Activity of an antimicrobial hydrocephalus shunt catheter against Propionibacterium acnes

Propionibacterium acnes: A Difficult-to-Diagnose Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection. Case Report

BACKGROUND

 Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections are a fairly common complication in both the early and late postoperative periods. Sometimes diagnosis is difficult despite the fact that infection is often accompanied by clinical symptoms. Furthermore, pathogenic bacteria can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid.

METHOD

 We describe a case of chronic VP shunt infection in a 24-year-old female patient who was operated on for posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytoma and needed a VP shunt. The infection revealed itself 5 years after shunt implantation with nonspecific symptoms, and it took approximately 2 years to make a correct diagnosis. Meanwhile, the patient's condition became critical. The infection was caused by Propionibacterium acnes, which is capable of forming biofilms on implants, and which is difficult to identify due to the peculiarity of its cultivation.

RESULT

 When the bacterium was identified, the shunt was replaced and antimicrobial therapy was performed, after which the patient's condition improved dramatically and she got back to her normal life.

CONCLUSIONS

 This case shows how difficult the diagnosis of VP shunt infection can be and what clinical significance it can have for the patient.

Potential clinical value of catheters impregnated with antimicrobials for the prevention of infections associated with peritoneal dialysis

INTRODUCTION

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely used dialysis modality, which offers the advantage of being a home therapy but is associated with a risk of potentially serious infections, including exit site infection, catheter tunnel infection, and peritonitis that may result in morbidity, technique failure, and increased mortality. Catheters impregnated with antimicrobials hold promise as a novel technique to reduce PD associated infections.

AREAS COVERED

We describe PD modalities, catheters, technique, complications, and the microbiology of associated infections, as well as standard measures to reduce the risk of infection. A novel technique for the impregnation of silicone devices with antimicrobial agents has been used to produce antimicrobial impregnated ventricular shunt catheters with proven clinical efficacy that have now been adopted as the standard of care to reduce neurosurgical infections. Using the same technology, we have developed PD and urinary catheters impregnated with sparfloxacin, triclosan, and rifampicin. Safety and tolerability have been demonstrated in urinary catheters, and a similar study is planned in PD catheters.

EXPERT OPINION

Catheters impregnated with antimicrobials offer a simple technique to reduce PD associated infections and thereby enable more people to enjoy the advantages of PD. Clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy.

A Janus-Faced Bacterium: Host-Beneficial and -Detrimental Roles of Cutibacterium acnes

The bacterial species Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) is tightly associated with humans. It is the dominant bacterium in sebaceous regions of the human skin, where it preferentially colonizes the pilosebaceous unit. Multiple strains of C. acnes that belong to phylogenetically distinct types can co-exist. In this review we summarize and discuss the current knowledge of C. acnes regarding bacterial properties and traits that allow host colonization and play major roles in host-bacterium interactions and also regarding the host responses that C. acnes can trigger. These responses can have beneficial or detrimental consequences for the host. In the first part of the review, we highlight and critically review disease associations of C. acnes, in particular acne vulgaris, implant-associated infections and native infections. Here, we also analyse the current evidence for a direct or indirect role of a C. acnes-related dysbiosis in disease development or progression, i.e., reduced C. acnes strain diversity and/or the predominance of a certain phylotype. In the second part of the review, we highlight historical and recent findings demonstrating beneficial aspects of colonization by C. acnes such as colonization resistance, immune system interactions, and oxidant protection, and discuss the molecular mechanisms behind these effects. This new insight led to efforts in skin microbiota manipulation, such as the use of C. acnes strains as probiotic options to treat skin disorders.

Durability of antimicrobial activity of antibiotic-impregnated external ventricular drains: a prospective study

Background

Antibiotic-impregnated external ventricular drains (AI-EVDs) have a debated efficacy in clinical studies.

Objectives

Our aim was to assess the durability of antimicrobial activity of AI-EVDs used in clinical settings.

Methods

From April 2017 to January 2018, all consecutive AI-EVDs (Bactiseal™) inserted in adult patients were prospectively included. After removal, each AI-EVD was cultured and assessed for antimicrobial activity on both internal and external sides of AI-EVDs. Catheters were each challenged with a single Staphylococcus strain [MSSA, MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE)]. MS was used to measure residual concentrations of rifampicin and clindamycin.

