appropriate approach to antibiotic treatment. AIM: The purpose of our study is to analyse the etiologic agents commonly involved in diabetic foot infections and to appreciate the outcome of these infections with antibiotic therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 90 patiens with infection of the diabetic foot, admitted in the Diabetes Clinic, "Sf. Spiridon" Hospital; wound swabs were collected from 79 infected ulcers. The seriousness of the infection was assesed using the IDSA clinical classification. RESULTS: 45% of the infections were monomicrobial (typically with gram-positive cocci), but we also found gram-negative rods and enterococci. Initial therapy was usually empiric, while definitive therapy is based on the results of culture and sensitivity tests, as well as the clinical response to empiric therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the antibiotic therapy, based on the clinical evolution and the absence of surgical intervention is related to the presence or absence of ischaemia and other diabetes-related complications rather than to the microorganism itself; antibiotics are a crucially important adjunct in the complex therapy of the diabetic foot.

Papel de la daptomicina en el tratamiento de las infecciones en el paciente oncohematológico / Role of daptomycin in the treatment of infections in patients with hematological malignancies

Introducción: Las infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas conllevan una alta morbimortalidad. Los microorganismos grampositivos pueden causar más de la mitad de los episodios infecciosos bacterianos del enfermo con neutropenia febril, especialmente cuando se trata de bacteriemias. Se precisa una cobertura eficaz frente a tales infecciones en estos huéspedes especialmente inmunodeprimidos. Pacientes y métodos: Se revisa la literatura científica reciente de la última década sobre infecciones en pacientes oncohematológicos, con o sin neutropenia febril, y se destacan las publicaciones que atienden los procesos causados por grampositivos y el manejo de estas infecciones, sean o no bacteriémicas, mediante los fármacos tradicionales (glucopéptidos) y los nuevos antibióticos (linezolid, tigeciclina y daptomicina). Resultados: Se evidencia una llamativa escasez de estudios sobre el tratamiento de estas infecciones por microorganismos grampositivos en pacientes con cáncer mediante los nuevos antimicrobianos; destaca especialmente la carencia de ensayos comparativos. En concreto, para el caso de la daptomicina no se dispone de estudios aleatorizados comparativos en pacientes con neutropenia febril, aunque sí de estudios observacionales retrospectivos y de registro de casos (EUCORE) con un amplio número de pacientes oncohematoló- gicos (en torno a 200). En cuanto a la eficacia, las tasas de respuesta global favorable se sitúan entre el 65 y el 90% en los tres estudios principales, con un porcentaje de éxito terapéutico del 85% en pacientes con neutropenia febril grave. Simultáneamente, el perfil de seguridad de la daptomicina se mostró muy apropiado, con una buena tolerancia y una baja tasa de efectos secundarios (< 10% para los directamente relacionados con el antibiótico) que, en muy pocas ocasiones, fueron graves u obligaron a la interrupción del tratamiento. La tasa de nefrotoxicidad fue mucho más baja respecto a la causada por vancomicina en grupos de control históricos comparativos, aunque no alcanzaron la significación estadística. Conclusiones: La daptomicina es una alternativa terapéutica eficaz y segura en el tratamiento de las infecciones bacterianas por microorganismos grampositivos en los pacientes con cáncer, con o sin neutropenia, si bien se precisan datos más sólidos y definitivos para apoyar su inclusión en el tratamiento empírico de la neutropenia febril (AU)

