An Unusual Etiology of Lemierre-Like Syndrome: Preseptal Cellulitis due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) is a rare and potentially fatal condition that predominantly affects young adults with oropharyngeal infection. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the usual etiology and classically causes internal jugular vein septic thrombophlebitis, frequently complicated by septic emboli to several organs (most classically to the lungs). Lemierre-like syndrome (LLS) describes the same constellation of symptoms and pathophysiology as Lemierre’s syndrome; however, Fusobacterium spp. are not the cause, and the source of infection may be nonoropharyngeal. We present a case with an unusual etiology of LLS: a patient with untreated preseptal cellulitis and associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia in the setting of injection drug use. Physical exam revealed tachypnea and rhonchi with severe periorbital and bilateral eyelid edema. Imaging demonstrated bilateral preseptal and orbital cellulitis with thrombosis of both internal jugular veins and bilateral pulmonary cavitary lesions consistent with septic pulmonary emboli. She was managed with anticoagulation and parenteral antibiotics. To our knowledge, this is the first case of LLS originating from preseptal cellulitis without evidence of preceding pharyngitis. While facial and orbital infections are rare etiologies of LLS, the potentially devastating sequelae of LLS warrant its inclusion in differential diagnoses.

Impact of Chronic Hepatitis C virus co-infection on outcomes of infective endocarditis in people who inject drugs

Injection drug use (IDU) is a risk factor for infective endocarditis (IE) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This retrospective cohort study assessed HCV's impact on outcomes of adult people who inject drugs (PWID). Those admitted due to IE using modified Duke criteria from January 2012 through May 2018 were identified. The cohort was divided into HCV seropositive and seronegative groups. The seropositive group was further stratified according to HCV viremia. Complications and mortality during the IE hospitalization, at 10 weeks, and 1 year were compared across groups. Clinical factors were similar between the cohorts, except patients without viremia (29, 81%) required more ICU admissions than with viremia (30, 60%) (P < 0.05). There was no difference in mortality at all time periods between the groups. Although several factors affect mortality in PWID with IE, neither HCV antibody positivity nor viremia appear to increase the risk for complications or death.

Prostatic abscess: clinical features, management, and outcomes of a "Stealth" infection: retrospective case series and review of the literature

Prostatic abscess (PA) is uncommon and may be difficult to distinguish from acute prostatitis which often leads to delayed or missed diagnoses. Although gram-negative bacilli are the traditional etiology of PA, Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging cause. The goals of this study were to characterize the current clinical features, microbiology, management, and outcomes of PA at a US academic center. A retrospective review of adult patients hospitalized with an ICD-9/10 diagnosis of PA between January 2013 and July 2018 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, a compatible genitourinary (GU) infection syndrome, and imaging consistent with PA. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed by univariate analysis as appropriate. Twenty-two patients with PA were identified with median age 57 years. Five patients (23%) were immunosuppressed and 11 (50%) had diabetes. No patient had prior PA but 3 had past prostatitis. Only 1 patient had recent GU instrumentation and none had indwelling urinary catheters. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (59%), dysuria (45%), and urinary retention (32%). Only 7 out of 18 (39%) patients had prostate tenderness on exam and none had fluctuance. As demonstrated by computed tomography, PAs were multifocal in 8 (36%) patients and 16 (73%) had PAs >2 cm in diameter. The median abscess size was 3.2 cm. S. aureus was isolated in 60% of positive urine cultures and 78% of positive blood cultures; 46% were methicillin-resistant. Nine patients (41%) received antibiotics alone whereas 13 (59%) required antibiotics plus drainage. The median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 34.5 days. Four week mortality was 9%. When comparing S. aureus PA to other causes, S. aureus patients tended to have higher fevers, more often had diabetes, and received longer durations of antibiotic therapy (median 35 days vs 31 days, P = 0.04) but age, abscess size, and mortality did not differ. PA is relatively uncommon and often clinically unsuspected. Imaging may be critical to accurate diagnosis. Optimal management usually requires antibiotics and sometimes drainage depending on abscess size. We found a significant proportion of cases due to S. aureus which might be relevant when deciding empiric antimicrobial therapy.

Infective Endocarditis Guidelines: The Challenges of Adherence-A Survey of Infectious Diseases Clinicians

Background

Guidelines exist to aid clinicians in managing patients with infective endocarditis (IE), but the degree of adherence with guidelines by Infectious Disease (ID) physicians is largely unknown.

Methods

An electronic survey assessing adherence with selected IE guidelines was emailed to 1409 adult ID physician members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Emerging Infections Network.

Results

Five hundred fifty-seven physicians who managed IE responded. Twenty percent indicated that ID was not consulted on every case of IE at their hospitals, and 13% did not recommend transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for all IE cases. The duration of antimicrobial therapy was timed from the first day of negative blood cultures by 91% of respondents. Thirty-four percent of clinicians did not utilize an aminoglycoside for staphylococcal prosthetic valve IE (PVE). Double β-lactam therapy was “usually” or “almost always” employed by 83% of respondents for enterococcal IE. For patients with active IE who underwent valve replacement and manifested positive surgical cultures, 6 weeks of postoperative antibiotics was recommended by 86% of clinicians.

Conclusions

The finding that adherence was <90% with core guideline recommendations that all patients with suspected IE be seen by ID and that all patients undergo TTE is noteworthy. Aminoglycoside therapy of IE appears to be declining, with double β-lactam regimens emerging as the preferred treatment for enterococcal IE. The duration of postoperative antimicrobial therapy for patients undergoing valve replacement during acute IE is poorly defined and represents an area for which additional evidence is needed.

Transcranial Doppler Emboli Monitoring for Infective Endocarditis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic stroke can occur in 20-55% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) with 75% occurring during the first 2 weeks of treatment. CT or MRI brain can diagnose the sequelae of stroke but transcranial Doppler (TCD) can document active embolization. We undertook a retrospective review of our patient cohort and a systematic review of literature to assess the role of TCD in early diagnosis and management of ischemic stroke in IE.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review and literature review.

RESULTS

We found 89 patients with stroke caused by IE at our institution from December 2011 to April 2018. TCDs were obtained on 26 patients; 16 were abnormal for cerebrovascular abnormalities. Only 4 patients had 30-minute emboli monitoring performed, of which one revealed emboli. We found 3 studies investigating the role of TCDs in IE that showed promise in its use as a predictive tool in stroke risk stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of embolization in the form of high-intensity transient signals (HITS) detected on TCDs can be used for early diagnosis of IE, assessing efficacy of antibiotic therapy, and stratification of stroke risk in IE. This can aid further research into testing preventative interventions for reducing stroke burden in IE such as earlier valvular surgery or vacuum-assisted vegetation extraction.

