Project description:Mycobacterium shigaense has recently been recognized as an emerging human pathogen, and is well known as a skin pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. In this report we describe the first case of chronic pulmonary infectious disease caused by M. shigaense in an immunocompetent individual.
Project description:We report 2 case-patients in Japan with Mycobacterium shigaense pulmonary infections. One patient was given aggressive treatment and the other conservative treatment, according to distinctive radiologic evidence. A close phylogenetic relationship based on whole-genome sequencing was found between strain from the conservatively treated patient and a reference strain of cutaneous origin.
Project description:Cryptosporidium baileyi, a bird-specific parasite, infects gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and urinary tracts of its host. We report on a C. baileyi infection associated with pulmonary hamartoma in an immunocompetent patient in Poland. Further work is needed to investigate the association between Cryptosporidium infections and tumors.
Project description:Mycobacterium shigaense is a slowly growing scotochromogenic species and a member of the Mycobacterium simiae complex group. Here, we report the complete sequence of its genome, comprising a 5.2-Mb chromosome. The sequence will represent the essential data for future phylogenetic and comparative genome studies of the Mycobacterium simiae complex group.
Project description:A 56-year-old woman, without any immunocompromising diseases, was referred to our hospital because of a recurrence of pyogenic spondylitis. Computed tomography revealed multiple osteolytic changes in the whole body. Vertebral magnetic resonance imaging revealed osteomyelitis and spondylitis. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was detected in sputum cultures, in abscesses from the right knee, and in a subcutaneous forehead abscess. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with disseminated Mycobacterium scrofulaceum infection. The patient was treated with rifampicin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin, which resulted in symptomatic relief and radiological improvement. We herein report a rare case of disseminated Mycobacterium scrofulaceum infection in an immunocompetent host.
Project description:The phylum Apicomplexa comprises intracellular protozoa that include many human pathogens. Their nearest relatives are chromerids and colpodellids. We report a case of a Babesia spp.-like relapsing infection caused by a newly described microorganism related to the Apicomplexa. This case is highly suggestive of a previously undescribed type of colpodellid that infects vertebrates.
Project description:Whether Mycobacterium leprae transmits from placenta to fetus remains unknown. We describe the case of a pregnant woman with untreated histoid leproma. Although her newborn was healthy, laboratory examination revealed intact M. leprae present in the placenta, suggesting that the placental barrier might prevent vertical dissemination of M. leprae.
Project description:The Scedosporium apiospermum complex is a group of emerging opportunistic fungal pathogens that affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals, most commonly via lung infection. Although they are resistant to many antifungal agents, this group of pathogens has a favorable susceptibility profile to azoles, especially voriconazole. Here, we describe the management of S. apiospermum infection in an otherwise healthy 44-year-old woman. She had exhibited intermittent hemoptysis for 2 years before admission to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a thin-walled and well-circumscribed cavitary lesion in the left upper lobe; the lesion was filled with consolidative opacities. Fungal culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens revealed grayish-white mold; lactophenol cotton blue staining revealed acute angle branched septate hyaline cylindrical hyphae, characteristic of S. apiospermum. Despite voriconazole 200 mg twice daily for 8 weeks, the patient showed no improvement; thus, her left upper lobe was removed via thoracoscopic surgery. Her symptoms immediately improved and chest radiography after surgical resection showed no evidence of radiological progression or reoccurrence. This report demonstrates that S. apiospermum lung infection may not respond well to voriconazole alone in immunocompetent hosts; thus, surgery could be curative for these patients.