A Case of Relapse Pseudomonas aeruginosa Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis After AngioVac Vegectomy and Antibiotic Treatment in a Patient Using Intravenous Drugs.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bloodstream infection affecting the valves of the heart. IE is highly associated with morbidity and mortality if not properly managed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) as a cause of IE is extremely rare. This is a case of IE involving a male patient with a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), secondary to P. aeruginosa, with associated relapse of bacteremia and native tricuspid valve endocarditis, complicated by septic pulmonary emboli, despite undergoing recent vegetation debulking using the AngioVac system (AngioDynamics, Inc., New York, USA) along with six weeks of IV antibiotics and no IVDU since then being on treatment.

Spinal infection: Assessing comorbidities and costs to inform patient management and resource use strategies.

Background: Spinal Infection (SI) is associated with various comorbidities. The interaction of these comorbidities and their impact on costs and complexity of care has not been fully assessed. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of SI patients in an urban hospital system to characterize comorbidities and outcomes in adult patients with SI. Adult patients in our hospital system who were hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of SI between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019 were included. Outcomes measures included length of stay (LOS) of the index hospitalization for SI, charges and payments for the index hospitalization, and hospital readmissions within one year after discharge from the index hospitalization. Data was obtained by querying our Electronic Data Warehouse (EDW) using ICD-10-CM and CPT procedure codes. Spearman's correlation was used to summarize the relationships between LOS, charges, and payments. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate associations of demographics, comorbidities, and other factors with LOS. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate associations of demographics, comorbidities, and other factors with hospital readmissions. Results: 403 patients with a first diagnosis of SI were identified. The average number of comorbidities per patient was 1.3. 294 (73%) had at least 1 medical comorbidity, and 54 (13%) had 3 or more comorbidities. The most common medical comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (26%), intravenous drug use (IVDU, 26%), and malnutrition (20%). 112 patients (28%) had a surgical site infection (SSI). DM (p<.001) and SSI (p=.016) were more common among older patients while IVDU was more common among younger patients (p<.001). Median LOS was 12 days. A larger number of medical comorbidities was associated with a longer LOS (p<.001) while the presence of a SSI was associated with a shorter LOS (p=.007) after multivariable adjustment. LOS was positively correlated with both charges (r=0.83) and payments (r=0.61). Among 389 patients discharged after the index hospitalization, 36% had a readmission within 1 year. The rate of readmission was twice as high for patients with three or more comorbidities than patients with zero comorbidities (hazard ratio: 1.95, p=.017). Conclusions: Patients with SI often have multiple comorbidities, and the specific type of comorbidity is associated with the patient's age. The presence of multiple comorbidities correlates with initial LOS, cost of care, and readmission rate. Readmission in the first year post-discharge is high.

A Large Tricuspid Subvalvular Apparatus Infective Endocarditis Undetected by Transthoracic Echocardiography.

A 39-year-old male with a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU) and no significant cardiovascular disease was admitted to the ICU for management of septic shock and acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to septic pulmonary emboli. Due to a high clinical suspicion for right-sided infective endocarditis (IE), he received a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), which did not reveal any vegetations. However, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was subsequently performed; this showed a large 2.4 cm vegetation in the septal aspect of the tricuspid valve (TV) subvalvular apparatus. He urgently underwent surgical removal of the vegetation and repair of the TV. Postoperatively, he clinically recovered with appropriate antibiotic therapy. TEE is the ideal imaging modality in evaluation for IE, but a minimally invasive TTE is often performed first. This case highlights a highly unusual anatomic location of IE, which harbored a large vegetation undetected by TTE. In patients without cardiac devices or non-native valves, an urgent TEE remains diagnostically essential if there is a high clinical suspicion for right-sided IE, even if a TTE shows no evidence of IE.

3D Cinematic rendering for evaluating femoral pseudoaneurysms in injection drug users.

The inguinal region, specifically the femoral vasculature, is a commonly used site of injection for intravenous drug users (IVDU). Repeated puncture of the vessel wall results in breakdown and subsequent arterial pseudoaneurysm- dilatations or outpouching of blood vessels, which, if left untreated, can result in fatal complications such as rupture with hemorrhage, sepsis, or even limb loss. The current modalities for arterial pseudoaneurysms include Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) angiography, both of which play important roles in management and surgical planning. However, 3D cinematic rendering (CR), a novel CT post-processing technique, offers timely, highly detailed photorealistic images that more clearly display the relation of anatomical structures, allowing for greater diagnostic confidence and precise surgical planning, particularly useful in the emergency setting. In this pictorial review, we demonstrate role of 3D CR in diagnosis and management of femoral pseudoaneurysms in IVDU through 9 illustrative cases.

