Since a splenectomized patient is considered a "special" patient, he should receive antibiotic treatment as soon as possible, even if the wound does not appear infected. It is necessary to make sure that the dog is yours (you should ask if the animal is correctly vaccinated) and if the patient is correctly vaccinated (5 doses of tetanus, it would not require tetanus); make a notification of Animal Aggression, for observation of this and take measures in case this is necessary.

Since a splenectomized patient is considered a "special" patient, he should receive antibiotic treatment as soon as possible, even if the wound does not appear infected. It is necessary to make sure that the dog is yours (you should ask if the animal is correctly vaccinated) and if the patient is correctly vaccinated (5 doses of tetanus, [HIDDEN]); make a notification of Animal Aggression, for observation of this and take measures in case this is necessary.

Luis is a 25-year-old young man who underwent splenectomy after a bicycle accident 1 year ago. He has a dog that bit him 24 hours ago and has caused a small wound on his right hand. He went to his health center (located 3 hours from the nearest hospital) for fever of 39ºC, pain in the wound and general malaise. On examination, BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 110 beats per minute, slight swelling in the wound without pus. Which of the following actions is most indicated at this time?

Send to hospital for rabies and tetanus vaccination and keep under observation.

Clean the wound and administer intramuscular nonspecific ganunaglobulin.

Give 400 mg of oral moxifloxacin and send to the hospital.

Give clindamycin 600 mg oral every 8 hours and observation.

Bite Wounds Caused by a Wild Boar: A Case Report.

A 74-year-old man was attacked by a wild boar while on his way home from his farm in the daytime in winter 2017 on the rural Izu peninsula. He did not provoke the boar; however, hunters were hunting animals in the mountains near the farm around the same time. The boar bit his left leg, and the man fell to the ground. The boar continued biting the man's left leg, and the man delivered a few kicks to the boar's face with his right leg. The boar then bit his right foot and ran away. The man was taken to a hospital, and a physical examination revealed 3 bite wounds on his left leg and right foot. The wounds were irrigated with sterilized saline and closed with sutures under local anesthesia. He received antibiotics and a tetanus toxoid booster. The next day, his wounds were found to be infected, and pus was drained from them. After these treatments, his wounds healed successfully. Animal bite wounds are frequently contaminated. Accordingly, in addition to early proper wound treatment, close observation of the wound is required for both the early detection of any signs of infection and early medical intervention, including appropriate drainage of pus and irrigation as necessary.

[Two severe tetanus cases infected in an urban area of Kawasaki City].

We report two cases of severe tetanus infection. Case 1: A 73-year-old non-vaccinated man who fell in a local park developed a wound on the left little finger. The wound was debrided and a tetanus toxin shot given on day 4 following the injury. He developed trismus on day 6 requiring deep sedation and mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU), with human anti-tetanus immune globulin (TIG) and antibiotics administered. Despite a very severe autonomic dysfunction, he recovered and was discharged mobile after 2 months of rehabilitation. Case 2: A 37-year-old woman fully vaccinated against tetanus in her childhood had apparently had booster vaccine for at least 20 years and was being treated for hyperthyroidism with thiamazole. She sustained two lacerations on the fingers of her right hand in her backyard. She noticed difficulty in opening her mouth on day 3 following the injury and was seen on day 7, for high fever and difficulty in speaking. She was diagnosed clinically as having tetanus and underwent wound debridement, and a shot of tetanus toxin, TIG, and antibiotics. On hospital admission day 2, she developed spasms and her blood pressure dropped drastically. She died the next day due to endotoxin shock caused by other bacteria. C. tetani is widely distributed in Japan, and these cases underscore the importance of maintaining adequate tetanus antibody levels through booster administration every 10 years in immune adults and appropriate post-exposure treatment with tetanus toxin and/or prophylactic TIG administration.

[The hospital-borne tetanus in the reference service of the Donka National Hospital in Conakry (2001-2011)].

Become almost non-existent in the developed countries, the hospital-borne tetanus always stays of current events in our country in spite of the forensic problem which it puts. The objectives of this study were to determine prevalence of this affection, to describe its clinical picture and to determine its lethality. It is about a retrospective study of a duration of 11 years realized in the service of the infectious diseases of Conakry. Among 8649 hospitalizations from 2001 till 2012 we brought together 239 cases of tetanus (2.7%) among which 60 hospital-borne tetanus (0.7%). Men represented 73% of these cases, with a sex-ratio M/F of 2.7. The age bracket of 20-40 years was the most affected with 32 cases (53.3%). A single patient had begun his vaccinal calendar which had remained incomplete. Both national hospitals of the CHU of Conakry and private hospitals were the biggest suppliers of this hospital-borne tetanus with respectively 22 and 27 cases (36.6 and 45%). Tetanus related to IM of quinine represented 26 cases (43.3%) whereas the hernial cure was found in 16 cases (26.6%). The average duration of invasion and incubation was respectively 1.5 days and 6 days for the dead (n = 45.7%) and 2 days and 10.5 days for the survivors. Three-quarters of 60 patients died. The fight against this type of tetanus passes inevitably by an improvement of the working conditions, a strict application of the rules of asepsis and the in-service training of the medical and paramedical staff.

A case report: Community-acquired <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> necrotizing fasciitis in a morbidly obese diabetic young man can be fatal.

We present a case study of a 26-year-old morbidly obese man with a three-day history of right leg pain and swelling. The swelling was associated with low grade fever. He was alert and conscious upon presentation to the hospital. His physical examination showed gross swelling of the entire right lower limb with no systemic manifestations. There was no discharge and bullae from the swelling area of the leg. He had high blood sugar and was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. An intravenous imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg every 6 h together with clindamycin 900 mg every 8 h was started empirically. Extensive wound debridement was performed. The swab culture obtained intraoperatively grew <iPseudomonas aeruginosa.</i He required an above knee amputation due to worsening infection despite wound debridement. Post-operatively, he developed acute kidney injury with severe metabolic acidosis, which required daily hemodialysis. However, the patient deteriorated due to septic shock with multi-organ failure, resulting in his death.

[Did we forget tetanus?].

Currently, in our country (Republic of Serbia) tetanus is a rarely occurring disease, mainly affecting people older than 65 years of age. A small number of reported cases is mainly due to appropriate immunization. Therefore, each case of tetanus may be considered as failure of health care system to provide adequate immunization. A 71-year-old woman was injured in her garden. She sustained laceration in the left coccygeal region. The next day the wound was treated by a surgeon, but tetanus postexposure prophylaxis was not administrated. On the fifth day following the incident, the symptoms and signs of tetanus became apparent, and the patient died two days later. Postmortem examination revealed the wound that was not adequately treated, since there was a foreign body and a dressing inserted in the wound. Signs of acute (aerobic) infection were also present. Tetanus is a severe, potentially lethal disease that is absolutely preventable. Mistakes in immunization and surgical treatment of the wound can be considered as medical malpractice.

