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IDCases 2021We report the case of a man with intense cough for several months and a few days of severe dyspnea. A massive pleural empyema due to was diagnosed by radiological,...
We report the case of a man with intense cough for several months and a few days of severe dyspnea. A massive pleural empyema due to was diagnosed by radiological, microbiological and thoracoscopic means. Pleural infections caused by this anaerobic bacterium are very rare and should be considered when risk factors like male gender, chronic alcohol abuse, and poor oral hygiene are present. Penicillin-based antibiotic treatment and surgical decortication led to recovery.
PubMed: 34584845
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01278 -
Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Dec 2021Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection triggered by species of Actinomyces. Although thoracic involvement represents about 15% of human actinomycosis, its true... (Review)
Review
Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection triggered by species of Actinomyces. Although thoracic involvement represents about 15% of human actinomycosis, its true incidence may be underestimated, not only because of its challenging diagnosis, but also because it can be treated unintentionally with antibiotics for other diseases. In this sense, this work aims at providing an up-to-date literature review on thoracic actinomycoses, with particular emphasis on presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, also paving upcoming clinical interventions from findings obtained of a presentation of a case series. Data discussed here clearly denote the rarity, non-specificity and heterogeneity of clinical presentations of the disease, reinforcing the need for individualized therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Bronchiectasis; Humans; Lung Diseases; Persistent Infection
PubMed: 34571094
DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102078 -
Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology Dec 2021A 71-year-old man who had undergone total gastrectomy, partial pancreatectomy, and splenectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer was referred for a...
A 71-year-old man who had undergone total gastrectomy, partial pancreatectomy, and splenectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer was referred for a possible pancreatic tail tumor. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed mold-like, poor contrast lesion in the dilated main pancreatic duct in the pancreatic tail. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a slightly hyperechoic solid lesion that occupied the lumen of the main pancreatic duct. Linear calcification was observed in the lesions on both computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy was performed. Histopathology revealed sulfur grains and inflammatory infiltrates with no malignant findings. We also performed an anaerobic culture using fine-needle biopsy specimens, and Actinomyces meyeri was detected in the culture results. After confirming susceptibility, oral administration of amoxicillin was initiated. After 8 months of treatment, the size of the lesion slightly decreased, and the antibiotics treatment is still ongoing. This shows that such cases could be diagnosed based on histological findings and anaerobic culture using a fine-needle biopsy specimen, and unnecessary surgery may be avoided. In the case of tumors developed in the residual pancreas without typical malignant imaging findings, pancreatic actinomycosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Actinomycosis; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Humans; Male; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 34554394
DOI: 10.1007/s12328-021-01523-2 -
Chemosphere Nov 2021Remediation of contaminated water and wastewater using biosorption methods has attracted significant attention in recent decades due to its efficiency, convenience and...
Remediation of contaminated water and wastewater using biosorption methods has attracted significant attention in recent decades due to its efficiency, convenience and minimised environmental effects. Bacterial biosorbents are normally deployed as a non-living powder or suspension. Little is known about the mechanisms or rates of bacterial attachment to surfaces and effect of various conditions on the biofilm development, as well as efficiency of living biofilms in the removal of heavy metals. In the present study, the effect of environmental and nutritional conditions such as pH, temperature, concentrations of phosphate, glucose, amino acid, nitrate, calcium and magnesium, on planktonic and biofilm growth of single and mixed bacterial cultures, were measured. Actinomyces meyeri, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens strains were evaluated to determine the optimum biofilm growth conditions. The Cd(II) biosorption efficiencies of the mixed-species biofilm developed in the optimum growth condition, were investigated and modelled using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubnin Radushkevich models. The biofilm quantification techniques revealed that the optimum concentration of phosphate, glucose, amino acid, nitrate, calcium and magnesium for the biofilm development were 25, 10, 1, 1.5, 5 and 0.5 g L, respectively. Further increases in the nutrient concentrations resulted in less biofilm growth. The optimum pH for the biofilm growth was 7 and alkaline or acidic conditions caused significant negative effects on the bacterial attachment and development. The optimum temperatures for the bacterial attachment to the surface were between 25 and 35 °C. The maximum Cd(II) biosorption efficiency (99%) and capacity (18.19 mg g) of the mixed-species biofilm, occurred on day 35 (C = 0.1 mg L) and 1 (C = 20 mg L) of biofilm growth, respectively. Modelling of the biosorption data revealed that Cd(II) removal by the living biofilm was a physical process by a monolayer of biofilm. The results of present study suggested that environmental and nutritional conditions had a significant effect on bacterial biofilm formation and its efficiency in Cd(II) removal.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Adsorption; Bacillus cereus; Biofilms; Cadmium; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics
PubMed: 34147985
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131152 -
BMC Oral Health May 2021Subgingival microbiome in disease-associated subgingival sites is known to be dysbiotic and significantly altered. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the extent...