Ehrlichiosis in a recent kidney transplant recipient: The repellent that did not repel! A case report and literature review of ehrlichiosis in solid organ transplant patients

Ehrlichiosis has been infrequently reported in immunosuppressed patients such as solid organ transplants (SOT). We report a case of Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection in an immunosuppressed woman four months after deceased donor kidney transplantation. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR testing in serum, and the patient responded promptly to treatment with doxycycline. To supplement our Case Report, a literature review encompassing 1995 to present was also performed using PubMed as the search vehicle. Search terms that were utilized include: ehrlichiosis, HME, E chaffeensis, kidney transplant(ation), renal transplant(ation), solid organ transplant(ation), and immunosuppression. The diagnosis of ehrlichiosis can be challenging in SOT patients since ehrlichiosis is not a classic opportunistic infection in SOT. Transplant physicians must have a high clinical suspicion for the diagnosis in patients with an acute febrile illness accompanied by headache, worsening cytopenias, and transaminitis who live in endemic areas, especially if they have tick exposure.

The Effect of Preexisting Anticoagulation on Cerebrovascular Events in Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a frequent complication of infective endocarditis, especially infection involving left-sided valves. Management of anticoagulation in left-sided infective endocarditis is controversial as it is unclear whether anticoagulation impacts stroke and bleeding risk in patients with this condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of anticoagulation on stroke occurrence and bleeding complications in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis.

METHODS

Patients admitted to a tertiary academic hospital with left-sided infective endocarditis between December 2011 and April 2018 were identified. Patients were stratified based on receipt of therapeutic anticoagulation prior to admission. The primary outcome measure was the rate of radiographically confirmed stroke at 10 weeks.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients with left-sided infective endocarditis were identified. Patients receiving anticoagulation (n = 50) were older (median age 63 vs 52; P = .02), were more likely to have a history of atrial fibrillation (22% vs 8.2%; P < .01), more often had prosthetic valves (38% vs 13.9%; P < .01), and had a lower incidence of mitral valve involvement (40% vs 62%; P < .01), compared with patients not receiving anticoagulation. There was no significant difference in the rate of stroke, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, or mortality at 10 weeks between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Preexisting anticoagulation did not appear to have an effect on stroke, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, or mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis at 10 weeks. Continuation of anticoagulation in patients with a definitive preexisting indication should be considered in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis in the absence of other contraindications.

153. A Review of Ten Cases of Pulmonic Valve Infective Endocarditis

Background

Pulmonic valve (PV) infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare entity, accounting for ~1.5–2% of all cases of IE. As a result, published literature describing the diagnosis and management of patients with PVIE is limited.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients ≥18 years old admitted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from 2012 to 2017 with a diagnosis of PVIE based on the modified Duke criteria was performed.

Results

Ten patients were identified as having PVIE, 9 of whom had isolated PV involvement and 1 of whom had concurrent aortic valve involvement. The diagnosis of IE was definite per the modified Duke criteria in 8 patients. The median age was 41 years and 30% were female. Two patients had pacemakers, 1 had a prosthetic PV, and 1 had congenital heart disease. Six patients were identified as persons who inject drugs (PWID). On admission, 5 patients manifested fever and 5 had a documented murmur. Seven patients had septic pulmonary emboli with 4 of 7 patients manifesting pulmonary hypertension. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed vegetations in 4 of 10 patients whereas PV vegetations were demonstrated in all 8 patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). S. aureus was the most common causative organism, accounting for 5 of the cases of PVIE with four of the five isolates being methicillin-resistant. Bacteremia persisted for a median of 3 days. One patient underwent PV replacement. The planned median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 6 weeks. The median length of stay was 18 days. Three patients died during the index hospitalization, 1 of whom was a PWID. No episodes of repeat PVIE occurred within 1 year.

Conclusion

PVIE is a rare disease. Only 40% of our patients had vegetations on TTE in contrast to a reported diagnostic yield of >90% in the literature. As such, PVIE may be underdiagnosed. S aureus was the most common organism isolated, which is in keeping with prior reports. PWID appear to be at high risk for PVIE. In view of the worsening opioid epidemic, more research on PVIE is warranted.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

121. Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device-Related Infective Endocarditis (CIED-IE): Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients with Definite IE Who Fulfill Both Major Duke Criteria

Background

Cardiac implantable electronic device-related infective endocarditis (CIED-IE) comprises 10–57% of total CIED infections. Patients with definite CIED-IE who fulfill both major modified Duke criteria have not been well characterized.

Methods

Data from the Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort, a prospective, multinational study of CIED infections were used to describe a subset of patients with CIED-IE who met both major Duke criteria for definite IE (bloodstream infection and intracardiac vegetations [VEG]).

Results

Of 433 patients with CIED infection, 144 (33.3%) had definite CIED-IE. The median age was 68 years and 77.1% were male. Twelve (8.3%) had past CIED infection. Seventy-seven patients (53.5%) had permanent pacemakers, 38 (26.4%) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and 29 (20.1%) had combination devices. The median time following the last device procedure was 550 days. CIED-IE was early in 60 patients (41.7%) and late in 84 (58.3%). Most patients presented with fever (77.8%) and sepsis (44.4%) with a median symptom duration of 7 days. On echocardiography, lead VEG was noted in 125 patients (86.8%) and valvular VEG in 54 patients (37.5%) with the tricuspid valve involved in 56.5%. On the basis of VEG location, there were 90 patients (62.5%) with isolated lead-associated IE (LAE), 19 patients (13.2%) with isolated valve-associated IE (VAE), and 35 patients (24.3%) with both (LVAE). All patients had positive blood cultures and 63/119 (52.9%) had positive lead cultures. The predominant organism in blood was Staphylococcus aureus (42.4%), followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (20.1%). CIED removal occurred in 131 patients (91%). There were 25 deaths during the index hospitalization and 34 total deaths (24.3%) by 6 months. Mortality correlated with age >75 (P = 0.023) and sepsis on presentation (P = 0.052). Infecting organism, site of VEG, and device removal did not impact the risk of death.

Conclusion

Definite CIED-IE is relatively common. The majority of patients tend to have late-onset infection and often present with sepsis. S. aureus is the dominant organism causing definite CIED-IE. Isolated LAE occurs in 63% of patients. Older age and sepsis on admission are associated with higher mortality.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

1448. Prostate Abscess: Clinical Features, Management, and Outcomes of a “Stealth” Infection: A Case Series

Background

Prostate abscess (PA) is uncommon and the diagnosis is often delayed or missed. Traditionally, PA has resulted from acute prostatitis or ascending genitourinary (GU) infection due to gram-negative bacilli but S. aureus is an emerging cause.

Methods

A retrospective review of all adult patients admitted with an ICD-9 or -10 diagnosis of PA between January 2013 and July 2018 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, a compatible GU infection syndrome, and imaging consistent with PA.

