Gonococcal subcutaneous abscess and pyomyositis: a case report

Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) is an uncommon complication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, its manifestation varies from a classic arthritis-dermatitis syndrome to uncommon pyogenic infections of several organs. Herein, we reported atypical presentation of DGI with subcutaneous abscess of right knee, pyomyositis of right lower extremity, and subsequently complicated by Escherichia coli pyomyositis. This infection responded to appropriate antimicrobial therapy and prompt surgical management with good clinical outcome

Emergence of Francisella novicida Bacteremia, Thailand

We report isolation of Francisella novicida–causing bacteremia in a woman from Thailand who was receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. The organism was isolated from blood cultures and identified by 16S rDNA and PPIase gene analyses. Diagnosis and treatment were delayed due to unawareness of the disease in this region

Detection of macrolide and disinfectant resistance genes in clinical Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a major source of infections associated with indwelling medical devices. Many antiseptic agents are used in hygienic handwash to prevent nosocomial infections by Staphylococci. Our aim was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance to quaternary ammonium compound of 46 <it>S. aureus </it>strains and 71 CoNS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>S. aureus </it>(n = 46) isolated from auricular infection and CoNS (n = 71), 22 of the strains isolated from dialysis fluids and 49 of the strains isolated from needles cultures were investigated. Erythromycin resistance genes (<it>erm</it>A, <it>erm</it>B, <it>erm</it>C, <it>msr</it>A and <it>mef</it>) were analysed by multiplex PCR and disinfectant-resistant genes (<it>qac</it>A, <it>qac</it>B, and <it>qac</it>C) were studied by PCR-RFLP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of erythromycin resistance genes in <it>S. aureus </it>was: <it>erm</it>A+ 7.7%, <it>erm</it>B+ 13.7%, <it>erm</it>C+ 6% and <it>msr</it>A+ 10.2%. In addition, the number of positive isolates in CoNS was respectively <it>erm</it>A+ (9.4%), <it>erm</it>B+ (11.1%), <it>erm</it>C+ (27.4%), and <it>msr</it>A+ (41%). The MIC analyses revealed that 88 isolates (74%) were resistant to quaternary ammonium compound-based disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC). 56% of the BC-resistant staphylococcus isolates have at least one of the three resistant disinfectants genes (<it>qac</it>A, <it>qac</it>B and <it>qac</it>C). Nine strains (7.7%) among the CoNS species and two <it>S. aureus </it>strains (2%) harboured the three-<it>qac </it>genes. In addition, the <it>qac</it>C were detected in 41 strains.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Multi-resistant strains towards macrolide and disinfectant were recorded. The investigation of antibiotics and antiseptic-resistant CoNS may provide crucial information on the control of nosocomial infections.</p

Tularaemia: A challenging zoonosis

In recent years, several emerging zoonotic vector-borne infections with potential impact on human health have been identified in Europe, including tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis.This remarkable pathogen, one of the most virulent microorganisms currently known, has been detected in increasingly new settings and in a wide range of wild species, including lagomorphs, rodents, carnivores, fish and invertebrate arthropods. Also, a renewed concern has arisen with regard to F. tularensis: its potential use by bioterrorists. Based on the information published concerning the latest outbreaks, the aim of this paper is to review the main features of the agent, its biology, immunology and epidemiology. Moreover, special focus will be given to zoonotic aspects of the disease, as tularaemia outbreaks in human populations have been frequently associated with disease in animals

Analysis of the acid phosphatase activity of soybean vegetative storage protein

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) vegetative storage proteins (VSPs) are glycoproteins found in paraveinal mesophyll cells. VSPs have also been reported to possess low acid phosphatase activity. To determine acid phosphatase activity of VSPα, VSPA cDNA was cloned into a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) expression vector and expressed in E. coli. As a positive control, a soybean root nodule ACP cDNA was also engineered into GST. Both fusions exhibited highest activity for 5′-GMP; however, VSPα : GST still showed low levels of acid phosphatase activity compared with nodule ACP fusions. In this E. coli expression system, the Km values of the ACP fusion were 0.9 mM for 5′-GMP and 8.8 mM for pNPP. The cause of low acid phosphatase activity of VSPs could be due to the lack of nucleophilic aspartate residue in VSPs, which was previously noted by others to be replaced by serine and glycine in G. max VSPα and VSPβ, respectively. VSP cDNAs from the cultivated soybean relatives, G. falcata and G. tomentella, were isolated and sequenced to examine whether the deduced amino acid sequences reveal the existence of nucleophilic aspartate residue. The predicted VSP-related protein sequences from these species also had serine in this position. Substitution of the Ser at the position 106 with Asp in VSPα increased the acid phosphatase activity about 20 fold higher than the wild type VSPα. The VSPα Ser106Asp had substrate preference for 5′-GMP. This finding demonstrates that Asp 106 is essential for acid phosphatase activity in the soybean VSP and at least partially explains the basis for low acid phosphatase activity previously noted for these proteins

Activity of Antimicrobial Combinations Against Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii as Determined by Checkerboard Method and E-test

Objective: Combination therapy is needed to treat extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Colistin (Col) in combination with another drug is usually used for that purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the activity of antimicrobial combinations against XDR A. baumannii using both standard checkerboard (CB) method and E-test. E-test was also evaluated for application in a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory by comparing its efficacy with that of CB method. Methods: Eighty clinical isolates of XDR A. baumannii were used to determine the activity of the following antimicrobial combinations by CB method and E-test: Col+cefoperazone/sulbactam (Cps), Cps+moxifloxacin (Mox), and Col+Mox. Comparison of CB and E-test was also evaluated. Results: By CB method, Col+Cps yielded a synergistic effect rate (12.5%) higher than those of the other 2 combinations (CpS+Mox 5% and Col+Mox 0%). The majority of test results revealed additivity. Col+Cps, Cps+Mox, and Col+Mox exhibited additive effect against 78.75%, 85.0%, and 87.5% of isolates, respectively. Overall, E-test and CB yielded only 37.5% concordant rates. However, high concordant rates were specifically observed in additive effect of Col+Cps (73.8%) and Cps+Mox (80.4%). Conclusion: Col+Cps exhibited better activity than the other two combinations against XDR A. baumannii. E-test is the method that should be used, but its use is limited to the additive results of Col+Cps and Cps+Mox