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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024, commonly known as star anise, represents one of the notable botanical species and is recognized for its rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds. Beyond its...
, commonly known as star anise, represents one of the notable botanical species and is recognized for its rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds. Beyond its culinary application as a spice, this plant has been extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Given the contemporary emphasis on incorporating natural resources into food production, particularly essential oils, to enhance sensory attributes and extend shelf life, our study seeks to elucidate the chemical composition and evaluate the antibacterial (, ) and insecticidal properties of essential oil (IVEO). Also, microbiological analyses of pumpkin sous vide treated with IVEO after inoculation of were evaluated after 1 and 7 days of study. GC/MS analysis revealed a significantly high amount of ()-anethole (88.4%) in the investigated EO. The disc diffusion method shows that the antibacterial activity of the IVEO ranged from 5.33 () to 10.33 mm (). The lowest minimal inhibition concentration was found against and the minimum biofilm inhibition concertation was found against . In the vapor phase, the best antimicrobial activity was found against in the pears model and against in the beetroot model. The application of the sous vide method in combination with IVEO application decreased the number of microbial counts and eliminated the growth of . The most isolated microbiota identified from the sous vide pumpkin were , , , and . Modifications to the protein composition of biofilm-forming bacteria were suggested by the MALDI TOF MS instigations. The IVEO showed insecticidal potential against . Thanks to the properties of IVEO, our results suggest it can be used in the food industry as a natural supplement to extend the shelf life of foods and as a natural insecticide.
PubMed: 38790803
DOI: 10.3390/foods13101505 -
Bilateral bartholin's gland abscesses in a 4-year-old girl with vitamin a deficiency: a case report.BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024A Bartholin's gland abscess is one of the most common infections in women of reproductive age. Although Bartholin's gland abscesses have been reported in prepubertal...
BACKGROUND
A Bartholin's gland abscess is one of the most common infections in women of reproductive age. Although Bartholin's gland abscesses have been reported in prepubertal children, they are rarer in prepubertal children than in adults. Herein, we report a case of bilateral Bartholin's gland abscesses in a 4-year-old girl with vitamin A deficiency.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 4-year-old girl diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder was admitted to the hospital for close examination and treatment because of persistent fever and malaise. The child was a marked fussy eater and was diagnosed with corneal ulceration and night blindness secondary to vitamin A deficiency. Both of the patient's labia were swollen, and a diagnosis of a bilateral Bartholin's gland abscess was made using computed tomography. Incisional drainage was performed under general anesthesia. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital on day 8 after the surgery. During hospitalization, attempts were made to correct the vitamin deficiency by adding nutritional supplements to the diet. Three months after the surgery, no recurrence of abscesses was noted.
CONCLUSIONS
Decreased immunocompetence and mucosal barrier function due to vitamin A deficiency is thought to be the underlying cause of Bartholin's gland abscesses. Although prepubertal Bartholin's gland abscesses have been reported, they are rare. To the best of our knowledge, no reports of bilateral Bartholin's gland abscesses potentially caused by vitamin A deficiency have been reported. When prepubertal girls present with Bartholin's gland abscesses, the presence of immunodeficiency due to vitamin or trace element deficiency should also be considered.
Topics: Humans; Female; Child, Preschool; Abscess; Bartholin's Glands; Vitamin A Deficiency; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vulvar Diseases
PubMed: 38734601
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09382-1 -
Cureus Mar 2024Empyema is the collection of pus in the pleural cavity and most times, it occurs unilaterally. It is often associated with underlying pneumonia, but other causes have...
Bilateral Empyema With Beta Hemolytic Group C Streptococcus and Streptococcus constellatus Co-infection Resulting From an Esophageal Perforation and Associated With Septic Shock, Diffuse ST Elevation, and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.
Empyema is the collection of pus in the pleural cavity and most times, it occurs unilaterally. It is often associated with underlying pneumonia, but other causes have been identified as well. When it occurs after an esophageal perforation, which in itself is also rare, morbidity and mortality are even higher. Esophageal perforation can cause life-threatening complications due to its close proximity to the vital organs of the mediastinum, necessitating its timely diagnosis and aggressive management. Bacteria forming part of the normal esophageal and oral flora are the most common causative pathogens for empyema from an esophageal perforation. Streptococcus constellatus and group C Streptococci, though both rare and often not taken seriously, have been identified as individual causes of empyema. We present a case of a 58-year-old male who presented with a worsening cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath after choking on a fish bone. He was diagnosed with bilateral loculated empyema resulting from esophageal perforation with the pleural fluid culture isolating both group C streptococcus and Streptococcus constellatus. He also developed respiratory failure, mediastinitis, and septic shock. This case will enable physicians to take empyema caused by these bacteria seriously and also to include esophageal perforation as a differential diagnosis when a patient presents with bilateral empyema associated with chest pain and electrocardiographic changes.
