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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 -
Cureus Apr 2024Right-sided infective endocarditis is less common than left-sided endocarditis and can be a difficult clinical diagnosis. The presence of intracardiac devices is...
Right-sided infective endocarditis is less common than left-sided endocarditis and can be a difficult clinical diagnosis. The presence of intracardiac devices is a major risk factor. The presentation is less clear than left-sided forms because of the presence of respiratory symptoms and the absence of systemic embolization. Pylephlebitis, or septic thrombosis of the portal vein, is a serious infectious condition that often delays diagnosis. It is a complication of intraabdominal or pelvic infections. Streptococcus gallolyticus (S. gallolyticus) can cause infective endocarditis and is associated with colon neoplasia and hepatobiliary disease. In this case report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old male with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma who presented with different episodes of fever of unknown origin (FUO), one of which occurred after pacemaker implantation. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with S. gallolyticus-mediated tricuspid valve endocarditis with underlying pylephlebitis. Investigations did not show evidence of pacemaker lead endocarditis.
PubMed: 38817467
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59372 -
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 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Staka is a traditional Greek sour cream made mostly from spontaneously fermented sheep milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. At the industrial scale, cream...
Study of the Microbiome of the Cretan Sour Cream Staka Using Amplicon Sequencing and Shotgun Metagenomics and Isolation of Novel Strains with an Important Antimicrobial Potential.
Staka is a traditional Greek sour cream made mostly from spontaneously fermented sheep milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. At the industrial scale, cream separators and starter cultures may also be used. Staka is sometimes cooked with flour to absorb most of the fat. In this study, we employed culture-based techniques, amplicon sequencing, and shotgun metagenomics to analyze the Staka microbiome for the first time. The samples were dominated by or spp. Most other bacteria were lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the and genera or Gram-negative bacteria from the , , , -, and genera. , , or were the most prevalent genera in the samples, followed by other yeasts and molds like , , , , , or spp. Shotgun metagenomics allowed the species-level identification of , , , , , , , and . Binning of assembled shotgun reads followed by recruitment plot analysis of single reads could determine near-complete metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). Culture-dependent and culture-independent analyses were in overall agreement with some distinct differences. For example, lactococci could not be isolated, presumably because they had entered a viable but not culturable (VBNC) state or because they were dead. Finally, several LAB, , and spp. isolates exhibited antimicrobial activities against oral or other pathogenic streptococci, and certain spoilage and pathogenic bacteria establishing their potential role in food bio-protection or new biomedical applications. Our study may pave the way for additional studies concerning artisanal sour creams to better understand the factors affecting their production and the quality.
PubMed: 38611432
DOI: 10.3390/foods13071129 -
Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social... Apr 2024Meningitis caused by subspecies (subsp.) is a rare complication with 14 cases reported in literature worldwide between 2003-2023, with the majority of the cases...
Meningitis caused by subspecies (subsp.) is a rare complication with 14 cases reported in literature worldwide between 2003-2023, with the majority of the cases occurring before 4 weeks of life and with preceding symptoms. This is a case report of an infection without any preceding symptoms. A previously healthy 7-week-old boy presented to the hospital with a fever for 1 day. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures ultimately grew subsp. . The magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with meningitis. The boy received 21 days of intravenous antibiotics before discharge. At subsequent visits, the boy had no neurological sequelae, normal hearing tests, and appeared to have met all developmental milestones. The older age of infant should not discount the differential diagnosis for meningitis, which may delay further work up such as a lumbar puncture. Group D streptococcus is an uncommon cause of infantile sepsis that can lead to several complications such as meningitis and bacteremia. In this case, the infant's subsequent post-meningitis clinical course has been unremarkable. The history of meningitis poses increased risk for abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. This case study highlights the importance of keeping meningitis on the differential diagnosis for an infant with fever. If there is a concern for meningitis, further workup should be performed without delay.
Topics: Male; Infant; Humans; Streptococcus gallolyticus; Streptococcal Infections; Meningitis, Bacterial; Streptococcus
PubMed: 38585289
DOI: 10.62547/FBGK5653 -
Cureus Feb 2024Neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC), also referred to as typhlitis, is a condition associated with a high mortality risk and primarily manifests in immunocompromised...
Neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC), also referred to as typhlitis, is a condition associated with a high mortality risk and primarily manifests in immunocompromised patients. It is characterized by ulceration, edema, and hemorrhage affecting the bowel wall. The underlying cause of NEC is postulated as an immunocompromised condition that facilitates bacterial infiltration through compromised bowel mucosa. The high mortality rate is attributable to bowel necrosis, culminating in perforation and sepsis. This report describes a case involving a patient with metastatic seminoma who exhibited seizure-like activity, fever, bacteremia, and NEC. The patient underwent treatment involving broad-spectrum antibiotics and filgrastim. The patient's neutropenia resolved leading to discharge on oral antibiotics. The case reported is unique, as it links NEC to and seminoma. has not been previously associated with NEC.
PubMed: 38481902
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54077 -
Le Infezioni in Medicina 2024Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) are a group of distinct species that can cause bacteraemia and other invasive infections. They are also among the common organisms...
BACKGROUND
Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) are a group of distinct species that can cause bacteraemia and other invasive infections. They are also among the common organisms causing infective endocarditis. Data on the epidemiology and clinical profile of VGS is limited, especially from India.
METHODS
We conducted an electronic medical record-based retrospective analysis of patients with VGS bacteraemia admitted to our hospital between January 2012 to December 2021. Blood cultures were incubated by BacT/ALERT system and bacterial identification and susceptibility testing were done by using the VITEK 2 microbial identification system. Susceptibility test reporting was as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The incidence, clinical profile, source of bacteraemia, co-morbidities and antimicrobial resistance among VGS bacteraemia were analyzed.
RESULTS
VGS were isolated in 219 patients, accounting for 3.2% of positive blood cultures during the period studied. The median age of the patients was 58 years and 69% were males. Diabetes mellitus was the most common co-morbidity (55%) followed by chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease. Patients with haematological malignancy and neutropenia were few. Intra-abdominal infections were the most common source of infection and was noted in 26%. Infective endocarditis was diagnosed in only 10% of the cases. was the most common species isolated followed by and . 9.58% of the isolates could not be identified up to the species level. Overall penicillin susceptibility was 71% and ceftriaxone susceptibility was 92%, with individual species variation. In-hospital mortality was 19%.
CONCLUSIONS
VGS are an important cause of bacteraemia and was associated with 19% mortality in our study. High rates of penicillin and ceftriaxone resistance are a reason of concern. Molecular diagnostics like matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) identification must be increasingly applied for species identification considering that a substantial number of isolates were not identified to species level.
PubMed: 38456022
DOI: 10.53854/liim-3201-5 -
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 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Streptococcus gallolyticus is a non-motile, gram-positive bacterium that causes infective endocarditis. S. gallolyticus has developed resistance to existing antibiotics,...
Streptococcus gallolyticus is a non-motile, gram-positive bacterium that causes infective endocarditis. S. gallolyticus has developed resistance to existing antibiotics, and no vaccine is currently available. Therefore, it is essential to develop an effective S. gallolyticus vaccine. Core proteomics was used in this study together with subtractive proteomics and reverse vaccinology approach to find antigenic proteins that could be utilized for the design of the S. gallolyticus multi-epitope vaccine. The pipeline identified two antigenic proteins as potential vaccine targets: penicillin-binding protein and the ATP synthase subunit. T and B cell epitopes from the specific proteins were forecasted employing several immunoinformatics and bioinformatics resources. A vaccine (360 amino acids) was created using a combination of seven cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte (CTL), three helper T cell lymphocyte (HTL), and five linear B cell lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes. To increase immune responses, the vaccine was paired with a cholera enterotoxin subunit B (CTB) adjuvant. The developed vaccine was highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and stable for human use. The vaccine's binding affinity and molecular interactions with the human immunological receptor TLR4 were studied using molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA), molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analyses. Escherichia coli (strain K12) plasmid vector pET-28a ( +) was used to examine the ability of the vaccine to be expressed. According to the outcomes of these computer experiments, the vaccine is quite promising in terms of developing a protective immunity against diseases. However, in vitro and animal research are required to validate our findings.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Proteomics; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Computational Biology; Escherichia coli K12; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Vaccines, Subunit
PubMed: 38418560
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55372-3 -
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