Comparison of the effectiveness of ceftobiprole and vancomycin in a rabbit model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus induced meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial meningitis may occur after procedures affecting the central nervous system or following traumatic injury. The causative infectious organism is commonly Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive bacterium. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two antibacterial agents, ceftobiprole and vancomycin in an animal model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meningitis. METHOD: The strain of MRSA used was ATCC 43300. The animals were divided into three groups and infected intracisternally with MRSA. Controls received no antibiotherapy while the ceftobiprole group received 25 mg/kg and the vancomycin group received 20 mg/kg intravenously. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected at three time points. All animals were euthanased at 73 hours after start of treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between both treatment groups and the control animals at 24 hours (drug trough) and 73 hours (one hour after third dose) after start of treatment in terms of CSF bacterial levels. At 73 hours there was a significant difference in survival between the control group and the two treatment groups but no difference between the treated animal survival rates. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, intravenous treatment with ceftobiprole and vancomycin appears to be equally effective in a rabbit model of MRSA meningitis.

The identification of risk factors and outcomes of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections caused by carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria in children: a retrospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections caused by gram-negative bacteria are difficult to treat given the limited treatment options and the emergence of carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with CSF shunt and external ventricular drain (EVD) infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, to identify the risk factors for acquiring CR CSF shunt infections, and to report on the clinical outcomes of these infections. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate pediatric patients with CSF shunt and EVD infections caused by gram-negative bacteria between January 2013 and February 2023. RESULTS: A total of 64 episodes in 50 patients were evaluated. There were 45 (70.3%) CSF shunt infections and 19 (29.7%) EVD infections. The median (range) ages were 1.4 years (9 months-17.5 years) for CSF shunt infection patients and 4.2 years (1 month-17 years) for EVD infection patients. The most common isolated gram-negative bacteria species in CSF shunt infections were Pseudomonas spp. (12, 26.7%), followed by Escherichia coli (11, 24.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9, 20%), and Enterobacter cloacae (5, 11.1%). In EVD infections, the most common isolated gram-negative bacteria species were Acinetobacter spp. (6, 31.6%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (4, 21.1%) and E. coli (3, 15.8%). The carbapenem resistance rate was 26.3% (n = 5) in EVD infections and 26.2% (n = 11) in CSF shunt infections. When risk factors for carbapenem resistance were evaluated for CSF shunt infections, prior carbapenem treatment and a prolonged hospital stay > 7 days were risk factors for the CR group (p = 0.032 and p = 0.042, respectively). In definitive treatment, colistin was statistically more commonly used in the CR group (p = 0.049). When outcomes were evaluated, the 30-day mortality rate (18.2% vs 0%) was higher in the CR group, without a significant difference (p = 0.064). CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged hospital stay > 7 days and prior carbapenem exposure within 30 days were associated with CR shunt infections caused by gram-negative bacteria.

The Effect of Preoperative Three Dimensional Modeling and Simulation on Outcome of Intracranial Aneursym Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) printing in vascular surgery is trending and is useful for the visualisation of intracranial aneurysms for both surgeons and trainees. The 3D models give the surgeon time to practice before hand and plan the surgery accordingly. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of preoperative planning with 3D printing models of aneurysms in terms of surgical time and patient outcomes. METHODS: Forty patients were prospectively enrolled in this study and divided into two groups : groups I and II. In group I, only the angiograms were studied before surgery. Solid 3D modelling was performed only for group II before the operation and was studied accordingly. All surgeries were performed by the same senior vascular neurosurgeon. Demographic data, surgical data, both preoperative and postoperative modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores, and Glasgow outcome scores (GOS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The average time of surgery was shorter in group II, and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p<0.001). However, no major differences were found for the GOS, hospitalisation time, or mRS. CONCLUSION: This study is the first prospective study of the utility of 3D aneurysm models. We show that 3D models are useful in surgery preparation. In the near future, these models will be used widely to educate trainees and pre-plan surgical options for senior surgeons.

