Child, Preschool ; Histoplasmosis ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Male ; Mycobacterium Infections ; etiology

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Keratitis ; etiology ; microbiology ; pathology ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; adverse effects ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; etiology ; pathology ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; isolation & purification ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; microbiology ; pathology

MonoMAC syndrome is a newly discovered immune deficiency syndrome caused by GATA-2 mutation, which is an autosomal dominant genetic disease. MonoMAC syndrome has typical immune cell abnormalities, with severe infection and is prone to develop into a hematological disease. Therapeutics for this disease mainly relies on symptomatic treatment and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this paper, the research advances in clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of MonoMAC syndrome are reviewed.
GATA2 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; genetics ; Monocytes ; pathology ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium Infections ; etiology ; Syndrome

Acid-fast microorganisms were isolated from 240 soil samples collected at two areas, Hiroshima, Japan and Seoul, Korea. The biological and biochemical characteristics of the isolated mycobacteria were tested and compared with those of 36 reference mycobacteria Strains. The isolation rate and distribution of these mycobacterial species from soil were compared using three kinds of media with emphasis on the two methods of isolation between the different geographical areas. One Strain from each of the 10 species among atypical mycobacteria isolated from soil in both areas was inoculated into ddY mice and the pathogenicity compared with that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv up to 6 weeks. Susceptibility of the reisolated acid-fast bacilli to antimycobacterial agents was tested in vitro. Antibody responses against various mycobacterial antigens were tested using lepromatous type and tuberculoid type patient sera by the agar gel immunodiffusion. 1) No significant differences in the distribution of acid-fast bacilli were observed between soil samples from the two regions. 2) Rapid growers were by far the most frequent acid-fast bacilli isolated while no photochromogens were isolated from these soil samples. In addition, a minimal number of fastidious mycobacteria were isolated but not cultivable in subcultures. 3) Some of these soil acid-fast bacilli were capable of inducing only transient bacteriological and pathologic changes in mouse organs. 4) Acid-fast bacilli reisolated from organs of these infected mice were, in general, found to be resistant to antimycobacterial agents. 5) M. scrofulaceum antigen showed a precipitation reaction in agar gel immunodiffusion with the highest number of sera from leprosy patients.
Animal ; Leprosy/immunology ; Mice ; Mycobacteria, Atypical/drug effects ; Mycobacteria, Atypical/isolation & purification* ; Mycobacteria, Atypical/pathogenicity ; Mycobacterium/isolation & purification* ; Mycobacterium Infections/pathology ; Soil Microbiology*

AIMThe effects of certain uropathogenic microorganisms (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) on human sperm motility characteristics were studied in vitro.

METHODSIn 10 healthy fertile men, ejaculates were aseptically obtained by masturbation and with a swim-up technique, a sperm suspension of high motility and purity was obtained. Several uropathogenic bacteria were obtained from outpatients with genitourinary tract infections. The sperm suspension was incubated with the pathogens at a bacteria: sperm ratio of 50:1 at 37deg. The sperm mobility parameters were estimated with a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) provided with a multiple-exposure photography system (Madi Corp., Zhejiang, China). Measurements were carried out at 0, 2 and 4 hours of incubation.

RESULTSStaphylococcus aureus significantly decreased the sperm motility and viability, but Staphylococcus epidermidis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae did not.

CONCLUSIONStaphylococcus aureus has an inhibitory effect on human sperm motility in vitro.

Gonorrhea ; pathology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Sperm Motility ; Staphylococcal Infections ; pathology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Tuberculosis, Male Genital ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo find a fast and simple method for detection of specific pathogens in upper aerodigestive tract.

METHODSSixty-one cases of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract encountered during a 10-year period in Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively studied. Six histochemical stains, including PAS, Giemsa, Gram, methylene blue, modified Warthin-Starry and acid-fast stains were applied. The morphology of different pathogens was studied and the staining patterns were compared.

RESULTSThere were 23 cases of pharyngeal treponemal infection, 10 cases of short treponemal infection, 4 cases of mycobacterial infection, 4 cases of infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli, 1 case of sinonasal fungal infection, 1 case of combined infection of bacteria and Oidium albicans, 2 cases of tonsillar Actinomycetes and 16 cases of non-specific bacterial infections. Both pharyngeal treponemal infection and infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli could be detected by modified Warthin-Starry stain. As for sinonasal fungal infection, PAS, Giemsa and modified Warthin-Starry stains were useful in differentiating different types of fungi. Mycobacteria were best demonstrated by conventional acid-fast stain.

CONCLUSIONSSpecial histochemical stains performed on histologic sections are useful for diagnosing specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract.

Actinomycosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Palatine Tonsil ; microbiology ; pathology ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; microbiology ; pathology ; Pharynx ; microbiology ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinoscleroma ; microbiology ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Treponema ; isolation & purification ; Treponemal Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related lymphadenopathy and to elucidate the salient features helpful in achieving a correct pathologic differentiated diagnosis.