PubMed: 38686265
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57251 -
Brazilian Oral Research 2024This study aimed to identify and characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria found in primary endodontic infections in the teeth of patients...
This study aimed to identify and characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria found in primary endodontic infections in the teeth of patients treated at the Dental Clinic of the University of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. From September to December 2019, samples were obtained from 21 patients with primary endodontic infections. The collections were carried out in triplicate using paper cones placed close to the total length of the root canal. Bacterial isolation was performed in Brain Heart Infusion agar, Blood agar, and other selective culture media cultured at 37°C for up to 48 h under aerobiosis and microaerophilic conditions. The bacterial species were identified using the Vitek 2 automated system. The disk diffusion method on agar Müeller-Hinton was used to assess antimicrobial susceptibility with the recommended antimicrobials for each identified bacterial species. A total of 49 antibiotics were evaluated. Fifteen of the 21 samples collected showed bacterial growth, and 17 bacterial isolates were found. There were 10 different bacterial species identified: Enterococcus faecalis (four isolates), Streptococcus mitis/oralis (three isolates), Streptococcus anginosus (three isolates) being the most common, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus constellatus, Streptococcus alactolyticus, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella variicola, and Providencia rettgeri (one isolate of each species). The analysis demonstrated significant susceptibility to most of the tested antibiotics. However, some Enterococcus isolates resisted the antibiotic's erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. A Staphylococcus epidermidis isolate was characterized as multidrug-resistant. Five Streptococcus isolates were non-susceptible to all antibiotics tested.
Topics: Humans; Agar; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Brazil; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Enterococcus faecium; Culture Media; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 38597544
DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2024.vol38.0024 -
Cureus Dec 2023Lemierre syndrome is characterized by thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) secondary to bacterial pharyngitis or tonsillitis. Though antibiotic use has...
Lemierre syndrome is characterized by thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) secondary to bacterial pharyngitis or tonsillitis. Though antibiotic use has made this a rarer syndrome, it can nevertheless manifest in patients presenting with pharyngitis. Herein, we describe a 20-year-old male patient with no relevant medical history presenting with signs concerning for pneumonia and was ultimately diagnosed with Lemierre syndrome with bacteremia. Complications included IJV thrombus with presumed septic emboli to the lungs. The patient was discharged on ampicillin/sulbactam with plans to transition to amoxicillin/clavulanate.
PubMed: 38222167
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50580 -
Autopsy & Case Reports 2023is usually a benign, commensal bacteria but has increased incidence in blood cultures and abscesses. This pathogenic involvement is most prevalent in individuals with...
is usually a benign, commensal bacteria but has increased incidence in blood cultures and abscesses. This pathogenic involvement is most prevalent in individuals with underlying medical conditions, such as solid tumors and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as in cases of community-acquired infections. We report a 43-year-old male with a right medial thigh ulcer and necrotic scrotal skin. The wound culture from surgical debridement grew and histology was consistent with stage III necrotizing fasciitis. Regardless of etiology, the mortality rate of patients with necrotizing fasciitis is greatly decreased with early intervention and thorough surgical debridement.
PubMed: 38213877
DOI: 10.4322/acr.2023.467 -
Gut Pathogens Jan 2024Pyogenic Liver Abscesses (PLA) are the most common type of visceral abscess. They generally develop in a context of biliary disease or hematogenous seeding, but a...
BACKGROUND
Pyogenic Liver Abscesses (PLA) are the most common type of visceral abscess. They generally develop in a context of biliary disease or hematogenous seeding, but a complete diagnostic work-up is always required in order not to miss other important causes, including above all malignancies of the gastro-intestinal tract.
CASE PRESENTATION
Herein, we report a particular case of a 80 years-old immunocompetent woman hospitalized for sepsis. At the end of the diagnostic process, Streptococcus constellatus (Sc) was identified as the cause of sepsis, multiple PLA were found together with a previous unknown ileal malignancy. We speculated about a possible correlation among these three entities (i.e. sepsis from Sc, PLA and tumors).