Results

Twenty-two patients with PA were identified. The median age was 57 years. Five patients (22.7%) were immunosuppressed and 11 (50%) had diabetes. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 2. No patient had a prior history of PA but 3 patients had a past diagnosis of prostatitis. Only 1 patient had GU instrumentation in the preceding 6 weeks and no patient had an indwelling urethral catheter. Fever (59%), dysuria (49%), and urinary retention (32%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Only 7/18 (39%) patients had a tender prostate on examination; fluctuance was not described. Pelvic CT revealed PAs in all patients; 14 (64%) were solitary and 16 (73%) were >2 cm in greatest diameter. The median abscess size was 3.2 cm. Urine cultures were positive in 11/18 (61%) patients with 6/11 (55%) growing S. aureus (MRSA 3); 9/16 (56%) patients had positive blood cultures (S. aureus 7 with MRSA 3) and 5/5 had positive PA cultures (S. aureus 1). Nine patients (41%) were managed with antibiotics alone whereas 13 (59%) underwent abscess drainage. The median duration of antibiotic therapy was 34.5 days. All-cause mortality at 4 weeks was 9.1%. No relapses were documented at 6 months. When comparing patients with S. aureus PA to those with other causes, S. aureus patients more often had diabetes (86% vs. 33%, P = 0.06) and a longer median duration of antibiotic therapy (35 days vs. 31 days, P = 0.04) but age, abscess size, and mortality did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

PA is relatively uncommon and may be difficult to distinguish clinically from acute prostatitis. CT is critical to an accurate diagnosis. Optimal management usually requires both antibiotics and drainage. Given the frequent occurrence of S. aureus as a cause, coverage for MRSA should be a component of empiric treatment for PA.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

114. Chorioretinal Lesions in Persons Who Inject Drugs and Are Hospitalized with Bloodstream and Related Infections

Background

Eye infection is one of the many potential sites of infection in persons who inject drugs (PWID). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of chorioretinal (CR) lesions, identify causative organisms, and correlate symptoms with ophthalmic involvement in PWID hospitalized with bloodstream infection (BSI) and/or related metastatic foci of infection (MFI).

Methods

Actively using PWID 18 years or older admitted to Wake Forest Baptist Med Ctr with documented BSI or MFI related to injection drug use (IDU) were prospectively enrolled after providing informed consent. All patients, whether or not they had eye symptoms, received a dilated retinal examination as soon as feasible after admission. Ocular symptoms, visual acuity, and ocular examination findings were recorded and fundus photos were obtained as indicated. Patients could be re-enrolled if re-admitted with a different infection.

Results

Fifty-three PWID with 55 episodes of disseminated infection related to IDU underwent ophthalmic exams at a median of 7 days post-admission. Mean age was 33.4 years and 51% were female. Twenty (38%) patients had HCV viremia but none had active HIV infection. Heroin was the injection drug of choice in 55% of patients. Of the 55 episodes of systemic infection, 33 were classified as infective endocarditis (IE), 6 were BSI only, 10 were BSI with MFI, and 5 were MFI without active BSI. Nine (17%) patients had CR involvement on examination but only 33% (3/9) were symptomatic. Of those with ocular involvement, 1 had fungal endophthalmitis due to Candida albicans. Single or multifocal subretinal infiltrates were found in 5/9 patients (MSSA 2, MRSA 2, H. parainfluenzae 1), 2/9 had cotton wool spots (S. mitis 1, MRSA 1), and 7/9 had intraretinal or white-centered hemorrhages (MSSA 3, MRSA 2, S. mitis 1, H. parainfluenzae 1). Of the 9 patients with CR lesions, 7 had IE. Interestingly, 3.8% (3/53) had old multifocal CR scars, possibly related to prior disseminated infection.

Conclusion

PWID admitted with BSI or MFI may have ophthalmic involvement even in the absence of ocular symptoms, especially in the setting of IE. Further study is needed to characterize the epidemiology of these infections, to identify risk factors for ocular involvement, and to optimize diagnosis and management.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections due to enterococcal species: Clinical features, management, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Enterococcal cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are not well characterized.

METHODS

Data from the Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort, a prospective study of CIED infections, were used for descriptive analysis of adults with enterococcal CIED infections.

RESULTS

Of 433 patients, 21 (4.8%) had enterococcal CIED infection. Median age was 71 years. Twelve patients (57%) had permanent pacemakers, five (24%) implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and four (19%) biventricular devices. Median time from last procedure to infection was 570 days. CIED-related bloodstream infections occurred in three patients (14%) and 18 (86%) had infective endocarditis (IE), 14 (78%) of which were definite by the modified Duke criteria. IE cases were classified as follows: valvular IE, four; lead IE, eight; both valve and lead IE, six. Vegetations were demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography in 17 patients (81%). Blood cultures were positive in 19/19 patients with confirmed results. The most common antimicrobial regimen was penicillin plus an aminoglycoside (33%). Antibiotics were given for a median of 43 days. Only 14 patients (67%) underwent device removal. There was one death during the index hospitalization with four additional deaths within 6 months (overall mortality 24%). There were no relapses.

CONCLUSIONS

Enterococci caused 4.8% of CIED infections in our cohort. Based on the late onset after device placement or manipulation, most infections were likely hematogenous in origin. IE was the most common infection syndrome. Only 67% of patients underwent device removal. At 6 months follow-up, no CIED infection relapses had occurred, but overall mortality was 24%.

Practice Patterns of Pneumocystis Pneumonia Prophylaxis in Connective Tissue Diseases: A Survey of Infectious Disease Physicians

Background

Immunosuppressive therapy for connective tissue diseases (CTDs) increases risk for opportunistic infections including Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). High mortality rates are reported in CTD patients with PCP, which suggests a potential need for prophylaxis, but indications remain poorly defined. Wide variations in the use of PCP prophylaxis among rheumatologists have been documented. This study evaluated PCP prophylaxis patterns for CTD patients among infectious disease (ID) physicians.

Methods

An electronic survey was emailed to 1264 adult ID physicians who are members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network.

Results

Six hundred thirty-one physicians responded to the survey. Respondents to the survey were more likely to work in academics (P = .02) and be early (<5 years) or late (≥25 years) in their careers (P = .0002). Forty-three percent (n = 269) made no recommendations for PCP prophylaxis in non-HIV patients. Of the 362 respondents who did make such recommendations, the greatest consensus for disease-based prophylaxis was for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (53%). For therapy-based prophylaxis, corticosteroids ≥20 mg/d was the most frequently cited indication (87%). Surrogate laboratory markers to aid in decisions about prophylaxis were not routinely used (21%). Although the majority recommended discontinuation of PCP prophylaxis with tapering of corticosteroids (65%), there was variability in the specific dose. Eighty-nine percent of respondents felt that guidelines about PCP prophylaxis would be helpful.

Conclusions

There is little consensus about PCP prophylaxis in CTDs among ID physicians. Guidelines for PCP prophylaxis would be helpful when caring for these complex patients.

Abstract 97: Pre-Existing Anticoagulation Does Not Affect Stroke Rates in Patients With Left Sided Infective Endocarditis

Introduction: Stroke is a devastating and relatively frequent complication of infective endocarditis (IE), especially infection involving left-sided valves. Management of anticoagulation (AC) in left sided IE (LSIE) is controversial as it is unclear whether or not AC impacts stroke risk in this population. Current guidelines are equivocal on their recommendations regarding AC management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AC on neurologic outcomes in patients with LSIE.

