scholarly journals 1032. A Case Series of Clostridium septicum Aortitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S307-S308
Author(s):  
Bethany Lehman ◽  
Ryan Miller ◽  
George Keller ◽  
Sandra S Richter ◽  
Susan J Rehm

Abstract Background Clostridium septicum is an anaerobic, motile, spore forming, toxin-producing Gram-positive bacillus (GPB) that has been associated with colon and hematologic malignancies. Despite the low incidence of infection, it is a virulent organism leading to rapidly progressive gas gangrene. Only 51 cases of C. septicum related aortic aneurysms have been reported. 100% mortality is reported in patients without surgical intervention vs. 79% undergoing surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes of patients treated at our institution with C. septicum aortitis. Methods In this IRB-approved retrospective case series, we reviewed our microbiology laboratory’s blood and tissue cultures from January 2005 to 2018 to identify cases of C. septicum infection. All patients >18 years of age who had positive cultures were reviewed to provide radiographic or histopathologic correlation. Results Among 50 patients with C. septicum in blood and tissue cultures, seven patients were identified with aortitis. Underlying malignancy was found in four cases and included colon cancer (three cases) and prostate cancer (one case). The most common location for infection was the infrarenal aorta (four cases). Previous vascular surgery had been performed in three cases. Five of the seven patients underwent surgical repair with pathology revealing GPB in three patients and acute inflammation in the other two patients. C. septicum grew in tissue cultures from these patients. Four of the seven patients (all of whom underwent surgery) had positive blood cultures. The two patients that did not undergo surgery died which is consistent with the 100% mortality described in the literature. All patients were treated with β-lactam therapy. The median duration among the five who completed treatment was 7.5 weeks. Among the five patients who underwent surgery, two are alive (one at 1 year and another at 5 months postoperatively), two died within the first year after surgery, and one patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusion A small percentage of patients with C. septicum aortitis survived over 1 year. Earlier recognition and emergent surgery with appropriate antimicrobial therapy are needed to improve the outcome of patients diagnosed with this rare infection. Disclosures S. S. Richter, bioMerieux: Grant Investigator, Research grant. BD Diagnostics: Grant Investigator, Research grant. Roche: Grant Investigator, Research grant. Hologic: Grant Investigator, Research grant. Diasorin: Grant Investigator, Research grant. Accelerate: Grant Investigator, Research grant. Biofire: Grant Investigator, Research grant.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 388.2-389
Author(s):  
A. Rubbert-Roth ◽  
P. K. Bode ◽  
T. Langenegger ◽  
C. Pfofe ◽  
T. Neumann ◽  
...  

Background:Giant cell arteritis (GCA) may affect the aorta and the large aortic branches and lead to dissections and aortic aneurysms. Tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment has the capacity to control aortic inflammation as has been demonstrated by CRP normalization and imaging data. However, limited data are available on the histopathological findings obtained from patients who underwent surgery because of aortic complications during TCZ treatment.Objectives:We report on 5 patients with aortitis who were treated with TCZ and developed aortic complications.Methods:We describe a retrospective case series of patients with GCA treated with TCZ, who presented in our clinic between 2011 and 2019. Three patients underwent surgery. Histopathologic examination was performed in specimen from all of them.Results:Five female patients were diagnosed with GCA (4/5) or Takaysu arteritis (1/5) involving the aorta, all them diagnosed by MR angiography and/or FDG PET CT scan. Three patients (one with aortic aneurysm, one with dissection) underwent surgery after having been treated with TCZ for seven weeks, nine months and four years, respectively. Imaging before surgery showed remission on MRI and/or PET-CT in all cases. At the time of surgery, all patients showed normalized CRP and ESR values. Histopathological evaluation of the aortic wall revealed infiltrates, consisting predominantly of CD3+CD4+ T cells. Enlargement of pre-existing aneuryms was observed in the other two patients 10 weeks and 4 months after discontinuation of TCZ, respectively. Both patients were not eligible for surgical intervention and died during follow-up.Conclusion:Our case series suggests that during treatment with TCZ, regular imaging is necessary in this patient population to detect development of structural changes such as aneurysms or dissections. Despite treatment, residual inflammation might persist which could contribute to eventual aortic complications.Disclosure of Interests:Andrea Rubbert-Roth Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Chugai, Pfizer, Roche, Janssen, Lilly, Sanofi, Amgen, Novartis, Peter Karl Bode: None declared, Thomas Langenegger: None declared, Claudia Pfofe: None declared, Thomas Neumann: None declared, Olaf Chan-Hi Kim: None declared, Johannes von Kempis Consultant of: Roche


