Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases
Volume:19 Issue: 2, Apr 2024

 Pneumothorax (PTX), pneumomediastinum (PM), and subcutaneous emphysema (SE) are complications associated with COVID-19. It is crucial to study these risk factors, complications, and their prognosis for early diagnosis amidst the rising number of cases today.

 We conducted a case-control study involving 81 pairs of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia complicated by Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum, comparing them with patients who did not have these complications to assess the risk factors for and prognosis of pulmonary complications in COVID-19.

 The demographic data and medical history of comorbid diseases did not show an association with PTX, PM, and SE in COVID-19 pneumonia (all P-values > 0.05). However, laboratory data such as white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin, and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the group with complications (P < 0.05). Additionally, the length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the group with complications, and intubation further extended this duration. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the case group (70% vs. 14%, P < 0.0001), with a significant odds ratio in comparison to patients without complications in the regression model (B = 2.61, Exp(B) = 13.65 with a 95% CI of 6.28 - 29.69).

 Pulmonary complications worsen the prognosis of COVID-19. The pathophysiology of COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to mechanical barotrauma, regardless of intubation status. Ventilator settings should be adjusted below the confidence level. Acute phase reactants and certain inflammatory markers, except for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), are elevated in patients with complications, though they do not significantly predict outcomes.

 Appropriate empiric antibiotic use is of utmost importance in febrile neutropenic patients. This study analyzed positive blood culture reports from febrile neutropenic patients and provided a new empirical antibiotic treatment approach.

 This study retrospectively enrolled febrile neutropenic patients with hematological or solid organ malignancies who had positive blood cultures at the Bahrain Oncology Center within January 2019 to August 2021. Microbiological data were used to draw inferences for rational antimicrobial treatment. The quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score was employed to classify the severity status. The t-test was used to compare univariate and multivariate sensitivity values for two dependent proportions.

 A total of 73 episodes of bacteremia were detected in 53 patients. Among these, 54 episodes (74%) were caused by gram-negative organisms. The most commonly isolated organisms were Escherichia coli (30%), Klebsiella pneumonia (22%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (11%). The rate of extensively drug-resistant strains among K. pneumoniae was 44% (n = 7). Among gram-negative microorganisms, the susceptibility rates for monotherapies were reported for ceftazidime (56%), piperacillin/tazobactam (76%), cefepime (54%), meropenem (80%), and ceftazidime-avibactam (91%). The susceptibility rates for tigecycline-based combinations exceeded 90% overall.

 Clinical severity and local epidemiological data should be considered in the management of febrile neutropenia. New antibiotics and tigecycline should be considered for combination therapy in selected cases due to the increasing resistance observed.

 Mucormycosis, commonly referred to as 'black fungus,' has arisen as a complication associated with COVID-19.

 This research investigated the clinical features, demographic profiles, and outcomes of patients with mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 A case series involving 29 patients diagnosed with mucormycosis was conducted. The study systematically examined demographic information, underlying health conditions, COVID-19 status, and clinical outcomes of these patients.

 The majority of patients, accounting for 90%, developed mucormycosis subsequent to COVID-19 infection, with diabetes mellitus being the predominant comorbidity, affecting 38% of cases. A higher incidence was observed in males, and the mortality rate was significant. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was utilized for both diagnosis and treatment, although the success rate of this procedure varied.

 Post-COVID-19 mucormycosis presents intricate clinical challenges, particularly in patients with comorbidities and weakened immune systems. Prompt diagnosis and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach are crucial. Additional research is needed to enhance our comprehension and improve treatment strategies for this daunting infection.

 Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious and can lead to two distinct diseases. Initially, it causes chickenpox, a primary infection common among children worldwide, characterized by itchy, red blisters that cover the body. After this initial outbreak, the virus can lie dormant in nerve tissues and may reactivate later in life as herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, which presents as a painful rash. While chickenpox is generally mild and resolves on its own, it can cause severe complications, especially in vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals or adults. These complications can range from bacterial superinfections and pneumonia to encephalitis. In rare cases, it may lead to life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis or toxic shock syndrome, highlighting the potential severity of what is often considered a childhood illness.