Methods: All patients admitted to a tertiary academic hospital in North Carolina, with a diagnosis of left sided IE between December 2011 and April 2018 were identified. Patients were stratified based on the receipt of therapeutic AC. The primary outcome measure was the rate of radiographically confirmed stroke at 10 weeks. Relevant data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Two-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients with LSIE were identified. Individuals receiving AC (n=50) were older (median age of 63 vs 52, p = 0.02) more likely to have a history of atrial fibrillation (34% vs 5%, p < 0.01), had more prosthetic valve IE (38% vs 10.1%, p <0.01) and had lower incidence of mitral valve IE (40% vs 62%, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the rate of stroke, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, or mortality at ten weeks between the two cohorts. Mitral valve involvement (OR 2.20, 95CI 1.25-3.988) and intravenous drug use within 3 months of presentation (OR 2.10, 95CI 1.11-3.95) were identified as independent risk factors for stroke.

Conclusions: AC therapy did not appear to have an effect on stroke in patients with LSIE. Furthermore, use of AC did not result in a greater occurrence of cerebrovascular hemorrhage or increased mortality. Continuation of AC in patients with a pre-existing indication should be considered in patients with LSIE in the absence of other contraindications. More robust studies are warranted to substantiate this recommendation.

1085. Enterococcal Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) Infections: Clinical Features and Outcomes

Background

Unlike enterococcal native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (IE), enterococcal CIED infections are not well described.

Methods

Data from the Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Collaboration (MEDIC), a prospective, observational, multinational cohort study of CIED infections, were used to provide a descriptive analysis of adult patients with CIED infections due to enterococcal species.

Results

Of 433 patients, 21 (4.8%) were diagnosed with enterococcal CIED infection. Specific data on enterococcal species and antimicrobial susceptibilities were not recorded. The mean age was 70.8 years. No patient had previous CIED infection. Twelve patients (57%) had permanent pacemakers, 5 (24%) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and 4 (19%) had biventricular devices. Among the 21 infections, 3 (14%) were categorized as CIED-related bloodstream infections and 18 (86%) as IE; no patient had isolated pocket infection. Of the IE cases, four were valvular IE, eight were lead IE, and six were both. Fourteen cases of IE (78%) were definite by the modified Duke criteria. Median time from last device procedure to infection was 510 days (range 37–2,952 days). The most common presenting symptom was fever (48%); five patients (24%) exhibited local signs of pocket infection. All 21 patients underwent TEE with vegetations demonstrated in 17 (81%). Blood cultures grew enterococci from all patients. The most common antimicrobial regimen was a penicillin plus aminoglycoside (38%); two patients (9.5%) received ampicillin + ceftriaxone. Antibiotics were given for a median of 43 days. Only 14 patients (67%) had complete device removal; the seven patients retaining their device were judged to be at high risk for extraction. There was one death during the index hospital stay with four additional patients dying over the 6 months after therapy (overall mortality 24%); two of the seven patients retaining their CIED died.

Conclusion

Enterococci caused 4.8% of all CIED infections in our cohort. Most infections appeared to be hematogenous in origin with late onset. IE was the most common infectious syndrome. A penicillin plus aminoglycoside, given for 6 weeks, was the most frequent therapy. Only 67% of patients underwent device removal. At 6 months follow-up, no relapses had occurred but overall mortality was 24%.

Disclosures

J. E. Peacock Jr., Pfizer, Inc.: Shareholder, Owns common stock in Pfizer which was inherited and held in a trust. M. R. Sohail, TyRx Inc.: Investigator, Research support. Medtronic Inc.: Investigator, Research support. Medtronic Inc.: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. Spectranetics: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. Boston Scientific Corp: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. L. M. Baddour, UpToDate: Collaborator, Royalty payment. J. M. Miro, Abbvie: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Genentech: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Medtronic: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Novartis: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Gilead Sciences: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. Pfizer: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. ViiV Healthcare: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. A. J. Greenspon, Medtronic: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. Boston Scientific: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. St. Jude: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. R. G. Carrillo, St. Jude Medical Group: Speaker’s Bureau, Research support. Spectranetics: Consultant, Speaker honorarium. Sorin Group: Speaker’s Bureau, None. Boston Scientific Corp: Speaker’s Bureau, None. D. Z. Uslan, Medtronic: Investigator, Research support. Boston Scientific: Consultant, Speaker honorarium.

Repeat Infective Endocarditis in Persons Who Inject Drugs: "Take Another Little Piece of my Heart"

Background

Injection drug use (IDU) is a major risk factor for infective endocarditis (IE). Few data exist on repeat IE (rIE) in persons who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods

Patients ≥18 years old seen at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from 2004 to 2017 who met Duke criteria for IE and who self-reported IDU in the 3 months before admission were identified. The subset of PWID who developed rIE, defined as another episode of IE at least 10 weeks after diagnosis of the first episode, was then reviewed.

Results

Of the 87 PWID who survived their first episode of IE, 22 (25.3%) experienced rIE and 77.3% had rIE within a year of the first episode. All patients who experienced rIE resumed IDU between episodes of IE. Of the patients with rIE, 54.5% had an infection caused by S. aureus and 22.7% required surgical intervention. Mortality at 1 year was 36.3%. Compared with their first IE episode, patients with rIE had fewer S. aureus infections (P = .01). Compared with PWID who experienced single-episode IE, intravenous prescription opioid use (P = .01), surgery (P < .01), tricuspid valve involvement (P = .02), and polymicrobial infection (P = .03) occurred more often during first episodes of IE in individuals who then developed rIE.

Conclusions

rIE is common among IDU-related IE and confers a high 1-year mortality rate. The microbiology of rIE is varied, with S. aureus being less frequently isolated. More studies on modification of social and clinical risk factors are needed to prevent rIE.

Infectious Scleritis: What the ID Clinician Should Know

Scleritis is an inflammatory process involving the outer coating of the globe which is characterized by focal or diffuse hyperemia, moderate to severe pain, and frequent impairment of vision. Most cases of scleritis are autoimmune in nature and are managed with topical and/or systemic corticosteroids. Infectious scleritis is a less common entity, occurring in 5%-10% of cases, and requiring directed antimicrobial therapy. We present a case of Nocardia farcinica anterior nodular scleritis diagnosed via positive culture of an excisional biopsy of a scleral nodule. The patient improved after combined surgical and medical therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanate and moxifloxacin for 12 months. Based on a literature review, a summary of reported cases of infectious scleritis is provided, and guidelines pertaining to diagnosis and management are offered.

Attempted salvage of infected cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: Are there clinical factors that predict success?

BACKGROUND

Published guidelines mandate complete device removal in cases of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. Clinical predictors of successful salvage of infected CIEDs have not been defined.

METHODS

Data from the Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Collaboration, a prospective, observational, multinational cohort study of CIED infection, were used to investigate whether clinical predictors of successful salvage of infected devices could be identified.

