Fever Of Unknown Etiology Research Articles

Fever assessment in children under five: Are we following the guidelines?

Fever is a common cause of medical consultation and hospital admission, particularly among children. Recently, the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated its guidelines for assessing fever in children under five years of age. The efficient assessment and management of children with fever are crucial for improving patient outcomes. To evaluate fever assessment in hospitalized children and to assess its adherence with the NICE Fever in under 5s guideline. We conducted a retrospective cohort review of the electronic medical records of children under five years of age at the Department of Pediatrics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between June and July 2023. Demographic data, vital signs during the first 48 h of admission, route of temperature measurement, and indications for admission were gathered. Fever was defined according to the NICE guideline. The children were divided into five groups according to their age (0-3 months, > 3-6 months, > 6-12 months, > 12-36 months, and > 36-60 months). Patients with and without fever were compared in terms of demography, indication for admission, route of temperature measurement, and other vital signs. Compliance with the NICE Fever in the under 5s guideline was assessed. Full compliance was defined as > 95%, partial compliance as 70%-95%, and minimal compliance as ≤ 69%. Pearson's χ2, Student's t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs) were used for comparison. Of the 136 patients reviewed, 80 (58.8%) were boys. The median age at admission was 14.2 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.7-44.4] months, with the most common age group being 36-60 months. Thirty-six (26.4%) patients had fever, and 100 (73.6%) were afebrile. The commonest age group for febrile patients (> 12-36 months) was older than the commonest age group for afebrile patients (0-3 months) (P = 0.027). The median weight was 8.3 (IQR: 4.0-13.3) kg. Patients with fever had higher weight than those without fever [10.2 (IQR: 7.3-13.0) vs 7.1 (IQR: 3.8-13.3) kg, respectively] (P = 0.034). Gastrointestinal disease was the leading indication for hospital admission (n = 47, 34.6%). Patients with central nervous system diseases and fever of unknown etiology were more likely to be febrile (P = 0.030 and P = 0.011, respectively). The mean heart rate was higher in the febrile group than the afebrile group (140 ± 24 vs 126 ± 20 beats per minute, respectively) [P = 0.001 (confidence interval: 5.8-21.9)] with a positive correlation between body temperature and heart rate, r = 0.242, n = 136, P = 0.004. A higher proportion of febrile patients received paracetamol (n = 35, 81.3%) compared to the afebrile patients (n = 8, 18.6%) (P < 0.001). The axillary route was the most commonly used for temperature measurements (n = 40/42, 95.2%), followed by the rectal route (n = 2/42, 4.8%). The department demonstrated full compliance with the NICE guideline for five criteria: the type of thermometer used, route and frequency of temperature measurement, frequency of heart rate measurement, and use of antipyretics as needed. Partial compliance was noted for two criteria, the threshold of fever at 38 °C or more, and the respiratory rate assessment in febrile patients. Minimal compliance or no record was observed for the remaining three criteria; routine assessment of capillary refill, temperature reassessment 1-2 h after each antipyretic intake, and refraining from the use of tepid sponging. This study showed that fever assessment in hospitalized children under five years of age was appropriate, but certain areas of adherence to the NICE guideline still need to be improved.

Epidemiological and clinical analysis of polish short-term and long-term travelers returning from tropical countries

BackgroundThere is a lack of information about health problems after returning from tropical countries among travelers from Poland. The aim was to create characteristics of diseases imported to Poland from tropical regions and to determine the changes in the travel trends. MethodThis retrospective study is based on medical records of 2391 Polish patients >18 years old, hospitalized between 2006 and 2016 after returning from tropical areas. The analysis covered purpose, duration and travel destination, and health problems related to the travel. 1098 patients (short travel, <1 month, n = 345 vs long travel, >6 months, n = 753) were selected for further analysis. ResultsThe most frequently visited region was Sub-Saharan Africa. Tourists dominated among short-term and missionaries among long-term travelers. The most popular health problems in both groups were digestive system disease and febrile diseases. Diarrhoea of undetermined aetiology, dengue fever, malaria, fever of unknown aetiology and infectious mononucleosis were more likely to occur among short-term travelers whereas blastocystosis, giardiasis, schistosomiasis among long-term travelers. In the group of long-term travelers 363/753 (47,8%) were diagnosed with an infectious or parasitic disease in relation to a trip to a country with a hot climate. ConclusionsTropical diseases occur among Polish travelers so they should be taken into account in the context of prophylaxis when preparing for travel and in the diagnosis of diseases that occur after returning from a tropical zone. This first analysis of disease incidence among Polish travelers indicates a strong need for more research in this area.

