Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons^™

Investigating Corollaries Between Streptococcus Gallolyticus Subsp. Gallolyticus Virulence And Colorectal Cancer, Tyler G. Myers

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (Sgg) is a gram-positive, non-beta-hemolytic bacterium that belongs to the Lancefield group D of streptococcal pathogens. For the past several decades, associations between Sgg bacteremia and colorectal cancer (CRC) have been apparent, with gastroenterologists routinely recommending colonoscopies for positive cases of Sgg in either blood or stool samples. However, current research has not wholly established whether Sgg acts as a causative agent of CRC or if pre-existing cancers make the lumen of the colon more hospitable to its colonization. Regardless, Sgg has been implicated in the modulation of host inflammatory pathways and subsequent remodeling …

Selectivity Modulation Of Small Cationic Membrane-Active Cyclic Peptides With Broad-Spectrum Activity Against Bacteria And Fungi, Sandeep Lohan, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Innokentiy Maslennikov, Kaustav Das Gupta, Shakti Singh, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

To investigate how ring size and backbone flexibility influence antimicrobial potency and cytotoxicity, we synthesized a series of macrocyclic peptides of lead peptide p1 (c[Arg-Arg-arg-arg-dip-Trp-dip]) by incorporating Gly, 2-aminoethoxyacetic acid (EAA), or 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab). Two optimized peptides, 6b and 10b, retained broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant Gram-positive (MIC, 1.5–6.2 μg/mL) and Gram-negative bacteria (MIC, 4–25 μg/mL), as well as pathogenic fungi, while exhibiting enhanced selectivity for microbial cells. Their therapeutic indices (TI ∼407 and ∼394, respectively) were ∼2-fold higher than p1, indicating improved safety. Both peptides remained effective against Gram-negative pathogens beyond the reach of daptomycin, were rapidly bactericidal, and …

Evidentiary Standards For Newly Approved Antibiotics For Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, John H. Powers Iii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and are typically treated with existing oral antibiotics. In 2024–2025, the FDA approved two new oral agents, sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid and gepotidacin, via expedited review pathways, for the treatment of uUTIs. Objective: To assess the clinical significance and regulatory evidence supporting FDA approval of sulopenem/probenecid and gepotidacin for uUTI, and to analyze the adherence of pivotal phase III trials to regulatory standards for approval and FDA guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants: Comparative descriptive analysis of publicly available data from phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical …

A Rare And Challenging Polymicrobial Pleural Infection Involving Cupriavidus Pauculus In A Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis And Multiple Complications, Moiz Ahmed Khan, Syeda Samiya Kamal, Muhammad Muneeb, Summaya Zafar

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

A 58-year-old female with a 15-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of treatment consisting of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, and chronic prednisolone therapy, presented with fever, productive cough, dyspnea, and left leg cellulitis. She developed septic shock complicated by tension pneumothorax requiring emergency thoracostomy and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Pleural fluid culture grew Cupriavidus pauculus, a rare environmental gram-negative bacillus, alongside Burkholderia cepacia and Candida parapsilosis, indicating polymicrobial infection which was most likely predisposed by patient's immunosuppressed state from RA and prolonged steroid use. Treatment consisted of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, meropenem, fluconazole, and cardiopulmonary support, and culminated in …

Epidemiology Of Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis And Meningitis (Hcavm) And Community-Acquired Meningitis/Encephalitis And Evaluation Of An Off-Label Pcr Panel For Hcavm Diagnosis, Jaime Nassur, Katarina Schnell, Christine Dolon, Laura Walters, Devin Weber, Matthew Pettengill

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis (HCAVM) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but rapid diagnostic tests intended to cover microorganisms that typically cause HCAVM are not commercially available. We sought to evaluate the etiology of HCAVM compared to community-acquired meningitis/encephalitis (CAME) at our healthcare system, and to study the utility of repurposing a multiplex molecular panel intended for positive blood cultures for HCAVM cases. Our epidemiologic review demonstrated that HCAVM cases were primarily caused by bacteria and fungi also associated with bloodstream infections, in contrast with CAME cases, which were primarily caused by herpesviruses and Cryptococcus. Eighty-two cerebrospinal fluid …

Late Bioprosthetic Valve Migration- A Rare Entity After Tavi, Sahej Arora, Ghazi Khan, Jeremiah Depta

