Fatal septicemia due to Clostridium hathewayi and Campylobacter hominis

Clostridium hathewayi and Campylobacter hominis have not been previously reported in infection. We report a fatal case of septicemia, massive intravascular hemolysis, shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation; both of these organisms were recovered on blood culture, although it seems likely that the C. hathewayi was responsible for the clinical picture and that the C. hominis was an incidental finding.     

Fatal spirochetosis due to a relapsing fever-like Borrelia sp. in a northern spotted owl

Acute septicemic spirochetosis was diagnosed in an adult male northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) found dead in Kittitas County, Washington, USA. Gross necropsy findings included marked enlargement of the liver and spleen and serofibrinous deposits on the serous membranes lining the body cavities and the pericardial and perihepatic sacs. Microscopic observations included macrophage infiltration in the liver and spleen with mild thrombosis and multifocal necrosis, as well as hemorrhage and acute inflammation in the choroid plexus of the brain. No viruses or pathogenic bacteria were isolated from brain, liver, or spleen, and no parasites were found in blood smears or impression smears of the liver. Chlamydial culture attempts were unsuccessful and no chlamydial antibodies were detected in serum. In silver-stained microscopic sections and by transmission electron microscopy of liver, numerous long, thin, spiral-shaped bacteria were seen in the liver, spleen, cerebral ventricles, and within blood vessels in many organs. The organism was identified as a member of the Borrelia genus by sequence analysis of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene. The most closely related species is B. hermsii, an agent of relapsing fever in humans in the western United States. This is the first report of a relapsing fever-related Borrelia in a wild bird.     

Endemic institutional strongyloidiasis in British Columbia.

The incidental finding in 1984 of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in a resident of a chronic care institution who had a vague clinical illness prompted a review of the other residents. Five other cases were identified after exhaustive laboratory investigations. Fecal-oral spread was considered the most likely manner of the spread of infection. The possibility of endemic strongyloidiasis in institutions should be considered, even in temperate climates, when there is unexplained persistent illness or high eosinophil counts. Serologic testing is a useful adjunct to fecal examination in such situations.