Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Fda Approves New Tuberculosis Drug: Bedaquiline (Sirturo®), Megan Ruffner, Kent Wilin, Charles Hay, Zachary Crawford, Andrew Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is an infectious disease that continues to greatly impact morbidity and mortality worldwide; in 2011 it caused 1.4 million deaths. Some strains of the bacteria have become resistant to current treatment regimens, resulting in multidrug-resistant (MOR) and extensively drugresistant (XOR) TB. The emergence of these resistant strains of bacteria calls for new treatment regimens that can quickly and effectively eradicate the organism. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Sirturo® (bedaquiline) with the indication of MDR pulmonary TB. Bedaquiline introduces a novel mechanism of action via the inhibition …

Nocardia Beijingensis: A Rare And Unusual Cause Of Intracranial Abscess, Lakshpaul Chauhan Md, Nirali Vassa Md, Elizabeth Henderson Md, Ateeq Mubarik Md, Danish M. Siddiq Md, Abdulmagid Eddib Md

Infectious Disease

Background : Nocardia species are thin, aerobic, filamentous, gram-positive bacilli that are ubiquitous in soil worldwide. Nocardia infections are divided into three main categories: pulmonary nocardiosis, disseminated nocardiosis, and cutaneous nocardiosis.

Methods : We present a case of cerebral nocardiosis in an immunocompetent patient caused by Nocardia beijingensis (NB).

Results : A 60-year-old Caucasian lady from Florida with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, presented to the emergency room with complaints of altered mentation. Per husband, she was having episodes of emesis and diarrhea three days prior to admission that resolved however, her mentation significantly deteriorated to where she was …

Ecthyma Gangrenosum In An Immunocompromised Patient Without Detectable Bacteremia, Jonathan Miles, Alex Mari, Matthew Crabtree, Vinod Nambudiri, Jilian Sansbury

Dermatology

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is typically pathognomonic of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia among immunocompromised patients, particularly with underlying malignancy. Recently, other pathogens and clinical histories have been implicated, challenging the classic picture of patients with EG. The cutaneous findings in patients follow a pattern of lesion progression from indurated pustules and hemorrhagic vesicles evolving to necrotic ulcers with central black eschar and surrounding erythema. While lesions typically occur on the perineum or lower extremities, their presence has also been described elsewhere. Herein, we describe a case of an immunocompromised man with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma actively undergoing chemotherapy presenting with …

Optimizing Antibiotic Management Of Pediatric Acute Otitis Media In An Emergency Department, Alicia Daggett, Alaina N. Burns, Brian R. Lee, Nirav Shastri, Patricia Phillips, Rana E. El Feghaly

Posters

Problem

Children diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM) at the Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas Emergency Department routinely get antibiotic prescriptions. There is rarely discussion with families about watchful waiting (defined as discussion of observation with parents and providing a safety-net antibiotic prescription that parents can ill if the patient is not improving or is worsening over the next 48 hours).

The aim of this quality improvement project is to increase watchful waiting for AOM at the CMK ED by 20% by March 2020, with an overall goal of decreasing antibiotic use for AOM.

Clabsi Prevention Through Prevention Huddles And Clabsi Risk Assessment And Prevention Form In Electronic Medical Record, Tara Benton, Barb Haney, Lacey Bergerhofer, Yolanda Ballam, Kaitlyn Hoch

Posters

Our aim is to increase the awareness of high risks for central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and decrease the CLABSI rate with the implementation of CLABSI prevention huddles and an electronic medical record (EMR) "CLABSI Risk Assessment and Prevention" form.

Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates In High Risk Patients Across Multiple Specialty Divisions, Rachel Moran, Julia G. Harris, Claire Olsen, Rana El Feghaly, Liset Olarte, Douglas Blowey, Luke A. Harris

Posters

Pediatric patients with deficient immune systems or certain chronic medical conditions have an increased risk of acquiring invasive pneumococcal disease.

The 23-valent pneumococcal (PPSV23) vaccine provides protection against 23 pneumococcal serotypes and is recommended for patients aged 2 years or older who are high-risk for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Unfortunately, many high-risk patients are not properly vaccinated due to lack of provider knowledge or understanding of accountability between primary care and specialty providers.

The goal of this project was to improve PPSV23 vaccination rates by 10-20% across multiple Children's Mercy Kansas City specialty divisions.