Elevated serum IFN-γand IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio in Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

BackgroundKikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is typically a benign, self-limiting inflammatory disease. The diagnosis of KFD can be challenging for nonspecific symptoms, laboratory or imaging findings. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical manifestations of patients with KFD and to access the potential role of serum cytokines in the diagnosis of this disease.MethodsPatients with KFD were retrospectively enrolled from January 2015 to November 2021 at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. Clinical data were collected from inpatient or outpatient medical records. Serum cytokines were detected by the Flowcytomix technique. Serum levels of cytokines were compared between patients with KFD and SJIA, or patients with KFD and KD. The data of patients without MAS were further analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was further performed to access the potential role of serum cytokines in the diagnosis of KFD.ResultsSerum cytokines were detected in 25 (43.8%, 25/57) patients with a histological diagnosis of KFD. Compared to SJIA or KD patients, the KFD group had a significantly higher IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio and much lower levels of serum IL-6. The median level of serum IFN-γ in KFD was 41.65 pg/ml (range, 21.04–70.74 pg/ml), which was much higher than that in SJIA (median: 3.33 pg/ml, p = 0.16) or KD (median: 2.6 pg/ml, p = 0.01). After excluding patients with MAS, there was statistical significance in all comparisons of serum IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio, and serum IL-6. The cutoff values of serum IFN-γ, IL-6, and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio for differentiating KFD from SJIA were > 8.48 pg/ml, < 47.42 pg/ml, and > 0.45, respectively. The cutoff values of serum IFN-γ, IL-6, and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio for differentiating KFD from KD were > 8.56 pg/ml, < 50.45 pg/ml, and > 0.45, respectively. The specificity of all those cutoff values for differentiating KFD from SJIA or KD was ≥ 94.7%.ConclusionsFor patients with fever of unknown etiology and lymphadenopathy, after excluding HLH or MAS, serum IFN-γ > 8.56 pg/mL and IFN-γ/IL-6 ratio > 0.45 may highly suggest the diagnosis of KFD; serum IL-6 > 50.45 pg/mL indicates that the probability of KFD may be small, and sJIA, KD, and acute infection should be excluded first.

Etiology and clinical characteristics of pediatric acute fever among hospitalized children in an endemic malaria transmission area of Cameroon in Central Africa.

Acute fever in the majority of children in resource-limited countries is attributable to malaria and often treated without laboratory evidence. The aim of the study was to characterize acute pediatric infectious fevers (APIF) in the pediatric department of the Douala Laquintinie Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 2 months to 15 years who were admitted with an acute fever (anal temperature ≥ 37.5°C less than 5 days in infants and 7 days in adolescents). 200 children were included and followed up during their hospitalization. The mean age was 3.7 (IQ25-75: 1-4.6) years. More than 3 out of 5 patients (62.5%) came from another health facility and anemia accounted for 29% of the reasons for consultation associated with fever. The main symptoms were vomiting (28%), cough (26%), convulsions (21%) and diarrhea (20%). Skin-mucosal pallor (43.0%) and hepatosplenomegaly (26.0%) were the most common physical signs encountered. Among febrile children, 116/200 (58%) were infected with at least 1 pathogen, and 1/200 (0.5%) had a fever of unknown etiology. Malaria (53% vs 80.5% presumptive) associated with anemia (95.3% of cases) was the most common pathology associated with APIF, followed by pneumonia (19.5%), meningitis (11.5%) and urinary tract infections (10% vs 54.5% presumptive). Malaria was over-diagnosed on admission and over-treated as well as urinary tract infection. A better understanding of common pathogens carriage, a better capacity for improved diagnosis and a better applied clinical algorithm for febrile illnesses in children are needed.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Beam and Team Conditioning Regimens for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Lymphoma Patients

Conditioning regimens with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are the mainstays of treatment in lymphoma patients. Although the most frequently used conditioning regimen is the BEAM regimen (Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, and Melphalan), and alternatives are also used in certain circumstances. The TEAM regimen (carmustine is substituted by the alkylating agent thiotepa) is one of these alternatives; however, data regarding the comparisons of efficacy and safety profiles of these 2 regimens is scarce. This study compared the outcomes of patients who received conditioning regimens with BEAM and TEAM and underwent an ASCT. This study was conducted as a retrospective assessment of 294 patient outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety. Adult patients with lymphoma diagnosis who received BEAM or TEAM conditioning regimens and underwent an ASCT between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 were included in the analyses. A total of 294 patients (median age at ASCT: 50 years, males: 60.5%, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: 35%) were included. Eighty patients (27.2%) received the TEAM regimen, and 214 (72.8%) received the BEAM regimen. Regarding safety profiles, the thrombocyte engraftment time was significantly higher in the TEAM group (P=.003) and fever of unknown etiology was significantly higher in the BEAM group (P=.042). Also, nausea was more in the TEAM group (P=.031). The complete remission rate was 57.5% and 70.3% in the TEAM and BEAM regimens, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 37.3% and not significantly different between the groups (43% and 35% in the TEAM and BEAM groups, P=.22) over a similar median follow-up of 1667 days (P=.28). The 3-year survival rate was 66% and 67% and the 5-year survival rate was 52% and 58% in the TEAM and BEAM regimens, respectively, without significant difference. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies in the literature that compared the TEAM and BEAM as conditioning regimens for ASCT in lymphoma patients. The 2 regimens may provide similar overall survival outcomes and have a comparable safety profile. Although the BEAM regimen may be associated with longer progression-free survival times, the difference may be covered by the similar survival after ASCT.

Real-world assessment of the clinical utility of whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of infection.

Few studies have aimed to capture the full spectrum of 18fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) use for evaluation of infections in a real-world context. We performed a retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for the workup of infection between April, 2013 and September, 2019. The clinical indications for and impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on diagnostic and antimicrobial management were evaluated across different infectious indications. Sixty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common indication was identifying a source of a known infection (46%), followed by fever of unknown etiology (FUE)/fever of unknown origin (FUO) (38%), and other (16%). 18F-FDG PET/CT was determined to have had a diagnostic or management clinical impact for a total of 22 patients (36%) including 12/28 (43%) of patients with known infection, 7/23 (30%) of patients with FUE/FUO, and 3/10 (30%) of patients with other indications. 18F-FDG PET/CT confirmed suspected prosthetic endovascular infection for 6/16 (38%) patients. In this study,18F-FDG PET/CT led to a clinical impact on diagnostic and treatment management of hospitalized patients across a variety of syndromes and particularly for source identification in the setting of known infection.

A CRITICAL REVIEW ON SUDARSHAN CHURNA

Sudarshan Churna is one of the valuable polyherbal Ayurvedic formulations used to treat all kinds of acute and chronic fevers, fever of unknown aetiology, malaria, typhoid, loss of appetite, jaundice, respiratory infections, cough, debility and breathing difficulties linked with fever. Sudarshan Churna helps to ameliorate digestion and appetite; eliminates harmful toxins from the blood; improves immunity and preserves the body against various infections; promotes diaphoresis and urination. In Sudarshan Churna, Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Flem.) Karst. is 50% of the total quantity of the remaining other ingredients. It is an esteemed Ayurvedic preparation well known for its antipyretic, antimalarial, antiviral and antidiabetic activity. Various renowned Acharyas have mentioned it in their different classical texts. Acharyas have mentioned its other therapeutic uses, but mainly it has been used in curing different types of Jwara Vikara (fever). Various pharmacological studies have proved antipyretic activity, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, antihistamine activity, analgesic activity and docking study against the SARS CoV-2 of Sudarshan Churna. This article compile review of Ayurvedic literature, an analytical study and pharmacological study of Sudarshan Churna.

A spectrum of viral diseases in Odisha state, eastern India: An evidence-based analysis from 2010-2017.

Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are a major threat to public health. Odisha, being one of the coastal states in the country, reports many viral illnesses due to its typical geographical location. This study focuses on the prevalence of different viral diseases in the state of Odisha, India, from 2010-2017. A total of 43,397 patients with clinical suspicion of viral diseases were screened for different viral etiologies during 2010-2017. The laboratory diagnosis was conducted by serology (ELISA) and RT-PCR for 24 different viruses, i.e., dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, rotavirus, herpes simplex virus-1 and herpes simplex virus-2, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and respiratory viruses. Patients were enrolled from sporadic hospital admissions and outbreaks under different categories as per clinical diagnoses like fever with rash, diarrhoea, encephalitis, jaundice, respiratory illness, and fever of unknown etiology. The majority of patients belonged to exanthematous group, i.e., fever with rash (32.24%). The number of males was more in all categories except fever with rash, where females (53.34%) were more. Children <16 years of age were found to be the predominant age group for suspected viral diarrhoea (85.26%), encephalitis (76.96%), fever of unknown origin (40.16%), and respiratory infections (27.23%). Not only vector-borne diseases pose a threat to the Odisha state, but other viral illnesses have also emerged. This detailed report of different viral diseases in the state of Odisha will support public health management.

