Eikenella corrodens infections in human: Reports of six cases and review of literatures.

PURPOSE: To investigate clinical characteristics of six cases of Eikenella corrodens infection in Ningbo First Hospital in China in recent 2 years. METHODS: We retrospectively analyze medical records of six cases of E. corrodens infection in Ningbo First Hospital from 2020 to 2021. And we describe the gender, age, clinical manifestations, antimicrobial administration, and treatment of the six patients. RESULTS: Five of the patients had deep infection and they were treated with surgical drainage or abscess resection plus antimicrobial administration. After treatment, five patients were discharged and recovered well, and another patient was transferred to another hospital for further treatment. All the six cases were in line with the reports on the clinical characteristics of patients infected with E. corrodens at home and abroad before 2021. CONCLUSION: Eikenella corrodens is a part of the normal flora of human oropharynx, but it can migrate to other parts of the human body to cause severe invasive disease in humans. Although it is susceptible to most antimicrobials, it needs debridement in the treatment of deep infection.

Pathogenic potential of Parabacteroides distasonis revealed in a splenic abscess case: a truth unfolded.

Splenic abscess is a rare entity, however if unrecognised or left untreated, it is invariably fatal. We herein report a case of splenic abscess in a 40-year-old man presenting with fever, left-sided abdominal pain, altered sensorium and vomiting. On clinical examination, hepatosplenomegaly was noted and the ultrasound of the abdomen showed multiple hypoechoic regions in the upper pole of spleen, and the diagnosis of splenic abscess was made. The patient received antimicrobial therapy and underwent an open splenectomy with full recovery. Pus aspirated from the splenic abscess grew an unusual organism named Parabacteroides distasonis In the literature, there are only a few recorded cases of P. distasonis causing splenic abscess. Through this case report, we would like to emphasise the pathogenic role of P. distasonis in causing clinical disease, as this organism is typically known to constitute a part of the normal flora.

Roseomonas gilardii in patient with leukemia and acute appendicitis: case report and review.

Appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal conditions requiring emergency surgery. However, acute appendicitis in patients with leukemia is a rare condition. We report herein the case of an 18-year-old female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who was hospitalized in hematology department because of abdominal pain and fever. Ultrasound (US) of the abdomen revealed appendicitis and the patients underwent open appendectomy. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged in a good condition. The day of the operation blood and peritoneal fluid cultures were taken and Roseomonas gilardii was detected and healed empirically. The correct diagnosis of appendicitis in patients with leukemia and their management is challenging for physicians. Very rare microorganisms can be detected in these patients.

Surgical site infection caused by Aeromonas hydrophila presenting as necrotizing soft tissue infection after esophagectomy.

Several virulence factors of Aeromonas such as hemolysin, proteases and lipases have been characterized. The relationship between these virulence factors and disease remains unclear. A 71-year-old man underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy, lymph node dissection and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for esophageal cancer. On postoperative day 1, redness around the wound on the thoracic abdominal wall gradually enlarged and necrosis became apparent with septic shock. Necrotizing soft tissue infection was suspected and emergency surgical debridement was performed. Blood and wound cultures were positive for Aeromonas hydrophila. The strain was found to have hemolytic activity, proteolytic activity and extremely high elastolytic activity. In addition, the strain actively produced elastolytic metalloprotease, which may contribute to extensive tissue necrosis.

Replacement of the Native Mitral Valve Due to Endocarditis Caused by Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia.

We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve. Right femoral artery embolectomy and mitral valve replacement were performed simultaneously. She awakened from anesthesia, but she passed away due to septic shock complications. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case in whom native mitral valve endocarditis caused by SM was observed (despite of absence of any immunosuppressive event) and needed to undergo valve replacement.

Replacement of the native mitral valve due to endocarditis caused by stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Abstract We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve. Right femoral artery embolectomy and mitral valve replacement were performed simultaneously. She awakened from anesthesia, but she passed away due to septic shock complications. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case in whom native mitral valve endocarditis caused by SM was observed (despite of absence of any immunosuppressive event) and needed to undergo valve replacement.

Outcomes of repeat two-stage exchange hip arthroplasty for prosthetic joint infection.

