致肝脓肿高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌的表型及分子特征

目的 探究导致肝脓肿高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌的分子特征。方法 用VITEK-2细菌鉴定仪鉴定2014年1月至2016年1月丽水市中心医院肝脓肿患者脓肿穿刺液中分离的细菌。应用拉丝试验鉴定菌株的高黏性,用多位点序列分型(MLST)和血清型分型(K分型)对菌株进行分子分型,并用S1核酸酶脉冲场凝胶电泳(S1-PFGE)对菌株质粒谱进行分析。结果 57例肝脓肿患者接受肝脏脓肿穿刺引流并做脓液培养。44例患者的脓液培养到不同的致病菌,培养阳性率为77.2%。在培养到的44株病原菌中,其中2株为大肠埃希菌,产酸克雷伯菌、金黄色葡萄球菌各1株,而肺炎克雷伯菌为40株,占肝脓肿致病菌的90.9%。40株肺炎克雷伯菌中,拉丝阳性率为67.5%(27/40),K1为主要血清分型,占62.5%(25/40),其次为K2型,占17.5%(7/40)。ST23为主要ST分型,占47.5%(19/40),其次为ST86和ST65,各占7.5%(3/40)。同时发现一些未报道过的致肝脓肿肺炎克雷伯菌新ST分型,如ST218、ST1941、ST76、ST2159、ST660和ST485。40株致肝脓肿肺炎克雷伯菌中总共检测到12种质粒谱,包括带有一个质粒、多个质粒或不带质粒的谱型。其中带有一个近220 kb的质粒谱为主要谱型,共涉及19株菌,占47.5%,12株菌带有一个质粒,大小为140～250 kb。4株菌带有2个或3个质粒,5株菌不含有质粒。结论 拉丝试验和血清学分型不能鉴定所有的高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌;高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌很多为ST23型,但其进化整体上较为分散;高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌菌株可以不携带质粒。     

克雷伯杆菌所致肝脏巨大气性脓肿一例报告

目的:分析克雷伯杆菌导致肝脓肿的的可能原因和发病机理,提高诊断的准确性,并对临床治疗提供帮助.方法:本文报道了本院收治的一例肝内罕见巨大气性脓肿,详细分析了其影像学表现特点及临床表现、辅助检查等情况.结果:本病例细菌培养结果为克雷伯杆菌.患者经积极治疗后病情好转.结论:肺炎克雷伯杆菌引起的肝脓肿发病率呈上升趋势,并已经成为细菌性肝脓肿最常见的致病菌.克雷伯杆菌所致的肝脓肿除了有细菌性肝脓肿的普遍表现外,还有其独特的特点.另外,糖尿病是克雷伯杆菌肝脓肿常见的基础疾病,糖尿病患者的肝脓肿往往进展迅速,且早期症状及CT表现多不典型,因此对于感染入院的糖尿病患者应该警惕克雷伯杆菌肝脓肿的发生.     

肺炎克雷伯菌致肝脓肿侵袭综合征3例临床分析及文献复习

为提高对肺炎克雷伯菌感染所致肝脓肿侵袭综合征的临床表现及其危害的认识,回顾性分析3例确诊为肺炎克雷伯菌感染所致肝脓肿患者的临床经过、治疗反应及转归。结果发现3例患者均有肝外播散性病灶,符合肝脓肿侵袭综合征的临床特征。这3例患者为社区获得性感染,均有肝脓肿,其中2例合并眼内炎并造成失明,1例合并腰椎感染、腹主动脉感染及感染性心内膜炎。2例有糖尿病病史,1例免疫正常。结合文献复习,发现肺炎克雷伯菌感染引起肝脓肿及肝外播散性病灶,临床上称为肝脓肿侵袭综合征,大多由高毒力肺炎克雷伯菌引起,好发于糖尿病及免疫缺陷人群,也可发生于免疫正常人群,治疗困难,临床危害严重,需引起重视。     

肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的临床回顾性分析

目的探讨肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的临床特点、治疗方案和预后。方法对诸暨市人民医院2014年3月-2015年9月诊断为肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的住院患者临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 66例肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染患者平均年龄64.6岁,检出前平均住院5.7d。13例(19.7%)合并有其他细菌感染,49例(74.2%)合并其他系统感染。肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染多见于糖尿病(33.3%)、实体肿瘤(30.3%)等免疫力低下疾病,最常见于肝胆外科(24.2%)、内分泌科(16.7%)等科室。患者预后好转47例(71.2%),APACHEⅡ评分为13.78±4.33;死亡19例(28.8%),APACHEⅡ评分为21.10±7.45,两组评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。合并其他感染状况与合并神经系统疾病状况病死率更高(P0.05)。结论肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染多见于糖尿病、实体肿瘤等免疫力低下的危重疾病患者,多发生在医院内环境的外科手术操作的科室,容易合并其他系统感染。APACHEⅡ评分可作为判断肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染预后的重要指标。控制其他感染情况可有助于临床防控肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染,改善其预后。     

经纤维支气管镜灌洗治疗儿童顽固性肺炎的临床研究

目的:探讨经纤维支气管镜灌洗治疗儿童顽固性肺炎的治疗效果。方法:选择儿童顽固性肺炎患者48例,随机选择26例行纤维支气管镜灌洗治疗+常规治疗(实验组),另22例行单存常规治疗(对照组),对比两组治疗方案的有效率。结果:实验组22例(84.62%)有效,肺炎治疗有效时间为(9±2.1)d,对照组12例(54.55%)有效,肺炎治疗有效时间为(15.6±3.8)d。实验组肺炎治疗有效率明显高于对照组(p<0.05),且肺炎治疗有效时间明显少于对照组(p<0.05)。结论:纤维支气管镜灌洗是治疗儿童顽固性肺炎的一种有效方法。     

产超广谱β-内酰胺酶肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的耐药性、危险因素及临床结局分析

本研究旨在分析107例肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染患者的临床资料,探讨产超广谱β-内酰胺酶(extended-spectrumβ-lactamase,ESBL)肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的耐药特点、危险因素及临床结局,为防治产ESBL肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染提供临床理论参考。选取2012年1月—2016年6月于深圳市南山区人民医院住院且血培养肺炎克雷伯菌阳性的107例患者,根据药敏结果分成产ESBL血流感染组(20例)和非产ESBL血流感染组(87例)。107例患者血流感染主要继发于肺部感染(38.32%)及泌尿系感染(14.02%),细菌对碳青霉烯类抗生素敏感性好。单因素及logistic回归分析结果显示,医院内感染和入院前有外伤史为产ESBL肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染的危险因素。总体肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染病死率为17.76%,产ESBL组与非产ESBL组之间病死率无显著性差异(25%vs.16.09%)。结果提示,产ESBL不是预测肺炎克雷伯菌血流感染患者死亡的独立危险因素。     

产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌的基因型和耐药性研究

超广谱β-内酰胺酶(extended spectrumβ-lactamase,ESBLs)与细菌耐药性密切相关,为了揭示产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌的基因型和耐药性,本研究在2017年1月至2018年9月期间,共检测了466例肺炎克雷伯菌感染的患者标本,并分析了产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌的基因型和耐药性。研究结果显示,466例患者中共检出562个肺炎克雷伯菌菌株。其中,呼吸内科的检出数最多(212株,37.72%),其次为重症监护科(106株,18.86%)。对于不同标本来源,痰液中检出菌数最多(331株),占总数的58.90%。562株肺炎克雷伯菌中共检测出237株产ESBLs(42.17%)。产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌对阿莫西林(89.03%)、替卡西林(87.34%)、氨苄西林(81.43%)的耐药率最高;而对替加环素(9.28%)、阿米卡星(6.75%)、亚胺培南(1.27%)和美罗培南(0.84%)的耐药率最低。237株产ESBLs的肺炎克雷伯菌菌株中,53.59%扩增出CTX-M型,48.95%扩增出TEM型,40.93%增出SHV型。另外,237株产ESBLs的肺炎克雷伯菌菌株中,产两个及以上的ESBLs的菌株共111株(46.84%)。     

血必净治疗肝硬化合并自发性腹膜炎临床评价

目的:探讨血必净注射液治疗原发性腹膜炎(SBP)的临床价值.方法:回顾分析我科2008年3月～2010年2月以抗生素药物配伍静脉滴注血必净注射液治疗肝硬化合并SBP90例,并与常规治疗方法对照组78例时比.结果:治疗组总有效率92.22%明显高于对照组的80.77%,差异有统计学意义;两组治疗后谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBIL)值下降,血浆白蛋白(ALB)值上升,其中治疗组ALT、TBIL值下降明显,ALB值上升明显,两组改善程度比较,治疗组明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗组治疗前腹水细菌培养阳性5例(5.56%),对照组3例(3.85%),包括大肠杆菌6株,肺炎克雷伯杆菌2株.治疗后腹水细菌培养阳性2例(2.22%),对照组1例(1.28%),包括大肠杆菌2株,肺炎克雷伯杆菌1株.差异均无有统计学意义(P>0.05),结论:血必净注射液对疾病的症状减轻和促进机体器官功能的恢复有良好作用.因此,中西医结合方法治疗SBP效果良好,值得进一步推广使用.     

中性粒细胞胞外陷阱在细菌性脓毒症中的作用

目的探究中性粒细胞胞外陷阱(neutrophil extracellular traps,NETs)在细菌性脓毒症患者外周血中的形成及其随着疾病进程的变化情况。方法收集细菌性脓毒症患者60例,其中致病菌为金黄色葡萄球菌的患者有10例、大肠埃希菌10例、铜绿假单胞菌10例和肺炎克雷伯菌30例(普通型15例,黏液型15例);另选30例健康体检者为对照组。分别于患者入院的第1天和第7天采集细菌性脓毒症患者的外周血,密度梯度沉淀法分离纯化中性粒细胞,荧光染料Sytox Green明确NETs的存在,免疫荧光染色及核染色剂证明组蛋白H3与DNA共定位于NETs,Image-Pro Plus 6.0微软系统对NETs进行定量检测,比较脓毒症患者与健康者外周血中NETs的形成情况及脓毒症患者经过抗生素治疗7d后NETs的变化情况。结果 (1)60例细菌性脓毒症患者的外周血中检测到了NETs的存在,并且证明了组蛋白H3与DNA共定位于NETs;(2)脓毒症患者外周血中NETs的含量(42.358%±1.967%)明显高于健康体检者(0.262%±0.041%)(t=8.33,P0.05);(3)抗生素治疗7d后,处于感染消散期患者体内NETs的含量(19.793%±1.917%)明显低于仍处在感染期的患者(51.191%±5.550%)(t=7.64,P0.05);(4)黏液型肺炎克雷伯菌(hvKP)引起的细菌性脓毒症患者的外周血中NETs的含量(53.865%±1.385%)明显高于普通型肺炎克雷伯菌(cKP)(27.628%±1.425%)(t=7.82,P0.05)。结论 NETs在细菌性脓毒症患者外周血中形成,且随着疾病进程的好转,NETs的量也会减少;黏液型肺炎克雷伯菌与普通型肺炎克雷伯菌均可诱发NETs的形成,但形成NETs的模式有差异。普通型肺炎克雷伯菌更易被中性粒细胞杀灭,黏液型肺炎克雷伯菌可能通过某些机制逃离NETs的捕获。NETs在细菌性脓毒症患者中起到重要杀菌作用。     

耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌腹腔感染患者的临床特征及预后

目的研究耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌所致腹腔感染患者的临床特征、感染危险因素、治疗方案及临床预后。方法回顾性调查2011年1月至2014年10月浙江大学医学院附属第一医院住院患者中由耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌所致腹腔感染患者的基础疾病、临床表现、实验室指标、微生物学检测结果等临床特征;了解腹腔感染发生前的侵入性操作、手术、抗菌药物使用、免疫抑制剂使用等高危因素;分析腹腔感染的治疗措施及抗菌药物的使用情况,患者对治疗的临床反应及30d病死率。目标变量使用单因素、多因素分析,χ2检验及风险评估进行分析。结果本研究入选43例腹腔感染患者,其病原菌均为亚胺培南耐药的肺炎克雷伯菌。病例年龄17~92岁,平均(54.8±15.9)岁;男性31例(72.1%);APACHEⅡ评分22~33分,平均(27.7±2.2)分。全部患者在其样本培养阳性前2周内有侵入性操作,其中100.0%的患者留置腹腔引流管、95.3%的患者留置导尿管、93.0%的患者留置中心静脉管、76.7%的患者气管插管或切开;有36例患者(83.7%)感染前90d内有手术史(均为经腹腔手术);32例(74.4%)患者曾有30d内ICU入住病史;38例(88.4%)患者在其标本培养阳性前2周内曾接受抗生素治疗。发热(74.4%)为腹腔感染耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌的主要临床表现,其次为腹痛(44.2%)。分别有13例(30.2%)和6例(14.0%)患者合并血流感染和/或痰液中检出耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌,17例(37.2%)患者出现感染性休克。在多因素分析中,感染性休克是30d病死唯一的危险因素(OR:0.693,95%CI:1.591~30.245,P=0.010)。累计30d病死率为37.2%,存活时间2~28d,平均(12.3±9.4)d;合并血培养阳性者的病死率为46.2%。使用替加环素治疗后30d病死率较未用替加环素治疗低(19.0%vs 54.5%,P=0.027)。结论腹腔感染耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌患者的病死率较高,感染性休克是30d内病死的危险因素。使用替加环素进行抗菌治疗能降低30d病死率、改善临床预后。     

Metabolomic profiling of amoebic and pyogenic liver abscesses: an in vitro NMR study

Pus samples obtained from 109 patients with liver abscess were examined by NMR spectroscopy. To our knowledge this is the first report on metabolic profiling of liver abscesses. Fifty metabolites were identified by combination of one (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectra. Metabolic derangements were evaluated for differentiation between amoebic (ALA) and pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). The NMR results indicate that aspartate, asparagine and galactose, integral components of lipoproteophophoglycans (LPG) of the cell wall of Entamoeba histolytica are metabolic biomarkers of ALA. On the other hand, acetate, propionate, butyrate, succinate and formate, the fermentation products the facultative anaerobes are significantly prevalent in PLA. The NMR based metabolic profile of ALA and PLA are evaluated taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture as gold standard method. However, when NMR results were compared with culture and PCR methods, a correct diagnosis of 94.11% in ALA (n?=?85) and 100% in PLA (n?=?10) cases were observed. NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with PCR and culture can expedite in differentiating ALA from PLA.     

Detection of excretory <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entamoeba histolytica</Emphasis> DNA in the urine,and detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. histolytica</Emphasis> DNA and lectin antigen in the liver abscess pus for the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess

Background  

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) and pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) appear identical by ultrasound and other imaging techniques. Collection of blood or liver abscess pus for diagnosis of liver abscesses is an invasive procedure, and the procedure requires technical expertise and disposable syringes. Collection of urine is a noninvasive procedure. Therefore, there has been much interest shown towards the use of urine as an alternative clinical specimen for the diagnosis of some parasitic infections. Here, we report for the first time the detection of E. histolytica DNA excreted in the urine for diagnosis of the cases of ALA.     

Evaluation of antigen detection and polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess in patients on anti-amoebic treatment

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess (ALA) in patients on anti-amoebic drugs is difficult. There is scanty data on this issue using Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) lectin antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We studied lectin antigen, PCR, and IgG antibody in liver abscess patients. Liver aspirate of 200 patients, of which 170 had anti-amoebic drug prior to drainage, was tested for E. histolytica lectin antigen by ELISA, PCR, bacterial culture, and serum IgG antibody by ELISA. Classification of abscesses was based on result of anti-amoebic IgG antibody and bacterial culture, E. histolytica PCR and bacterial culture, and E. histolytica lectin antigen and bacterial culture was evaluated. FINDINGS: Using anti-amoebic IgG antibody and bacterial culture, 136/200 (68.0%) were classified as ALA, 12/200 (6.0%) as pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), 29/200 (14.5%) as mixed infection, and 23/200 (11.5%) remained unclassified. Using amoebic PCR and bacterial culture 151/200 (75.5%) were classified as ALA, 25/200 (12.5%) as PLA, 16/200 (8.0%) as mixed infection, and 8/200 (4.0%) remained unclassified. With E. histolytica lectin antigen and bacterial culture, 22/200 (11.0%) patients were classified as ALA, 39/200 (19.5%) as PLA, 2/200 (1.0%) as mixed infection, and 137/200 (68.5%) remained unclassified. CONCLUSIONS: E. histolytica lectin antigen was not suitable for classification of patients who had prior anti-amoebic treatment. However, PCR may be used as alternative test to anti-amoebic antibody in diagnosis of ALA.     

Long-term mortality of patients with septic ocular or central nervous system complications from pyogenic liver abscess: a population-based study

Background

Taiwan is endemic for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Septic ocular or central nervous system (CNS) complications derived from PLA can result in catastrophic disability. We investigated the epidemiology and long-term prognosis of PLA patients with septic ocular or CNS complications over an 8-year period.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We extracted 21,307 patients with newly diagnosed PLA from a nationwide health registry in Taiwan between 2000 and 2007. The frequency of and risk factors for PLA with septic ocular or CNS complications were determined. The 2-year survival of these patients was compared between those with and without septic ocular or CNS complications. Septic ocular or CNS complications accounted for 2.1% of all PLA patients. Age and the Charlson comorbidity index were significantly lower in PLA patients with ocular or CNS complications than those without. Diabetes and age <65 years were independent predictors of septic ocular or CNS complications. The 2-year mortality of patients with septic ocular or CNS complications was similar to those without complications (24.8% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.502). However, among patients <65 years old and a Charlson index ≤1, the 2-year mortality was significantly higher in those with than without complications (18.6% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions/Significance

Physicians should recognize that catastrophic disability due to ocular or neurological complications from PLA could lead to a poor long-term prognosis, and should follow-up these patients more closely.     

以化脓性肝脓肿为初始表现的原发性肝癌的临床特点及诊治体会

目的：探讨以化脓性肝脓肿（PLA）为初始表现的原发性肝癌（PLC）的临床特点,总结诊治体会。方法：回顾性分析哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院肝脏外科2007年6月至2012年6月收治的10例以PLA为初始表现的PLC患者以及269例同期收入院的PLA患者的临床资料。结果：以PLA为初始表现的PLC患者可表现为发热、寒战、右上腹痛、恶心、呕吐、腹泻、体重减轻以及黄疸等。实验室检查显示以PLA为初始表现的PLC患者甲胎蛋白（AFP）和糖类抗原19-9（CA19—9）升高的比例显著高于PLA患者,但其他实验室检查的差异无统计学意义。患者除静脉抗生素治疗外均接受了有创治疗,生存时间最长为13个月,最短仅为2个月。结论：对于AFP及CA199升高的PLA患者要警惕伴发PLC的可能。肝脏增强CT检查对AFP及CA199正常的此类患者有较大的诊断价值。早期准确诊断,把握手术时机是提高此类患者预后的根本。     

20例葡萄球菌感染所致化脓性脊柱炎的临床特征分析

为探讨葡萄球菌感染所致化脓性脊柱炎(pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis,PVO)的临床及影像学特征,本研究回顾性分析了2009年1月-12月上海交通大学附属第六人民医院感染病科收治的20例葡萄球菌感染所致PVO患者的临床特征、实验室检查指标、影像学资料及治疗效果。结果显示,20例PVO患者中金黄色葡萄球菌感染较为多见,85%患者病变在腰椎,50%患者白细胞计数升高,13例发热(65%),12例(60%)出现椎旁脓肿,所有患者C反应蛋白、红细胞沉降率、铁蛋白均升高。计算机断层扫描(computed tomography,CT)平扫示感染椎体骨质破坏;磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)示病变椎体及椎间盘破坏区异常信号灶,增强后可见明显强化;单光子发射计算机断层扫描(emission computed tomography,ECT)示病变椎体不均匀放射性摄取增高。金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素耐药率达77.8%。12例椎旁脓肿患者经CT引导下穿刺置管引流加敏感抗生素治疗,临床结局良好。结果提示,金黄色葡萄球菌是葡萄球菌感染所致PVO的主要致病菌,其对青霉素普遍耐药,炎症指标和影像学检查可用于疗效评估及随访,内科保守治疗对PVO有效。     

急性化脓性骨髓炎患者病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的:分析急性化脓性骨髓炎患者病原菌的分布特点及耐药情况。方法:取急性化脓性骨髓炎患者窦道深部分泌物或病灶组织做细菌培养及药敏试验。结果:80例患者共培养出病原菌18种110株:其中7例同时培养出3种细菌,15例同时培养出2种细菌,58例培养出1种细菌。110株细菌中,革兰氏阳性(G+)菌55株,占50.0%,主要为金黄色葡萄球菌14株,占25.5%;革兰氏阴性(G-)菌52株,占47.3%,主要为铜绿假单胞菌13株,占25.0%。真菌3株,占2.7%。金黄色葡萄球菌对抗菌药物万古霉素最敏感,耐药率为7.1%,对青霉素耐药率最高,耐药率为92.9%;铜绿假单胞菌对抗菌药物头孢哌酮最敏感,耐药率为7.7%,对亚胺培南的耐药率最高,为92.3%。结论:化脓性骨髓炎的致病菌中革兰氏阳性菌和革兰氏阴性菌的的占比基本持平,大多数病原菌对常用的抗菌药物均具有耐药性。     