Treatment Of Podoconiosis With Complicating Polyinfections Within Rural African Villages: A Case Study, Amanda R. Beering, Abigail R. Florence, Soon Bahrami Md

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

This case study aims to provide a treatment plan for the treatment of podoconiosis with complicating polyinfections in a resource poor setting. A second objective is to help healthcare providers teach preventive measures to villagers in affected regions.

A Challenging Case Of Spontaneous Bacterial Empyema In A Cirrhotic Patient, Saad Emhmed Ali, Olalekan Akanbi, Macy Godman, Mohanad Soliman, Wesam M. Frandah, Karim Benrajab

Internal Medicine

Spontaneous Bacterial Empyema (SBEM) is distinguished as a primary infection of pre-existing hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of cardiopulmonary or pleural disease. It is an under-recognized complication of cirrhosis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis requires chest imaging to rule out underlying pneumonia as an etiology; a diagnostic thoracentesis is crucial to make the diagnosis and should be obtained in any patient with pleural effusion and evidence of infection. Expeditious administration of antibiotics is essential to ameliorate the outcome. We present an interesting case of spontaneous bacterial empyema in a cirrhotic patient with hepatic hydrothorax.

Transmissible Dermatological Diseases Affecting Syrian Refugees In Lebanon, Nisrine Kawa, Edith Hanna, Abdul Rahman Bizri

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

The Syrian war led many to seek shelter in Lebanon, creating a major refugee crisis. Displaced populations in crowded unequipped settlements are vulnerable to infectious diseases. The burden and incidence of various transmissible skin conditions affecting Syrian refugees in Lebanon and their impact on the Lebanese public health system were evaluated. Literature regarding these conditions among Syrian refugees in host countries, and epidemiological data from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health Surveillance Unit and primary health-care network were reviewed. Lebanon has witnessed skin disorder outbreaks associated with the Refugee crisis, mainly leishmaniasis, scabies and lice infestations with little data about …

Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus Toxic Shock Syndrome Following Elective Termination Of Pregnancy: A Review Of Current Literature And Recommendations, Shannon Alexa, Jandie Schwartz

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Group A Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) occurs as a subset of invasive Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections accounting for roughly 10% of cases yearly. Of those, Puerpural Streptococcal infections occur only 0.5/10,000 live births but has a mortality rate of nearly 38% if management does not occur early^1,3,4. Despite the overall lower incidence of disease when compared to noninvasive forms, infection rates have started to rise over the last 10 years making it a necessity that practitioners be able to efficiently diagnose and treat infection. Presented here is the case of a 30 year old female who …

The Relationship Between Gut Microbiota And Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis - A Literature Review, Roxana-Emanuela Popoiag, Anca Mihaela Pantea Stoian, Adrian P. Suceveanu, Andra I. Suceveanu, Laura Mazilu, Irinel R. Parepa, Laura M. Serban, Mihai Paunica, Catalina Motofei, Carmen Fierbinteanu Braticevici

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Gut microbiota is an essential component in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and its complications. There is a direct relationship between the gut and the liver called the gutliver axis through which bacteria can reach the liver through the portal venous blood. However, it remains unclear how bacteria leave the intestine and reach the fluid collection in the abdomen. A series of mechanisms have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and other complications of liver cirrhosis, including bacterial translocation, bacterial overgrowth, altered intestinal permeability and dysfunctional immunity. The hepatic function may also be …

Implementing Zero/Neutral Displacement Iv Connectors To Reduce Blood Stream Infections, Kirsten Mitchell, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

Catheter related blood stream infections are a major problem in the United States and account for over $225 million each year with over 1,300 infections occurring each day. By researching the most effective type of IV connector, health care providers can provide the best and safest care possible to patients requiring IV access. Zero/neutral IV connectors may be the answer to decreasing these infections as they produce no reflux in the connector which is a breeding ground for bacteria and occlusions. This literature review found that zero/neutral connectors performed better than positive and negative IV connectors when comparing both reflux …

Operationalization Of Bi-Directional Screening For Tuberculosis And Diabetes In Private Sector Healthcare Clinics In Karachi, Pakistan, Mashal S. Basir, Shifa Salman Habib, Syed M A. Zaidi, Saira Khowaja, Hamidah Hussain, Rashida A. Ferrand, Aamir J. Khan

