Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy最新文献

Background: The precise identification of pathogens responsible for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children is essential for effective treatment. However, the performance of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) in the detection of pathogens associated with CAP in children remains unclear.

Methods: In this study, 216 children diagnosed with CAP were enrolled, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples underwent detection through tNGS, culture, and multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results: In 208 children, tNGS identified a total of 389 strains of microorganisms, including 111 Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 123 bacteria, 127 viruses, and 28 fungi. Among the cases, 89 presented as single-pathogen detection, while 119 exhibited multiple pathogens co-detection. The positive detection rates of bacteria and fungi through tNGS were significantly higher than those achieved through the traditional culture method, with rates of 56.9 % vs 8.3 % for bacteria and 13.0 % vs 4.2 % for fungi, respectively. The overall agreement between tNGS and multiplex qPCR ranged from 89.4 % to 99.1 %, with Kappa values ranging from 0.541 to 0.912 (P = 0.000).

Conclusions: The tNGS technique demonstrates rapid and effective capabilities in identifying a wide array of pathogens with a detection sensitivity that surpasses traditional culture methodologies while exhibiting a high degree of consistency with multiplex qPCR in detecting respiratory viruses. The tNGS detection method can serve as an important complement to traditional diagnostic approaches; however, caution must be exercised when interpreting tNGS findings due to its heightened sensitivity which may lead to identification of pathogens that are not necessarily responsible for causing disease.

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with leftover antibiotics in Japanese households through pharmacist home visits. The research, conducted in collaboration with pharmaceutical associations in Kyoto and Hirakata, included 37 cases analyzed from October 2023 to March 2024. Participants had a median age of 81 years and received a median of two antibiotic prescriptions in the past year. Leftover antibiotics were found in 18.9 % of cases, with 5 out of 7 cases resulting from prophylactic prescriptions. Levofloxacin was the most common leftover antibiotic. Notably, 27.0 % of participants reported a history of reusing leftover antibiotics. Logistic regression analysis revealed that frequent pharmacist visits (≥2/month) were significantly associated with decreased leftover antibiotics (adjusted OR: 0.02, 95 % CI: 0.00-0.48, p = 0.015), whereas a history of antibiotic reuse increased the likelihood of leftovers (adjusted OR: 20.32, 95 % CI: 1.78-231.33, p = 0.015). Other factors, including the number of antibiotic prescriptions and the presence of medication support, did not show statistically significant associations. This study highlights the potential role of community pharmacists in promoting appropriate antibiotic use and managing leftover medications through home healthcare engagement. The findings suggest that regular pharmacist interventions could significantly improve medication management and contribute to antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Future research should replicate these findings in larger, more diverse populations to enhance generalizability and further explore the long-term impact of pharmacist interventions on antibiotic use patterns.

We describe a rare case of spontaneous remission of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in a 42-year-old patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, followed by severe pulmonary nocardiosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous remission of PCP in a completely untreated patient with HIV infection. The patient, a bisexual Japanese man, presented with fever and anorexia and had a history of non-compliance with antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 13 years. PCP was initially suspected on the basis of imaging and laboratory findings, but the patient refused further evaluation and treatment. Surprisingly, the evidence of PCP infection disappeared without intervention. Four months later, the patient was diagnosed with severe pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia beijingensis, which was confirmed by bronchoscopy and culture. Antibiotic therapy and ART resulted in significant clinical improvement. Based on this case, we propose that N. beijingensis infection may contribute to spontaneous remission of PCP, possibly through production of antimicrobial substances and induction of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. On the other hand, fluctuations in immune function, particularly variability in CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, may also contribute. This report highlights the complex interplay between opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. These findings may provide valuable insights into the management of PCP.

