Spread of Tst-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Strains Belonging to ST30 Clone among Patients and Healthcare Workers in Two Intensive Care Units.

is a major cause of infections. Toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are associated with severe clinical syndromes. colonizing isolates recovered from healthcare workers and patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital comprising Group A were compared with those from adult non-ICU carriers (Group B).

Early KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia among Intensive Care Unit Patients Non-Colonized upon Admission.

Among 140 patients colonized by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) between fourth and seventh day of Intensive Care Unit stay, 24 developed bacteraemia immediately after colonization. Colistin-resistance of the colonizing isolate was the factor significantly associated with early KPC-Kp bacteraemia (P < 0.001; OR 6.

Co-colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria in two Greek intensive care units.

Our goal was to identify the risk factors for co-colonization by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission and during stay. Rectal and nasal samples were taken from each patient upon admission at two Greek ICUs and each week afterwards, and were inoculated onto chromogenic agar. Representative colonies were characterized with standard methods and Vitek-2 technology.

Updates on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity (OXAIPN).

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN) is of great clinical interest as it ranks among the most common dose limiting toxicities of oxaliplatin (OXA) administration with an obvious impact on the outcome of cancer patients. In addition, OXAIPN has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of cancer patients because it can be long lasting or even permanent. It has a unique spectrum of clinical presentation, being manifested with two distinct syndromes: the acute neurotoxicity that appears soon after OXA administration and is usually transient, and the chronic cumulative syndrome that resembles the characteristics of all platinum compounds.

Genetic determinants of chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: a genome-wide study replication and meta-analysis.

We aimed at validating the role of genetic variants identified by a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) as determinants of chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OXAIPN). Eight polymorphisms (rs10486003, rs2338, rs843748, rs797519, rs4936453, rs12023000, rs17140129, and rs6924717) were genotyped in a total of 150 colorectal cancer patients of Caucasian origin receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The severity grade of chronic OXAIPN was assessed by NCI-CTC criteria and the clinical version of the Total Neuropathy Score(©) (TNSc(©) ).

Association of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization or infection with Candida isolation and selection of non-albicans species.

Clinical specimens from 565 patients hospitalized in 2 intensive care units (ICUs A and B) during a 28-month period were cultured on appropriate media for isolation of Candida. Forty-nine (9%) patients had at least a Candida spp.-positive sample.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in adults: a comprehensive update of the literature.

Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in oncology/hematology practice, causing toxic peripheral neuropathy, include taxanes, platinum compounds, vinca alkaloids, proteasome inhibitors, and antiangiogenic/immunomodulatory agents. This review paper intends to put together and discuss the spectrum of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) characteristics so as to highlight areas of future research to pursue on the topic. Current knowledge shows that the pathogenesis of CIPN still remains elusive, mostly because there are several sites of involvement in the peripheral nervous system.

Cobalamin deficiency triggering de novo status epilepticus.

Cobalamin deficiency is included in the spectrum of very uncommon underlying causes of status epilepticus (SE) and the literature contains very few such cases. We herein report a case of unusual presentation of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency with de novo SE with the intention to bolster the argument that a de novo manifestation of SE due to cobalamin deficiency might not be that uncommon. We also support the importance of prompt identification and treatment of the underlying causes of SE, particularly those which are uncommon.

Voltage-gated sodium channel polymorphisms play a pivotal role in the development of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: results from a prospective multicenter study.

Background: The current prospective, multicenter study sought to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms of voltage-gated sodium channels (SCNAs) genes that might confer susceptibility to an increased incidence and severity of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN) in patients treated with either leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or oxaliplatin plus capecitabine (XELOX) for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A total of 200 patients with CRC were genotyped with real-time polymerase chain reaction using locked nucleic acid hydrolysis probes or allele-specific primers. All patients had received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, either in the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Destructive cervical spine osteoblastoma at C5 in a young patient initially presenting with quadriparesis: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Osteoblastomas are rare benign bone tumors that are mostly found in the posterior spinal elements; about 20% are located in the cervical spine.

Objective: The case of a destructive cervical osteoblastoma at C5 is reported in a 19-year-old man who initially presented with spastic quadriparesis.

Case Report: A 19-year-old man was self-referred, reporting symptoms in keeping with a progressive spastic quadriparesis, which had suddenly developed 6 days earlier.

Foreign accent syndrome caused by a left temporal-parietal ischaemic stroke.

Unlabelled: Karanasios P, Loukopoulou P, Zampakis P, Tiligadas T, Makridou A, Doukas V, Argyriou AA. Foreign accent syndrome caused by a left temporal-parietal ischaemic stroke.

Aim: We present the first reported case of a Greek patient with foreign accent syndrome (FAS) secondary to a left temporal-parietal ischemic stroke.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN): an update.

The peripheral nervous system can be vulnerable to the toxic action of several drugs since it is not protected as effectively as the central nervous system from noxious exogenous agents. Drug-induced neurotoxicity can affect the nerve fibers or the neuronal bodies (generally the dorsal root ganglia of the primary sensory neurons). Among the neurotoxic drugs antineoplastic agents represent a major clinical problem, given their widespread use and the potential severity of their toxicity.

Toxic peripheral neuropathy associated with commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.

Peripheral neuropathy ranks among the most common non-haematological adverse effects of a number of effective chemotherapeutic agents, including platinum compounds, taxanes and vinca alkaloids. Newer agents, such as bortezomib, thalidomide and lenalidomide, frequently exert similar neurotoxic effects on peripheral nerves. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) may result from a variety of mechanisms and may be related to causal factors, such as single dose per course, cumulative dose and risk factors including treatment schedule, prior or concomitant administration of other neurotoxic agents, age and pre-existing peripheral neuropathy of other causes.

Either called "chemobrain" or "chemofog," the long-term chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline in cancer survivors is real.

Context: In recent years, there is growing evidence in the medical literature to support an association between administration of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and an increased risk for cognitive impairment.

Objectives: We herein critically summarize data relating to the pathophysiological mechanisms by which chemotherapy may induce cognitive impairment in patients surviving from solid tumors. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the proposed management strategies to counter chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) also are presented.

Myasthenia gravis initially presenting with pseudo-internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) can rarely be manifested with ocular motility disturbances, simulating internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Pseudo-internuclear ophthalmoplegia (PINO) may occur during the course of MG, however, the initial presentation of MG with PINO in rather unlikely. We herein describe the case of a male patient who developed PINO, as an initial manifestation of MG.

Multiple sclerosis and reproductive risks in women.

During the previous decades, women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were discouraged from having children, as pregnancy was deemed dangerous for pregnancy outcome and a contributing factor for exacerbation of MS. Current knowledge shows that women with MS are no more likely to have pregnancy or delivery complications compared to healthy women. Immunomodulatory therapies should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Bortezomib has demonstrated significant activity in clinical trials, mainly against recurrent or newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Peripheral neuropathy is a significant toxicity of bortezomib, requiring dose modification and potential changes in the treatment plan when it occurs. The mechanism underlying bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) is unknown.

Bilateral drop foot secondary to a primary tumor in the conus medullaris.

Intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord are rare neoplasms that can be associated with severe neurological and functional handicaps. To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case of a male patient who developed bilateral drop foot as an initial manifestation of a primary tumor in the conus medullaris of the spinal cord, probably an astrocytoma.