Acute Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis caused by ocular perforation injury and occult intravitreal cilium implantation:a case report

Dear Editor,We present a case of acute Bacillus cereus(B.cereus)endophthalmitis in a patient with an intraocular perforation injury combined with occult intravitreal cilium implantation.B.cereus endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection commonly caused by post-traumatic injuries.It often leads to significant vision loss or even eye loss within 12-48h[1].The presence of an intraocular foreign body(IOFB)increases the risk of infection,while early surgical removal of IOFBs can prevent endophthalmitis,some IOFBs are difficult to detect preoperatively.The Medical Ethics Review Board of West China Hospital of Sichuan University waived application for a clinical study because this was a retrospective report of a single patient based on imaging and because no human experimentation was involved.The patient provided written informed consent to use the imaging data for publication.

Delayed endophthalmitis caused by Gordonia bronchialis after intraocular collamer lens implantation

Dear Editor,We report a case of bacterial endophthalmitis following implantation of a Staar intraocular collamer lens(ICL)caused by Gordonia bronchialis.ICL implantation is an effective method to correct myopia which generally offers excellent safety.There are a few reports of ocular infection caused by Gordonia bronchialis,but no ICL-related endophthalmitis has been reported to date.We present the first case of delayed-onset endophthalmitis after ICL implantation caused by Gordonia bronchialis,identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).

The Incidence of Endophthalmitis Cases in an Island Nation

Endophthalmitis is a severe ocular infection which can have sight threatening complications and should be treated urgently. Malta is an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, with one main hospital (Mater Dei Hospital), where all emergency ophthalmic cases are referred during the years audited. This allowed the authors to review all the cases of endophthalmitis which presented to Mater Dei Hospital from 2009 to 2020 and to be able to reliably compare incidence of local endophthalmitis cases with worldwide quoted incidence rates. All theatre logbooks documenting procedures locally from 2009 to 2020 were reviewed and patients undergoing intravitreal tap and antibiotics injections were included in this audit. This was based on the assumption that all endophthalmitis cases which presented underwent these procedures. Data was analyzed and the average incidence of endophthalmitis cases noted and compared with international numbers. The local numbers are higher than the accepted average, taking into consideration sources of error during data collection for this audit. The authors suggest that a local standard operating procedure in terms of response of suspected endophthalmitis is needed as well as a register for local endophthalmitis cases.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis as a Triggering Factor for Fatal Bacterial Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: A Case Report

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare condition with a poor long-term visual prognosis and significant mortality, often associated with the hematogenous spread of intravitreal infections and subsequent disruption of the blood-ocular barrier. Its anatomical proximity to the central nervous system (CNS) poses a high risk of infection dissemination, although cases documented in the literature are rare, and endogenous endophthalmitis is typically described as secondary to neuroinfections. We report the case of an 82-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension who presented with fever, decreased visual acuity, severe headache, chemosis, and conjunctival injection. Endogenous endophthalmitis was diagnosed, and antimicrobial treatment was initiated alongside surgical intervention by the ophthalmology service. However, the patient’s condition worsened neurologically, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Despite intensive medical treatment, the patient’s clinical course was poor, leading to death.

Endophthalmitis in silicone oil-filled eye: A case report

BACKGROUND Endophthalmitis occurring in silicone oil-filled eyes is a very rare occurrence,with reported incidence rates ranging between 0.07%and 0.039%.Traditional methods of management of infectious endophthalmitis include the removal of silicone oil,washout of the vitreous cavity,administration of intravitreal antibiotics,and reinjection of silicone oil.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report the case of a 39-year-old man with unilateral endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade.Intravitreal injections of full-dose antibiotics and anterior chamber washout were used to treat the patient.No signs of retinal toxicity were observed during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION Intravitreal full-dose antibiotic injections and anterior chamber washout are promising alternatives to traditional therapies for endophthalmitis in silicone oilfilled eyes.

Teaching Reform of Veterinary Microbiology Based on the Hybrid Teaching of Ideology and Politics

The veterinary microbiology teaching team thoroughly implements the national education policy,and iteratively promotes the implementation of the teaching reform of Sanquan education.The teaching team is focused on a“student-centered”approach to education,emphasizing the foundation of“cultivating people and nurturing the root and soul of the nation.”By integrating“knowledge exploration,skill training,and value shaping”into the talent training plan,they are reshaping curriculum objectives and emphasizing ideological education in the syllabus.The teaching content system is being reconstructed,combining multiple interactions of blended teaching with the“six-in-one”ideological education model,to achieve the educational goals of the new agricultural“in-class-extracurricular”approach.This effort provides an empirical basis for the ideological and political teaching reform of the veterinary microbiology curriculum.

