An open-label, multicenter study was performed to assess bacteriologic findings associated with chronic bacterial maxillary sinusitis in adults. Seventy aerobic (52.2%) and 64 anaerobic (47.8%) pathogens were recovered from clinically evaluable patients at baseline (before therapy). The most commonly isolated anaerobes were Prevotella species (31.1%), anaerobic streptococci (21.9%), and Fusobacterium species (15.6%). The aerobes most frequently recovered included Streptococcus species (21.4%), Haemophilus influenzae (15.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus and Moraxella catarrhalis (10.0% each). Recurrences of signs or symptoms of bacterial maxillary sinusitis associated with anaerobes were twice as frequent as were those associated with aerobes when counts of anaerobes were > or =10(3) cfu/mL. A pathogenic role for Granulicatella species in cases of chronic sinusitis was documented for the first time.

A reversible syndrome of headache, altered mental status, seizures and cerebral visual abnormalities with neuroradiological studies suggesting predominantly posterior white matter abnormalities has been described. This syndrome has been referred to as posterior reversible encephalopathic syndrome (PRES). PRES has been associated with hypertensive encephalopathy, eclampsia and treatment with immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents. Rare case reports describe association with hypercalcemia. We present a patient with AIDS, Mycobacterium avium intracellulare related hypercalcemia with posterior reversible encephalopathic syndrome.

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A 35-year-old, previously healthy female presented with severe low back pain, fever, and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate 1 week after a routine dental cleaning. Technetium-labeled leukocyte scanning and magnetic resonance imaging scan of the spine were negative for osteomyelitis. The patient underwent biopsy, cultures from which grew Prevotella (Bacteroides) melaninogenicus. Appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in resolution of symptoms. P. melaninogenicus is a gram-negative anaerobic bacillus that is part of the indigenous oral flora. It may cause dental, sinus, skin, and soft tissue infections. Infection of bone is rare. Only three cases of vertebral osteomyelitis due to P. melaninogenicus have been reported in the literature. The early diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis requires a high index of clinical suspicion and cannot be excluded by negative imaging tests alone. The recovery of this unusual organism highlights the importance of requesting anaerobic cultures of biopsy specimens.

Elderly lady underwent right eye surgery for vitreous clot removal. 72 hours later, she complained of pain, redness and swelling in operated eye. Endophthalmitis was diagnosed. She was started on piperacillin/ tazobactam and vancomycin. Evisceration was required. Coagulase negative Staphylococci were isolated and vancomycin was continued postoperatively. She was discharged on home intravenous vancomycin therapy. Admitted one week later with painful oral ulcers, fever and diffuse erythmatous body rash. Vancomycin and other medications were stopped. Investigations revealed elevated double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti histone antibodies. Skin biopsy was suggestive of lupus rash. She was started on 60 mg of oral prednisone, improved dramatically and discharged to home.