Gallstones Containing Bacteria are Biofilms: Bacterial Slime Production and Ability to Form Pigment Solids Determines Infection Severity and Bacteremia

Objective Gallstone bacteria provide a reservoir for biliary infections. Slime production facilitates adherence, whereas β-glucuronidase and phospholipase generate colonization surface. These factors facilitate gallstone formation, but their influence on infection severity is unknown. Methods Two hundred ninety-two patients were studied. Gallstones, bile, and blood (as applicable) were cultured. Bacteria were tested for β-glucuronidase/phospholipase production and quantitative slime production. Infection severity was correlated with bacterial factors. Results Bacteria were present in 43% of cases, 13% with bacteremia. Severe infections correlated directly with β-glucuronidase/phospholipase (55% with vs 13% without, P < 0.0001), but inversely with slime production (55 vs 8%, slime <75 or >75, P = 0.008). Low slime production and β-glucuronidase/phospholipase production were additive: Severe infections were present in 76% with both, but 10% with either or none (P < 0.0001). β-Glucuronidase/phospholipase production facilitated bactibilia (86% with vs 62% without, P = 0.03). Slime production was 19 (±8) vs 50 (±10) for bacteria that did or did not cause bacteremia (P = 0.004). No bacteria with slime >75 demonstrated bacteremia. Conclusions Bacteria-laden gallstones are biofilms whose characteristics influence illness severity. Factors creating colonization surface (β-glucuronidase/phospholipase) facilitated bacteremia and severe infections; but abundant slime production, while facilitating colonization, inhibited detachment and cholangiovenous reflux. This shows how properties of the gallstone biofilm determine the severity of the associated illness. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, held May 20–24, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.     

Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background  

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies have been of diagnostic value in Northern European Caucasian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In these populations, anti-CCP antibodies are associated with the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope. We assessed the diagnostic value of anti-CCP antibodies in Greek patients with RA where the HLA shared epitope was reported in a minority of patients.     

An audit of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in rheumatology outpatients

Background  

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are recommended for a number of clinical risk groups including patients treated with major immunosuppressant disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Such immunisation is not only safe but immunogenic in patients with rheumatic diseases. We sought to establish dual vaccination rates and significant influencing factors amongst our hospital rheumatology outpatients.     

Functional posterior rhizotomy: the Tokyo experience

Purpose The author describes the history of functional posterior rhizotomy (FPR), the surgical procedure currently used, and the results together with its future perspective in Japan. The modern form of FPR was introduced to Japan in 1995, and the first surgery was carried out in 1996. Despite initial resistance from orthopedic surgeons, the procedure has eventually gained wide recognition in the country. Materials and Methods The author has operated on 98 patients (60 boys and 38 girls, aged from 2 to 19 years old) by the end of 2006. Most patients were mild to severely disabled children with spastic hypertonia because of cerebral palsy and other diseases. The surgical procedure used is based on the Peacock’s procedure with some modification for the mildly disabled children whose spasticity was predominantly the muscles of the ankle joint. Intraoperative neurophysiology was an indispensable tool for preserving urogenital function and for judging which root/rootlet to be cut. Results Seventeen to 83% of the root/rootlets were found to be abnormal and were cut, clearly correlating with the degree of disability. However, there was a wide difference in the cutting rate, even in children with the same degree of disability. The result of surgery in this group of patients was the same as in previously published data. Twenty out of 51 patients (39%) followed for more than a year at the current institute showed improved locomotion after FPR. Thirty patients (59%) demonstrated suprasegmental effects after FPR. Conclusion The role of FPR will grow in importance as a treatment for spasticity in Japan in the future.     

副神经节细胞瘤的影像诊断

目的探讨副神经节细胞瘤的影像特点，提高其诊断正准率。方法对25例副神经节细胞瘤的影像资料进行分析，探讨不同影像检查方法诊断副神经节细胞瘤的价值。结果16例位于腹膜后、4例位于心脏、2例位于膀胱、2例位于胸腔近膈顶处、1例位于肝门区。以囊实性为主，与周围组织分界不清，MR及CT平扫肿瘤信号及密度不均匀，增强扫描实性部分可明显强化。17例肾上腺髓质^131I-间碘苄胍（^131I-MIBG）显像阳性率为88．2％（15例）；7例行生长抑素受体^99Tc^m-奥曲肽（^99Tc^m-octreotide）显像者，6例阳性。结论CT、MRI可显示肿瘤内部结构特征及与周围组织的关系，^131I-MIBG显像有定性价值，^99Tc-octreotide显像可提供补充信息。     

Lacunar skull deformity and hydrocephalus in infants with myelomeningocele: is lacunar skull deformity a predictor of hydrocephalus development?

Objects We evaluated whether the presence of lacunar skull deformity (LSD) with myelomeningocele is a predictive factor for subsequent hydrocephalus development. Materials and methods We reviewed the clinical and radiological records of 18 infants with myelomeningocele, divided the patients into groups with (group A, n=9) and without (group B, n=9) ventriculomegaly at birth and assessed whether the presence of LSD was predictive of the necessity for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement. Results LSD was present in five group A patients. All nine group A patients underwent VPS placement. Among the group B patients, five had LSD; they underwent VPS placement. A significantly higher proportion of those with ventricle enlargement or LSD at birth required VPS placement (p=0.0001). Conclusion Adding to the ventriculomegaly at birth, the presence of LSD alerts to the necessity to monitor these infants closely to determine the necessity for VPS placement.     

动脉栓塞治疗产后出血的临床应用研究

目的评价经导管动脉栓塞术(TAE)治疗产后出血的血管造影表现及疗效。方法65例产后出血患者采用右股动脉Seldinger's穿刺技术,选择性插管至双侧髂内动脉或子宫动脉,行数字减影血管造影(DSA)明确出血原因、部位后用庆大霉素浸泡过的明胶海绵颗粒或条栓塞。结果插管成功率100%,手术时间30～60min,平均45.2±4.8min,术后止血总有效率98.46%。术后随访3～60个月,均无严重并发症发生,子宫体按期复旧,转经后月经正常。结论TAE创伤小,疗效快速肯定,对危及生命的产后出血是一种有效的治疗措施。     

Swyer-James综合征的CT表现

目的探讨Swyer-James综合征的CT及高分辨率CT(HRCT)表现。方法19例胸部CT扫描患者,均行HRCT扫描,其中13例有深呼气末及深吸气末HRCT扫描,1例经手术病理证实闭塞性细支气管炎并支气管扩张。结果19例共累及37叶肺,CT显示全部肺叶透亮度增高和肺叶血管纹理细小,其中35叶(95%)容积缩小;同时,CT显示合并支气管扩张19例、肺结核2例、细支气管炎6例和节段性肺不张3例。结论CT及HRCT扫描是诊断该病的较佳方法。