A case of renal abscess and bacteremia caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei that was first unidentifiable by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry in a Japanese-man

Melioidosis, an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in specific regions, including Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. In Japan, where no autochthonous has been reported to date, melioidosis is a rare infectious disease. Herein, we report a case of melioidosis in a 68-year-old Japanese man with renal abscess and bacteremia, but without pneumonia. The patient presented to our hospital and was admitted for fever and chills that have persisted for two months. It was speculated that he was infected in Thailand, where his family lives because he shuttled between Thailand and Japan. Blood cultures on admission identified Burkholderia species; however, the species was unidentifiable by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Further re-examination, including culture, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction methods, finally identified Burkholderia pseudomallei. We treated the patient with intravenous ceftazidime for four weeks. In addition to the antibiotics administration, puncture drainage of the renal abscess was performed, and he gradually became afebrile. Intravenous ceftazidime was switched to oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim on post-admission day 32, and he was discharged. After five months of oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, no recurrence was observed one year after discharge. To diagnose melioidosis, especially in non-endemic areas, a precise and thorough understanding of its epidemiology, presentation, and identification methods is necessary.     

The first case of deep neck abscess due to Filifactor alocis co-infected with Eggerthia catenaformis,Parvimonas micra,and Streptococcus constellatus

Filifactor alocis, an anaerobic Gram-positive rod, has garnered interest from its association with periodontal disease. Extraoral infections by F. alocis are rare; only seven cases have been reported. We report the first case in which we identified F. alocis as one of the causative organisms of a deep neck abscess. A 71-year-old male on hemodialysis came to our hospital with a fever and left buccal pain. The patient's left neck was swollen, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an abscess with gas extending from the left cheek to the deep neck. We diagnosed the patient with a deep neck abscess and performed an urgent neck drainage. We isolated F. alocis, Eggerthia catenaformis, Parvimonas micra, and Streptococcus constellatus in the abscess and identified them using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Blood cultures were negative. We initiated treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin. The patient improved but developed a hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer on the third day of admission. We attempted endoscopic hemostasis, but the patient's bleeding continued. Ultimately, he died of the duodenal ulcer hemorrhage on the sixth day of admission. This is the first case of F. alocis detected in a deep neck abscess.     

Salmonella spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess successfully treated with unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy and debridement: a rare case report

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but severe infection with potentially devastating consequences. Epidural abscesses caused by Salmonella serogroup C2 are even rarer and tend to be more invasive with multidrug resistance. Early diagnosis, effective use of antibiotics and surgical intervention are the mainstay strategies for managing SEA, especially for more virulent and multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections. This case report presents a rare case of an elderly and fragile woman with Salmonella spondylodiscitis and an extensive epidural abscess, which were successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) debridement and drainage through four small surgical incisions. After surgery, her fever subsided, she regained consciousness and her low back pain dramatically improved. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed complete resolution of the epidural abscess. At 6 months after surgery, the patient regained muscle strength, ambulated with a walker and had no recurrence of the infection. The UBE technique can effectively eradicate infection while minimizing surgery-related risks and complications. A multidisciplinary team is required to achieve a good outcome.     

Splenic abscess in an infant caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus intermedius</Emphasis>

We report a 20-month-old girl with splenic abscess. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of persistent high fever and abdominal pain. Laboratory data showed leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple low-density lesions in the spleen. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of splenic abscess. She was successfully treated with ultrasonographically guided percutaneous drainage for 11 days and intravenous antibiotic for 17 days. On culture, aspirated fluid from the abscess grew Streptococcus intermedius. This case illustrates that the differential diagnosis of unknown-focus infection in infants should include splenic abscess. We recommend conservative therapy (antibiotics and drainage) as first-line therapy for splenic abscess in pediatric patients, based on the importance of the immunological functions of the spleen.     

