Other bacterial diseasesDiseases caused by corynebacteria and related organisms

Minor Injuries ◽

Genus Corynebacterium ◽

Human Infections

The genus Corynebacterium contains the species Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the non-diphtherial corynebacteria. C. diphtheriae is the major human pathogen in this genus, but several species of nondiphtheria corynebacteria appear to be emerging as important pathogens.Zoonotic corynebacteria rarely cause disease in humans, but recent reports have indicated that the frequency and severity of infection associated with Corynebacterium ulcerans has increased in many countries. In the past most human C.ulcerans infections have occurred through close contact with farm animals or by consumption of unpasteurised dairy products. However, recently, there have been cases of human infection following close contact with household pets. Rhodococcus equi appears to be emerging as an important pathogen in immunocompromised patients, especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Human infections caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is still a very rare occurrence.Antibiotics in combination with surgery and vaccination are the treatment of choice for human infection. Control of human infection is best achieved by raising awareness in those at risk (e.g. domestic pet owners, sheep shearers, the immunocompromised), clinicians involved in treating these groups and by vaccination. Reducing prevalence in the animal population could be achieved by improving hygiene in farms and husbandry practices, reducing minor injuries (e.g. cuts and abrasions) during routine procedures, and by vaccination.

Encephalitozoon hellem in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Veterinary Pathology ◽

10.1177/030098589703400303 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 189-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

S. S. Black ◽

L. A. Steinohrt ◽

D. C. Bertucci ◽

L. B. Rogers ◽

E. S. Didier

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infections ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Hepatic Necrosis ◽

Melopsittacus Undulatus ◽

Pet Birds ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Human Infections

Microsporidiosis with concurrent megabacteriosis in budgerigar ( Melopsittacus undulatus) chicks contributed to significant economic loss in a commercial pet bird aviary in Mississippi. Three budgerigar chicks, 1-2 weeks old, from the aviary were necropsied. Microscopic lesions in the chicks consisted of heavy infection of enterocytes with microsporidia (2/3; autolysis precluded critical evaluation of the intestine of chick No. 2), multifocal hepatic necrosis and inflammation with intralesional microsporidia (1/3), spherical clusters of microsporidia in the hepatic sinusoids in the absence of inflammation (1/3), and gastric megabacteriosis (3/3). The ultrastructure of the microsporidian spores was consistent with an Encephalitozoon species. The polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis were used to identify the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem, an organism that has only been identified in humans. Encephalitozoon hellem causes keratoconjunctivitis and respiratory infections in humans with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This report presents the first confirmed case of microsporidiosis in budgerigars. The finding of E. hellem in pet birds may be important in elucidating the epidemiology of human infections with this organism.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and pneumonia caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.2074 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (07) ◽

pp. 588-591 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Nomonde Ritta Dlamini ◽

Ahmed Bhamjee ◽

Penelope Levick ◽

Evelyn Uniacke ◽

Husna Ismail ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis ◽

Human Infection ◽

Bordetella Bronchiseptica ◽

Bacterial Peritonitis ◽

Primary Peritonitis ◽

First Case ◽

Common Infection

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a rare cause of invasive human infection. The most common infection in humans is the respiratory tract infection and it is usually associated with immunosuppression, particularly acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We report a case of a pneumonia and peritonitis in a 42-year-old female with alcoholic liver disease. The patient died despite treatment with antibiotics. This case illustrates the potential virulence of B. bronchiseptica in susceptible patients and to our knowledge it is the first case of primary peritonitis due to this organism.

Microsporidia and human infections.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews ◽

10.1128/cmr.2.2.158 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 158-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

J A Shadduck ◽

E Greeley

Keyword(s):

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽

Intracellular Pathogens ◽

Host Defenses ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Lower Vertebrates ◽

Parasite Replication ◽

Serological Data ◽

Human Infections

Protozoa of the phylum Microspora are obligate intracellular pathogens that are being detected with increasing frequency in humans, especially in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Organisms from four genera have been reported to date, and serological data suggest the occurrence of latent infections. Sources of human infections are not known, but microsporidia are widespread in lower vertebrates and invertebrates. There is no known treatment. Study of the disease in mammals suggests that infection often will be clinically silent, that intact T-cell-mediated host defenses are required for resistance, and that serious clinical disease may occur under circumstances in which extensive parasite replication can occur.

Malassezia furfurInfections

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/646265 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 676-681 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Osvaldo Teglia ◽

Paul E. Schoch ◽

Burke A. Cunha

Keyword(s):

Normal Skin ◽

Intravenous Line ◽

Clinical Syndromes ◽

Skin Flora ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Tinea Versicolor ◽

Human Infections ◽

Line Sepsis

Malassezia furfur, previously known asPityrosporum obiculare, is a lipophilic saprophytic yeast that preferentially colonizes the skin of the scalp, chest, and back. Three clinical syndromes have been associated withM furfurinfections: intravenous line sepsis associated with lipid infusions; folliculitis, most often in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and less commonly in steroid-treated patients with diabetes mellitus; and tinea versicolor, a superficial dermatosis seen in healthy young adults. Most cases ofM furfurseen in the hospital are AIDS patients with folliculitis and intravenous line sepsis in neonates receiving lipid emulsions.ThegenusMalasseziaconsists of two saprophytic yeast-like organisms:M furfurandMalassezia pachydermatitis.M furfur, predominantly a yeast, is a fastidiously lipophylic member of the normal skin flora in 90% of humans. It is present as filamentous structures in the skin where the organism is associated with tinea versicolor and folliculitis.M pachydermatitisis a yeast most often associated with dogs, where it has been reported to cause otitis externa. Recent reports have implicated this organism in human infections as well.

Immunogold labeling of Pneumocystis carinii for Electron microscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100085654 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 270-271

Author(s):

Michael P. Goheen ◽

Marilyn S. Bartlett ◽

James W. Smith

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Pneumocystis Carinii ◽

Severe Pneumonia ◽

Culture Fluid ◽

Immunogold Labeling ◽

Antigenic Sites ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Response To Chemotherapy ◽

Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Studies of the biology of Pneumocystis carinii (PC) are of increasing importance because this extracellular pathogen is a frequent source of severe pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and is a leading cause of mortality in these patients. Immunoelectron microscopic localization of antigenic sites on the surface of PC would improve the understanding of these sites and their role in pathenogenisis of the disease and response to chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for visualizing immunoreactive sites on PC with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using immunogold labeled probes.Trophozoites of PC were added to spinner flask cultures and allowed to grow for 7 days, then aliquots of tissue culture fluid were centrifuged at 12,000 RPM for 30 sec. Pellets of organisims were fixed in either 1% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% glutaraldehyde-4% paraformaldehyde, or 4% paraformaldehyde for 4h. All fixatives were buffered with 0.1M Na cacodylate and the pH adjusted to 7.1. After fixation the pellets were rinsed in 0.1M Na cacodylate (3X), dehydrated with ethanol, and immersed in a 1:1 mixture of 95% ethanol and LR White resin.