Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Ultrasound-Triggered Release Of Vancomycin From A Novel Spinal Device: Antibiotic Release And Efficacy In Vivo, Lauren J. Delaney, Priscilla Machado, Ji-Bin Liu, Rachel Evans, Asia Winslow, Neil Zhao, Christopher K. Kepler, Rajkishen Narayanan, Teeto Ezeonu, Viren Soni, Gagan Kaushal, Rachel Hilliard, Thomas P. Schaer, Noreen J. Hickok, Flemming Forsberg

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Post-surgical spinal infection occurs in up to 20 % of patients, despite aggressive peri-operative antibiotic treatments. To improve prophylaxis, we have designed and evaluated an ultrasound-activated prophylactic antibiotic release system to combat post-surgical bacterial survival. Polylactic acid (PLA) clips (1 cm³) were 3D-printed with an interior reservoir (0.8 cm³) for carrying drug payload, specifically vancomycin (VAN). Under IACUC approval, clips were surgically implanted into the spines of sheep (n = 9) and swine (n = 2) by removing the spinous process at several levels of the lumbar spine. In the sheep, clips were insonated and the …

Bloom: Behavioral Learning And Outcome Observation In Microbes, Sean Sarwar Haque, Luke Compton Wharton, Ming Lin, Razvan Voicu

Symposium of Student Scholars

Understanding how pathogens respond to physical changes in their environment is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventative measures. Current research often relies on static models or experimental data that either fail to capture the dynamic interactions within cellular environments or are not generalizable to other types of pathogens. This project aims to address this gap by creating a comprehensive cell simulation that models pathogens and their response to chemical, physical, and physiological changes. The proposed solution is a simulation that integrates biological data and computational modeling to replicate the behavior of pathogens in real time as they are affected …

Trichosporon Asahii And Candida Guilliermondii As A Source Of Orbital Infection In An Immunocompromised Individual, David Morcos, Kevin Hardy, Anthony Makovec, Morgan Schill, John Foxworth

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

A 47-year-old male with a history of immunosuppression and recent intensive care unit admission presented with progressive orbital swelling and pain. Blood cultures grew Trichosporon asahii and Candida guilliermondii, with matching positive cultures from peripheral and central venous samples. Given his fungemia and worsening orbital involvement, induction therapy with amphotericin B and isavuconazole was initiated. Within weeks, clinical improvement was noted, prompting a transition to long-term consolidation therapy with oral posaconazole and isavuconazole. At follow-up, the patient demonstrated sustained clinical stability with no recurrence of infection. Orbital involvement from fungemia due to T. asahii and C. guilliermondii is rare, and …

Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction After Benzathine Penicillin G Treatment In Adults With Early Syphilis: Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Clinical Trial., Jodie A. Dionne, Chunming Zhu, Jorge Mejia-Galvis, Kimberly Workowski, Teresa A. Batteiger, Julia C. Dombrowski, Kenneth H. Mayer, Candice J. Mcneil, Arlene C. Seña, Stephanie Taylor, Harold C. Wiesenfeld, Matthew M. Hamill, Charlotte Perlowski, Edward W. Hook Iii

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Key Points: Question: What proportion of patients with early syphilis have symptoms of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) after treatment with benzathine penicillin G, and what are the associated characteristics? Findings: This prespecified secondary analysis of a multisite US randomized clinical trial found that, among 249 adults with early syphilis, JHR symptoms occurred after benzathine penicillin G treatment in 59 participants (23.7%). Onset of JHR was within 12 hours of treatment for 86.0% of participants, and JHR was associated with successful treatment response, secondary syphilis, and absence of HIV. Meaning: This study suggests that patients treated with benzathine penicillin G for …

Associations Of Time To The Operating Room On Outcomes In Odontogenic Infection, Jeffrey N. James, Ryan Bloomquist, Kiara Brown, Stephen Looney, Dylan Walker, Tyler Day

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were correlations between the length of time from hospital admission to surgical intervention and the frequency of complications in patients with odontogenic infections. While odontogenic infection is well studied in terms of interventions and outcomes, less is known about hospital utilization and resource burden of odontogenic infection with respect to timeliness to intervention. A retrospective cohort analysis was used to examine correlations between time from admission to surgical intervention and clinical outcomes. Patients included in this study were divided into three categories of length of time to the operating room: …

A Longer Duration Of Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment For Patients With Early Periprosthetic Joint Infections Is Not Associated With A Lower Failure Rate, Janneke Meijer, Alex Soriano, Wierd Zijlstra, Bas Ten Have, Saad Tarabichi, Paul Jutte, Javad Parvizi, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of an early switch to oral antibiotics after surgical treatment in orthopedic-related infections. However, large analyses on periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are lacking.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational multicenter study in patients diagnosed with an early post-operative PJI, defined as one occurringdebridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). Patients from Europe and the USA were included. We took advantage of the fact that an early oral antibiotic switch is routine practice in Europe as opposed to a long duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment in the USA. Failure …