A rare central nervous system tumor of childhood with spongiform appearance on brain magnetic resonance imaging; primary diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis.

Primary diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis is a rare fatal tumor of childhood. Symptoms usually occur when the tumor causes hydrocephalus. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be nearly normal in the early stages of the disease, while hydrocephalus and multiple leptomeningeal cysts with spongiform appearance may appear later on. One may consider the diagnosis when radiologic findings become apparent with multiple leptomeningeal cysts. However, failure to recognize the imaging findings due to the rarity of the disease may delay the diagnosis. Here, we report a 3.5-year-old girl who presented with ataxia and vomiting and had a diagnosis of primary diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor with remarkable brain MRI findings as diffuse multiple tiny cystic lesions on the brain and spinal cord. She benefited from radiotherapy and temozolomide treatment with remission of brain MRI findings. Increasing the number of reported cases will enable the elucidation of the disease's pathogenesis and the development of treatment protocols.

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors of childhood: Ege University experience.

BACKGROUND: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are rare, low-grade tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) of childhood. It is an important cause of intractable epilepsy, and it is surgically curable. We aimed to review our institutional experience with DNET in children. METHODS: Medical records of children aged less than 18 years of age diagnosed with DNET between 2009 and 2020 at Ege University Hospital were reviewed. Clinical features of the patients including age, gender, initial symptoms, duration of symptoms, medical treatments, age at the time of surgery, tumor location, degree of surgical resection, and outcome of the patients were documented. RESULTS: We reviewed the records of 17 patients with DNETs. Twelve of them were male (70%), 5 of them female (30%). The median age was 11 years (19 months-17 years). The major symptom was a seizure in all of the patients. Thirteen patients presented with complex partial seizures, whereas 2 had a simple partial seizure, and 2 generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Seven patients had drug resistant epilepsy and had received at least two anti-epileptic drugs before surgery. The median duration of symptoms was 6.6 months (0-48 months). In surgery, total surgical resection was performed in 15 patients, and 2 patients underwent partial resection. From these 15 patients, seven patients underwent lesionectomy of the tumor while the other eight patients had extended lesionectomy. The mean follow-up time was 107 months (54-144 months), the seizure control was achieved in 14 patients (82.4%) after surgery, but 3 patients experienced tumor recurrence in the follow-up. CONCLUSION: In DNETs, the complete total resection of the lesion is generally associated with seizure-free outcomes. In the patients with partial resection and lesionectomy, MRI follow-up is recommended for recurrence.

A rare central nervous system tumor of childhood with spongiform appearance on brain magnetic resonance imaging; primary diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis.

Primary diffuse leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomatosis is a rare fatal tumor of childhood. Symptoms usually occur when the tumor causes hydrocephalus. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be nearly normal in the early stages of the disease, while hydrocephalus and multiple leptomeningeal cysts with spongiform appearance may appear later on. One may consider the diagnosis when radiologic findings become apparent with multiple leptomeningeal cysts. However, failure to recognize the imaging findings due to the rarity of the disease may delay the diagnosis. Here, we report a 3.5-year-old girl who presented with ataxia and vomiting and had a diagnosis of primary diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor with remarkable brain MRI findings as diffuse multiple tiny cystic lesions on the brain and spinal cord. She benefited from radiotherapy and temozolomide treatment with remission of brain MRI findings. Increasing the number of reported cases will enable the elucidation of the disease's pathogenesis and the development of treatment protocols.

Ceftaroline versus vancomycin in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an experimental MRSA meningitis model.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial activity of ceftaroline versus vancomycin in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meningitis in an experimental rabbit meningitis model. METHODS: The antibacterial activity of ceftaroline was compared with vancomycin in the treatment of meningitis induced by MRSA strain ATCC 43300 in an experimental rabbit meningitis model. Quantitative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were performed at the beginning of antibiotic treatment and 24h and 73h after the first antibiotic dose. Furthermore, in vitro time-kill data were investigated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24h in sterile human serum. RESULTS: The difference between the control group versus both treatment groups was significant when comparing the decrease in colony counts in CSF both at 24h and 73h after the first antibiotic dose (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, there was a significant difference in survival between both the ceftaroline-treated group and the vancomycin-treated group versus the control group, but not between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the antibacterial activity of both ceftaroline and vancomycin are similar in the treatment of MRSA meningitis in an experimental rabbit meningitis model.