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

We present a case of hemolytic anemia due to a rare complication of late bioprosthetic valve migration, who underwent successful treatment with valve in valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Our patient with symptomatic moderate aortic stenosis underwent the index procedure a year ago and treated for bacteremia 3 months ago, presented with hemolytic anemia and echocardiography revealing aortic paravalvular leak. The hemolysis was attributed to Bioprosthetic valve dysfunction after a negative hematological workup. The patient's aortography revealed ventricular migration of the valve, not seen on a cardiac CT scan performed before. This was followed by a successful valve in valve …

Incidence And Predictors Of Encephalopathy In Patients Admitted With Lower Urinary Tract Infections: A Nationwide Analysis, Purva Shah, Shiamak Cooper, Ali Jaan, Basil George Verghese

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background. There are no large-scale study assessing the incidence and predictors of encephalopathy in patients with UTI. Also, there is a lack of data on encephalopathy outcomes in patients hospitalized with UTI. We aim to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and impact of encephalopathy on the outcomes of LUTI hospitalizations

Methods. Retrospective cohort study using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2017–2020). We included adult patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted with a principal diagnosis of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI), utilizing the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, and Clinical Modifications (ICD-10- CM) codes. Multivariate logistic and linear regression …

Assessment Of Knowledge, Attitude And Behaviors Towards Invasive Meningococcal Disease And Its Vaccination Among Young Adults In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Wesam Osama Mandoura, Anmar Abdullah Bijar, Anmar Aiman Rehbini, Ghali Ghalib Alhindi

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a life-threatening infection associated with high mortality and long-term morbidity. Effective vaccines are available but meningococcal vaccination in Saudi Arabia is not mandatory outside specific high-risk groups. Public knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) toward IMD and its vaccination play a pivotal role in disease prevention and vaccine uptake. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 382 residents of Saudi Arabia between July and August 2024 using a validated, Arabictranslated questionnaire distributed via social media. The survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of IMD, attitudes toward vaccination, vaccination behaviors and sources of information. Knowledge scores were …

Disguised And Dangerous: A Case Of Cervicofacial Actinomycosis Presenting With Hemoptysis, Tharun Shyam, Shamanth M Reddy, Saumya Nanda, Yan Naing Tun, Rohan Pinto, Navjot Somal, Ravi Karan Patti

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic, suppurative bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces spp with an incidence of 0.3 cases per million people annually. The cervicofacial area is the most common site of infection and accounts for approximately 50 percent of all cases. Most cases of cervicofacial actinomycosis are odontogenic in origin.

Hemoptysis in the setting of actinomycosis commonly occurs from pulmonary involvement. Hemoptysis secondary to isolated cervicofacial actinomycosis has seldom been documented in literature. We hereby present a case of cervicofacial actinomycosis presenting with hemoptysis likely secondary to an oro-cervical fistula. We aim to highlight the challenges in diagnosis of this …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Placebo Cure In Onychomycosis Clinical Trials, Julianne M. Falotico, Zachary J.K. Neubauer, Anjile An, Shari R. Lipner

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex (Mac) Infection Presenting With Mycotic Aneurysm And Multisystem Involvement In A Patient With Newly Diagnosed Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids), Hannah Rector, Michael Haddad, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Hidden In The Hilum: A Rare Case Of Mediastinal Mucormycosis In A Patient With Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, Neethu George, Anusha Putta, Harikaran Ragireddy

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Neurosyphilis With Albuminocytologic Dissociation And Discordant Serology In Controlled Hiv Infection, Nikita Zanko, Kyle Tracy, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Invasive Aspergillosis In An Immunocompetent Patient, Grant Haden, Alexis Lopez Cruz, Julianna Vecchio, Munanchui Poudel, Sahista Kapadia, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

A Rare Case Of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Bacteremia, Extensive Streptococcal Myositis, And Septic Knee Arthritis, Cristina Lee, Morgan Seaton, Christina Mie Minami, Bailey Weidner, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis With Miller-Fischer Syndrome Following Campylobacter Infection, Jason Hall, Weston Durland, Brandon West, Dmitriy Scherbak

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Beware Of Bears: Severe Hydronephrosis & Urinary Retention Hidden Behind A Uti, Bjorn Sorensen, Victoria Jackson, Carissa Ford

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis In A Severely Immunocompromised Patient With Lupus Nephritis, Sumon Khalique, Emaan Ul Haque, Randy Vo, Bayan Zafar

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Strep Pasteurianus Toxic Shock Syndrome Revealing Colon Adenocarcinoma, Kendal Hansen, Enrique Urrutia

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.