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BMC Infectious Diseases Mar 2024Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer, and it is associated with several common symptoms and signs such as rectal bleeding, altered... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer, and it is associated with several common symptoms and signs such as rectal bleeding, altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, anemia, and unintentional weight loss. Sciatica, a debilitating condition in which the patient experiences paresthesia and pain in the dermatome of associated lumbosacral nerve roots or sciatic nerve distribution, is not considered one of these. Here we present a case of colorectal cancer manifesting symptoms of sciatica alone.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 68-year-old male presented with progressive lower back pain radiating to his left thigh and calf over L5/S1 dermatome. Sciatica was suspected and initially underwent conservative treatment with analgesics. However, the symptoms progressed and MRI revealed an epidural abscess surprisingly. Surgical debridement was performed and pus culture isolated Streptococcus gallolyticus. Based on the strong association of S. gallolyticus with colorectal cancer, the presence of this pathogen prompted further tumor evaluation, even in the absence of the typical symptoms and signs. This investigation ultimately leads to the diagnosis of sigmoid adenocarcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, sciatica caused by S. gallolyticus infection of the spinal epidural space may serve as the initial presentation of colorectal cancer. Physicians should be aware of the strong association between S. gallolyticus and colorectal cancer. Based on what we currently know about the condition; a thorough systematic assessment of occult neoplasia for patients with S. gallolyticus infection is recommended.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Sciatica; Epidural Abscess; Colonic Neoplasms; Abdominal Pain; Awareness
PubMed: 38448866
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09159-6 -
ACG Case Reports Journal Jun 2024Stricture formation is common in Crohn's disease, and endoscopic intervention plays an increasingly important role in managing these strictures. A 61-year-old man with...
Stricture formation is common in Crohn's disease, and endoscopic intervention plays an increasingly important role in managing these strictures. A 61-year-old man with biological aortic prosthesis and a 30-year history of ileocolonic stricturing Crohn's disease, managed with azathioprine and infliximab, presented with marked occlusive symptoms. Colonoscopy revealed a descending colon stricture, prompting endoscopic balloon dilation. At the time of the procedure, no prophylactic antibiotic was given. Subsequently, he developed Streptococcus gallolyticus endocarditis, necessitating aortic valve replacement. The authors present a case of late endocarditis associated with endoscopic balloon dilation of a Crohn-related colonic stricture.
PubMed: 38903449
DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001377 -
International Medical Case Reports... 2024[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S438457.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S438457.].
PubMed: 38859943
DOI: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S481496 -
Biomedical Reports Jul 2024End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), in which long-term damage has been caused to the kidneys to the extent that they are...
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), in which long-term damage has been caused to the kidneys to the extent that they are no longer able to filter the blood of waste and extra fluid. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the treatments that remove waste products from the blood through the peritoneum which can improve the quality of life for patients with ESKD. However, PD-associated peritonitis is an important complication that contributes to the mortality of patients, and the detection of bacterial pathogens is associated with a high culture-negative rate. The present study aimed to apply a metagenomic approach for the bacterial identification in the PD effluent (PDE) of patients with CKD based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. As a result of this investigation, five major bacteria species, namely , , , and , were observed in PDE samples. Taken together, the findings of the present study have suggested that this metagenomic approach could provide a greater potential for bacterial taxonomic identification compared with traditional culture methods, suggesting that this is a practical and culture-independent alternative approach that will offer a novel preventative infectious strategy in patients with CDK.
PubMed: 38800037
DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1790 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Jan 2024Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition that is mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitis. Although Streptococcus gallolyticus...
Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition that is mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitis. Although Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (Sgp) is also known to cause meningitis, its frequency is quite low, especially in adults. We herein report the first immunocompetent Japanese adult patient (20-year-old woman) with bacterial meningitis caused by Sgp. The patient showed dramatic improvement after antibiotic treatment. Although previous reports have described an association between Sgp infection and an immunosuppressive status, bowel and hepatobiliary diseases, or strongyloidiasis, our case did not demonstrate any of these conditions, suggesting that Sgp can cause meningitis even in young immunocompetent adults.
Topics: Female; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Streptococcus gallolyticus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus; Meningitis, Bacterial
PubMed: 37258163
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1785-23 -
Current Research in Microbial Sciences 2024Raw milk from native small ruminant breeds in Epirus, Greece, is a valuable natural source of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with superior...
Antilisterial activity of raw sheep milk from two native Epirus breeds: Culture-dependent identification, bacteriocin gene detection and primary safety evaluation of the antagonistic LAB biota.
Raw milk from native small ruminant breeds in Epirus, Greece, is a valuable natural source of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with superior biotechnological properties. In this study, two bulk milks (RM1, RM2) from two local sheep yards, intended for traditional Kefalotyri cheese production, were preselected for bacteriocin-like antilisterial activity by in vitro tests. Their antagonistic LAB biota was quantified followed by polyphasic (16S rRNA gene sequencing; IGS for ; a multiplex-PCR for ) identification of 42 LAB (RM1/18; RM2/24) isolates further evaluated for bacteriocin encoding genes and primary safety traits. Representative isolates of the numerically dominant mesophilic LAB were (10) in both RMs, (7) in RM2, and (1) in RM1; the subdominant thermophilic LAB isolates were (8), (6), (3), (1), (1), (2), (1) and (1). Based on their and profiles, six strains (8 isolates) were atypical lying between the subspecies and whereas two strains profiled with subsp. that is first-time reported in Greek dairy food. Two RM1 strain biotypes (3 isolates) showed strong, enterocin-mediated antilisterial activity due to possession. One from RM1 possessed and , while additional nine RM2 isolates of the group processed or singly. All showed direct (cell-associated) antilisterial activity only, as also both strains from RM2 did strongly. Desirably, no LAB isolate was β-hemolyrtic, or cytolysin-positive, or possessed for vancomycin resistance, or and virulence genes. However, all three from RM2 possessed and/or virulence genes. In conclusion, all strains, the two safe, enterocin A-B-P-producing strains, and the two antilisterial strains should be validated further as potential costarter or adjunct cultures in Kefalotyri cheese. The prevalence of α-hemolytic pyogenic streptococci in raw milk, mainly in RM2, requires consideration in respect to subclinical mastitis in sheep and the farm hygiene overall.
PubMed: 38116185
DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100209 -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Jun 2024
PubMed: 38896776
DOI: 10.37201/req/139.2023