Cutaneous draining sinus tract of odontogenic origin: unusual presentation of a challenging diagnosis

A 44-year-old woman presented with a chronically draining lesion on her cheek just lateral to the nasofacial sulcus. The lesion was refractory to treatment with oral antibiotics. Physical examination revealed poor dentition, and a panoramic radiograph demonstrated periapical abscesses in the maxillary right lateral incisor and canine. A diagnosis of cutaneous fistula of odontogenic origin was made, and the patient was treated with tooth extraction. The cutaneous fistula subsequently resolved. Intraoral examinations and radiographs are critical for making the diagnosis of cutaneous draining sinus tract of odontogenic origin. Many patients undergo unnecessary surgical therapies before having the correct diagnosis made, but root canal therapy or surgical extraction is the treatment of choice. A dental origin must be considered for any chronically draining sinus of the face or neck.     

The first recognized patient withLegionella pneumophila serogroup 9 pneumonia in Japan

A 77-year-old female was admitted because of high fever, cough and sputum. She had been receiving corticosteroid therapy for 4 years for multiple myeloma and was immunosuppressed. A physical examination on admission showed coarse crackles in the right lower lung field, a chest radiograph showed consolidation in the right middle and lower lung fields, and a blood gas analysis revealed marked hypoxemia. The patient was diagnosed as having refractory pneumonia associated with acute respiratory failure and treated with intravenous cefmetazole followed by imipenem. On hospital day 5, erythromycin therapy was started because of a poor response to the previous antibiotics. The patient became afebrile on the tenth day and was in good health on day 15. A sputum culture on day 4 revealed aLegionella organism on Wadowsky-Yee-Okuda medium, which was subsequently confirmed to beLegionella pneumophila by a DNA hybridization test. This strain was identified at the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA, USA) by slide agglutination asL. pneumophila serogroup 9. Although our patient's symptoms are not apparently different from those caused by other serogroup strains ofL. pneumophila, this is the first recognized patient with culture-provenL. pneumophila serogroup 9 pneumonia in Japan. The clinical course of the disease and the diagnostic difficulties in identifying this type of pneumonia are discussed.     

Exogenous or endogenous reservoirs of nosocomialPseudomonas aeruginosa andStaphylococcus aureus infections in a surgical intensive care unit

Objective A 4 month prospective study was performed to assess the incidence and routes of endogenous or exogenous colonization and nosocomial infection caused byStaphylococcus aureus andPseudomonas aeruginosa in surgical critically ill patients.Design A total of 4634 specimens ware obtained. Patient's nasal, scalp, and rectal swabs as well as tracheal secretion (TS) were cultured every second day beginning on the day of admission. Nasal swabs and hand cultures of the personnel as well as cultures from gowns were also taken. all isolates ofS. aureus were phage typed and 116 of these isolates were also plasmid typed.P. aeruginosa isolates were sero-and pyocin typed. Resistance patterns were determined in all isolates.Setting The suty was carried out in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of an teaching hospital.Patients During the study period each patient (a total of 153 patients) admitted to the SICU entered the study.Results P. aeruginosa andS. aureus colonisation rate on admission were 5% and 36.5% respectively. Only 10 patients (6.5%) were colonized withP. aeruginosa during hospitalization, and only 7 patients (4.5%) acquiredS. aureus in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The most common primary colonisation site ofP. aeruginosa was the rectum, whereasS. aureus was predominantly found in nasal cultures. Horizontal transmission ofS. aureus occured in only 2 patients.Conclusion The study suggests that colonisation withP. aeruginosa andS. aureus occurs from endogenous rather than from exogenous sources and that the endogenous acquisition of both bacteria play a more important role in development of nosocomial infections than the exogenous route of transmission.     

Mediastinitis due toNocardia asteroides after cardiac transplantation

Nocardia infection classically occurs in immuno-compromized patients. Only a few cases of mediastinal infection due to this pathogen have been described in the literature. We report a patient who developed mediastinitis due toNocardia asteroides after cardiac transplantation. The treatment was surgical debridment, dressing, sugaring and antibiotic therapy. The emergence of a severe acute renal failure possibly induced by drug interaction between Cyclosporin, cyclines and aminoglycosides, led us to modify the antimicrobial treatment. The intravenous use of Imipenem 2g per day and Ciprofloxacin 400 mg per day for four weeks and then oral Ciprofloxacin 1.5g per day for 1 year, was effective and allowed a good outcome, without any drug interaction with Cyclosporin, adverse effect, graft rejection episode or infection relapse.     