RESULTS

Of 433 adult patients with CIED infections, 306 (71%) underwent immediate device explantation. Medical management with device retention and antimicrobial therapy was initially attempted in 127 patients (29%). "Early failure" of attempted salvage occurred in 74 patients (58%) who subsequently underwent device explantation during the index hospitalization. The remaining 53 patients (42%) in the attempted salvage group retained their CIED. Twenty-six (49%) had resolution of CIED infection (successful salvage group) whereas 27 patients (51%) experienced "late" salvage failure. Upon comparing the salvage failure group, early and late (N = 101), to the group experiencing successful salvage of an infected CIED (N = 26), no clinical or laboratory predictors of successful salvage were identified. However, by univariate analysis, coagulase-negative staphylococci as infecting pathogens (P = 0.0439) and the presence of a lead vegetation (P = 0.024) were associated with overall failed salvage.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with definite CIED infections, clinical and laboratory variables cannot predict successful device salvage. Until new data are forthcoming, device explantation should remain a mandatory and early management intervention in patients with CIED infection in keeping with existing expert guidelines unless medical contraindications exist or patients refuse device removal.

Impact of Abandoned Leads on Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections: A Propensity Matched Analysis of MEDIC (Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort)

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the impact of abandoned cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) leads on the presentation and management of device-related infections.

BACKGROUND

Device infection is a serious consequence of CIEDs and necessitates removal of all hardware for attempted cure. The merits of extracting or retaining presumed sterile but nonfunctioning leads is a subject of ongoing debate.

METHODS

The MEDIC (Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort) prospectively enrolled patients with CIED infections at 10 institutions in the United States and abroad between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012. Within a propensity-matched cohort, relevant clinical information was compared between patients who had 1 or more abandoned leads at the time of infection and those who had none.

RESULTS

Matching produced a cohort of 264 patients, including 176 with no abandoned leads and 88 with abandoned leads. The groups were balanced with respect to Charlson comorbidity index, oldest lead age, device type, sex, and race. At the time of admission, those with abandoned leads were less likely to demonstrate systemic signs of infection, including leukocytosis (p = 0.023) and positive blood cultures (p = 0.005). Conversely, patients with abandoned leads were more likely to demonstrate local signs of infections, including skin erosion (p = 0.031) and positive pocket cultures (p = 0.015). In addition, patients with abandoned leads were more likely to require laser extraction (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of a large prospective registry of CIED infections demonstrated that patients with abandoned leads may present with different signs, symptoms, and microbiological findings and require laser extraction more than those without abandoned leads.

Variability in clinical features of early versus late cardiovascular implantable electronic device pocket infections

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) pocket infections are often related to recent CIED placement or manipulation, but these infections are not well characterized. The clinical presentation of CIED pocket infection, based on temporal onset related to last CIED procedure, deserves further study.

METHODS

The MEDIC (Multicenter Electrophysiologic Device Infection Cohort) prospectively enrolled subjects with CIED infection. Subjects were stratified into those whose infection occurred <12 months (early) or ≥ 12 months (late) since their last CIED-related procedure.

RESULTS

There were 132 subjects in the early group and 106 in the late group. There were more females (P = 0.009) and anticoagulation use (P = 0.039) in the early group. Subjects with early infections were more likely to have had a generator change or lead addition as their last procedure (P = 0.03) and had more prior CIED procedures (P = 0.023). Early infections were more likely to present with pocket erythema (P < 0.001), swelling (P < 0.001), and pain (P = 0.007). Late infections were more likely to have pocket erosion (P = 0.005) and valvular vegetations (P = 0.009). In bacteremic subjects, early infections were more likely healthcare-associated (P < 0.001). In-hospital and 6-month mortality were equivalent.

CONCLUSION

A total of 45% of patients with CIED pocket infection presented >12 months following their last CIED-related procedure. Patients with early infection were more likely to be female, on anticoagulation, and present with localized inflammation, whereas those with late infection were more likely to have CIED erosion or valvular endocarditis.

Hemolytic anemia in two patients with glioblastoma multiforme: A possible interaction between vorinostat and dapsone

Patients undergoing treatment for glioblastoma multiforme are routinely placed on prophylactic treatment for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia because of significant therapy-induced lymphopenia. In patients with sulfa allergies, dapsone prophylaxis is often used due to its efficacy, long half-life, cost effectiveness, and general safety at low doses. However, dapsone may uncommonly induce a hemolytic anemia, particularly in patients deficient of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. This hemolysis is thought to be a result of oxidative stress on red blood cells induced by dapsone metabolites which produce reactive oxygen species that disrupt the red blood cell membrane and promote splenic sequestration. A single case report of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in a patient with glioblastoma multiforme has been reported. We present two patients with glioblastoma multiforme who developed severe hemolytic anemia shortly after initiating therapy with vorinostat, a pan-active histone deacetylase inhibitor, while on prophylactic dapsone. There are several potential mechanisms by which histone deacetylase inhibition may alter dapsone metabolism including changes in hepatic acetylation or N-glucuronidation leading to an increase in the bioavailability of dapsone’s hematotoxic metabolites. In addition, vorinostat may lead to increased hemolysis through inhibition of heat shock protein-90, a chaperone protein that maintains the integrity of the red blood cell membrane cytoskeleton. The potential interaction between dapsone and vorinostat may have important clinical implications as more than 10 clinical trials evaluating drug combinations with vorinostat in patients with malignant glioma are either ongoing or planned in North America.

Multicentre evaluation of the adenosine agonist GR79236X in patients with dental pain after third molar extraction

BACKGROUND

Adenosine is analgesic in humans, and the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist GR79236X has significant anti-nociceptive activity in an animal pain model of inflammatory pain.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients with moderate pain after third molar extraction under general anaesthesia were randomized to receive a 15 min double-blind infusion containing either GR79236X 4 microg kg-1, GR79236X 10 microg kg-1, diclofenac 50 mg, or saline placebo. Rescue analgesia was promptly available to all patients.

RESULTS

Meaningful pain relief (mild or no pain) was attained by 9 (47%) patients in the placebo group, 12 (63%) patients in the GR79236 4 microg kg-1 group, 10 (48%) patients in the 10 microg kg-1 group, and 16 (80%) patients in the diclofenac 50 mg group. Neither dose of GR79236 produced a significant improvement over placebo, but diclofenac was superior to both placebo (P=0.036) and GR79236 10 microg kg-1 (P=0.034). Median times to rescue or additional analgesia were 62, 100, 60, and 363 min for patients receiving placebo, GR79236 4 microg kg-1, 10 microg kg-1, and diclofenac 50 mg, respectively (diclofenac significantly longer than placebo, P=0.002 log-rank test). Pain control was poor in the placebo group and in both GR79236 groups, with between 79 and 86% of patients having good pain control (i.e. mild or no pain) for <20% of the time compared with only 30% of patients who received diclofenac.

CONCLUSION

We found no evidence of efficacy of GR79236 compared with placebo, but the active control diclofenac was effective. It is possible that a higher dose of GR79236 might have been effective or that i.v. administration of this drug does not achieve appropriate concentrations in the brain or peripheral nerves.