A case of mediastinal abscess and infected aortic aneurysm caused by dissemination of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense pulmonary disease

An 81-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever and malaise that had persisted for 3 months. The patient had undergone two aortic valve replacements, 10 and 5 years previously, because of aortic valve regurgitation and infectious endocarditis. He also had had asymptomatic Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) pulmonary disease for the two previous years. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a mediastinal abscess and an ascending aortic aneurysm. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense was cultured from his blood, suggesting the aortic aneurysm was secondary to infection of an implanted device. After enlargement over only a few days, a leakage of contrast medium to the mediastinal abscess was found on computed tomography. The patient was diagnosed with rupture of an infectious aortic aneurysm, and emergency aortic replacement and drainage of the mediastinal abscess were successful. The patient was treated with several antibiotics, including meropenem, amikacin, and clarithromycin, and his general condition improved. Cultures from both the mediastinal abscess and a pericardial patch that was placed at the time of surgery 5 years previously revealed MABC. In our case, the infected aortic aneurysm most likely resulted from MABC pulmonary disease rather than from previous intraoperative contamination. This route of infection is rare. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of dissemination and subsequent infection of implants related to MABC pulmonary disease.     

Comparison of CT- or ultrasound-guided drainage with concomitant intravenous antibiotics vs. intravenous antibiotics alone in the management of tubo-ovarian abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses by imaging-guided drainage and antibiotics vs. intravenous antibiotics alone. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess was performed. Patients were categorized into two groups. The first group consisted of subjects treated with intravenous antibiotics alone. Patients in the second group had primary image-guided drainage with concomitant intravenous antibiotics. Treatment failures in the primary antibiotics group underwent salvage drainage when feasible. The primary outcome of interest was complete response. Secondary outcomes included need for additional treatment, duration of resolution of fever, total length of hospital stay, and complication rates. We also evaluated the effectiveness of secondary drainage in patients who failed primary antibiotic therapy alone. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the study. Fifty patients were treated primarily with intravenous antibiotics; eight patients had primary drainage, which was guided by ultrasound in all cases. Complete response was noted in 29 (58%) patients treated with antibiotics alone. All eight (100%) patients in the primary drainage group responded to treatment. Of the 21 treatment failures with primary antibiotics, two underwent surgery and 19 (90.5%) had salvage drainage with either ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance; 18 of 19 salvage drainages led to complete recovery. Subjects in the primary drainage group required shorter hospital stays and showed more rapid resolution of fever. No significant morbidity was noted as a consequence of drainage procedures. A higher failure rate for secondary drainage was noted in older patients, those with larger tubo-ovarian abscesses, and those with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. CONCLUSION: Drainage of tubo-ovarian abscesses with concomitant intravenous antibiotics is an effective and safe treatment for the primary or secondary treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses.     

Retropharyngeal abscess initially diagnosed by the videofluoroscopic swallowing study

In this article, we report a case where a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) revealed the cause of a recently developed idiopathic dysphagia in a 66-year-old patient and enabled emergent treatment. The patient reported a 10-day history of fever, cough, sputum production, and progressive jaundice. He was then admitted to the hospital with suspicion of aspiration pneumonia. Despite treatment with antibiotics, fever and leukocytosis were persistent. As he also reported dysphagia, we performed the VFSS, which showed subglottic aspiration on all types of food and revealed a retropharyngeal mass causing mechanical compression. A contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) of his neck was performed following the VFSS, which helped diagnose the mass as an extensive retropharyngeal abscess with mediastinitis. Following this diagnosis, emergent surgical incision and drainage was performed on the patient. Although the VFSS is primarily designed to evaluate swallowing function rather than to diagnose a disease, it can be used to reveal the primary medical cause of dysphagia while it studies the mechanical and structural abnormalities in the oropharyngeal and esophageal regions. This study also proposes that retropharyngeal abscess should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases showing progressive dysphagia with fever. As confirmed through this work, the VFSS can function as a useful tool for detecting crucial diseases accompanying deglutition disorder.     