IgA-Dominant Staphylococcus-Associated Glomerulonephritis: An Uncommon Complication of Intravenous Drug Use.

A 24-year-old female with a history of intravenous heroin use presented with two weeks of chills, myalgias, and cough and was found to be in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Subsequent workup revealed the presence of bilateral septic pulmonary emboli and tricuspid valve endocarditis. Several weeks into her hospitalization, she developed periorbital edema and laboratory testing revealed she had developed acute renal failure and nephrotic range proteinuria. A renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of IgA-dominant Staphylococcus-associated glomerulonephritis (IgA-SAGN). Early recognition of this newly recognized variant of glomerulonephritis is paramount, as improper treatment may lead to catastrophic consequences.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury Secondary to Serratia marcescens Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Report of Significant Neurological Improvement After a Delayed Presentation.

The exact time at which neurological deficits secondary to a spinal cord injury (SCI) become permanent is unknown. However, urgent decompression within 24 hours of insult is advocated to maximize the return of function. Despite previous literature showing poor neurological recovery with intervention after 24-72 hours, multiple cases have since shown noteworthy clinical improvement following significant delays in presentation. We report the case of a 55-year-old incarcerated male who presented to our hospital with a four-week history of a complete (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A) SCI after a prison altercation. The patient exhibited profound deficits of over one-month duration, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural abscess at T7-T8 with severe cord compression and another epidural abscess at L4-L5. This prompted immediate IV antibiotic therapy. A full neurological examination at hospital admission showed a complete absence of sensation, motor, rectal tone, and rectal function below T8, indicating a grade ASIA A SCI. Blood cultures grew Serratia marcescens. After thorough deliberation, considering over a month of complete neurological deficits, it was decided that surgical intervention would be unlikely to improve the patient's clinical status. Nonetheless, after only 24 hours of IV antibiotic administration, the patient progressed from an ASIA A to B, with a return of 100% accurate, although dull, sensation below T8. Within one week, his abscesses diminished on follow-up MRI, yet T7-T8 remained under significant pressure with no further clinical improvements. Due to his unexpected improvement to an ASIA B, which then plateaued at this level, surgery was again discussed in an attempt to maximize recovery. The patient wished to proceed, even given low chances of a meaningful recovery. He subsequently underwent evacuation and decompression. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient advanced from an ASIA B to C; he remained so until discharge 46 days after presentation and 30 days after surgical decompression. This case is noteworthy within the literature due to two compelling features. Firstly, it represents a significantly delayed presentation of a complete SCI with unexpected, meaningful, and swift improvement after medication and surgical intervention. Secondly, it is one of the few documented cases of Serratia marcescens spinal epidural abscess (SEA).

Tissierella praeacuta Bacteremia Associated With Acute on Chronic Osteomyelitis: A Case Report.

Tissierella praeacuta is a rare gram-variable bacillus that naturally occurs in the environment and is pathogenic in humans with chronic infections. We report the case of a 45-year-old man with a history of chronic osteomyelitis of the left tibia and recurrent bacteremia secondary to intravenous drug use (IVDU). He had previously received multiple partially completed courses of antibiotics over the past one year. Blood cultures demonstrated polymicrobial infection, including T. praeacuta and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus managed with parenteral beta-lactams, and the subsequent first surveillance cultures remained sterile. Medical literature on human infections with T. praeacuta is limited due to its rare occurrence. Most cases have reported sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics, making them an antibiotic of choice. T. praeacuta infections should prompt a search for additional underlying infectious foci and treatment of any additional co-infecting microbes.

Successful Treatment of Bilateral Renal Mucormycosis With Isavuconazole: A Case Report.

Isolated renal mucormycosis (IRM) is a rare disease with high mortality, more commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Management has traditionally included antifungal drugs with or without nephrectomy. We present the case of a 34-year-old female with a past medical history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and intravenous heroin use who presented with fever, flank pain, hematuria, and vomiting. She was found to have an oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI) with a serum creatinine (Cr) of 2.5 mg/dL. CT showed bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis and ureteral cultures grew Rhizopus species. Amphotericin B was started before being switched to isavuconazole due to worsening AKI, and hemodialysis was only required transiently. Rather than the traditional approach to treatment, a conservative approach that preserved kidney function was utilized, and the patient was successfully treated with six months of isavuconazole.

