Mycotic Aneurysm of the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta Caused by Campylobacter fetus Identified After 10-Day Antibiotic Therapy.

We report a rare case of a mycotic aneurysm caused by , undetectable by Gram staining or surgical specimen culture obtained after 10 days of antimicrobial therapy. However, the pathogen was successfully detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An 83-year-old woman with comorbid hypertension presented with lumbar and lateral abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an abdominal mycotic aneurysm.

Assessing the adequacy of blood culture collection in patients aged 80 years or older.

Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are common and fatal conditions in hospitalized patients. Despite higher BSI mortality rates in older adult patients, predicting BSIs in this population remains challenging. This study aimed to assess whether blood culture (BC) collection is adequate for these patients.

Multiplex PCR assay to identify clinically important species.

The genus is increasingly implicated in human infections. However, accurate species-level identification remains challenging, particularly in clinical microbiology laboratories. This study aimed to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify four species-, , , and most frequently associated with human infectious diseases.

Gas-forming abscess associated with prosthetic vascular graft infection caused by Bacteroides fragilis.

Introduction: Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection (PVGI) is a rare but serious complication of open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. We report a case of gas-forming abscesses associated with PVGI caused by Bacteroides fragilis identified from the drainage fluid and blood cultures.

Case Presentation: A 67-year-old man with a complaint of worsening low back pain underwent an emergency open surgery due to abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Effect of Augmented Renal Clearance and Febrile Neutropenia on Initial Trough Level and Clearance of Teicoplanin.

Background: Augmented renal clearance (ARC) and febrile neutropenia (FN) increase drug clearance primarily through glomerular filtration. In this study, we evaluated the influence of ARC and FN on dose-normalized trough concentration (C/D) and/or clearance of teicoplanin (TEIC) by comparing C/D between patients with ARC and non-ARC, and C/D and clearance between patients with FN and non-FN.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study enrolled 309 patients who received intravenous injections of TEIC between July 2016 and September 2021.

The Possibility of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Emergence After Two Days of Antibiotic Therapy: A Case Report.

Although antibiotic use is known to induce antimicrobial resistance, the duration of exposure necessary for resistance development remains uncertain. In this case, a patient was initially treated with tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) for bacterial pneumonia. When the treatment proved ineffective, the regimen was switched to tazobactam/ceftolozane (TAZ/CTLZ) after confirming that the isolated at admission was susceptible to TAZ/CTLZ.

Molecular epidemiology and patient outcome of carbapenem-resistant and in Japan: a multicenter study from MultiDrug-Resistant organisms clinical research network.

Background And Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CRGNB), especially and , are critical pathogens associated with excess morbidity and mortality. To elucidate their molecular epidemiology and clinical outcomes in Japan, patients with CRGNB were enrolled in the MDR organisms clinical research network (MDRnet) consisting of eight tertiary care facilities.

Methods: Between 2019 and 2022, 246 unique patients with carbapenem-resistant (CRE), carbapenem-resistant (CRPA) and carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) isolates were prospectively enrolled.

The active metabolite hydroxyitraconazole has substantially higher in vivo free fraction and free concentrations compared to itraconazole.

Itraconazole (ITCZ) is a triazole antifungal agent that is metabolized to many products. Hydroxyitraconazole (OH-ITCZ) is the major metabolite with antifungal activity comparable to that of ITCZ. Protein-free drug concentration has been reported to be a better biomarker for pharmacodynamics compared with total drug concentration.

A case report of pulmonary paragonimiasis diagnosed via the deterioration of pulmonary cavities during high-dose corticosteroid therapy for chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

A 32-year-old Chinese woman with a cough and bloody sputum was diagnosed with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. After starting corticosteroid therapy, chest radiography showed improvement in the bilateral infiltrative shadow. However, chest image findings showed worsening of the bilateral infiltrative shadow and pulmonary cavities during the 20 mg/day of oral prednisolone therapy.

Exploring the Replication and Pathogenic Characteristics of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 have exhibited different phenotypic characteristics in clinical settings which are yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to characterize the viral replication features of major VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 and their association with pathogenicity. The Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from the COVID-19 patients in Japan were propagated in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells.

Methylobacterium populi Peritonitis Associated with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis.

Methylobacterium populi is a fastidious, pink-pigmented, Gram-negative bacterium that has been isolated from poplar trees that are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere in both temperate and subtropical regions. Herein, we report a novel case of M. populi peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Twenty-five years of Nipah outbreaks in Southeast Asia: A persistent threat to global health.

Objectives: Nipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen, poses persistent threats to global public health due to severe clinical manifestation and high case fatality rate (CFR). A critical examination of NiV outbreaks is essential for refining strategies and mitigating the impact of future infections. In this study, we provide a concise update on global NiV outbreaks that occurred during the past 25 years.

Validity of reducing blood culture incubation time for the BD BACTEC FX blood culture system considering microbiological and clinical aspects.

Introduction: A blood culture (BC) test is vital for diagnosing bacteremia in clinical practice. Although incubation time varies among automated BC systems, 4-5 days is deemed to be sufficient time for the BD BACTEC FX blood culture system. This study compared the clinical and microbiological characteristics of true-positive BC samples on day 5 with those within 4 days to reduce missed true bacteremia cases.

Bangladesh records persistently increased number of dengue deaths in recent years: Dissecting the shortcomings and means to resolve.

Objectives: Dengue, a life-threatening disease caused by the mosquito-borne dengue virus, has become a severe problem in recent years in Bangladesh, a South Asian country. In this study, we have critically analyzed the factors contributing to the escalation of the dengue burden in recent years in Bangladesh and discussed the strategies for effective control.

Design: This retrospective observational study analyzed the dengue data collected from the five most dengue-affected countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines) from 2019 to 2023.

Rapid Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in the Acute Phase of Infection by Direct Real-Time Reverse Transcription without RNA Extraction.

No specific treatment has been developed for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). However, the prognosis can improve with early plasma exchange. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection of SFTS virus is important for diagnosis and prognosis.

Risk Factors for Teicoplanin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Focusing on Concomitant Use of Tazobactam/Piperacillin.

Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) often receive tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) and glycopeptide antibiotics for febrile neutropenia. The effect of concomitant use of TAZ/PIPC on risk of teicoplanin (TEIC)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. We investigated the impact of concomitant TAZ/PIPC use on TEIC-associated AKI in HM patients and identified the risk factors.

Thyroid abscess associated with thyrotoxicosis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica subsp. palearctica in a patient with follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland.

Background: Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative zoonotic bacterial pathogen that is typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The most common clinical manifestation of a Y. enterocolitica infection is self-limited gastroenteritis.

Bacillus subtilis Bacteremia from Gastrointestinal Perforation after Natto Ingestion, Japan.

We report a case of Bacillus subtilis variant natto bacteremia from a gastrointestinal perforation in a patient who ingested natto. Genotypic methods showed the bacteria in a blood sample and the ingested natto were the same strains. Older or immunocompromised patients could be at risk for bacteremia from ingesting natto.

Seroprevalence kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pediatric patients visiting a hospital during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 are often asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. The studies on the seroprevalence kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the positive rate of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG in pediatric patients without suspected COVID-19 infection between January 2007 and March 2022.

Perception of overseas experiences among medical students in Japan: a national online survey.

Background: Data on the perceptions of medical students on international experience in non-English-speaking high-income countries (HICs) are very limited. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of medical students in Japan toward overseas experience while in school and post-graduation, as well as to characterize the support they require to pursue their profession in international settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional national survey was administered online between September 16, 2020, and October 8, 2020.

Evaluation of a real-time mobile PCR device (PCR 1100) for the detection of the rabies gene in field samples.

Background: The Philippines is ranked among the top countries with 200-300 annual deaths due to rabies. Most human rabies cases have been reported in remote areas, where dog surveillance is inadequate. Therefore, a strategy to effectively improve surveillance in remote areas will increase the number of detections.

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistant genes in Bacteroides spp. isolated in Oita Prefecture, Japan.

Introduction: Bacteroides spp. are the most common anaerobic bacteria isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract. Several resistant genes are present in Bacteroides spp.