AIMS: The increasing infection burden after total hip arthroplasty (THA) has seen a rise in the use of two-stage exchange arthroplasty and the use of increasingly powerful antibiotics at the time of this procedure. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of failed two-stage revisions during the past decade. The aim of this study was to clarify the outcome of repeat two-stage revision THA following a failed two-stage exchange due to recurrent prosthetic joint infection (PJI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 42 patients who underwent a two-stage revision THA having already undergone at least one previous two stage procedure for infection, between 2000 and 2015. There were 23 women and 19 men. Their mean age was 69.3 years (48 to 81). The outcome was analyzed at a minimum follow-up of two years. RESULTS: A satisfactory control of infection and successful outcome was seen in 26 patients (57%). There therefore remained persistent symptoms that either required further surgery or chronic antibiotic suppression in 16 patients (38%). One-third of patients had died by the time of two years' follow-up. CONCLUSION: The rate of failure and complication rate of repeat two-stage exchange THA for PJI is high and new methods of treatment including host optimization, immunomodulation, longer periods between stages, and new and more powerful forms of antimicrobial treatment should be investigated. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(6 Supple B):110-115.

Identification of infectious species after resection of soft-tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic species in deep tissue infections after soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) resection is largely unstudied, particularly the role of anaerobic bacteria, risks factors for those pathogens, and the time course of infection presentation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 64 patients requiring operative debridement for deep tissue infection after STS resection was undertaken to identify infectious species and study risk factors for anaerobic infections. Kaplan-Meier methods examined the time course of infection presentation. RESULTS: STS subtypes were most commonly pleomorphic STS, myxofibrosarcoma, and undifferentiated STS. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated (56%). Twenty (31%) infections were positive for ≥1 anaerobic organism. Twelve gram-positive and 10 gram-negative aerobic organisms were isolated. Most (90%) anaerobic-containing infections were polymicrobial, vs 52% of purely aerobic infections. No significant risk factors for anaerobic infections were identified. Median time from tumor resection until debridement was significantly greater for anaerobic infections (54.5 days) than for purely aerobic infections (29.5 days; P = 0.004), a difference so pronounced that using "presentation after 53 days" as a proxy for the presence of anaerobic pathogens had an accuracy of 81%. CONCLUSIONS: Because polymicrobial and anaerobic bacterial infections are common, we strongly support antibiotic use with anaerobic coverage at debridement, particularly for infections presenting later.

5-ALA Fluorescence in Case of Brain Abscess by Aggregatibacter Mimicking Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: At present, the differential diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging enhancing lesions can still be challenging. Preoperative imaging is a valuable tool characterized by high informative value, even if false-positive and false-negative results are possible. In this context, 5-aminolevulenic acid (5-ALA) represents a significant adjunct in glioblastoma (GBM) surgery displaying an assumed specific accumulation only in tumor cells. However, it was anecdotally reported that in some cases it can also be detected in nonneoplastic lesions mimicking GBM, thus potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Moreover, precise identification of involved pathogens from intraoperative brain samples may remain difficult. We report the case of an abscess from Aggregatibacter mimicking a GBM both during preoperative imaging and intraoperatively, since showing 5-ALA fluorescence. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old man presented with intense cephalalgia, vomiting, and scotomas in his left eye. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a right temporo-occipital rim-enhancing mass, highly suggestive of a GBM, and for this reason the patient underwent 5-ALA-guided complete removal. Histopathologic analysis proved the lesion to be a bacterial abscess from Aggregatibacter as confirmed by polymerase chain reaction on bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid. CONCLUSIONS: 5-ALA fluorescence may not be specifically involved only in malignant tumor cells, thus raising the suspect for alternative diagnoses to GBM and inviting caution into fluorescence-guided surgery.

Reconsidering Strategies for Managing Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Using Decision Analytics to Find the Optimal Strategy Between One-Stage and Two-Stage Total Knee Revision.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty is a growing concern, as the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) expands annually. Although 2-stage revision is considered the gold standard in management, there is substantial morbidity and mortality associated with this strategy. One-stage revision is associated with lower mortality rates and better quality of life, and there has been increased interest in utilizing the 1-stage strategy. However, surgeons are faced with a difficult decision regarding which strategy to use to treat these infections, considering uncertainty with respect to eradication of infection, quality of life, and societal costs with each strategy. The purpose of the current study was to use decision analysis to determine the optimal decision for the management of PJI following TKA. METHODS: An expected-value decision tree was constructed to estimate the quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs associated with 1-stage and 2-stage revision. Two decision trees were created: Decision Tree 1 was constructed for all pathogens, and Decision Tree 2 was constructed solely for difficult-to-treat infections, including methicillin-resistant infections. Values for parameters in the decision model, such as mortality rate, reinfection rate, and need for additional surgeries, were derived from the literature. Medical costs were derived from Medicare data. Sensitivity analysis determined which parameters in the decision model had the most influence on the optimal strategy. RESULTS: In both decision trees, the 1-stage strategy produced greater health utility while also being more cost-effective. In the Monte Carlo simulation for Decision Trees 1 and 2, 1-stage was the dominant strategy in about 85% and 69% of the trials, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that the reinfection and 1-year mortality rates were the most sensitive parameters influencing the optimal decision. CONCLUSIONS: Despite 2-stage revision being considered the current gold standard for infection eradication in patients with PJI following TKA, the optimal decision that produced the highest quality of life was 1-stage revision. These results should be considered in shared decision-making with patients who experience PJI following TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Necrotising fasciitis caused by aeromonas sobria: Not just a simple catfish sting.

