Parvimonas micra a new potential pathogen in hospitalized patients: a case series from 2015-2022

Parvimonas micra isolations are usually part of polymicrobial infections and the pathogenic role of this microrganism is still debated. We describe here a large series of hospitalized patients diagnosed with Parvimonas micra infections and discuss the clinical and therapeutic management and the outcome of these infections.

A case of spondylodiscitis by Ureaplasma urealyticum in an immunocompetent adult with spine stabilization

Ureaplasma urealyticum is part of the normal genital flora of many sexually experienced people, thereby it is mostly associated with genitourinary tract infections. Here, we present the first case reported in literature of a spondylodiscitis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum in an immunocompetent 62-years-old subject. Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected through broad-range bacterial polymerase chain reaction in all samples obtained by T11 bone biopsy, whilst cultures were all negative. Due to the technical difficulties in removing the spinal osteo-synthesis devices, no neurosurgical intervention was planned, therefore a suppressive therapy with moxifloxacin was administered. After seven months, the patient underwent to T10-11 partial vertebrectomy, insertion of an expandable cage at that level, substitution of T11 screws and prolongation of stabilization from T6 to ilium due to a fracture of T11 and T12; the remaining spinal osteo-synthesis material was not removed. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the spine did not show features compatible with spondylodiscitis. Moxifloxacin was stopped after 15 months without any recurrence of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection. Our case highlights the importance in considering Ureaplasma urealyticum as a potential etiological germ in culture-negative spondylodiscitis.

Lactobacillus jensenii mitral valve endocarditis: Case report, literature review and new perspectives

Lactobacillus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod usually found in the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Frequently dismissed as a contaminant, it is implicated in several diseases. We describe a rare case of endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus jensenii in an immunocompetent 40 year-old male patient, with a history of mitral valve repair. He presented complaining of asthenia and his laboratory results showed a moderate increase in inflammatory markers. A trans-thoracic echocardiography confirmed a vegetation on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, with associated severe mitral insufficiency. Blood cultures revealed the significant growth of L. jensenii. The patient developed an acute abdomen with intestinal ischemia and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, requiring urgent surgical laparotomy. A cerebral MRI showed multiple minor emboli in the frontal and left parietal cortex. The patient consequently underwent surgery to have his mitral valve replaced with a mechanical valve. L. jensenii was isolated in culture from the mitral valve and from a mesenteric artery thrombus. After one week of combined amoxicillin and gentamicin therapy, ampicillin alone was continued for a total of six weeks and the patient could be discharged in a good general condition. Only five cases of L. jensenii are described in literature, and they mainly affect immunocompromised hosts. In our case, a long delay between the start of symptoms and the full onset of the disease was observed. tolerance of Lactobacilli to penicillin is a key determinant of therapy choice.

Commensal bacteria promote endocrine resistance in prostate cancer through androgen biosynthesis

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SARS-CoV-2 N501Y Introductions and Transmissions in Switzerland from Beginning of October 2020 to February 2021-Implementation of Swiss-Wide Diagnostic Screening and Whole Genome Sequencing

The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 lineages B.1.1.7 (N501Y.V1) throughout the UK, B.1.351 (N501Y.V2) in South Africa, and P.1 (B.1.1.28.1; N501Y.V3) in Brazil has led to the definition of variants of concern (VoCs) and recommendations for lineage specific surveillance. In Switzerland, during the last weeks of December 2020, we established a nationwide screening protocol across multiple laboratories, focusing first on epidemiological and microbiological definitions. In January 2021, we validated and implemented an N501Y-specific PCR to rapidly screen for VoCs, which are then confirmed using amplicon sequencing or whole genome sequencing (WGS). A total of 13,387 VoCs have been identified since the detection of the first Swiss case in October 2020, with 4194 being B.1.1.7, 172 B.1.351, and 7 P.1. The remaining 9014 cases of VoCs have been described without further lineage specification. Overall, all diagnostic centers reported a rapid increase of the percentage of detected VOCs, with a range of 6 to 46% between 25 to 31 of January 2021 increasing towards 41 to 82% between 22 to 28 of February. A total of 739 N501Y positive genomes were analysed and show a broad range of introduction events to Switzerland. In this paper, we describe the nationwide coordination and implementation process across laboratories, public health institutions, and researchers, the first results of our N501Y-specific variant screening, and the phylogenetic analysis of all available WGS data in Switzerland, that together identified the early introduction events and subsequent community spreading of the VoCs.

Trichophyton violaceum: An Emerging Pathogen in Southern Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Trichophyton violaceumis an anthropophilic dermatophyte, endemic in Africa and recently an emerging pathogen in Europe.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a retrospective analysis of dermatophytoses due to T. violaceum between 2007 and 2018, in order to evaluate epidemiological trends in Southern Switzerland (Ticino).

METHODS

We reviewed all medical records of patients affected by dermatophytosis due to T. violaceum between January 2007 and December 2018 in Bellinzona (Ticino, Switzerland).