The Bolognese surgeon Giuseppe Ruggi: how and why the aseptic surgery was introduced in Bologna in the middle half of the XIX century.

The first reliable statistic data about perioperatory mortality were published in 1841 by the French Joseph-Francois Malgaigne (1806-1863): he referred to a mean mortality of 60% for amputations and this bad result was to be attributed mainly to hospital acquired diseases. The idea of "hospital acquired disease" although vague, included five infective nosologic entities, which at that time were diagnosed more frequently: erysipelas, tetan, pyemia, septicemia, and gangrene. Nonetheless, the suppuration with pus production was considered from most of the surgeons and doctors of that time as a necessary and unavoidable step in the process of wound healing. During the end of the eighteenth century, hospitals of the main European cities were transforming into aggregations of several wards, where the high concentration of patients created poor sanitary conditions and a consistent increase of perioperatory mortality. In 1865, Lister applied his first antiseptic dressing on the surface of an exposed fracture. These experimental attempts lead to an effective reduction of wound infections respect to the dressing with strings used previously. Lister's innovations in the field of wound treatment were based on two brand new concepts: germs causing rot were ubiquitarious and the wound infection was not a normal step in the process of wound healing. The concept of antisepsis was hardly accepted in the European surgical world: "Of all countries, Italy is the most indifferent and uninterested in experimenting this method, which has been so favorably judged from the greatest surgical societies in Germany". This quotation from the young surgeon Giuseppe Ruggi (1844-1925) from Bologna comes from his article where he presented his first experiences on aseptic medications started the previous year in the Surgical Department of Maggiore Hospital in Bologna. In his report, Ruggi described the adopted technique and suggested that the medication should be extended to all the surgical patients of the hospital:"… this is needed to totally remove from the hospital all those elements of infection which grow in the wounds dressed with the old method". The experimentation of this new dressing for the few treated cases was rigorous and concerned both the sterilization of surgical tools with the fenic acid (5%) and the shaving of the skin. Ruggi also observed that there was no correlation between the seriousness of the wound and its extension or way of healing: when "simple" cases that "should heal without complication" showed fever he often realized that "it was often due to a medication performed without following the rules for an accurate disinfection and dressing". Ruggi thought that the fever was connected to "reabsorption of pyrogenic substances, which can be removed cleaning and disinfecting the wound" in cases of wounds not accurately dressed and rarely medicated. Frequent postoperative medications of the wound were able to eliminate the fever within 2 h. Ruggi's attitude toward the fine reasoning lead him to introduce the concept of immunodeficiency related to physical deterioration: "… patients treated for surgical disease may sometimes suffer from complications of medical conditions, which initially escape the most accurate investigations… The surgical operation could, in some cases, hold the balance of power". The obtained results, published in 1879, appear extremely interesting. As he wrote in 1898, for the presentation of his case record of more than 1000 laparotomies, he had started "… operating as a young surgeon without any tutor, helped only by his mind and what he could deduce from publications existing at the moment …".

Results of treatment of patients with severe tetanus. A study o 18 cases.

From 1964 to 1980 a total of 18 patients with tetanus were treated at Tampere Central Hospital, 5 (28%) of whom died. No assurance regarding earlier immunization could be obtained in 15 cases. In 13 cases the site of infection was a small scratch on the finger, the legs or the face. The mean incubation period was 8 days. Ten patients suffered from severe tetanus and 8 from moderate tetanus. Eight patients, of whom 2 died, were treated in an ordinary ward. After the surgical intensive care unit was set up, 10 patients received treatment there. Three died. The mean duration of hospitalization was 27 days and the mean treatment period in the intensive care unit 24 days. Seven patients were asymptomatic when discharged and 6 had minor after-effects. Cardiovascular complications can be prevented by intensive care, but pulmonary embolism remains the commonest cause of death. Special attention should be paid to its prevention.

Influenza A with hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome in an adult: A case report.

Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is a type of acute encephalopathy mainly seen in infants. It is a syndrome encompassing an onset of high fever, disturbance of consciousness, convulsion, and shock that rapidly progresses to watery diarrhea and liver and renal dysfunctions. It is extremely rare in adults, and the number of reports is limited worldwide. We report the case of an adult patient with HSES, which occurred after influenza A infection. A 52-year-old man visited his family doctor 2 days after he noticed fever and was diagnosed with influenza A using an influenza rapid diagnosis kit; he underwent treatment on an outpatient basis. He was immediately hospitalized after developing fever, abdominal pain, malaise, and shock 16 hours after the commencement of the treatment. Abrupt acute brain swelling was noted 24 hours after hospitalization. The antibody titer to influenza A (H3N2) was 1:40. Computed tomography obtained 24 hours after treatment initiation confirmed acute cerebral edema and cerebral herniation. Electroencephalogram at that time showed a flat line. For the treatment of influenza A, laninamivir 150 mg was started immediately after the diagnosis by the family doctor, and 600 mg dose was given daily after hospitalization (or since 24 hours after the treatment initiation). For the management of shock, dobutamine 3 μg/kg/min and noradrenaline up to 0.2 μg/kg/min were used together with bolus infusion. The patient was declared brain dead on his 6th hospital day and he died on his 27th hospital day. Drastic courses such as that in our case with HSES can follow influenza infections even in adults.

[Surveillance of the course of 6030 surgical wounds].

This report describes a 4-year prospective study of post-operative wound infections, utilizing a program of wound surveillance. Surgical wounds after 6030 operations of a general surgery service were surveyed by the authors and a specialist nurse, daily, and in the follow-up clinic for 30 days. The rates of infections showed a decline over the years of surveillance. On the first year there was a 6.37 per cent incidence of infections, and the fourth year, of 4.7 per cent. This represented an improvement in hospitalization days and expenses.

Delayed Presentation of DPD Deficiency in Colorectal Cancer.

