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M Abele-Horn

Publications and source records attributed to M Abele-Horn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Frequent detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Bell's palsy.

The cause of Bell's palsy (BP) remains unknown despite various hints to an infectious etiology. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of the respiratory tract causing pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis or pneumonia. Neurological complications are the most frequent extrapulmonary manifestation. So far, only a few case reports suggested an association between cranial nerve palsy and M. pneumoniae infection. Patients with a BP who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology or Neurology of the University of Wuerzburg between 2000 and 2002 were tested serologically for the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, herpes viruses (HSV-1/2, VZV) and M. pneumoniae. The diagnosis of mycoplasmal infection was made when at least one of the following criteria was met: a threefold rise or more in the titer of antibody of M. pneumoniae in paired sample or a microparticle agglutination assay (MAG) of > or =1:40 and the detection of IgA and/or IgM antibodies in the acute phase serum. Ninety-one consecutive patients could be included. Fifteen patients showed a reactivation of a VZV ( n=12) or of a HSV-1 ( n=3) infection. In six cases the immunoblot revealed specific antibody bands for B. burgdorferi. In 24 patients (26.4%) a seroconversion of M. pneumoniae could be detected. Only two patients complained of mild respiratory symptoms. According to our results, M. pneumoniae is frequently associated with Bell's palsy. Thus, a routine screening for this pathogen, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms, is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Postmortem isolation of Pseudotaeniolina globosa from a patient with aortic aneurysm.

We describe the isolation of the melanized meristematic fungus Pseudotaeniolina globosa from the aortic wall of a patient who died while undergoing surgery for aortic aneurysm and aortic valve regurgitation as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy. Meristematic fungi related to P. globosa have until now been considered as environmental saprobes found predominantly in ecological niches with low water activity. The isolate was identified by phenotypic analyses and by sequencing of the rDNA internal-transcribed spacer domain. The clinical significance of this isolation remains unclear but isolation of meristematic fungi from clinical specimen should be thoroughly evaluated in terms of their significance in future.

Aorta↗
PubMed2001

Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with M. pneumoniae infection-"associated" stroke.

A 36-year-old woman presented with an acute ischemic stroke and a concomitant Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection that had been proven clinically, bacteriologically, and serologically. M. pneumoniae DNA was demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid by positive nested polymerase chain reaction, and intrathecal antibody production was also detected. Contrary to previous reports about M. pneumoniae-associated stroke, most thrombostatic abnormalities in this patient occurred after stroke onset. Although the cause of stroke remains unclear in this patient, central nervous system invasion of M. pneumoniae DNA has to be considered a possible cause in rare cases of cerebral ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Lemierre's syndrome with spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Lemierre's syndrome, a systemic anaerobic infection caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection, septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular veins, sepsis, and multiple metastatic infections. It commonly leads to pulmonary parenchymal abscesses and occasionally to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, or liver or spleen abscesses. Reported here is a case of spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses that occurred as part of a classic presentation of Lemierre's syndrome. Treatment with imipenem and clindamycin was successful.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

[Chronic fistulating wound infection after Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia, caused by a small colony variant of Staphylococcus aureus].

We report a case of chronic wound infection (abscess, fistula) after a Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia. After surgical treatment (mesh explantation), a small-colony variant (SCV) of Staphylococcus aureus was cultured microbiologically. SCV represent subpopulations of Staphylococcus aureus which are associated with chronic infections and which respond poorly to usual treatment regimes. In this case surgery and specific antibiotic treatment with flucloxacillin and rifampicin were successful.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

Extensive myelitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: magnetic resonance imaging and clinical long-term follow-up.

Myelitis is a severe neurological complication associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Little is known about the extent and the reversibility of this myelitis, and reports on the value of spinal imaging are inconclusive. To obtain more information on the diagnostic and prognostic value of spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we studied the clinical course and MRI long-term follow-up of two patients with extensive myelitis associated with M. pneumoniae infection. The neuroradiological findings were correlated with the clinical extent of the spinal syndrome, but their reversibility preceded clinical improvement. These preliminary findings indicate that follow-up spinal MRI may give valuable prognostic information in cases of M. pneumoniae associated myelitis and warrant further more systematic studies to ascertain the relationship between spinal MRI findings and prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Molecular comparison of Mycoplasma hominis strains isolated from colonized women and women with various urogenital infections.

Twenty Mycoplasma hominis strains isolated from colonized women and women with various urogenital infections were investigated for genetic and antigenic homogeneity by different methods. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis demonstrated heterogeneity for all strains, with one exception. Two strains sequentially isolated from one patient showed identical patterns. Otherwise, no clonal clustering could be detected within the strains isolated from either of the diagnostic groups. In contrast, SDS-PAGE analysis and the comparison of the immunoblot pattern revealed antigenic similarities of strains isolated from patients with bacterial vaginosis, chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery as well as endometritis but showed obvious differences in comparison to strains isolated from colonized women.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed2000

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Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

High-density vaginal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization as a risk factor for chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this case control study was to investigate the influence of genital Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two women colonized with Ureaplasma urealyticum without co-existing other infections and 123 women with negative cultures for Ureaplasma urealyticum were enrolled. In a multivariate analysis the influence of quantitative Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization level was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the negative women increasing colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum was associated with a significant decrease of birth weight (p<0.0001) and gestational age (p<0.0001) and with a significant increase of chorioamnionitis (p<0.0001) and preterm delivery (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis high-density Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization was an independent risk factor for chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery, whereas low colonization levels had no effect on an adverse outcome of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum correlates strongly with an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a comparative prospective multicentre study.

UNLABELLED: To determine the role of tracheal colonization at birth with Ureaplasma urealyticum and other pathogenic bacteria with regard to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 97 premature infants with very low birth weight (< 1500 g) were followed prospectively over 30 days in a multicentre study. Of those infants, 35 were colonized with Ureaplasma urealyticum (group Ia), 22 with other pathogenic bacteria (group Ib) and 40 infants with sterile tracheal aspirates served as controls (group II). Colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum or with pathogenic bacteria independently increased the risk of developing BPD as compared to the controls (OR 2.55; 95% CI [1.11, 5.87]). Among Ureaplasma urealyticum and bacterial colonized infants, duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen requirement were significantly longer than among controls (P < 0.05); during the interval of 11 to 35 days of life, every additional day of ventilation significantly increased the risk of BPD (OR 1.22; CI [1.12, 1.32]). The rate of oxygen supplementation, which was similar in both groups during the first 2 weeks of life, was significantly higher among the colonized infants at day 21 (0.38+/-0.18 and 0.39+/-0.16 vs 0.31+/-0.13, P < 0.05) and at day 28 (0.38+/-0.21 and 0.34+/-0.15 vs 0.28+/-0.12, P < 0.05). For infants still ventilated at age of 28 days, Ureaplasma urealytricum and bacterial colonization were associated with a significant higher risk for BPD than for uncolonized controls (OR 5.53; [1.27, 24.02]. Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum and of bacterial colonization and BPD was not weakened after adjustments were made in a multivariate analysis for other significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization is as an important risk factor in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia as bacterial colonization even after treatment with surfactant.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗
PubMed1998

Transverse myelitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

A 14-year-old boy developed acute transverse myelitis with severe abdominal pain, bladder dysfunction, weakness, and sensory loss of the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a segmental expanded central edema affecting parts of the spinal cord, including the caudal medulla oblongata. Antibody response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was negative in microparticle agglutination assays (1:40 in the acute serum and 1:160 in the convalescent serum) and complement fixation tests (1:20 and 1:10). However, analysis of acute-phase serum revealed a specific IgA and IgG response but no IgM response. Detection of M. pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid by nested polymerase chain reaction and in nasopharyngeal aspirate by culture confirmed an M. pneumoniae infection. Treatment with doxycycline (100 mg daily) was started on the second day after admission to the hospital and continued for 14 days; the patient recovered completely and was discharged 20 days after onset of the disease, with no signs of neurological deficits.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Abiotrophia elegans sp. nov., a possible pathogen in patients with culture-negative endocarditis.

We isolated a hitherto undescribed microorganism from a patient with endocarditis. The microscopic appearance, a negative catalase reaction, and growth as satellite colonies next to Staphylococcus epidermidis suggested that this microorganism is a member of the genus Abiotrophia, formerly known as nutritionally variant streptococci. However, the clinical isolate described herein differed markedly from the known Abiotrophia spp., A. adiacens and A. defectiva, in terms of its (i) biochemical properties, (ii) restricted growth temperature range, (iii) whole-cell lysate polypeptide profile, and (iv) unique nutritional requirements. In contrast to the type strains of A. adiacens and A. defectiva, which used L-cysteine and pyridoxal hydrochloride as growth factors, the growth of the clinical isolate was only supported by L-cysteine hydrochloride and not by pyridoxal hydrochloride when the organism was tested in Todd-Hewitt or casein-soy peptone broth. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the microorganism was a member of the genus Abiotrophia and was most closely related to A. adiacens (96.9% homology). Phenotypic and phylogenetic data are consistent with the assumption of a new species within the genus Abiotrophia, for which we propose the name Abiotrophia elegans sp. nov. The unique nutritional requirements of this strain are of importance for diagnostic laboratories. The media of blood culture systems supplemented only with pyridoxal hydrochloride as a growth factor may fail to promote the growth of A. elegans sp. nov., and thus, these systems might not detect this microorganism as a possible cause of endocarditis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Molecular approaches to diagnosis of pulmonary diseases due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

In this prospective study, the use of a culture-enhanced PCR assay for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, followed by hybridization with a specific probe (MP-HPCR) or without hybridization (MP-PCR), and the use of a nested PCR (MP-NPCR) were evaluated. Clinical samples (190 specimens) from 190 patients with respiratory complaints were incubated in culture broth overnight and then subjected to PCR. The results of the PCR were compared to those obtained by culture, the direct antigen test, and serologic testing by microparticle agglutination and by immunoblotting in unclear cases. The sensitivities were 19 CFU for MP-PCR, 1.9 CFU for MP-HPCR, and 0.019 CFU for MP-NPCR. PCR amplification of the beta-globin gene was possible in 98% of cases: after dilution of the beta-globin-negative samples, all samples were reactive. Correlation between negative MP-NPCR results and negative serology results was found in 89% of cases; a positive correlation was found with 10% of the patients. Samples from three immunocompromised patients were MP-NPCR positive but serologically negative. High respiratory colonization by M. pneumoniae (>10(5) CFU/ml) in patients with acute respiratory disease could be detected by culture, MP-PCR, and MP-NPCR. These results indicate that MP-PCR and MP-NPCR are reliable methods for the detection of M. pneumoniae in respiratory tract samples of patients with respiratory complaints.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Mycoplasma hominis. A rare causative agent of acute pyelonephritis].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 23-year-old woman was admitted with typical signs of an acute urinary tract infection: fever, pain on tapping over both renal areas and in both flanks, urgency and dysuria. She had a history of renal colic with spontaneous passage of a renal stone. INVESTIGATIONS: There was marked leukocytosis and raised C-reactive protein, leukocyturia and haematuria, but no nitrites or protein in the urine. All blood and urine cultures were sterile and renal ultrasound was unremarkable. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: As signs and laboratory data indicated acute pyelonephritis (PN) she was treated with gyrase inhibiting antibiotics. But while symptoms improved, fever, leukocyturia and haematuria continued; no micro-organism could be demonstrated. Mycoplasma was therefore considered as a rare cause of PN. Special urine cultures then grew M. hominis, > 10(5) organisms/ml. On the basis of sensitivity tests doxycycline was administered. All symptoms quickly improved and all inflammation parameters and urine sediments became normal. CONCLUSION: In rare instances M. hominis may be isolated as the causative organism of PN. If, in cases with appropriate symptoms, routine tests fail to demonstrate the causative agent, M. hominis should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Decrease in nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated patients by selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) on the rate of colonization and infection of the respiratory tract in intensive care patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 4 days. A financial assessment was also performed. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, controlled study using amphotericin B, colistin sulfate (polymyxin E), and tobramycin applied to the oropharynx and systemic cefotaxime prophylaxis. SETTING: Anesthesiology intensive care unit (ICU) of a 1500-bed hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 88 patients admitted as emergencies and intubated within less than 24 h were enrolled. Fifty-eight patients received SOD and 30 patients served as controls. Randomization was in the proportion of 2 : 1 study patients to controls. INTERVENTIONS: Microbiological samples from the oropharynx and other infected sites were taken at the time of admission, then twice a week and after extubation. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: With the use of SOD, colonization was significantly reduced. Furthermore, the infection rate decreased from 77% in the controls to 22% in the study patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the main potential pathogen causing colonization and pneumonia. Number of days in the ICU, duration of ventilation, and mortality were not significantly decreased. The total cost of antibiotics was reduced. Development of resistance was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SOD significantly reduced the colonization and pneumonia and the total charge for antibiotics. The length of stay in the ICU, duration of ventilation, and mortality were similar. No resistance was observed. Staphylococcus aureus was selected by SOD in some patients and the clinical relevance needs further observation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum biovars with clinical outcome for neonates, obstetric patients, and gynecological patients with pelvic inflammatory disease.

In this prospective study, the prevalence of the two Ureaplasma urealyticum biovars, parvo and T960, was determined in pregnant women and in gynecological patients colonized by ureaplasmas. Furthermore, we investigated the association of these biovars with gynecological complications and adverse pregnancy outcome. Isolates of U. urealyticum from 254 women were biotyped by a PCR method recently developed. The parvo biovar was found in 81% (206 of 254) of the patients, and the T960 biovar was found in 30% (76 of 254) of the patients; 6% (14 of 254) of the women were coinfected. Identical biovars were detected in mothers and their infants. Serial isolations or cultures from different sampling sites of the same individual revealed the same biovar. T960 was dominant in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (57%) and patients who had had a miscarriage (42%), showed a higher rate of tetracycline resistance than did parvo isolates (55 versus 18%), and seemed to have more adverse effects on pregnancy outcome with regard to birth weight (2,500 versus 1,720 g), gestational age (35 versus 30 weeks), and preterm delivery (35 versus 77%).

Female↗