Staphylococcus prettenkoferi – biochemical properties, methods of species identification and clinical significance

Staphylococcus pettenkoferi was first isolated from blood culture a 25-years-old patient with fever of unknown etiology. Based on the literature analysis, it was found that it is an opportunistic microorganism. It causes blood stream infections and was an causative agent of osteomyelitis. Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is a component of the human microbiome, was found in a hospital environment and was also isolated from animals and their surroundings.

Про раптову екзантему (Exanthema subitum) у дітей

У статті висвітлено етіопатогенез, клінічну картину, діагностику, менеджмент та прогноз раптової екзантеми. Дане захворювання зустрічається в майже всіх дітей раннього віку, але недостатньо відоме медичній спільноті. Раптова екзантема в дітей, переважно віком від 6 міс. до 2 років, викликається вірусами герпесу (HSV-6, HSV-7) що передаються повітряно-крапельним та контактним шляхом, і характеризується гіпертермічним синдромом і екзантемою. Гіпертермічний синдром (≥ 39 °С) триває приблизно 3 дні. З 4-го дня хвороби температура тіла нормалізується, але з’являються плямисті висипання, переважно на тулубі. Вони тривають теж 3 дні, інколи залишаючи після себе еритему. Захворювання слід диференціювати з низкою станів, починаючи з банального прорізування зубів в дитини й закінчуючи стартом гострої менінгококової інфекції. Подібно до раптової екзантеми можуть перебігати лихоманки невідомої етіології, краснуха, кір, скарлатина, інфекційна еритема, енантеми ентеровірусного походження, токсико-алергічні висипи, пневмонія, пієлонефрит, отит. Існує ціла низка лабораторних методів верифікації діагнозу, але серед них найчастіше застосовується імуноферментний аналіз та полімеразна ланцюгова реакція з використанням зворотної транскриптази. Для лікування в гарячковий період слід використовувати нестероїдні протизапальні середники. Показано також симптоматичне лікування. Клінічні дані щодо використання противірусних препаратів ганцикловір, фоскарнет, цидофовір нечисленні, їх ефективність суперечлива. Основні критерії діагнозу раптової екзантеми такі: вік дитини 6 міс. — 2 роки; раптовий початок з лихоманкою ≥ 39 °С, що утримується протягом 3–4 днів при відносно задовільному загальному стані; поява екзантеми з 4-го дня захворювання, переважно на тулубі, на фоні нормалізації температури тіла; у більшості випадків захворювання має добрий перебіг і не вимагає спеціального лікування. Разом з тим воно може бути маскою інших, значно серйозніших захворювань та ускладнень, у зв’язку з чим потрібне ретельне медичне спостереження за хворою дитиною.

Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm in the liver: report of a pediatric case

BackgroundPerivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm (PEComa) in a child is very rare. We herein report the first malignant case of PEComa developing in the liver of a pediatric patient.Case presentationA 10-year-old boy visited a private clinic with prolonged fever of unknown etiology. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the fever’s origin, revealing a large tumor in the liver. He was thus referred to a nearby hospital to investigate the tumor further. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 6.8 × 5.9 × 10.5-cm solid lesion on S4 and S5. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor had a low signal intensity on T1 imaging and high signal intensity on T2 imaging, with partial diffusion restriction. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed a marked uptake in the mass lesion with no evidence of metastasis. The patient was negative for all tumor markers, including AFP, CEA and PIVKA-II. The results of a needle biopsy suggested hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor’s rapid growth suggested malignancy. Hepatic segmentectomy (S4 + S5 + S8) was performed. The tumor was resected en bloc with a margin. Microscopically, the tumor showed atypical spindle, polygonal or oval-shaped cells with a high nuclear grade, and vascular invasion. Immunohistochemistry was positive for alpha-smooth muscle antigen (α-SMA), human melanin black-45 (HMB-45) and melan A. The pathological diagnosis was malignant PEComa. In the 6 months after surgery, the patient complained of shoulder pain. MRI showed a dumbbell-shaped tumor at the 2nd thoracic vertebrae, which was confirmed to be bone metastasis of PEComa. After chemotherapy, including ifosfamide and doxorubicin, vertebrectomy was performed. Two years later, thoracoabdominal CT showed a 10-cm solid mass occupying the pelvis and a 15-mm nodule in the middle lobe of the right lung. Under a diagnosis of peritoneal and lung metastases, they were surgically removed and metastasis of PEComa was pathologically confirmed. Four months after the 2nd relapse, pelvic metastasis appeared again and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor was initiated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant hepatic PEComa in a pediatric patient.ConclusionAlthough extremely rare, malignant hepatic PEComa can develop in a child.

