Pulmonary Infections and Surgical Complications in a Young Girl with Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Loss-of-Function Mutation Hyperimmunoglobulin E Syndrome: A Case Report.

Introduction: Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndromes (HIESs) are characterized by a high serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, eczematoid rashes, recurrent staphylococcal skin abscesses, and recurrent pneumonia and pneumatocele formation. Autosomal dominant HIES is the most common form of HIES and mainly occurs due to loss-of-function mutations in the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) gene (STAT3 LOF). Case Presentation: We report the case of an 11-year-old Peruvian girl diagnosed with STAT3 LOF caused by p.R382W mutation. She presented with recurrent staphylococcal pneumonia and empyema caused by the rarely reported Achromobacter xylosoxidans, which led to severe destruction of the lung parenchyma, multiple lung surgeries, and the development of bronchopleural fistulas. A laparotomy was also performed, which showed evidence of sigmoid colon perforation. The patient received immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IRT) and antibiotic prophylaxis, and the frequency of her infections has decreased over the past 3 years. Conclusion: This is the first case of STAT3 LOF diagnosed by genomic sequencing in Peru. Patients with this mutation have recurrent pulmonary infections, and require multiple surgical procedures with frequent complications. A. xylosoxidans infection could be related to the prolonged stay in intensive care leading to high mortality; therefore, additional care must be taken when treating patients with this infection. In addition, colonic perforation is a rare complication in STAT3 LOF patients. IRT and antibiotic prophylaxis appear to decrease the frequency of infections and hospitalizations.

Airway exposure to Staphylococcal enterotoxin type B (SEB) enhances the number and activity of bone marrow neutrophils via the release of multiple cytokines.

BACKGROUND: The lung infections by Staphylococcus aureus are strongly associated with its ability to produce enterotoxins. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying trafficking of bone marrow (BM) neutrophils during airway inflammation induced by Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). We therefore aimed to investigate the effects of mouse airways SEB exposure on BM neutrophil counts and its adhesive properties as well as on the release of cytokines/chemokines that orchestrate BM neutrophils trafficking to lung tissue. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were intranasally exposed to SEB (1 µg), and at 4, 16 and 24 h thereafter, BM, circulating blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue were collected. BM neutrophils adhesion, MAC-1 and LFA1-α expressions (by flow cytometry) as well as measurement of cytokine and/or chemokines levels were assayed after SEB-airway exposure. RESULTS: Prior exposure to SEB promoted a marked influx of neutrophils to BAL and lung tissue, which was accompanied by increased counts of BM immature neutrophils and blood neutrophilia. BM neutrophil expressions of LFA1-α and MAC-1 were unchanged by SEB exposure whereas a significant enhancement of adhesion properties to VCAM-1 was observed. The early phase of airway SEB exposure was accompanied by high levels of GM-CSF, G-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α and KC/CXCL1, while the latter phase by the equilibrated actions of SDF1-α and MIP-2. CONCLUSION: Mouse airways exposure to SEB induces BM cytokines/chemokines release and their integrated actions enhance the adhesion of BM neutrophils leading to acute lung injury.

Prior oropharyngeal colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

This study evaluated the relationship between previous colonization of the oropharynx and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia through the classification of genomic fingerprint pattern by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of both oxacillin-resistant and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in an intensive care unit.

Prior oropharyngeal colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia

This study evaluated the relationship between previous colonization of the oropharynx and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia through the classification of genomic fingerprint pattern by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of both oxacillin-resistant and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in an intensive care unit.

Prior oropharyngeal colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia

This study evaluated the relationship between previous colonization of the oropharynx and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia through the classification of genomic fingerprint pattern by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of both oxacillin-resistant and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in an intensive care unit.

Success stories about severe pneumonia caused by Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus

We describe three cases of community-acquired necrotizing pneumonia which were caused by Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus (one of them methicillin sensitive). All cases were successfully treated without any sequelae for the patients due to the prompt initiation of adequate antimicrobial therapy. High suspicion toward this fatal pathogen was the key to the successful outcome of the patients.