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Marie Richey ◽  
Miranda Lucia Ritterman Weintraub ◽  
John M. Schuberth

Background: The incidence rate of venous thrombotic events (VTEs) following foot and ankle surgery is low. Currently, there is no consensus regarding postoperative prophylaxis or evidence to support risk stratification. Methods: A 2-part study assessing the incidence and factors for the development of VTE was conducted: (1) a retrospective observational cohort study of 22 486 adults to calculate the overall incidence following foot and/or ankle surgery from January 2008 to May 2011 and (2) a retrospective matched case-control study to identify risk factors for development of VTE postsurgery. One control per VTE case matched on age and sex was randomly selected from the remaining patients. Results: The overall incidence of VTE was 0.9%. Predictive risk factors in bivariate analyses included obesity, history of VTE, history of trauma, use of hormonal replacement or oral contraception therapy, anatomic location of surgery, procedure duration 60 minutes or more, general anesthesia, postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, and use of anticoagulation. When significant variables from bivariate analyses were placed into the multivariable regression model, 4 remained statistically significant: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for obesity, 6.1; history of VTE, 15.7; use of hormone replacement therapy, 8.9; and postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, 9.0. The risk of VTE increased significantly with 3 or more risk factors ( P = .001). Conclusion: The overall low incidence of VTE following foot and ankle surgery does not support routine prophylaxis for all patients. Among patients with 3 or more risk factors, the use of chemoprophylaxis may be warranted. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria N. Chitasombat ◽  
Pimjai Niparuck

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening disease requiring multimodal treatment with antifungals and surgery. The mortality rate remains high, prompting consideration of alternative treatment strategies. Deferiprone has in vitro activity against Mucorales, but its efficacy has never been evaluated in humans. Here, we retrospectively analyzed patients with confirmed mucormycosis who received deferiprone from 2011 to 2017. Five patients had hematologic malignancies and one was diabetic. The sites of infection included sinus-orbit-cerebral (67%), lung (17%), and disseminated infection (17%). Surgery was performed in 83% of cases and achieved local control for 33% of patients. A combination regimen of polyenes plus echinocandins was administered with stepdown treatment using posaconazole. The median duration of antifungal treatment was 86 days (range: 46-435 days) days. Deferiprone was given as adjunctive treatment with a median dose and duration of 100 mg/kd/day (range: 86.2-100 mg/kg/day) and 25 days (range: 15-215 days), respectively. Overall, deferiprone was well-tolerated. Successful outcomes were observed at 12-week follow-up for 67% of patients. The mortality rate at 180- day follow-up was 50%. Adjunctive therapy with deferiprone showed safety and tolerability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
William Mundo ◽  
Louis Morales-Shnaider ◽  
Selam Tewahade ◽  
Eric Wagner ◽  
Solana Archuleta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) remains a cause of mortality in HIV-negative patients. The clinical benefit of adjuvant corticosteroids in these patients is uncertain. This study aimed to determine if corticosteroids would reduce mortality in a cohort of HIV-negative PJP patients. Methods We examined a retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with PJP at the University of Colorado Hospital between 1995 and 2019. Data were collected in 71 PJP-infected patients. Twenty-eight patients were HIV-negative, and 43 were infected with HIV. We performed bivariate and forward, stepwise multivariable logistic regressions to identify mortality predictors. Results Common underlying conditions in HIV-negative patients were hematologic malignancies (28.6%), autoimmune disorders (25.9%), and solid organ transplantation (10.7%). HIV-negative patients had higher rates and durations of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay. Survival was significantly increased in HIV-negative patients receiving adjuvant corticosteroids, with 100% mortality in patients not receiving corticosteroids vs 60% mortality in patients receiving corticosteroids (P = .034). In an adjusted multivariable model, no adjuvant corticosteroid use was associated with higher mortality (odds ratio, 13.5; 95% CI, 1.1–158.5; P = .039) regardless of HIV status. Conclusions We found substantial mortality among HIV-negative patients with PJP, and adjuvant corticosteroid use was associated with decreased mortality. Response to corticosteroids is best established in HIV-infected patients, but emerging reports suggest a similar beneficial response in PJP patients without HIV infection. Further prospective studies may establish a more definitive role of the addition of corticosteroids among HIV-negative patients with PJP.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (03) ◽  
pp. 254-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honggang Xu ◽  
Jun Tu ◽  
Bin Xu ◽  
Ruipeng Guo

