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Here we report six cases of daptomycin (DAP)-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DIEP) encountered at two medical centers and present a review of 43 DIEP patients from 26 studies to compare the clinical characteristics and radiographic findings of acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP; CEP). Four of the six patients did not exhibit respiratory symptoms, and one patient with only fever was misdiagnosed with DAP-induced fever. According to our literature review and the present findings, male sex and old age were dominant risk factors for DIEP. Fever and fine crackles were the most common clinical manifestations. The DAP dose and duration of administration were not significant risk factors for DIEP, and we also could not find any association between allergic predisposition and DIEP. Among the reviewed patients, 51.8% did not show more than 25% eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage, which is a criterion for the diagnosis of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia. Chest images of all patients showed CEP patterns such as multiple reticulonodular infiltrates in the subpleural region and diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates with ground-glass opacities. However, 66.7% of patients also exhibited pleural effusion, a feature specific to AEP. All patients showed prompt recovery after DAP withdrawal. Our results suggest that clinicians should consider DIEP as a differential diagnosis when patients receiving DAP therapy, particularly men and elderly patients, present with fever, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, they should be aware that the occurrence of DIEP is independent of the DAP dose and administration duration, and allergic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective In recent years, Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) bacteria are becoming increasingly recognized as important pneumonia-causing pathogens. Although several small studies have been reported, the features of SAG pneumonia remain unclear, because the identification of SAG from sputum cultures is not routinely performed in most microbiology laboratories. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics of SAG pneumonia. Patient and methods This was a retrospective case-control study utilizing data obtained in our hospital between September 2009 and June 2016. We investigated 31 patients with SAG pneumonia (PWP), and also assessed the difference between the 31 PWP and 37 patients without pneumonia (PWOP) in whose sputum SAG was detected. Results Seventy-one percent of the patients were men and the median age was 78 years in the PWP. Univariate analysis indicated that the PWP were significantly more often a bed-ridden ( p < 0.01) with comorbid aspiration than were the PWOP ( p < 0.05). Among the PWP, nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP) was the more common type of pneumonia (54.8%). S. anginosus was detected significantly more frequently in sputum cultures of PWP than PWOP ( p < 0.01), and multiple pathogens were detected more frequently in PWP ( p < 0.01). Streptococcus constellatus was the most frequently detected pathogen in patients with a single bacterial infection. Empyema was observed only in patients with multiple bacteria. Conclusions SAG should be recognized as important causative pathogens of pneumonia, particularly among elderly patients with underlying disease associated with aspiration. NHCAP was the more common type of SAG pneumonia in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Etiological epidemiology and diagnosis are important issues for CAP and NHCAP. Despite the availability of effective therapies, significant morbidity and mortality ensues. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the etiology of 200 pneumonia patients at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital. Patients were categorized into CAP (n = 97) or NHCAP (n = 103), according to the Japanese Respiratory Society guidelines. Diagnoses were made using clinical tests including, Gram stain, bacterial culture, serum and urinary tests. Results Pathogens were detected in 71% of patients, and identified as the source of infection in 52% (104/200). The majority of patients suffered from Streptococcus pneumoniae (32/200), Haemophilus influenzae (22/200), and Moraxella catarrhalis (16/200). Gram stain guided pathogen-oriented therapy decisions for 38 of 96 patients with unknown pathogens. Atypical pathogens were only diagnosed in CAP patients (n = 5). Severity of pneumonia was related to male sex ( p = 0.006), and preexisting conditions, such as chronic heart failure ( p < 0.001) and COPD ( p < 0.001). Risk factors associated with increased length of stay included chronic heart failure, chronic renal failure, other pulmonary diseases and diabetes. Mortality for NHCAP patients was associated with lung cancer and bronchiectasis. CAP patients were more frequently admitted during winter months, while NHCAP patients were admitted during all other seasons. Seasonal patterns for individual pathogens could not be determined. Conclusion Gram staining remains useful to guiding diagnostics. Pathogens affecting CAP and NHCAP patients were not significantly different; as such, attention should be focused on the management of underlying conditions. Clinical outcomes were not affected by guideline discordant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neisseria meningitidis often causes meningitis and meningococcemia; however, meningococcal pneumonia is quite rare. Herein, we report a case of non-invasive meningococcal pneumonia initially misdiagnosed as pneumonia due to Moraxella catarrhalis on the basis of a Gram stain in a 43-year-old woman with asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and schizophrenia. She visited our hospital following a 3-day history of fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. Since her sputum smear revealed Gram-negative diplococcus and the chest radiograph showed infiltration in the lower right lung field, her initial diagnosis was pneumonia caused by M. catarrhalis . However, the next day, the sputum culture colonies were unlike those of M. catarrhalis , and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed the pathogen to be N. meningitidis . As a result, we administered the appropriate treatment and ensured adequate infection prevention and control measures including, droplet precautions and prophylaxis provided to close contacts. Secondary infection did not occur. Although meningococcal