[CF Lung Disease - a German S3 Guideline: Module 2: Diagnostics and Treatment in Chronic Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / S3-Leitlinie: Lungenerkrankung bei Mukoviszidose ­ Modul 2: Diagnostik und Therapie bei der chronischen Infektion mit Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal-recessive genetic disease affecting approximately 8000 people in Germany. The disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene leading to dysfunction of CFTR, a transmembrane chloride channel. This defect causes insufficient hydration of the epithelial lining fluid which leads to chronic inflammation of the airways. Recurrent infections of the airways as well as pulmonary exacerbations aggravate chronic inflammation, lead to pulmonary fibrosis and tissue destruction up to global respiratory insufficiency, which is responsible for the mortality in over 90 % of patients. The main aim of pulmonary treatment in CF is to reduce pulmonary inflammation and chronic infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the most relevant pathogen in the course of CF lung disease. Colonization and chronic infection are leading to additional loss of pulmonary function. There are many possibilities to treat Pa-infection. This is a S3-clinical guideline which implements a definition for chronic Pa-infection and demonstrates evidence-based diagnostic methods and medical treatment for Pa-infection in order to give guidance for individual treatment options.

[Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Patients with Nosocomial Pneumonia - Update 2017 - S3 Guideline of the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Society for Infectious Diseases, the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the German Respiratory Society and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy, the German Radiological Society and the Society for Virology]. / Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie erwachsener Patienten mit nosokomialer Pneumonie ­ Update 2017.

Nosocomial pneumonia (HAP) is a frequent complication of hospital care. Most data are available on ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, infections on general wards are increasing. A central issue are infections with multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens which are difficult to treat in the empirical setting potentially leading to inappropriate use of antimicrobial therapy.This guideline update was compiled by an interdisciplinary group on the basis of a systematic literature review. Recommendations are made according to GRADE giving guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of HAP on the basis of quality of evidence and benefit/risk ratio.This guideline has two parts. First an update on epidemiology, spectrum of pathogens and antimicrobials is provided. In the second part recommendations for the management of diagnosis and treatment are given. New recommendations with respect to imaging, diagnosis of nosocomial viral pneumonia and prolonged infusion of antibacterial drugs have been added. The statements to risk factors for infections with MDR pathogens and recommendations for monotherapy vs combination therapy have been actualised. The importance of structured deescalation concepts and limitation of treatment duration is emphasized.

[Surveillance of antibiotic consumption : clarification of the "definition of data on the nature and extent of antibiotic consumption in hospitals according to § 23 paragraph 4 sentence 2 of the IfSG"]. / Antibiotika-Verbrauchs-Surveillance : Ausführungen und Erläuterungen zur Bekanntmachung "Festlegung der Daten zu Art und Umfang des Antibiotika-Verbrauchs in Krankenhäusern nach § 23 Abs. 4 Satz 2 IfSG"

According to § 23 paragraph 4 of the German Infection Prevention Act (IfSG; July 2011), hospitals and clinics for ambulatory surgery are obliged to establish a continuous monitoring system of antibiotic consumption. This is aimed at contributing to an optimization of antibiotic prescription practices in order to confine the development and spread of resistant pathogens. The general requirements (restricted to hospitals) on the method and extent of data collection are provided by the national public health institution after discussion with representatives of various professional societies (Robert Koch-Institut, Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 59, 2013). The article aims to clarify these specifications and to provide background details. In agreement with national and European surveillance systems, the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC)/Defined Daily Dose (DDD) classification system recommended by the WHO should be used as reference standard. Antibiotic consumption should be expressed as the number of DDDs per 100 patient days and per 100 admissions. The categories of antimicrobials and hospital organizational units to be monitored and the time intervals in which analyses should be conducted are determined. Furthermore, various approaches of data assessment are described.

[Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with nosocomial pneumonia. S-3 Guideline of the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Society for Infectious Diseases, the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the German Respiratory Society and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy]. / Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie erwachsener Patienten mit nosokomialer Pneumonie. S-3 Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin e.V., der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Infektiologie e.V., der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie e.V., der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin e.V. und der Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V.

