Introduction The BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccines are the main vaccines that have been used for mass vaccination in Japan. Information on adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines in the Japanese population is limited. Methods We conducted an online survey on self-reported adverse reactions in individuals who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA or mRNA-1273 vaccine. The incidence of adverse events after each dose of vaccine was investigated. Propensity score matching was used to compare the incidence of adverse reactions after the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA and mRNA-1273 vaccines. Results After the first and second doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, and the first and second doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine, 890, 853, 6401, and 3965 individuals, respectively, provided complete responses. Systemic reactions, including fever, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint pain, and nausea were significantly more common in females, individuals aged <50 years, and after the second dose. The incidence of injection site pain did not differ significantly according to the dose. The incidence of delayed injection site reactions after the first dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine was 3.9% and 0.8% among females and males, respectively, and 10.6% among females aged 30–69 years. Local and systemic reactions after the second dose, including fever, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint pain, nausea, and skin rash were more common in individuals who had received the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Conclusions Adverse reactions were more frequently reported in females, younger individuals, and after the mRNA-1273 vaccine.

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Background: Mobile phones may be contaminated with nosocomial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the MRSA contamination rate on doctors' hospital-use-only mobile phones and the efficacy of 222-nm ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection. Methods: We investigated the MRSA contamination rate of doctors' hospital-use-only mobile phones, as well as the reduction in MRSA counts on plastic plates and aerobic bacteria (AB) on mobile phones before and after exposure to 222-nm UV irradiation. Results: Five (10%) of the 50 mobile phones investigated were contaminated with MRSA. Exposure to 0.1 mJ/ cm 2 222-nm UVC irradiation for 1.5 and 2.5 min (9 and 15 mJ/cm 2) achieved mean log 10 MRSA colony-forming units reductions of 2.91 and 3.95, respectively. Exposure to 9 mJ/cm 2 222-nm UVC irradiation (0.1 mW/ cm 2 for 1.5 minutes) significantly reduced AB contamination on mobile phones (P < .001). Conclusions: The use of 222-nm UV disinfection resulted in effective in vitro reduction of MRSA and significantly reduced AB contamination of mobile phone surfaces.

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Background Bacteremia due to the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) is associated with specific diseases, such as colorectal cancer and infective endocarditis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of SBSEC bacteremia and the accuracy of identification of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phenotypic identification systems for SBSEC isolates. Methods We analyzed patients with SBSEC bacteremia retrospectively between 2012 and 2019 at three hospitals in Japan. We re-identified each SBSEC isolate using sequencing superoxide dismutase (sodA) analysis, MALDI-TOF MS using the MALDI Biotyper, and phenotypic identification using the VITEK2. Results During the study period, 39 patients with SBSEC bacteremia were identified. S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (SGSP, n = 29), S. gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (SGSG, n = 5), S. lutetiensis (SL, n = 4), and S. infantarius subsp. infantarius (n = 1) were identified using sodA sequencing analysis. Primary bacteremia (36%) was the most common cause of bacteremia, followed by infective endocarditis (26%) and biliary tract infections (23%). Colorectal cancer was associated significantly with SGSG bacteremia, while the sources of bacteremia were similar in each SBSEC subspecies. The MALDI Biotyper was significantly more accurate in identifying the SBSEC isolates at the subspecies level compared to the VITEK2 (92% vs. 67%, P = 0.010). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the rates of correct identification of the SBSEC isolates at the species level between the MALDI Biotyper and the VITEK2 (100% vs. 87%, P = 0.055). Conclusions Bacteremia with SGSG was associated with colorectal cancer, and the sources of bacteremia were similar in each SBSEC subspecies. The MALDI-TOF MS was significantly more accurate in identifying SBSEC isolates at the subspecies level than the phenotypic identification systems. The accurate identification of SBSEC isolates using the MALDI-TOF MS and phenotypic identification systems was sufficient at the species level, but it was insufficient at the subspecies level. Therefore, it may be reasonable for clinicians to perform echocardiographies and colonoscopies in all patients with SBSEC bacteremia.

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Background Chronic idiopathic colonic pseudo-obstruction (CICP) is a rare disease, defined as a condition of the chronically damaged colon, without obstruction or stenosis, and a pathological abnormality in the myenteric plexus. To date, there is no effective medication for CICP, and existing medication is not useful, making surgery the only effective treatment. Laparoscopic surgery is useful for reducing surgical trauma and postoperative adhesion. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent laxative-uncontrolled bowel obstruction, who underwent successful treatment with laparoscopic total colectomy based on preoperative detailed evaluation of bowel function. Case presentation A 77-year-old female patient without any past abdominal or psychological medical history was referred to our hospital because of chronic constipation and abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, barium enema, cine magnetic resonance imaging, and defecography indicated an enlarged colon from the cecum to the transverse colon (proximal to the splenic flexure) without apparent mechanical obstruction, and a collapsed colon from the descending colon to the rectum, with reduced peristalsis. Bowel movements of the rectum and anorectal function were normal. Based on these findings, we diagnosed CICP and performed laparoscopic total colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis in this case. Postoperative recovery was good, without the need for postoperative laxatives. Pathologically, no degeneration of the muscle layers or Auerbach’s plexus was found in the resected specimen. Conclusion Surgery is the only effective treatment for patients with CICP. Careful imaging before surgery is important for detecting the extent of excision required. This will reduce the need for additional surgery due to symptom relapse in the remnant colon. However, continued observation of the patient is required.