Acute acalculous cholecystitis complicated with peritonitis caused by Lactobacillus plantarum

Lactobacillus spp. rarely causes human disease. We report a case of a 57-year-old man with non–insulin-dependent diabetes and vascular disease admitted to our hospital with severe abdominal pain and fever. Signs of peritonitis were found upon examination. The patient underwent surgery, and a diagnosis of perforated cholecystitis with purulent peritonitis was made intra-operatively. A cholecystectomy was performed, and therapy with imipenem was initiated. Lactobacillus plantarum was isolated from bile and peritoneal fluid cultures 2 days later. The patient recovered well and was discharged on post-operative day 16 after 14 days of treatment with imipenem. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported of acute cholecystitis caused by Lactobacillus spp. This organism should be considered as a cause of biliary infections, especially in patients with underlying diseases. Correct identification is often difficult, but it is very important because these organisms are usually resistant to vancomycin and other antibiotics.     

Respiratory complications after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease

summary .  Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency disorder caused by defects in NADPH oxidase and characterized by recurrent life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. Although CGD has been considered to be a target for gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is now selected as the radical treatment in most cases. We performed BMT in a patient with CGD with severe infections and experienced respiratory complications of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and/or infection-associated alveolar haemorrhage. We suggest that attention be paid to signs of onset of alveolar haemorrhage during BMT in CGD patients.     

Gastrointestinal symptoms as the first sign of chronic granulomatous disease in a neonate: A case report

BACKGROUNDChronic granulomatous disease (CGD) characterized by recurrent and severe bacterial and fungal infections is most common in childhood.CASE SUMMARYWe reported a 24-d-old male infant who developed gastrointestinal symptoms as the first sign of CGD.CONCLUSIONGastrointestinal symptoms representing the first sign of CGD are very rare, and prompt diagnosis and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics were of crucial importance.     

Lung abscess following bronchoscopy due to multidrug-resistant Capnocytophaga sputigena adjacent to lung cancer with high PD-L1 expression

Lung abscess following flexible bronchoscopy is a rare and sometimes fatal iatrogenic complication. Here, we report the first case of a lung abscess caused by multidrug-resistant Capnocytophaga sputigena following bronchoscopy. A 67-year-old man underwent bronchoscopy to evaluate a lung mass. Seven days after transbronchial lung biopsy, he presented with an abscess formation in a lung mass. Empirical antibiotic therapy, including with garenoxacin, ampicillin/sulbactam, clindamycin and cefepime, was ineffective. Percutaneous needle aspiration of lung abscess yielded C. sputigena resistant to multiple antibiotics but remained susceptible to carbapenem. He was successfully treated by the combination therapy with surgery and with approximately 6 weeks of intravenous carbapenem. Finally he was diagnosed with a lung abscess with adenocarcinoma expressing high levels of programmed cell death ligand 1. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Capnocytophaga species is a serious concern for effective antimicrobial therapy. Clinicians should consider multidrug-resistant C. sputigena as a causative pathogen of lung abscess when it is refractory to antimicrobial treatment.     

Daptomycin and linezolid for severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus psoas abscess and bacteremia: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUNDVancomycin remains a first-line treatment drug as per the treatment guidelines for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. However, a number of gram-positive cocci have developed resistance to several drugs, including glycopeptides. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective and innovative antibacterial drugs to treat patients with infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. CASE SUMMARYA 24-year-old male was admitted to hospital owing to lumbago, fever, and hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) results showed an abscess in the psoas major muscle of the patient. Repeated abscess drainage and blood culture suggested MRSA, and vancomycin was initiated. However, after day 10, CT scans showed abscesses in the lungs and legs of the patient. Therefore, treatment was switched to daptomycin. Linezolid was also added considering inflammation in the lungs. After 10 d of the dual-drug anti-MRSA treatment, culture of the abscess drainage turned negative for MRSA. On day 28, the patient was discharged without any complications. CONCLUSIONThis case indicates that daptomycin combined with linezolid is an effective remedy for bacteremia caused by MRSA with pulmonary complications.     