Intravaginal Cooling Provides Symptom Relief In Women With Vulvovaginal Candidiasis And Reduces Immunopathology In An Accompanying Mouse Model, Junko Yano, Kimberly Langdon, Michael Swor, Mairi C. Noverr, Paul L. Fidel

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused primarily by Candida albicans, is currently treated with either prescription or over-the-counter antifungal drugs, often with variable efficacy and relapses. New and improved therapeutic strategies, including drug-free treatment alternatives, are needed. Upon overgrowth or environmental triggers, C. albicans yeast transitions into hyphae that results in an aberrant immunopathologic response by neutrophils, contributing to the characteristic vulvovaginal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a patented intravaginal cooling device (Vlisse®) to provide symptom relief in women with VVC via putative reversal of C. albicans hyphae to the commensal yeast form, with …

A Rare Presentation Of Pseudomonas Putida Bacteremia Secondary To Skin And Soft Tissue Infection, Danielle Rowe, Sachi Patel, Varun Lakhmani, Harsh Patel

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Pseudomonas putida is a rod-shaped, flagellated, non-lactose fermenting, gram negative bacterium, usually found in water and soil habitats. P. putida generally causes nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. Increased infection rates are seen in those patients with medical devices inserted, due to this organism’s innate ability to attach to moist and inanimate objects. In this case report we present a 63-year-old male patient with a past medical history of type II diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease stage 5, and hypertension who presented with P. putida cellulitis and bacteremia. This patient had no exposure to contaminated water sources or soil; however, had …

Emphysematous Cystitis In A 60-Year-Old Female Who Had Reported No Medical Care For Decades, Taylor O'Brien, Scott Scher, Brian Wexler, Daniel Breznau, Karen Joseph

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Mycobacterium Marinum Presenting As Bursitis In A Patient With Psoriatic Arthritis On Adalimumab, Mallory Suhling, Aditya Dutt, Olivia Cook, Summer Moon

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Case Report Of Neurosyphilis, Caroline Finnerty, Elizabeth Diaz, Teena Mathew

North Texas Research Forum 2025

This is the case of a 29 year old female who initially presented with generalized joint aches noted to have neurosyphilis. Because of her delayed treatment, this case presents interesting findings that we classically no longer see in syphilis cases due to early detection and treatment. The case looks at the early symptoms as well as late symptoms if syphilis is left untreated. The patient was ultimately treated with IV penicillin with improvement of her symptoms.

Dysphagia Turned Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis Manifesting As Oral Lesions In A Renal Transplant Patient, Alexis Nguyen, Sebastian Hinojosa, Trey Richardson, Levan Gakhokidze, Alissa Ice, Piera Sosa, Heidi Schaefer, Anthony Langone

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Flea-Borne Mystery: Unraveling Murine Typhus In A Patient With Unexplained Encephalopathy, Jose Loayza Pintado, Jorge Aboytes Trevino, Ceasar Uribe

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

An Atypical Case Of Epec-Hus In An Adult, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Annmary Behanan, Babivigasan Gunasegaran, Amita J. Dsouza

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Use Of Intraoperative Vancomycin Powder And Its Effects On The Incidence Of Surgical Site Infection In Orthopaedic Trauma: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Troy Puga, Mckenna Box, Alan Lam, Claire Ferguson, Mason Poffenbarger, Cornelis Potgieter, John Riel

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) in orthopaedic trauma can have devastating consequences for patients. Many risk factors for SSI exist and many strategies are employed to prevent SSI. The use of intraoperative powdered vancomycin is one such strategy used in orthopaedic trauma surgery, however, evidence and guidelines remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for the use of powdered vancomycin in orthopaedic trauma surgery for the prevention of SSI. Methods A search was conducted across Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases to evaluate for the use of powdered vancomycin in orthopaedic trauma surgery for the …

Necrotizing Alternaria Pneumonia In An Immunocompetent Male, Joel Mathews, Jose Aguilar-Martinez, Sean Sojdie, Zain Tariq, Tamer Hudali

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Abstract: Alternaria species is a rare cause of invasive fungal pneumonia, typically described as an opportunistic pathogen, usually seen in immunocompromised patients producing virulent forms of sinus, cutaneous, and ocular infections. Alternaria species sparingly affect immunocompetent individuals and are often managed without any medical interventions. We present a case of invasive fungal necrotizing pneumonia caused by Alternaria alternata species in an immunocompetent 28-year-old male with only a past medical history of well-controlled asthma managed with an as-needed albuterol inhaler. His complaints included worsening foul-smelling productive cough with yellow-dark brown sputum along with subjective fevers, chills, chest pain, and dyspnea for …

Atypical Stroke-Like Presentation In A Patient With Mucormycosis, Joseph Crutison, Yasser El-Daour, Dominique Pean

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Decolonizing Health In Madagascar: A Francophone Perspective, Delaney K. Brenner

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

No abstract provided.