First seroprevalence report of scrub typhus from the tribal belts of the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background & objectives:Scrub typhus, an acute febrile Rickettsial disease is caused by the bacterial pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi which is spread by the bite of infected chigger mite vectors belonging to the family Trombiculidae. A study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of scrub typhus among the indigenous population from Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.Methods:This study was conducted among 214 patients with fever of unknown aetiology and a recent history of febrile illness attending the Nilgiris Adivasi Welfare Association medical facilities available at Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. Serum samples were tested for scrub typhus IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Overall, 13 (6.07%) of the 214 samples tested were positive for scrub typhus. This is the first seroprevalence report of scrub typhus from the indigenous people belonging to Irula, Kurumba, Paniyar, and Kota tribes from the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu.Interpretation & conclusions:Early diagnosis and effective management will protect this indigenous population from this disease. This report would help in creating awareness regarding scrub typhus infection among clinicians and public health authorities in the region and take appropriate measures for treatment and control.

Еpidemiological aspects of ixodid tick-borne borrelioses in Kemerovo region

Aim. To study the epidemiological patterns of Lyme disease in the Kemerovo Region. Materials and Methods. We performed a descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study of 3,133 cases to investigate the spread of Lyme disease in the Kemerovo Region during the recent 15 years (2005-2019). 1,000 ticks of the Ixodes genus were investigated for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi senso lato s. l. and Borrelia miyamotoi DNA, while 98 patients with tick-borne fevers of unknown aetiology were examined to identify the DNA of the causative agents of ixodid tick-borne borrelioses and tick-borne recurrent fevers by PCR. Antibodies to Borrelia in the patient serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. In the structure of tick-borne infections over the study period, the proportion of ixodid tickborne borrelioses was 29.88% [95% CI = 27,25- 32,61]. The incidence demonstrated a 2,8-fold increase from 3.2200 / 0000 [95% CI = 3,20-4,57] in 2005 up to 9,2000 / 0000 [95% CI = 12,47-15,31] in 2019. Annually, around 30,000 people suffered from the tick attack. Bite rates ranged from 813.510 / 0000 [95% CI = 804,05-825,50] to 1506.100 / 0000 [95% CI = 1491,57-1520,02]. Two-thirds of the victims were attacked by ticks during the unorganized recreation in the forest, gathering wild plants and working in the garden plots. Lyme disease was characterised by a spring-summer seasonality with a maximum incidence in June. Rural population showed a higher level of ixodid tick-borne borrelioses incidence as compared to the urban population. In age groups, the maximum rates were recorded in the individuals over 40 years of age. Northern territories of the region showed the highest prevalence of ixodid tickborne borrelioses. In a study of 1000 ticks, DNA of Burgdorferi s. l. and B. miyamotoi was detected in 32.5% and 5.2%, respectively. In contrast, B. miyamotoi prevailed in patients with tick-borne fevers (13.26% of positive cases in comparison with 4.08% for B. Burgdorferi s. l. Tick-borne aetiology of the diseases was confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measurements. Conclusions. Ixodid tick-borne borrelioses is prevalent in Kemerovo Region, demonstrating an upward and seasonal trend. Risk groups include rural population and those &gt; 40 years of age. A high level of Ixodes persulcatus-mediated transmission of B. burgdorferi s. l. and B. miyamotoi infections was revealed; the latter agent often caused tick-borne fevers of unknown etiology

Early non-convulsive seizures are associated with the development of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion

IntroductionChildren with either febrile seizure or acute encephalopathy exhibit seizures and/or impaired consciousness accompanied by fever of unknown etiology (SICF). Among children with SICF, we previously reported those who have refractory status epilepticus or prolonged neurological abnormalities with normal AST levels are at a high risk for the development of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD), considered to be caused by excitotoxicity. Non-convulsive seizures (NCS) are common in critically ill children and cause excitotoxic neuronal injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of NCS in the acute phase of children at a high risk for developing AESD and the relationship between NCS in the acute phase and neurological outcomes. MethodsWe studied 137 children with SICF at a high risk for developing AESD and who underwent continuous electroencephalogram monitoring (cEEG) upon admission to a tertiary pediatric care center at Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital between October 2007 and August 2018. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with NCS and without NCS. ResultsOf the 137 children, NCS occurred in 30 children; the first NCS were detected in cEEG at the beginning in 63.3%, during the first hour in 90%, and within 12 h in 96.7%. Neurological sequelae were more common in NCS patients (20.0%) than in non-NCS patients (1.9%; p = 0.001). Five in 30 NCS patients (16.7%) and 3 in 107 non-NCS patients (2.8%) developed AESD (p = 0.013). ConclusionThe occurrence of NCS is associated with subsequent neurological sequelae, especially the development of AESD.

Puerperal Sepsis Caused by Clostridium Innocuum in a Patient with Placenta Accreta and Literature Review

Puerperal Sepsis Caused by Clostridium Innocuum in a Patient with Placenta Accreta and Literature Review

Rare case of Visceral form of Infectious Mononucleosis in Irkutsk Region

Infectious mononucleosis (MI) is caused by the Herpes viridae family of viruses. Currently, most researchers assign a leading role to the Epstein-Barr virus. In present time there are no unified clinical classification of infection mononucleosis, but many authors recognize the visceral form which involves cardiovascular system, adrenal glands, lungs, central neural system and others organs. The article describes a clinical case of MI in the 28-year-old patient. She applied for medical help with complaints of fever up to 39 °C, weakness in the legs and arms, weight loss and received symptomatic treatment on an outpatient department. After 2 months on the background of deterioration, she was hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital with severe symptoms of intoxication, lymphoproliferative syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis, hepatitis, polyneuropathy with quadriparesis, hypochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia. She was consulted by an oncologist and diagnosed with cervical cancer. Laboratory confirmation was obtained – Epstein-Barr virus was detected in the blood. Against the background of antiviral therapy, a regression of clinical symptoms was achieved in a week. The patient was transferred to a oncological hospital. It is recommended to examine patients with high fever of unknown etiology on myocardial infarction for the timely appointed etiotropic therapy.

Etiologic Structure of Bloodstream Infections

Objective: to assess the etiological structure of bacteremia in various pathological conditions. Material and methods. To check blood sterility, we analyzed results of 4548 blood tests of patients with lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, endocarditis, burns, cancer, fever of unknown etiology, sepsis. Cultural blood analysis was performed by means of the traditional bacteriological method or using an automated hemocultivator. Results. We isolated 477 clinically significant blood cultures. Gram-positive microorganisms prevailed over gram-negative in terms of the isolation rate, and fungemia was observed considerably most rarely (4.4%). Microbial inoculation found by the automated method was 1.5 times as high as that found by the traditional two-phase medium (14.7 and 9.5%, respectively). The etiological structure of microorganisms isolated as blood cultures in various nosological forms was assessed. Conclusion. We have revealed the prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in patients with fever of unknown etiology (53.7 %), lower respiratory tract infections (39.5 %), endocarditis (31.4 %), burns (30.5 %) compared to other nosological forms. Enterobacteria were isolated with higher frequency in bacteremia in patients with malignant tumors (30.0 %) and urinary system infections (29.4 %), and gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria - with the highest specific weight in the isolated hemoculture associated with burn disease (31.6 %) and urinary system infections (29.4 %), enterococci - with greater frequency in bacteremia in patients with endocarditis (23.5 %).