A comparison of intubating conditions in children following induction of anaesthesia with propofol and suxamethonium or propofol and remifentanil

Sixty ASA 1 and 2 children aged between 2 and 16 years who required tracheal intubation as part of anaesthesia for elective surgery were studied. We evaluated intubating conditions, haemodynamic responses and duration of apnoea following propofol 4 mg.kg-1 combined with either remifentanil 1.25 microg.kg-1 (group R), or suxamethonium 1 mg.kg-1 (group S). Tracheal intubation was graded as excellent, good or poor according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, coughing, and jaw relaxation and limb movement. Thirty of group S and 28 of group R children were successfully intubated on the first attempt. Overall, intubation conditions were excellent or good in 26/30 (87%) patients in group S and 20/30 (67%) in group R (p<0.05). Mean apnoea time was 190 s in group S, and 362 s in group R (p<0.001). Heart rate increased in response to suxamethonium (p<0.01) and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the remifentanil group (p<0.01).

Hematogenous Vertebral Osteomyelitis Due to Staphylococcus aureus in the Adult: Clinical Features and Therapeutic Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis in adults. To better define clinical features and therapeutic outcomes, the charts of 40 adult patients with S aureus hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis were retrospectively reviewed.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review using standardized data collection form.

RESULTS

S aureus hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis commonly occurred in the settings of recent invasive procedures (55% of patients), insulin use (28%), and hemodialysis (20%). Ten percent of patients had S aureus bacteremia or vascular catheter infection within the preceding 6 months. Median time from first symptom to diagnosis was 51.3 days. A portal of entry for S aureus was identified in 13 patients (32.5%); intravenous catheters were the likely origin in 9 of those 13 patients. Concurrent endocarditis was present in 4 patients. Forty-eight percent of patients had neurologic abnormalities and 60% of patients had an epidural, paraspinous, or psoas abscess demonstrated by neuroimaging. S aureus was isolated through fine-needle aspiration in 17 of 23 patients (74%) and from blood cultures in 23 of 34 patients (68%). Infection was due to methicillin-susceptible S aureus in 67.5% of patients. All patients received intravenous antibiotics for a mean duration of 58.6 days; 36 of 40 (90%) also received concomitant rifampin. Twenty-seven percent and 12.5% of patients underwent surgical debridement and CT-guided drainage of abscesses, respectively. After intravenous therapy, 19 of 30 eligible patients received oral continuation treatment. The mean duration of total antibiotic therapy was 142.2 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Cure of infection was achieved in 83% (24/29) of evaluable patients, but 50% of those achieving cure still had infection-related sequelae. Intravenous antibiotic therapy for at least 8 weeks was the only clinical factor associated with cure (P = 0.05, two-tailed Fisher exact test).

Septic arthritis in the adult caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: A report of 4 cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

To identify coexistent diseases, clinical features, approaches to management, and predictors of outcome in patients with pneumococcal septic arthritis.

METHODS

Case series of 4 adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae septic arthritis seen at a university hospital, plus a review of 115 adults with pneumococcal septic arthritis reported in the medical literature from 1973 through 2003.

RESULTS

Among our 4 patients, 3 had polyarticular infections, joint prostheses were involved in 1, 3 had underlying joint diseases, and 1 had concurrent meningitis. Infection was caused by penicillin-intermediate/cephalosporine-susceptible S pneumoniae in 1 patient and penicillin-resistant/cephalosporine-intermediate S. pneumoniae in 1 patient. After a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks, all patients were clinically cured of infection. Review of the literature identified 115 cases of S pneumoniae septic arthritis in adults. Clinical data were available for 107 patients. Twenty-nine cases were polyarticular (26%), joint prostheses were involved in 15 patients (13%), and 61 patients had underlying joint disease (57%). Meningitis was a concurrent infection in 15 cases. The presumed primary focus of infection was the respiratory tree in 44 patients. Ninety-six percent of cases were caused by penicillin-susceptible organisms. Cure of infection with survival was achieved in 83% (79 of 95) of patients with native joint septic arthritis and in 67% (8 of 12) of patients with prosthetic joint infection. A good functional outcome (full range of motion or return to baseline range of motion) after infection was achieved by 44 of 71 patients (62%) with native joint infection and by 4 of 7 patients (57%) with infections of prosthetic joints. The likelihood of cure of infection or good functional outcome was not influenced by method of joint drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

S pneumoniae is an uncommon, but not rare, cause of septic arthritis in the adult. Many patients have underlying joint disease (especially rheumatoid arthritis) and coexistent alcoholism. Although most infections involve native joints, prosthetic joint infections comprise 13% of cases. Polyarticular disease occurs in approximately one quarter of patients. Most patients have a preceding or concurrent extra-articular focus of pneumococcal infection. To date, the majority of reported infections are caused by penicillin-susceptible organisms, so penicillin G or a third-generation cephalosporine such as ceftriaxone remains the appropriate treatment option. However, infection with drug-resistant organisms is likely to be an increasing problem in the future. With directed antimicrobial therapy and appropriate joint drainage, the outcome is generally good for patients with native joint infections. In contrast, only two thirds of patients with infections of prosthetic joints survive their infections. Approximately 40% of surviving patients experience functional impairment or chronic pain as a sequelae of their infection.

Disseminated Infection with Bartonella henselae as a Cause of Spontaneous Splenic Rupture

A 65-year-old man developed massive hemoperitoneum secondary to spontaneous splenic rupture. Histopathological analysis of the spleen demonstrated necrotizing granulomas. Results of serological tests indicated infection with a species of Bartonella, and immunohistochemical staining established Bartonella henselae as the cause of splenitis. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of spontaneous splenic rupture caused by infection with a species of Bartonella.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: recurrence and the impact of antibiotic treatment in a prospective multicenter study

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is associated with substantial morbidity. Recurrence is common, but incidence and risk factors for recurrence are uncertain. The emergence of methicillin resistance and the ease of administering vancomycin, especially in patients who have renal insufficiency, have led to reliance on this drug with the assumption that it is as effective as beta-lactam antibiotics, an assumption that remains open to debate. We initiated a multicenter, prospective observational study in 6 university hospitals and enrolled 505 consecutive patients with S. aureus bacteremia. All patients were monitored for 6 months and patients with endocarditis were followed for 3 years. Recurrence was defined as return of S. aureus bacteremia after documentation of negative blood cultures and/or clinical improvement after completing a course of antistaphylococcal antibiotic therapy. All blood isolates taken from patients with recurrent bacteremia underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis testing. Recurrence was subclassified as reinfection (different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns) or relapse (same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern).Forty-two patients experienced 56 episodes of recurrence (79% were relapses and 21% were reinfection). Relapse occurred earlier than reinfection (median, 36 versus 99 d, p < 0.06). Risk factors for relapse of S. aureus bacteremia included valvular heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and deep-seated infection (including endocarditis). Nafcillin was superior to vancomycin in preventing bacteriologic failure (persistent bacteremia or relapse) for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. Failure to remove infected intravascular devices/catheters and vancomycin therapy were common factors in patients experiencing multiple (greater than 2) relapses. However, by multivariate analysis, only endocarditis and therapy with vancomycin (versus nafcillin) were significantly associated with relapse. Recurrences occurred in 9.4% of S. aureus bacteremias following antistaphylococcal therapy, and most were relapses. Duration of antistaphylococcal therapy was not associated with relapse, but type of antibiotic therapy was. Nafcillin was superior to vancomycin in efficacy in patients with MSSA bacteremia.