Case Study  Mr. D., a 55-year-old male, presented to the medical oncology service with a diagnosis of stage III adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. He presented 7 weeks post sigmoid colectomy with lymph node resection and was initiated on adjuvant chemotherapy with CAPOX (capecitabine [Xeloda] and oxaliplatin [Eloxatin]). Standard dosing was used: oxaliplatin at 130 mg/m(2) on day 1 and capecitabine at approximately 2,000 mg/m(2)/day (rounded to the nearest 500-mg tablet size) for 14 days on and 7 days off (1 cycle = 21 days). A capped body surface area of 2.4 m2 was used, due to the patient's body habitus. Adverse Effects  Mr. D. did not report any complications of therapy during cycle 1, days 1-7, other than grade 1 diarrhea, which was amenable to diphenoxylate/atropine when taken. The next week, he reported significant malaise and fatigue associated with persistent diarrhea occurring every 30 minutes for 5 days. Mr. D. was instructed to go to the emergency room for an immediate evaluation, but he refused. Mr. D. presented to the clinic in poor condition on day 14 of cycle 1. His diarrhea had increased to grade 3 and was not controlled with either loperamide or diphenoxylate/atropine, though he was not taking his medications as directed. He had been instructed to take two 2-mg loperamide tablets after the first loose stool, followed by 1 tablet of diphenoxylate/atropine 2 hours later. He could then alternate this with loperamide every 2 hours as needed, not to exceed 8 tablets of loperamide per day. Instead, he had taken 2 tablets of loperamide after the first loose stool, but either waited 6 hours to take 1 tablet of diphenoxylate/atropine or otherwise chose not to alternate the medications at all despite continued diarrhea, depending on the day. Mr. D.'s timing in taking his supportive medications was inconsistent, and his explanations of this timing were not exact. He also reported persistent grade 3 nausea with vomiting for 5 days, which did not improve with ondansetron and prochlorperazine, though he again did not take these consistently. He was advised to alternate ondansetron and prochlorperazine every 4 hours as needed, but only took one or the other medication approximately 3 times per day. According to Mr. D., his adverse effects initially began on day 9 of cycle 1. He had lost approximately 14 kg (31 lb) during cycle 1. Clinically, he was found to have grade 2 mucositis and grade 1 hand-foot syndrome. At the time of this visit, his absolute neutrophil count was 3,000/ìL, his hemoglobin was 14.4 g/dL, his hematocrit 42.2%, and his platelet count was 139,000/ìL. His kidney function was within the normal range. Mr. D. refused hospitalization despite the primary team's recommendation. He also refused to undergo stool sampling for Clostridium difficile. He was given IV fluids along with adjustments in supportive medications, including a prescription for 10% tincture of opium. He was instructed to use 0.6 mL every 6 hours in addition to alternating loperamide with diphenoxylate/atropine as noted previously. He was advised to rinse his mouth with a baking soda solution for relief of his grade 1 mucositis, and alternation of antiemetics every 4 hours was reiterated. He was to return prior to initiation of cycle 2 for further evaluation. Worsening Symptoms  The next day, Mr. D.'s wife called the clinic to report that her husband's diarrhea continued despite the use of tincture of opium and that it was associated with hematochezia. He was also experiencing a worsening of his mucositis, with an associated swelling of the tongue. He was instructed to present to the emergency center, which he did on day 16 of cycle 1. By then, he was found to be febrile at 39.5°C. He was tachycardic, with a heart rate of 126, and he was experiencing significant abdominal pain associated with the diarrhea. The mucositis was worsening, with new odynophagia. At this time, Mr. D.'s absolute neutrophil count had dropped dramatically to 160/ìL, his hemoglobin was 13.1 g/dL, his hematocrit was 39.2%, and his platelet count was 68,000/ìL. He was admitted to the inpatient service and started on empiric antibiotics. His blood cultures remained negative during hospitalization, but stool cultures were positive for C. difficile. His antimicrobial regimen was deescalated to oral vancomycin once his stool volume decreased. He was treated with an institutional compounded mouthwash of diphenhydramine, aluminum/magnesium hydroxide, and viscous lidocaine for the mucositis, which also slowly improved. He was given a dose of growth factor. Neutropenia eventually resolved, with an absolute neutrophil count of 4,820/ìL on the day of discharge. He was discharged 26 days after initiating cycle 1, at which time his myelosuppression and mucositis were also resolved. Throughout his course, he did not report any neurotoxicity. DPD Testing  Due to his severe symptoms of neutropenia, mucositis, and diarrhea, Mr. D. was tested for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency. Testing confirmed a heterozygous IVS14+IG>A mutation. For this reason, all further adjuvant therapy was withheld, and he was followed on clinical surveillance only.

[Comparative evaluation of risk factors in acute generalized tetanus].

The investigations included a group of 26 patients with acute generalized tetanus, cared for in the Clinic according to a unitary method. A number of 17 prognostic, clinical and laboratory criteria were analyzed from the viewpoint of the pathogenic and clinicoevolutive incidence and significance. According to the severity, lethal course of the disease the following sequence was established in order of gravity: serum sickness, kypokaliemia, hyperpyruvicemia greater than an incubation of less 6 days, invasion within less than 24 hours, hyperlactacidemia greater than age over 60 years, persistent hypertension and tachycardia, hyperazoltemia, hyperglycemia, frequent paroxysmal contractions (before sedation) greater than late admission to hospital, associated cardiopulmonary pathology, hyponatriemia insufficient dressing of the wound and rural environment. The importance of the biological indices is emphasized, both as elements of prognosis and as orientative criteria for the treatment of the case.

Appropriate Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Clean Wound Surgery Under Local Anesthesia.

Although guidelines to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) were published more than a decade ago, prophylactic antibiotics are still used subjectively in clinical practice. In this study, we evaluated the safety of single-dose preoperative intravenous antibiotics without postoperative antibiotics in the field of clean wound surgery performed under local anesthesia. We also surveyed the present clinical conditions for prophylactic antibiotic use in the plastic surgery departments of training hospitals in Korea. A total of 360 consecutive patients who underwent clean wound surgery under local anesthesia in an outpatient clinic from March 2018 to October 2018 were reviewed. In the study group, a single surgeon administered first-generation cephalosporins intravenously within 1 hour of skin incision and did not prescribe additional antibiotics. In the control group, 2 other surgeons prescribed oral first-generation cephalosporins postoperatively for 2 to 3 days without preoperative antibiotics. A telephone survey about perioperative antibiotic regimens was conducted at the departments of plastic surgery in training hospitals. There were 128 patients in the study group and 232 patients in the control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding SSIs and other surgical complications. A total of 41 training hospitals answered the survey and every hospital had protocols of prescribing postoperative oral antibiotics routinely at the time of discharge with a mean duration of 3.9 days. Only 11 hospitals (26.8%) prescribed parenteral antibiotics before surgery as well as postoperative oral antibiotics. Intravenous injection of single-dose first-generation cephalosporins 1 hour before surgery without postoperative antibiotics did not increase the incidence of SSIs compared with the usual practice of giving only postoperative antibiotics prescription for 2 to 3 days in cases of clean wound surgery performed under local anesthesia. Proper antibiotic prophylaxis should be performed by surgeons in training hospitals without hesitation.

[Tetanus in the Murcia region: the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of 150 cases].

150 tetanus cases registered on the region of Murcia have been retrospectively analyzed, they have been collected from the patients admitted at a Intensive Care Unit during a period of 18 years; the clinical together with the epidemiological features, as well as their variations, have been studied through out the years. The impact of a vaccination program in adults which was performed in our region during 1981 has been also evaluated in relationship with the incidence of disease and the economical cost of it. Incidence remained homogeneous until 1982, from that date on a sudden decrease on the number of cases was observed, related with the vaccination program [Period previous to the vaccination program: mean 10 cases/year, versus 5 cases/year since it was started (p < 0.001)]. Regarding the epidemiological characteristics, it is remarkable the shift of the disease toward a more advanced age of onset together with a predominance on females beginning in 1978, but without reaching statically significance. More frequent route of infection is nowadays the intramuscular suppurative injection. Besides this fact the severity of the cases have been increasing (from 59% to 71%, p < 0.005), which has determined that the global mortality of the disease remains almost the same (38%). Mortality has no relationship with age, but is related with being a female (p < 0.05), with intramuscular injection as route of infection (p < 0.025), with the clinical stage (p < 0.001) and with a short incubation period (p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Snakes as pets - consequences of an exotic hobby].

We report on a young man who presented at our emergency unit with pain and swelling of his left hand, after he had been bitten into his left middle finger by a sidewinder rattlesnake one hour ago. Local findings were a swollen left middle finger, a red-livid discoloration along his nail rim with paleness of the surrounding skin. Vital signs were stable, ECG showed sinus rhythm, laboratory parameters were normal, without signs of liver or kidney damage and without coagulopathy. Diagnosis was local tissue reaction due to a snake bite of a sidewinder rattlesnake without evidence of systemic toxic effect. Due to the absence of systemic toxic effects the patient received monitoring of his vital signs and we controlled local tissue reaction constantly and laboratory parameters every 6 hours, as recommended by the "Giftnotrufzentrale" (poison emergency advisory service). The patient left hospital on his own will against medical advice in the night after first laboratory control, which showed no signs of organ damage and we recommended reasessment the following morning. At that time the swelling had extended to the whole arm, furthermore large hematoma reaching up to the axilla had developed over night. Again we contacted the "Giftnotrufzentrale" and decided to begin the administration of an antivenom, after allergic testing. The administration was without complications, the swelling decreased constantly and since laboratory controll still showed no signs of systemic toxin effect, we could discharge the patient on day 3. Follow-up visit 6 months later showed complete and natural healing. Snake bites are altogether rare among our patients, nevertheless since possible toxin effects and its dynamics are unpredictable and can vary highly, they demand monitoring at close intervals of vitals signs, local swelling and laboratory parameters. As early as possible an advisory service, such as "Giftnotrufzentrale" should be contacted to acquire information on possible toxin effects and availability of antivenoms. Contact to other medical disciplines (e.g. dermatology, intensive care unit, surgery, neurology, dialysis…) should be sought, depending on the further course of toxin effects. Possible comorbidities as well as allergisation due to previous bites strongly influence the course of the disease and should be evaluated. We recommend to keep precise records on the ocurrence of systemic toxin effects, as well as on local findings (e.g. fotodocumentation, marking of erythema, measurement of swelling). Manipulation of the wound is usually ineffective and therefore not recommended, also in respect of self-endangerment. After stabilization of the patient a vaccination against tetanus, if necessary, should not be forgotten.

[Surveillance of the clinical course of 6,030 surgical wounds].

This report describes a 4 year prospective study of postoperative wound infections, utilizing a program of wound surveillance. Surgical wounds after 6030 operations of a general surgery service were surveyed by the authors and a specialist nurse, daily and in the follow up clinic for 30 days. Results were reported to all the surgeons monthly. The rates of infections demonstrated a decline over the years of surveillance. In the first year there was a 6.37 percent incidence of infection and the fourth year 4.7 percent. This represents an improvement in hospitalization days and expenses.

Case of skin injuries due to stings by crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci).

A case of skin injuries due to stings by crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, in a 53-year-old Okinawan woman is reported. She went to a beach to gather shellfish on 8 April 2001 and fell to the ground with her left palm on a crown-of-thorns starfish that happened to be close to her. She hurried to the emergency section of our hospital. An emergency doctor sterilized the wound and administered an antibiotic, an analgesic agent and an injection of a tetanus antitoxin. He tried to remove the remaining spines from the palm with great difficulty. Because swelling and subcutaneous indurations of the left palm had persisted thereafter, oral and topical administration of corticosteroid started on 13 April. Physical examination at the dermatology section revealed approximately 10 stab wounds of the left palm with pus, subcutaneous bleeding and many abrasions around them. X-rays of the left hand showed foreign bodies, 2-10 mm in size, located on the lesions. The patient was treated with a topical injection of 2 mg triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort-A), diluted fivefold with 1% Xylocaine, once a week. Some of the foreign body granulomatous lesions improved but pain and subcutaneous indurations persisted in most of the lesions. Because the X-ray photographs showed many remaining spines, surgical excision to remove them was performed under local anesthesia 3 months after the injury. All the symptoms improved after the operation. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the spines revealed that their tips had fragile lattice-like structures.

[Tetanus associated with medical treatments: about a case].

Tetanus prophylaxis in routine wound management is a major strategy for tetanus prevention in health care settings. Failed wound management interventions leave patient dangerously exposed to this disease. We report the case of a patient with tetanus occurred after medical treatment for head injury performed in a healthcare facility without appropriate tetanus prophylaxis. This study aims to remind clinicians of the importance of prophylaxis in previously unvaccinated wounded patients or with a doubtful immune status. A 52-year-old patient who had not previously been vaccinated against tetanus was admitted to Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital CHU/YO with cervical pain, dysphagia, difficulty walking and opening the mouth. The patient had a personal history of deep wound on his forehead sutured without previous anti-tetanus prophylaxis approximately three weeks before. Physical examination on admission showed loose lockjaw, abdominal spasm, dysphagia, a body temperature of 36,5 °C and a scar on his forehead measuring about 7 cm. The diagnosis of generalized tetanus (stage II) infection occurring after forehead wound was retained. Treatment outcome was favorable and the patient was dismissed on September 18, 2015. The prevention of tetanus associated with an appropriate treatment requires rigorous application of aseptic techniques, systematization of antitetanus serum therapy in the management of previously unvaccinated patients or with a doubtful immune status presenting with a deep wound.

The gift that keeps on giving.

Case 1: A 39-year-old man with chronic lower extremity lymphedema was admitted to the hospital with acute fever, chills, and left lower extremity pain, swelling, and erythema for the third time in as many months. Examination revealed a temperature of 39 degrees C (102.2 degrees F), and erythmatous induration on the left leg (Figure). The patient was treated with IV clindamycin and cefazolin, with clinical improvement. He was discharged with azithromycin, 500 mg daily for 3 days, done twice monthly. Case 2: A 52-year-old morbidly obese man with stasis dermatitis presented with acute lower extremity pain, swelling, and associated fever. He had been taking prophylactic antibiotics for his recurrent cellulitis for more than a decade and had significantly decreased his number of reoccurrences while on this therapy. He was admitted to the hospital, treated with IV cefazolin, and had a rapid improvement over 48 hours. He was subsequently discharged with continued suppressive antibiotic therapy.

[Clinical study on the application of covered vacuum sealing drainage technology to the bite of venomous snakes of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi].

To established the diagnostic criteria for venomous snakebite of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi by ourselves, and explore the clinical effect and mechanism of covered vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment for venomous snakebite of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi. According to the Chinese emergency medicine for snakebite and the Chinese snake, the diagnostic criteria for venomous snakebite of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi were formulated: (1) the responsible venomous snake was identified as Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi; (2) the appearance and morphology of the venomous snake described by the patient basically conformed to the characteristics of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi; (3) clinical manifestations of hematotoxin included local swelling, severe wound pain, and subcutaneous ecchymosis in some patients; having (1) or both (2) and (3) could be diagnosed. The patients with venomous snakebite of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi admitted to Snake Injury Treatment Base in Central and Northern Guangxi/Liuzhou Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Snake Injury Treatment Center from January 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled. The patients were divided into the general treatment group and the covered VSD technology group, with 60 patients in each group. The general treatment group was treated with antivenom, anti-tetanus, closed injection around the wound, anti-inflammatory, magnesium sulfate gauze applied on the affected limb, symptomatic support treatment. The covered VSD technique was used in the covered VSD technology group based on the treatment options of the general treatment group. Treatment cycle of both groups were calculated from the next day of admission and lasted for 7 days. In the treatment cycle, blood was collected at 08:00 every day. The red blood cell count (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (Fib) were detected by automatic blood coagulation analyzer, and the affected limb swelling degree and the appearance of subcutaneous ecchymosis were recorded. At different time points in the treatment cycle, the dynamic change trends of PT, APTT and Fib in the covered VSD technology group and the general treatment group were significantly different. Fib in both groups decreased on the 1-4 days, and gradually rose on the 5th day, and the lowest Fib value in the covered VSD technology group on the 4th day was higher than that in the general treatment group (g/L: 0.70±0.03 vs. 0.41±0.01, P < 0.05). In the treatment cycle, PT of both groups increased in the early and middle stage, but decreased in the later stage. The peak value of PT of the covered VSD technology group on the 5th day was significantly lower than that of the general treatment group (s: 25.2±0.1 vs. 35.4±0.2, P < 0.05), and the PT of the covered VSD technology group returned to the normal range on the 7th day, while the PT of the general treatment group was still abnormal. APTT in both groups increased at the beginning of the treatment cycle and gradually decreased. The peak value of APTT of the covered VSD technology group on the 3th day was lower than that in the general treatment group (s: 47.3±0.1 vs. 55.7±0.2, P < 0.05), and the rate of increase and decline was also more gradual than that in the general treatment group. There was no significant difference in RBC or Hb between the two groups. With the passage of time, the degree of affected limb swelling was relieved to different degrees in both groups, and the remission degree in the covered VSD technology group was more obvious than that in the general treatment group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (χ <sup2</sup = 86.060, P = 0.000). The occurrence rate of subcutaneous ecchymosis in the covered VSD technology group was significantly lower than that in the general treatment group (13.3% vs. 40.0%, χ <sup2</sup = 10.909, P = 0.002). The application of covered VSD technology to the venomous snakebite of Trimeresurus stejnegeri in Guangxi does not aggravate the bleeding. It is beneficial to the reduction of the swelling of the affected limb, and also promotes the recovery of coagulation function, which can better control the occurrence of adverse events caused by coagulation dysfunction.

Traumatic hand injuries: the emergency clinician's evidence-based approach.

At the start of your Saturday afternoon shift, you are not surprised to see that several patients are waiting to be seen for physical injuries. The first patient is a 34-year-old woman who sustained injury to her hand while skiing, 2 hours prior to her arrival. She reports falling with her hand still tethered to the pole's grip, landing on her outstretched right hand. She felt a painful snap in her right thumb, which still hurts, but otherwise she did not sustain any other trauma. Her only complaint currently is pain at the base of the right thumb. The patient is otherwise completely healthy, has no past medical or surgical history, and takes no medications. Upon examination, the affected hand appears to be surprisingly normal except for mild tenderness and swelling over the ulnar aspect of her first metacarpophalangeal joint and mildly decreased strength in her pincher grasp. X-ray reveals no fracture. You wonder if there is additional testing that should be done to evaluate this injury. You move on to a second patient, a 24-year-old man who cut his ring finger knuckle when he punched a wall 2 days ago. Physical examination reveals a small puncture wound over the IV metacarpophalangeal joint with mild swelling, erythema, warmth, and decreased range of motion secondary to pain. X-ray reveals no fracture, but there's something suspicious about this case. A third patient is a 37-year-old industrial worker whose finger contacted the stream of a high-powered grease injector. Physical examination reveals a small puncture wound over the volar proximal interphalangeal joint of his left long finger, mild tenderness to palpation over the area, and slight decreased range of motion secondary to pain. You wonder if the injury is as benign as it looks.

[Experience of two cases of tetanus without a clear history of trauma].

Tetanus develops following inoculation of damaged human tissue with Clostridium tetani which transforms into a vegetative rod-shaped bacterium and produces the tetanospasmin. Usually we make a diagnosis of tetanus based on typical symptoms and history of trauma. But, when patients have no noticeable history of trauma, we have to diagnose tetanus on the basis of the clinical course and symptoms. We report herein on two cases of tetanus without a clear history of trauma. The first patient visited us with the chief complaints of pain in the neck and shoulder, and difficulty in opening the mouth. Based on these symptoms, we diagnosed tetani in the first stage and we started treatment, consisting mainly of human anti-tetanus immunoglobulin on the first day. The second patient also had typical symptoms of tetanus. However, he rejected the use of human anti-tetanus immunoglobulin on the first day. Because his symptoms worsened on the 2nd day, we insisted that he used it. On the 5th hospital day he developed partial opisthotonus of neck. However he recovered without tracheotomy or intratracheal intubation.

CICATRIZATION OF WOUNDS : IX. INFLUENCE ON THE HEALING OF WOUNDS OF VARIATIONS IN THE OSMOTIC TENSION OF THE DRESSING.

In the study of the action of non-antiseptic substances on the rate of cicatrization, the chief obstacle encountered is the facility with which wounds become reinfected under an aseptic dressing. At the beginning of Experiment 1 the wound was sterile. It was subjected to flushing with distilled water for 2 hours, then to flushing with 30 per cent sodium chloride solution for another 2 hours. During that time no special precaution was taken to sterilize the wound and the dressing was left intact until the following morning. It was then found that the wound contained from 30 to 50 bacteria per field. The following day, after the wound had been subjected to the same treatment, the number of bacteria had increased to 50 and 100 per field, and as an immediate consequence the surface of the wound increased from 12 to 12.6 sq. cm. in 2 days. The wound was then dressed antiseptically and was found to be sterile 3 days later. Reinfection again took place the following day in spite of antiseptic dressing with chloramine paste 4 parts per 1,000, which was applied for 20 hours. In Experiment 2 similar results were observed. After 2 days of flushing with distilled water, the number of bacteria had increased to 50 per field. The wound was thereupon sterilized, but new reinfection ensued a few days later. Another wound on the same patient became reinfected under the same conditions after 1 day of sterile dressing. In none of the patients could the wounds be kept in a sterile condition throughout the whole experiment. It was impossible to maintain the sterility of a wound under aseptic dressing. Dakin's solution was therefore injected every 4 hours, or less often, according to the degree of infection, or chloramine paste was applied during the night. If there were 3 or 4 bacteria per field, the experiment was discontinued in order that the wound might be sterilized again. The cicatrization and bacteriological curves of Experiment 4 show that by the application of chloramine paste a wound may be maintained in an appropriately bacteriological condition for carrying out an experiment. Nevertheless, in spite of the antiseptic precautions taken, it was necessary to interrupt this experiment on two occasions, on December 13 to 15 and on December 18 to 22, in order that a complete sterilization of the wound might be effected. When the sterilization was performed as soon as the bacteria were discovered, little retardation occurred in the process of cicatrization. Moreover, the reinfection from the skin was often due to fine bacilli which have but mild retarding action on the rate of healing. The use of at least six flushings in 2 hours with Dakin's solution or of 12 hours' dressing with chloramine paste 10 parts per 1,000, was necessary to keep the wound in a condition of surgical asepsis. The action of distilled water was studied in Experiments 1, 2, and 3. In Experiment 1 the wound was subjected to flushing with distilled water first for 2 hours, then 4 hours, and later for 8 hours per day. The wound was maintained in a condition of mild infection. No marked modification, either acceleration or retardation, was noted in the rate of repair during the period that the treatment was applied. From November 21 to 25 the wound was almost clean and the observed curve remained parallel to the calculated curve, showing that distilled water did not retard the rate of healing. In Experiment 2 the wound was subjected to uninterrupted flushing with distilled water, first for 2 and 8 hours, then for 24 hours. It was continued from November 24 to 30; viz., for 112 hours out of 120, without the occurrence of any marked modification of the course of healing. The bacteriological curve showed that from November 22 to 27 inclusive the wound was kept aseptic. The slight retardation which occurred afterwards was probably brought about by the infection. In Experiment 3 the wound was subjected to flushing with distilled water, first for 2, then for 4, 6, and 8 hours, a total of 20 hours in 4 days. From November 21 to 24 the wound remained surgically aseptic. No modification in the rate of healing occurred. The action of the hypertonic sodium chloride solution was studied in a similar way. In Experiment 4 the wound was flushed at first with 40 per cent sodium chloride solution, from December 4 to 9 for 12 hours a day, and from December 10 to 13 for 24 hours a day, making a total of 144 hours out of 240 hours. At the end of this time the surface area of the wound coincided exactly with the calculated area. Owing to reinfection the experiment was suspended. From December 24 to 29 the wound was kept in contact with 50 per cent sodium chloride solution for 54 hours, and after December 30 flushing with 80 per cent solution for 24 hours a day was resorted to. The total amount of time involved in the above treatments was 174 hours with 40 per cent solution, 72 hours with 50 per cent solution, and 120 hours with 80 per cent solution. On January 1, the surface measured 11 sq. cm. and the calculated surface was 11.3 sq. cm. On January 5 the. surface observed was 10 sq. cm. and the calculated surface was 9 sq. cm. It should be noticed that on January 5 the bacteria numbered 4 per field, which might account for the difference. In Experiment 5 the wound was flushed for 24 hours every day with 50 per cent sodium chloride solution from December 11 to 18, a total of 192 hours. From December 18 to 24 the wound was dressed with agar-agar cakes containing 40 per cent sodium chloride. The concentration was raised to 50 per cent from December 24 to 27. The cicatrization curve indicates only a slight retardation of the repair which can be attributed to infection when both cicatrization and infection curves are compared. The temporary acceleration on the 13th may have been due to the influence of the dressing, but as it did not occur again an experimental error is probably the cause of the change observed in the curve. In Experiment 6 two practically identical wounds at a distance of but a few centimeters from each other were located on the right thigh of Patient 721. The areas of the wounds were respectively 40 and 33 sq. cm. One of the wounds was flushed with distilled water only. The other was subjected to the action of 40 per cent sodium chloride solution. From December 20 to 25 both wounds were in a condition of surgical asepsis. However, the cicatrization curves show that in spite of the difference of treatment the rate of healing was not modified. The rate of healing of the wounds did not therefore apparently undergo any measurable modification under the influence of distilled water or hypertonic salt solution. It is well known that the osmotic changes of the medium have a marked influence on tissues deprived of circulation. But it seems that a tissue with normal circulation is protected by it against the changes of the osmotic pressure occurring at its surface. The above experiments show that apparently the conditions of the tissues of a wound are not modified by the changes of the osmotic pressure of the dressing. The beneficial effects of hypertonic sodium chloride solution on the sterilization of wounds and on the rate of healing recently described by various surgeons are possibly an illusion due to lack of precise technique.

[Remarks on injuries which were the source of tetanus and were based on observations from the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Cracow].

From 1992 to 1996, 95 patients with tetanus were treated in the Chair and Department of Infectious Diseases in Cracow. Most of them came from rural area, and at old age (median 68 years). Small, trivial skin injuries were the most often identified portal of entry. Only few patients applied to doctor after injury for prophylaxis against tetanus. The authors emphasise that small skin injuries, which may be portal of entry for tetanus, should not be left abandoned.

A 24-Year-Old Man With Dyspnea and a Broken Left Femur.

A 24-year-old White man presented with 1-day complaints of progressive shortness of breath and fever. He recently underwent an open reduction and internal fixation of a left midshaft femur fracture from a skiing accident 4 days ago. He denied chest pain, skin rashes, hemoptysis, hematemesis, melena, or surgical site bleeding. On arrival, the patient appeared in mild respiratory distress with a respiratory rate of 23 breaths/min, temperature of 37.8°C, heart rate of 97 beats/min, BP of 95/54 mm Hg, and peripheral saturation of 97% on 6-L/min nasal canula. His initial peripheral saturation on room air was 67%. Physical examination was unremarkable, except for diffuse rhonchi on chest auscultation. Chest radiograph on admission showed alveolar opacities predominantly in bilateral lower lobes. A chest CT angiography revealed no evidence for pulmonary embolism. However, there were findings of diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities with areas of patchy consolidation and innumerous micronodules in both lungs (Fig 1). Laboratory examination was significant for a drop of hemoglobin by 3 g/dL and hematocrit level by 7% since his hospital discharge 4 days earlier. His renal function and urine analysis were normal. Venous blood gas on admission showed pH of 7.39 and Pco<sub2</sub of 43 mm Hg. Because of unexplained acute anemia, nonspecific CT chest findings and progressive dyspnea, a bronchoscopy with BAL was performed. Four aliquots of 60 mL saline solution were injected for lavage with fluid return (Fig 2). BAL fluid showed WBC count of 0.411 × 10<sup3</sup/mm<sup3</sup, RBC count of 318 × 10<sup3</sup/mm<sup3</sup, 100% fresh RBCs, 73% neutrophil, 24% lymphocytes, 1% monocytes, and 2% eosinophils. BAL fluid cytologic condition is shown in Figure 3. A full vasculitis workup by rheumatology was unremarkable. Ophthalmologic and skin examination were unrevealing.

[Tetanus in Poland in 2010].

Epidemiological assessment of the incidence of tetanus in Poland in 2010 was based on the analysis of aggregate data provided by the State Sanitary Inspection and published an annual newsletter: Infectious diseases and intoxications in Poland in 2010, compiled by MP Czarkowski, E Cielebak, B Kondej, E Staszewska, Warsaw in 2011 and based on an annual newsletter: Vaccinations in Poland in 2010, compiled by MP Czarkowski, E Cielebak, B Kondej, E Staszewska, Warsaw 2011. A more accurate characterization of disease was based on the individual reports sent to the Department of Epidemiology, NIPH-NIH. In the last decade the incidence of tetanus has remained below 0.08/100 000 inhabitants. The average annual incidence was lower than in the previous decade, but within the last ten years to the annual variation is difficult to assign a distinct incidence tendency. Rather, they correspond to random fluctuations. In 2010, 16 cases were reported, including which occurred in 2009. All cases was reported as probable--diagnosis based on clinical signs and information about injuries. Overall incidence was 0.042/100 000, which was small and not significanty different from incidence in 2009 (0.05/100 000). All cases in 2010, were over 59 years of age, which is a strong expression of the trend observed for years that the disease is present in older age groups where the level of vaccination against tetanus is particularly low. Among people infected, there were three men and 13 women. Four cases ended with deaths. Three of these were women, among whom mortality was 23.1%, and one death occurred in a man, mortality 33.3%. Three deaths occurred among the 6 cases in people over 79 years of age, mortality 50%. The incubation period of the disease in 3 cases was less than 7 days, in 4 cases 8-14 days, in 4 cases 15-21 days, in 2 cases 22 days and more. Portals of entry of infection in 7 cases accounted for abrasion or laceration, in 6 cases the puncture wound in one it was bitten wound, and in 2 cases, the gates of infection remained unknown. In 3 cases involved people getting vaccinated, and 13 were not given information about the vaccination. No case has not occurred in a person with a documented vaccination. High degree of vaccination of children and adolescents against tetanus makes the tetanus, in these age groups almost completely eliminated, and the few cases occured in people in older age groups. But this is not a disease that can be eliminated from the environment and the risk of non-vaccinated people will always be in the case of injury with rupture of skin and contamination of the wound. Therefore it is important to maintain the current level of children and adolescents vaccinated against tetanus and pay attention to vaccination after injuries and adequate supply of injuries. This is particularly true of the elderly population.

Ludwig Rehn

Ludwig Rehn's most famous surgery occurred on 7 September 1896. This surgery opened the field of cardiac surgery. Before this successful surgery, wounds of the heart were considered fatal. The patient, Willhelm Justus, was a 22-year-old gardener who had been discharged from the military because of an irregular heartbeat. On 7 September he was wounded by a knife and a passerby found him. He arrived at the State Hospital at 3:30 am. At the hospital, he was described as deathly pale with labored breathing and a barely palpable pulse. He had a non-bleeding 1.5cm wound in the left side of his heart. On 8 September the patient had developed a hemothorax, a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung. Orders thus far had been to apply ice bags to the wound and to apply a camphor, a pain relieving, topical cream. Willhelm had a fever of 100.76 °F and a respiratory rate of 68 breaths/min, a normal one is 12-20 breaths/min. On 9 September his pulse was weak and

[A 78-year-old man with young onset parkinsonism and sudden death].

We report a right-handed 78-year-old man with early onset parkinsonism. The patient had an onset of micrographia at 23 years of the age in 1939. Seven years later he started to drag his right foot, and at 38 years of age, he walked with small steps with festination. Tremor was also present in his right hand. His daily life was independent as a otorhinolaryngologist. He visited our clinic on March 24, 1977 when he was mentally sound and showed mild parkinsonism consisting of masked face, stooped posture, small step gait, bradykinesia, and right side dominant rigidity and tremor. He showed good response to trihexyphenidyl and amantadine HCl. Two month later, he developed dyskinesia and some worsening of parkinsonism, and was admitted to our hospital for the first time. He was treated with 400 to 600 mg/day of levodopa/ carbidopa. He showed marked improvement, however, dyskinesia remained in his mouth. He was doing well until 77 years of age (June of 1993) when he developed hallucination and motor fluctuations. He was admitted again to our hospital on June 22, 1993. On admission, he was alert and appeared mentally sound. However, Hasegawa dementia scale was 18/30. Upward gaze was slightly restricted (3/5). Voice was somewhat small but no masking was noted. His posture was stooped and the gait was of small step. Dyskinesia was noted during walk. No rigidity nor tremor was noted. Deep tendon reflexes were lost but no sensory loss or motor weakness was noted. Routine laboratory studies were unremarkable. A cranial CT scan revealed only mild to moderate cortical atrophy. Motor and sensory conduction velocities were within normal limits, however, motor action potentials could not be obtained with stimulation to the right common peroneal nerve. He was treated with 600 mg/day of levodopa with carbidopa, 100 mg of amantadine HCl, 300 mg of Dops, and 25 mg of tiapride. He continued to show motor fluctuations, and was discharged on July 23, 1993. Since then his motor functions had become progressively worse with frequent falls, but he was still able to walk without support. On October 3 of 1994, he went to bed as usual. On the next morning, he was found dead in his bed at 9: 30. The patient was discussed in neurological CPC, and the chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that the patient had young-onset Parkinson's disease with Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra. Opinions were divided between Parkinson's disease and Lewy body negative young onset parkinsonism. Postmortem examination revealed obstruction of the trachea by aspirated foods, and the cause of death appeared to have been suffocation by the foods. Macroscopically, the external appearance of the brain was unremarkable except for slight frontal atrophy. The substantia nigra showed depigmentation in the lateral part, but the pigmentation of the medial part was well preserved. Upon histologic examination, the number of pigmented neurons in the dorsomedial part was well preserved. In the lateral part, pigmented neurons were well preserved in the dorsal area, however, in the ventral area, only non-pigmented neurons were seen; they appeared to be neurons in the pars reticulata. No gliosis was seen in any of the nigral areas. No Lewy bodies were seen in the remaining neurons. So-called immature neurons with rounded shape without neuromelanin could not be detected. The locus coeruleus neurons were well preserved. The putamen and the other basal ganglia structures were also intact. Slight myelin pallor was noted in the subcortical white matter, however, otherwise cerebral cortices were normal. The histology of this patient is unique in that only the ventrolateral part of the substantia nigra showed abnormal finding consisting of lack of pigmented neurons without gliosis. It is not clear whether the nigral change represents degeneration or a congenital "hypoplasia'. To our knowledge, such a unique pathology of the substantia nigra has not been reported in the literature. Our patient ma

Surgery_Schwartz

among woolsorters in England in the late 1800s. The largest recent epidemic of inhalational anthrax occurred in 1979 in Sverdlovsk, Russia, after accidental release of anthrax spores from a military facility. Inhalational anthrax develops after a 1to 6-day incubation period, with nonspe-cific symptoms, including malaise, myalgia, and fever. Over a short period of time these symptoms worsen, with development of respiratory distress, chest pain, and diaphoresis. Character-istic chest roentgenographic findings include a widened medi-astinum and pleural effusions. Rapid antigen tests are under development for identification of this gram-positive rod, so a key element of establishing the diagnosis is eliciting an expo-sure history. Postexposure prophylaxis consists of administra-tion of either ciprofloxacin or doxycycline.100 If an isolate is demonstrated to be penicillin-sensitive, the patient should be switched to amoxicillin. Inhalational exposure followed by the development of symptoms

An unusual cutaneous manifestation of Crohn's disease.

A 61-year-old man with a 12-year history of quiescent Crohn's disease on mesalamine presented to his gastroenterologist in April 2009, complaining of abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and a 25-lb weight loss over 6 weeks. He did not respond to prednisone 50 mg and 6-mercaptopurine 100 mg daily. Abdominal computed tomography findings revealed diffuse submucosal edema consistent with extensive colitis. Colonoscopy demonstrated diffuse inflammation with erythema, friability, and shallow ulcerations in the rectum and colon. Biopsies were consistent with Crohn's colitis. He was admitted for infliximab infusion for his unremitting diarrhea. Five days before admission, the patient noted mild swelling and redness of the left lower eyelid, which progressed to involve the right lower eyelid with frank pus draining from both eyes. He had no visual impairment or eye pain. Two days before admission, an ophthalmologist prescribed a steroid eyedrop with no relief. He also complained of seropurulent painful skin lesions on his face and scalp, which spread to involve his upper trunk and proximal arms. On admission to the hospital, dermatology, ophthalmology, and infectious disease consultations were obtained to rule out disseminated infection before initiation of infliximab therapy. The patient was afebrile and hemodynamically stable. His oral mucosa was normal. He had prominent bilateral lower eyelid edema, erythema, and superficial erosions with hemorrhagic crusting and frank green purulent drainage from both eyes, with crusting along the lower lash line and bilateral sclera injection (Figure 1). On his scalp, face, trunk, and proximal extremities, he had 25 to 30 erythematous, 4- to 8-mm papulopustules with narrow red halos, some with central necrosis and crusting (Figure 2). Cultures from the purulent ocular drainage and pustules on the trunk and arms were all negative for bacteria, virus, and fungi. Gram stain from the eye drainage showed polymorphonuclear leukocytes without organisms. Tissue cultures were negative for bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial infection. Skin biopsy taken from the central upper back demonstrated subcorneal pustules with areas of eroded epidermis and collections of neutrophils in the superficial dermis (Figure 3). Special stains were negative for organisms. He received infliximab infusion 5 mg/kg for a total dose of 420 mg over 2 hours. Within 48 hours of infusion, there was notable decrease in size of lesions, in addition to reduction of purulent drainage from both eyes. The patient was discharged home following infliximab infusion. His skin lesions resolved during a period of 2 weeks, leaving small pink atrophic scars. He received his second infusion of infliximab 2 weeks after discharge with continued improvement in his gastrointestinal symptoms.

[Not Available].

D Dosseh Ékoué, A Doleaglenou, Y-K Fortey, A-E Ayite Objective: to see whether there was a difference in therisk of local infection for surgical wounds in a tropical settingdepending on whether a wound was dressed or left open beyond 48hours post-operatively. Over a four month period, 102 patients undergoingintra-abdominal surgery classified as clean or clean-contaminatedwere randomized into two equal groups. The "with dressing" groupunderwent a wound dressing change and re-application every two days.In the "without dressing" group, the wound wasleft open to the air after a first dressing change at 48 hours. There was no difference in post-operative temperaturecurve; post-operative wound infection rate was 2% in eachgroup. Suture removal was performed two days earlier in the "withoutdressing" group and hospital stay was decreased by twodays. The expense of repeated dressing changes was also lessened. There is no benefit to leaving a wound dressingin place longer than 48 hours after surgery; costs related to prolongedhospitalization and expenses of dressing changes are decreased bya policy of leaving incisions undressed after 48 hours.

Cervicofacial necrotising fasciitis by clindamycin-resistant and methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) in a young healthy man.

An otherwise healthy 24-year-old man presented with 1 week of fever, facial pain and swelling. He initially sought care at an outside hospital, where he was diagnosed with folliculitis and sent home with oral antibiotics. On arrival at our institution, CT neck was ordered, which demonstrated diffuse submental phlegmon, prompting incision and drainage. After initial improvement, the patient experienced high fevers and increased swelling just 12 hours later. The decision was made to take the patient for operative exploration, and wide debridement was performed due to suspicion for necrotising fasciitis intraoperatively that was ultimately confirmed on final pathology. Final speciation of intraoperative culture demonstrated a clindamycin-resistant and methicillin-resistant strain of <iStaphylococcus aureus</i The patient was managed with intravenous antibiotics, additional debridement and careful wound care. Delayed partial closure of wound was eventually performed once patient showed marked and persistent clinical improvement. The patient was discharged on hospital day 12 with close follow-up.

[A study about the epidemiological characteristics of rabies of the cases of medical treatment from a certain hospital in Beijing from 2011 to 2020].

From 2011 to 2020, there were 111 213 cases of rabies exposed people recruited from the rabies immunization clinic of a hospital in Beijing. The monthly distribution of patients in each year was not statistically significant (<iP</i>0.05). The distribution of patients showed remarkable seasonality, with the exposure peak from May to October. The ratio of male to female was 1∶1.3. The majority of patients were aged 20-29 years old (39.1%) and in-service personnel (56.5%). Level-Ⅱ wounds (84.2%) were more common than level-Ⅲ wounds (14.9%). The number of visits to level-Ⅲwounds increased rapidly since 2017. The most common injured body part was hand (60.7%). Dogs were the most common animal for injuries (60.6%), followed by cats (32.3%), of which most were host animals (75.5%). The vaccination rate from 2016 to 2020 [49.8% (24 276/48 703)] was significantly higher than that from 2011 to 2015[18.6% (6 559/35 272)](<iχ²=</i8597.18, <iP</i<0.001).