Clinical efficacy of clarithromycin against uterine cervical and pharyngeal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia trachomatis</Emphasis> and the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction to detect <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. trachomatis</Emphasis> at various time points after treatment

The detection and eradication of pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with chlamydial uterine cervicitis (commercial sex workers and others) were investigated. Pharyngeal C. trachomatis was detected in 75.0% of the commercial sex workers and in 21.9% of the other subjects. All the pharyngeal C. trachomatis-positive patients had a past history of orogenital contact. Chlamydial infection was treated with clarithromycin for 7 or 14 days. The presence of C. trachomatis was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on days 8, 15, and 22 after completion of the treatment. In the 7-day treatment group, the eradication rate of pharyngeal C. trachomatis was 53.3%, 56.7%, and 60.0% on days 8, 15, and 22, respectively, after completion of the treatment, while the eradication rate of cervical C. trachomatis was 83.3%, 96.7%, and 100% on days 8, 15, and 22, respectively. The eradication rate of pharyngeal C. trachomatis in the 7-day treatment was significantly lower than that of cervical C. trachomatis, while there was no significant difference in the 14-day treatment. The eradication rate of pharyngeal C. trachomatis in the 14-day treatment was significantly higher than that in the 7-day treatment. Since the DNA of dead organisms may be detected because of high PCR sensitivity, appropriate therapeutic judgment by PCR could be done around day 22 after completion of the treatment.     

Use of polyvalent equine anti-viper serum to treat delayed coagulopathy due to suspected Sistrurus miliarius streckeri envenomation in two children

Background: Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (WPR) envenomation reportedly causes refractory and persistent coagulopathy when treated with CroFab^® (Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab). We report two cases where polyvalent equine anti-viper serum (AntivipmynTRI^®) was used to treat recurrent coagulopathy in children.

Case details: The first patient was a 16-month-old male who was bitten by a confirmed WPR. The patient received a total of 18 vials of CroFab^®. His labs normalized, swelling gradually improved, and the child was discharged to home. On day 5, the child returned to the emergency department with a great deal of inguinal tenderness. Labs were obtained and the child’s INR was >13.1, while the fibrinogen was <60?mg/dL and the d-dimer was 11.72?mg/L. A decision was made to administer Antivipmyn TRI^®, and the child received a total of 10 vials. Lab values significantly improved: INR 1.2, fibrinogen 93?mg/dL, and d-dimer 4.21?mg/L. The second patient was a 20-month-old male who presented following snake envenomation. The child was administered a total of 22 vials of CroFab^® over approximately 70?h following envenomation. Physical exam continued to improve, however, lab results showed an increasing INR 1.98, decreasing platelet count 124?×?10³ per μL, fibrinogen <60?mg/dL, and d-dimer?>20 ug/mL. A total of 15 vials of Antivipmyn TRI^® were administered to this patient. Following this administration, labs and clinical exam both significantly improved. Labs revealed INR 1.16, fibrinogen 110?mg/dL, d-dimer 3.2?mg/L and platelet count 215?×?10³/μL.

Discussion: CroFab^® is still the first-line treatment for children bitten by a WPR, but in some cases patients develop a recurrent coagulopathy. The rapid response demonstrated by Antivipmyn TRI^® leads us to conclude that this is a potential therapy for this clinical situation.     

Intussusception associated withYersinia enterocolitica O:3 infection: Two case reports

We report 2 patients with intussusception due to infection byYersinia enterocolitica. A 3-year-old girl was reduced by a meglumine sodium diatrizoate enema andY. enterocolitica (serotype O:3) was isolated from her stool. Although she was treated with fosfomycin for 3 days, the organism was not eradicated from the bowel. She experienced repeated intussusception on hospital days 10 and 11. A colonoscopy examination on hospital day 13 found many polypoid lesions from the terminal ileum to the ascending colon. The histopathology of a biopsied lesion demonstrated nonspecific lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and gramnegative bacilli surrounded by an infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. The child was treated with cefotaxime which eradicated theY. enterocolitica. No other organisms were isolated from stool samples and she has not had further intussusception. The second patient was a 2-year-old girl who was similarly reduced by a meglumine sodium diatrizoate enema, andY. enterocolitica (serotype O:3) was isolated from her stool. The patient was treated with cefotaxime which eradicated the organism. After treatment,Y. enterocolitica was not isolated from stool samples and she did not have intussusception.     

