Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Culture Negative Endocarditis Masquerading As Idiopathic Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis, Sania Moonnumackel, Manish Pandey, Randy Nguyen, Reuben Abreu, Seline Haci, Neelima Paladugu, Machaiah Madhrira

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a challenging disease to diagnose often presenting with heterogeneous features. Blood cultures are the gold standard for diagnosing endocarditis, but it is important to know that up to 20 % of cases of infective endocarditis have negative blood cultures. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small vessel vasculitis and is idiopathic in 50% of cases. LCV is a rare but possible presentation of Infective endocarditis. Hence IE should be part of the differential diagnosis when LCV is diagnosed. Case summary: A 53-year-old male patient presenting right lower extremity pain and vesiculobullous lesions over bilateral upper and …

Necrotic Pancreatitis Due To Cronobacter Sakazakii Infection, Daler Kudratov, Jehidy Batista Michelena, David Benitez, Meghan Myppala, Adam Gomez, Oswaldo Renteria, Juan Rodriguez, Kuljot Bansi

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Mycobacteria Tuberculosis Pericarditis In Immunocompromised Patient, David Benitez, Martin Twumampofo, Aasia Khan, Oscar Garcia

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Iv Habit: Oral Antibiotics For Gram-Negative Bacteremia In The Modern Era, Adam Albadawi, Maria Milko

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Cryptogenic Fusobacterium Liver Abscesses In Two Healthy, Young Adult Males, Cooper Alden Josephs, Anna Bryce Tucker, James Everhart, Nick Fuerstenau, Taylor Templeton-Jager

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Rare Case Of Brucellosis Relapse, Rabia Mahfooz, Grant Patterson, Annmary Behanan, Babivigasan Gunasegaran

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Neurosyphilis Mortality Trends In The United States (1999–2023): A Cdc Wonder Database Analysis, Amy Mackenzie, Barbara Gracious

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Life Over Limb: A Case Of Rapidly Rrogressive Necrotizing Fasciitis, Olesya A. Balashova, Adam Lerchenfeld, Rahul Ramakrishnan, Ashley Diaz, Anna Felizcek, Daniel Heller

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Of Bugs And Bruton's: Infection Risks In Btki Therapy, Musa Kiyani, Owen Clanahan

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Cultures For Acid-Fast Bacilli: Are We Being Good Stewards?, Jennifer Hanrahan, Julie D. Sill, Patricia Ver Schneider, Jessica F. Copeland, Elsie Frimpongmaa Amoako-Kissi, Ogochukwu O. Ilobi, Angela J. Toepp

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: To describe the use of cultures for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and situations in which AFB cultures are unlikely to be of clinical benefit.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study of AFB cultures submitted to Sentara Health microbiology laboratory from December 1, 2021, to December 1, 2023. Data were collected from the electronic medical record and included patient demographics, the service line that ordered the culture, specimen source, and culture results.

Setting: Sentara Healthcare System.

Patients: All patients who had specimens submitted to the microbiology laboratory during the study period were included.

Results: A total of 13,944 AFB cultures from 8,243 …

E. Coli Sepsis And Cholangitis In A Patient With Sickle-Cell Disease: A Case Report, Madeline Pham, Kristen Stovall, Marvin Sineath Jr.

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Cryptococcal Meningitis In A Patient With Multiple Sclerosis On Fingolimod, Syed Hassan Amir, Teena Mathew

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: There are a host of pathogens that thrive only when the host is weakened enough to be susceptible – Cryptococcus is one such organism that causes fatal meningitis, primarily in HIV patients. Those immunocompromised by other means are also susceptible. Among them, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) pose a significant challenge as what may initially be considered an MS flare could mask a serious underlying infection. Objective: This case study discusses an MS patient on Fingolimod, an immunosuppressant, that likely made them vulnerable to cryptococcal meningitis. Pathogenesis: Cryptococci are encapsulated yeast that enter the body via inhalation of spores …

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome In Melanatedskin: A Pediatric Case Report, Aleah Lafrancis-Ream, Hannah Chotiner, Scott Gutovitz

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Early Source Control: A Case Of Resistant Mrsa, Jack Demirjian, Paul Mathew

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Fusarium Infection To Lung, Liver, And Brain In An Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (Apml) Patient; A Case Report, Lane F. Smith, Alexandria Goyer, Ali Al-Nahi, Neil Bhangoo, Yi Lei, Zara Soomro, Amy Nguyen-Pham, Tasaduq Mir