BACKGROUND
Subgingival microbiome in disease-associated subgingival sites is known to be dysbiotic and significantly altered. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the extent of dysbiosis in disease- and health-associated subgingival sites is not clear.
METHODS
8 RA and 10 non-RA subjects were recruited for this pilot study. All subjects received full oral examination and underwent collection of subgingival plaque samples from both shallow (periodontal health-associated, probing depth ≤ 3mm) and deep subgingival sites (periodontal disease-associated, probing depth ≥ 4 mm). RA subjects also had rheumatological evaluation. Plaque community profiles were analyzed using 16 S rRNA sequencing.
RESULTS
The phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities in both RA and non-RA controls was significantly higher in deep subgingival sites compared to shallow sites (p = 0.022), and the overall subgingival microbiome clustered primarily according to probing depth (i.e. shallow versus deep sites), and not separated by RA status. While a large number of differentially abundant taxa and gene functions was observed between deep and shallow sites as expected in non-RA controls, we found very few differentially abundant taxa and gene functions between deep and shallow sites in RA subjects. In addition, compared to non-RA controls, the UniFrac distances between deep and shallow sites in RA subjects were smaller, suggesting increased similarity between deep and shallow subgingival microbiome in RA. Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinomyces meyeri were overabundant in RA subjects, while Gemella morbillorum, Kingella denitrificans, Prevotella melaninogenica and Leptotrichia spp. were more abundant in non-RA subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
The aggregate subgingival microbiome was not significantly different between individuals with and without rheumatoid arthritis. Although the differences in the overall subgingival microbiome was driven primarily by probing depth, in contrast to the substantial microbiome differences typically seen between deep and shallow sites in non-RA patients, the microbiome of deep and shallow sites in RA patients were more similar to each other. These results suggest that factors associated with RA may modulate the ecology of subgingival microbiome and its relationship to periodontal disease, the basis of which remains unknown but warrants further investigation.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Gemella; Humans; Kingella; Microbiota; Phylogeny; Pilot Projects; Streptococcus
PubMed: 33964928
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01597-x -
Practical Neurology Oct 2021Lemierre's syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that follows an oropharyngeal infection, typically from and usually affects healthy adolescents...
Lemierre's syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that follows an oropharyngeal infection, typically from and usually affects healthy adolescents or young adults. The characteristic features are septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and septic embolism leading to multiorgan involvement, commonly the brain, lungs and bones. We report a man with presenting symptoms suggesting hemicrania continua, whose initial imaging showed no features of dural venous sinus or jugular thrombosis. Two weeks later, he had fever, sore throat, cervical lymphadenopathy and grew from peripheral blood cultures. Further imaging identified thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and cerebral venous sinuses, with multifocal cavitating lung lesions. Following antibiotics and anticoagulation, he recovered without residual deficits. Lemierre's syndrome when recognised and treated early has a good prognosis but delayed treatment may result in significant morbidity or mortality.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Adolescent; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Humans; Lemierre Syndrome; Male; Thrombophlebitis; Young Adult
PubMed: 33963085
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2021-002928 -
Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy :... Aug 2021We present the case of a patient with a voluminous cerebral abscess caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus and Actinomyces meyeri occurring a week post dental scaling....