pneumonia is not common, physicians should consider N. meningitidis when Gram-negative diplococci are observed in respiratory specimens, as N. meningitidis cannot be distinguished from M. catarrhalis with Gram staining alone. Moreover, it is also important to monitor the appearance of the pathogenic colonies and to closely coordinate with laboratory technicians to determine appropriate treatments. In this article, we review the previous case reports of meningococcal pneumonia reported in 1984–2015 in Japan, summarizing the clinical characteristics and comparing previous reviews of the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene sequence analysis methods, including 16S rRNA identification, allows accurate identification of Streptococcus species, which include phenotypically closely related species that are difficult to differentiate using conventional chemical methods. We report a case of bacteremia due to Streptococcus tigurinus , identified by 16S rRNA, in a 72-year-old woman with gastrointestinal cancer and ascites. She was hospitalized to undergo elective tumor-related surgery. Five days prior to undergoing surgery, she developed a fever with no obvious source of infection. Blood cultures identified gram-positive cocci. The patient's bacteremia was initially thought to be caused by an Enterococcus species, given her underlying gastrointestinal disease. However, alpha-hemolytic, mucoid, circular colonies were observed on sheep blood agar the following day. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and biochemical testing suggested Streptococcus pneumoniae , we conducted further investigation to identify the bacterium, as the patient had no symptoms of infections usually related with S. pneumoniae such as pneumonia, meningitis, or sinusitis, and the bacteremia occurred 30 days after hospitalization. Finally, the gram-positive cocci were identified as S. tigurinus , assigned to the Streptococcus mitis group in 2012. Although the origin of infection was unclear, it was suspected that peritonitis or bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract caused the bacteremia. This novel species was recently reported as being extremely pathogenic and different from other Streptococcus species. It has been reported to occur in cases of infectious endocarditis and bacteremia. In this article, we reviewed previous reports of S. tigurinus infection and summarized the clinical and pathogenetic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study was performed to evaluate and compare the performance of the multiplex PCR Seeplex ® assays and Anyplex™ II assays. From May 2014 until April 2016, a total of 247 respiratory samples were collected in Okinawa, Japan. Multiple respiratory pathogens were detected in 37% of patients with positive results. The most prevalent pathogens were influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus B. Despite minor differences in capabilities, both the Seeplex ® assays and Anyplex™ II assays can be easily implemented in diagnostic or research laboratories to optimize the detection and management of respiratory pathogen induced diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Citrobacter genus, the most commonly isolated bacteria from human specimens are Citrobacter freundii and Citrobacter koseri , and previous cases of infection due to Citrobacter braakii have been rarely reported. We present a case of bacteremia due to C. braakii in a 38-year-old woman with cervical cancer. She was admitted to our hospital with complaints of a fever, chills, and nausea. Blood culture results showed gram-negative bacilli identified as C. braakii via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, although biochemical testing findings were suggestive of C. freundii . Since a rare pathogen was detected in the present case and the results of additional biochemical studies were suggestive of both C. braakii and Citrobacter farmeri , genetic analysis was conducted. Finally, the gram-negative bacilli were confirmed as C. braakii , a member of the C. freundii complex since 1993, by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing analysis. The gastrointestinal tract was considered the portal of entry, because the patient had a rectal fistula and other cultures such as urine and vaginal discharge incubated species other than C. braakii . The patient recovered after receiving treatment with ciprofloxacin for 14 days. The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of C. braakii infection are still unknown because of the limitations in accurate identification by using currently available commercial biochemical testing and previously, only 6 cases of C. braakii infection have been reported. Physicians should focus on this species, because it causes community-acquired infections, although further studies are needed to clarify the clinical characteristics of C. braakii infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Previous studies have suggested that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and/or the airway colonization of Pneumocystis jirovecii (Pcj) impact on the progression of airway obstruction, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between HIV infection, airway colonization of Pcj and airway obstruction in Japanese male patients. Methods Case–control study of 49 HIV-positive and 257 HIV-negative men were enrolled in this study. Airway obstruction was determined by spirometry. Cigarette smoking was determined by a self report. Laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Among HIV positive patients, the airway colonization of Pcj was evaluated by induced sputum using the real time polymerase chain reaction method. Results Forty-eight out of 49 (97.9%) HIV-positive patients received antiretroviral therapy, and their median CD4 cell counts were 491/μL (79–935). The prevalence of airway obstruction as determined by spirometry was 10.2% (5/49) in HIV-positive subjects and 2.4% (5/208) in HIV-negative subjects ( p = 0.024). Compared with the control group, HIV-positive patients were significantly younger (median age 44 vs 40, p = 0.019). After adjusting for age, pack-years of smoking, HIV infection was an independent risk factor for airway obstruction (OR; 10.93, 95%CI 1.99–60.1, p = 0.006). None of patient was detected the airway colonization of Pcj. Conclusions HIV infection was an independent risk factor for airway obstruction regardless of airway colonization of Pcj. Health-care providers should be aware of the increased likelihood of airway obstruction among HIV-positive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]