Acute suppurative parotitis with spread to the deep neck spaces

This report describes the case of an elderly, diabetic woman who became dehydrated and developed acute suppurative parotitis, which caused marked swelling of her left face and neck. The parotid infection also extended by continuity into the lateral pharyngeal space and contiguous deep neck spaces, causing airway-threatening, extensive inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and parapharyngeal soft tissues. The differential diagnosis and diagnostic rationale is discussed. The anatomy of the stylomandibular area is reviewed to explain how infection of the parotid can spread to the pharynx.     

Neglected peritonsillar abscess resulting in necrotizing soft tissue infection of the neck and chest wall

Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) of the neck and chest wall resulting from neglected peritonsillar abscess is a relatively rare but highly lethal surgical condition which has received little attention in the literature. The case of a 54-year-old male patient affected by this unusual infection is reported. Our recent experience and literature data suggest that NSTI resulting from peritonsillar abscess is rapidly spreading and life threatening. High index of suspicion, early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics and aggressive surgical debridement are essential to its successful treatment.     

Two coincidental isolated cases of Legionnaires' disease diagnosed by PCR and cured by combination therapy with clarithromycin and rifampicin

We report 2 cases of Legionnaires' disease that occurred in the same town in Japan at the end of October, 1994. Patient 1 was a 66-year-old male with well-controlled diabetes mellitus, while patient 2 was a previously healthy 46-year-old male. Both patients developed fever and general fatigue on admission, accompanied by disturbances of consciousness in patient 2. The clinical course in both patients showed progressive hypoxemia, expansion of pulmonary infiltration on chest x-ray, severe inflammatory reactions including reduced peripheral lymphocytes, and elevation of transaminases, LDH, and CPK. Both patients recovered completely following the administration of clarithromycin and rifampicin. Although no organism of anyLegionella species was isolated from clinical specimens,Legionella rDNAs were detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification using LEG primers in bronchial secretions from patient 1 and a pleural effusion from patient 2, andLegionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen was detected in the urine and pleural effusion of patient 2. The microagglutination test for the detection of serum anti-Legionella antibodies confirmed that the causative organism in patient 1 wasL. pneumophila serogroup 4 orLegionella dumoffii, and in patient 2,L. pneumophila serogroup 1A, suggesting that the 2 cases did not represent an outbreak, but were isolated cases.     

Extracorporeal life support in the treatment of colchicine poisoning

Abstract

Context. Ingestions of Colchicum autumnale may lead to severe poisoning. It begins with gastrointestinal symptoms and leukocytosis, followed by multi-organ failure with shock and a possible late recovery phase. Mortality is highly dependent on the ingested dose. We report a case of accidental C. autumnale poisoning with refractory cardiogenic shock and eventual survival after extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Case details. A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on day 3 after ingestion of C. autumnale in a meal. She first suffered from nausea and vomiting leading to severe dehydration. She then developed multi-organ failure and refractory cardiogenic shock, with a mean arterial pressure nadir of 50 mmHg despite high doses of catecholamines and a left ventricular ejection fraction at 5–10%. Venous–arterial ECLS was therefore started at an initial rate of 3.5 L/min and 3,800 rev/min. Her symptoms also included pancytopenia on day 4 with diffuse bleeding requiring iterative blood product transfusion. Platelet and leukocyte count nadirs were 13 × 10⁹/L (normal range: 150–400 × 10⁹/L) and 0.77 × 10⁹/L (normal range: 4.2–10.7 × 10⁹/L), respectively. ECLS allowed good cardiac contractility recovery within a few days, with complications including bleeding made controllable. Indeed, because of hemostasis disorders, the patient presented hemoptysis and hematuria. She was treated with tranexamic acid and transfused with blood products. She received 15 erythrocyte concentrates, 13 platelet concentrates, and 7 fresh frozen plasma. ECLS was removed by day 10, with subsequent weaning from mechanical ventilation as well as from hemodialysis in the following days. Discussion. This patient survives after the use of ECLS in Colchicum poisoning, with controllable complications. Thus, ECLS might be indicated to overcome the potentially refractory cardiogenic shock phase.     