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Disseminated fusarium, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, is associated with persistent fevers, rash, and lung involvement. Despite interventions, mortality rate remains high, exceeding 75% for disseminated disease. There are only 26 documented cases worldwide between 1974 and 2022 with CNS involvement. This case highlights a rare presentation of disseminated fusarium infection involving the lungs, liver, and brain in a 53-year-old male with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), highlighting critical diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male with a history of APL with PML/RARA fusion t (15,17) after chemotherapy presented with persistent fevers, rash, encephalopathy, and severe sepsis while undergoing …

Bloodstream To Heart Valve: A Case Of Pseudomonas Endocarditis, Jacob Keesee, Brenden Pearce, Mohammed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Streptococcus Intermedius In The Setting Of Adalimumab Use, Gerardo Martinez Arroyo, Amelia Mellor, Joseph Prokop, Oscar Garcia

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Safety Of Catheter Aspiration Of Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis Versus Open Surgery, Ali Alkhayru, Rohan Shah, Luke Thompson, Marek Solomianko, Rahul Mhaskar, Ali Abdul-Jabbar

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Fatal Overlapping Cns Infections: Radiologic Correlates Of Ventriculitis, Encephalitis, And Meningitis​, Jesse F. Simon, Sara Darwish, Stephanie Nagy, Richard Shalmiyev, David Kosoy, Bryan Rubio, Gustavo Pantol, Mauricio Danckers

East Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

Introduction: This case study explores an uncommon triad of encephalitis, ventriculitis, and meningitis complicated by ischemic strokes and seizures in a COVID-19-positive patient. Prior studies suggest that bacterial meningitis and encephalitis can lead to cerebral infarctions due to inflammation and vascular injury.1,2,5 Ventriculitis, in particular, is rarely observed and typically is seen as a severe complication of meningitis, and can be managed with neurosurgical interventions such as CSF shunt placement, ventricular drains, or other intracranial devices.3,4 The simultaneous presentation of all three conditions in a single patient is rare and poses significant challenges from a diagnostic and management standpoint.

Case …

The Role Of Horizontal Gene Transfer In Antibiotic Resistance Amidst Prevalent Community And Healthcare-Associated Mrsa Rates, Gabrielle Nascimento

Honors College Theses

In recent decades, cases of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) have been on the rise. The ability of antibiotic resistance to transfer between microorganisms greatly expands its threat to the effective treatment and containment of bacterial infections. The mecA gene is found on a mobile cassette within the Staphylococcal cell and encodes for PBP2a, an alternate version of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) with less binding affinity for β-lactam antibiotics, increasing resistance to the effects of antibiotics. The goal of this research is to investigate the horizontal transfer of the mecA gene between various Staphylococcus species as well as to …

Development Of A Proposed Selective Medium For The Isolation And Differentiation Of P. Sordellii, Dimyana Bottros

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, includes clinically and ecologically significant species like Clostridium difficile and Paeniclostridium sordellii. C. difficile causes antibiotic-associated colitis, while P. sordellii is linked to fatal infections and spontaneous abortions. Recent studies found both species in marine sediments, suggesting their role in environmental and wildlife health disturbances, including the 2013 mass mortality of over 300 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. However, isolating and differentiating P. sordellii is challenging due to the lack of selective media optimized for its growth. This thesis proposes a novel selective medium tailored to P. sordellii’s physiological …

Diversity Within Species: Mechanisms, Evolution And Implications In Bacterial Disease, Kathryn R. Piper

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli are ubiquitous commensal and opportunistic pathogens. In humans, S. aureus is commonly found on the skin and mucus membranes, and is known to cause infections in the skin, bloodstream and brain. E. coli is a normal part of the gut microbiota in humans and can cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections alike. S. aureus and E. coli pose global threats to public health, due to the high morbidity and mortality of invasive strains. The wide range of infections they cause in humans and other animals are exacerbated by the presence …

Ribosome Hibernation In Mycobacterium Abscessus And Its Effect On Antibiotic Resistance, Ryan Treen

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) represent a diverse repertoire of species, most of which are ubiquitous in the environment. Some NTM species, such as Mycobacterium abscessus, can cause life-threatening infections in people with underlying medical conditions. The clinical incidence of such infections is on the rise, posing an emerging threat to public health. M. abscessus is characterized by intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment strategies. Most chemotherapeutic approaches for M. abscessus infection target the bacterial ribosome, necessitating a better understanding of the physiological processes which confer this resistance. Multiple mycobacterial species respond to zinc-limiting conditions by inducing remodeling and hibernation …

Identifying The Role And Influence Of Interleukin-27 On The Neonatal Immune Response, Jordan Kane Vance