Klebsiella pneumoniae invasion syndrome: a case of liver abscess combined with lung abscess,endophthalmitis, and brain abscess

Klebsiella pneumoniae invasion syndrome (KPIS) is a critical multi-site infection that is usually caused by highly virulent Klebsiella pneumonia. It is relatively common in Asian patients with diabetes and leads to sepsis, which has a high mortality rate. We report the case of a man in his early 40s who presented to the hospital with blurred vision in his left eye of 7 days’ duration and fever of 1 day’s duration. After a complete examination, he was diagnosed with KPIS on the basis of his liver abscessation, lung abscessation, endophthalmitis of the left eye and brain abscessation. After needle puncture and drainage of the left eye and liver abscess and anti-bacterial treatment with meropenem, the patient recovered well. When KPIS is suspected, attention should be paid to the sites of infection and the selection of the most appropriate antibiotics, but the most important aim should be to drain the lesions in a timely manner to improve the patient’s prognosis.     

Infection with capsular genotype K1-ST23 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Japan after a stay in East Asia: Two cases and a literature review

Disseminated community-acquired infections caused by the hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) among relatively healthy individuals in East Asia have been reported in recent years. Isolate of the capsular genotype K1, belonging to sequence type (ST) 23, is the most common causative agent of this disease. We experienced two cases of K1-ST23 infection with a travel history in East Asia, and hvKp infection was diagnosed after entering or returning to Japan. Case 1 was a 45-year-old Myanmar seaman with a history of ischemic heart disease who developed a fever on board and was transported to Japan via Shanghai and Taiwan. He had multiple disseminated lesions due to K. pneumoniae; other symptoms included liver abscess, intraocular inflammation, intraventricular thrombosis, brain abscess, and bloodstream infection. Along with antimicrobial treatment, drainage of liver abscesses and surgery for intraocular inflammation and intraventricular thrombosis were required. The patient was discharged 93 days after admission, with little improvement in the visual acuity. Case 2: A 29-year-old Japanese man with no underlying disease developed a prostate abscess and bloodstream infection caused by K. pneumoniae after a trip to Korea. However, he improved only with antimicrobial treatment. K. pneumoniae in both cases were identified to have the rmpA gene, with capsular genotypes K1 and ST23. Further, both cases were considered to have been infected with hvKp during their stay in East Asia. In conclusion, it is important to suspect disseminated disease and perform a systemic search, taking into account that hvKp may be present in cases of Klebsiella infection acquired from East Asia.     

A rare case of voluminous brain abscess due to Actinomyces meyeri and Aggregatibacter aphrophilus: is there any evidence for a prolonged antibiotic oral relay?

We present the case of a patient with a voluminous cerebral abscess caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus and Actinomyces meyeri occurring a week post dental scaling. Both these bacteria are rarely involved in brain abscesses, and so far, cases of cerebral actinomyces have mostly been treated surgically and with intravenous (IV) antibiotics for 3–4 months, then put on oral antibiotic therapy with penicillin or amoxicillin for a further 3–12 months. Our patient underwent drainage through craniotomy and was subsequently put on intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 months accompanied by brain imaging control at the end of this period which showed complete regression of the abscess. Following parenteral treatment, no oral antibiotics were given since pharmacokinetic properties do not allow to attain high tissue concentration in the brain. This treatment gave excellent results.     