We present the case of a patient with a voluminous cerebral abscess caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus and Actinomyces meyeri occurring a week post dental scaling. Both these bacteria are rarely involved in brain abscesses, and so far, cases of cerebral actinomyces have mostly been treated surgically and with intravenous (IV) antibiotics for 3-4 months, then put on oral antibiotic therapy with penicillin or amoxicillin for a further 3-12 months. Our patient underwent drainage through craniotomy and was subsequently put on intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 months accompanied by brain imaging control at the end of this period which showed complete regression of the abscess. Following parenteral treatment, no oral antibiotics were given since pharmacokinetic properties do not allow to attain high tissue concentration in the brain. This treatment gave excellent results.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Aggregatibacter aphrophilus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brain Abscess; Ceftriaxone; Humans
PubMed: 33589370
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.02.005 -
La Revue de Medecine Interne Mar 2021Dermatological manifestations of actinomycosis are classical, most often related to Actinomyces israelii. In most of the cases, they occur near to the primary focus, and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Dermatological manifestations of actinomycosis are classical, most often related to Actinomyces israelii. In most of the cases, they occur near to the primary focus, and in the cervicofacial area. Systemic dissemination with cutaneous distant metastasis is rare, most often related to A. israelii, too. We report an original case of upper limb actinomycosis associated with an oral localisation and due to an unusual bacteria.
CASE REPORT
A 49-year-old man was referred to the Department of dermatology for a skin lesion of the left hand and wrist. Biopsies revealed actinomycosis related to A. meyeri. Dental primary focus was identified and treated. Although the patient was lost sight of, dental eradication and prolonged antibiotics therapy allowed cutaneous improvement.
DISCUSSION
We report an atypical case of cutaneous actinomycosis due to an Actinomyces meyeri dental infection occurring in an immunocompetent, smoking adult, with poor oral hygiene. The literature review revealed only 4 well-documented cases of cutaneous A. meyeri infections distant to dental primary focus. All of patients were males, immunocompetent, with a history of poor oral hygiene. The prognosis is favourable with adequate treatment (antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment to eradicate dental infectious entry points).
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycetaceae; Actinomycosis; Adult; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases, Bacterial
PubMed: 33303221
DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2020.11.011 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Apr 2021
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Actinomycosis; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans
PubMed: 33140414
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19600 -
Journal of Human Genetics Mar 2021Ancient DNA studies provide genomic information about the origins, population structures, and physical characteristics of ancient humans that cannot be solely examined... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Ancient DNA studies provide genomic information about the origins, population structures, and physical characteristics of ancient humans that cannot be solely examined by archeological studies. The DNAs extracted from ancient human bones, teeth, or tissues are often contaminated with coexisting bacterial and viral genomes that contain DNA from ancient microbes infecting those of ancient humans. Information on ancient viral genomes is useful in making inferences about the viral evolution. Here, we have utilized metagenomic sequencing data from the dental pulp of five Jomon individuals, who lived on the Japanese archipelago more than 3000 years ago; this is to detect ancient viral genomes. We conducted de novo assembly of the non-human reads where we have obtained 277,387 contigs that were longer than 1000 bp. These contigs were subjected to homology searches against a collection of modern viral genome sequences. We were able to detect eleven putative ancient viral genomes. Among them, we reconstructed the complete sequence of the Siphovirus contig89 (CT89) viral genome. The Jomon CT89-like sequence was determined to contain 59 open reading frames, among which five genes known to encode phage proteins were under strong purifying selection. The host of CT89 was predicted to be Schaalia meyeri, a bacterium residing in the human oral cavity. Finally, the CT89 phylogenetic tree showed two clusters, from both of which the Jomon sequence was separated. Our results suggest that metagenomic information from the dental pulp of the Jomon people is essential in retrieving ancient viral genomes used to examine their evolution.
Topics: Actinomycetaceae; Asian People; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats; Contig Mapping; DNA, Viral; Dental Pulp; Ethnicity; Female; Fossils; Genome, Viral; History, Ancient; Humans; Japan; Likelihood Functions; Male; Metagenome; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Mouth; Open Reading Frames; Phylogeny; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Siphoviridae; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 32994538
DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-00841-6