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first month of life is a critical and vulnerable developmental stage, characterized by a heightened risk of life-threatening infections. Each year, 1.3 million newborns succumb to neonatal bacterial sepsis. The immune system during the neonatal period has unique features that lead to inefficiencies at clearing infection. Early life immunity is characterized by a Th2-biased profile with decreased IL‑12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, along with increased IL‑6 and IL‑23. Additionally, IL‑27, an immunosuppressive cytokine, is also elevated during this period and further contributes to susceptibility to infection. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in administering effective care in newborns and there …

Design, Synthesis, And Nmr-Guided Characterization Of A Targeted Covalent Inhibitor-Like Molecule Against Ivyp1 From P. Aeruginosa, Samuel Taylor Moore

Master's Theses

Multi-drug resistance poses a serious threat to future generations and historical antibiotic pipelines; consequently, the medical and economic burdens associated with treating multidrug-resistant bacteria are substantiated. In this context, P. aeruginosa (PA) emerges as one of the most significant healthcare challenges, being a leading cause of resistance-associated mortality worldwide. Despite modern efforts to combat these poor outcomes, drug-resistant cases continue to rise, and the need for novel antibiotic treatment is apparent. To this end, we investigated relevant resistance mechanisms and past antibiotic targets within PA, and in doing so, we identified relationships between peptidoglycan biology and a periplasmic protein, Inhibitor …

Systemic Antibiotic Selection In Skin And Soft Tissue Infections, Shafira Anindya Purnawan, Windy Keumala Budianti, Sandra Widaty

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Antibiotics are used in daily practice. To properly select antibiotics, it is important to pay attention to the definitive diagnosis, class of antibiotic, dose, interval, route of administration, and exact duration of use.

Discussion: The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes antibiotics into three groups: Access, Watch, and Reserve—known as the AWaRe classification—to help guide appropriate usage and combat antibiotic resistance. The Gyssens flowchart serves as a valuable tool for clinicians to qualitatively evaluate antibiotic utilization. In skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), treatment strategies are tailored according to the characteristics of the infection, including purulence, necrosis, and overall severity. …

Antibiotics For Culture-Negative Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis: Measuring The Unmeasurable, Dustin D Flannery, Matthew B Green

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

Understanding Orthopaedic Infections: A Conceptual Approach, Gregory Laborde, Christopher Bloise, George Karam

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Memorizing mounds of facts without having an effective conceptual framework to store them is often an unsuccessful learning style because memory frequently fails without understanding. To accomplish this goal, we offer a framework of ideas called "concept maps". Of the many strategies for metacognition (that is, thinking about thinking), concept mapping is proven to improve meaningful and independent learning. We used this approach to guide understanding of common orthopaedic infections. This paper is not meant to serve as an approach on how to treat, but rather as a storage system with the ability to assist in understanding orthopaedic infections. …

Cabotegravir Maintains Protective Efficacy In The Setting Of Bacterial Stis: A Secondary Analysis Of Hptn 083, Meredith E. Clement, Brett Hanscom, Daniel Haines, Jose A. Bazan, Nuntisa Chotirosniramit, Ryan Kofron, Sharon Mannheimer, Kenneth H. Mayer, Mayara Secco Torres Silva, Lydia Soto-Torres, Alex R. Rinehart, James F. Rooney, A Jennings, K Gomez-Feliciano, Marybeth Mccauley, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Raphael J. Landovitz, Et Al.

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been shown to facilitate HIV transmission and acquisition. HPTN 083, a global clinical trial, demonstrated superiority of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) versus daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for HIV prevention among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men. This analysis assessed whether CAB-LA maintained protective efficacy when bacterial STIs (syphilis, rectal/urethral gonorrhea and chlamydia) were present. METHODS: STI events per 100 person-years (PY) were calculated, including by subgroups (age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, treatment arm, drug use, alcohol use, region/country, condom usage, partner number, marital status, baseline STI). Association between baseline factors …

An Epidemiological Approach To The Rise In Syphilis In The United States Between 2018 And 2022, Ashley Forrest, Erica Rankin, Lahana Maharjan, Cyril Blavo, Jyotsna Chawla

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the recent increase in syphilis rates from 2018 to 2022, utilizing publicly available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background. Syphilis has seen a dramatic resurgence since 2018, reaching levels not observed since the 1940s. While this increase has prompted significant discourse among healthcare professionals, a comprehensive demographic analysis remains limited. Methods. CDC public datasets from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed descriptively, followed by chi-squared tests and logistic regression modeling conducted using R. The analysis examined syphilis rates across different demographic and behavioral factors, including sex, race/ethnicity, and reported sexual …