A Case of Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis and Atrial Fibrillation Complicated by Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Challenging Clinical Scenario and Approach to Management.

This case report presents a rare and intricate clinical scenario involving a 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension, intravenous drug use (IVDU), and cocaine abuse. The patient presented with profound hypotension and symptoms suggestive of impending shock. Septic workup revealed Staphylococcus aureus in all four blood culture bottles, confirming a diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a large vegetation measuring 1.9x1.7 cm on the mitral valve. Additionally, the patient exhibited non-ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) type II in the setting of cocaine use, atrial fibrillation, and therapeutic anticoagulation. Subsequent imaging studies raised concerns regarding hemorrhagic stroke. A multidisciplinary team comprising cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, infectious disease, and neurology collaborated to develop an optimal management strategy. Considering the high-risk features of the IE and the need to address the hemorrhagic stroke, anticoagulation was temporarily halted, and the patient was transferred for urgent mitral valve replacement surgery. This case highlights the complex interplay between substance abuse, cardiovascular complications, IE, and neurological events, underscoring the challenges encountered in managing such patients.

Brain Abscess Caused by Nocardia farcinica in a Young Immunocompetent Patient.

Cerebral nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infectious disease that occurs mainly in immunocompromised hosts; however, immunocompetent patients may be affected too. It often results in the formation of intraparenchymal brain abscess, which represents only 2% of all cerebral abscesses. The overall mortality rate exceeds 20% in immunocompetent patients and 55% in immunocompromised patients. Bacteriological diagnosis is often confirmed only after the surgical excision of the abscess. Thus, the initiation of effective therapy is frequently delayed. Our goal is to highlight a diagnostic approach to cerebral nocardiosis in an immunocompetent patient with the purpose of accelerating the initiation of the appropriate therapy. We report a rare case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia farcinica in a 39-year-old male, a resident of New York City, USA, with a past medical history of intravenous (IV) drug use, who was admitted for altered mental status. The patient was cachectic and ill-appearing. Initial laboratory tests showed neutrophilic leukocytosis. Computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed a large ill-defined multilobulated mass of size 6 × 5 × 4.5 cm in the right cerebral hemisphere, which was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hospital course was complicated by the deterioration of mental status requiring endotracheal intubation. The patient underwent a right-sided hemicraniectomy; a wound culture identified Nocardia farcinica. The patient was started on intravenous (IV) Bactrim, which caused an allergic reaction. Thus, he was switched to IV imipenem-cilastatin. After E-test was performed, the patient was switched to oral linezolid. The initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy was crucial for the management of this patient and resulted in a good clinical outcome. In conclusion, cerebral nocardiosis, being an unusual and a potentially fatal infection, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of brain abscess even in immunocompetent hosts. Prompt bacteriological diagnosis helps to initiate a specific antimicrobial therapy. Long-term antimicrobial therapy and long-term follow-up are necessary to prevent relapse.

Mycotic Aneurysm of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Mycotic aortic aneurysms (MAAs) are a rare form of aortic aneurysms that are associated with catastrophic outcomes if not diagnosed and treated on time. However, MAAs are a diagnostic challenge owing to their often nonspecific presentation. In this study, we present a case of a 42-year-old female with a pertinent history of intravenous drug use who presented with generalized body pain for two weeks and was found to have a mycotic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) extensively involving adjacent structures, including lungs with pleural cavity and upper renal pole. Not only does this case highlight the difficulty in early diagnosis and complex pathology of a mycotic TAAA, but it also illustrates the multidisciplinary approach required to effectively treat them.