Brain Abscess in Children: A Rare but Serious Infection.

Brain abscess is a rare disease in childhood requiring prompt medical and/or surgical treatment. The objective was to review presentation, management, and outcome of brain abscess in children. We reviewed the clinical and radiological features and outcomes of 18 children (10 females, 8 males), with a median age of 48 months (range 1-182), that presented with brain abscesses and admitted to a tertiary pediatric infectious department between December 2010 and January 2017. One (5.5%) patient underwent craniotomy and 14 (77.7%) had burr hole aspirations. The most common localization was the frontal lobe (33.3%). The survival rate was 94.4%, and long-term neurological sequelae affected 27.7% of the patients. Empiric treatment choices require knowledge of common pathogens and local resistance. The most predominant infections were still upper respiratory infections. Clinicians may treat the children with appropriate choice and duration of antibiotic treatment for upper respiratory tract infections.

Investigation of efficacy of mitomycin-C, sodium hyaluronate and human amniotic fluid in preventing epidural fibrosis and adhesion using a rat laminectomy model.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evalute the effects of mitomycin-C, sodium hyaluronate and human amniotic fluid on preventing spinal epidural fibrosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The role of scar tissue in pain formation is not exactly known, but it is reported that scar tissue causes adhesions between anatomic structures. Intensive fibrotic tissue compresses on anatomic structures and increases the sensitivity of the nerve root for recurrent herniation and lateral spinal stenosis via limiting movements of the root. Also, neuronal atrophy and axonal degeneration occur under scar tissue. METHODS: The study design included 4 groups of rats: group 1 was the control group, groups 2, 3, and 4 receieved antifibrotic agents, mitomycin-C (group 2), sodium hyaluronate (group 3), and human amniotic fluid (group 4). Midline incision for all animals were done on L5 for total laminectomy. Four weeks after the surgery, the rats were sacrificed and specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and photos of the slides were taken for quantitive assesment of the scar tissue. RESULTS: There was no significant scar tissue in the experimental animals of groups 2, 3, and 4. It was found that there was no significant difference between drug groups, but there was a statistically significant difference between the drug groups and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study shows that implantation of mitomycin-C, sodium hyaluronate and human amniotic fluid reduces epidural fibrosis and adhesions after spinal laminectomy in rat models. Further studies in humans are needed to determine the complications of the agents researched.

Effects of the hippocampal deep brain stimulation on cortical epileptic discharges in penicillin - induced epilepsy model in rats.

AIM: Experimental and clinical studies have revealed that hippocampal DBS can control epileptic activity, but the mechanism of action is obscure and optimal stimulation parameters are not clearly defined. The aim was to evaluate the effects of high frequency hippocampal stimulation on cortical epileptic activity in penicillin-induced epilepsy model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted DBS electrodes. In group-1 (n=10) hippocampal DBS was off and in the group-2 (n=10) hippocampal DBS was on (185 Hz, 0.5V, 1V, 2V, and 5V for 60 sec) following penicillin G injection intracortically. In the control group hippocampal DBS was on following 8 µl saline injection intracortically. EEG recordings were obtained before and 15 minutes following penicillin-G injection, and at 10th minutes following each stimulus for analysis in terms of frequency, amplitude, and power spectrum. RESULTS: High frequency hippocampal DBS suppressed the acute penicillin-induced cortical epileptic activity independent from stimulus intensity. In the control group, hippocampal stimulation alone lead only to diffuse slowing of cerebral bioelectrical activity at 5V stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that continuous high frequency stimulation of the hippocampus suppressed acute cortical epileptic activity effectively without causing secondary epileptic discharges. These results are important in terms of defining the optimal parameters of hippocampal DBS in patients with epilepsy.