Hybrid Teaching Reform of Veterinary Microbiology Based on the Combination of Virtual Simulation and Problem-Based Learning

The Veterinary Microbiology course is centered around the diagnosis and testing of pathogenic microorganisms,with the core value of“moral education and character development.”It reconstructs multidimensional teaching resources by integrating disciplinary achievements with clinical cases and implements a hybrid teaching approach combining virtual simulation and problem-based learning(PBL)through the“three stages+four models+three reflections”framework.Dual-qualification teachers employ various teaching methods,create a“six-in-one”model for ideological and political education,and conduct formative assessments based on the principles of diversified objectives and process emphasis.The hybrid teaching reform addresses issues such as fragmented knowledge,insufficient class hours,weak animal disease diagnostic abilities among students,limited application and expansion of knowledge points,and students’lack of proactive critical thinking skills.The application of hybrid teaching has shown significant advantages and effectiveness,providing a reference for teaching reform in similar microbiology courses.

Exploration of Ideological and Political Education in Veterinary Microbiology Experimental Technology

The veterinary microbiology experimental course plays a key role in education and practice,integrating“knowledge,skills,and qualities”into the talent cultivation program.The syllabus has been revised to emphasize the course’s ideological and political education objectives.The extraction of ideological and political elements focuses on developing a curriculum that includes ideological and political teaching materials and cases,ensuring coherence across classroom teaching,social practice,and online courses.By organically integrating ideological and political elements within stories,along with professional knowledge,operational skills,and social practice,the course aims to enhance the appeal and effectiveness of ideological and political education in the experimental course.

Food Microbiology and Safety 实验课的教改探索

该文作者所在大学与新西兰梅西大学合作开展了食品科学与工程专业国际化培养本科教育项目,全英文课程Food Microbiology and Safety是该项目的核心课程之一。该实验课以应用性为前提,以课程思政为引领,强调食品微生物学与食品安全学的融合,中外师资合作开展了系列教学探索与实践。课程设计以食品产品和食品生产为情境,以微生物安全为话题,模拟真实生产场景,丰富内涵和拓展外延;自主设计实验激发主观能动性、自主规划进程锻炼统筹能力、线上资源平台支撑自主学习与评价、随机分组培养团队合作能力。实践表明,课程有效实现了食品微生物学与食品安全学的有机融合,目标驱动型实验教学过程更利于激发学生的主动性,大量综合性和设计性实验提高了课程的两性一度。与同期对照班级相比,该项目所培养学生具有更强的专业素养和实践能力,为食品专业其他实验课程的教学改革提供了参考。

Construction Method of Ideological and Political Theories Teaching in the Course of Environmental Microbiology for Environmental and Ecological Engineering Major

Environmental Microbiology is a professional basic course in the curriculum system of Environmental and Ecological Engineering major,which follows the requirements of ideological and political theories teaching in the course in higher education,and should be implemented in every course.Therefore,the construction of ideological and political theories teaching in the course should be an important task in the course construction of Environmental Microbiology.In view of the curriculum characteristics of Environmental Microbiology,such as multi-disciplinary feature,wide coverage and rapid development,it is an effective method for the construction of ideological and political theories teaching in the course of Environmental Microbiology by fully tapping the ideological and political elements of the curriculum,such as patriotism,scientific spirit and practical innovation,and integrating the ideological and political theories teaching in the course into the whole curriculum design and classroom teaching construction.

Delayed-onset micrococcus luteus-induced postoperative endophthalmitis several months after cataract surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Micrococcus luteus(M.luteus)-induced endophthalmitis is very rare and and may present as either acute or chronic postoperative endophthalmitis.The aim of this study was to report a case of delayed-onset M.luteus-induced endophthalmitis that occurred several months after cataract surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 78-year-old man presented with decreased vision,pain and redness in the right eye that had begun 3 days prior.He had undergone cataract surgery 4 mo prior.Visual acuity was counting fingers;slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctival injection,posterior corneal precipitates,anterior chamber inflammation(cell 4+),and hypopyon.Fundus examination revealed moderate vitreous haze.Urgent vitrectomy was performed for suspected infectious endophthalmitis,followed by vitreous irrigation with injections of antibiotics.On the postoperative day 1,anterior chamber cell decreased to 2+and hypopyon was not observed on slit lamp examination.Six days postoperatively,the patient had recurrent eye pain,and the anterior chamber cell grade increased to 4+;hypopyon recurred in the anterior chamber,and whitish plaque was observed in the lens capsule.Therefore,the patient underwent intraocular lens(IOL)and lens capsule removal,followed by vitreous irrigation,antibiotics injection,and vitrectomy.M.luteus was identified from a lens capsule culture.CONCLUSION In cases of delayed-onset M.luteus-induced endophthalmitis,early vitrectomy and removal of the IOL and lens capsule may be necessary.

Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Analysis of the Waters of the “Mamouwol” Stream in the Urban District of Mamou (Republic of Guinea)

Water is essential to life and to the sustainable socio-economic development of a nation, It is therefore interesting to have a better knowledge of the quality of this water. The aim was to determine the degree of microbiological and physico-chemical pollution of the water of the “Mamouwol” river in the town of Mamou. To do this, we chose four (4) sampling sites spread throughout the town of Mamou. During the month of March (2024), 4 water samples were analyzed to monitor the water quality of this river. The average values of the flora analyzed show that these water are heavily contaminated with bacteria indicative of fecal and metal pollution. This study showed that sites: Mam4;Mam2 and Mam1 contain the highest loads, with Total Coliform counts ranging from 1534 CFU/100 ml to 2100 CFU/100 ml, the number of faecal coliforms varies between 526 and 1240 CFU/100 ml, and that of faecal streptococci between 526 and 841 CFU/100 ml. Metal content, BOD5 and COD all comply with the laboratory’s analysis criteria, although they vary from point to point.

Microbiological Quality Assessment of Mutton in the Saaba District in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: This study was carried out to assess the quality of sheep meat sold to consumers in Saaba municipality. Methods: A preliminary survey consisted of assessing hygiene and sampling meat in butchers’ stores. To achieve this, 100 sales outlets were surveyed for their hygiene conditions. 25 mutton meat samples were sampled in the three villages in Saaba district and analyzed using conventional microbiological techniques. The analysis consisted of determining the microbiological characteristics. Results: According to the results of this study, 100% of the butchers surveyed were men of the region. Among these men, 13% had secondary education, 46% had primary education and 41% were illiterate. Of the 100 retail outlets visited, 96% of the sellers were unaware of the hygiene rules and the dangers of microorganisms. The microbiological analysis of the samples revealed that 100% of the meat was of unsatisfactory microbiological quality. The average contamination rate by total aerobic mesophilic flora, total coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and yeasts and molds was 8.93 × 106, 3.12 × 105, 3.69 × 106, and 6.74 × 103 CFU/g respectively. No Salmonella strain was detected in any of the samples analyzed. Conclusion: Our results pointed out the unsatisfactory safety quality of the sheep meat sold in the sheep meat and good hygiene practices.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion resistance enhancement of coppercontaining high entropy alloy Fe_(x)Cu_(1−x)CoNiCrMn against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

To enhance the microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC)resistance of FeCoNiCrMn high entropy alloy(HEAs),a series of Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn(x=1,0.75,0.5,and 0.25)HEAs were prepared.Microstructural characteristics,corrosion behavior(morphology observation and electrochemical properties),and antimicrobial performance of Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn HEAs were evaluated in a medium inoculated with typical corrosive microorganism Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The aim was to identify copper-containing FeCoNiCrMn HEAs that balance corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties.Results revealed that all Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn(x=1,0.75,0.5,and 0.25)HEAs exhibited an FCC(face centered cubic)phase,with significant grain refinement observed in Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn HEA.Electrochemical tests indicated that Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn HEA demonstrated lower corrosion current density(i_(corr))and pitting potential(E_(pit))compared to other Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn HEAs in P.aeruginosa-inoculated medium,exhibiting superior resistance to MIC.Anti-microbial tests showed that after 14 d of immersion,Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn achieved an antibacterial rate of 89.5%,effectively inhibiting the adhesion and biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa,thereby achieving resistance to MIC.

Study of the Effect of Bacterial Resistance Monitoring in Clinical Microbiology Testing

Objective:To observe and analyze the effect of bacterial resistance monitoring in clinical microbiology testing.Methods:600 microbial specimens collected in our hospital in the past year(April 2021 to April 2022)were used as the test subjects of this study.The specimens were divided into Group A(control group)and Group B(research group),with 300 cases in each group.Group A consisted of blood culture specimens,while Group B consisted of sputum specimens.After the tests were completed,the rates of unfavorable and favorable results,bacterial species distribution,and bacterial drug resistance of the specimens in both groups were compared.Results:Among group A specimens,29 cases were positive(9.67%)and 271 cases were negative(90.33%);among group B specimens,99 cases were positive(33.00%)and 201 cases were negative(66.00%);the difference between the two groups of data was statistically significant(P<0.05).As for the distribution of the types of bacteria,there were 472 cases of Gram-negative bacteria and 128 cases of Gram-positive bacteria.Conclusion:Bacterial resistance monitoring is helpful in clinical microbiology testing.Through proper monitoring,bacterial resistance can be well understood.In this way,patients get to receive appropriate treatment measures and suitable antibacterial prescriptions,thereby improving the patient outcome.

Microbiological Quality of “Rabilé”, a Yeast Used for Fermentation of Dolo, a Local Beer in Dédougou, Burkina Faso

Sorghum beer or dolo is part of the eating habits of part of the population of Dédougou because of its low price compared with industrial beers. Its production is an ancestral tradition that uses traditional equipment and gives dolo organoleptic properties that are not found in industrial beers. The production process involves several stages, including fermentation, which itself comprises natural lactic fermentation followed by alcoholic fermentation using traditional yeasts, which are not controlled in any way. The general aim of this study is to assess the microbiological quality of these fermentative yeasts in the town of Dédougou, in order to contribute to the health safety of the population and the promotion of these local beers. Twenty samples of fermenting yeast were analyzed according to ISO standards, to isolate enterobacteria, total and faecal coliforms according to standard procedures for isolating these micro-organisms. The isolated strains were identified using the API20E gallery. Microbiological analyses revealed the presence of 51.17% enterobacteria, 45.38% total coliforms and 3.45% thermotolerant coliforms. We counted 40% Escherichia coli, 20% Enterobacter cloacae, 20% Klebsiella pneumoniae and 20% Klebsiella spp. All the strains detected are capable of surviving in hostile conditions and could harm the quality of the dolo, consumer health and cause real collective food poisoning in the town of Dédougou. This enabled us to assess the microbial quality of these yeasts and to propose more suitable measures for producing and preserving dolo under hygienic conditions to protect consumer health.

Microbiological Quality of Cyperus esculentus L. Products Sold in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) products sold in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. The microbial load of tubers and tiger nut milk was determined using ISO 4833-1 (2003) standard (total mesophilic aerobic flora), NF ISO 7954 (1998) standard (yeasts and molds), and ISO 4832 (2006) standard (total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms). The results showed that tiger nut tubers had an average microbial load between 4.86 ± 7.03 × 106 UFC/g and 1.82 ± 2.30 × 107 UFC/g for total mesophilic aerobic flora, from 4.34 ± 10.6 × 105 UFC/g to 3.52 ± 4.54 × 106 UFC/g for yeasts and molds, from 2.23 ± 2.25 × 105 UFC/g to 1.41 ± 2.16 × 105 UFC/g for total coliforms and from 1.83 ± 2.03 × 105 UFC/g to 7.0 ± 10.8 × 104 CFU/g for thermotolerant coliforms. For tiger nut milk samples, the average microbial load varied from 3.48 ± 2.98 × 106 CFU/g to 2.80 ± 5.69 × 107 CFU/g for total mesophilic aerobic flora, from 5.00 ± 7.21 × 104 CFU/g to 1.88 ± 3.31 × 105 CFU/g for yeasts and molds, from 4.58 ± 10.4 × 104 CFU/g to 6.31 ± 9.17 × 105 CFU/g for total coliforms and 7.00 ± 7.00 × 103 CFU/g to 2.87 ± 5.86 × 105 CFU/g for thermotolerant coliforms. This study revealed that the tubers and tiger nut milk sold in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso had a high microbial load which could lead to the degradation of these products and food poisoning for consumers.

Risk factors for endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in diabetic patients: a case control study

AIM: To identify risk factors associated with post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis(PCE) in type 2 diabetic patients.METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective case-control study was conducted on 194 type 2 diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery in Rajavithi Hospital from January 2007 to December 2015. Fifteen patients with PCE were included as the case group and 179 patients without PCE were included as the control group. Potential factors associated with PCE among both groups including demographics, pre-operative characteristics, surgical settings and complications, were statistically analyzed using Chi-square testing and a logistic regression model.RESULTS: Within the case group, 53% were females and the median age was 68 y. Univariate analysis of pre-operative characteristics, surgical settings and complications revealed that recent pre-operative fasting plasma glucose, insulin therapy, presence of diabetic retinopathy, and severe non-proliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy were significantly associated with PCE. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for blood glucose level, insulin treatment was the only significant factor associated with an increased risk of PCE(OR 3.9, 95%CI 1.0-15.0, P=0.04) compared to patients without insulin treatment. The most common causative organisms were gram-positive bacteria(89%). Staphylococcus species represented the most common group(67%). Median best corrected visual acuity at 1-month and 3-month follow-up was equal at 0.7 logMAR(20/100).CONCLUSION: The authors identify insulin treatment as the only risk factor associated with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies with serum levels of pre-operative glycated hemoglobin(HbA_(1c)) and post-operative fasting plasma glucose level are essential to truly demonstrate the role of peri-operative glycemic markers as a risk factor for PCE.

Oral Microbiology:Past,Present and Future

Since the initial observations of oral bacteria within dental plaque by van Leeuwenhoek using his primitive microscopes in 1680, an event that is generally recognized as the advent of oral microbiological investigation, oral microbiology has gone through phases of ＂reductionism＂ and ＂holism＂. From the small beginnings of the Miller and Black period, in which microbiologists followed Koch＇s postulates, took the reductionist approach to try to study the complex oral microbial community by analyzing individual species; to the modem era when oral researchers embrace ＂holism＂ or ＂system thinking＂, adopt new concepts such as interspecies interaction, microbial community, biofilms, poly-microbial diseases, oral microbiological knowledge has burgeoned and our ability to identify the resident organisms in dental plaque and decipher the interactions between key components has rapidly increased, such knowledge has greatly changed our view of the oral microbial flora, provided invaluable insight into the etiology of dental and periodontal diseases, opened the door to new approaches and techniques for developing new therapeutic and preventive tools for combating oral polymicrobial diseases.

Surgical management of fungal endophthalmitis resulting from fungal keratitis

AIM： To report the fungal organisms, clinical features, surgical treatment strategies, and outcomes of patients with culture-proven exogenous fungal endophthalmitis （EFE） secondary to keratitis, and evaluate the role of surgery in the treatment. METHODS： The clinical records of 27 patients （27 eyes） with culture-proven EFE resulting from fungal keratitis treated at Shandong Eye Institute from January 2007 to January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Information about fungal culture results, clinical features, surgical procedures, and final visual acuity was obtained. RESULTS： There were 39 positive culture results from samples of cornea, hypopyon, vitreous and lens capsule, accounting for 56%, 26%, 15% and 2.5%, respectively. Fusarium was identified in 44% （12/27） of the eyes, followed by Aspergillus in 22% （6/27）. Posterior segment infection was involved in 78% （21127） of the patients. The corneal infection was larger than 3 mmx3 mm in 89% （24/ 27） of the patients, and 22% （6/27） of them had the entire cornea, and even the sclera involved. Three eyes had silicone oil tamponade, and two eyes had retinal detachment. Twenty-two eyes （81.5%） underwent penetrating keratoplasty （PKP）, and over half of them （545%） were operated within 3d from the onset of antifungal therapy. Fourteen eyes （52%） underwent intracameral antifungal drug injection, and three of them required repeated injections. Fifteen eyes （55.6%） underwent pars plana vitrectomy （PPV）. The rate of the eyes undergoing PPV as the initial surgical procedure was 60% （9/15）, lower than 77% in PKP. Intravitreal injection was given in 59% of the eyes （16/27）, and 75% of them required repeated injections. The final visual acuity was 20/100 or better in 37% of the eyes, and better than counting fingers in 55.6% of the eyes. Five eyes （18.5%） were eviscerated. In the two eyes with concurrent retinal detachment, one achieved retinal reattachment, and the other was eviscerated. In the three eyes with silicone oil tamponade, two eyes received silicone oil removal, and the other one was eviscerated. CONCLUSION： Fusarium and Aspergillus are the dominant pathogens in EFE resulting from keratitis. Aggressive antifungal surgeries including multiple intravitreal injections, PKP and core vitrectomy （especially in the initial surgery） are helpful procedures to improve prognosis of severe EFE secondary to keratitis.