1733. 10 Years of DTAC Experience With Donor-Derived Cryptococcus Transmission in Solid-Organ Transplantation in the United States

BackgroundCryptococcosis is an important fungal complication of solid organ transplantation (SOT); cases occurring within 6 months posttransplant are often severe and sometimes donor derived. Morbidity can be related to delayed recognition of clinical symptoms or lack of communications among the SOT recipient centers. To better understand transmission of Cryptococcus (Crypto) and to identify opportunities for improved identification and communication, all potential donor-derived transmission events (PDDTE) of Crypto reported to OPTN/UNOS ad hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC) over 10 years were analyzed.MethodsAll Crypto cases reported to DTAC between January 2008 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively as potential donor-derived transmission events (PDDTE). Likelihood of donor-derivation was adjudicated based on recipient and donor data.ResultsFourty-six cases of Crypto were reported to DTAC during this period, involving 145 SOT recipients. Of the Proven or Probable donor-derived Crypto cases (n = 9), transmission occurred in 15 recipients; 2 donors each transmitted Crypto to 3 different recipients. Of the Possible cases, 9 recipients were affected. Six recipients with PDDTE Crypto died. Eight recipients received antifungal medications that would prevent transmission of Crypto (classified as intervention without disease transmission).UNOS Region 7 had the highest number donors with 10, with 6 and 7 from Regions 2 and 3, respectively. No cases C. gattii were reported; however, most of the reports to DTAC did not discriminate between C. neoformans and C. gattii.ConclusionThis DTAC case series highlights both donor and recipient-derived cryptococcal infections and their potential to have devastating clinical impact. These data also highlight important delays in recognizing Crypto in SOT and in communicating these results to other centers when a PDDTE is possible. Transplant teams should have a high level of suspicion for Crypto in SOT, particularly in those with fever of unknown etiology, pulmonary infiltrates, headaches, and mental status changes. In the future, it may be helpful for transplant center to perform specific testing to discriminate between Cryptococcus species to understand their differential impact in SOT. Disclosures D. F. Florescu, Astellas: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. C. R. Wolfe, Merck: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee.

Tick-, Flea-, and Louse-Borne Diseases of Public Health and Veterinary Significance in Nigeria.

Mosquito-borne diseases are common high-impact diseases in tropical and subtropical areas. However, other non-mosquito vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) may share their geographic distribution, seasonality, and clinical manifestations, thereby contributing their share to the morbidity and mortality caused by febrile illnesses in these regions. The purpose of this work was to collect and review existing information and identify knowledge gaps about tick, flea-, and louse-borne diseases of veterinary and public health significance in Nigeria. Full-length articles about VBPs were reviewed and relevant information about the vectors, their hosts, geographic distribution, seasonality, and association(s) with human or veterinary diseases was extracted. Specific laboratory tools used for detection and identification of VBPs in Nigeria were also identified. A total of 62 original publications were examined. Substantial information about the prevalence and impacts of ticks and fleas on pet and service dogs (18 articles), and livestock animals (23 articles) were available; however, information about their association with and potential for causing human illnesses was largely absent despite the zoonotic nature of many of these peri-domestic veterinary diseases. Recent publications that employed molecular methods of detection demonstrated the occurrence of several classic (Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia africae, Bartonella sp.) and emerging human pathogens (R. aeschlimannii, Neoehrlichia mikurensis) in ticks and fleas. However, information about other pathogens often found in association with ticks (R. conorii) and fleas (R. typhi, R. felis) across the African continent was lacking. Records of louse-borne epidemic typhus in Nigeria date to 1947; however, its current status is not known. This review provides an essential baseline summary of the current knowledge in Nigeria of non-mosquito VBPs, and should stimulate improvements in the surveillance of the veterinary and human diseases they cause in Nigeria. Due to increasing recognition of these diseases in other African countries, veterinary and public health professionals in Nigeria should expand the list of possible diseases considered in patients presenting with fever of unknown etiology.

A Diagnostic Dilemma of a Discharging sinus over the Anterior Abdominal Wall

Chronic mesh infection is one of the most challenging clinical conditions in the abdominal wall surgery. Whether an infected mesh must be totally removed or not, the role of antibiotics, the right timing for a repair and guidelines on how to treat the abdominal wall must be discussed. Incidences of mesh-related infection after herniare pair of up to 8% have been reported. The rate of infection is influenced considerably by underlying co-morbidity, and seems to be increased in patients with diabetes, immunosuppression or obesity. A clinician should strongly consider the possibility of a mesh-related infection in any patient who presents with fever of unknown aetiology, symptoms and ⁄ or signs of inflammation of the abdominal wall in the area of the mesh, or other less common clinical manifestations of mesh infection, such as an enterocutaneous fistula or abdominal abscess in the area of the mesh. Imaging techniques, including ultrasound and ⁄ or computerised tomography, can be useful for the diagnosis of mesh infection. When a mesh-related infection occurs, a combined medical and surgical approach involving intravenous antimicrobial agents and complete surgical removal of the mesh is the preferred management strategy.