Community Health Sciences

Background: Many countries are facing overlapping epidemics of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes increases the overall risk of developing Tuberculosis (TB) and contributes to adverse treatment outcomes. Active screening for both diseases can reduce TB transmission and prevent the development of complications of DM. We investigated bi-directional TB-DM screening in Karachi, Pakistan, a country that ranks fifth among high TB burden countries, and has the seventh highest country burden for DM.
Methods: Between February to November 2014, community-based screeners identified presumptive TB and DM through verbal screening at private health clinics. Individuals with presumptive TB were referred for …

Adaptation Of The Streptococcal Collagen-Like Protein 1, Scl1, Of Group A Streptococcus To Recognize Fibronectin Type Iii Repeats, Dudley H. Mcnitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is responsible more than 700 million infections worldwide each year. Most of these infections start with initial colonization of the throat and skin, which is augmented by surface adhesins. The streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) is a major adhesin expressed by GAS that contains an N-terminal sequence-variable (V) domain, protruded away from the cell surface by the collagen domain. The Scl-V domain is comprised of three pairs of anti-parallel α-helices interconnected by surface-exposed loops. For attachment, GAS adhesins require a portal of entry, such as a wound or breach in the epithelium, to enter …

Risk Stratification Of Febrile Infants ≤60 Days Old Without Routine Lumbar Puncture., Paul L. Aronson, Marie E. Wang, Eugene D. Shapiro, Samir S. Shah, Adrienne G. Deporre, Russell J Mcculloh, Christopher M. Pruitt, Sanyukta Desai, Lise E. Nigrovic, Richard D. Marble, Rianna C. Leazer, Sahar N. Rooholamini, Laura F. Sartori, Fran Balamuth, Christopher Woll, Mark I. Neuman, Febrile Young Infant Research Collaborative

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Video Abstract: media-1vid110.1542/5840460609001PEDS-VA_2018-1879

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the Rochester and modified Philadelphia criteria for the risk stratification of febrile infants with invasive bacterial infection (IBI) who do not appear ill without routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing.

METHODS: We performed a case-control study of febrile infants ≤60 days old presenting to 1 of 9 emergency departments from 2011 to 2016. For each infant with IBI (defined as a blood [bacteremia] and/or CSF [bacterial meningitis] culture with growth of a pathogen), controls without IBI were matched by site and date of visit. Infants were excluded if they appeared ill or had a …

Azithromycin For Early Pseudomonas Infection In Cystic Fibrosis. The Optimize Randomized Trial., Nicole Mayer-Hamblett, George Retsch-Bogart, Margaret Kloster, Frank Accurso, Margaret Rosenfeld, Gary Albers, Philip Black, Perry Brown, Annemarie Cairns, Stephanie D. Davis, Gavin R. Graff, Gwendolyn S. Kerby, David Orenstein, Rachael Buckingham, Bonnie W. Ramsey, Optimize Study Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

RATIONALE: New isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is generally treated with inhaled antipseudomonal antibiotics such as tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS). A therapeutic approach that complements traditional antimicrobial therapy by reducing the risk of pulmonary exacerbation and inflammation may ultimately prolong the time to Pa recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that the addition of azithromycin to TIS in children with cystic fibrosis and early Pa decreases the risk of pulmonary exacerbation and prolongs the time to Pa recurrence.

METHODS: The OPTIMIZE (Optimizing Treatment for Early Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Cystic Fibrosis) trial was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 18-month trial …

Nocardia Brasiliensis Infection After Hurricane Irma: Two Case Reports, Sarah Al-Obaydi Md, James Demaio, Nemer Dabage Md

Infectious Disease

Background: Although an increase in skin and soft tissue infections has been well documented after natural disasters, cases of Nocardia brasiliensis infection have not been included in prior reports. We present two cases of N. brasiliensis lymphadenitis that occurred in Manatee County, Florida after Hurricane Irma.

