T serotyping of group a streptococcus isolated from patients with pharyngitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in Japan between 2005 and 2017

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) is an important gram-positive human pathogen capable of causing diseases ranging from mild superficial skin and pharyngeal infections to more severe invasive diseases, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). GAS produces a T protein, and T serotyping has considerable discriminatory power for epidemiological characterization of GAS. To clarify the relationship between STSS and pharyngitis in Japan, we examined the T serotypes of GAS strains isolated from clinical specimens of streptococcal infections (STSS, 951 isolates; pharyngitis, 16268 isolates) from 2005 to 2017. The most prevalent T serotype from pharyngitis isolates was T12, followed by T1, T4, and TB3264. The most prevalent T serotype from STSS isolates was T1, followed by TB3264. Trend of increase and decrease in the frequency of T1 or TB3264 isolation from pharyngitis was correlated with that of STSS patients. The increase of T1 or TB3264 strain-infection in pharyngitis patients may increase the probability of causing STSS, indicating that careful monitoring of GAS serotypes is essential for the prediction of rapid increase of STSS in time to develop effective management strategies.     

Rat-bite fever due to Streptobacillus notomytis isolated from a human specimen

Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a disease that usually presents with fever, arthralgia and skin rash. Streptobacillus moniliformis was considered the main cause of RBF among the genus Streptobacillus. Although with similar clinical presentation, RBF due to Streptobacillus notomytis is unusual in humans. To the best of our knowledge, we present a case involving the first isolate of S. notomytis in humans. A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with fever, rash and polyarthritis. She recalled being bitten by a rat on her finger 5 days before presentation. Clinical manifestations were compatible with rat-bite fever (RBF) and the diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of Streptobacillus species from both blood and pustule samples. Initial polymerase chain reaction tests revealed that the organism was S. moniliformis. However, thorough genetic analysis revealed the organism to be S. notomytis. The condition was successfully treated with ampicillin.     

Molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis isolated from patients with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a severe invasive infection characterized by the sudden onset of shock, multiorgan failure, and high mortality. Although STSS is mainly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, group G streptococcus identified as S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) causing STSS has also been reported; however, no study has analyzed >100 isolates of SDSE causing STSS. Therefore, we characterized the emm genotype of 173 SDSE isolates obtained from STSS patients in Japan during 2014–2016 and performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the broth microdilution method and emm gene typing. The predominant emm genotype was found to be stG6792, followed by stG485, stG245, stG10, stG6, and stG2078. These six genotypes constituted more than 75% of the STSS isolates. The proportion of each emm genotype in STSS isolates correlated with that in invasive isolates previously reported. We found that 16.2% of the isolates showed clindamycin resistance. The proportion of clindamycin-resistant SDSE isolates was significantly higher than that of S. pyogenes isolates. Thus, while treating STSS caused by SDSE, it is necessary to consider the possibility of clindamycin resistance and to ensure judicious use of the drug.     

输卵管完全性葡萄胎误诊临床病理分析并文献复习

目的探讨输卵管完全性葡萄胎临床及病理特征、诊治方法、误诊原因、误诊防范措施。方法对2例曾误诊的输卵管完全性葡萄胎的临床资料进行回顾性分析并复习相关文献。结果本文1例因停经2月余,阴道出血6 d入院。查血β人绒毛膜促性腺激素(β-HCG)17 229.3 U/L。术前误诊为异位妊娠,行输卵管切除术。1例因阴道不规律出血1月余,下腹闷痛2周,加剧5 d入院。无明确停经史。查血β-HCG 84 140.0 U/L。术前考虑盆腔炎性包块,卵巢囊肿蒂扭转,异位妊娠。行开腹右输卵管切除、左输卵管结扎及诊断性刮宫术。2例均经术后病理检查确诊为输卵管完全性葡萄胎,皆随访2年,无异常发现。结论输卵管葡萄胎较少见,临床易误诊。临床医生应提高对本病的认识,在遇到类似异位妊娠表现患者时应想到异位葡萄胎的可能性,要综合全面对患者病情进行分析,并仔细鉴别诊断,以减少误诊误治。     

A case of necrotizing fasciitis following Edwardsiella tarda septicemia with gastroenteritis

