When infection mimics cauda equina syndrome: a cautionary tale.

A 63-year-old man presented to the emergency department with low back pain, perineal and genital numbness, together with bilateral lower limb paraesthesia and urinary retention. He was admitted under the orthopaedic service for investigation of suspected cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of his spine did not reveal any evidence of cauda equina compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of his brain demonstrated nonspecific multiple hyperintensities in the right frontotemporal and left temporo-occipital regions. Computed tomography of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis did not identify any evidence of malignancy. Cerebrospinal fluid from a lumbar puncture showed a high leucocyte count (predominantly lymphocytes). Viral cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction was positive for varicella zoster virus. A diagnosis of varicella zoster virus myeloradiculitis (Elsberg syndrome) was established and the patient was treated with intravenous aciclovir. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to a devastating intracerebral haemorrhage during his inpatient stay, probably due to vasculopathy from the underlying varicella zoster virus infection. This case describes a rare infectious mimic of cauda equina syndrome. Elsberg syndrome is an infectious syndrome characterised by bilateral lumbosacral myeloradiculitis, with varicella zoster virus being a well-recognised aetiological agent. We discuss the relevant literature in detail and identify the key, cautionary lessons learned from this case.

Dysbiosis of urine microbiota in obstructive urinary retention patients revealed by next-generation sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Urinary retention (UR) is a common urinary system disease can be caused by urinary tract obstruction with numerous reasons, however, the role of urine microbes in these disorders is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify the urine microbial features of two common types of obstructive UR, caused by urinary stones or urinary tract tumors, with comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from a cohort of 32 individuals with stone UR, 25 subjects with tumor UR and 25 healthy controls. The urine microbiome of all samples was analyzed using high-throughput 16S rRNA (16S ribosomal RNA) gene sequencing. RESULTS: We observed dramatically increased urine microbial richness and diversity in both obstructive UR groups compared to healthy controls. Despite different origins of UR, bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Sphingomonas were enriched, while Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Gardnerella, Prevotella and Atopobium were decreased in both UR groups in comparison with healthy controls, exhibited an approximate urine microbial community and functional characteristics of two types of obstructive UR. Furthermore, disease classifiers were constructed using specific enriched genera in UR, which can distinguish stone UR or tumor UR patients from healthy controls with an accuracy of 92.29% and 97.96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We presented comprehensive microbial landscapes of two common types of obstructive urinary retention and demonstrated that urine microbial features of these patients are significantly different from that of healthy people. The urine microbial signatures would shed light on the pathogenesis of these types of urinary retention and might be used as potential classification tools in the future.

An AIDS patient with urine retention.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal prostatitis is a rare clinical disease and has never been reported in China. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a male HIV-infected patient with pulmonary and prostate cryptococcosis that was misdiagnosed (as tuberculosis) and delayed diagnosed. Although the patients accepted anti-fungal treatment and anti-retroviral treatment finally, the physician's mistakes reflect the rarity of this condition in China. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal prostatitis is a rare disease that unusually presents in immunodeficient patients. Physicians should have a heightened awareness of this particular infection in the immunodeficient population.

Catheter-associated bacterial flora in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: shift in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