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation in a Patient With Previous Tricuspid Valve Surgery for Infective Endocarditis Secondary to Intravenous Drug Use: A Case Report.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an important but underappreciated disease in medical practice, and the severity can vary from moderate to severe. Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) is more common in intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and the vast majority of these involve the tricuspid valve (TV). It is worth mentioning that right-sided valves are challenging to scan compared to left-sided valves. The incidence of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) immediately post-repair is not tangible, but it is considered to be rare. We present a case of a 47-year-old patient who had previous TV septal leaflet reconstruction using a bovine pericardial patch using 6/0 prolene, and an annuloplasty was performed by placing an annuloplasty ring in 2017 for infective endocarditis. The patient developed moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation within a few weeks following the surgery. She was readmitted to the hospital four years later with a reduced consciousness level, and a subsequent repeat echocardiogram showed possible tricuspid valve vegetation. In addition, transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) demonstrated biventricular dysfunction and severe tricuspid regurgitation, along with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) that was variable depending on the rate of atrial fibrillation. The patient was not suitable for surgical intervention and was medically managed accordingly.

Prevalence of Right- and Left-Sided Endocarditis Among Intravenous Drug Use Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Background: Left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) is increasingly being recognized among intravenous drug use (IVDU) patients. We sought to assess the trends and risk factors that contribute to left-sided IE in this high-risk population at University of Kentucky. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with the diagnosis of both IE and IVDU admitted at University of Kentucky was carried out from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. Baseline characteristics, trends of endocarditis and clinical outcomes (mortality and in-hospital interventions) were recorded. Results: A total of 197 patients were admitted for management of endocarditis. One hundred and fourteen (57.9%) had right-sided endocarditis, 25 (12.7%) had combined left-sided and right-sided endocarditis, and 58 (29.4%) had left-sided endocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. Mortality and inpatient surgical interventions were higher among patients with left-sided endocarditis. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) was the most common shunt found (3.1%), followed by atrial septal defect (ASD, 2.4%) with PFO being significantly more common among patients with left-sided endocarditis. Conclusion: Right-sided endocarditis continues to be predominant among IVDU patients and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism involved. Patients with evidence of left-sided disease were found to have significantly more PFO, needed more inpatient valvular surgeries, and had higher all-cause mortality. Further studies are needed to assess if PFO or ASD can increase the risk of acquiring left-sided endocarditis in IVDU.

A Computational Platform to Support the Detection, Follow-up, and Epidemiological Surveillance of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Protocol for a Development and Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the global population is affected by mental health or substance use disorders. These conditions contribute significantly to the global disease burden, which has worsened because of the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19. In Mexico, a quarter of the population between the ages of 18 and 65 years who reside in urban areas present a mental health condition. The presence of a mental or substance abuse disorder is behind a significant percentage of suicidal behaviors in Mexico, where only 1 in 5 of those who have these disorders receive any treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop, deploy, and evaluate a computational platform to support the early detection and intervention of mental and substance use disorders in secondary and high schools as well as primary care units. The platform also aims to facilitate monitoring, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance ultimately helping specialized health units at the secondary level of care. METHODS: The development and evaluation of the proposed computational platform will run during 3 stages. In stage 1, the identification of the functional and user requirements and the implementation of the modules to support the screening, follow-up, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance will be performed. In stage 2, the initial deployment of the screening module will be carried out in a set of secondary and high schools, as well as the deployment of the modules to support the follow-up, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance processes in primary and secondary care health units. In parallel, during stage 2, patient applications to support early interventions and continuous monitoring will also be developed. Finally, during stage 3, the deployment of the complete platform will be performed jointly with a quantitative and qualitative evaluation. RESULTS: The screening process has started, and 6 schools have been currently enrolled. As of February 2023, a total of 1501 students have undergone screening, and the referral of those students presenting a risk in mental health or substance use to primary care units has also started. The development, deployment, and evaluation of all the modules of the proposed platform are expected to be completed by late 2024. CONCLUSIONS: The expected results of this study are to impact a better integration between the different levels of health care, from early detection to follow-up and epidemiological surveillance of mental and substance use disorders contributing to reducing the gap in the attention to these problems in the community. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/44607.

Non-postoperative Central Retinal Artery and Ophthalmic Artery Occlusion With Compression Ischemia Due to Prolonged Sedation In Prone Position.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) after a prolonged period of lying prone is a rare condition with only a handful of cases reported, generally as a postoperative complication of spinal surgery. Only a few cases can be found describing acute visual loss following intravenous drug abuse and stupor leading to continuous pressure on the orbit while asleep. No cases can be found describing acute visual loss following the ingestion of oral sedating/antipsychotic medications. Urgent identification and workup with subsequent interventions are needed to offer the highest probability of full/partial visual restoration. Our patient presented with complete vision loss after ingesting oral antipsychotic medications leading to a prolonged sedated state in which compressive ischemia led to central retinal artery occlusion. The complex timeline regarding the patient's presentation and the implications relating to offered interventions are highlighted in this case report.