Nosocomial pneumonia (HAP) is a frequent complication of hospital care. Most data are available on ventilator-associated pneumonia. However infections on general wards are also increasing. A central issue are infections with multi drug resistant (MDR) pathogens which are difficult to treat particularly in the empirical setting potentially leading to inappropriate use of antimicrobial therapy. This guideline was compiled by an interdisciplinary group on the basis of a systematic literature review. Recommendations are made according to GRADE giving guidance for the diagnosis and therapy of HAP on the basis of quality of evidence and benefit/risk ratio. The guideline has two parts. First an update on epidemiology, spectrum of pathogens and antiinfectives is provided. In the second part recommendations for the management of diagnosis and treatment are given. Proper microbiologic work up is emphasized for knowledge of the local patterns of microbiology and drug susceptibility. Moreover this is the optimal basis for deescalation in the individual patient. The intensity of antimicrobial therapy is guided by the risk of infections with MDR. Structured deescalation concepts and strict limitation of treatment duration should lead to reduced selection pressure.

Evaluation of the VITEK 2 AST-N111 card for detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca compared to ESBL Etests and combination disk methods.

The VITEK 2 AST-N111 card was evaluated for detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) by testing 51 ESBL positive and 50 ESBL negative isolates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and K. oxytoca. The occurrence of beta-lactamase genes was confirmed by PCR and sequencing. The advanced expert system (AES) of the VITEK 2 system achieved sensitivity and specificity values of 100% and 96.0%, respectively. The ESBL test of the VITEK 2 AST-N111 card showed a sensitivity of 92.1% and a specificity of 90.0%. Contradictory results obtained with the two VITEK 2 tools could be clarified by combination disk tests in nine of 11 isolates. The combined use of AES and ESBL tests of the AST-N111 card in association with combination disk tests in case of contradictory results seems to be a reliable method for ESBL detection.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome without skin lesions.

In childhood, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections usually present as respiratory tract disease. However, extrapulmonary manifestations can be severe but the association with M. pneumoniae might not be considered. Here two adolescents who presented with severe exudative and ulcerative stomatitis accompanied by conjunctivitis and genital erosions are reported on. The skin was unaffected. The diagnosis of an acute M. pneumoniae infection was confirmed by serology and PCR. There are only few reports about this clinical entity and its nomenclature is inconsistent. The denomination 'incomplete Stevens-Johnson syndrome' has been suggested.

Cerebral mass in a 13-year-old girl following long-term sojourn in the Tropics.

Cysticercosis of the central nervous system is the main cause of late-onset epilepsy in tropical countries. The case of a 13-year-old German girl with a generalized seizure following long-term sojourns in the Tropics is reported. Cranial imaging showed two cerebral lesions with central calcifications. Serological, molecular and cultural examination of cerebrospinal fluid and blood was negative for various parasites, fungi and bacteria including mycobacteria. Histopathological examination after neurosurgical resection revealed calcareous bodies pathognomonic for platyhelminths, in particular tapeworms. Taken together, the radiological and histopathological findings indicate infection with cysticerci, the larvae of Taenia solium.

First case of febrile bacteremia due to a wild type and small-colony variant of Escherichia coli.

Reported here is a case of a febrile illness caused by a wild type and small-colony variant of Escherichia coli in an anorectic patient. A review of the literature revealed that the formation of small-colony variants in E. coli has been recognized since 1931. In recent years, an association has been established between those variants and chronic recurrent infections. This report describes for the first time the isolation of an E. coli small-colony variant from a blood culture of a patient who had suffered from chronic urinary tract infections in the past.

Frequent detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Bell's palsy.

The cause of Bell's palsy (BP) remains unknown despite various hints to an infectious etiology. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of the respiratory tract causing pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis or pneumonia. Neurological complications are the most frequent extrapulmonary manifestation. So far, only a few case reports suggested an association between cranial nerve palsy and M. pneumoniae infection. Patients with a BP who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology or Neurology of the University of Wuerzburg between 2000 and 2002 were tested serologically for the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, herpes viruses (HSV-1/2, VZV) and M. pneumoniae. The diagnosis of mycoplasmal infection was made when at least one of the following criteria was met: a threefold rise or more in the titer of antibody of M. pneumoniae in paired sample or a microparticle agglutination assay (MAG) of > or =1:40 and the detection of IgA and/or IgM antibodies in the acute phase serum. Ninety-one consecutive patients could be included. Fifteen patients showed a reactivation of a VZV ( n=12) or of a HSV-1 ( n=3) infection. In six cases the immunoblot revealed specific antibody bands for B. burgdorferi. In 24 patients (26.4%) a seroconversion of M. pneumoniae could be detected. Only two patients complained of mild respiratory symptoms. According to our results, M. pneumoniae is frequently associated with Bell's palsy. Thus, a routine screening for this pathogen, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms, is necessary.

Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae as causative agents of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised children and adolescents.

The aim of the study presented here was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae versus Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in paediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia. A total of 50 patients (mean age, 5.5 years; median, 3.9 years) with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled. Four patients were found to have Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (1 culture positive, 1 PCR positive and 2 serology positive) and 16 patients had Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (2 PCR positive, 4 PCR and serology positive, 10 serology positive), including three patients with coinfection. The rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were 22%, 35% and 40% in children aged 1-3, >3-7 and >7 years, respectively. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was substantially less common than Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in our study cohort.

Postmortem isolation of Pseudotaeniolina globosa from a patient with aortic aneurysm.

We describe the isolation of the melanized meristematic fungus Pseudotaeniolina globosa from the aortic wall of a patient who died while undergoing surgery for aortic aneurysm and aortic valve regurgitation as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy. Meristematic fungi related to P. globosa have until now been considered as environmental saprobes found predominantly in ecological niches with low water activity. The isolate was identified by phenotypic analyses and by sequencing of the rDNA internal-transcribed spacer domain. The clinical significance of this isolation remains unclear but isolation of meristematic fungi from clinical specimen should be thoroughly evaluated in terms of their significance in future.

Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with M. pneumoniae infection-"associated" stroke.

A 36-year-old woman presented with an acute ischemic stroke and a concomitant Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection that had been proven clinically, bacteriologically, and serologically. M. pneumoniae DNA was demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid by positive nested polymerase chain reaction, and intrathecal antibody production was also detected. Contrary to previous reports about M. pneumoniae-associated stroke, most thrombostatic abnormalities in this patient occurred after stroke onset. Although the cause of stroke remains unclear in this patient, central nervous system invasion of M. pneumoniae DNA has to be considered a possible cause in rare cases of cerebral ischemia.

Lemierre's syndrome with spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Lemierre's syndrome, a systemic anaerobic infection caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection, septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular veins, sepsis, and multiple metastatic infections. It commonly leads to pulmonary parenchymal abscesses and occasionally to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, or liver or spleen abscesses. Reported here is a case of spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses that occurred as part of a classic presentation of Lemierre's syndrome. Treatment with imipenem and clindamycin was successful.

[Chronic fistulating wound infection after Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia, caused by a small colony variant of Staphylococcus aureus]. / Chronisch fistelnde Wundinfektion nach Lichtensteinreparation einer Leistenhernie, verursacht durch eine Small-colony-Variante von Staphylococcus aureus.

We report a case of chronic wound infection (abscess, fistula) after a Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia. After surgical treatment (mesh explantation), a small-colony variant (SCV) of Staphylococcus aureus was cultured microbiologically. SCV represent subpopulations of Staphylococcus aureus which are associated with chronic infections and which respond poorly to usual treatment regimes. In this case surgery and specific antibiotic treatment with flucloxacillin and rifampicin were successful.

Extensive myelitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: magnetic resonance imaging and clinical long-term follow-up.

Myelitis is a severe neurological complication associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Little is known about the extent and the reversibility of this myelitis, and reports on the value of spinal imaging are inconclusive. To obtain more information on the diagnostic and prognostic value of spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we studied the clinical course and MRI long-term follow-up of two patients with extensive myelitis associated with M. pneumoniae infection. The neuroradiological findings were correlated with the clinical extent of the spinal syndrome, but their reversibility preceded clinical improvement. These preliminary findings indicate that follow-up spinal MRI may give valuable prognostic information in cases of M. pneumoniae associated myelitis and warrant further more systematic studies to ascertain the relationship between spinal MRI findings and prognosis.

High-density vaginal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization as a risk factor for chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this case control study was to investigate the influence of genital Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two women colonized with Ureaplasma urealyticum without co-existing other infections and 123 women with negative cultures for Ureaplasma urealyticum were enrolled. In a multivariate analysis the influence of quantitative Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization level was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the negative women increasing colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum was associated with a significant decrease of birth weight (p<0.0001) and gestational age (p<0.0001) and with a significant increase of chorioamnionitis (p<0.0001) and preterm delivery (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis high-density Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization was an independent risk factor for chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery, whereas low colonization levels had no effect on an adverse outcome of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum correlates strongly with an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome.