Case report: Uncommon presentation of Salmonella Dublin infection as a large paravertebral abscess

BackgroundSalmonella Dublin is a zoonotic pathogen that is associated with invasive infections and high morbidity and mortality rates. Here we present the case of a 78-year-old man with a rare manifestation of a paravertebral abscess in the thoracolumbar spine caused by Salmonella Dublin.Case presentationThe patient had a history of spinal tuberculosis and poorly controlled diabetes. The abscess was successfully managed by drainage, and a 12-week course of moxifloxacin resulted in complete recovery. Salmonella Dublin was identified using culture-based serotyping. The patient resided in an environment where cattle farming is common; he consumed raw beef and unpasteurized milk, suggesting a potential source of infection.DiscussionIncreasing the awareness of Salmonella Dublin as a potential cause of spinal abscesses is important, particularly in patients with structural spinal abnormalities. The timely initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on susceptibility testing is recommended. This case highlights the pathogenic potential of Salmonella Dublin and emphasizes the importance of effectively managing invasive Salmonella infections

Effect of Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction on Pancreatitis-Associated Intestinal Dysmotility in Patients and in Rat Models

The impairment of intestinal motility and related infectious complications are the predominant clinical phenomenon in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We aimed to investigate the effects of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) on the gastrointestinal injury in SAP patients and the potential mechanism involved in rats. DCQD was enema administered to 70 patients for 7 days in West China Hospital. Mortality and organ failure during admission were observed and blood samples for laboratory analysis were collected. We also experimentally examined plasma inflammatory cytokines in rat serum and carried the morphometric studies of the gut. Intestinal propulsion index and serum and tissue vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were also detected. Though DCQD did not affect the overall incidence of organ failure, it shortened the average time of paralytic intestinal obstruction and decreased the morbidity of infectious complications in patients with SAP. Compared with untreated rats, the DCQD lowered the levels of proinflammatory cytokine and decreased the mean pathological intestinal lesion scores. The VIP level in intestinal tissue or serum in DCQD group was obviously lowered and intestinal propulsion index was significantly improved. In conclusion, DCQD has good effect on pancreatitis-associated intestinal dysmotility in patients and in rat models

Efficacy and safety of polymyxin E sulfate in the treatment of critically ill patients with carbapenem-resistant organism infections

ObjectivePolymyxins are currently the last line of defense in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO). As a kind of polymyxin available for clinical use in China, we aim to explore the efficacy and safety of colistin sulfate (Polymyxin E sulfate, PES) in this study.MethodsThis real-world retrospective study included 119 patients diagnosed with CRO infection and treated with PES for more than 72 h, from May 2020 to July 2022 at West China Hospital. The primary outcome was clinical efficacy at the end of treatment, and secondary outcomes included microbial response, in-hospital mortality and incidence of nephrotoxicity.ResultsThe effective clinical and microbiological responses were 53.8% and 49.1%, respectively. And the in-hospital mortality was 27.7%. Only 9.2% of patients occurred with PES-related nephrotoxicity. Multivariate analysis revealed that duration of PES was an independent predictor of effective therapy, while age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) and post-treatment PCT(p-PCT) were independent risk factors for poor outcome.ConclusionsPES can be a salvage treatment for CRO-induced infections with favorable efficacy and low nephrotoxicity. The treatment duration of PES, aCCI and p-PCT were factors related to the clinical effectiveness of PES

Treatment of Central Nervous System Infection Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with Colistin Sulfate Intravenously and Intrathecally: A Case Report

Background: Due to the blood–brain barrier and limited antibiotic choices, polymyxin is currently the first-line agent for the treatment of central nervous system infections (CNSIs) caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). Colistin sulfate, as a polymyxin E different from CMS, is used in Chinese clinics, and there are limited reports on its use in the treatment of CNSIs. Case Presentation: This case describes a 76-year-old man who underwent complex neurosurgery for cervical spinal stenosis. Postoperatively, the patient developed a fever and a poorly healed surgical wound. Numerous blood routine tests, inflammatory markers, pathogenic tests of cervical secretions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and sputum were sent for diagnosis. After empirical antimicrobial treatments failed, the CSF and wound pus cultured carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The regimen was adjusted to colistin sulfate intravenously and intrathecal injection combined with tigecycline. In addition, the management of infection foci, including continuous lumbar pool drain, cervical 3–5 internal fixation removal with cervical 1–6 spine dilation, CSF leak repair, and right thigh broad fasciotomy, were performed. After treatment, the patient was discharged with multiple sets of negative CSF cultures and the infection under control. Conclusions: For CNSIs caused by MDR-GNB, the selection of colistin sulfate for intravenous and topical combination treatment is a viable choice