CONCLUSIONS
Detection of Sc in blood should raise red flags in clinicians as aggressive clinical presentation are possible.
PubMed: 38178146
DOI: 10.1186/s13099-023-00593-6 -
AIDS Research and Therapy Jan 2024Empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus (S. constellatus) is rare in patients with HIV. To analyze the clinical data of a patient living with HIV (PLHIV), who got... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus (S. constellatus) is rare in patients with HIV. To analyze the clinical data of a patient living with HIV (PLHIV), who got empyema caused by S. constellatus, investigating the diagnosis and treatment of this disease through literature review to improve the clinical understanding of this disease.
CASE PRESENTATION
We have reported here a 58-year-old male PLHIV with cough, wheezing, and fever for 20 days. He has a history type 2 diabetes, alcohol abuse, and a teeth extracted. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple encapsulated pleural effusions, pneumatosis, and partial compressive atelectasis in the right lung. Submission of pleural efusions timely, and then cultures revealed S. constellatus. After comprehensive treatment, including antibiotics, closed pleural drainage, and intrapleural injection of urokinase, the pleural efusion was absorbed, and chest computed tomography also confirmed the improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
S. constellatus should not be neglected as a pus pathogen in patients with HIV. comprehensive treatment is important for empyema of S. constellatus.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Streptococcus constellatus; Empyema, Pleural; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; HIV Infections; Drainage
PubMed: 38173032
DOI: 10.1186/s12981-023-00587-z -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2023rarely causes pyopneumothorax, which is a serious state and requires a surgery. However, not every patient can tolerate surgery and individualized solutions are needed....
BACKGROUND
rarely causes pyopneumothorax, which is a serious state and requires a surgery. However, not every patient can tolerate surgery and individualized solutions are needed. Furthermore, many known situations are risk factors of infection, but pyopneumothorax associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has not been reported.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present the case of a 74-year-old male with multiple encapsulated pyopneumothorax caused by . Given his respiratory failure, we provided two-stage percutaneous right empyema radiography for catheter drainage in the radiology interventional department instead of surgery. Moreover, an occult Hashimoto's thyroiditis was discovered in the patient, which was possibly associated with pyopneumothorax. Levothyroxine was administered to improve his situation.
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, it is the first case described in this context. We provided an alternative treatment for encapsulated pyopneumothorax in patient who might not tolerate surgery. We also revealed the possible relationship between pyopneumothorax and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
PubMed: 38107434
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S435645 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Nov 2023Acute necrotizing mediastinitis (ANM) is a severe infection of the mediastinal loose connective tissue. Traditionally, it has been treated with thoracotomy, but...
BACKGROUND
Acute necrotizing mediastinitis (ANM) is a severe infection of the mediastinal loose connective tissue. Traditionally, it has been treated with thoracotomy, but video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is been increasingly used in patients with this condition. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of VATS and open thoracotomy in treating ANM.
METHODS
The medical records of patients with ANM who underwent surgery between March 2012 and April 2021 were retrieved. A retrospective screening was conducted based on clinical characteristics, bacterial pathogens, surgical approach, and outcomes. The patients were divided into a VATS group and an open thoracotomy (Open) group. The patient characteristics and surgical outcomes of the two groups were summarized and compared.
RESULTS
A total of 64 cases were enrolled in this study, including 48 in the VATS group (75%) and 16 in the Open group (25%). The most common site of infection was the neck (n=26, 40.6%). and () were the most frequently found pathogens in secretion culture. In sputum culture, the most common pathogens were and . Postoperative outcomes, including blood transfusion (33.3% . 43.8%; P=0.45), duration of postoperative drainage {14 [1-47] . 17 [4-54] days; P=0.15}, length of antibiotic medication {14.5 [1-54] . 18 [4-54] days; P=0.29}, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) (87.5% . 75.0%; P=0.43), length of ICU stay {5 [1-58] . 8.5 [1-37] days; P=0.20}, postoperative hospital stay {17 [2-61] . 21 [5-56] days; P=0.22}, reoperation rate (12.5% . 6.25%; P=0.82), and mortality rate (14.6% . 12.5%; P>0.99) were comparable between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
ANM treated by both the VATS and open approach had comparable outcomes. Therefore, VATS is a viable option for patients with ANM.
PubMed: 38090300
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-845