A woman with fever and rash after African safari.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Africa↗
Biomedical subjects
Elie F Berbari
Publications and source records attributed to Elie F Berbari.
Do follow-up imaging examinations provide useful prognostic information in patients with spine infection?
BACKGROUND: The ability of follow-up imaging examinations to predict treatment failure in patients with spine infections has not been well studied. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with spine infection who had both baseline and 4-8-week follow-up imaging results available at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) during the period of 1994-2002. Follow-up imaging findings were categorized as improved, equivocal, or worse, compared with the baseline findings, on the basis of a simple grading system that focused on associated soft-tissue findings. RESULTS: Baseline and 4-8-week follow-up imaging findings were available for 79 patients with spine infection who presented to the Mayo Clinic during 1994-2002. Thirty-five infections (44%) were due to Staphylococcus aureus, 9 (11%) were due to coagulase-negative staphylococci, and 16 (20%) were culture negative. Twenty-seven (34%), 38 (48%), and 14 (18%) follow-up images were graded improved, equivocal, or worse, respectively. The cumulative rates of 1-year survival free of microbiologically confirmed treatment failure were 100%, 89% (95% CI, 74%-96%), and 56% (95% CI, 24%-83%) for patients with improved, equivocal, and worse follow-up imaging findings, respectively (P=.004). Only 3 (6%) of 52 patients deemed to have had clinical improvement at the time of the follow-up imaging study experienced treatment failure. Elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers identified 2 of these patients as high risk for treatment failure, and the levels were not performed for the third patient. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a simple grading scale to assess follow-up imaging examinations for patients with spinal infection stratifies their risk of treatment failure. Patients' clinical statuses and inflammatory biomarker responses may be helpful for selecting patients at high risk for treatment failure who should undergo follow-up magnetic resonance imaging.
Aged↗
Infection and musculoskeletal conditions: Osteomyelitis.
Osteomyelitis can result from hematogenous or contiguous microbial seeding of the bone. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common infecting microorganism. Although any bone can potentially develop osteomyelitis, long-bone, vertebral, and foot osteomyelitis account for the majority of cases. Confirmatory diagnosis of osteomyelitis often depends on the results of a bone biopsy and bone cultures. Radiologic and laboratory studies are often helpful in leading to the diagnosis, determining the extent of the disease, and following up selected patients with osteomyelitis. Optimal therapy for osteomyelitis requires the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of physicians. Debridement is often needed in contiguous osteomyelitis, whereas acute hematogenous and vertebral osteomyelitis can often be treated with a prolonged course of antimicrobial therapy.
Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome↗
Unusual aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with prosthetic joint infections.
The association of certain microorganisms, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and beta-hemolytic streptococci, with prosthetic joint infection (PJI) has been recognized for many years. To our knowledge, a systematic review of the presentation and management of less commonly encountered species of coagulase-negative staphylococci, nutritional-variant streptococci, aerobic non-spore and spore forming Gram-positive or anaerobic bacteria is not available. We therefore sought to provide a comprehensive literature review of PJI due to these microorganisms that will provide a valuable and quick reference for clinicians caring for these patients. We conducted a Medline search of all case reports and case series of PJI due to unusual aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The presentation, surgical, and medical management strategies were reviewed. Appropriate medical and surgical management of such infections is complex and evolving as newer diagnostic tests, surgical techniques and antimicrobials become available. Management of patients with these infections requires close collaboration between the orthopaedic surgeon, infectious disease specialist and microbiology laboratory.
Bacteria, Aerobic↗
Fungi, mycobacteria, zoonotic and other organisms in prosthetic joint infection.
A systematic review of the presentation and management of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) due to zoonotic microorganisms, fungi, mycobacteria and other unusual microorganisms is not available. We therefore sought to provide a resource for the practicing orthopaedic surgeon which will serve as a guide for making appropriate decisions in managing such rare, but potentially problematic conditions. We conducted a Medline search of all case reports of PJI due to these unusual microorganisms. Our review of the current literature showed the diagnosis of PJI due to zoonotic microorganisms, fungi, mycobacteria and other unusual microorganisms typically necessitates specialized diagnostic tests. Maintaining a high index of suspicion in diagnosis of such unusual microorganisms and requesting the appropriate laboratory tests at the time of surgical débridement is crucial for determining the microbiologic etiology of these infections. The appropriate medical and surgical management of such infections is complex and often requires the use of special antimicrobials with which the orthopaedist may not be familiar. Collaboration with an infectious disease specialist is advisable when treating these infections.
