Pulmonary Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum Infection in a Patient with Chronic Progressive Pulmonary Aspergillosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Isolation and identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from aquarium fish in Ilam, Iran

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are among the most important pathogens in wild, captive, marine, and freshwater fish species. So, it is important to consider fish as the primary source of infection for aquarium fish and humans. The present study analyzed the occurrence of NTM in aquarium fish in Ilam, west of Iran. In total, 50 samples of infected fish were collected from different aquariums. Following initial sample processing, sediment of each sample was inoculated into Lowenstein-Jensen and Herrold egg media. The positive colonies were investigated with, growth rate, pigmentation, colony morphology, niacin accumulation, nitrate reduction, catalase activity, urease activity, and arylsulfatase activity. Also, molecular identification was carried out by sequencing of heat shock protein 65 kD gene (hsp65) sequence analysis. According to our results, NTM were isolated from 13 samples (26%), comprising 6 (46.2%) rapid growing, and 7 (53.8%) slow growing mycobacteria. In addition, Mycobacterium marinum was the most common NTM isolated in ornamental fish, which is potentially dangerous for both fish and humans. In conclusion, the current study indicates that ornamental fish play a significant role as a source of NTM.

Exploring the cellulolytic activity of environmental mycobacteria

Although studies on non-tuberculous mycobacteria have increased in recent years because they cause a considerable proportion of infections, their cellulolytic system is still poorly studied. This study presents a characterization of the cellulolytic activities of environmental mycobacterial isolates derived from soil and water samples from the central region of Argentina, aimed to evaluate the conservation of the mechanism for the degradation of cellulose in this group of bacteria. The molecular and genomic identification revealed identity with Mycolicibacterium septicum. The endoglucanase and total cellulase activities were assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively and the optimal enzymatic conditions were characterized. A specific protein of around 56 kDa with cellulolytic activity was detected in a zymogram. Protein sequences possibly arising from a cellulase were identified by mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics. Results showed that M. septicum encodes for cellulose- and hemicellulose-related degrading enzymes, including at least an active β-1,4 endoglucanase enzyme that could be useful to improve its survival in the environment. Given the important health issues related to mycobacteria, the results of the present study may contribute to the knowledge of their cellulolytic system, which could be important for their ability to survive in many different types of environments.

Clinical efficacy of ceftazidime combined with levofloxacin on heart failure complicated with pulmonary infection and its influence on cardiopulmonary function

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to analyze the clinical efficacy of ceftazidime combined with levofloxacin on heart failure complicated with pulmonary infection and its influence on cardiopulmonary function.

METHODS

A total of 124 patients with heart failure and pulmonary infection admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to October 2019 were divided into groups according to different treatment schemes. Thereinto, 60 patients who were given ceftazidime intravenous drip on the basis of routine treatment were included in group A, and 64 who were given levofloxacin hydrochloride injection based on intravenous drip in group A were included in group B. The clinical efficacy, cardiac and lung function, pathogenic bacteria, infection, immune indexes and adverse reactions before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTS

After treatment, the adjusted levels of LVEF, LVEDD and LA in group B after treatment were greater than those in group A (P<0.05); the levels of MMV, TLC and FEV1 in group B were increased more than those in group A (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of BNP, PCT and CRP in groups A and B decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the down-regulated levels of BNP, PCT and CRP in group B were higher than those in group A after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in group B increased more and CD8⁺ decreased more. The clinical efficacy of group B after 7 days was higher than that of group A (P<0.01). Patients were followed up for one month, and there was no marked difference in their adverse drug reaction rates (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

To sum up, ceftazidime combined with levofloxacin on patients with heart failure and pulmonary infection can improve the immune function while optimizing the clinical efficacy and cardiopulmonary function.