A comparative evaluation of antimicrobial property of traditional and three alternative disinfectants on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions: An in vitro study

Aim

The aim was to compare the efficacy of various herbal disinfectants on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions and to investigate the effectiveness of three herbal disinfectants and a chemical disinfectant against particular pathogens.

Settings and Design

In vitro -a comparative study.

Materials and Methods

The following methodology was followed to achieve the objectives. Four maxillary impressions were made for each selected patient with irreversible hydrocolloid impression material. The predisinfection swabs were taken from impression sites of teeth 17, 13, 27, and 23 (FDI system of tooth numbering). The impressions were immersed in all four different disinfectants such as 2% glutaraldehyde, Aloe vera solution, 50% neem oil, and apple vinegar solution, then the postdisinfection swabs were taken from the same sites 17,13,27,23 and then cultured onto sheep blood agar and examined for growth, and colony forming units (CFUs) of Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and Actinomyces viscosus. The comparative analysis was done for the predisinfection and postdisinfection values in each study group.

Statistical Analysis Used

Descriptive analysis, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann Whitney post hoc test, Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results

The results revealed that the mean CFUs of S. viridans, S. mutans, S. sanguis, and A. viscosus during postdisinfection samples were statistically significant when compared to predisinfection samples. Multiple comparison of the mean CFUs of all 4 microorganisms in the control group and in 50% Neem oil group was significantly lesser compared to A. vera and Apple Vinegar group.

Conclusion

CFUs of S. viridans, S. mutans, S. sanguis, and A. viscosus significantly decreased in the 50% neem oil group as well as the control group. As a result, 50% Neem oil was a viable option for disinfecting alginate impressions.

Clinical and radiological characteristics of brain abscess due to different organisms in hospitalized patients: A 6-year retrospective study from China

Background

Brain abscess (BA) is a rare but life-threatening infection. Early identification of the pathogen is helpful to improve the outcomes. This study aimed to describe the clinical and radiological features of patients with BA caused by different organisms.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study of patients with known etiologic diagnosis of BA in Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University in China between January 2015 and December 2020 was conducted. Data on patient demographics, clinical and radiological presenting features, microbiological results, surgical treatment, and outcomes were collected.

Results

Sixty-five patients (49 male, 16 female) with primary BAs were included. Frequent clinical presentations included headache (64.6%), fever (49.2%) and confusion (27.3%). Streptococcus viridans was associated with thicker wall of abscesses (6.94 ± 8.43 mm for S. viridans versus 3.66 ± 1.74 mm for other organisms, P = 0.031) and larger oedema (89.40 ± 15.70 mm for S. viridans versus 74.72 ± 19.70 mm for other organisms, P = 0.023). The independent factor associated with poor outcome identified by multivariate analysis was confusion (Odds ratio 6.215, 95% confidence interval 1.406-27.466; P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Patients with BAs caused by Streptococcus species had nonspecific clinical signs, but specific radiological features, which might be helpful for early diagnosis.

A case of pituitary gland abscess associated with granulomatous hypophysitis

BACKGROUND

Granulomatous hypophysitis is a rare disease that presents with chronic inflammation of the pituitary gland. In this study, we reported a case of granulomatous hypophysitis associated with a pituitary abscess.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 39-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of infertility. For the past six months, she has suffered from amenorrhea, decreased libido, headaches, and vertigo. She was referred to our hospital with a suspected diagnosis of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma based on her presentation and brain MRI findings. She underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS). Direct observation during surgery revealed drainage of malodor pus and pituitary gland abscess. The histopathological evaluation also showed granulomatous hypophysitis and neutrophilic microabscess formation. The patient was initially treated with high doses of ceftriaxone (2 g twice daily) and metronidazole (500 mg (mg) four times per day). Also, the patient received cortisol replacement therapy after the operation. After obtaining the antibiogram and culture results, the treatment regimen was continued for 4 weeks postoperatively, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanate (500/125 mg three times daily) for a total duration of 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The patient recovered uneventfully and the postoperative MRI was normal without any remnant lesions.

[Epidemiological analysis of pathogens causing bloodstream infections in department of hematology in Guangdong Province]

