The authors report a caruncular abscess caused by actinomycosis. A 47-year-old woman was admitted with persistent purulent discharge from the caruncle of the left eye for a duration of six months. Excisional drainage was performed, and 'sulfur granules' were observed, consistent with actinomyces infection. Intraoperative lacrimal probing and irrigation were performed to confirm that the abscess and canaliculus were not connected. Oral and topical antibiotics were administered postoperatively; the lesion resolved with no evidence of recurrence, and the symptom improved.
Abscess/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Actinomycosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Middle Aged

INTRODUCTIONKlebsiella pneumoniae septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, albeit uncommon in adults, are important sites of disseminated infection. Many case reports have shown K. pneumoniae as a cause of nosocomial transmitted septic arthritis in neonates and children. We report a rare case of an elderly patient with K. pneumoniae genitourinary infection spreading to the liver and other extra hepatic sites like the prostate and peripheral joint.

CLINICAL PICTUREThe patient presented with a short history of general malaise, fever and urinary symptoms, associated with an acute monoarthritis of the ankle. On admission, he was in septic shock. Investigations suggested an infective cause, as evidenced by raised total white cell count and pyuria. K. pneumoniae was cultured from both urine and ankle synovial fluid. Imaging confirmed multiple liver and prostatic abscesses, as well as osteomyelitis of the foot bones adjacent to the ankle.

TREATMENTTreatment in this case included surgical drainage of the affected joint and surrounding soft tissue structures, in addition to a 6-week course of systemic antibiotics.

OUTCOMEThe patient had good clinical response following treatment. In addition, we noted a normalisation of his laboratory parameters and resolution of the intraabdominal and pelvic abscesses.

CONCLUSIONThis case emphasises the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment in disseminated K. pneumoniae infection to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.

Aged ; Ankle Joint ; microbiology ; surgery ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Infectious ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drainage ; Foot Bones ; microbiology ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver Abscess ; microbiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; surgery ; Prostatic Diseases ; microbiology ; Synovial Fluid ; microbiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

No abstract available.
Antitoxins/*therapeutic use ; Clostridium perfringens/*pathogenicity ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors/*therapeutic use ; Liver Abscess/*drug therapy/microbiology

Primary hepatic actinomycosis is one of the chronic abscess-forming infections of the liver. Accurate diagnosis is frequently delayed due to its indolent course and nonspecific clinical and radiological manifestations. We report a case of a 57-year-old man presenting with asymptomatic multiple hepatic masses on follow-up abdominal computed tomography performed 1 year after stomach cancer surgery. Although a percutaneous liver biopsy procedure was conducted twice in order to obtain confirmative pathology, only a nonspecific organizing abscess with plasma cell infiltration was revealed, without identification of any organism in the tissue cultures. Ultimately, actinomycosis was diagnosed following the detection of sulfur granules on open surgical biopsied tissue. This case suggests that primary hepatic actinomycosis should be considered as one of the possible causes for enigmatic inflammatory lesions of the liver.
Actinomycosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Biopsy, Needle ; Humans ; Liver Abscess/complications ; Liver Diseases/*diagnosis/microbiology/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVEGroup A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes may be encountered in diverse clinical situations in children. A rising incidence of invasive group A streptococcus (IGAS) infections has been noted in children in the past three decades. The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of IGAS in children, and to raise the level of diagnosis and treatment of this infection.

METHODThe clinical data from 19 cases of IGAS younger than 14 years old seen from January 2004 to December 2011 treated in the authors' hospital were analyzed. IGAS infections are defined as the isolation of GAS from a normally sterile site in patients.

RESULTThe 19 cases were identified as IGAS infections, among whom 15 were male and 4 were female, and the ratio of them was 3.75. The age ranged from 1 day to 14 years, with a median age of 4 years. The course of disease was 4 h-10 days. The average length of stay was 12.2 days. In 13 cases the episodes of the infection occurred in winter and spring. In 18 cases the infection was community-acquired. Overall, 10 cases had neck or foot dorsum abscess, four cases had purulent peritonitis, and 3 cases were diagnosed as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) complicated with empyema, pyopneumothorax occurred in 1 case and neonatal septicemia in another. Three cases had an underlying disease, including 2 cases wounded in a car accident and 1 case of congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Before the isolation of GAS, 5 cases had stayed in ICUs, the length of ICU stay was 1-32 days, 4 cases had received intubation and mechanical ventilation, the ventilation time was 8 h-24 days, 2 cases had received major surgery; 5 cases had other pathogen coinfection, including 4 cases of abdominal pus at the same time and Escherichia coli was isolated, and 1 case had parainfluenza virus type I coinfection. Peripheral blood leucocyte increased in 18 cases, one case dropped off. The C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased in all patients, including 16 cases who had 14-160 mg/L, 3 cases had levels higher than 160 mg/L. Twenty strains of GAS were isolated from 19 cases' sterile sites, of them 10 strains were isolated from abscess, 4 strains were isolated from blood and another 4 from ascites. Two strains were from the same patient at different times of pleural effusion. All 20 strains displayed a full susceptibility to cefazolin, levofloxacin and vancomycin, and the rates of resistance to both cefotaxime and penicillin were 10.0%. The rates of resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin were 55.0% and 70.0% respectively. Among the patients 3 cases were cured, 14 cases improved, and 2 cases died, of whom 1 case died of STSS secondary to multiple organ dysfunction, 1 case died of basic disease secondary to multiple organ dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONSkin and soft tissues were the most common IGAS infection sites in children, and IGAS infection also can lead to serious STSS and even can be life threatening. Penicillin and cephalosporin are still sensitive for children IGAS infections.

Abscess ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cephalosporins ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clindamycin ; therapeutic use ; Community-Acquired Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review our experience with splenic abscesses, with respect to the relevant aspects of splenic abscesses and treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 18 patients who had splenic abscesses and who were treated at our hospital from November 1993 to December 2008. RESULTS: The most common symptom at presentation was abdominal pain in 12 patients (66.7%). The median duration from symptom onset until establishment of a diagnosis was 22 days. Streptococcus viridians was the most common pathogen (27.8%), follow by Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.2%). The mortality rate during the inpatient period and the previous 90 days was 16.6%. Three of four patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a single abscess pocket. Four patients (22.2%) underwent percutaneous drainage, eight (44.5%) recieved antibiotic treatment only and six (33.3%) underwent splenectomy. CONCLUSION: There is no gold standard for treating splenic abscesses. Treatment should be customized for each patient.
Abscess/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery/*therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Diseases/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology/surgery ; Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Viridans Streptococci ; Young Adult

Here we report a case of 41-year-old man with a soft tissue density mass at right upper lung and palpable abscesses at right upper backside and right wrist. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated a 7.8 × 5.0 cm mass with soft-tissue density in the upper lobe of the right lung with high metabolic activity. The infiltrative mass extended to adjacent chest wall soft tissue. Final diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis with multiple abscesses was made. The patient responded well to antibiotics treatment.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/chemistry ; Humans ; Lung Diseases/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology ; Male ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; pathogenicity ; Brain Abscess ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neuroaspergillosis ; complications ; pathology ; Occipital Lobe ; pathology ; Pulmonary Aspergillosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo review the recent diagnosis and treatment experience with deep neck infection and emphasize the importance of radiologic evaluation, microbiology and appropriate treatment selection in these patients.

METHODSA respective review was conducted in 95 cases who were diagnosed as having deep neck from Jan. 2006 to March 2015.

RESULTSThe primary diseases in 95 patients with deep neck infection were acute tonsillitis or acute laryngitis (27 cases), infection of upper respiratory tract (23 cases), odontogenic infection or oral inflammation (16 cases), foreign bodies in esophagus (9 cases), acute cervical lymphadenitis (5 cases) and cause uncertain (15 cases). Computed tomography was performed in all of patients to identify the location, extent, and character (cellulitis in 47 cases or abscesses in 48 cases) of the infections. The locations of abscess were parapharyngeal abscess (25 cases), retropharyngeal abscess (9 cases), submaxillary space abscess (6 cases), pretracheal space abscess (5 cases) and esophageal abscess (3 cases).

COMPLICATIONSmediastinitis (2 cases), pericarditis (1 case), bilateral pneumothorax (2 cases), and upper digestive tract (1 case). Bacterial cultivation performed in 35 patients and positive results were detected in 21. All patients were given intravenous antibiotic therapy. Tracheotomy was performed in 4 cases. Preoperative contrast enhanced CT was performed in 42 patients and indicated the formation of abscess. Three cases with the symptoms of septic shock were transferred to ICU and one was cured. All the patients were cured except two who died of massive hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and septic shock.

CONCLUSIONSThe airway patency in patients with deep neck infections must be ensured. Drainage may be mandatory in selected cases at presentation or in cases who fail to respond to parenteral antibiotics within the first 24-48 hours. Imaging evaluation plays a significant role in the diagnosis and rational therapeutic management in deep neck infection. Bacterial cultivation can help to make the effective treatment and provide reliable evidence for the etiopathogenisis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections ; drug therapy ; Cellulitis ; pathology ; Drainage ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Foreign Bodies ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngitis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Neck ; microbiology ; pathology ; Retropharyngeal Abscess ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tonsillitis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Emphysematous prostatic abscess is a very rare form of prostatitis. Emphysematous prostatic abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae may have a poor prognosis according to a few previous reports. We report a rare case of successfully treated emphysematous prostatic abscess with cystitis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a 50-yr-old man with 15-yr history of diabetes mellitus. The patient was referred to the emergency room of our hospital. The KUB film revealed gas shadows in the lower pelvic area suggestive of emphysematous cystitis or emphysematous prostatic abscess. The gas was mainly occupying the prostate and was also seen in the bladder on pelvic CT. The patient was successfully treated with long-term antibiotic use and additional percutaneous drainage of the abscess. Emphysematous prostatic abscess may be misdiagnosed as emphysematous cystitis due to the similar location of gas shadows on radiography. Computerized tomography and transrectal ultrasonography are helpful in making the diagnosis of emphysematous prostatic abscess. Appropriate use of effective antibiotics with drainage of pus is the best treatment. This case emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment in emphysematous prostatic abscess in diabetic patients.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Cystitis/diagnosis ; Diabetes Mellitus/complications ; Drainage ; Emphysema/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Human ; Klebsiella Infections/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate/*microbiology ; Prostatic Diseases/*diagnosis/microbiology/radiography