A 70-year-old woman with a 6-month history of poor hygiene presented with a right occipital mass, ulceration, and neck swelling. The right occipital region was infested with approximately 100 fly maggots, and the mass contained a foul-smelling abscess. Maggots were removed, and the mass was drained, irrigated, and dressed with padding. Ceftriaxone 1 g/day was administered for 6 days. The patient was transferred on hospital day 32. Blood cultures obtained at admission were positive at 17.3 hours. Gram stain revealed both Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods. However, only Providencia stuartii, Ignatzschineria indica, and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans were subsequently identified. Aerobic reculture of the initial blood culture bottle was performed for 4 days, followed by repeated incubation under 5% CO₂ and anaerobic conditions. A 1 mm colony adjacent to I. indica growth was isolated after CO2 incubation and identified as Fastidiosipila sanguinis by 16S rRNA analysis. Myiasis, a parasitic disease caused by dipteran larvae, can lead to the detection of maggot-associated bacteria in blood cultures. Ignatzschineria species, particularly I. indica, are most commonly isolated in myiasis patients. These organisms are typically associated with blood cultures from unhygienic male patients, although cases in females with adenocarcinoma have been reported. Fastidiosipila sanguinis has only been documented in three cases since its description in 2005, with its origin remaining unknown. In this case, the origin of F. sanguinis was presumed to be the myiasis.

Introduction: A single oral dose of baloxavir marboxil, a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor, is approved for patients with influenza A or B infection; however, real-world evidence is limited. We evaluated the effectiveness of baloxavir vs neuraminidase inhibitors in reducing the incidence of severe illness in influenza outpatients aged 5-11 years.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed individual-level data from patients treated with these antivirals, using a large, Japanese health insurance claims database (JMDC). Patients were included at the first date of diagnosis of the influenza virus infection (Day 1) in two influenza seasons. The primary outcome was the incidence of hospitalization from Day 2-14.

Results: Of 196,749 included patients (Season 2018/2019, n = 103,709; Season 2019/2020, n = 93,040), 20.9 % received baloxavir, 38.8 % received oseltamivir, 28.7 % received laninamivir, and 11.6 % received zanamivir. In each treatment group, 61-70 % patients had influenza A. The incidence of hospitalization from Day 2-14 was significantly lower for baloxavir than for oseltamivir, laninamivir, and zanamivir. The adjusted risk ratio (95 % CI) for oseltamivir, laninamivir, and zanamivir were 1.86 (1.30-2.68), 2.11 (1.37-3.25), and 1.90 (1.31-2.77), respectively, compared with baloxavir. Comparative incidence of hospitalizations between agents were unaffected by season or virus type.

Conclusion: Using a large, Japanese health insurance claims database, a lower rate of hospitalization was demonstrated in children aged 5-11 years with an influenza virus infection when treated with baloxavir vs neuraminidase inhibitors. Thus, single dose, oral baloxavir may reduce the incidence of severe illness in these patients.

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of electrocautery ablation for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in men who have sex with men (MSM) including people with human immunodeficiency virus, using comprehensive biopsy with high-resolution anoscopy (HRA).

Methods: This single-arm, open-label pilot study included 20 MSM with HSIL who were treated with electrocautery ablation. The participants were recruited from the National Center for Global Health and Medicine and followed up using HRA with a comprehensive biopsy approach at 3- and 6-months post-ablation. A comprehensive biopsy was defined as at least 1 biopsy taken from each of the 6 segments of the anal canal regardless of any abnormal findings. The primary endpoint was the local HSIL cure rate at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included the total cure rate, recurrence rates, and adverse events.

Results: The median age of the 20 participants was 45 years, and 90 % were HIV-positive. The local cure rates were 40 % at 3 months and 50 % at 6 months. The total cure rates were 35 % and 40 % at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Ectopic recurrence occurred in 27.8 % of the participants. Most adverse events were mild and self-limiting.

Conclusion: Electrocautery ablation was a moderately effective and safe treatment for HSIL among MSM in Japan. However, the recurrence rates were high, indicating that conducting biopsies on normal-appearing lesions did not sufficiently prevent ectopic recurrence. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to improve outcomes. This trial was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: Clinical Trial Plan Number: jRCTs032210649.

Corynebacterium species are an important cause of granulomatous mastitis (GM). Although there have been worldwide reports of infections caused by Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii, few cases of C. tuberculostearicum GM have been reported. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of GM caused by Corynebacterium spp. between January 1, 2014, and May 31, 2024. During the study period, six patients with GM were identified, including four cases of C. kroppenstedtii GM and two cases of C. tuberculostearicum GM. All patients were female with a median age of 32 years (range: 18-50 years). All patients underwent surgical drainage and were treated with clarithromycin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for various antimicrobial agents, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, were higher for C. tuberculostearicum than for C. kroppenstedtii. Additionally, MALDI-TOF MS and 16s rRNA gene sequencing accurately identified C. kroppenstedtii and C. tuberculostearicum. Accurate identification of lipophilic Corynebacterium spp. is important for antibiotic treatment selection. If clinicians suspect lipophilic Corynebacterium spp. infection, particularly GM, they should ask the microbiology laboratory to test for lipophilic Corynebacterium spp.

We present a case of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) caused by Clostridioides difficile (CD) in a 43-year-old female. Despite lacking a history of sexually transmitted diseases, the patient had undergone paraovarian cystectomy nine months before admission. Transvaginal ultrasonography performed eight months post-surgery revealed left ovarian enlargement, accompanied by subsequent lower abdominal pain and fever exceeding 38 °C. As oral antibiotic treatment was ineffective, the patient was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography upon admission revealed a massive TOA. Surgical drainage of the abscess was performed, and CD was identified in the culture from the pus. The TOA was treated with a three-month course of metronidazole and oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. While CD is commonly associated with colitis, extraintestinal manifestations are exceptionally rare. This case represents the inaugural report of TOA resulting from CD. A literature review on abdominal and pelvic CD abscesses found that patients undergoing surgical drainage had a favorable prognosis. Therefore, surgical intervention plays an important role in the management of CD abscesses.

Background: In Japan, the supply of one generic meropenem product was restricted from August 2022 to March 2023.

Objective: To determine the effects of meropenem (MEPM) restriction.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study comparing antimicrobial use, bacteremia mortality, and drug-resistant bacteria detected before the restriction of MEPM (control period), from September 2021 to February 2022, and after the restriction of MEPM (MEPM supply restriction period), from September 2022 to February 2023, in five institutions.

Results: The number of carbapenem days of therapy (DOTs) were decreased in all five institutions. Fourth-generation cephalosporin DOTs increased in all facilities, and piperacillin/tazobactam DOTs increased in four facilities. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were significantly higher during the MEPM supply restriction period than those during the control period. Moreover, survival time was significantly shorter during the MEPM supply restriction period than that during the control period. Multivariable analysis revealed that MEPM supply restriction, age >80 years, Pitt Bacteremia Score ≥4, platelet count <10 × 10⁴/μL, serum albumin level <2.5 g/dL, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. The detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae did not differ significantly between the two periods.

Conclusions: MEPM supply restriction decreased the use of carbapenems and increased the use of other broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, which worsened the prognosis of bacteremia. Overall, carbapenems are important drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases and are difficult to replace in unforeseen situations such as drug supply outages.

Pediatric myelodysplasia syndrome is often characterized by hypoplastic bone marrow morphology and predisposition to infection. Invasive aspergillosis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation poses a significant threat and often requires voriconazole (VRCZ) therapy. However, difficulties in achieving appropriate VRCZ blood levels due to drug interactions have prompted the exploration of alternative treatments, such as isavuconazole (ISCZ). We present the case of a 4-year-old boy with myelodysplasia syndrome who developed multiple abscesses, including a brain abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, and was successfully treated with ISCZ. Despite initial treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and VRCZ, the patient's condition deteriorated. Transitioning to ISCZ treatment resulted in significant clinical improvement, resolution of the abscesses, and reduced antigen levels. Although ISCZ induced hepatic enzyme elevation, supportive care improved without discontinuation of treatment. This case highlights the potential of ISCZ in cases of pediatric invasive aspergillosis where traditional therapies fail, underscoring the need for further research and formulation development to optimize its use in this population. As more cases accumulate, ISCZ may become a promising option for treating severe invasive aspergillosis in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.