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Fulltext Genetic variability of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates from humans, chickens, and pigs in Malaysia

Getachew Y, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Abdul Aziz S

Appl Environ Microbiol, 2013 Aug;79(15):4528-33.
PMID: 23666337 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00650-13

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported to be present in humans, chickens, and pigs in Malaysia. In the present study, representative samples of VRE isolated from these populations were examined for similarities and differences by using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. Housekeeping genes of Enterococcus faecium (n = 14) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 11) isolates were sequenced and analyzed using the MLST databases eBURST and goeBURST. We found five sequence types (STs) of E. faecium and six STs of E. faecalis existing in Malaysia. Enterococcus faecium isolates belonging to ST203, ST17, ST55, ST79, and ST29 were identified, and E. faecium ST203 was the most common among humans. The MLST profiles of E. faecium from humans in this study were similar to the globally reported nosocomial-related strain lineage belonging to clonal complex 17 (CC17). Isolates from chickens and pigs have few similarities to those from humans, except for one isolate from a chicken, which was identified as ST203. E. faecalis isolates were more diverse and were identified as ST4, ST6, ST87, ST108, ST274, and ST244, which were grouped as specific to the three hosts. E. faecalis, belonging to the high-risk CC2 and CC87, were detected among isolates from humans. In conclusion, even though one isolate from a chicken was found clonal to that of humans, the MLST analysis of E. faecium and E. faecalis supports the findings of others who suggest VRE to be predominantly host specific and that clinically important strains are found mainly among humans. The infrequent detection of a human VRE clone in a chicken may in fact suggest a reverse transmission of VRE from humans to animals.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology*; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/veterinary*
Anterior spinal cord syndrome as a rare complication of acute bacterial meningitis in an adult

Ng KS, Abdul Halim S

BMJ Case Rep, 2018 Oct 24;2018.
PMID: 30361450 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-226082

Acute bacterial meningitis is not an uncommon central nervous system infection. In severe cases, it can be associated with various neurological or systemic complications. However, acute spinal cord dysfunction rarely occurs. We report a case of bacterial meningitis complicated with spinal cord infarction despite adequate treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroid therapy. He had residual paraplegia and was fully dependent in the activity of daily living.

Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*; Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
Novel antimicrobial development using genome-scale metabolic model of Gram-negative pathogens: a review

Chung WY, Zhu Y, Mahamad Maifiah MH, Shivashekaregowda NKH, Wong EH, Abdul Rahim N

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 2021 02;74(2):95-104.
PMID: 32901119 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-020-00366-2

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections. Governments around the world are beginning to devote effort for innovative treatment development to treat these resistant bacteria. Systems biology methods have been applied extensively to provide valuable insights into metabolic processes at system level. Genome-scale metabolic models serve as platforms for constraint-based computational techniques which aid in novel drug discovery. Tools for automated reconstruction of metabolic models have been developed to support system level metabolic analysis. We discuss features of such software platforms for potential users to best fit their purpose of research. In this work, we focus to review the development of genome-scale metabolic models of Gram-negative pathogens and also metabolic network approach for identification of antimicrobial drugs targets.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology*
Necrotising fasciitis caused by aeromonas sobria: Not just a simple catfish sting

Ng BW, Ong KC, Ahmad-Azraf A, Abdul-Muttalib AW

Med J Malaysia, 2019 12;74(6):543-544.
PMID: 31929484

Necrotising fasciitis is a life-threatening infection of the soft tissue which can be caused by different microorganisms, but infection caused by Aeromonas spp. or Vibrio spp. is frequently associated with higher mortality rate. Necrotising fasciitis progresses rapidly and often need aggressive surgical intervention. We present a rare case of necrotising fasciitis cause by Aeromonas sobria which mortality was successfully prevented by swift diagnosis and aggressive surgery.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology*; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/surgery
Fulltext Purple urine bag syndrome: A startling phenomenon of purple urine in a urine drainage bag. A primary care approach and literature review

Wong Y, Abdullah N

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(2):42-44.
PMID: 30302185

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBs) is a rare and startling phenomenon of purple discolouration in the urine or urinary catheter and bag. It is reported in chronically debilitated elderly patients, mostly in women on long-term urinary catheters. Its prevalence is strikingly more common in nursing home residents. Several factors contribute to the formation of indigo (blue) and indirubin (red) pigments from a breakdown of dietary tryptophan, which stains the urine purple. These factors include constipation, dysmotility of the bowel, bowel bacterial overgrowth, dehydration, and urinary tract infection. The presence of purple urine may cause undue alarm to both the patient and the doctor. Thus, we present this case report on an 86-year-old woman, a nursing home resident on a long-term urinary catheter, who presented to the primary care clinic. Her urine cleared after antibiotic therapy, replacement of her urinary catheter, and supportive management, which included hydration and nutrition. In addition to these measures, reducing the time between urinary catheter changes was recommended to prevent recurrence of this condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections
Bacterial communities in Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor and Amblyomma ticks collected from wild boar of an Orang Asli Community in Malaysia

Lim FS, Khoo JJ, Tan KK, Zainal N, Loong SK, Khor CS, et al.

Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 2020 03;11(2):101352.
PMID: 31866439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101352

Ticks are hematophagous vectors of arthropod-borne disease agents globally. In Malaysia, despite seroprevalence studies indicating the presence of tick-borne diseases among the indigenous people, the etiological agents of these diseases are still unclear. These indigenous people, also known as the Orang Asli, still live in forested areas with frequent contact with wildlife. Wild boar are ubiquitously found in the forested areas where the Orang Asli communities are located and are commonly hunted as a food supplement. In this study, we aim to determine the tick species parasitizing wild boar from an Orang Asli community, and explore the tick-associated bacterial communities using 16 s rRNA amplicon sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM™ platform. A total of 72 ticks were collected from three wild boar and were morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 32), Dermacentor compactus (n = 15), Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 13), Dermacentor steini (n = 10) and Dermacentor atrosignatus (n = 2). Across all tick samples, 910 bacterial taxa were identified. Although the bacterial communities were not significantly distinct between tick species in beta-diversity analyses, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella were detected at high relative abundance in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini respectively. Many other bacterial genera, including those that have been described in many different tick species, were also identified, including Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. Beta-diversity analyses also showed that the bacterial communities were separated based on the animal host from which the ticks were collected from, suggesting that the bacterial communities here may be influenced by the animal skin microflora, host blood or the environment. PCR screening confirmed the presence of Rickettsia sp. related to spotted fever group Rickettsia in some of the ticks. This study provides baseline knowledge of the microbiome of H. hystricis, D. atrosignatus, D. compactus, D. steini and A. testudinarium parasitizing wild boar in this region. The information gained in this study provides the basis to target our efforts in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini for the future investigation of vector competence and the zoonotic potential for the Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella detected here, as well as their implications for the risks of tick-borne diseases among the Orang Asli communities.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/microbiology; Bacterial Infections/epidemiology; Bacterial Infections/veterinary*
Vector competence of Malaysian Aedes albopictus with and without Wolbachia to four dengue virus serotypes

Joanne S, Vythilingam I, Teoh BT, Leong CS, Tan KK, Wong ML, et al.

Trop Med Int Health, 2017 09;22(9):1154-1165.
PMID: 28653334 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12918

OBJECTIVE: To determine the susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus with and without Wolbachia to the four dengue virus serotypes.
METHODS: Two newly colonised colonies of Ae. albopictus from the wild were used for the study. One colony was naturally infected with Wolbachia while in the other Wolbachia was removed by tetracycline treatment. Both colonies were orally infected with dengue virus-infected fresh blood meal. Dengue virus load was measured using quantitative RT-PCR at four-time intervals in the salivary glands, midguts and ovaries.
RESULTS: Wolbachia did not significantly affect Malaysian Ae. albopictus dengue infection or the dissemination rate for all four dengue virus serotypes. Malaysian Ae. albopictus had the highest replication kinetics for DENV-1 and the highest salivary gland and midgut infection rate for DENV-4.
CONCLUSION: Wolbachia, which naturally exists in Malaysian Ae. albopictus, does not significantly affect dengue virus replication. Malaysian Ae. albopictus is susceptible to dengue virus infections and capable of transmitting dengue virus, especially DENV-1 and DENV-4. Removal of Wolbachia from Malaysian Ae. albopictus would not reduce their susceptibility status.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/complications
Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens bacteraemia in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Fadzilah MN, Faizatul LJ, Hasibah MS, Sam IC, Bador MK, Gan GG, et al.