A prospective multicenter study of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: incidence of endocarditis, risk factors for mortality, and clinical impact of methicillin resistance

Our objectives were to determine the incidence of endocarditis in patients whose Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia was community-acquired, related to hemodialysis, or hospital-acquired; to assess clinical factors that would reliably distinguished between S. aureus bacteremia and S. aureus endocarditis; to assess the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) as a cause of endocarditis; and to examine risk factors for mortality in patients with S. aureus endocarditis. We conducted a prospective observational study in 6 university teaching hospitals; we evaluated 505 consecutive patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Thirteen percent of patients with S. aureus bacteremia were found to have endocarditis, including 21% with community-acquired S. aureus bacteremia, 5% with hospital-acquired bacteremia, and 12% on hemodialysis. Infection was due to MRSA in 31%. Factors predictive of endocarditis included underlying valvular heart disease, history of prior endocarditis, intravenous drug use, community acquisition of bacteremia, and an unrecognized source. Twelve patients with bacteremia had a prosthetic valve; 17% developed endocarditis. Unexpectedly, nonwhite race proved to be an independent risk factor for endocarditis by both univariate and multivariate analyses. Persistent bacteremia (positive blood cultures at day 3 of appropriate therapy) was identified as an independent risk factor for both endocarditis and mortality, a unique observation not reported in other prospective studies of S. aureus bacteremia. Patients with endocarditis due to MRSA were significantly more likely to have complicating renal insufficiency and to experience persistent bacteremia than those with endocarditis due to MSSA. The 30-day mortality was 31% among patients with endocarditis compared to 21% in patients who had bacteremia without endocarditis (p = 0.055). Risk factors for death due to endocarditis included severity of illness at onset of bacteremia (as measured by Apache III and Pitt bacteremia score), MRSA infection, and presence of atrioventricular block on electrocardiogram. Patients with S. aureus bacteremia who have community acquisition of infection, underlying valvular heart disease, intravenous drug use, unknown portal of entry, history of prior endocarditis, and possibly, nonwhite race should undergo echocardiography to screen for the presence of endocarditis. We recommend that blood cultures be repeated 3 days following initiation of antistaphylococcal antibiotic therapy in all patients with S. aureus bacteremia. Positive blood cultures at 3 days may prove to be a useful marker in promoting more aggressive management, including more potent antibiotic therapy and surgical resection of the valve in endocarditis cases. MRSA as the infecting organism should be added to the list of risk factors for consideration of valvular resection in cases of endocarditis.

The clinical features of 16 cases of stroke associated with administration of IVIg

This report characterizes the clinical features of 16 cases of stroke associated with IV immunoglobulin infusions. Fourteen of the strokes occurred within 24 hours of an infusion and 50% of the patients were receiving IV immunoglobulin for the first time. Nine patients had multifocal infarctions. All but one of the patients had stroke risk factors.

Ciprofloxacin plus piperacillin compared with tobramycin plus piperacillin as empirical therapy in febrile neutropenic patients. A randomized, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND

Therapy with an aminoglycoside and a beta-lactam remains common empirical therapy for febrile neutropenic patients. Concerns of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity have led to studies of alternate regimens.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether ciprofloxacin-piperacillin is equivalent to tobramycin-piperacillin as empirical therapy for neutropenic fever.

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind multicenter trial.

SETTING

Seven U.S. university-affiliated hospitals and one private research center.

PATIENTS

Febrile (temperature >/= 38 degrees C), neutropenic (neutrophil level < 1 x 10(9) cells/L) hospitalized patients who had leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumors, or were undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients received piperacillin, 50 mg/kg of body weight intravenously every 4 hours, and ciprofloxacin, 400 mg intravenously every 8 hours, or tobramycin, 2 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours.

MEASUREMENTS

Success was defined as resolution of infection and previously positive cultures without the need to give additional antimicrobial agents.

RESULTS

543 febrile episodes were evaluated, of which 471 were clinically evaluable (234 in the ciprofloxacin-piperacillin group and 237 in the tobramycin-piperacillin group). Success rates in the ciprofloxacin-piperacillin group (63 of 234 febrile episodes) and tobramycin-piperacillin group (52 of 237 episodes) were similar (27% vs. 22%, respectively; difference, 5.0 percentage points [95% CI, -2.3 to 12.8 percentage points]), as was survival (96.2% of patients receiving ciprofloxacin-piperacillin versus 94.1% of patients receiving tobramycin-piperacillin; difference, 2.1 percentage points [CI, -2.2 to 6.4 percentage points]). Additions to the initial antimicrobial regimen were the most common reason for treatment failure in both groups (accounting for 67% of failures in the ciprofloxacin-piperacillin group and 72% in the tobramycin-piperacillin group; difference, 5.0 percentage points [CI, -13.8 to 3.7 percentage points]). Fevers resolved faster in patients receiving ciprofloxacin-piperacillin than in patients receiving tobramycin-piperacillin (mean, 5 vs. 6 days) (P = 0.005). No significant differences in adverse events or toxicity were noted (P = 0.083).

CONCLUSION

Ciprofloxacin-piperacillin is as safe and effective as tobramycin-piperacillin for empirical therapy of neutropenic fever.

Successful treatment of ventriculostomy-related meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus with intravenous and intraventricular quinupristin/dalfopristin

We report a case of ventriculostomy-related meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). The patient was successfully treated with administration of quinupristin/dalfopristin by both intravenous and intraventricular routes. A brief review of the literature is provided, which indicates that optimal management with quinupristin/dalfopristin should include daily intraventricular doses of at least 2 mg.

Evaluation of a pilot regimen for postoperative pain control in patients receiving oral morphine pre-operatively

Postoperative analgesia in patients who receive regular oral opioids pre-operatively is frequently suboptimal. To improve management we introduced a regimen using subcutaneous diamorphine infusions with incremental doses. Infusion doses were calculated as half the daily pre-operative dose of oral morphine with the increments as one-sixth of the infusion dose. Results were recorded on the first two postoperative days before (n = 13) and after (n = 23) commencing the new regimen. The percentage of patients reporting severe pain at rest and on movement were significantly reduced by the new regimen (54% and 69% vs. 13% and 40%, respectively) since the opioid dose as a percentage of the pre-operative dose was significantly higher (160% vs. 352%). There were no instances of excessive sedation or slow respiratory rate in any patient. The use of the regimen has resulted in greater doses of opioids being administered with fewer patients in severe pain without significant complications.

Pseudallescheria boydii brain abscess successfully treated with voriconazole and surgical drainage: case report and literature review of central nervous system pseudallescheriasis

Pseudallescheria boydii and its asexual form, Scedosporium apiospermum, are ubiquitous, saprophytic fungi that commonly cause cutaneous infection. However, in certain circumstances, P. boydii can also cause invasive disease, which can involve the central nervous system (CNS). When the CNS becomes involved, treatment is difficult, therapeutic options are limited, and the prognosis is poor. We report a case of Pseudallescheria brain abscess successfully treated with surgical drainage and systemic voriconazole, the first such case to be described in the literature. We also review previously reported cases of CNS pseudallescheriasis and evaluate therapeutic options.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis in the immunocompetent host. Therapy with oral fluconazole: a report of four cases and a review of the literature

Isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis (IPC) is an infrequently diagnosed infection, the management of which is not well defined. In past years, IPC traditionally has not been treated in the immunocompetent host, given its perceived benign and self-limited course and the toxicity associated with amphotericin B. However, some patients manifest prominent and disabling symptoms, and infection occasionally may disseminate. Fluconazole is active against Cryptococcus neoformans, is easily administered, and has an excellent safety profile. We present four healthy hosts with IPC who were treated with oral fluconazole for 6 to 8 weeks. A review of the literature was conducted to identify other cases of IPC in healthy hosts who were also treated with fluconazole. Our results and the limited experience reported in the literature suggest that fluconazole may be an appropriate choice for the treatment of IPC in the immunocompetent host. Indications for treatment are not defined, but symptomatic patients, those with multiple nodules or extensive infiltrates on chest radiographs, and/or those testing positive for serum cryptococcal antigen might be potential candidates for therapy.

The patient's perception of chronic pain

Chronic pain is common among hospital inpatients. Patients with chronic pain have low expectations of pain relief. The patient's need for information is frequently not met.

Cryptococcal aortitis presenting as a ruptured mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm

Mycotic processes occasionally complicate atherosclerotic aortic disease and usually require aggressive surgical therapy to control sepsis and prevent arterial rupture. Rarely, fungal organisms are responsible for primary infection of the abdominal aorta. We report the first case of Cryptococcal aortitis presenting as a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The surgical, pathologic, and microbiologic aspects of fungal aortitis are discussed.

Gallium-67-citrate scanning of renal parenchymal malacoplakia

The purpose of this article is to review the potential role of nuclear medicine scanning, especially with 67Ga, in the presumptive diagnosis and clinical management of patients with renal parenchymal malacoplakia (RPMP), a rare disease associated with coliform bacterial infection of the kidney and characterized by chronic unresolving inflammatory infiltrates containing von Hansemann macrophages in the renal parenchyma.

METHODS

Published cases of RPMP were collected from the archival literature by searching the MEDLINE database and by reviewing bibliographic references contained in articles on malacoplakia. Data on the clinical features and radiographic evaluation of patients with RPMP were extracted from the clinical case reports.

RESULTS

Forty-three cases of RPMP published over the past 20 yr were identified. Ten of the 43 patients (23%) had 67Ga scanning as a component of their diagnostic evaluation. In all 10 patients, renal uptake of 67Ga was classified as intense. Two of those 10 patients had serial 67Ga scanning performed to assess response to antibiotic treatment; both patients exhibited decreased uptake or complete resolution of abnormal renal uptake over time, a finding also exhibited by our patient.

CONCLUSION

Intense renal uptake of 67Ga, typically in the clinical setting of fever, progressive renal failure and nephromegaly, strongly supports a diagnosis of RPMP. In those patients receiving prolonged antimicrobial therapy for RPMP, resolution of abnormal 67Ga uptake over time may provide an objective endpoint for treatment.

Comparison of remifentanil in combination with isoflurane or propofol for short-stay surgical procedures

There are few data in the literature that describe the use of remifentanil when administered as a component of an inhalation or total i.v. anaesthetic (TIVA) technique. We studied 251 male and female patients, aged 18-75 years, ASA I-II, undergoing inguinal hernia repair, arthroscopic knee surgery or varicose vein surgery of at least 30 min duration without premedication. Patients were randomized to receive a remifentanil loading dose of 1.0 microgram kg-1 followed by a continuous infusion of 0.5 microgram kg-1 min-1 in combination with isoflurane (end-tidal concentration 0.6%), (Group I, n = 115) or propofol (initial infusion rate 9 mg kg-1 h-1 reduced to 6 mg kg-1 h-1 after 10 min), (Group P, n = 118). The remifentanil infusion rate was reduced by 50%, 5 min after tracheal intubation. Intraoperative stresses were treated with a remifentanil bolus (1 microgram kg-1) followed by an increase in the remifentanil infusion rate. At the insertion of the last suture, the remifentanil infusion and concomitant anaesthetic were switched off simultaneously. Times to spontaneous respiration, adequate respiration and tracheal extubation were significantly shorter in group I compared with group P (6.4 min vs 7.6 min, P < 0.01; 7.6 min vs 9.3, P < 0.003; 7.8 min vs 9.5 min, P < 0.015). Overall mean systolic blood pressures during surgery were greater in group P compared with group I (P < 0.05) but the absolute differences were clinically insignificant (4-5 mm Hg).

A randomized, prospective, blinded comparison of postoperative pain, metabolic response, and perceived health after laparoscopic and small incision cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that in a randomized comparison of laparoscopic (LC) versus small incision (SC) cholecystectomy, postoperative hospital stay is comparable. This randomized prospective study compares the postoperative pain, analgesic and antiemetic consumption, perceived health, and metabolic and respiratory responses after these two procedures.

METHODS

Two hundred patients were recruited; postoperative stay, pain scores, analgesic and antiemetic consumption were recorded. Nottingham Health Profile questionnaires were completed by a subgroup of 100 patients, and the metabolic and respiratory responses were also compared in a further subgroup of 20 patients.

RESULTS

Pain scores in both groups were low. LC, however, was associated with lower postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements compared with SC, but the antiemetic requirements were greater after LC. The duration of hospital stay and the perceived health after operation were the same in both groups, and both procedures were associated with a similar reduction of respiratory function. Twenty-four hours after operation the inflammatory (C-reactive protein, CRP) response to LC (22 +/- 20 mg/L) was significantly lower than after SC (68 +/- 30 mg/L), but the neuroendocrine (cortisol) response was similar (LC, 475 +/- 335 nmol/L, compared with SC, 710 +/- 410 nmol/L). Independent of the technique used, the duration of postoperative hospital stay correlated significantly with the magnitude of both the 24-hour postoperative cortisol and CRP responses (cortisol: rs = 0.678, p < 0.001; CRP: rs = 0.566, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

LC appears to be associated with less tissue destruction and pain than SC, but this did not confer any advantage in the degree of postoperative respiratory impairment, length of hospital stay, or postoperative perceived health. The neuroendocrine component of the metabolic response evoked by each procedure was similar and had a significant correlation to patient's postoperative hospital stay. This finding may explain the similar postoperative recovery after LC and SC.