Success stories about severe pneumonia caused by Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

We describe three cases of community-acquired necrotizing pneumonia which were caused by Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus (one of them methicillin sensitive). All cases were successfully treated without any sequelae for the patients due to the prompt initiation of adequate antimicrobial therapy. High suspicion toward this fatal pathogen was the key to the successful outcome of the patients.

Evidence of transmission of a Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone: a family affair.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) may represent a serious public health problem, owing to the spread of toxin-producing lineages. The presence of genes encoding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an important virulence marker, as the clinical sequelae of PVL-positive infections are often described as more severe than those of PVL-negative S. aureus infections. To date, the presence of PVL has not appeared to be common in Italy; we describe the intrafamilial transmission of an epidemic PVL-producing CA-MRSA lineage, Southwest Pacific clone (SWP). Our data suggested that the strain circulated from the father, who was recurrently affected by a soft tissue infection, to the mother, who showed nasal colonization, and to their child, who was hospitalized with symptoms of necrotizing pneumonia. In this case, we found that a recurrent skin infection that is not normally taken into account may represent a serious threat if caused by a PVL-producing strain. Our findings may have considerable implications for strategies for infection control and treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections.

Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad: una nueva amenaza / Community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus: A new threat

Objetivos: Conocer la frecuencia de Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad (SAMR-AC) en neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC); examinar sus características clínicas - evolutivas y analizar factores de riesgo. Pacientes, material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, realizado en una unidad de cuidados intensivos respiratorios entre 2006 y 2012. Resultados: Se evaluaron 180 pacientes con NAC con diagnóstico etiológico. Etiologías más frecuentes: Streptococcus pneumoniae (50.5%), Haemophillus influenzae (18.3%) ySAMR-AC (12.2%, 22 casos). La neumonía por SAMR-AC se presentó en individuos jóvenes, mayoritariamente hombres. En el 81.8% de los casos el foco primario fue infección de piel y estructuras relacionadas (IPER), 95.4% presentó criterios clínicos de sepsis, 72.7% tuvo compromiso radiológico bilateral y 45.5% desarrolló derrame pleural. El 40.9% requirió ventilación mecánica y el 45.4% utilizó drogas vasoactivas. El 81.8% de los pacientes no alcanzó criterios de estabilidad clínica al cabo de la primer semana y la mortalidad fue del 36.3%, significativamente superior al resto de los microorganismos (8.8%, p<0,001). Los factores clínicos asociados con mayor riesgo de SAMR-AC fueron la presencia de IPER concomitante, compromiso radiológico bilateral, presencia de criterios clínicos de sepsis, edad inferior a 30 años y requerimiento de drogas vasoactivas. Los factores que se asociaron con mortalidad en NAC fueron la etiología por SAMR-AC y el compromiso radiológico bilateral. Conclusiones: La neumonía por SAMR-AC es una patología emergente, asociada a elevada morbimortalidad. Debe ser considerada en pacientes jóvenes, con presencia concomitante de IPER, compromiso radiológico bilateral, criterios clínicos de sepsis o necesidad de drogas vasoactivas. (AU)

Objectives: To know the incidence of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by Methicillin Resistant Sthaphylococcus aureus (MRSA), to examine their clinical and developmental characteristics and to analyze risk factors. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and observational study carried out at a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, between 2006 and 2012. Results: 180 patients with etiologic diagnosis of CAP were evaluated. The most common causes were Streptococcus pneumoniae (50.5%), Haemophillus influenzae (18.3%) and MRSA (12.2%, 22 cases). Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) pneumonia was present in young people, especially in male. In 81.8% of the cases, skin and related structure infections (SRSI) were the primary focus, 95.4% presented clinical criteria of sepsis, 72.7% had bilateral radiology involvement and 45.5% developed pleural effusion. 40.9% needed mechanical ventilation and 45.4% used vasoactive drugs. Clinical stability at the first week was not reached in 81.8% and mortality rate was 36.6%, significantly higher than for pneumonia caused by other microorganisms (8.8% p<0,001). Clinical factors related with high risk of CA-MRSA pneumonia were the concomitant presence of SRSI, bilateral radiology involvement, clinical criteria of sepsis, age <30 years old and need for vasoactive drugs. Factors related to CAP mortality were CA-MRSA aetiology and bilateral radiology involvement. Conclusions: CA-MRSA pneumonia is an emergent disease with high morbidity and mortality. It must be considered in young patients, with SRSI, bilateral radiology involvement, clinical criteria of sepsis or intake of vasoactive drugs. (AU)

Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad: una nueva amenaza / Community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus: A new threat

Objetivos: Conocer la frecuencia de Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad (SAMR-AC) en neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC); examinar sus características clínicas - evolutivas y analizar factores de riesgo. Pacientes, material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, realizado en una unidad de cuidados intensivos respiratorios entre 2006 y 2012. Resultados: Se evaluaron 180 pacientes con NAC con diagnóstico etiológico. Etiologías más frecuentes: Streptococcus pneumoniae (50.5%), Haemophillus influenzae (18.3%) ySAMR-AC (12.2%, 22 casos). La neumonía por SAMR-AC se presentó en individuos jóvenes, mayoritariamente hombres. En el 81.8% de los casos el foco primario fue infección de piel y estructuras relacionadas (IPER), 95.4% presentó criterios clínicos de sepsis, 72.7% tuvo compromiso radiológico bilateral y 45.5% desarrolló derrame pleural. El 40.9% requirió ventilación mecánica y el 45.4% utilizó drogas vasoactivas. El 81.8% de los pacientes no alcanzó criterios de estabilidad clínica al cabo de la primer semana y la mortalidad fue del 36.3%, significativamente superior al resto de los microorganismos (8.8%, p<0,001). Los factores clínicos asociados con mayor riesgo de SAMR-AC fueron la presencia de IPER concomitante, compromiso radiológico bilateral, presencia de criterios clínicos de sepsis, edad inferior a 30 años y requerimiento de drogas vasoactivas. Los factores que se asociaron con mortalidad en NAC fueron la etiología por SAMR-AC y el compromiso radiológico bilateral. Conclusiones: La neumonía por SAMR-AC es una patología emergente, asociada a elevada morbimortalidad. Debe ser considerada en pacientes jóvenes, con presencia concomitante de IPER, compromiso radiológico bilateral, criterios clínicos de sepsis o necesidad de drogas vasoactivas.

Objectives: To know the incidence of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by Methicillin Resistant Sthaphylococcus aureus (MRSA), to examine their clinical and developmental characteristics and to analyze risk factors. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, descriptive and observational study carried out at a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, between 2006 and 2012. Results: 180 patients with etiologic diagnosis of CAP were evaluated. The most common causes were Streptococcus pneumoniae (50.5%), Haemophillus influenzae (18.3%) and MRSA (12.2%, 22 cases). Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) pneumonia was present in young people, especially in male. In 81.8% of the cases, skin and related structure infections (SRSI) were the primary focus, 95.4% presented clinical criteria of sepsis, 72.7% had bilateral radiology involvement and 45.5% developed pleural effusion. 40.9% needed mechanical ventilation and 45.4% used vasoactive drugs. Clinical stability at the first week was not reached in 81.8% and mortality rate was 36.6%, significantly higher than for pneumonia caused by other microorganisms (8.8% p<0,001). Clinical factors related with high risk of CA-MRSA pneumonia were the concomitant presence of SRSI, bilateral radiology involvement, clinical criteria of sepsis, age <30 years old and need for vasoactive drugs. Factors related to CAP mortality were CA-MRSA aetiology and bilateral radiology involvement. Conclusions: CA-MRSA pneumonia is an emergent disease with high morbidity and mortality. It must be considered in young patients, with SRSI, bilateral radiology involvement, clinical criteria of sepsis or intake of vasoactive drugs.

A severe pneumonia due to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus clone USA 300: implications of vertical transmission.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen in both community and healthcare associated pneumonia. We describe a case of severe pneumonia caused by the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone USA 300 in a 44-year old post-partum woman and the subsequent vertical transmission of this virulent organism to her neonate.