J Med Microbiol, 2009 Jan;58(Pt 1):142-143.
PMID: 19074667 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.004622-0

A 17-year-old man with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia had fever and diarrhoea during a febrile neutropenic episode. A spiral-shaped, Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium was isolated from blood, and confirmed as Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens by 16S rRNA sequencing. The patient responded to imipenem.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/complications*; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
Fulltext Francisella philomiragia bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient: a rare case report

Chua HS, Soh YH, Loong SK, AbuBakar S

Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob, 2021 Oct 03;20(1):72.
PMID: 34602092 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-021-00475-2

BACKGROUND: Francisella philomiragia is a very rare opportunistic pathogen of humans which causes protean diseases such as pneumonia and other systemic infections. Subsequent failure of prompt treatment may result in poor prognosis with mortality among infected patients.
CASE PRESENTATION: The present report describes a case of F. philomiragia bacteraemia first reported in Malaysia and Asian in a 60-year-old patient with underlying end-stage renal disease (ESRF) and diabetes mellitus. He presented with Acute Pulmonary Oedema with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) in our hospital. He was intubated in view of persistent type I respiratory failure and persistent desaturation despite post haemodialysis. Blood investigation indicated the presence of ongoing infection and inflammation. The aerobic blood culture growth of F. philomiragia was identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (Score value: 2.16) and confirmed by 16S Ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequencing. He was discharged well on day 26 of admission, after completing one week of piperacillin/tazobactam and two weeks of doxycycline.
CONCLUSION: Clinical suspicion should be raised if patients with known risk factors are presenting with pneumonia or pulmonary nodules especially as these are the most common manifestations of F. philomiragia infection. Early diagnosis via accurate laboratory identification of the organism through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and molecular technique such as 16S rDNA sequencing are vital for prompt treatment that results in better outcomes for the afflicted patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
Fulltext Pharmacokinetics of Free Oxytetracycline and Oxytetracycline Loaded Cockle Shell Calcium Carbonate-Based Nanoparticle in BALB/c Mice

Idris SB, Abdul Kadir A, Abdullah JFF, Ramanoon SZ, Basit MA, Abubakar MZZA

Front Vet Sci, 2020;7:270.
PMID: 32613011 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00270

The development and utilization of nano-antibiotics is currently gaining attention as a possible solution to antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the pharmacokinetics of free oxytetracycline (OTC) and oxytetracycline loaded cockle shell calcium carbonate-based nanoparticle (OTC-CNP) after a single dose of intraperitoneal (IP) administration in BALB/c mice. A total of 100 female BALB/c mice divided into two groups of equal number (n = 50) were administered with 10 mg/kg OTC and OTC-CNP, respectively. Blood samples were collected before and post-administration from both groups at time 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min and 1, 2, 6, 24, and 48 h, and OTC plasma concentration was quantified using a validated HPLC-UV method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using a non-compartment model. The Cmax values of OTC in OTC-CNP and free OTC treated group were 64.99 and 23.53 μg/ml, respectively. OTC was detected up to 24 h in the OTC-CNP group as against 1 h in the free OTC group following intraperitoneal administration. In the OTC-CNP group, the plasma elimination rate of OTC was slower while the half-life, the area under the curve, and the volume of the distribution were increased. In conclusion, the pharmacokinetic profile of OTC in the OTC-CNP group differs significantly from that of free OTC. However, further studies are necessary to determine the antibacterial efficacy of OTC-CNP for the treatment of bacterial diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections
Applying the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk scoring in predicting outcome of febrile neutropenia patients in a cohort of patients

Baskaran ND, Gan GG, Adeeba K

Ann Hematol, 2008 Jul;87(7):563-9.
PMID: 18437382 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-008-0487-7

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk-index score is able to predict the outcome of febrile neutropenia in patients with underlying hematological malignancy and to look at the other possible predictors of outcome. A retrospective study of 116 episodes of febrile neutropenia in patients who were admitted to the hematology ward of a local medical center in Malaysia between January 1st 2004 and January 31st 2005. Patient characteristics and the MASCC score were compared with outcome. The MASCC score predicted the outcome of febrile neutropenic episodes with a positive predictive value of 82.9%, a sensitivity of 93%, and specificity of 67%. Other predictors of a favorable outcome were those patients who had lymphomas versus leukemias, duration of neutropenia of less than 7 days, low burden of illness characterized by the absence of an infective focus and absence of lower respiratory tract infection, a serum albumin of >25 g/l, and the absence of gram-negative bacteremia on univariate analysis but only serum albumin level, low burden of illness, and presence of respiratory infection were significantly associated with unfavorable outcome after multivariate analysis. The MASCC score is a useful predictor of outcome in patients with febrile neutropenia with underlying hematological malignancies. This scoring system may be adapted for use in local settings to guide the clinical management of patients with this condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/complications; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy; Bacterial Infections/prevention & control
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of thiazolidinone derivatives as antimicrobial and anti-viral agents

Ravichandran V, Jain A, Kumar KS, Rajak H, Agrawal RK

Chem Biol Drug Des, 2011 Sep;78(3):464-70.
PMID: 21615706 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2011.01149.x

A series of 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives were prepared by the reaction of respective aromatic amine, aromatic aldehyde, and thioglycolic acid in dry benzene/toluene. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, (1) HNMR, and mass spectra. The newly synthesized final compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral activities. Preliminary results indicated that some of the compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity in the range of 7-13 μg/mL, antifungal activity in the range of 13-17 μg/mL, comparable with the standard drugs, ciprofloxacin and fluconazole. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the nature of the substituents at the 2 and 3 positions of the thiazolidinone nucleus had a significant impact on the in vitro antimicrobial and anti-viral activity of these classes of agents.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
Population dynamics, antibiotics resistance and biofilm formation of Aeromonas and Vibrio species isolated from aquatic sources in Northern Malaysia

Odeyemi OA, Ahmad A

Microb Pathog, 2017 Feb;103:178-185.
PMID: 28062284 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.01.007

This study aimed to compare population dynamics, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of Aeromonas and Vibrio species from seawater and sediment collected from Northern Malaysia. Isolates with different colony morphology were characterized using both biochemical and molecular methods before testing for antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Results obtained from this study showed that in Kedah, the population of Aeromonas isolated from sediment was highest in Pantai Merdeka (8.22 log CFU/ml), Pulau Bunting recorded the highest population of Aeromonas from sediment (8.43 log CFU/g). It was observed that Vibrio species isolated from seawater and sediment were highest in Kuala Sanglang (9.21 log CFU/ml). In Kuala Perlis, the population of Aeromonas isolated from seawater was highest in Jeti (7.94 log CFU/ml). Highest population of Aeromonas from sediment was recorded in Kampong Tanah Baru (7.99 log CFU/g). It was observed that Vibrio species isolated from seawater was highest in Padang Benta (8.42 log CFU/g) while Jeti Kuala Perlis had highest population of Vibrio isolated from sediment. It was observed that location does not influence population of Aeromonas. The results of the independent t - test revealed that there was no significant relationship between location and population of Vibrio (df = 10, t = 1.144, p > 0.05). The occurrence of biofilm formation and prevalence of antibiotic resistant Aeromonas and Vibrio species in seawater and sediment pose danger to human and aquatic animals' health.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology*; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/epidemiology*
Fulltext Bacteriological study and its role in the management of open tibial fracture

Faisham WI, Nordin S, Aidura M

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Jun;56(2):201-6.
PMID: 11771081

Sixty percent of open fracture wounds are contaminated at the time of injury. Despite that, the necessity for sequential multiple cultures and sensitivity studies for open fractures and their interpretation are still controversial. Predebridement, intraoperative, postoperative swabs and swabs in established infection for culture and sensitivity study were taken in 33 open tibial fractures over a 6 months period. 39.3% of predebridement swabs grew bacteria with the majority yielding gram-positive organism. None of the patients developed infection with similar organisms. 24.2% of the postoperative swabs grew bacteria, of which 75% were gram-negative. 50% of the patients with positive postoperative swabs developed infection. Thus, the role of sequential multiple cultures and sensitivity studies are not helpful in management of open fracture.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/microbiology*; Bacterial Infections/therapy*
Fulltext Bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis in upper Egypt: related species and risk factors

Gharamah AA, Moharram AM, Ismail MA, Al-Hussaini AK

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2012 Aug;2(8):655-9.
PMID: 23569989 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60115-4

To study risk factors, contributing factors of bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis in Upper Egypt, test the isolated species sensitive to some therapeutic agents, and to investigate the air-borne bacteria and fungi in opthalmology operating rooms.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/microbiology; Bacterial Infections/epidemiology*
Environmental Factors Associated with the Presence of Vibrionaceae in Tropical Cage-Cultured Marine Fishes

Mohamad N, Mustafa M, Amal MNA, Saad MZ, Md Yasin IS, Al-Saari N

J Aquat Anim Health, 2019 06;31(2):154-167.
PMID: 30653742 DOI: 10.1002/aah.10062

This study investigated the environmental factors associated with the presence of Vibrionaceae in economically important cage-cultured tropical marine fishes: the Asian Seabass Lates calcarifer, snapper Lutjanus sp., and hybrid grouper Epinephelus sp. Fish sampling was conducted at monthly intervals between December 2016 and August 2017. The body weight and length of individual fish were measured, and the skin, eye, liver, and kidney were sampled for bacterial isolation and identification. Water physicochemical parameters during the sampling activities were determined, and the enumeration of total Vibrionaceae count was also conducted from water and sediment samples. Nine species of Vibrio were identified, including V. alginolyticus, V. diabolicus, V. harveyi, V. campbellii, V. parahaemolyticus, V. rotiferianus, V. furnissii, V. fluvialis, and V. vulnificus. Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae was also identified. A total of 73% of the isolated Vibrio belonged to the Harveyi clade, followed by the Vulnificus clade (5.5%) and Cholera clade (0.6%). Highest occurrence of Vibrio spp. and P. damselae subsp. damselae was found in hybrid grouper (72%), followed by Asian Seabass (48%) and snapper (36%). The associations of Vibrio spp. and P. damselae subsp. damselae with the host fish were not species specific. However, fish mortality and fish size showed strong associations with the presence of some Vibrio spp. On average, 60% of the infected cultured fish exhibited at least one clinical sign. Nevertheless, inconsistent associations were observed between the pathogens and water quality. The yearlong occurrence and abundance of Vibrionaceae in the environmental components indicate that they might serve as reservoirs of these pathogens.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/veterinary*
Worldwide trend discovery of structural and functional relationship of metallo-β-lactamase for structure-based drug design: A bibliometric evaluation and patent analysis

Azman AA, Leow ATC, Noor NDM, Noor SAM, Latip W, Ali MSM

Int J Biol Macromol, 2024 Jan;256(Pt 2):128230.
PMID: 38013072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128230

Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) is an enzyme produced by clinically important bacteria that can inactivate many commonly used antibiotics, making them a significant concern in treating bacterial infections and the risk of having high antibiotic resistance issues among the community. This review presents a bibliometric and patent analysis of MBL worldwide research trend based on the Scopus and World Intellectual Property Organization databases in 2013-2022. Based on the keywords related to MBL in the article title, abstract, and keywords, 592 research articles were retrieved for further analysis using various tools such as Microsoft Excel to determine the frequency analysis, VOSviewer for bibliometric networks visualization, and Harzing's Publish or Perish for citation metrics analysis. Standard bibliometric parameters were analysed to evaluate the field's research trend, such as the growth of publications, topographical distribution, top subject area, most relevant journal, top cited documents, most relevant authors, and keyword trend analysis. Within 10 years, MBL discovery has shown a steady and continuous growth of interest among the community of researchers. United States of America, China, and the United Kingdom are the top 3 countries contribute high productivity to the field. The patent analysis also shows several impactful filed patents, indicating the significance of development research on the structural and functional relationship of MBL for an effective structure-based drug design (SBDD). Developing new MBL inhibitors using SBDD could help address the research gap and provide new successful therapeutic options for treating MBL-producing bacterial infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections*
Dairy cattle abortion in California: evaluation of diagnostic laboratory data