 One of the main risk factors for varicella-zoster infection is the absence of immunity. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against or previously infected with the VZV are at risk of contracting chickenpox when exposed. Additionally, close contact with infected individuals increases the likelihood of transmission. People with chronic conditions or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from varicella-zoster infections. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the seroepidemiology of antibodies against varicella zoster in the young adult population in Mashhad.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on men and women aged 15 to 35 years in Mashhad, northeast Iran. Random cluster sampling was utilized. Individuals undergoing treatment for rare diseases were excluded from the study. The enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique was employed to assess the presence of IgG antibodies against varicella zoster in 724 serum samples. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20, and the significance level was set at 0.05.

 Overall, among the 724 participants aged 15 - 35 years old in Mashhad, the frequency of anti-varicella IgG seropositivity was 85.9%. Our results indicated significant associations between age (P = 0.001) and occupational status (P = 0.02) with varicella-zoster seroprevalence.

 We observed a high frequency of anti-varicella zoster IgG seroprevalence among young adults in Mashhad. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe forms of chickenpox or experience complications from shingles, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Given the severe health problems caused by the varicella virus and its high prevalence in Mashhad, we recommend incorporating the varicella vaccine into the public vaccination program. Additionally, further examination of the burden of herpes zoster, including its impact on quality of life and healthcare utilization, can guide interventions to mitigate the consequences of this condition.

 Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system predominantly found in patients with acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

 This report details a case involving a male HIV-positive patient with PML who discontinued his highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment 10 days after being diagnosed with HIV. The patient had no history of neurological symptoms either before or after his HIV diagnosis until he was administered corticosteroids. Notably, he began experiencing ataxia shortly after starting dexamethasone. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was diagnosed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for the John Cunningham virus (JCV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The PML lesions were confined to the cerebellum.

 The occurrence of neurological symptoms (activation of JCV) after administering corticosteroids to a patient with HIV-who had not received any antiretroviral treatment for 4 years-raises a critical question: Is the use of corticosteroids, which are a primary treatment for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), a double-edged sword in CNS-IRIS?

 Disseminated nocardiosis is a rare but life-threatening infectious disease that occurs most often in immunocompromised individuals. This report presents a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient with disseminated nocardiosis in the liver, lung, and brain.

 A 38-year-old woman who had recently been diagnosed with HIV infection complained of fever, abdominal pain, productive coughs, and occasional headaches from 2 months ago. Imaging findings of her abdomen and lungs displayed evidence of pyogenic liver abscess and lobar pneumonia with abscess formation, respectively. The patient underwent percutaneous liver abscess drainage and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the genome of Nocardia farcinica was detected in the specimens obtained from both procedures. Besides, she had seizures during hospitalization. Based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, the specimen was positive for N. farcinica. Brain imaging also revealed evidence of multiple bacterial abscess formation. She was diagnosed with disseminated nocardiosis and treated with intravenous imipenem, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and amikacin, followed by appropriate oral agents. After a 6-month follow-up, the patient had no symptoms. Additionally, the lesions improved on brain imaging.

 Patients who are HIV-positive are particularly prone to opportunistic infections. Health care providers should consider all pathogens, even rare ones, like Nocardia spp., to establish a diagnosis if they're present. Furthermore, in cases initially diagnosed with localized nocardiosis, other body organs should also be reviewed so that the disseminated form of the disease can be diagnosed and treated immediately.

 Leuconostoc species are gram-positive microorganisms typically isolated from dairy and brewing industries. Infections in humans are extremely rare. They are vaguely associated with patients who have co-morbidities and a history of antibiotic use. The rise of inadvertent microbiota complicates treatment delivery.

 We report a rare case of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides in a patient with a lower respiratory tract infection. The patient suffered from diffuse axonal injury with bilateral subdural hematoma following a road traffic accident. An emergency tracheostomy was performed, and the patient was managed conservatively. The patient developed symptoms clinically, such as fever, and radiographically exhibited bilateral lung infiltrates. Endotracheal aspirate samples were sent for microbiological evaluation.

 The bacterial culture was identified as L. pseudomesenteroides. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were verified. Antibiotics were administered empirically and intravenously until the patient achieved normal clinical status.