A new predilection site of Mycoplasma bovis: Postsurgical seromas in beef cattle.

Mycoplasma bovis is a highly contagious bacterium, which predominantly causes chronic pneumonia, otitis and arthritis in calves and mastitis in adult cattle. In humans, Mycoplasma species have been associated with post-surgical infections. The present study aimed to identify the bacteria associated with three outbreaks of infected seromas after caesarian section in Belgian Blue beef cattle. A total of 10 cases occurred in three herds which were in close proximity of each other and shared the same veterinary practice. M. bovis could be cultured from seroma fluid in five of the six referred animals, mostly in pure culture and was isolated from multiple chronic sites of infection (arthritis and mastitis) as well. DNA fingerprinting of the isolates targeting two insertion sequence elements suggested spread of M. bovis from chronic sites of infection (udder and joints) to the postsurgical seromas. Identical genetic profiles were demonstrated in two animals from two separate farms, suggesting spread between farms. Mortality rate in the referred animals positive for M. bovis in a seroma was 80% (4/5), despite intensive treatment. A massive increase in antimicrobial use was observed in every affected farm. These observations demonstrate involvement of mycoplasmas in outbreaks of postsurgical seromas in cattle.

Experience of a patient with an extracorporeal ventricular assist system who participated in a sleepover program.

A 19-year-old woman suffered fulminant myocarditis owing to a mycoplasma infection and was inserted with an intra-aortic balloon pump and a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. Antibiotics and gamma globulin were administered, however, the patient's cardiac function did not recover, and the TOYOBO ventricular assist device (VAD) was implanted. She had rehabilitation training such as maintaining a standing position at the bedside and walking in the hospital, and a hospital outing program to a family restaurant was conducted two times with the VAD. The patient wished to attend the coming-of-age ceremony in Tachikawa city, which is 3 h away from our hospital by car. Therefore, we planned the program including a night stay at her home. The patient and her family fully understood the risks and wished to participate in the sleepover program. In preparing for the sleepover, the patient and her family learned to operate the VAD, and she was able to move to the lavatory and through the house with the help of only her family. A physician and a clinical engineer stayed at her house for infusion of antibiotics and management of sudden changes. There was no adverse event. In Japan, the community support of patients with VAD is not yet established, and we hope that our experience becomes a help to support return to society for patients with VAD.

Successful treatment of post-neurosurgical intracranial Mycoplasma hominis infection using gatifloxacin.

We describe two cases of intracerebral infection with Mycoplasma hominis following neurosurgery, the first after removal of a colloid cyst, the other after a craniotomy following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Both infections were successfully treated with parenteral gatifloxacin, with ongoing clindamycin or moxifloxacin for associated osteomyelitis.

Mycoplasma felis arthritis in two cats.

This report describes the occurrence of non-weightbearing lameness caused by Mycoplasma felis monoarthritis in two, immunocompetent, European, shorthair adult cats with a suspected history of trauma. Clinical signs recurred after conservative treatment. The joints were treated surgically and M felis was identified as the causative agent for the monoarthritis. Medication with 10 mg/kg doxycycline twice daily was initiated according to susceptibility testing. One cat underwent further joint flushing after two weeks; both the cats recovered completely after eight and nine weeks, respectively. The findings suggest that M felis, in addition to being an agent associated with conjunctivitis in cats, is able to act as a pathogen in other tissues and cause arthritis even in immunocompetent cats.

[Infected ovarian vein thrombosis in infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis after cesarean section]. / Septische Ovarialvenenthrombose bei Infektion mit Ureaplasma urealyticum und Mycoplasma hominis nach Sectio caesarea.

Puerperal ovarian vein thrombophlebitis (POVT) is a rare but severe complication of the post partum period. We report on a patient, who developed a POVT based on an infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. Problems of diagnostic procedures in cases of POVT and the role of ureaplasma and mycoplasma in infectious obstetric complications are discussed.

Heart transplantation for intractable prosthetic valve endocarditis.

A 25-year-old woman with active systemic lupus erythematosus and infective endocarditis was seen initially with porcine aortic bioprosthetic stenosis, perivalvar regurgitation, and native mitral regurgitation 9 years after aortic valve replacement for lupus endocarditis. Double-valve replacement was performed with St. Jude Medical mechanical prostheses. After operation the patient developed fever and an elevated white blood cell count. One month later she had increasing mitral and aortic perivalvular regurgitation and intermittent complete heart block. At reoperation both annuli showed evidence of continued infection, and she underwent annular reconstructions with pericardium and double-valve re-replacement. Cultures grew Mycoplasma hominis. Despite long-term therapy with appropriate antibiotics, within 2 months she developed recurrent perivalvar regurgitation with congestive heart failure. Orthotopic heart transplantation was performed. The postoperative course was notable for significant leukocytosis and spontaneous culture negative hemothorax that required thoracotomy for drainage. The patient recovered and is now well 14 months after operation.

Mycoplasma hominis septic arthritis.

An unusual case is described of extragenital Mycoplasma hominis infection presenting as a septic arthritis of the hip joint in a young paraplegic girl. The few reported cases of M. hominis septic arthritis are summarized. Based on the current case and these reported cases, the etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this infection are discussed.

Mycoplasma infection of the hand acquired from a cat.

Mycoplasmas, the smallest known organism capable of a free existence, have been recognized as human pathogens for 25 years. However, a soft tissue cellulitis caused by a mycoplasma has never been reported in a human subject. This case report of a mycoplasma infection of the hand acquired from an infected cat describes the clinical presentation, operative findings, mycoplasmology, and treatment of this infection.