Introduction: Bacterial infections in patients with hematological neoplasms carry high morbidity and mortality. Gram-positive microorganisms can cause more than half of the bacterial infections in patients with febrile neutropenia, especially bacteremias. Effective coverage against these infections in these hosts, especially the immunodepressed, is required. Patients and methods: We reviewed the literature published in the last decade on infections in patients with hematological malignancies, with or without febrile neutropenia. Emphasis was placed on publications analyzing the processes caused by Gram-positive microorganisms and the management of these infections (whether bacteremic or otherwise) through traditional drugs (glycopeptides) and the new antibiotics (linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin). Results: There was a notable scarcity of studies on the treatment of infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer through treatment with the new antimicrobial drugs. Especially striking was the lack of comparative studies. Specifically, in the case of daptomycin, there were no randomized comparative trials in patients with febrile neutropenia, although there were observational retrospective studies or case studies [European Cubicin® Outcome Registry and Experience (EUCORE)] with a large number of patients (around 200) with oncological malignancies. In the three main studies, the overall favorable response rates were between 65% and 90%, with a therapeutic success rate of 85% in patients with severe febrile neutropenia. At the same time, the safety profile of daptomycin was shown to be highly favorable with good tolerability and a low rate of adverse effects (< 10% for those directly related to the antibiotic) which, on very few occasions, were severe or led to treatment withdrawal. The nephrotoxicity rate was much lower than that caused by vancomycin in historical control groups, although there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Daptomycin is a safe and effective therapeutic alternative in the treatment of bacterial infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer, with or without neutropenia. However, further studies are required to support the use of this drug in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia (AU)

[Role of daptomycin in the treatment of infections in patients with hematological malignancies]. / Papel de la daptomicina en el tratamiento de las infecciones en el paciente oncohematológico.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial infections in patients with hematological neoplasms carry high morbidity and mortality. Gram-positive microorganisms can cause more than half of the bacterial infections in patients with febrile neutropenia, especially bacteremias. Effective coverage against these infections in these hosts, especially the immunodepressed, is required. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the literature published in the last decade on infections in patients with hematological malignancies, with or without febrile neutropenia. Emphasis was placed on publications analyzing the processes caused by Gram-positive microorganisms and the management of these infections (whether bacteremic or otherwise) through traditional drugs (glycopeptides) and the new antibiotics (linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin). RESULTS: There was a notable scarcity of studies on the treatment of infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer through treatment with the new antimicrobial drugs. Especially striking was the lack of comparative studies. Specifically, in the case of daptomycin, there were no randomized comparative trials in patients with febrile neutropenia, although there were observational retrospective studies or case studies [European Cubicin(®) Outcome Registry and Experience (EUCORE)] with a large number of patients (around 200) with oncological malignancies. In the three main studies, the overall favorable response rates were between 65% and 90%, with a therapeutic success rate of 85% in patients with severe febrile neutropenia. At the same time, the safety profile of daptomycin was shown to be highly favorable with good tolerability and a low rate of adverse effects (< 10% for those directly related to the antibiotic) which, on very few occasions, were severe or led to treatment withdrawal. The nephrotoxicity rate was much lower than that caused by vancomycin in historical control groups, although there were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Daptomycin is a safe and effective therapeutic alternative in the treatment of bacterial infections due to Gram-positive microorganisms in patients with cancer, with or without neutropenia. However, further studies are required to support the use of this drug in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia.

Liver Abscess and Empyema due to Lactococcus lactis cremoris

Lactococcus lactis cremoris infections are very rare in humans. We experienced liver abscess and empyema due to L. lactis cremoris in an immunocompetent adult. A 42-yr-old man was admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a liver abscess and chest CT showed loculated pleural effusion consistent with empyema. L. lactis cremoris was isolated from culture of the abscess material and blood. The patient was treated with pus drainage from liver abscess, video-assisted thoracoscopic decortications for empyema, and antibiotics including cefotaxime and levofloxacin. The patient was completely recovered with the treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a L. lactis cremoris infection in Korea.

Severe hepatotoxicity following ingestion of Herbalife nutritional supplements contaminated with Bacillus subtilis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nutritional supplements are widely used. Recently, liver injury after consumption of Herbalife preparations was reported but the underlying pathogenesis remained cryptic. METHODS: Two patients presented with cholestatic hepatitis and pruritus, and cirrhosis, respectively. Viral, alcoholic, metabolic, autoimmune, neoplastic, vascular liver diseases and synthetic drugs as the precipitating causes of liver injury were excluded. However, both patients reported long-term consumption of Herbalife products. All Herbalife products were tested for contamination with drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, and softeners, and examined for microbial contamination according to standard laboratory procedures. Bacteria isolated from the samples were identified as Bacillus subtilis by sequencing the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes. RESULTS: Causality between consumption of Herbalife products and disease according to CIOMS was scored "probable" in both cases. Histology showed cholestatic and lobular/portal hepatitis with cirrhosis in one patient, and biliary fibrosis with ductopenia in the other. No contamination with chemicals or heavy metals was detected, and immunological testing showed no drug hypersensitivity. However, samples of Herbalife products ingested by both patients showed growth of Bacillus subtilis of which culture supernatants showed dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Two novel incidents of severe hepatic injury following intake of Herbalife products contaminated with Bacillus subtilis emphasize its potential hepatotoxicity.