METHODSEighteen cases of AIDS-related lymphadenopathy were retrieved from the files of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from 2001 to 2004. Histochemical stains, including periodic acid-Schiff, acid-fast, Giemsa, Grocott stains and immunohistochemistry (EnVision method), were used to detect the presence of pathogens in tissue sections and classify them.

RESULTSFifteen of the 18 cases (83%) were stage 4 (i.e. follicular and lymphocytic depletion). Twelve cases were co-infected with Penicillium marneffei and 4 other cases with Mycobacterium, and no pathogen was found in 1. The remaining patient was complicated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONSWhen presented in early stages, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy may be overlooked, especially in routine pathology practice. Awareness of the entity in patients with persistent fever and generalized lymphadenopathy is thus crucial. Florid infection with Penicillium marneffei is also considered as an important predictor for underlying AIDS. Thorough understanding of morphologic features of AIDS-related lymphadenopathy, including possible co-infection, is essential in arriving at the correct diagnosis.

AIDS-Related Complex ; microbiology ; pathology ; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium Infections ; microbiology ; pathology ; Mycoses ; microbiology ; pathology ; Penicillium ; isolation & purification ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDNontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) bloodstream infection (BSI) is relatively rare. We aimed in this study to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory evaluation, and outcomes of patients with NTM BSI.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of inpatients with NTM BSI at our institution between January 2008 and January 2015 and recorded clinical parameters including age, gender, underlying disease, clinical manifestation, organs involved with NTM disease, species of NTM, laboratory data, treatment and outcome of these patients. We also reviewed the reported cases and case series of NTM BSI by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Data of normal distribution were expressed by mean ± standard deviation (SD). Data of nonnormal distribution were expressed by median and interquartile range (IQR).

RESULTSAmong the ten patients with NTM BSI, the median age was 51 years (IQR 29-57 years) and three patients were males. Eight patients were immunocompromised, with underlying diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (one patient), rheumatic diseases (two patients), breast cancer (one patient), myelodysplastic syndrome (two patients), and aplastic anemia (two patients). Other organ(s) involved were lung (two patients), endocardium (two patients), brain, spinal cord, and soft tissue (one each patient). The median lymphocyte was 0.66 × 109/L (IQR 0.24-1.93 × 109/L). The median cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell count was 179/mm3 (IQR 82-619/mm3). Five patients died (three with hematological diseases, one with breast cancer, and one with rheumatic disease), three recovered, and two were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSWe reported all cases in our hospital diagnosed with bloodstream NTM infection that was rarely reported. In this group of patients, patients usually had a high fever and could have multiple organ involvements. All patients with poor prognosis had underlying diseases.

Adult ; Bacteremia ; diagnosis ; pathology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers

We herein report a case in which the recently characterized species Mycobacterium monacense was isolated from the sputum of an Iranian patient. This case represents the first isolation of M. monacense from Iran. The isolate was identified by conventional and molecular techniques. Our findings show that M. monacense infection is not restricted to developed countries.
Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Chaperonin 60/genetics ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Lung Diseases/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium/classification/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium Infections/*microbiology/pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sputum/microbiology

Objective To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the prognosis of disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM)diseases in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)negative patients. Methods Cases of disseminated NTM disease were retrospectively collected in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2012 to October 2018.Clinical manifestations,laboratory findings,treatment,and prognosis of these cases were retrieved from the electronic medical record system. Results Among the 23 HIV negative patients with disseminated NTM disease,21 had underlying diseases,with rheumatoid immune disease(n=7)as the most common one.The main clinical manifestation was fever(n=23).Laboratory tests showed anemia [hemoglobin(85.78±25.47)g/L],hypoalbuminemia [albumin 29(27-32)g/L],elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate [(85.73±43.78)mm/h] and hypersensitive C-reactive protein [(112.00±70.90)mg/L],and reduction of lymphocyte count [0.69(0.29-2.10)×10 /L].Lymphocyte subset analysis indicated reduction in CD4 T cells [213(113-775)/μl],CD8 T cells [267(99-457)/μl],B cells [39(4-165)/μl],and NK cells [88(32-279)/μl] and elevation of human leukocyte antigen-D related(HLA-DR),and CD38 expression in CD8 T cells [HLA-DR CD8 /CD8 ,60(40-68)%;CD38 CD8 /CD8 ,81(65-90)%].The most common species of NTM was Mycobacterium intracellular(n=6).Lymphocyte,CD8 T cell,B cell,and NK cell counts were significantly lower in dead patients than surviving patients(P =0.045,P=0.045,P=0.032,and P=0.010,respectively). Conclusions Disseminated NTM disease in HIV negative patients is mainly manifested as fever,anemia,hypoalbuminemia,and elevated inflammatory indicators.It is more likely to occur in immunocompromised patients.Patients with decreased lymphocytes,CD8 T cells,B cells and NK cells tend to have a poor prognosis.
Anemia ; B-Lymphocytes ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Fever ; HIV Seronegativity ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies