Ointments containing Ceratothoa oestroides extract: Evaluation of their healing potential in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulceration is a common and severe complication of diabetes, causing substantial social, medical, and economic burdens. Treatment of foot ulcers remains challenging, thus requiring increasing awareness and more efficient management. This study investigates the efficacy of ointments, containing as main active ingredient the olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides, in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Fifty-two patients were allocated into four treatment groups either receiving therapy with an ointment containing extract of C. oestroides or extract of C. oestroides and eosin or extract of C. oestroides and cefaclor or no treatment. Patients were monitored for a period of 135 days by evaluation of transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, planimetry, photo-documentation, and clinical condition. Treatment with the extract of C. oestroides demonstrated significant healing properties that became evident after 45 days of treatment and resulted in complete ulcer healing in 61% of the patients. A significant improvement in transepidermal water loss (p < 0.001), skin hydration levels (p < 0.001), and wound area (p < 0.001) was observed in all patients. Similar efficacy was demonstrated for the combination of C. oestroides extract with eosin treatment (p < 0.001). On the contrary, the combination of C. oestroides extract with cefaclor antibiotic agent completely inhibited the healing properties of the isopod extract and did not improve water loss, skin hydration, or wound area. An important factor for C. oestroides extract healing properties is its selective activity against Gram negative bacteria. Ointments containing C. oestroides extract alone or combined with the antimicrobial agent eosin emerges as an effective regimen for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Photosensitivity During Quinolone Therapy in Diabetic Foot Patients May Falsely Indicate Treatment Failure.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), also referred to as skin and soft tissue infections, or skin and skin structure infections, with or without osteomyelitis (OM) in diabetic foot are complications of diabetes. Quinolones are a widely used class of antibiotics in ABSSSI and OM, and photosensitivity is among their adverse reactions. Its appearance may falsely indicate treatment failure. We describe 2 such cases. The first patient is a 49-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), who presented with left lower limb ulcer with fever (39 °C) over a week. He began treatment with ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and linezolid. Although his clinical condition and laboratory tests improved, the redness of the left lower limb increased. Clinical examination revealed redness on the face and the parts of the body that had been exposed to sunlight. The patient continued the same antimicrobial therapy and was given instructions to avoid exposure to sunlight. Redness and infection improved, and the patient was discharged. The second case is a 72-year-old male with a history of type 2 DM, admitted to hospital because of an infected ulcer of the first toe of the right limb. The patient received intravenous treatment with levofloxacin and clindamycin. On the fourth hospital day, the patient presented redness (with eczematous plaques) on his left lower limb. Clinical examination revealed that the patient's bed was placed near a window and his left limb was exposed to direct sunlight. Patient's bed was changed to avoid sun exposure. Symptoms began to improve over the next few days.

Autochthonous Plasmodium vivax malaria in a Greek schoolgirl of the Attica region.

In August 2009, one case of autochthonous malaria due to Plasmodium vivax was diagnosed in Greece in a young woman residing in the Eastern Attica region. The source of infection could not be identified. No other autochthonous malaria cases have been described in the Attica region since 1974. This was a sporadic case with no evidence of further local transmission, and no more cases have been reported in Attica up to now, two years later.

Evolution of epidemiological characteristics of infective endocarditis in Greece.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical profile, management and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) may be influenced by socioeconomic issues. METHODS: A nationwide prospective study evaluated IE during the era of deep economic crisis in Greece. Epidemiological data and factors associated with 60-day mortality were analyzed through descriptive statistics, logistic and Cox-regression models. RESULTS: Among 224 patients (male 72.3%, mean age 62.4 years), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 62; methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) 33.8%) predominated in the young without impact on mortality (p = 0.593), whilst Enterococci (n = 36) predominated in the elderly. Complications of IE were associated with mortality: heart failure [OR 2.415 (95% CI: 1.159-5.029), p = 0.019], stroke [OR 3.206 (95% CI: 1.190-8.632), p = 0.018] and acute kidney injury [OR 2.283 (95% CI: 1.085-4.805), p = 0.029]. A 60-day survival benefit was solely related to cardiac surgery for IE during hospitalization [HR 0.386 (95% CI: 0.165-0.903), p = 0.028] and compliance with antimicrobial treatment guidelines [HR 0.487 (95% CI: 0.259-0.916), p = 0.026]. Compared with a previous country cohort study, history of rheumatic fever and native valve predisposition had declined, whilst underlying renal disease and right-sided IE had increased (p < 0.0001); HIV infection had emerged (p = 0.002). No difference in rates of surgery and outcome was assessed. CONCLUSIONS: A country-wide survey of IE highlighted emergence of HIV, right-sided IE and predominance of MRSA in the youth during a severe socioeconomic crisis. Compliance with treatment guidelines promoted survival.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Diabetic Patient with Remarkable Radiological Findings and Excellent Outcome without Surgical Intervention or Drainage.

BACKGROUND Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening infection of the renal parenchyma. The purpose of this report is to present a case of EPN with distinctive imaging. CASE REPORT An 87-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the ER with fever and shivering, hypotension, and anuria, which is a clinical presentation of septic shock. He had recently been hospitalized at another hospital due to myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, where a temporary urinary catheter was placed. Upon physical examination, he had right lateral abdominal pain with extension to the right renal region. Laboratory studies showed leucocytosis (WBC: 24 320/µl with 94.4% polymorphonuclear), elevated C-reactive protein 340 mg/l (NV <3.45), and acute renal failure (urea 155mg/dl NV <50 mg/dl, creatinine 4.4 mg/dl NV <1.2 mg/dl). A plain X-ray showed air was present peripheral to the right kidney, while the abdominal CT revealed air inside the right kidney and bilateral nephrolithiasis. The patient was initially put on aggressive hydration, vasoconstrictors, and hydrocortisone to treat the septic shock, and an advanced antibiotic treatment (meropenem) was initiated immediately. Blood culture grew Escherichia coli. After 3 days of treatment, he showed significant improvement in diuresis and renal function (urea 90 mg/dl, creatinine 1.0 mg/dl), with a concomitant decrease in inflammatory markers (CRP 36.7 mg/l). The antibiotic treatment was tapered to cefuroxime and metronidazole. The patient's condition improved, and he was discharged with per os antibiotic treatment. Subsequently, surgical assessment for the nephrolithiasis was suggested. CONCLUSIONS Emphysematous pyelonephritis, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever in a diabetic patient with renal pain.

Successful Treatment of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis with Dalbavancin.

INTRODUCTION: Dalbavancin is a new antibiotic against multi-drug resistant Gram (+) bacteria. Dalbavancin has an extremely long half-life. Current indication is skin and soft tissue infections (ABSSSI), but researchers have successfully administered it off-label to osteomyelitis (OM) patients. AIM: We present a case of successful treatment of diabetic foot (DF) OM. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old male presented to our DF clinic, with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus, with very bad glycaemic control (HbA1c=12,5%). He had diabetic neuropathy, but no peripheral arteriopathy. Two months before, because of an accident with hot water, he presented left foot ulcer, followed by ABSSSI and 1st toe and 1st metatarsal OM (plain x-ray findings). A multi-drug resistant Enterococcus faecium was isolated in cultures and a targeted treatment with tigecycline and daptomycin was administered. The patient also received 1,5 gr dalbavancin upon discharge. 2 weeks later, he continued treatment at home with linezolid and tedizolid. A complete medical record with patient's history, informed consent and relative literature was sent to Greek National Health Care Organization (EOPYY), requesting administering off-label another 1,5 gr dalbavancin. In the meanwhile, he was admitted for iv tigecyclin, and continued treatment with linezolid at home. He finally received a second dose of 1,5 g dalbavancin. Patient received totally 14 weeks' targeted therapy, mostly off-hospital. When he completed treatment, foot was in excellent condition and x-ray had significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Dalbavancin, due to its extremely long half-life, could potentially be the drug of choice for OM caused by multi-drug resistant Gram (+) cocci, in order to avoid hospitalization, especially on non-complient patients. Further research is necessary.

The role of amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity in the risk for diabetic ulceration classification systems building: a cross-sectional and case-control pilot investigation.