Edwardsiella tarda is an uncommon pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans and is found in the aquatic environment. In rare cases, it also causes fatal infections, including sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis. However, it remains unknown whether E. tarda gastroenteritis could lead to these lethal diseases via hematogenous spread. Here we have reported a previously healthy 64-year-old woman with necrotizing fasciitis consecutively caused by E. tarda septicemia with gastroenteritis. The patient was transferred to the emergency department due to disturbance of consciousness and hypotension after suffering from diarrhea for a month. As whole-body computed tomography (CT) revealed an edematous change in the small intestine, septic shock following gastroenteritis was suspected, and the patient was immediately started on empiric antibiotic therapy and provided critical care. Her general physical conditions gradually began improving, but, on day 7, rapidly appearing blisters on both the lower limbs were noted, and she was accordingly examined again by conducting a CT scan. Based on the results, she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis in both lower extremities, and surgical debridement was rapidly performed. Microbiological analysis of the specimens revealed E. tarda bacteremia, which suggested that E. tarda caused a series of infections in this patient. Finally, she fully recovered and was discharged within 3 months. Cumulatively, we proposed that gastroenteritis by E. tarda could directly result in fatal infections through the blood stream.     

Mycobacterium heckeshornense lung infection diagnosed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)

Identification of microorganisms by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been widely accepted. However, the significance of MALDI-TOF MS for identifying mycobacteria, particularly rare nontuberculous mycobacteria, has not been established. M. heckeshornense is one such bacteria, and distinguishing it from M. xenopi is difficult. The patient was a 40-year-old man with Beh?et's disease who had started treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. A lung nodule in the right lower lobe was pointed out, and it increased in size 6 months later. Bronchoscopy was performed, and was culture positive for mycobacteria. It was identified as M. heckeshornense by MALDI-TOF MS with a score value of 1.928. Analysis of the 16S rRNA, rpoB, and hsp65 genes confirmed the result of MALDI-TOF MS. MALDI-TOF MS seems reliable for the diagnosis of M. heckeshornense infection.     

三维面积应变评价高血压患者左心室心肌收缩功能早期变化

目的 应用三维斑点追踪成像（3D-STE）技术评价原发性高血压患者早期左心室心肌收缩功能改变情况。方法 对40例未经药物治疗的原发性高血压患者（高血压组）及40名健康志愿者（对照组）行常规二维超声心动图和3D-STE,测量并比较两组常规超声心动图指标包括舒张末期室间隔厚度（IVSTd）、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度（LVPWTd）、左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDd）、相对室壁厚度（RWT）、二维左心室心肌质量指数（2D-LVMi）、二维左心室射血分数（2D-LVEF）、舒张末期左心室容积（EDV）、收缩末期左心室容积（ESV）,以及3D-STE指标包括左心室三维射血分数（3D-LVEF）、左心室球形指数（SPI）、三维左心室心肌质量指数（3D-LVMi）及左心室整体面积应变（GAS）差异;采用Pearson相关分析检验GAS与各指标间相关性。结果 两组患者IVSTd、LVPWTd、LVEDd、RWT、2D-LVMi、2D-LVEF、EDV、ESV、3D-LVEF和SPI差异均无统计学差异（P均>0.05）;高血压组3D-LVMi高于对照组[(104.20±7.94) vs (92.85±6.92),P<0.05),GAS低于对照组[(-25.53±3.79) vs (-31.43±3.13),P<0.05]。GAS与3D-EF呈负相关（r=-0.78,P<0.05）,与3D-LVMi、收缩压及舒张压呈正相关（r=0.81、0.60、0.50,P<0.05）。结论 原发性高血压患者早期左心室构型未发生明显变化时,左心室心肌收缩功能已经减低,可通过3D-STE中GAS进行评价。     

A case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome due to Group G streptococci identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis

A 79-year-old man with a 3-month history of lymphedema of the lower limbs, and diabetes mellitus, was admitted to our hospital for suspected deep venous thrombosis. Several hours after admission, leg pain and purpura-like skin color appeared. On the 2nd hospital day, he was referred to our department for possible acute occlusive peripheral artery disease (PAD) and skin necrosis with blisters; however, computed tomography with contrast showed no occlusive lesions. He had already developed shock and necrotizing deep soft-tissue infections of the left lower leg. Laboratory findings revealed renal dysfunction and coagulation system collapse. Soon after PAD was ruled out, clinical findings suggested necrotizing deep soft-tissue infections, shock state, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure. These symptoms led to a high suspicion of the well-recognized streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). With a high suspicion of STSS, we detected Group G β-hemolytic streptococci (GGS) from samples aspirated from the leg bullae, and the species was identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) by 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing. However, unfortunately, surgical debridement was impossible due to the broad area of skin change. Despite adequate antimicrobial therapy and intensive care, the patient died on the 3rd hospital day. The M-protein gene (emm) typing of the isolated SDSE was revealed to be stG6792. This type of SDSE is the most frequent cause of STSS due to GGS in Japan. We consider it to be crucial to rapidly distinguish STSS from acute occlusive PAD to achieve life-saving interventions in patients with severe soft-tissue infections.     

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by β-hemolytic streptococci: Clinical features and cytokine and chemokine analyses of 15 cases

Objectives

β-Hemolytic streptococci occasionally cause severe infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Here, we conducted a prospective study to investigate the production of cytokines and chemokines in patients with STSS to explore its pathogenesis in survivors and fatal cases.

Fluconazole exposure during pregnancy

Question One of my patients has just learned that she is 8 weeks pregnant. She took a 150-mg dose of fluconazole 2 weeks ago for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis and she is worried about the effect on her child and pregnancy. Can I reassure her?Answer Short-term and low-dose fluconazole exposure, such as that indicated in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, is not expected to increase the overall risk of major congenital malformations.     

Bacterial peritonitis in a patient with malignant ascites caused by pancreatic carcinoma: Case report and review of literature

Bacterial peritonitis, an infection of the ascitic fluid, can be classified etiologically as spontaneous or secondary bacterial peritonitis. The former is mainly caused by portal hypertension and its subsequent effects, whereas the latter is caused by the direct dissemination of bacteria into the peritoneal cavity. Previous reports have described some distinguishing features of these two entities. Here, we report the first known case of bacterial peritonitis with Aeromonas hydrophilia and Escherichia coli in a patient with malignant ascites associated with pancreatic carcinoma who exhibited features of both spontaneous and secondary peritonitis. Our report suggests that clinicians should also consider bacterial peritonitis in patients with malignant ascites who present with ostensibly cancer-related symptoms.     

三维斑点追踪成像技术评价2型糖尿病患者左心室整体应变

【摘要】目的 运用三维斑点追踪成像技术（3D-STI）测定左心室整体心肌变化,评价2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者的左心室整体心肌的收缩功能。方法 选取2型糖尿病患者81例,依据左心室射血分数（LVEF）分为收缩功能正常组（n=46例）和左心室收缩功能减低组（n=35例）,另入选35例健康志愿者作为对照组。使用3D-STI技术测定左心室收缩期短轴整体峰值环向应变（GCS）、径向应变（GRS）、长轴纵向应变（GLS）、面积应变（GAS）及左室扭转（LVTW）,并与健康对照组比较。结果 与对照组相比,患者组的GLS、GAS和LVTW均有显著减低(P＜0.05);左心室LVEF减低组的GAS和LVTW均低于LVEF正常组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。左心室GAS和GLS同LVEF呈负相关（r分别为﹣0.81和﹣0.62）。 结论3D-STI能准确测定T2DM患者的左心室整体应变,其中GLS、GAS等参数具有一定的临床实用价值。     

三维斑点追踪技术评价阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征伴高血压患者左心室整体收缩功能

目的 应用三维斑点追踪（3D-STI）技术评价阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）伴高血压（HT）患者左心室整体收缩功能。方法 OSAHS 40例,分为单纯OSAHS组20例和OSAHS+HT组20例;另选择20名健康正常人作为正常对照组。行常规超声心动图检查,采集左心室心尖四腔三维全容积图像,存储图像并应用3D-STI分析软件在线分析,计算左心室整体纵向收缩峰值应变（GLS）、左心室整体径向收缩峰值应变（GRS）、左心室整体圆周收缩峰值应变（GCS）及左心室整体面积收缩峰值应变（GAS）。结果 与正常对照组相比,OSAHS组 左心室GLS、GRS、GAS减低（P均<0.05）,OSAHS+HT组左心室GLS、GRS、GCS、GAS均减低（P均<0.05）。与OSAHS组比较,OSAHS+HT组 左心室GLS、GCS、GAS均减低（P均<0.05）。结论 OSAHS合并HT患者存在左心室收缩功能受损。3D-STI能早期、准确有效地评估其左心室整体收缩功能改变。OSAHS患者心脏结构及功能变化独立于HT而单独存在,二者同时存在时改变加重。     

