Infection
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We report an unusual case of a devastating multilevel pyogenic spondylitis with paraplegia and soft tissue abscess formation in a previously healthy young man. Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was identified as causal pathogen. The infection could only be managed after surgical debridement of all spinal manifestations and a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy. It is possible that delayed surgical debridement of all infection sites fostered the course of the disease.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of prognostic factors in 95 patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia.
Because Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia is a global problem, we were motivated to characterize this disease in Taiwan. ⋯ Physicians should pay attention to this infection because the early identification of high-risk patients could facilitate prophylaxis and potentially reduce associated problems.
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Case Reports
Rifampin-impregnated silicone catheters: a potential tool for prevention and treatment of CSF shunt infections.
Infection continues to be one of the major complications of cerebro-spinal fluid shunting procedures. Recent insights in the pathophysiological mechanism of these foreign body infections have elucidated the difficulty of achieving successful treatment without device removal. The development of a rifampin-impregnated silicone catheter yielded excellent results in infection prevention and treatment in vitro as well as in an animal model. ⋯ These results suggest that rifampin-impregnated silicone catheters could become a valuable tool in the treatment and prevention of shunt infections.
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A case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection with meningitis and optic neuritis in a 28-year-old man is presented. The patient had a number of unusual clinical and laboratory findings that broadened the differential diagnosis. The emergence of WNV infection in southern Europe and North America calls for increased awareness of physicians to this clinical entity.
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Herpetic whitlow is a well-known occupational hazard for medical staff. It has been reported to affect mainly workers in intensive care units who come into close contact with oral secretions. We report herpetic whitlow infection in a general pediatrician in order to increase the awareness to this infectious occupational hazard that might occur in any health care worker who deals with oral secretions. ⋯ We review the clinical course, complications and treatment of herpetic whitlow. The source of the infection in the present case was unknown, but it probably derived from oral secretions of children with unrecognized infection. Simple measures like wearing gloves during oral examination will avoid unnecessary morbidity in medical staff.