BACKGROUND: Men with urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are prone to genitourinary infections. Physicians should be aware of the current antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in this population if empirical treatment is needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate variations in prevalence, composition and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial flora in men with indwelling catheters subjected to surgery for BPH in chosen time periods since 1994. Necessary changes in empirical therapy were also assessed. METHODS: All patients with indwelling catheters admitted to a single urological center for BPH surgery in the years 1994-1996, 2004-2006, and 2011-2015 were considered. Catheterization times and results of urine cultures from samples collected at admission were evaluated. Susceptibility for selected antimicrobials was compared separately for Gram negative and Gram positive species. For each agent and for their combinations effectiveness of empirical therapy was calculated dividing the number of patients with bacteriuria susceptible to the agents by the total number of patients with bacteriuria. RESULTS: Bacteriuria was present in 70% of 169, 72% of 132, and 69% of 156 men in the respective time periods. The incidence of Gram-positive strains increased from 10 to 37% (P < 0.001). Their susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate was fluctuating (81, 61, 77%; P=NS). No vancomycin-resistant strain was present. Gram-negative flora composition was stable. Their susceptibility decreased to ciprofloxacin (70 to 53%; P = 0.01) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (56 to 37%; P < 0.01) while it increased to gentamycin (64 to 88%; P < 0.001) and co-trimoxazole (14 to 62%; P < 0.001); susceptibility to amikacin remained high (> 85%). Only two cases of resistance to carbapenems in 2004-2006 were found. In vitro effectiveness of amikacin + amoxicillin/clavulanate in empirical therapy was slowly decreasing (87 to 77%; P=NS). Imipenem was found the most effective single agent (90-95%) and its efficacy was even improved by adding vancomycin (97-98%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial rise in the incidence of Gram-positive species and fluctuations in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were found. Empirical therapy of genitourinary infection in catheterized men with BPH should now involve antimicrobial agents effective both to Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae. Periodic monitoring and publishing data on antimicrobial susceptibility for this population is necessary.

Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis Presenting with Acute Urinary Retention and Emphysematous Cystitis.

A combination of acute urinary retention and aseptic meningitis has occasionally been described, which is referred to as meningitis-retention syndrome. In contrast, acute urinary retention has rarely been reported in bacterial meningitis. We herein report a case of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis presenting with acute urinary retention which led to emphysematous cystitis in an elderly woman. She presented with impaired consciousness and a distended lower abdomen. She was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis by lumbar puncture. Abdominal computed tomography revealed the presence of emphysematous cystitis. She completely recovered with antibiotic therapy without any complications. Acute urinary retention can occur secondary to pneumococcal meningitis.

[Acute urinary retention in a young woman with Lyme borreliosis].

Acute urinary retention (AUR) in females is a rare condition (annual incidence 3-7/100,000/year). In the past AUR was considered to be of psychogenic origin. Today diagnostic tools have improved and aetiologic factors for AUR are more easily diagnosed and managed. Causes of AUR can be of infectious, pharmacological, neurological, anatomical, myopathic and functional origin. We report a case of a woman aged 34 who presented with AUR caused by Lyme borreliosis. The patient fully recovered after intravenous antibiotic treatment and micturition returned to the habitual condition.

Persistent neurogenic bladder dysfunction due to infantile botulism.

We present a child, 5 months of age, diagnosed with infantile botulism, showing the signs of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The patient presented with progressive muscle weakness, hypotonia, suckling and swallowing problems and absent peripheral reflexes at clinical examination. Botulinum neurotoxin type A was detected in her serum, confirming the diagnosis. Starting at day 6, the girl presented with a urinary retention initially necessitating free bladder drainage and subsequently intermittent catheterisation. After 6 weeks in intensive care, the patient recovered but the bladder underactivity persisted. Four months following recovery, a urodynamic evaluation was performed, showing a near normal detrusor activity and normal bladder emptying, and the catheterisation was ceased. At 6 months, the girl was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and bladder emptying problems, which persisted, and clean intermittent catheterisation was started. The final urodynamic evaluation, a year and a half after her initial presentation, revealed a normal detrusor activity and an adequate bladder emptying.

Prevalence and risk factors of bacteriuria in cirrhotic patients: a prospective case-control multicenter study in 244 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence and risks factors of bacteriuria in cirrhotics have not been assessed by case-control study, and there are conflicting data concerning the role of liver failure and of ascites. The aims of this study were: i) to evaluate the prevalence of bacteriuria in cirrhotics, ii) to search for associated factors, iii) to evaluate the role of bladder post-void residual volume, and iv) to test the sensitivity of isolated bacteria to norfloxacin. METHODS: The prevalence and risk factors of bacteriuria on admission were determined by a multicenter prospective case-control study. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-four cirrhotic patients and 240 controls were studied. Bacteriuria was present in 38 patients (15.6%; IC 5%: 11%-20%) and 18 controls (7.5%; IC 5%: 4.2%-11%; p<0.001). By univariate analysis, female sex and ongoing diuretic treatment were associated with bacteriuria (p<0.0001 and p<0.04, respectively). Pugh's grade, ascites and bladder residual volume were not associated with bacteriuria. By multivariate analysis, female sex (p<0.0001) and Child-Pugh score (p<0.03) were predictors of bacteriuria. Sensitivity of bacteria to norfloxacin was observed in 94.7%; sterile urine cultures were noted in 95.2% of patients treated with this antibiotic. CONCLUSION: Bacteriuria is twice as frequent in cirrhotic patients as in matched controls, and there is a trend to association with female sex and liver insufficiency.