Fulminant septicemia of Bacillus cereus resistant to carbapenem in a patient with biphenotypic acute leukemia.

We report a case of fulminant septicemia with Bacillus cereus resistant to carbapenem. A 33-year-old man was suffering from febrile neutropenia (FN) on day 15 after the start of remission-induction therapy for biphenotypic acute leukemia under gut decontamination with polymyxin B and nystatin. Meropenem, a carbapenem, was administered according to the guideline for FN. Two days later (on day 17), he complained of severe abdominal pain, lost consciousness, went into sudden cardiopulmonary arrest, and died. Autopsy showed multiple spots of hemorrhage and necrosis caused by bacterial plaque in the brain, lungs, and liver. B. cereus was isolated from a blood sample obtained in the morning on day 17 and it was after his death that the isolated B. cereus was revealed to be resistant to carbapenem. B. cereus obtained from blood samples has been reported to be usually sensitive to carbapenem and also to vancomycin, new quinolones, and clindamycin. If B. cereus resistant to carbapem increases, our method of gut decontamination with polymyxin B and nystatin may have to be changed to one containing a new quinolone for the prevention of septicemia. Careful watching to determine whether B. cereus resistant to carbapem increases may be also important for empiric therapy, because carbapenem is often selected as the initial therapy for FN in patients with severe neutropenia.

An assessment of the efficacy of blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects 8 out of 10 people. It varies from mild to severe, and different treatments target various aspects of the disease. Propionibacterium acnes, one of the culprits involved in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, is the main target of all major medical treatments used. Studies conducted in recent years have shown favorable effects within the visible light spectrum for the treatment of acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have evaluated the use of intense blue light within the spectral range of 415-425 nm (peak 420 nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with mild to moderate facial acne were treated with blue light phototherapy. All patients were given 14-min treatment sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. Acne severity was assessed using the Leeds Technique for grading and lesion counts. Disability was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In addition, standard digital and cross-polarized light photographs were taken and graded by a blinded evaluator. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and cultures for P. acnes were carried out before starting the treatment and upon completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Significant improvement was achieved in the Leeds Acne Grade (P = 0.001). The inflammatory (P = 0.001) and noninflammatory (P = 0.06) lesion counts also improved significantly. A similar change was noted in the DLQI (P = 0.001); a degree of significance was also achieved in the patients' and the investigators' VAS scores (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively). P. acnes colony counts failed to show a significant decrease at the end of the treatment and remained almost constant (P = 0.660). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that blue light does appear to have some role in the management of acne and may be beneficial for the treatment of a select group of mild to moderate acne patients.

Deep brain stimulation for Holmes' tremor related to a thalamic abscess.

BACKGROUND: Medical treatment is usually ineffective for Holmes' tremor, and surgery is the treatment of choice for many patients. Here we report the case of a 14-year-old girl who developed Holmes' tremor related to a thalamic abscess and was successfully treated with thalamic deep brain stimulation. CASE REPORT: The patient presented with left hemiparesis and headache and was hospitalized. Investigation revealed a thalamic abscess in the left cerebral hemisphere. The abscess was drained via stereotactic surgery and a course of antibiotic treatment was completed. Four months after treatment, the patient developed Holmes' tremor in her left upper extremity. When attempts at medical treatment with levodopa, clonazepam, and trihexyphenidyl all failed, an implant was placed and deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus was initiated. During 2.5 years of follow-up, her tremor diminished by 90%. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that medically resistant Holmes' tremor related to a thalamic lesion can be successfully treated with thalamic deep brain stimulation.