Methods: Case 1-A 75 year old immune competent male may have injured his arm while retrieving a golf ball approximately four weeks after Hurricane Irma. Ten days later he presented to the hospital with an abscess on his left forearm and a lymphadenitis extending nearly to the axilla. Despite treatment with vancomycin, the lymph …

Mrsa In The United States, Sweden, And Syria, Derek J. Lillestolen

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an opportunistic pathogen that is resistant to many broad and narrow-spectrum antibiotics commonly used in the treatment of S. aureus. There has been much fanfare about MRSA, receiving nicknames like “superbug” because of its varying degrees of resistance to the most common broad and narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as penicillin, oxacillin, methicillin and amoxicillin (2). The reality, however, is that MRSA is still susceptible to certain antibiotics and can be treated effectively. This study displays the factors which help and hurt MRSA treatments. There is shown a strong link between the prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics …

Coping With Chronic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: Diagnosis To Therapy, Veronica Corcino, Leslie Beavin, Shengli Lu, Ashley Ross, Carmen V. Sciortino Jr.

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Computer-Aided Detection Of Tuberculosis On Chest Radiography Among Private Sector Patients In Pakistan, Syed Mohammad Asad Zaidi, Shifa Salman Habib, Bram Van Ginneke, Rashida Abbas Ferrand, Jacob Creswell, Saira Khowaja, Aamir Khan

Community Health Sciences

The introduction of digital CXR with automated computer-aided interpretation, has given impetus to the role of CXR in TB screening, particularly in low resource, high-burden settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CAD4TB as a screening tool, implemented in the private sector in Karachi, Pakistan. This study analyzed retrospective data from CAD4TB and Xpert MTB/RIF testing carried out at two private TB treatment and diagnostic centers in Karachi. Sensitivity, specificity, potential Xperts saved, were computed and the receiver operator characteristic curves were constructed for four different models of CAD4TB. A total of 6,845 individuals …

Using Clinical Decision Support Within The Electronic Health Record To Reduce Incorrect Prescribing For Acute Sinusitis, Regina Ginzburg, Justin J. Conway, Eve Waltermaurer, Wendy Song, Samantha P. Jellinek-Cohen

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Acute sinusitis has viral etiology in more than 90% of cases, but antibiotics are prescribed for more than 80% of adults in the United States. While applications of computer-assisted guidelines have been found effective in reducing inaccurate prescribing for acute respiratory infections, there is a paucity of research focused specifically on the utilization of electronic best practice alerts (BPA) in improving treatment for acute sinusitis.

Methods: This observational cohort study examined prescribing behavior for sinusitis at a single Federally Qualified Health Center 1 year prior and during the first year of implementation of a BPA in the electronic health …

Infections Not Fought: Antibiotic Resistance In Underserved Communities, Derek Lillestolen

Senior Honors Theses

In 1928, the profound effects of penicillin were discovered and antibiotic treatments became extremely popular. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, like tetracyclines, have been since branded as cure-all prescriptions and used profusely in the Western World and abroad. Due to ignorance of specific biochemical mechanisms and the misuse of antibiotics these drugs inadvertently allowed the rise in prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of certain bacteria as the century progressed. Now, the specific genetic causes and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are being understood, but the fight against antimicrobial resistance is far from over. In the United States, thousands of fatalities are caused annually by …

Use Of Urine Antigen Testing For Blastomyces In An Integrated Health System, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Blastomycosis, an endemic fungal infection, mimics many other diseases. We explored the use of Blastomyces urine antigen (BuAg), reportedly the most sensitive noninvasive test, in clinical practice and compared it to other noninvasive tests.

Methods: A total of 836 BuAg tests performed on unique patients (first test only) at one large integrated health system from June 2013 to May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed to examine test characteristics and demographic features. Of these, 100 cases from 2015, a year containing a large local blastomycosis outbreak, were randomly selected for detailed analysis.

Results: Demographics for the BuAg-tested population: mean age 54.9 …

Legionnaire's Disease Presenting With Severe Rhabdomyolysis And Acute Renal Failure: A Case Report, Benjamin Plotz, Victoria K. Shanmugam

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Legionnaire's disease is caused by Legionella species, and is a recognized but rare cause of rhabdomyolysis. Legionella species live in water, and exposure to inoculated water systems leads to transmission of the disease, and commonly causes pneumonia in infected individuals. While the mechanism of muscle destruction legionella infection causes is not fully understood, the prevailing theory is that rhabdomyolysis is linked to an endotoxin released by the bacteria into the blood stream. Massive muscle necrosis manifests as limb weakness, muscle pain, swelling, and gross pigmenturia due to the release of electrolytes, myoglobin, and other sarcoplasmic proteins into the bloodstream. A …

In Vitro Assay Development As An Alternative To The Use Of Laboratory Animals For Measuring Clostridium Perfingens Type C Toxoid, Lauren M. Wilmes