A severe pneumonia due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone USA 300: implications of vertical transmission / Pulmonía severa debido al clon USA 300 del estafilococo dorado resistente a la meticilina: implicaciones de la transmisión vertical

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen in both community and healthcare associated pneumonia. We describe a case of severe pneumonia caused by the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clone USA 300 in a 44-year old post-partum woman and the subsequent vertical transmission of this virulent organism to her neonate.

El estafilococo dorado (Staphylococcus aureus) es un patógeno importante tanto en la atención a las comunidades como en el cuidado de la salud en relación con la pulmonía. Se describe un caso de pneumonia severa causada por el clon USA 300 del estafilococo dorado resistente a la meticilina (EDRM) en una mujer de 44 anos en periodo de post-parto, y la posterior transmisión vertical de este virulento organismo a su neonato.

Management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Staphylococcus aureus, and particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasingly important etiology of pneumonia, both in healthcare and community settings. Associated with highest morbidity, mortality and costs in public health, it represents a major challenge for the management of this group of patients. RECENT FINDINGS: MRSA is one of the most common pathogens of ventilator associated pneumonia, whereas its estimated incidence for hospital acquired pneumonia, healthcare associated pneumonia and community acquired pneumonia has risen in the past decades. Although vancomycin at standard doses remains as the mainstay for its treatment, the increasing rate of treatment failure has prompted other strategies of use (more frequent administration, continuous infusion, combination therapy), and the use of newer antimicrobials, particularly linezolid, with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles which produce promisingly improved clinical results. SUMMARY: Overall, MRSA is an important cause of pneumonia; optimal management strategies for improving morbidity and mortality are still under development.

[Sepsis due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in southern Brazil]. / Sepse por Staphylococus aureus resistente à meticilina adquirida na comunidade no sul do Brasil.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was initially described as a typical microorganism acquired in nosocomial infections. However, over recent years, community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been a cause of skin and soft-tissue infections. Serious infections such as pneumonia and sepsis can also occur. This report describes a case of sepsis in a child that was complicated by pneumonia secondary to soft tissue lesions that were due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in southern Brazil. The patient was attended at the Emergency Unit with a history of injury caused by lower-limb trauma that evolved to cellulitis, pneumonia and sepsis.

[Necrotizing pneumonia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]. / Pneumonia necrotizante por Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina.

The aim of this study was to describe a case of necrotizing pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The sample was isolated from a blood culture collected less than 48 hours after hospital admission. The patient had been healthy until the infectious process started. The isolate had the mecA gene with "staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec" (SCCmec) type IVa. The possibility that Staphylococcus aureus harboring this genetic determinant might be present in our setting should be considered in situations of severe pneumonia within the community.

Sepse por Staphylococus aureus resistente à meticilina adquirida na comunidade no sul do Brasil / Sepsis due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in southern Brazil

Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina foi inicialmente descrito como um típico microrganismo adquirido em infecções nosocomiais. No entanto, nos últimos anos Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina adquirido na comunidade é causa de infecções de pele e tecidos moles, mas infecções graves como pneumonia e sepse podem ocorrer. Este relato descreve um caso de sepse em criança, complicado com pneumonia secundária a lesão em partes moles por Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina adquirido na comunidade no Sul do Brasil. O paciente foi atendido em Unidade de Emergência com história de ferimento provocado por trauma em membro inferior que evoluiu para celulite, pneumonia e sepse.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was initially described as a typical microorganism acquired in nosocomial infections. However, over recent years, community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been a cause of skin and soft-tissue infections. Serious infections such as pneumonia and sepsis can also occur. This report describes a case of sepsis in a child that was complicated by pneumonia secondary to soft tissue lesions that were due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in southern Brazil. The patient was attended at the Emergency Unit with a history of injury caused by lower-limb trauma that evolved to cellulitis, pneumonia and sepsis.

Pneumonia necrotizante por Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina / Necrotizing pneumonia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever um caso de pneumonia necrotizante por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina. A amostra foi isolada em hemocultura coletada menos de 48 horas da admissão hospitalar. A paciente era previamente hígida quando do início do processo infeccioso. O isolado possuía o gene mecA, com "staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec" tipo IVa". A presença de Staphylococcus aureus carreando esse determinante genético em nosso meio deve ser considerada em pneumonias comunitárias graves.

