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Biomedical subjects

R Berner

Publications and source records attributed to R Berner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Streptococcus agalactiae in a German university hospital.

Group B streptococci (GBS) are the major cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. GBS infection in neonates is usually treated with a combination of penicillin and gentamicin. According to consensus guidelines, pregnant women at risk receive intrapartum prophylaxis with either ampicillin or penicillin or, in case of allergy, with erythromycin or clindamycin. We investigated the susceptibility patterns of 190 GBS strains from neonates isolated from 1993-1999 and 150 GBS strains collected from adult women in 1997 and 1999. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin and cefotaxime. Erythromycin resistance among all isolates from neonates and from adult women in 1997 was 4.7% and 6%, respectively. In contrast, 12% of the isolates from adult women in 1999 were resistant to erythromycin and 7% were resistant to clindamycin. These findings show an increasing macrolide resistance in recent GBS strains and indicate the need for further surveillance.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Portal vein and bone involvement in disseminated cat-scratch disease: report of 2 cases.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a common cause of regional lymphadenopathy. We describe 2 children with an unusual presentation of disseminated CSD, the first one presenting with persistent fever, multilocular abscesses in liver and spleen as well as osteolytic lesions in the lumbar spine and the second one with portal vein thrombosis and severe ascites.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed2000

Frequency, natural course, and outcome of neonatal neutropenia.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the frequency, onset, duration, and prognosis of neutropenia in a neonatal hospital population to define subgroups of neonates who might benefit from cytokine therapy. STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised of 2 parts: in a first retrospective study (I), clinical data of neonates with sepsis (n = 168) were analyzed; in a second retrospective and prospective study (II), clinical data of neonates with neutropenia (n = 131) were studied. In study I, the analysis focused on septic neonates with and without neutropenia, and in study II, on neutropenic neonates with and without primary infection. In the prospective part of study II, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) plasma concentrations were analyzed in neutropenic neonates (n = 32). RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of septic neonates were neutropenic. Neutropenia lasted <24 hours in 75% of these patients. It was recorded before or on the day of the clinical onset of sepsis in 87% of patients. The overall incidence of neutropenia was 8.1%. Seventy-two percent of these neutropenic episodes occurred in patients without infection at the time of diagnosis of neutropenia. In the latter patients, the risk of infection secondary to neutropenia was 9%, affecting only premature neonates. Neutropenic episodes without infection were of longer duration and were accompanied by lower G-CSF plasma concentrations than were episodes associated with infection. The percentage of neutropenic episodes primarily associated with infection was higher in VLBW neonates than in term neonates. Likewise, the risk of infection secondary to neutropenia (27%) and the mortality attributable to infection and neutropenia (28%) were significantly higher than in term newborns. CONCLUSION: Considering the priming time for induction of neutrophilia, G-CSF therapy in neonates presenting with severe bacterial infection and neutropenia may be too late. In contrast, neutropenic very low birth weight neonates without primary infection might benefit from prophylactic G-CSF treatment.neonatal sepsis, neutropenia, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1999

Low prevalence of the immunoglobulin-A-binding beta antigen of the C protein among Streptococcus agalactiae isolates causing neonatal sepsis.

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus, GBS) is the most important pathogen causing neonatal sepsis. The role of bacterial proteins contributing to pathogenicity in GBS infections has not yet been clearly determined, but the C protein complex has been suggested to be involved in both virulence and protective immunity. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GBS strains bearing the gene encoding for the beta antigen of the C protein among clinical isolates from 68 neonates with sepsis, 45 newborns colonized without clinical signs of infection, and 50 isolates from pregnant women. The prevalence of the beta antigen gene in all three groups was low (24% vs. 19% vs. 22%) [corrected], and the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Clinical characteristics and cytokine plasma levels did not differ between septic patients with beta antigen-positive and -negative strains. The beta-antigen gene was not found among serotype III isolates, which accounted for roughly half of all the strains isolated. Thus, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis based on the beta antigen gene seems not helpful for distinguishing invasive from colonizing GBS strains. A vaccine based on peptide antigens from the beta antigen of the C protein would most probably not provide protection against the majority of GBS isolates. When analyzing the PCR products of the C protein beta antigen gene by DNA sequencing, a genetic heterogeneity was observed, revealing small repetitive genetic elements within the amplified fragment, an observation that should be studied further.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1999

Hepatopathy in two infants with short-bowel syndrome and cytomegalovirus infection.

In children with short-bowel syndrome and the need for long-term parenteral nutrition, hepatic dysfunction is a multifactorial phenomenon that has not been completely understood. Alterations in gut motility lead to intraluminal stasis which is thought to be a major etiologic factor for bacterial overgrowth and subsequent cholestasis, especially when the ileocecal valve is absent. We report on two infants with short-bowel syndrome caused by gastroschisis and intestinal atresia. The intestinal lengths after resection were 18 and 55 cm. Long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) was obligatory due to intestinal shortness in the first patient and dilatation of the preatretic bowel segment with ineffective peristalsis in the second patient. Despite multiple trials of enteral nutrition and medical therapy for gut decontamination and stimulation of bowel motility, hepatopathy developed in both patients in a similar period of time and to about the same degree. At the age of 4 and 6 weeks, respectively, increasing bilirubin values were measured. Deterioration of liver function and thrombocytopenia at the age of 3 to 4 months led to the diagnosis of acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Treatment with ganciclovir followed. Both patients died of acute liver failure at the age of 7 and 9 months, respectively. Additional hepatic injury secondary to CMV infection might have contributed to the rapid deterioration of liver disease. Screening for further hepatotoxic factors, especially infectious etiologies, is therefore recommended in children with short-bowel syndrome. Liver transplantation should be considered early in cases of progressive hepatic dysfunction.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗
PubMed1999

Occurrence and impact of community-acquired and nosocomial rotavirus infections--a hospital-based study over 10 y.

The need for a rotavirus vaccine in any particular country depends primarily on the number of hospitalized cases. Since only limited data are available for Germany, we undertook a retrospective hospital-based analysis in order to gather further information. From 1987 through 1996, a total of 3618 inpatients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis (ICD 9). In 892 (25%) of them the causative organism was a rotavirus. During the same period, 1886 (out of 8383; 22%) stool specimens tested in the hospital laboratory were obtained from rotavirus-positive inpatients. In 49.2% the infection was community-acquired, and in the remainder of nosocomial origin. Infants under 4 months of age (n = 709: 38%) predominated among both the nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Premature neonates made up 26% of the nosocomial, but only 2% of the community-acquired cases of diarrhoea. The winter peak (January) was most pronounced in the age group 4-12 months, but in those more than 1 y old the peak came a month later. The median hospitalization time for community-acquired cases was 4 d (mean 5.9 d). The mortality was 0.1%. Rotavirus infection must therefore be regarded as a considerable burden, particularly with regard to infants and young children. Furthermore, the morbidity due to nosocomial infection with the rotavirus, analysed here in a long-term observational study, is unexpectedly high.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1998

Predisposing conditions and pathogens in bacteremia in hospitalized children.

Between 1985 and 1995, 1037 bacteremic episodes were recorded in a pediatric tertiary care center and analyzed retrospectively. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 719 episodes (68%), gram-negative bacteria for 303 (29%), fungi for 16 (2%), and anaerobes for 12 (1%). In 526 (51%) patients, primarily neonates and oncology patients, a predisposing condition was present. In 390 (38%) episodes a clinical source of infection was documented. Mortality was highest in Pseudomonas bacteremia (45%). Since the bacterial spectrum differed widely between patient groups, the choice of empirical antimicrobial therapy should be based on any underlying condition present in the patient and the clinical source of infection. As anaerobes were rarely isolated. the routine use of anaerobic blood cultures in patients without predisposing conditions does not seem warranted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Plasma levels and gene expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in neonatal early onset sepsis.

Bacterial sepsis is still a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early onset sepsis in particular, presents with a different clinical course and involves other pathogens than sepsis later in life. In this study, plasma concentrations and mRNA expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) of neonates with early onset sepsis were evaluated in cord blood and during the first days of life. Irrespective of prematurity, plasma levels of G-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8, but not sICAM-1, were excessively elevated in septic neonates when compared with both healthy infants and infants with clinically suspected but not confirmed sepsis. Compared with the corresponding maternal levels, neonatal cytokine cord plasma levels were likewise highly elevated, indicating the endogenous cytokine production by the neonate. With the exception of TNF-alpha, mRNA expression in blood cells from septic infants was, however, not more frequently detectable than in those from nonseptic patients. Cytokine levels decreased significantly within the first days of life, whereas levels of sICAM-1 and C-reactive protein increased during the same time period. In summary, in contrast to C-reactive protein and sICAM-1, cord blood plasma levels, but not the presence of mRNA, of G-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 can predict neonatal early onset sepsis with a high sensitivity and specificity. Cell types other than blood cells are likely to contribute considerably to the high cytokine production in septic newborns.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1998

[Otitis media and tonsillitis--2 of the most frequent pediatric diagnoses].

Acute otitis media and tonsillopharyngitis are two of the most common diseases in pediatric clinical practice. Careful examination of the ears and the tonsils are mandatory in the evaluation of a febrile child. Acute otitis media usually can be diagnosed by a carefully taken history and examination alone. The infection usually requires antibiotic treatment, with amoxicillin being still recommended as the first choice drug. Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are more variable in their origin, the majority of cases is caused by different viruses. However, clinical examination alone is not specific enough to rule out the most important bacterial pathogen, group A streptococcus, which still has to be treated by penicillins. Thus, rapid test methods and classic bacteriological culture are used to assess group A streptococcus infections. Infectious mononucleosis and diphtheria are the most important diseases to be considered carefully in each patient.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

Bacterial tracheitis caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

UNLABELLED: Diphtheria has become a rare disease in Germany. We report on an unimmunized 3.5-year-old German girl with a 7-day history of respiratory distress and fever, presenting a clinical picture mimicking typical bacterial tracheitis without pharyngeal and laryngeal manifestation. Diagnosis of diphtheria was not made until culture of tracheal secretions yielded growth of a toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The patient died from toxic cardiac failure despite treatment with diphtheria antitoxin. This is the second reported case of isolated bacterial tracheitis caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. CONCLUSION: The observation of a lethal course of diphtheric tracheitis emphasizes the paramount importance of immunization against diseases like diphtheria.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Ventricular shunt infection and meningitis due to Bacillus cereus.

Non-anthrax Bacillus species are usually considered to be contaminants if found in clinical specimens. Only a few patients with systemic infections due to Bacillus cereus are reported. We present the case of a 18-month old boy with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in the brainstem and obstructive hydrocephalus that required an outlying and subsequently a ventriculoperitoneal drain. Following contamination at the site of entry of the external drain, shunt infection and meningitis with Bacillus cereus developed. Antibiotic treatment with vancomycin failed to eliminate the bacterium from the cerebrospinal fluid, so the shunt system had to be removed. Explantation of the shunt and addition of fosfomycin to the antibiotic regimen resulted in a complete cure of the infection.

Bacillaceae Infections↗
PubMed1997

Fatal sepsis caused by Corynebacterium amycolatum in a premature infant.

Corynebacterium amycolatum has not been reported as a cause of human infections up to now, but usually the bacterium is misidentified in clinical specimens as Corynebacterium xerosis. We report the first case of neonatal sepsis due to Corynebacterium amycolatum with a fatal outcome in a premature infant.

Corynebacterium↗
PubMed1996

Central venous catheter infection by Aspergillus fumigatus in a patient with B-type non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Invasive Aspergillus infection is still a major problem in immunocompromised patients. A central venous catheter infection by Aspergillus fumigatus, however, has not yet been reported. We describe the case of a 10-year-old female patient with B-type non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated according to the German chemotherapy protocol NHL-BFM 90. Isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from the blood was the first hint of invasive aspergillosis. A central venous catheter-associated infection was suggested, since Aspergillus was also isolated from the thrombotic tip of the removed catheter. Secondary pulmonary aspergillosis was documented radiologically. The patient was treated successfully by Ampho-thericin B and Itraconazol and explantation of the central venous catheter under conditions of complete hematopoietic regeneration of the bone marrow with omission of the final chemotherapeutic cycle.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1996

Colonization and infection with Moraxella catarrhalis in childhood.

In a prospective clinical study, rates of isolation of Moraxella catarrhalis in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 122 children with respiratory tract infection and 72 healthy controls were compared. In the patient group, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most frequently isolated pathogens (38% and 42%, respectively). Monocultures of each pathogen were equally distributed in patients and controls (41% and 42%), whereas mixed infections were found more frequently in the patient group (42% vs 14%; normal flora, 17% vs 44%). Moraxella catarrhalis appears to be a relevant respiratory pathogen. The isolation of two or more pathogens in nasopharyngeal aspirates seems to be as indicative of relevant infection as is monoculture.

Acute Disease↗