Results

Sixty-five AI-EVDs were included (56 patients). Among these, 21 were challenged with MSSA, 23 with MRSA and 21 with MRSE. Five ventriculostomy-related colonizations (9%) and two ventriculostomy-related infections (4%) occurred. Staphylococcus was the main bacterium responsible for colonization (4/5). AI-EVD inhibition decreased significantly against MRSA and MRSE according to duration of catheterization (for external and internal sides, P < 0.02) and overall volume of CSF drained (P < 0.005 for both sides against MRSE, P < 0.005 for external side against MRSA), but not against MSSA. Clindamycin concentration was not correlated with duration of catheterization or CSF volume drained, but <20% of initial concentration was recovered even after 5 days of AI-EVD dwelling. Conversely, rifampicin concentration showed a rapid and significant decline correlated to duration and CSF volume (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Antimicrobial activity of AI-EVDs dropped quickly in vivo. Antimicrobial impregnation did not prevent AI-EVD colonization by susceptible strains in 9% of the cases.

Effect of introduction of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters on cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection in children: a large single-center retrospective study

OBJECT

Infection after both primary and revision shunt surgeries remains a major problem in pediatric neurosurgical practice. Antibiotic-impregnated shunt (AIS) tubing has been proposed to reduce infection rates. The authors report their experience with AIS catheters in their large pediatric neurosurgery department.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective case review of consecutive shunt operations performed before (1993-2003) and after (2005-2009) introduction of AIS tubing, with analysis of shunt infection rates and causative organisms identified.

RESULTS

The historical control group consisted of 1592 consecutive shunt operations (657 primary insertions), and the AIS study group consisted of 500 consecutive shunt operations (184 primary insertions). Patients ranged in age from 0-17 years. In the historical group, 135 infections were identified (8.4%). In the AIS study group, 25 infections were identified (5%), representing a significant reduction (p < 0.005). The latency to diagnosis of infection was 23 days in the historical group and 139 days in the AIS study group. The infection rates in infants 0-6 months of age were 12.2% (historical group) and 6.7% (AIS group, p < 0.005), and in infants 7-12 months of age the rates were 7.9% (historical group) and 2.7% (AIS group, p < 0.005). In the historical control group, the frequency rank order of causative organisms was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (51.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (31.6%), streptococcus or enterococcus spp. (8.8%), gram-negative organisms (4.4%), and Propionibacterium acnes (2.2%). Organisms responsible for infections in AIS were S. aureus (40%), followed by streptococcus or enterococcus spp. (20%), P. acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococcus (both 16%), and gram-negative organisms (4%). No unusually antibiotic-resistant bacteria were identified in either group. The authors further subdivided the AIS group into those undergoing primary AIS insertion (Subgroup 1), those undergoing revision of non-AIS systems using AIS components (Subgroup 2), and those undergoing revision of AIS systems using AIS components (Subgroup 3). Infection rates were 1.6% in Subgroup 1, 2.5% in Subgroup 2, and 11.7% in Subgroup 3. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism identified in infections of the Subgroups 2 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of AIS tubing significantly improves shunt infection rates in both general pediatric and infant populations with no evidence of increased antibiotic resistance, which is in agreement with previous studies. However, the increased infection rate in revision surgery in children with AIS catheters in situ raises questions about their long-term application.

[Intermittent prolonged fever triggered by efforts]

INTRODUCTION

Fever of unknown origin is a common reason for care in internal medicine. The wide variety of possible etiologies makes it difficult to standardize the diagnostic work-up that has to be primarily guided by the interview and physical examination.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of prolonged fever having as main characteristics to be intermittent and triggered by efforts. The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection with Propionibacterium acnes was finally made. In reaching this conclusion, many tests were needed, including renal explorations with biopsy showing an aspect of shunt nephritis.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged fever of unknown origin in a patient having prosthetic material should raise the suspicion of prosthesis infection (especially if the fever is associated with efforts).

Propionibacterium acnes: infection beyond the skin

Propionibacterium acnes is a Gram-positive bacterium that forms part of the normal flora of the skin, oral cavity, large intestine, the conjunctiva and the external ear canal. Although primarily recognized for its role in acne, P. acnes is an opportunistic pathogen, causing a range of postoperative and device-related infections. These include infections of the bones and joints, mouth, eye and brain. Device-related infections include those of joint prostheses, shunts and prosthetic heart valves. P. acnes may play a role in other conditions, including inflammation of the prostate leading to cancer, SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome, sarcoidosis and sciatica. If an active role in these conditions is established there are major implications for diagnosis, treatment and protection. Genome sequencing of the organism has provided an insight into the pathogenic potential and virulence of P. acnes.