Endocarditis Causing Complete Heart Block And Cardiogenic Shock, Ish Patel, Jacob M. Keesee, Brenden Pearce, Sarah Barnhardt, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Inked And Infected: A Case That Highlights The Emerging Concern Of Tattoo-Associated Mycobacterium Abscessus, Tory Starzyk, Neena Edupuganti

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

An Extremely Rare Case Of Group C Streptococcal Cavitary Pneumonia In Young Female, Arjun Kamath, Jorge Garza, Ethan Goldberg, Deekshita Valiveti, Abhay Vakil, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Meningitis With Pyogenic Ventriculitis, Shterna Frand, Matthew Gutzmer, Melissa Jaworski, Calan Teel, Premal Patel

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Bacterial meningitis and subsequent pyogenic ventriculitis in patients with complex medical histories and prior cranial surgeries presents significant diagnostic and management challenges. While typical signs of infection such as fever and leukocytosis may be present, secondary complications including seizure, respiratory failure, and pyogenic ventriculitis can complicate the clinical course. This case illustrates the need for comprehensive evaluation and tailored intervention in immunocompromised patients presenting with atypical infection. The case involved a 63-year-old female with a prior craniotomy and multiple comorbidities, presenting to the Emergency Department with acute encephalopathy and suspected bacterial meningitis. Upon transfer to the ICU following acute onset …

Fatal Streptococcal Pneumonia Bacteremia Complicated By Purpura Fulminans In An Asplenic Patient, Farigol Hakem Zadeh, Nikita Shah, Vidya S. Kollu

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Reverse Halo Sign On Imaging - What Can It Be?, Arjun Kamath, Jorge Garza, Ethan Goldberg, Deekshita Valiveti, Abhay Vakil, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Early Management Of Kodamaea Ohmeri Infection In A Diabetic Patient With Recurrent Otitis Externa: A Case Report, Madison Groom, Linette Diaz, Ryan Fernandez, Jose Vasquez

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Primary Hepatic Tuberculosis Mimicking Hepatocellular Carcinoma And Cholangiocarcinoma, Dj Jiang, Aarohi Parikh, Eric Riha, Kevin Garnepudi

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Incidence Of Allergic Reactions To Cefazolin In Patients With Penicillin Allergy Undergoing Operative Repair Of Pelvis Or Extremity Fracture, Hans Drawbert, Laclan Anderson, Marisa Fat, John Riehl

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction Surgical site infections (SSI) account for 20% of all healthcare associated infections with an estimated yearly cost of $3.3 billion in the US alone (1). Cefazolin (Ancef) is a commonly used prophylactic antibiotic in orthopaedic surgery and has been shown to reduce SSI compared to other antibiotics, but potential cross-reactivity in patients with a penicillin allergy (PA) leads to concerns regarding the safety of cefazolin administration. This study evaluates the incidence of allergic reactions to cefazolin in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery with a PA. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional database review study was conducted. Patients aged 18 or over who …

Ludwig’S Angina And A Complicated Course Of Streptococcus Constellatus Management, Kyle Distler, Awad Hammad, Elizabeth Ryder, Shradha Pokharel

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Probiotics For The Primary Prevention Of Inpatient, Antibiotic-Associated Clostridioides Difficile Infection: A Multi-Center, Retrospective Study, Cooper Josephs, Taylor Templeton-Jager, Julie Worthington

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Face-Off Between Two Mimics: Lupus And Tuberculosis, Fnu Swatisikta, Nang Kham, Ali Chaudhry

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

INTRODUCTION Both lupus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis can affect any organ and can present with non-specific multi-organ involvement. In a patient with lupus, it may be difficult to distinguish between a lupus flare and a mycobacterial infection.

CASE A 28-year-old female with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), (anti-Smith and ds-DNA positive), presented with knee swelling, chest and abdominal pain. She had elevated inflammatory markers, hyperkalemia with AKI. CT chest showed bilateral lung micronodules and patchy opacity. The patient had been on long-term steroids, mycophenolate, and hydroxychloroquine. Belimumab and voclosporin were initiated after a recent kidney biopsy revealed class 4 …