Management of refractory essential thrombocythemia with anagrelide in a patient undergoing hemodialysis

Background: Management of essential thrombocythemia (ET) in high-risk patients is difficult because high platelet numbers can lead to vascular occlusive events and bleeding. Therapeutic interventions in ET are limited to hydroxyurea and anagrelide; however, in Europe, anagrelide is contraindicated in patients with chronic renal disease.Objective: The aim of this case report was to describe the use of anagrelide in a patient with ET and renal impairment.Case summary: A 73-year-old white female patient with severe renal impairment who was diagnosed with ET was receiving treatment with hydroxyurea 1 g/d since 2001. At this time she was also receiving aspirin 80 mg/d; calcium carbonate 1 g/d; pravastatin 40 mg/d; folic acid 5 mg/d; furosemide 40 mg/d; cetirizine 10 mg/d; erythropoietin 10,000 U once monthly; a vitamin B complex, 1 tablet a day; and iron tablets 105 mg/d. In February 2007, because her white blood cell count fell to 2.1 × 10⁹/L, myelodepression was suspected and hydroxyurea was stopped. This led to enhanced platelet levels and the introduction of anagrelide at an initial dose of 0.5 mg/d that was steadily increased to 2.5 mg/d. All other treatments were continued with some dosage adjustments. Sodium bicarbonate 1 g/d and vitamin D were added to her regimen. After 18 months of anagrelide treatment, a sudden but moderate fall of platelets to 142 × 10³/μL with severe anemia (hemoglobin, 6.5 g/dL) was observed. The patient had anemia since 2004, but the condition worsened due to bleeding related to an ulcer at the cecal valve. The patient refused blood and platelet transfusions and surgical intervention for religious reasons. Because of hemodynamic instability, she was admitted to the intensive care unit in December 2008 and died 24 hours after admission.Conclusion: We report a case of ET and chronic renal failure treated with anagrelide and low-dose aspirin in a patient who did not receive transfusion and surgical intervention due to religious reasons, and had a fatal outcome.     

Vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia in endocarditis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUNDThrombocytopenia is a serious complication in the medical practice of numerous drugs. Vancomycin is frequently used for the prophylaxis and treatment of suspected or identified methicillin-resistant positive infections. Several cases with vancomycin-induced thrombocytopenia (VIT) have been reported. However, these have rarely been extensively reviewed. The present report describes a case of VIT in endocarditis, and reviews all VIT cases reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARYA 26-year-old male diagnosed with infective endocarditis was admitted. The patient was treated with multiple drugs, including vancomycin, which was initially intravenously given at 1000 mg every 12 h and subsequently at 500 mg every 8 h on day 3. On day 11, the platelet count decreased to 51 × 10⁹/L, vancomycin was switched to 500 mg every 12 h, and platelet transfusion was given. On day 17, the platelet count dropped to 27 × 10⁹/L, and platelet transfusion was administered again. On day 23, vancomycin was adjusted to 500 mg every 8 h as the trough concentration dropped to the minimum effective concentration. On day 33, the platelet count declined to approximately 40 × 10⁹/L. After platelet transfusion, the platelet count rebounded to 90 × 10⁹/L on day 35 but dropped again to 42 × 10⁹/L on day 43. Based on the time-to-platelet count curve and Naranjo’s Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score, VIT was suspected. After vancomycin discontinuation and platelet transfusion, the platelet count gradually normalized. CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of VIT can be achieved through the time-to-platelet count curve and Naranjo’s Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score. The platelet count cannot be normalized simply by platelet transfusion alone, and vancomycin discontinuation is essential.     