Necrotising fasciitis is a life-threatening infection of the soft tissue which can be caused by different microorganisms, but infection caused by Aeromonas spp. or Vibrio spp. is frequently associated with higher mortality rate. Necrotising fasciitis progresses rapidly and often need aggressive surgical intervention. We present a rare case of necrotising fasciitis cause by Aeromonas sobria which mortality was successfully prevented by swift diagnosis and aggressive surgery.

Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative prosthetic joint infections: Role of surgery and impact of colistin administration.

Factors influencing treatment outcome of patients with Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) prosthetic joint infection (PJIs) were analysed. Data were collected (2000-2015) by 18 centres. Treatment success was analysed by surgery type for PJI, resistance (MDR/XDR) and antimicrobials (colistin/non-colistin) using logistic regression and survival analyses. A total of 131 patients (mean age 73.0 years, 35.9% male, 58.8% with co-morbidities) with MDR (n = 108) or XDR (n = 23) GNB PJI were assessed. The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (33.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.4%) and Enterobacter cloacae (17.6%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa predominated in XDR cases. Isolates were carbapenem-resistant (n = 12), fluoroquinolone-resistant (n = 63) and ESBL-producers (n = 94). Treatment outcome was worse in XDR versus MDR cases (P = 0.018). Success rates did not differ for colistin versus non-colistin in XDR cases (P = 0.657), but colistin was less successful in MDR cases (P = 0.018). Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) (n = 67) was associated with higher failure rates versus non-DAIR (n = 64) (OR = 3.57, 95% CI 1.68-7.58; P < 0.001). Superiority of non-DAIR was confirmed by Kaplan-Meir analysis (HR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.20-0.67) and remained unchangeable by time of infection (early/late), antimicrobial resistance (MDR/XDR) and antimicrobials (colistin/non-colistin) (Breslow-Day, P = 0.737). DAIR is associated with higher failure rates even in early MDR/XDR GNB PJIs versus implant removal. Colistin should be preserved for XDR cases as it is detrimental in MDR infections.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative osteomyelitis: a 10-year study.

AIM: Few series of osteomyelitis due to multi-drug (MDR) or extensively-drug resistant (XDR) gram-negative bacteria exist. A retrospective study of MDR and XDR gram-negative osteomyelitis cases was performed, aiming to investigate causative organisms, proper surgical and medical management, as well as outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients, treated at the University hospital of Crete between 2007 and 2016 for acute osteomyelitis, due to MDR or XDR gram-negative pathogens were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (8 males) were identified with a mean age of 50.6 years. Five Acinetobacter baumanii cases, 3 XDR and 2 MDR, were found. Furthermore, 3 MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae and 3 MDR Enterobacter cloacae isolates were identified. Additionally, 2 MDR Escherichia coli, as well as 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 XDR and 1 MDR, were isolated. One case of Roseomonas gilardii was also identified. In 5 cases the same pathogen was also isolated from blood. Five out of the 14 patients were smokers, 6 were suffering severe injury, 4 had diabetes-mellitus, 2 chronic renal disease and 2 were obese. Most causative organisms had hospital origin. All patients received first line empirical combination antimicrobial treatment, proven effective in 4. Thirteen patients were also subjected to surgical treatment. The study included mainly young individuals, most likely due to the high incidence of traffic accidents involving young adults in Crete. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial regimens are important supplements to surgical treatment of acute osteomyelitis. However, due to emergence of resistant microorganisms, compliance with strict rules of antimicrobial strategy is of utmost importance.

Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis: Identifying risk factors associated with prolonged clinical course.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial extension is one of the most serious and morbid complications of pediatric sinusitis. Managing this complication continues to be challenging even after widespread pneumococcal vaccination adoption. We aim to identify risk factors associated with complicated clinical courses, and to assess for altering microbial communities and increased antibiotic resistance. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of sinus procedures performed at a single institution for acute sinusitis with intracranial extension, and 16 cases were identified. Variables collected included patient demographics, vaccination status, laboratory results, imaging data, antibiotic therapy, sinus and intracranial cultures, perioperative and surgical reports, and hospital course. RESULTS: The average patient age was 11.9 years, and 75% were male. The dominant microbial organisms were gram positive in 93.8% (15/16) of cases and 37.5% (6/16) were anaerobic. There were no cases of resistant bacterial growth, and only one case of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Increased antibiotic therapy duration was associated with anaerobic and polymicrobial sinus cultures. A significant increase in length of hospital stay was identified in polymicrobial sinus cultures and frontal sinus involvement. Intracranial abscess re-accumulation was associated with sinus cultures positive for fusobacterium (p = 0.036), polymicrobial infections (p = 0.034), and involvement of brain parenchyma (p = 0.036). Patients with frontal sinus involvement required a greater number of surgical procedures for abscess drainage (p = 0.046). An anaerobic intracranial culture was associated with an increased number of revision craniotomies (p < 0.001). Parenchymal involvement of the infection was associated with an increased number of surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Frontal sinus involvement, and anaerobic and polymicrobial sinus cultures were predictive of a more severe infection requiring more surgical interventions, prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment and overall hospital length of stay. Streptococcus pneumoniae was not prevalent in our series, and there seems to be a shift in the microbial profile of this patient subset, compared to previous studies, which can likely be attributed to the adoption of pneumococcal vaccinations. Sinus cultures were more predictive of a complicated clinical course compared to intracranial cultures, suggesting the importance of a thorough sinus debridement and obtaining directed sinus cultures.

Bacteriology and Comorbidities in Patients Requiring Surgical Management of Empyema.

Concern over the changing bacteriology of empyema has led to numerous attempts to characterize the most common locoregional bacterial isolates. The purpose of this study is to better characterize the bacteriology and demographics in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia requiring surgery for empyema. All patients diagnosed with empyema preoperatively and had either a video-assisted thoracoscopic or open decortication surgery from January 2010 to September 2015 were reviewed. Forty-seven patients were identified with a mean age of 54.7 ± 16.8 years (X ± SD). Sixty per cent of patients had CAP. Anaerobes were the most common isolate at 21 per cent, followed by Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus (50% Methicillin Resistant). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were the next most frequent at 13 per cent. Hospital-acquired pneumonia patients had a higher incidence of S. aureus infections (P = 0.047). Cancer history had higher rates of both fungal (P = 0.004) and gram-negative infections (P = 0.03). Older patients had increased incidence of gram-negative infections (P = 0.05). The median length of stay for CAP patient who were intravenous drug abusers (n = 3) were 31 days (95% confidence interval (CI) [15, NA]), which was significantly longer than the others (median 12 days, 95% CI: [9, 18], P = 0.014). Streptococcus pneumoniae was not found in any of the isolates. Our data reveal that anaerobes and Staphylococcus species have replaced S. pneumoniae as the major regional pathogens in surgically treated empyema. In addition, anaerobic isolates were found in higher incidence in CAP than previously reported.

Stereotactic Drainage of Brainstem Abscess With the BrainLab Varioguide™ System and the Airo™ Intraoperative CT Scanner: Technical Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Stereotactic biopsies or needle aspirations of posterior fossa lesions are technically challenging. Here we report a novel technique for performing these procedures employing the Airo™ intraoperative computed tomographic (CT) scanner and the VarioGuide™ articulated arm (BrainLab, Munich, Germany). CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 62-yr-old woman presented with an irregularly shaped, enhancing lesion of the left pons/middle cerebellar peduncle. Slowed diffusion on magnetic resonance imaging suggested an abscess, but no definitive infectious agent/source could be identified. When the patient deteriorated despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, she was taken to the operating room for stereotactic drainage of the abscess employing the described technique. A specific infectious agent (Eikenella corrodens) was identified from the aspirate, allowing for tailored antibiotic therapy. The procedure was well tolerated and the patient made a full recovery with minimal neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: The combination of the Airo™ intraoperative CT and the Varioguide™ articulated arm allows for safe, accurate, and efficient targeting of posterior fossa lesions.