A case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis complicated by internal jugular thrombosis in a setting of MRSA bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: Acute Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis is a rare but serious illness that carries a high mortality rate. It is not commonly part of the Emergency Physician's differential diagnoses for the chief complaint of chest pain when there has been no recent instrumentation to the area. Because the disease is so uncommon, there is a relative paucity of reports of the illness. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 58-year-old male with a past medical history of HIV and history of intravenous drug use (IVDU) who presented to the Emergency Department with anterior chest pain for several days in addition to 3 days of fever and chills. The patient's presentation raised concern for intrathoracic infection and the diagnosis of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis complicated by internal jugular thrombosis was confirmed by contrast enhanced computed tomography and sonography.

Bemoan My Collarbone: A Case of Costocondral Junction Syndrome Complicated by Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Sternoclavicular Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis.

A 35-year-old female with a past medical history of untreated Hepatitis-C, and a history of intravenous (IV) drug use initially presented to the emergency department with chief complaints of gradual worsening sharp, constant left-sided chest pain with no radiation starting three weeks before presentation. In the emergency department (ED), she was afebrile, normotensive, and tachycardia with 99% oxygen saturation on room air. A physical exam revealed a well-developed Caucasian female, alert and oriented with moderate distress. Respiratory exam with symmetrical bilateral excursions without wheezes, crackles, or rhonchi. On cardiovascular exam, she was tachycardic with a regular rhythm without murmurs, rubs, or gallops. There was a 2 x 2 cm tender erythematous swelling on the left sternal border inferior to the clavicle. The neck was supple and negative for Jugular Venous Distension (JVD). Neurologically grossly intact. Abnormal laboratory findings included leukocytosis with neutrophilic predominance. The patient received intravenous (IV) antibiotics with broad-spectrum vancomycin, cefepime, and azithromycin and underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) chest, revealing a 26.8 mm x 26.5 mm left anterior subapical pleural-based pulmonary mass-like lesion with central hypoattenuation in surrounding ground-glass changes. Biopsy of the left subapical pulmonary lesion results showed chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Unfortunately, the patient left the hospital against medical advice after supportive care and pain control. Our patient's history of intravenous drug use and active Hepatitis-C infection were typical risk factors associated with invasive infections. In the clinical context, leukocytosis with hypo-attenuated pulmonary lesion should raise suspicion for septic emboli, localized abscess pocket, infection by atypical organisms, infective endocarditis, and malignancy which was considered upon initial assessment.

Percutaneous Aspiration of Vegetation in Tricuspid Valve Infective Endocarditis: A Possible Novel Treatment Option.

A 35-year-old man with a history of active intravenous drug use presented with infective endocarditis and tricuspid valve vegetations. He was a poor candidate for open heart surgery as a result of persistent bacteremia and comorbidities, and he underwent successful aspiration therapy with a mechanical thrombectomy device for the vegetation. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Poor long-term outcomes of intravenous drug users with infectious endocarditis.

Objectives: The optimal management of active endocarditis in intravenous (IV) drug users is still lacking. Methods: From the years 1997 to 2017, 536 patients with active infectious endocarditis were surgically treated, including 83 (15%) with IV drug use (IVDU) and 453 (85%) without IV drug use (non-IVDU). Initial data were obtained from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and supplemented with chart review and national death index data. Results: The IVDU group was significantly younger (43 vs 56 years old) than the non-IVDU group and had greater rates of psychiatric disorders, drug use, and tricuspid valve endocarditis (28% vs 8.6%). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were significantly more common in the non-IVDU group. Perioperative complications and operative mortality (7.2% vs 7.9%) were similar. IVDU was not a significant risk factor for operative mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival was significantly lower in the IVDU group (5-year survival, 46% vs 67%). Significant risk factors for long-time mortality included IV drug use (hazard ratio [HR], 1.92), age ≥65 years (HR, 1.78), congestive heart failure (HR, 1.87), and enterococcus endocarditis (HR, 1.54). The 5-year rate of reoperation was similar between IVDU and non-IVDU groups (2.4% vs 2.7%). Conclusions: IVDU is a significant risk factor for long-term mortality. A multidisciplinary approach was preferred for IVDU patients to treat both endocarditis and substance use disorder and improve long-term survival.