Emergence of ArmA,a 16S rRNA methylase in highly aminoglycoside-resistant clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca in Okinawa,Japan

This study describes highly aminoglycoside-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca clinical isolates obtained from an inpatient in Okinawa, Japan, with no known record of traveling overseas. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of amikacin and arbekacin against these strains were >1024 μg/ml. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that these isolates harbored armA, which encodes a 16S rRNA methylase, ArmA, that confers pan-aminoglycoside resistance. This is the second report of K. pneumoniae harboring armA and the first report of K. oxytoca harboring a 16S rRNA methylase encoding gene in Japan.     

三维斑点追踪成像评价亚临床甲状腺功能减退患者左心室收缩功能

目的 评价三维斑点追踪成像(3D-STE)技术对亚临床甲状腺功能减退(SCH)患者左心室心肌功能减低的预测价值。方法 对32例SCH患者(SCH组)和30名健康志愿者(对照组)行3D-STE检查,获得左心室收缩期整体面积应变(GAS)、整体纵向应变(GLS)和整体环向应变(GCS)。比较对照组和SCH组治疗前后左心室三维应变参数差异,以左心室射血分数<65%为诊断左心室收缩功能减低金标准,采用ROC曲线评价左心室三维应变参数诊断SCH左心室收缩功能减低的效能。结果 SCH组治疗前后GAS、GLS和GCS绝对值均低于对照组(P均<0.05),治疗后GAS、GLS和GCS绝对值均高于治疗前(P均<0.05)。ROC曲线显示GAS、GLS和GCS的AUC分别为0.805、0.723和0.614,分别以-40.5%、-29.3%和-32.6%作为GAS、GLS和GCS诊断左心室功能减低界值,其敏感度分别为85.7%、77.8%和71.1%,特异度分别为72.2%、71.3%和60.1%。结论 3D-STE中GAS诊断SCH患者左心室收缩功能减低效能较高,具有一定的临床预测价值。     

Psoitis and multiple venous thromboses caused by Panton Valentine Leukocidin-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in a 12-year-old girl: A case report

Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) is one of the many toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. In Japan, PVL-positive S. aureus strains are mainly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Data regarding PVL-positive methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) are scarce. In this report, we describe a case of severe infection by PVL-positive MSSA. A 12-year-old healthy girl was admitted with high fever and pain in the lower back. Computed tomography revealed a diagnosis of psoitis and multiple venous thromboses. Blood cultures obtained after admission revealed infection with MSSA. Her fever continued despite adequate antibiotic therapy. On the fifth hospitalization day, she developed bladder dysfunction, and an abscess was noted near the third lumbar vertebra. She underwent an emergency operation and recovered. Bacterial analyses revealed that the causative MSSA was a PVL-producing single variant of ST8 (related to USA300clone), of sequence type 2149. PVL is known to cause platelet activation. This case demonstrates the need for detailed analyses of the causative strain of bacteria in cases of S. aureus infection with deep vein thrombosis, even in cases of known MSSA infection.     

Fungemia due to Fusarium solani under low-dose liposomal amphotericin B in a patient after cord blood transplantation

The introduction of the prophylactic use of antifungal drugs caused the increased occurrence of invasive fungal infections due to previously rare molds, such as fusariosis, after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We herein report the case of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who developed fungemia due to Fusarium solani during liposormal amphotericin B on day 25 after cord blood transplantation (CBT). Because Fusarium species might differ in virulence and drug susceptibility, the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA gene accurately identified Fusarium solani to be the cause of fungemia at the species level. This case highlights Fusarium solani as the cause of fungemia in a patient under liposormal amphotericin B treatment after CBT.