Lipopolysaccharide O1 antigen contributes to the virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae causing pyogenic liver abscess

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the common cause of a global emerging infectious disease, community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are critical for this microorganism's ability to spread through the blood and to cause sepsis. While CPS type K1 is an important virulence factor in K. pneumoniae causing PLA, the role of LPS in PLA is not clear. Here, we characterize the role of LPS O antigen in the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae causing PLA. NTUH-K2044 is a LPS O1 clinical strain; the presence of the O antigen was shown via the presence of 1,3-galactan in the LPS, and of sequences that align with the wb gene cluster, known to produce O-antigen. Serologic analysis of K. pneumoniae clinical isolates demonstrated that the O1 serotype was more prevalent in PLA strains than that in non-tissue-invasive strains (38/42 vs. 9/32, P<0.0001). O1 serotype isolates had a higher frequency of serum resistance, and mutation of the O1 antigen changed serum resistance in K. pneumoniae. A PLA-causing strain of CPS capsular type K2 and LPS serotype O1 (i.e., O1:K2 PLA strain) deleted for the O1 synthesizing genes was profoundly attenuated in virulence, as demonstrated in separate mouse models of septicemia and liver abscess. Immunization of mice with the K2044 magA-mutant (K(1) (-) O(1)) against LPS O1 provided protection against infection with an O1:K2 PLA strain, but not against infection with an O1:K1 PLA strain. Our findings indicate that the O1 antigen of PLA-associated K. pneumoniae contributes to virulence by conveying resistance to serum killing, promoting bacterial dissemination to and colonization of internal organs after the onset of bacteremia, and could be a useful vaccine candidate against infection by an O1:K2 PLA strain.     

Profiling of the bacteria responsible for pyogenic liver abscess by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a severe disease with considerable mortality and is often polymicrobial. Understanding the pathogens that cause PLA is the basis for PLA treatment. Here, we profiled the bacterial composition in PLA fluid by pyrosequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify etiological agents of PLA and to provide information of their 16S rRNA sequences for application to DNA-based techniques in the hospital. Twenty patients with PLA who underwent percutaneous catheter drainage, abscess culture, and blood culture for isolates were included. Genomic DNAs from abscess fluids were subjected to polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene with a 454 GS Junior System. The abscess and blood cultures were positive in nine (45%) and four (20%) patients, respectively. Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene showed that 90% of the PLA fluid samples contained single or multiple genera of known bacteria such as Klebsiella, Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus, unassigned Enterobacteriaceae, and Dialister. Klebsiella was predominantly found in the PLA fluid samples. All samples that carried unassigned bacteria had 26.8% reads on average. We demonstrated that the occurrence of PLA was associated with eight known bacterial genera as well as unassigned bacteria and that 16S rRNA gene sequencing was more useful than conventional culture methods for accurate identification of bacterial pathogens from PLA.     

A note on indirect hemagglutination (IHA) antibody titers among hospitalized patients in Thailand with amebic liver abscesses

Amebic hepatic abscess is a tropical disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. A retrospective case review was performed on 39 hospitalized patients in Thailand with the diagnosis of amebic liver abscess. A total of 23 men (59%) and 16 women (41%), with a mean age of 44.56 +/- 21.81 years (range, 10 to 88 years), were involved in the study. The average duration of present illness was 7.33 +/- 0.83 days. Abscesses were discovered in the right lobe in 29 patients (74.4%), in the left lobe in 3 patients (7.7%), and in both lobes in 7 patients (17.9%). Thirty patients had single abscesses (76.9%) and 9 patients had multiple abscesses (23.1%). On admission, the average white blood count was 17.37 +/- 6.34 x 1000 WBC/mm3, serum albumin was 2.86 +/- 0.61 g/dL, prothrombin time was 16.52 +/- 5.8 seconds, serum aspartate transaminase (AST) was 92.62 +/- 118.74 U/L, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was 83.74 +/- 107.84 U/L, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was 407.68 +/- 343.42 U/L, and serum bilirubin was 2.44 +/- 2.08 g/dL. Average indirect hemagglutination (IHA) titer of the cases was 1:1190.35 +/- 895.42 (range, 1:256 to 2048). Concerning the multiple logistic regression analysis, no significant correlation was found between antibody titer and the other parameters. Of interest, pathogenic organisms were detected in stool in only 2 cases. This study shows the usefulness of serologic study in diagnosis of amebic liver abscess.