RESULTS

Dermatophytoses due to T. violaceumwas diagnosed in 44 patients, 33 of which were in the last 4 years. The most affected sex was female (25/44) and the most frequent diagnosis was tinea capitis (30/44). The majority of tinea capitis patients were children younger than 13 years of age (27/30). The main source of contagion were people from endemic areas, especially from Eritrea.

CONCLUSION

In Southern Switzerland T. violaceumhas been rarely diagnosed before 2014. Its increased occurrence seems linked to increased migratory flows from Eritrea. Since it is responsible mainly for tinea capitis, with most of the time no clearly defined alopecia patches, it is important to consider it as a possible diagnosis when facing scalp scaling. Tinea capitis due to T. violaceum is a benign affection, but if left untreated it can spread epidemically, especially among children in schools and kindergartens. Mycological examination is then required, not only for a correct diagnosis and epidemiological data, but also for planning the appropriate treatment.

Value of clinical symptoms, intrathecal specific antibody production and PCR in CSF in the diagnosis of childhood Lyme neuroborreliosis

Due to the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations of Lyme neuroborreliosis laboratory investigations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Serum and CSF antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) as well as mononuclear CSF pleocytosis are usually present in patients with suspected neuroborreliosis. In some cases, however, the results may be conflicting, causing difficulty for the clinician in making a therapeutic decision. We therefore analysed the value of clinical symptoms, the presence of intrathecal antibody production against Bb with a modified IFA and a capture ELISA test, and the presence of Bb in the CSF with PCR testing in eleven children with suspected neuroborreliosis. In six of eight children with probable neuroborreliosis we could demonstrate intrathecal antibody production against Bb. In only one of these cases could Bb be detected in the CSF with the PCR assay. In two children the clinical manifestations consisting of erythema chronicum migrans and facial palsy, the presence of mononuclear CSF pleocytosis, and the presence of Bb specific antibodies in serum supported the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis, despite the absence of intrathecal specific antibodies. Three additional children with possible neuroborreliosis based on the occurrence of nonspecific clinical symptoms along with high serum antibody titers to Bb were included in the study. Intrathecal antibodies against Bb could not be detected and the PCR result was negative; therefore the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis was not substantiated in these three patients. We conclude that in addition to clinical symptoms, serological evidence and CSF findings suggestive of neuroborreliosis, the demonstration of intrathecal specific antibody synthesis against Bb may be helpful in establishing a definitive diagnosis of neuroborreliosis. The absence of CSF antibodies, however, does not necessarily indicate a lack of CNS involvement, especially if the examination is performed early in the course of disease. PCR testing in CSF is not suitable for routine application in the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Comparison of two methods for detecting intrathecal synthesis of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific antibodies and PCR for diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis

An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), a commercial capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and PCR were compared for the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis in 16 individuals. Borrelia burgdorferi-specific intrathecal immunoglobulin G was found in 10 of 16 patients by IFA and in 8 of 12 patients by capture ELISA. PCRs performed on cerebrospinal fluid samples stored at -70 degrees C were positive for one of eight children and one of four adults with intrathecal antibody production and negative for all four adults without intrathecal antibody production. For two children with facial palsy following erythema chronicum migrans, neither IFA nor capture ELISA detected specific intrathecal antibodies and PCR was also negative. We conclude that both clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters are important for the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Characteristics of CDC group 1 and group 1-like coryneform bacteria isolated from clinical specimens

Fifteen strains of CDC group 1 coryneform and biochemically similar bacteria were isolated from clinical specimens. Of the 15 strains isolated, 11 were derived from abscesses and purulent lesions, mostly from the upper part of the body, and 3 were grown from blood cultures. Nine strains were associated with mixed anaerobic but no other aerobic flora. Seven strains exhibited the classical biochemical profile of CDC coryneform group 1; however, eight strains were unable to reduce nitrate and were called "group 1-like." Other reactions to differentiate CDC group 1 and group 1-like coryneform rods include alpha-hemolysis on human blood agar, fermentation of adonitol, and the presence of alkaline phosphatase. Fifteen strains showed marked CAMP reactions on different erythrocyte agars. Gas-liquid chromatography of volatile and nonvolatile fatty acids as well as cellular fatty acid patterns and the composition of cell wall components suggest that CDC group 1 and group 1-like coryneform bacteria do not belong to the genus Corynebacterium but possibly to the genus Actinomyces or Arcanobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed that group 1 and group 1-like strains represent different species.

Isolation of gram-positive rods that resemble but are clearly distinct from Actinomyces pyogenes from mixed wound infections

Beginning in 1990, gram-positive rods resembling Actinomyces pyogenes were found with increasing frequency in mixed cultures from various infectious processes, most of them from patients with otitis, empyema, pilonidal cysts, perianal abscesses, and decubitus ulcers. Ribotyping and hybridization showed that these gram-positive rods could be divided into five groups not related to known Actinomyces species. Biochemical markers for reliable differentiation into these groups, however, could not be found. Therefore, naming new species is not warranted unless parameters are discovered that allow identification without DNA hybridization. These gram-positive rods have been isolated only in mixed cultures with anaerobes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus "milleri," enterococci, and gram-negative rods. Their exact role in these possibly synergistic infections needs further investigation.