ro13-9904 and Precursor-Cell-Lymphoblastic-Leukemia-Lymphoma

Campylobacter fetus is an uncommon Campylobacter species, and its infections mainly cause infective endocarditis, aortic aneurysm, and meningitis rather than enteritis. It is more likely to be detected in blood than Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli, specifically reported in 53% of patients. In our case, C. fetus was detected in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures.. A 33-year-old woman, who was on maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), presented to our clinic with chief complaints of severe headache and nausea. Blood and CSF cultures revealed C. fetus. We administrated meropenem 2 g intravenously (IV) every 8 h for 3 weeks, and she was discharged without neurological sequelae.. We encountered a case of C. fetus meningitis without gastrointestinal symptoms, neck stiffness or jolt accentuation in a patient with ALL. Undercooked beef was considered the source of C. fetus infection in this case, suggesting that the need for a neutropenic diet and safe food handling be considered.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Campylobacter fetus; Campylobacter Infections; Ceftriaxone; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Foodborne Diseases; Humans; Meningitis, Bacterial; Meropenem; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Treatment Outcome

Agrobacteria are Gram-negative tumorigenic plant pathogens that rarely cause infections in humans.. The authors describe a 7-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who carried a central venous catheter and developed bacteremia due to Agrobacterium radiobacter (A. radiobacter).. Microbiological cure was achieved after administration of systemic ceftriaxone along with gentamicin lock therapy to the central venous catheter for 10 days. Catheter removal was not required, and the patient has not relapsed with bacteremia due to the same pathogen for more than 6 months.. A. radiobacter is an emerging pathogen affecting immunocompromised children, particularly those with leukemia who carry central venous catheters. Although it has a low virulence, erratic susceptibility patterns, and high frequency of resistance to many antibiotics, ceftriaxone appears to be successful in treatment of most cases. Catheter removal for the clearance of bloodstream infections due to A. radiobacter may not be required in selected patients like the present case.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteremia; Catheter-Related Infections; Catheterization, Central Venous; Ceftriaxone; Child; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Rhizobium

West Nile Virus (WNV) infection is an important cause of encephalitis. Although the medical literature contains examples of WNV encephalitis in susceptible, mainly elderly, immunocompromised hosts, few case reports have described pediatric cases. The authors describe an adolescent with acute lymphocytic leukemia and WNV encephalitis. Surveillance studies indicate an increase in WNV activity. Physicians need to be aware of WNV activity in their community and consider WNV as a potential source of infection.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adolescent; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antiviral Agents; Brain; Ceftazidime; Ceftriaxone; Culicidae; Diagnosis, Differential; Encephalitis, Viral; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Insect Bites and Stings; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Mercaptopurine; North Carolina; Persistent Vegetative State; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prednisone; Vancomycin; Vincristine; Virginia; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Ceftriaxone; Child, Preschool; Female; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Male; Medical Audit; Neutropenia; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Retrospective Studies