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology of bacterial bloodstream infections in patients submitted to hematologic wards in southern China. Methods: A total of 50 teaching hospitals were involved based on the China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System. The data of clinical isolates from blood samples were collected from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by the Kirby-Bauer automated systems, and the results were interpreted using the CLSI criteria. Results: The data of 1,618 strains isolated from hematologic wards in 2019 were analyzed, of which gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci accounted for 71.8% and 28.2%, respectively. Of those, the five major species were most often isolated, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and Streptococcus viridans. The prevalence rates of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcus were 19.7% and 80.6%, respectively. No gram-positive cocci were resistant to vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin, and none of the enterococci were resistant to linezolid. The resistance rate of S. viridans to penicillin G was 6.9%, and those to ceftriaxone and cefotaxime were more than 25%. The resistance rate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Enterobacteriaceae was higher in children than that in adults. The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae to meropenem was 14.1%. The resistant rate of Enterobacter cloacae to carbapenem was more than 25%. P. aeruginosa was more sensitive to more antibiotics than 80%, but the resistance rate to meropenem in children was higher than that in adults (11.8% vs. 6.5%). The proportion of gram-positive cocci in the ICU and respiratory departments was higher than that in the hematology department. The detection rates of carbapenem-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae in the respiratory department were the lowest with 0.3% and 3.7%, respectively, while those of CRPA and CRAB in the hematology department were the lowest with 8.3% and 25.8%, respectively. The detection rate of all carbapenem-resistant organisms in the ICU was the highest among the three departments. Conclusion: The etiology and drug resistance of bacteria from blood samples in the hematology department are different from those in the ICU and respiratory departments. The proportions of K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, E. cloacae, and S. viridans dominating in the department of Hematology were significantly higher than those in the ICU and respiratory departments in Guangdong region.

[Brain abscess in children: ten years of experience in a third level pediatric hospital]

Brain abscess is a focal infection that occurs with a frequency of 0.3-1.3 cases per 100,000 people/year. We describe the epidemiology, clinical and microbiology characteristics of 38 children diagnosed with brain abscess hospitalized between 4/1/2005 and 12/31/2015 at Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" in Buenos Aires City. Twenty-four patients were male. The median age was 132 months. Predisposing factors were detected in 25 children. The median evolution from onset of symptoms to the visit was 7 days. There were 27 cases with single lesions. Surgical drainage was performed in 34 patients. The most frequent bacteria were anaerobes, Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus. The median of antibiotic treatment was 56 days and the median of hospitalization was 43 days. The lethality was 3%.

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa localized to a region of lymphedema secondary to Streptococcus viridans cellulitis and multiple surgeries

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a chronic, indolent, single organ arteritis that generally presents with lower extremity nodules and/or livedo racemosa, accompanied by malaise and arthralgias. CPAN is often triggered by infection, commonly Group A streptococcal species, and is considered an autoimmune reaction. Scarring from surgery and obliterative lymphangiitis from bacterial cellulitis are the causes of lymphedema. Lymphedematous skin is predisposed to autoimmune disorders. Herein we report a 53-year-old woman who developed CPAN restricted to a localized area of the right upper arm-shoulder that had undergone multiple surgeries, complicated by episodes of Streptococcus viridans cellulitis. Clinically, a 15 cm diameter plaque exhibited violaceous, reticulate margins, subtle papules and nodules and central livedo racemosa. Biopsy showed numerous foci of arteritis in active, subacute and reparative stages. In addition, a broad zone of fibrosis replaced the deep dermis-subcutis zone and harbored numerous dilated lymphatic vessels scar lymphedema. Treatment consisted of high potency topical corticosteroids under occlusion; remission after 3 months therapy and follow-up. CPAN primarily affects the lower legs, a region of frequently affected by phlebolymphedema. This report of CPAN localized to an area of scar lymphedema underscores the importance of lymphatic function in the pathogenesis of CPAN.

Spontaneous Rupture of a Superior Gluteal Artery Mycotic Aneurysm

Gluteal artery aneurysms are uncommon among all aneurysms and are usually a result of trauma. Streptococcus viridans bacteremia has been described in rare cases of extracranial mycotic aneurysms. Despite a variable clinical presentation, mycotic aneurysms of the superior gluteal artery could be the cause in patients with unexplained sciatica pain. Here we report a very rare case of spontaneous rupture of a superior gluteal artery mycotic aneurysm in a patient with underlying infective endocarditis (IE) secondary to Streptococcus viridans.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm as a fatal complication of purulent pericarditis

We report a case of a 48-year-old man with purulent pericarditis by Streptococcus viridans, despite aggressive treatment with antibiotics and partial pericardiectomy was complicated by left ventricle pseudo-aneurysm resulting in a fatal outcome. The case highlights the course of complicated purulent pericarditis and the use of noninvasive imaging for assessing early signs of pseudoaneurysm and its typical progression.

Cervical epidural abscess: rare complication of bacterial endocarditis with streptococcus viridans: a case report

Although many patients with infective endocarditis (IE) complain of joint, muscle, and back pain, infections at these sights are rare. The incidence of spinal abscess in cervical spine complicating endocarditis is very rare. Although the surgical management is the mainstay of treatment, conservative treatment can get success in selected patients. We report a patient with cervical epidural abscess due to Streptococcus viridans endocarditis. Both epidural abscess and IE were managed conservatively with intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks, with recovery. It is important to remind spinal epidural abscess can occur in those patients with bacterial endocarditis.

Prostatic abscess caused by Streptococcus mutans

The first reported case of prostatic abscess caused by Streptococcus mutans isolated in pure culture is described. Urethral dilation for obstruction was unsuccessful, so suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Perineal aspiration under ultrasonic guidance resulted in 10 mL of pus containing pure Strep mutans. Diagnosis of prostatic abscess is difficult since the clinical manifestations are nonspecific.