Identification of Cytochrome b‐245, beta‐chain gene mutations,and clinical presentations in Iranian patients with X‐linked chronic granulomatous disease

BackgroundX‐linked chronic granulomatous disease (X‐CGD) is an immunodeficiency disorder caused by defects in the gp91^phox subunit that leads to life‐threatening infections. We aimed to identify CYBB gene mutations and study clinical phenotypes in Iranian patients with probable X‐CGD.MethodsWe studied four unrelated Iranian patients with probable X‐CGD and their families recruited in several years. We isolated genomic DNA from whole blood and performed Sanger sequencing in the CYBB gene''s coding and flanking regions. We also performed pathogenicity predictions using in silico tools.ResultsWe detected four different mutations, including a novel insertion mutation in exon 5 (p.Ile117AsnfsX6), in the patient. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed the pathogenic effect of this mutation. We predicted protein modeling and demonstrated lost functional domains. The patient with the insertion mutation presented pneumonia and acute sinusitis during his life. We also detected three other known nonsense mutations (p.Arg157Ter, p.Arg226Ter, and p.Trp424Ter) in the CYBB gene. The patient with p.Arg157Ter developed lymphadenitis and pneumonia. Moreover, the patient with inflammatory bowel disease showed p.Arg226Ter and the patient with tuberculosis presented p.Trp424Ter. We detected different clinical features in the patients compared to other Iranian patients with the same mutations.ConclusionOur results expand the genetic database of patients with X‐CGD from Iran and make it much easier and faster to identify patients with X‐CGD. Our results also help to detect carriers and enable prenatal diagnosis in high‐risk families as a cost‐effective strategy.     

From a sore throat to the intensive care unit: the Lemierre syndrome

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection, suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and metastatic infections. The infection is usually caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. We report on a 19-year-old male patient who was admitted with a five-day history of fever, sore throat and progressive dyspnea. Computed tomography of the neck and chest revealed a parapharyngeal abscess, jugular vein thrombosis, descending necrotizing mediastinitis and multiple areas of bilateral consolidation and cavitations within the lungs. Fusobacterium necrophorum was identified in the blood culture. Early combined abscess drainage with neck and chest incisions, together with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment and medical management in an intensive care unit resulted in a good clinical outcome.     

A Pain in the Neck: Non-traumatic Adult Retropharyngeal Abscess

Background

We present the case of a 47-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaint of left-sided neck pain. He was thought to have a musculoskeletal sprain on his initial visit. However, he returned the following evening with worsening symptoms. On further investigation, he was found to have a non-traumatic retropharyngeal abscess (RPA), a rare infection in the adult patient population.

Objectives

This infection has been studied primarily in the pediatric population, and extrapolation of their studies demonstrates the importance of airway stabilization, antibiotic use targeting polymicrobial organisms, and conservative medical management vs. surgical drainage. We aim to summarize this case and review the literature on retropharyngeal abscess.

Case Report

This patient presented to the ED with complaints of left-sided neck pain. There was no history of trauma or injury to the affected area. He was evaluated and discharged but returned with a deteriorating clinical picture. On further evaluation, he was found to have a non-traumatic RPA. He was admitted to the Otolaryngology service and managed conservatively with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. His condition resolved and he was subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Conclusions

The majority of data on diagnosis and treatment of adult RPA have come from the pediatric population. However, the same essential treatment principles apply: airway stabilization, resuscitation, initiation of IV antibiotics, and consultation with an otolaryngology specialist.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis presenting with septic pulmonary emboli

Background: Septic pulmonary emboli are the result of infections that typically originate from an extrapulmonary source. Septic pulmonary embolus is a rare disorder that classically presents with fever, respiratory symptoms, and lung infiltrates. Objectives: Our objective is to share our experience of a rare diagnosis that was the result of a very common bacterium seen in the Emergency Department (ED). Case Report: We present a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis presenting as bilateral septic pulmonary emboli in a patient with undiagnosed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A 29-year-old Hispanic man presented to our ED with a history of abdominal pain and vomiting for 3 days and new onset of shortness of breath. The patient was seen 2 weeks prior for a simple abscess incision and drainage and was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. On the day of admission, a helical computed tomography scan of the chest was obtained, which revealed bilateral septic pulmonary emboli. The patient was admitted for intravenous antibiotic therapy and was subsequently found to have MRSA sepsis. Conclusion: Septic pulmonary embolus is a rare finding that is most commonly seen in patients who are immunocompromised. The patient fully recovered after aggressive antibiotic therapy.