Poliradiculomielopatia causada por citomegalovirus en pacientes con SIDA / Cytomegalovirus polyradiculomyelopathy in AIDS

Se presenta una serie de 7 pacientes con SIDA en quienes se diagnosticó poliradiculomielopatía causada por Citomegalovirus (CMV-PRAM), con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento con ganciclovir, foscarnet, o la combinación de ambos agentes. Se realizaron evaluaciones clínicas y neurológicas al momento de presentación y durante el tratamiento para el CMV. La fuerza muscular fue establecida de acuerdo a la escala del Medical Research Council (MRC). Se clasificó la respuesta al tratamiento de acuerdo al grado de mejoría en la fuerza muscular. En 6 de los 7 pacientes se observó una mejoría en la fuerza muscular con tratamiento anti-CMV alcanzando grado 4, o una mejoría de por lo menos 3 grados de acuerdo a la escala MRC. El paciente restante tuvo una respuesta intermedia. CMV-PRAM puede ser tratada con ganciclovir o la combinación de ganciclovir y foscarnet con buenos resultados. (AU)

Poliradiculomielopatia causada por citomegalovirus en pacientes con SIDA / Cytomegalovirus polyradiculomyelopathy in AIDS

Se presenta una serie de 7 pacientes con SIDA en quienes se diagnosticó poliradiculomielopatía causada por Citomegalovirus (CMV-PRAM), con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento con ganciclovir, foscarnet, o la combinación de ambos agentes. Se realizaron evaluaciones clínicas y neurológicas al momento de presentación y durante el tratamiento para el CMV. La fuerza muscular fue establecida de acuerdo a la escala del Medical Research Council (MRC). Se clasificó la respuesta al tratamiento de acuerdo al grado de mejoría en la fuerza muscular. En 6 de los 7 pacientes se observó una mejoría en la fuerza muscular con tratamiento anti-CMV alcanzando grado 4, o una mejoría de por lo menos 3 grados de acuerdo a la escala MRC. El paciente restante tuvo una respuesta intermedia. CMV-PRAM puede ser tratada con ganciclovir o la combinación de ganciclovir y foscarnet con buenos resultados.

Staphylococcus periprostatic abscess: an unusual cause of acute urinary retention.

Prostatic abscess has occasionally been known to present with urinary retention. We report an unusual case of a Staphylococcus aureus periprostatic abscess causing acute urinary retention. Diagnosis was made by transrectal sonogram and computed tomography scan, and the patient was treated successfully with intravenous antibiotics, perineal exploration, and drainage.

Cryptococcal prostatitis in a patient with Behçet's disease treated with fluconazole.

A 55-year-old man with Behçet's disease presented acute urinary retention due to Cryptococcus neoformans infection of the prostate. The disease was localized to the prostate. The infection was successfully treated only with fluconazole. The patient remains well without evidence of systemic or local infection at 32 months.

Acute infection with human immunodeficiency virus presenting with neurogenic urinary retention.

Several neurological presentations of acute primary infection with HIV have recently been described. A previously unrecognised presentation with neurogenic retention of urine and sacral sensory loss is reported. The case is discussed in the context of other neurological syndromes associated with seroconversion to HIV, and of other viral causes of acute retention of urine. The importance of considering the possibility of primary HIV infection in a wide range of self-limiting neurological disorders is emphasised.