Abdominal aortic mycotic aneurysm, psoas abscess, and aorto-bisiliac graft infection due to Salmonella typhimurium

Infections due to nontyphoidal Salmonella are common and their incidence has been increasing in the last few years. Here, we describe a patient with a rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with a psoas abscess due to Salmonella typhimurium. Early diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention, and active and prolonged antibiotic therapy are the gold standard for the management of this severe clinical situation. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Multiple doses of cefodizime are necessary for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pharyngeal infection

A single dose of cefodizime (CDZM), ceftriaxone (CTRX), or spectinomycin (SPCM) is recommended for the treatment of gonococcal urethritis or uterine cervicitis in the era of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae; namely, cefozopran-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (CZRNG). N. gonorrhoeae pharyngeal infection is not so rare in Japan; however, the proper treatment regimen for this infection is not clear. We previously found that a single dose of CDZM completely eradicated multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in patients with urethritis and uterine cervicitis, so we tried a single 1.0-g dose of CDZM for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae pharyngeal infection, including infections with CZRNG. The eradication rate of N. gonorrhoeae from the pharynx was 63.0% with a single 1.0-g dose of CDZM, while the rate for CZRNG with the same dose of CDZM was 38.5%. N. gonorrhoeae was completely eradicated from the pharynx when patients received one or two additional doses of CDZM. Therefore, we concluded that two to three doses of CDZM were necessary for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae pharyngeal infection including infection with CZRNG.     

A rare and unsuspected complication of Clostridium difficile infection

Objective To report the occurrence of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) due to infection with Clostridium difficile. Design Case report. Setting Trauma intensive care unit (TICU) of Hamad General Hospital, a teaching hospital in Doha, Qatar. Patient A 36-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle accident had severe traumatic brain injury and received ceftriaxone. On day 7, he developed severe abdominal distension and diarrhoea followed by paralytic ileus with oliguria, hyperkalaemia, and intra-abdominal hypertension. The patient's stool sample was positive for C. difficile toxin A and B Measurements and results An ACS was diagnosed. The patient was successfully treated in the TICU by stopping the offending antibiotic and starting metronidazole plus neostigmine as a prokinetic agent. The fluid status was guided by pulse-induced continuous cardiac output, and frusemide was added to the treatment. With this aggressive management the abdominal pressure decreased and the renal function improved, with full recovery of renal function by day 21. Unfortunately the patient's Glasgow coma score (GCS) deteriorated, so percutaneous tracheostomy was performed. He was transferred to the neurosurgical ward on day 35. A week later he was shifted to the rehabilitation unit for further management. Conclusions C. difficile colitis can cause intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and ACS. Rapid diagnosis, early aggressive supportive care, metronidazole and prokinetics are necessary to lower the morbidity and mortality of C. difficile colitis associated with IAH and ACS. Presented as mini-paper at the 3rd World Congress on Abdominal Compartment Syndrome – WCACS 2007 [Shaikh N, Kettern MA, Elshaffie SS, Louon A, Hanssens Y (2007) Acta Clin Belg (Suppl) 62(1):287 (M9)].     

鼻咽癌T分期累及舌骨上颈部筋膜间隙规律的MRI探讨

目的应用MRI探讨鼻咽癌侵犯舌骨上颈部筋膜间隙的规律及其与肿瘤T分期的关系。材料与方法回顾性分析2013年7月至2016年3月贵州省人民医院经病理学证实的鼻咽癌初诊患者200例,在治疗前行MRI平扫及增强检查。由2名有经验的影像诊断医师结合中国鼻咽癌临床分期工作委员会新修订形成的"鼻咽癌2008分期",观察鼻咽癌对舌骨上颈部各筋膜间隙的侵犯情况及其与T分期的关系,进一步了解鼻咽癌的生长规律。结果 (1)鼻咽癌对舌骨上各筋膜间隙的侵犯率依次为:咽黏膜间隙(200例)、咽旁间隙(180例)、咀嚼间隙(139例)、咽后间隙(125例)、椎周间隙(119例)、颈动脉间隙(57例)、腮腺间隙(14例)、下颌下间隙(2例)、面颊间隙(1例)。(2)鼻咽癌T1期8例(4.0%)肿瘤仅局限于咽黏膜间隙;T2期34例,其中64.7%(22/34)肿瘤突破咽颅底筋膜侵犯咽旁间隙;T3期61例(30.5%)肿瘤对舌骨上各筋膜间隙的侵犯率依次为咽黏膜间隙(100%,61/61)、咽旁间隙(100%,61/61)、咽后间隙(77.0%,47/61)、咀嚼间隙(68.9%,42/61)、椎周间隙(67.2%,41/61)及颈动脉间隙(37.7%,23/61),下颌下间隙、腮腺间隙、面颊间隙及颈后间隙均未见侵犯征象;T4期97例(48.5%)肿瘤对舌骨上各筋膜间隙的侵犯率依次为咽黏膜间隙(100%,97/97)、咽旁间隙(100%,97/97)、咀嚼间隙(100%,97/97)、咽后间隙(80.4%,78/97)、椎周间隙(76.3%,74/97)、颈动脉间隙(35.1%,34/97)、腮腺间隙(14.4%,14/97)、下颌下间隙(2.1%,2/97)及面颊间隙(1.0%,1/97),颈后间隙未见受侵征象。(3)鼻咽癌向单侧及双侧侵犯率分别为30.2%(58/192)和69.8%(134/192)。结论鼻咽癌对于周围的舌骨上筋膜间隙侵犯中,以咽旁间隙侵犯率最高。颈后间隙是唯一未受侵犯的舌骨上筋膜间隙。肿瘤向周围生长的模式为:向侧方浸润多于向后方,向后方浸润多于向侧后方,向双侧浸润明显多于向单侧浸润。     