Jamaluddin AA, Case JT, Hird DW, Blanchard PC, Peauroi JR, Anderson ML

J Vet Diagn Invest, 1996 Apr;8(2):210-8.
PMID: 8744743

A descriptive study was undertaken on 595 dairy cattle abortion submissions to the California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System from July 1, 1987, to December 31, 1989, to determine the etiologic nature and distribution (seasonal and geographical) of dairy cattle abortion in California as reflected by laboratory submissions. Univariate analysis was performed to characterize abortion-related submissions by farm and laboratory variables, and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors that may influence success of abortion diagnosis in the laboratory. The proportions of dairies that submitted abortion-related specimens from northern, central, and southern milksheds during the 2.5-year period were 20.3%, 15.7%, and 13.1%, respectively, and 60% of submissions were from medium-sized (200-999 cows) dairies. Submissions consisted of fetus (58%), placenta (2%), fetus and placenta (12%), and fetus, placenta, and maternal blood (0.84%); fetal tissues and uterine fluid constituted the rest. An apparent pattern in abortion submissions was indicated by a peak in submissions during the winter and summer of 1988 and 1989. Infectious agents were associated with 37.1% of submissions; noninfectious causes, 5.5%, and undetermined etiology, 57.3%. Bacterial abortion accounted for 18% of etiologic diagnoses; protozoal, 14.6%; viral, 3.2%; and fungal, 1.3%. Submissions comprising fetus, placenta, maternal blood, or their combinations were associated with a higher likelihood of definitive diagnosis for abortion than tissues, as were fresher specimens and submissions associated with the second trimester of fetal gestation.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/classification; Bacterial Infections/veterinary
Fulltext A very rare and rapidly fatal case of Chromobacterium violaceum septicemia

Ang YM

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Oct;59(4):535-7.
PMID: 15779589

Chromobacterium violaceum infection is rare but causes a high mortality rate particularly in immunosuppressed persons. Since its clinical presentation is non-specific and the diagnosis basically relies upon blood culture and sensitivity, this infection should be considered among the organisms targeted empirically for antibiotic therapy when a cellulitis or rapidly progressive illness follows exposure to water or soil. This is a case of fulminant septicemia caused by this rarely encountered organism.

Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections*
Empyema thoracis in hospitalized children in Kelantan, Malaysia

Maziah W, Choo KE, Ray JG, Ariffin WA

J Trop Pediatr, 1995 06;41(3):185-8.
PMID: 7636941 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/41.3.185

In this study, 31 cases of childhood empyema thoracis admitted over 4 1/2 years to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, in Kelantan, Malaysia, were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two males and nine females were included, with a mean age of 1.9 years (range: 26 days to 7 years). Frequent symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnoea, while common signs were temperature above 38 degrees C, decreased breath sounds, dullness to chest percussion, and intercostal recession. Radiography demonstrated unilateral moderate to large effusions in 68 per cent of cases, while consolidated lung was seen in 45 per cent of patients. Pleural fluid cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus (48 per cent), Streptococcus pneumoniae (7 per cent), while no growth was seen in 42 per cent of cases. Ninety-four per cent of children had a blood leukocytosis above 10 000 cell/mm3, but blood cultures were negative in 21 out of 26 patients (81 per cent). Most cases were treated with a combination of intravenous antibiotics and chest tube drainage. Antibiotics and pleural tap(s) were used in the remainder. Patients stayed in hospital for an average of 20.7 days (range: 4-52 days). Surgical intervention was necessary in only four children. The mortality rate at the time of discharge was zero, with 100 per cent radiographic resolution among the 23 patients who were followed-up.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*; Bacterial Infections/therapy*

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