Nontuberculous mycobacterial cutaneous infections: an updated review.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause cutaneous infections more commonly than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the incidence of infection with these organisms is increasing with the use of immunosuppressive agents. Diagnosis of NTM cutaneous infections is not always straightforward. Therefore, a high index of clinical suspicion is needed to make a diagnosis of NTM cutaneous infection.

Multiple subcutaneous mycetomas caused by Pseudallescheria boydii: response to therapy with oral potassium iodide solution.

We describe the case of a sixteen-year-old male who presented with multiple subcutaneous mycetomas proven on culture to be secondary to Pseudallescheria boydi., The lesions responded completely to oral potassium iodide solution. To our knowledge this has never been reported in humans.

Candida endophthalmitis: focus on current and future antifungal treatment options.

Candida endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening manifestation of disseminated candidiasis. The occurrence of endogenous candida endophthalmitis in patients with candidemia has ranged from 0-45% in the published literature. In critically ill patients, it has even been associated with increased mortality. In recent years, use of newer antifungal therapies for invasive candidiasis has increased given the rise in infections with non-albicans species of Candida. To identify current practices of the management of endogenous candida endophthalmitis and relevant antifungal drug research in this disease state, we conducted a MEDLINE search (1967-2006) and bibliographic search of the English-language literature. Treatments for candida endophthalmitis have not been evaluated through well-designed, well-powered clinical trials. Data have mainly been presented in case reports, case series, animal studies, pharmacokinetic studies, and as small subsets of larger trials. Traditional systemic therapies have been amphotericin B with or without flucytosine or fluconazole. Cure rates with antifungal drugs alone appear to be much higher in patients with chorioretinitis than in endophthalmitis with vitreal involvement. Pars plana vitrectomy with or without intravitreal amphotericin B injections has been advocated particularly for patients with moderate-to-severe vitritis and substantial vision loss. Information on new antifungal agents for endophthalmitis is limited, despite increasing use in patients with candidemia. Voriconazole may be a particularly attractive agent to consider for infections with fluconazole-resistant, voriconazole-susceptible strains. The current patchwork of animal studies and small patient reports provide clinicians with some insight into the role of newer agents in the treatment of candida endophthalmitis. In general, it appears that chorioretinitis infections can be more readily cured with most systemic antifungal agents, whereas more aggressive treatment, often including vitrectomy with or without intra-vitreal antifungal administration, is needed for patients with endophthalmitis with vitritis.

Association of hemochromatosis with infectious diseases: expanding spectrum.

Withholding iron from potential pathogens is a host defense strategy. There is evidence that iron overload per se compromises the ability of phagocytes to kill microorganisms. Several hypotheses exist to explain the association of hemochromatosis with infection. A combination of mechanisms likely contributes to the increase in susceptibility to infection in these patients. A review of the current literature delineating various pathogens to which patients with hemochromatosis are potentially susceptible, and recent advances in the understanding of the association of hemochromatosis with infection, are discussed.

Meningitis due to Enterobacter aerogenes subsequent to resection of an acoustic neuroma and abdominal fat graft to the mastoid

Meningitis is an uncommon complication of neurosurgical procedures, with an incidence of 1.1 percent to 2.5 percent. Although unusual, the frequency of nosocomial Gram-negative meningitis appears to be increasing. Gram-negative meningitis has been documented following disruption of the dura-arachnoid barrier secondary to trauma or surgery. The association of Gram-negative bacillary meningitis with neurosurgical procedures was first reported in the 1940's. Wolff et al. described the association between Enterobacter species and post-neurosurgical infection. More recently, risk factors for nosocomial Enterobacter meningitis have been characterized by Parodi et al. Adipose graft, as an independent risk factor has not yet been reported. A patient with acoustic neuroma resection, who developed bacterial meningitis from an abdominal fat pad graft to a mastoidectomy bed is described. A brief overview was made of post-neurosurgical Gram-negative meningitis.

Meningitis due to Enterobacter aerogenes subsequent to resection of an acoustic neuroma and abdominal fat graft to the mastoid.

Meningitis is an uncommon complication of neurosurgical procedures, with an incidence of 1.1% to 2.5%. Although unusual, the frequency of nosocomial Gram-negative meningitis appears to be increasing. Gram-negative meningitis has been documented following disruption of the dura-arachnoid barrier secondary to trauma or surgery. The association of Gram-negative bacillary meningitis with neurosurgical procedures was first reported in the 1940's. Wolff et al. described the association between Enterobacter species and post-neurosurgical infection. More recently, risk factors for nosocomial Enterobacter meningitis have been characterized by Parodi et al. Adipose graft, as an independent risk factor has not yet been reported. A patient with acoustic neuroma resection, who developed bacterial meningitis from an abdominal fat pad graft to a mastoidectomy bed is described. A brief overview was made of post-neurosurgical Gram-negative meningitis.