AbstractIrreducible knee dislocation is a rare but devastating orthopedic emergency. Limited discussion about its characteristics has been undertaken due to its low incidence. The purpose of this study was to present a series of irreducible dislocated knees and cumulatively reviewed all existing publications in this filed. A retrospective case series study was undertaken in patients with irreducible knee dislocation. Patients' data were carefully collected and presented. Historical cases of irreducible knee dislocation in published papers were reviewed, and their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were summarized. Six patients with six irreducible knee dislocations were enrolled with an average age of 51.2 ± 9.7 years. Patterns of injuries were classified into KD-III M (three cases), KD-IV (two cases), and KD-V (one case). Dimple sign was presented in all cases on both physical examination and MRI. All patients received single-stage arthrotomy together with cruciate ligament reconstruction acutely. In cumulative literature review, 34 papers with 45 irreducible knee dislocations were included. KD-III M was the most familiar type of ligamentous injury (75.0%). Dimple sign was recorded in 83.7% occasions and the most frequent two trapped structures were medial retinaculum (31.8%) and MCL (43.1%). Open reduction was conducted in all cases to reduce the knee, and the prognosis of 88.0% cases was considered to be acceptable after different staged surgery. The “dimple” sign is pathognomonic but not necessary for diagnosis of irreducible knee dislocations. The general consensus for treatment is immediate neurovascular status assessment and acute open reduction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Dezsényi ◽  
Zsolt Dubóczki ◽  
Tamás Strausz ◽  
Eszter Csulak ◽  
Veronika Czoma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis is an underreported, often misdiagnosed and mistreated parasitic disease mainly due to its low incidence. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human AE patients in Hungary for the first time. Method Between 2003 and 2018, epidemiological and clinical data of suspected AE patients were collected retrospectively from health database management systems. Results This case series included a total of 16 AE patients. The mean age of patients was 53 years (range: 24–78 years). The sex ratio was 1:1. Four patients (25%) revealed no recurrence after radical surgery and adjuvant albendazole (ABZ) therapy. For five patients (31.3%) with unresectable lesions, a stabilization of lesions with ABZ treatment was achieved. In seven patients (43.8%), progression of AE was documented. The mean diagnostic delay was 33 months (range: 1–122 months). Three AE related deaths (fatality rate 18.8%) were recorded. Conclusions AE is an emerging infectious disease in Hungary with a high fatality rate since based on our results, almost every fifth AE patient died in the study period. Differential diagnosis and appropriate surgical and medical therapy for AE is an urging challenge for clinicians in Hungary, as well as in some other European countries where E. multilocularis is prevalent.


Author(s):  
Valentina Tagliapietra ◽  
Flavia Riccardo ◽  
Giovanni Rezza

Italy is considered a low incidence country for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe. Areas at higher risk for TBE in Italy are geographically clustered in the forested and mountainous regions and provinces in the north east part of the country, as suggested by TBE case series published over the last decade.


Italy is considered a low-incidence country for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe.1 Areas at higher risk for TBE in Italy are geographically clustered in the forested and mountainous regions and provinces in the north east part of the country, as suggested by TBE case series published over the last decade.2-5 A national enhanced surveillance system for TBE has been established since 2017.6 Before this, information on the occurrence of TBE cases at the national level in Italy was lacking. Both incidence rates and the geographical distribution of the disease were mostly inferred from endemic areas where surveillance was already in place, ad hoc studies and international literature.1


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