Persistent Cutibacterium (Formerly Propionibacterium) acnes Bacteremia and Refractory Endocarditis in a Patient with Retained Implantable Pacemaker Leads.

Cutibacterium (formerly Propionibacterium) acnes (C. acnes) is a commensal bacteria commonly found on the human skin and in the mouth. While the virulence of C. acnes is low in humans, it does produce a biofilm and has been identified as an etiologic agent in a growing number of implant-associated infections. C. acnes infections can prove diagnostically challenging as laboratory cultures can often take greater than 5 days to yield positive results, which are then often disregarded as contaminant. Patients with recurrent bacteremia in the setting of implantable devices warrant further studies to evaluate for an associated valvular or lead endocarditis. The patient in this report demonstrates how cardiac device-related endocarditis secondary to C. acnes can be overlooked due to the indolent nature of this pathogen. This patient presented with an implanted cardiac pacemaker device, as well as retained leads from a prior pacemaker. Transesophageal echocardiography was required to confirm the diagnosis in the setting of multiple positive blood cultures and negative transthoracic echocardiograms over a period of 4 years. The purpose of this report is to highlight the difficulties encountered in diagnosing C. acnes endocarditis in a patient with a cardiac implantable electronic device and persistently positive blood cultures.

Peritonsillar abscess: an unlikely cause of necrotizing fasciitis.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a devastating polymicrobial soft tissue infection characterized by gas formation and extensive necrosis of subcutaneous fat and fascia with extension to skin and muscle. Involvement of the head and neck is rare and is typically dental in origin. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, mortality rates for this disease remain high. We report a successfully treated case of necrotizing fasciitis arising from a peritonsillar abscess. Review of the literature reveals only 6 other cases, with 3 successful outcomes. Early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and aggressive surgical debridement are the cornerstones of therapy. The pathophysiology is typically a mixed aerobic and anaerobic infection. Supportive treatment options such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and high-calorie supplemental nutrition may be of benefit. A comprehensive literature review of craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis is presented. Factors associated with poor outcomes include diabetes mellitus, mediastinitis, cardiovascular disease, and peritonsillar abscess.

Teicoplanin in the treatment of bone and joint infections. Teicoplanin Bone and Joint Cooperative Study Group, USA.

Teicoplanin is a new glycopeptide antibiotic with activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant organisms. Teicoplanin is administered once daily, either intravenously or intramuscularly. Teicoplanin was given once daily, intravenously or intramuscularly, in the treatment of hospitalized or ambulatory patients with Gram-positive bone or joint infections. A total of 90/98 patients were evaluated for efficacy; 41 had acute osteomyelitis, 41 had chronic osteomyelitis, and 8 had septic arthritis. At the end of therapy, 37 acute osteomyelitis patients were cured/improved with a 90% cure rate at 6-month follow-up; 2 relapsed and 1 failed. At the end of therapy 30 chronic osteomyelitis patients were cured/improved with an 88% cure rate at 6-month follow-up; 2 relapsed and 1 failed. 100% of the septic arthritis patients were cured at the end of therapy and at 1-month follow-up. The most common bacterial isolates cultured from bone were S. aureus (39 isolates), S. epidermidis (11 isolates), other coagulase-negative staphylococci (20 isolates), enterococci (6 isolates), and other streptococcal species (20 isolates). The most common bacterial isolates cultured from joint fluid were S. aureus (6 isolates) and S. epidermidis (2 isolates). All patients tolerated the intramuscular or intravenous routes of administration well. Adverse reactions were mild and most cases did not require discontinuation of therapy. The majority of therapy was administered on an outpatient basis. Teicoplanin was safe, effective, convenient and relatively well tolerated in patients with acute or chronic osteomyelitis or septic arthritis.

Community-based plan for treating human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals sponsored by local medical societies and an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome service organization.

Individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus frequently experience difficulty finding medical care from private physicians. Fear of occupational exposure, prejudice, lack of knowledge, and financial loss have all been cited as reasons for the reluctance of primary care physicians to accept patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome into their practices. To meet the medical needs of all patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, this Virginia community adopted a voluntary rotational referral plan to provide primary care for all such individuals. The program required the cooperation of a voluntary pool of internists and family practitioners and an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome service organization with a volunteer physician advisor to coordinate referrals of unassigned patients. No physician received more than three referrals per year. During the 2 years of operation, 118 referrals were made to 30 physicians. Regular educational seminars were provided with medical updates and consultation support was provided. This locally based program appears to be meeting the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome challenge in this community and may have applicability to other communities as well.