1.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus sepsis associated with probiotic therapy in an extremely preterm infant: Pathogenesis and a review for clinicians.
Chiang, MC, Chen, CL, Feng, Y, Chen, CC, Lien, R, Chiu, CH
Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi. 2021;(4):575-580
Abstract
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications in preterm infants. Probiotics have been used to prevent NEC. Safety is a major concern for this practice. METHODS We reported a female preterm infant who received oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG but developed sepsis 12 days after the treatment. Cultures of blood and the catheter tip yielded L. rhamnosus. Next-generation sequencing was performed to analyze isolates from blood, stool, catheter, and product capsules. We also determined the capacities of these isolates to form biofilms. A literature review was performed. RESULTS The patient was treated with ampicillin and piperacillin/tazobactam, and she subsequently recovered without complications. The analysis of genome sequences indicated that all the isolates belonged to the clone of L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103), suggesting that sepsis was a catheter-related infection caused by the oral probiotic. L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) and the probiotic strain tested formed biofilms under all growth conditions. Isolates from the blood and catheter tip also formed biofilms, but the stool isolate did not. The capacity of intrinsic biofilm formation in L. rhamnosus GG depended on environmental factors and the type of culture medium. Literature review of L. rhamnosus GG sepsis in preterm and young infants found that nearly 60% of the patients had a suspected or confirmed infected catheter. CONCLUSION The study showed that the capacity of L. rhamnosus GG to form biofilms, especially in the presence of glucose, is a critical factor leading to the probiotic-related sepsis in preterm infants.
2.
Paraplegia: complication of percutaneous central venous line malposition.
Chen, CC, Tsao, PN, Yau, KI
Pediatric neurology. 2001;(1):65-8
Abstract
Percutaneously inserted central venous lines are usually a safe and effective means of securing prolonged central venous access but can have serious complications. One patient who experienced clinically important morbidity related to inadvertent malpositioning of a central venous catheter is described. It was inserted via the left saphenous vein into the lumbar venous plexus and resulted in milky cerebrospinal fluid, urine retention, and paraplegia. Reviewing the literature, only 11 patients with the same malposition were reported, three of them with percutaneously inserted central venous lines. In these three patients and our patient the left saphenous vein was used. Neurologic sequelae of paraplegia and urine retention were recorded in 25% (3/12) of patients. The mortality rate approached 42% (5/12) but only two patients were related to catheter misplacement. Although the complication rate is extremely low and difficult to recognize, catheter malposition into the ascending lumbar vein can lead to lethal complications.
3.
Atopic cataracts in a child with atopic dermatitis: a case report and review of the literature.
Chen, CC, Huang, JL, Yang, KD, Chen, HJ
Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology. 2000;(1):69-71
Abstract
Cataracts induced by atopic dermatitis rarely occur in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from this problem. Lenticular opacity is an important ocular complication in atopic dermatitis. Although the cause of atopic dermatitis and its ocular complications are unknown, cataracts have been observed to develop and progress during periods of exacerbation of the dermatitis. We report the case of a 16-year-old boy with atopic dermatitis who abruptly developed cataracts in both eyes while suffering from severe skin itching which began 2 months before the initial examination. His peroxidation test result was very high, and we postulate the retinal peroxidation might play a key role in cataractogenesis. Lens aspiration and intraocular artificial lens implantation were performed smoothly with restoration of visual acuity in both eyes.