The aim of this study was to describe a case of necrotizing pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The sample was isolated from a blood culture collected less than 48 hours after hospital admission. The patient had been healthy until the infectious process started. The isolate had the mecA gene with "staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec" (SCCmec) type IVa. The possibility that Staphylococcus aureus harboring this genetic determinant might be present in our setting should be considered in situations of severe pneumonia within the community.

[Necrotizing pneumonia by community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Colombia]. / Neumonía necrosante por Staphylococcus aureus extrahospitalario resistente a la meticilina: reporte de dos casos en Colombia.

The emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) as a cause of severe infections has been described in the recent years. In 2006, the first report of skin and soft tissue infection by CA-MRSA was published in Colombia. Herein, two additional cases of CA-MRSA are reported with a clinical course characterized by rapid progression, prolonged stay in the intensive care unit and complication of pneumonia with the onset of empyema. Both adult patients developed acute renal failure, and were treated with linezolide; the subsequent clinical response showed adequate treatment response. Molecular characterization of the isolates indicated the presence of the mecA gene carrying the cassette SCCmec type IV and the production of the toxin panton-valentine leukocidin.

Risk factors and evolution of Ventilator-associated pneumonia by Staphylococcus aureus sensitive or resistant to oxacillin in patients at the intensive care unit of a Brazilian University Hospital

This study investigated the participation and risk factors of VAP by resistant (ORSA) or sensitive (OSSA) S. aureus to oxacillin and evaluated the implications of adequate or inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapeutics in its evolution in patients interned in a mixing ICU of adults. A patient control-case study with PAVs by ORSA and OSSA was carried out from May 2005 to April 2007 involving 993 patients. VAP was defined based on clinical, radiological, and microbiological (> 106 CFU/mL count in the tracheal aspirate) criteria. Four hundred and seventy four (47.7 percent) patients were submitted to mechanical ventilation with 141 (29.7 percent) VAPs, with S. aureus as the most frequent agent (41.2 percent). The phenotype ORSA accounted for 47.5 percent and OSSA for 52.5 percent, predominant in late-onset VAPs with frequencies of 93.1 percent and 68.7 percent, respectively. Age > 60, use of corticoid and previous antibiotic therapy were related (p<0.05) with the development of VAP by ORSA. Mortality rate was higher (p>0.05) in the group with VAP by ORSA (37.9 percent). S. aureus was the main agent of VAPs, around half by ORSA, associated with age, late-onset VAP development and previous use of antibiotics and corticoids, but with no significant difference in mortality compared with VAP by OSSA.

Risk factors and evolution of ventilator-associated pneumonia by Staphylococcus aureus sensitive or resistant to oxacillin in patients at the intensive care unit of a Brazilian university hospital.

This study investigated the participation and risk factors of VAP by resistant (ORSA) or sensitive (OSSA) S. aureus to oxacillin and evaluated the implications of adequate or inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapeutics in its evolution in patients interned in a mixing ICU of adults. A patient control-case study with PAVs by ORSA and OSSA was carried out from May 2005 to April 2007 involving 993 patients. VAP was defined based on clinical, radiological, and microbiological (>or= 10(6) CFU/mL count in the tracheal aspirate) criteria. Four hundred and seventy four (47.7%) patients were submitted to mechanical ventilation with 141 (29.7%) VAPs, with S. aureus as the most frequent agent (41.2%). The phenotype ORSA accounted for 47.5% and OSSA for 52.5%, predominant in late-onset VAPs with frequencies of 93.1% and 68.7%, respectively. Age > 60, use of corticoid and previous antibiotic therapy were related (p<0.05) with the development of VAP by ORSA. Mortality rate was higher (p>0.05) in the group with VAP by ORSA (37.9%). S. aureus was the main agent of VAPs, around half by ORSA, associated with age, late-onset VAP development and previous use of antibiotics and corticoids, but with no significant difference in mortality compared with VAP by OSSA.