Humans↗
Outcome of prosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the impact of medical and surgical therapy in 200 episodes.
BACKGROUND: Prosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is a serious complication of total joint arthroplasty. Little information is available on the outcome of medical and surgical treatments of prosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a total hip or total knee arthroplasty infection evaluated at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) between 1 January 1969 and 31 December 1995. RESULTS: A total of 200 first episodes of prosthetic joint infection in 160 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were diagnosed during the study period. Thirty-seven percent of prosthetic joint infection episodes were due to Staphylococcus aureus. Of these episodes, 23% and 19% were treated with debridement and retention of components and 2-stage exchange, respectively. The type of surgical procedure was the only analyzed clinical variable that was associated with treatment failure (P < .001). Rates of 5-year survival free of treatment failure for patients with prosthetic joint infection episodes treated with debridement and retention of components, 2-stage exchange, and resection arthroplasty were 32% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21%-49%), 79% (95% CI, 66%-93%), and 61% (95% CI, 49%-74%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus is the most common pathogen among patients with rheumatoid arthritis with prosthetic joint infection. Two-stage exchange was used in only 19% of the prosthetic joint infection episodes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the study period, but it was associated with the best outcome. The variable most strongly associated with the outcome was the type of surgical procedure.
Adult↗
Prosthetic joint infections.
Success in the treatment of infected orthopedic prosthesis requires the best surgical approach in combination with prolonged optimum targeted antimicrobial therapy. In choosing the surgical option, one must consider the type of infection, condition of the bone stock and soft tissue, the virulence and antimicrobial susceptibility of the pathogen, the general health and projected longevity of the patient, and the experience of the surgeon. If surgery is not possible, an alternative is long-term oral antimicrobial suppression to maintain a functioning prosthesis. Treatment must be individualized for a specific infection in a specific patient.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Infectious complications of tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adalimumab↗
Epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Since first described In 1961, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a common nosocomial pathogen. Substantial increases in MRSA infections among nonhospitalized patients are being reported. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is the most common isolate from skin and soft tissue infections in selected centers in the United States. Community-acquired MRSA strains differ from nosocomial strains in clinically relevant ways, such as in their propensity to cause skin and soft tissue infection and severe necrotizing pneumonia. Clinicians in numerous specialties, particularly primary care physicians, will likely evaluate patients presentIng with community-acquired MRSA and should become familiar with the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of and evolving therapeutic and preventive strategies for this infection.
Community-Acquired Infections↗
Osteoarticular infection complicating enterococcal endocarditis.
Despite the common occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in patients with infective endocarditis, infectious osteoarticular complications are diagnosed infrequently. Moreover, although enterococcal infection is the third most common cause of infective endocarditis, infectious osteoarticular complications are rare. We report a case of disk space infection in a patient with enterococcal endocarditis. Blood cultures and an L3-4 aspirate grew Enterococcus faecalis, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large vegetation on the posterior mitral valve leaflet. The osteoarticular infection resolved with antimicrobial treatment, but worsening heart failure necessitated valve replacement surgery. The patient had an uneventful recovery with no evidence of recurrence or complications. A review of the medical literature from 1966 through 1998 identified 13 additional cases, only 8 of which provided clinical and treatment data. We present the clinical and laboratory findings reported in these cases, along with data from our patient. This report highlights the rare occurrence of osteoarticular infection in the setting of enterococcal endocarditis and emphasizes early recognition and treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Outpatient intravenous antimicrobial therapy for the practicing orthopaedic surgeon.
The medical treatment of many musculoskeletal infections requires prolonged intravenous antimicrobial therapy, much of which is administered outside the hospital under the guidance of an infectious disease specialist. The essential elements of patient selection, antimicrobial administration, and clinical and laboratory monitoring of outpatient intravenous antimicrobial therapy for adult patients with musculoskeletal infection is described in the current study. Orthopaedists who treat patients with musculoskeletal infection should know the essential details of outpatient intravenous antimicrobial therapy to optimize the medical and surgical treatment of patients with these infections.
Adult↗