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Clostridium perfringens type C produces beta toxin, which is a primary virulence determinate that can cause necrotic enteritis in neonatal animals. Vaccines directed against C. perfringens toxins have shown to be efficacious in preventing disease. However, the production of a commercial vaccine requires not only an efficacious antigen, but also testing methods for quantifying antigens and potency on final product. This research was undertaken to fulfill a need for the reduction in small animal usage to produce and deliver vaccines. The current testing methods are performed in vivo according to the Code of Federal Regulations number 9 (9CFR) United …

Factors Associated With Month 2 Smear Non-Conversion Among Category 1 Tuberculosis Patients In Karachi, Pakistan, Kimberly A. D'Souza, Syed M A. Zaidi, Maria Jaswal, Shahid Butt, Saira Khowaja, Shifa Salman Habib, Amyn A. Malik

Community Health Sciences

Predictors of smear non-conversion at baseline can help identify cases at risk for failure of tuberculosis treatment. Retrospective data for smear-positive Category 1 patients in Karachi, Pakistan, was analyzed. Predictors of sputum conversion were determined using multiple logistic regression with sputum conversion as outcome variable and patient demographics, baseline weight, baseline sputum smear grade, case-finding approach as explanatory variables. Age ≥35 years, baseline sputum grade of 3+ were significantly associated with predicting sputum smear positivity at month 2 of treatment. Monitoring compliance to TB treatment should be considered amongst older patients and those with a high sputum grade at baseline.

An Adult With A Remnant Urachus Anomaly Diagnosed In The Emergency Department., Alan Lucerna, James Lee, James Espinosa, Risha Hertz, Victor Scali

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

The urachus is a midline tubular structure that stretches from the apex of the bladder and connects to the umbilicus. Urachal remnants result from incomplete regression of the fetal urachus in infancy. We report the case of a 21-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with purulent drainage from his umbilicus in association with a chronic intermittent "pulling sensation" in the umbilicus and suprapubic areas. An infected urachal remnant was diagnosed and was treated with an oral antibiotic and ultimately with outpatient excision of the remnant. Such cases are rare but have the potential to progress to sepsis. In …

The Neurodevelopmental Perspective Of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis: The Role Of The Gut-Brain Axis., Chariton Moschopoulos, Panagiotis Kratimenos, Ioannis Koutroulis, Bhairav V Shah, Anja Mowes, Vineet Bhandari

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This state-of-the-art review article aims to highlight the most recent evidence about the therapeutic options of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis, focusing on the molecular basis of the gut-brain axis in relevance to the neurodevelopmental outcomes of primary peritoneal drainage and primary laparotomy. Current evidence favors primary laparotomy over primary peritoneal drainage as regards neurodevelopment in the surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. The added exposure to inhalational anesthesia in infants undergoing primary laparotomy is an additional confounding variable but requires further study. The concept of the gut-brain axis suggests that bowel injury initiates systemic inflammation potentially affecting the developing central nervous system. …

Risk Factors For Short- And Long-Term Outcomes In Children With Stec-Hus/D, Judith Sebestyen Vansickle, Tarak Srivastava, Uri S. Alon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is one of the common causes for acute kidney injury in childhood. Objective. The goals of our study were to identify risk factors for short-term complications and long-term outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-HUS and other diarrhea positive (D+) HUS. Methods. Retrospective chart review was obtained of 58 pediatric patients treated for STEC-HUS and other D+ HUS between February 2002 and January 2011. Results. Thirty-three patients (56.9%) required dialysis. Dialysis was more likely initiated if a patient was a female (P < .012), oliguric (urine output < 0.5 mL/kg/h, P < .0005), or hemoglobin (HGB) level >10 g/dL …

Identifying Constraints For Hospital Infection Control Management Via Mckinsey 7s Framework In Pakistan, Shagufta Perveen, Shifa Salman Habib

Community Health Sciences

Background: In Pakistan, structured guidelines for hospital infection control and prevention are deficient in most public sector facilities. There is dearth of literature available on management of hospital-care acquired infections and related issues. This study aims to understand infection control management as a proxy measure for quality of health care provided at a public sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. In this study, we identify barriers to implementation of infection control measures and highlight key areas for quality improvement.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 2008 using qualitative research methods. In-depth interviews were conducted with hospital …