Infected subdural hematoma caused by Edwardsiella tarda

Expanding the Spectrum of Diseases and Disease Associations Caused by Edwardsiella tarda and Related Species

The genus Edwardsiella, previously residing in the family Enterobacteriaceae and now a member of the family Hafniaceae, is currently composed of five species, although the taxonomy of this genus is still unsettled. The genus can primarily be divided into two pathogenic groups: E. tarda strains are responsible for almost all human infections, and two other species (E. ictaluri, E. piscicida) cause diseases in fish. Human infections predominate in subtropical habitats of the world and in specific geospatial regions with gastrointestinal disease, bloodborne infections, and wound infections, the most common clinical presentations in decreasing order. Gastroenteritis can present in many different forms and mimic other intestinal disturbances. Chronic gastroenteritis is not uncommon. Septicemia is primarily found in persons with comorbid conditions including malignancies and liver disease. Mortality rates range from 9% to 28%. Most human infections are linked to one of several risk factors associated with freshwater or marine environments such as seafood consumption. In contrast, edwardsiellosis in fish is caused by two other species, in particular E. ictaluri. Both E. ictaluri and E. piscicida can cause massive outbreaks of disease in aquaculture systems worldwide, including enteric septicemia in channel catfish and tilapia. Collectively, these species are increasingly being recognized as important pathogens in clinical and veterinary medicine. This article highlights and provides a current perspective on the taxonomy, microbiology, epidemiology, and pathogenicity of this increasingly important group.

Recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma due to low-grade infection

Despite the high incidence and multitudes of operative techniques, the risk factors for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) recurrence are still under debate and a universal consensus on the pathophysiology is lacking. We hypothesized that clinically inapparent, a low-grade infection could be responsible for CSDH recurrence. This investigation is a single-center prospective observational study including patients with recurrent CSDH. In total, 44 patients with CSDH recurrence received an intraoperative swab-based microbiological test. The intraoperative swab revealed an inapparent low-grade hematoma infection in 29% of the recurrent CSDH cases. The majority (69%) of the identified germs belonged to the staphylococcus genus. We therefore, propose a novel potential pathophysiology for CSDH recurrence.

A case report and review of acute cholangitis with septic shock induced by Edwardsiella tarda

BACKGROUND

Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) is a gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacterium. Gastroenteritis is the most common manifestation of E. tarda infection. However, parenteral infections can occur in immunodeficient hosts, as well as hepatobiliary diseases, malignancies, and/or diabetes. The prognosis of sepsis caused by E. tarda is very worse, with a mortality rate of 38%. We report the occurrence of acute cholecystitis with septic shock and E. tarda bloodstream infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old male with acute cholecystitis secondary to hepatitis B virus infection showed fever and sudden upper abdominal pain. On arrival, right upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and jaundice were observed. Computed tomography showed common bile duct stones and gallbladder stones. Choledocholithiasis with acute cholangitis was diagnosed and treated surgically. Due to septic shock, a blood culture was assessed showing E. tarda as the main pathogen. Choledocholithotomy, T-tube drainage, cholecystectomy, and intravenous antibiotic treatment after the operation. The patient recovered smoothly after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although E. tarda infection is extremely rare, it can cause rapid episodes of rapidly progressive and life-threatening disease, as well as intestinal and parenteral infections. If necessary, early surgical treatment of parenteral infection should be considered and antibiotics should be used in time.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Edwardsiella tarda: A case report

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Case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with E. tarda infection.

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The patient had Child–Pugh A cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C virus infection.

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Surgical findings included redness and thickening of the cecal wall.

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Purulent ascites without intestinal contents was observed.

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E. tarda infection has a poor prognosis in patients with underlying disease.

Introduction

Edwardsiella tarda is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family of gram-negative bacilli isolated from animals. Gastroenteritis is the most common manifestation of E. tarda infection. However, extraintestinal infections can occur in immunocompromised hosts as well as patients with hepatobiliary disease, malignancy, and/or diabetes mellites. The prognosis of sepsis caused by E. tarda is extremely poor, with a mortality rate of 38%. Here we report the occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with E. tarda infection.

Presentation of case

An 87-year-old man with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C virus infection presented with diarrhea and sudden-onset pain in the abdomen. On arrival, guarding and rebound tenderness were observed over the entire abdomen. Computed tomography revealed circumferential thickening of the cecum and a small volume of ascites in the pelvic cavity. A diagnosis of peritonitis was made, and surgery was performed. Surgical findings included redness and thickening of the cecal wall and purulent ascites without intestinal contents. Peritoneal fluid culture revealed E. tarda as the sole pathogen. The abdominal cavity was washed, a drain was placed in the pelvic cavity, and postoperative intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Discussion

E. tarda infection in the presence of an underlying disease such as hepatobiliary disease, malignancy, and/or diabetes mellitus has a poor prognosis.

Conclusion

Although E. tarda infection is extremely rare, it is a life-threatening illness that can cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections. If necessary, early surgical intervention should be considered for cases of extraintestinal infection.

Morphological characteristics of infected subdural hematoma: Comparison with images of chronic subdural hematoma

OBJECTIVES

Infected subdural hematoma (ISH) is a rare type of subdural empyema, with fewer than 50 cases reported to date. Its radiological features have not been adequately described, making diagnosis challenging. At our institution, two adults presented with ISH, which exhibited a characteristic shape on preoperative imaging.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study examined ISH cases and chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) cases that underwent surgery at the Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital between January 2016 and March 2018. To distinguish ISH from CSH, we focused on three specific radiological features: the biconvex shape of the hematoma, presence of a high-density region at the lower end of the hematoma on plain computed tomography (CT), and presence of a hyper-intense signal within the hematoma on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI).

RESULTS

We analyzed 30 ISH (current and previously reported) and 102 CSH cases in our study. We found no statistically significant associations between the hematoma type (ISH or CSH) and the presence of a high-density region at the lower end of the hematoma on plain CT (p = 0.13) or the presence of hyperintensity in the hematoma on DWI (p = 1.00). Conversely, a statistically significant association was found between the hematoma type and the biconvex shape of the hematoma (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the shape of the hematoma on imaging provides valuable information that can be used to differentiate ISH from CSH and optimize therapeutic approaches.