Pharyngeal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neisseria gonorrhoeae</Emphasis> detection in oral-throat wash specimens of male patients with urethritis

Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in the pharynx has been highlighted in the prevention of the unexpected spread of sexually transmitted diseases. We tried to clarify the detection rate of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the pharynx and the clinical relevance of oral-throat wash specimens to detect the organism in heterosexual men with gonococcal and nongonococcal urethritis. In our cohort of 79 male patients with urethritis, oral throat wash specimens were collected after they had gargled with normal saline for approximately 30 to 60 s. Positive pharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae was defined as a positive result on the strand displacement amplification test for the specimen from the oral-throat wash. N. gonorrhoeae was detected in the oral-throat wash specimens of 13 (31.7%) of the 41 male patients with gonococcal urethritis. Oral-throat wash with a nucleic acid amplification test can detect pharyngeal N. gonorrhoeae easily and efficiently.     

Lemierre's syndrome: Diagnosis in the emergency department

A 15‐year‐old boy presented with signs of sepsis and a history of sore throat, fevers and shortness of breath. Full examination revealed an erythematous oropharynx and mild tonsillar swelling. He rapidly deteriorated requiring admission to intensive care. Blood cultures grew Fusobacterium necrophorum and an ultrasound scan performed for left neck tenderness confirmed internal jugular vein thrombosis. He was diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome. This condition results from pharyngitis or tonsillitis with bacterial spread to the lateral pharyngeal space. Internal jugular vein thrombosis ensues with septic emboli and metastatic infections that most frequently involve the lungs. Although increasing in incidence, diagnosis is often delayed. We discuss why and describe its clinical presentation, investigations of choice and treatment strategies.     

Fulminant septicemia of Bacillus cereus resistant to carbapenem in a patient with biphenotypic acute leukemia

We report a case of fulminant septicemia with Bacillus cereus resistant to carbapenem. A 33-year-old man was suffering from febrile neutropenia (FN) on day 15 after the start of remission-induction therapy for biphenotypic acute leukemia under gut decontamination with polymyxin B and nystatin. Meropenem, a carbapenem, was administered according to the guideline for FN. Two days later (on day 17), he complained of severe abdominal pain, lost consciousness, went into sudden cardiopulmonary arrest, and died. Autopsy showed multiple spots of hemorrhage and necrosis caused by bacterial plaque in the brain, lungs, and liver. B. cereus was isolated from a blood sample obtained in the morning on day 17 and it was after his death that the isolated B. cereus was revealed to be resistant to carbapenem. B. cereus obtained from blood samples has been reported to be usually sensitive to carbapenem and also to vancomycin, new quinolones, and clindamycin. If B. cereus resistant to carbapem increases, our method of gut decontamination with polymyxin B and nystatin may have to be changed to one containing a new quinolone for the prevention of septicemia. Careful watching to determine whether B. cereus resistant to carbapem increases may be also important for empiric therapy, because carbapenem is often selected as the initial therapy for FN in patients with severe neutropenia.