Diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Belgium by combining molecular and serological methods

We report here one new, hospitalized case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Belgium. The clinical presentation of anaplasmosis, its treatment and the molecular and serological relevant laboratory methods are briefly developed.

High prevalence of penicillin resistance and comparative in vitro activity of various antibiotics in clinical isolates of streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in the Province of Hainaut during winter 2004

A total of 154 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae obtained from 8 different centres in the province of Hainaut were included in this study. The susceptibilities to penicillin, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, erythromycin and tetracycline were determined by a microdilution technique following NCCLS recommendations. Decreased susceptibility to penicillin was 32.5% (23.4% intermediate and 9.1% high-level). The other insusceptibility rates were as follows: amoxicillin 1.9% [0% Resistance (R)], cefuroxime 23.4% (R 22.1%), ciprofloxacin 9.1% (R 1.3%), erythromycin 39.6% (R 38.3%), and tetracycline 31.8% (R 30.5%). No decreased susceptibility was found for moxifloxacin. MICs of amoxicillin, cefuroxime, erythromycin and tetracycline rose with those of penicillin for penicillin-insusceptible isolates. Most penicillin-insusceptible isolates remained fully susceptible to amoxicillin (94%), while moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin kept an activity on 100% and 92% of these isolates respectively. Phenotypes with triple or quadruple insusceptibility were present in 31.2% of the isolates. Penicillin-insusceptible isolates showed a co-insusceptibility of 36.7% to erythromycin, 30.0% to tetracycline and 3.3% to ciprofloxacin.

Peritonitis due to Brevibacterium otitidis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Brevibacterium otitidis is a coryneform rod and, as far as is known, is isolated only from infected ears. We report the first known case of peritonitis caused by B. otitidis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Identification of Corynebacterium amycolatum and other nonlipophilic fermentative corynebacteria of human origin

Four identification tests, proposed in addition to conventional methods, were evaluated with 320 fermentative nonlipophilic Corynebacterium strains: growth at 20 degrees C, glucose fermentation at 42 degrees C, alkalinization of sodium formate, and acid production from ethylene glycol. These tests were highly discriminant. Corynebacterium amycolatum displayed a unique profile, allowing it to be distinguished from similar species, such as C. xerosis, C. striatum, and C. minutissimum.

Three cases of opportunistic infection caused by propionic acid producing Corynebacterium minutissimum

Propionic acid producing strains of Corynebacterium minutissimum were isolated from three patients with opportunistic infections. One neutropenic patient was undergoing chemotherapy for prolymphocytic leukemia; the other two patients were undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis respectively. An unusual feature of these three strains was their resistance to several antibiotics, which is seldom seen in diphtheroids other than Corynebacterium jeikeium and CDC group D2.

Septic Streptococcus milleri spondylodiscitis

We describe 2 patients presenting lumbar spondylitis due to Streptococcus milleri. In both cases origin was related to preexistent intestinal pathology. Surgical drainage of a collection of pus was necessary in one case. Longterm antibiotic therapy led to full recovery. Despite confused nomenclature Streptococcus milleri must be considered a serious pathogen mainly associated with purulent infection with osteoarticular affinity.

Isolation of Corynebacterium group D2 from clinical specimens

A total of 38 strains of Corynebacterium Group D2 isolated from clinical specimens in Belgian laboratories were characterized by pronounced urease activity, inability to acidify sugars and to reduce nitrates and multiresistance to antibiotics. Two strains were involved in clinical diseases. The organisms were found to have a more opportunistic than pathogenic behaviour.