INTRODUCTION: Foot deformities and amputations are parameters that have been studied as risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). However, inclusion of "foot deformities" and "amputations" in a single, broad variable and with reference to the severity of these deformities, may better characterize subjects who are prone to develop DFU. METHODS: The objective of the study was the examination of amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity as risk factor for DFU in relation with the other established risk factors. A cross-sectional and case-control study was conducted from October 2005 to November 2016. One hundred and thirty-four subjects with type 1 and 2 diabetes, with and without active foot ulcers, participated. A structured quantitative interview guide was used. Univariate logistic regression analysis for the literature's established risk factors was performed, as well as for two versions of the "amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity" variable. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression analysis (MLRA) for three models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were carried out. RESULTS: From the MLRA, only PAD (peripheral arterial disease) was significant (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.17-10.82, P=0.025 and OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.02-10.08, P=0.033). Concerning the ROC curve analysis of the models, the one with the three categories amputative and non-amputative foot deformities severity variable, had the greatest area under the ROC curve (0.763, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: A united variable for lower extremity amputations and other foot deformities with reference to their severity, could be more helpful to the clinicians in identifying patients with diabetes at risk for foot ulceration.

Marine Isopod Ceratothoa Oestroides Extract: a Novel Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers? Case Report of an Immunosuppressed Patient.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common lower-extremity complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. A novel DFU treatment is tested by using an ointment containing as healing agent olive oil isopod Ceratothoa oestroidesextract. CASE REPORT: A 58 years old obese man,smoker, with a history of unregulated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy and Hodgkin lymphoma was referred to Athens-Greece university hospital Laikon. The patient presented clinically with a lower extremity DFU and peripheral neuropathy with dysesthesia and disturbed sensation of hot and cold. He was treated with an ointment containing C. oestroides extract for five months, without any antimicrobial treatment. Therapy was evaluated by measurement of the transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, photo documentation and planimetry. At each patient's visit, DFU presented a satisfactory healing process. Five months after treatment initiation the patient had complete healing of his DFU. Blood tests after treatment revealed a significant reduction of the levels of the inflammatory markers. Ulcer cultures did not reveal any microbial development neither before nor after treatment. CONCLUSION: The administration of the C. oestroides extract ointment proved to be effective in this case. Although these results should be further investigated, the reported case suggests a novel option for the management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers, especially in patients with severe co-morbidities.

Case Report: Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis presenting acutely with isolated facial edema.

A 45-year-old Asian man presented with acute-onset periorbital and facial edema associated with pyrexia. Muscle weakness was absent. Initial laboratory investigations showed an inflammatory reaction, while screening for infections was negative. Serum muscle enzyme levels were normal. He was hospitalized and treated empirically with antibiotics and corticosteroids, pending the result of facial skin and muscle biopsy. He showed a good clinical and laboratory response but an attempt to discontinue corticosteroids led to a prompt relapse of facial edema and pyrexia, associated with rising laboratory indices of inflammation. Biopsy findings were typical of dermatomyositis. Reintroduction of corticosteroid treatment resulted in complete clinical and laboratory remission. Facial edema as the sole clinical manifestation of dermatomyositis is extremely rare. There have been no previous reports of isolated facial edema in the setting of acute, clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis in adults. A high level of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis in the absence of myopathy and the hallmark cutaneous manifestations of the disease (heliotrope rash, Gottron papules).

Patient Survival After Acute Voluntary Poisoning With a Huge Dose of Oxcarbazepine and Olanzapine.

INTRODUCTION: Oxcarbazepine is a carbamazepine pre-drug with less drug interactions. Its adverse effects, including hyponatremia, somnolence and ataxia, are dose dependent. Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug most commonly used to manage psychoses and symptoms of irritability and aggressive behavior. Main side effects include extrapyramidal and anticholinergic symptoms, weight gain, and hyperglycemia. CASE REPORT: In this manuscript a case of oxcarbazepine and olanzapine intoxication is discussed. A 45-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and chronic alcoholism, was presented two hours after ingestion of 30,000mg of oxcarbazepine and 140 mg of olanzapine, combined with alcohol. She was immediately treated with gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal. During her hospitalization she was hemodynamically and respiratory stable with no neurological signs and symptoms except for somnolence. Another side effect was hyponatremia. She was discharged from our department in stable clinical condition after being evaluated by a psychiatrist. CONCLUSION: Early approach is crucial for the management of drug intoxication. Late symptoms can be avoided through close monitoring of vital signs, mental status and laboratory values. Psychiatric consultation is essential for a better long-term outcome.

Point-prevalence survey of healthcare facility-onset healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection in Greek hospitals outside the intensive care unit: The C. DEFINE study.

