African Journal of Medical Case Reports

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Comparison of community and hospital-acquired bacteremia in a Greek university hospital: One year experienc

I. Starakis¹*, E. E. Mazokopakis¹, D. Siagris¹, Iro Tsantoula² and C. A. Gogos²

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital of Crete, Chania, Crete, Greece.

²Department of Infectious Diseases, Patras University hospital, 26500 Rion-Patras, Greece.

Accepted 13 October, 2019

Abstract

All bacteraemic cases, from August 2006 to September 2007 were identified by reviewing all positive blood culture results from the microbiology department of our hospital. One thousand three hundred and sixty six cases were detected in 1336 patients. The rate of true bacteremia which was 13.1 and 10.7% of cultures were contaminated. Of the 1366 episodes of bloodstream infection, 55.3% were community-acquired and 44.7% were health-care associated. Gram-positive bacteria prevailed (58.5%), followed by gram negative bacilli (38.5%). Polymicrobial bacteremia was detected in 2.2% of cases. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the leading cause (550/1366 = 40.3%), whilst enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci represented 8, 6.4 and 3.8% respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest gram -negative isolate (155/1366 = 11.3%), followed by Escherichia coli (8.2%) and Acinetobacter sp. (7.3%) . Fungi were isolated in the 3% of the isolates and Candida albicans accounted for the 70.7% of them. Fatal outcome due to bloodstream infections was 15.3% and 5.7% in hospital (HA) and community-acquired (CA) episodes, respectively (P < 0.0005) .The highest mortality occurred in patients with bacteremia due to Acinetobacter (41%) in HA episodes, and in patients with bacteremia due to S. aureus (34.0%) in CA incidents.

Key words: Bacteraemia, pathogens, antimicrobial resistance.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

A case of surgically treated hemorrhagic herpes encephalitis complicated by a sigmoid sinus vein thrombosis

Or Cohen-Inbar¹* and Menashe Zaaroor²

¹Neurosurgical Department Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602 Haifa 31096 Israel. Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

²Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Rambam Maimonides Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.

Accepted 16 September, 2019

Abstract

A temporal massive hemorrhagic necrosis is an uncommon but known complication of herpes encephalitis. Cerebral vein or sinus thrombosis is a very rare complication of herpes encephalitis. Due to its rarity, this complication can go under-diagnosed, resulting at times in grave neurological deficits for the patient. The concurrent existence of both complications is even less common and difficult to diagnose. This also complicates the medical management of the patient due to contradicting considerations. We report a case of a twenty years old female, admitted with herpes encephalitis. The clinical course was complicated by a right temporal lobe massive hemorrhagic necrosis and a late sigmoid sinus vein thrombosis. Intravenous heparin, administered for the thrombosis resulted in further deterioration with evidence of increased hemorrhagic mass lesions, elevated intracranial pressure, uncal herniation and a right "blown pupil". The patient underwent a decompressive craniectomy with dural fenestrations. The patients quickly recovered, regained consciousness and was weaned off respirator. Anticoagulant therapy was reinstituted within 48 h of surgery with no further complications. We advocate a high index of suspicion (clinical and radiological) for both hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in herpes encephalitis patients, and a judicious use of anticoagulation. A multidisciplinary team approach and an early neurosurgical consult in such patients should be the routine.

Key words: Temporal, hemorrhagic necrosis, herpes encephalitis, cerebral vein thrombosis, sinus thrombosis.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Potential clinical applications of dental stem cells

Veleska-Stevkovska Daniela¹*, Peeva-Petreska Marija¹, Evrosimovska Biljana¹, Apostolova Gordana¹ and Veleski Dragoljub²

¹Department for Oral Surgery and Implantology, Faculty of stomatology, ”Sts Cyril and Methodius” University – Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

²Department for Prosthodontics, Faculty of Stomatology, ”Sts Cyril and Methodius” University – Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

Accepted 26 September, 2019

Abstract

Complex human tissues harbor stem cells and/or precursor cells, which are responsible for tissue development or regeneration. Recently, dental tissues such as periodontal ligament (PDL), dental papilla or dental follicle have been identified as easily accessible sources of undifferentiated cells. Dental precursor cells are attractive for usage in regenerative dentistry, like for example regeneration of the dental pulp (biopulp), gingiva and periodontium, regeneration of osseous defects and complete reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint. Dental stem cells are widely used in the regenerative medicine, also. Diabetes, diseases of the bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, muscular and adipose tissue, the neurological diseases and the spinal cord injures are all included in the future cell-based therapies with dental stem cells.

Key words: Stem cells, dental pulp, cultivation, tissue engineering, clinical applications.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-002, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Genital tuberculosis with predominant involvement of cervix: A case report

Savita Rani Singhal*, Pooja Chaudhry and Smiti Nanda

Departments of Obstetric and Gynecology, Pt. B.D.Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak-124001 (Haryana) India.

Accepted 17 July, 2019

Abstract 

Tuberculosis of the cervix is a rare form of genital tuberculosis. The symptmatology does not have any particular specific features; but the macroscopic appearance may be of cancer at first impression. A biopsy followed by histology differentiates between the two. A 19 year old married female being investigated for primary amenorrhea with history of contact bleeding had an exophytic growth on cervix, which turned out to be cervical tuberculosis. In a young patient with suspicious cervical lesion and history of contact bleeding a benign pathology like cervical tuberculosis should be kept in mind The incidence of cervical involvement in genital tuberculosis is extremely low. The outlook is good with full recovery if the treatment is carried out properly and promptly.

Key words:Contact bleeding, cervical cancer, histopathology, cervical tuberculosis.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-015, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

MORINDA CITRIFOLIA L. (Noni): A review of the scientific validation for its nutritional and therapeutic properties

D. R. Singh

Division of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 10 December, 2018

Abstract

MORINDA CITRIFOLIA, commonly called noni, has a long history as a medicinal plant and its use as a botanical dietary supplement has grown tremendously in recent years. This has prompted a concomitant increase in research on the phytochemical constituents and biological activity of noni. It has been reported for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, antihelminthic, analgesic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing effects. This plant has also been popular as a source of red, yellow and purple dyes. In order to encapsulate the medicinal value and therapeutic effects of the noni fruit and to summarize scientific evidence that supports the traditional claims, a literature review and recent advances in noni research has been detailed.

Key words: Morinda citrifolia.