BACKGROUND: The correlation of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with in-hospital morbidity is important in hospital settings where broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are routinely used, such as in Greece. The C. DEFINE study aimed to assess point-prevalence of CDI in Greece during two study periods in 2013. METHODS: There were two study periods consisting of a single day in March and another in October 2013. Stool samples from all patients hospitalized outside the ICU aged ≥18 years old with diarrhea on each day in 21 and 25 hospitals, respectively, were tested for CDI. Samples were tested for the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase antigen (GDH) and toxins A/B of C. difficile; samples positive for GDH and negative for toxins were further tested by culture and PCR for the presence of toxin genes. An analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for CDI among patients with diarrhea. RESULTS: 5,536 and 6,523 patients were screened during the first and second study periods, respectively. The respective point-prevalence of CDI in all patients was 5.6 and 3.9 per 10,000 patient bed-days whereas the proportion of CDI among patients with diarrhea was 17% and 14.3%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that solid tumor malignancy [odds ratio (OR) 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-6.15, p = 0.019] and antimicrobial administration (OR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.03-12.76, p = 0.045) were independent risk factors for CDI development. Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI) >6 was also found as a risk factor of marginal statistical significance (OR 2.24, 95% CI: 0.98-5.10). Median time to CDI from hospital admission was shorter with the presence of solid tumor malignancy (3 vs 5 days; p = 0.002) and of CCI >6 (4 vs 6 days, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The point-prevalence of CDI in Greek hospitals was consistent among cases of diarrhea over a 6-month period. Major risk factors were antimicrobial use, solid tumor malignancy and a CCI score >6.

New entrants to HIV care are presenting only at marginally earlier stages of disease but may increasingly represent groups perceived at lower risk.

BACKGROUND: Treatment has improved HIV infection prognosis, but whether risk and health care seeking behavior have improved is unclear. METHODS: New entrants to HIV care at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, between 1995 and 2002, with no history of AIDS-defining illnesses or antiretroviral exposure were included. RESULTS: Of new patients, 806 (80%) met the inclusion criteria. Median age increased during the study period(35.2 to 38.6 years; P < .001); proportions of females and non-whites increased nonsignificantly. Prevalence of AIDS-defining illnesses decreased from 1995 to 1996 (25.0% to 14.2%; P <.001) but remained stable thereafter. Category B conditions and sexually transmitted diseases decreased significantly(31.7% to 9.1%; P = .039 and 22.5% to 8.0%; P = .003), as did hepatitis B and C seroprevalence (8.3% to 3.6%; P = .05 and 26.2% to 14.3%; P = .003). Median CD4 counts and HIV RNA did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of Category B conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and hepatitis B and C declined significantly in this study. Prevalence of AIDS-defining illnesses decreased early in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era only, whereas markers of HIV disease stage remained stable, suggesting a need for earlier recognition of infection. Decreasing sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis coinfections suggest that HIV infection is increasingly seen in populations previously perceived at lower risk.

Statins Blunt HAART-Induced CD4 T-Cell Gains but Have No Long-Term Effect on Virologic Response to HAART.

BACKGROUND: Statins are increasingly used in HIV-infected patients, but the effect of their immunomodulatory properties on antiretroviral-induced immune reconstitution is unknown. METHODS: The authors compared 6-month and 1-year changes in CD4 T-cell count, plasma HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA), and serum lipids in 69 HIV-infected patients receiving statins and 127 controls matched by age, nadir CD4 T-cell count, and hepatitis C serostatus. All patients were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The authors used standard statistical tests for univariate comparisons and estimated average change in outcome measurements through repeated measures general linear models. RESULTS: Patients receiving statins had significantly higher median CD4 T-cell counts (430 vs 225 cells/microL, P < .001) and lower HIV RNA levels (2.3 vs 2.9 log10 copies/mL, P < .001) than controls. Statin-treated patients had diminished CD4 T-cell gain at 6 months, but this difference was not statistically significant at 12 months, despite similar 12-month virologic success rates. Patients receiving statins gained, on average, an estimated 60 fewer CD4 T-cells in the first 6 months than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to statins was associated with decreased CD4 T-cell gains during HAART in a cohort of HIV-infected patients, despite adequate virologic response. Studies with longer follow-up and detailed metabolic and immunologic monitoring are needed to confirm these findings and assess their significance and mechanisms.