- Volume 57, Issue 4, 2008

The identification by conventional methods of viridans streptococcal species, which are rarely encountered clinically, requires confirmation by genomic methods. We characterized a strain of Streptococcus sinensis responsible for infective endocarditis by sequencing both the 16S rRNA and the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase genes.

Aerococcus viridans is a microaerophilic, Gram-positive, catalase-negative coccus, found singly or in tetrads. To date, no case of spondylodiscitis due to this organism has been reported. We report what we believe to be the first case of spondylodiscitis caused by A. viridans, in a patient with decompensated liver failure, and discuss the possible pathogenesis of this rather uncommon pathogen in this case.

Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infections are a major problem for patients requiring long-term venous access and may result in frequent hospital admissions and difficulties in maintaining central venous access. CVC-related blood stream infections are associated with increased duration of inpatient stay and cost approximately \#8364;13 585 per patient [Blot, S. I., Depuydt, P., Annemans, L., Benoit, D., Hoste, E., De Waele, J. J., Decruyenaere, J., Vogelaers, D., Colardyn, F. & Vandewoude, K. H. (2005). Clin Infect Dis 41, 1591–1598]. Antimicrobial lock therapy may prevent CVC-related blood stream infection, preserve central venous access and reduce hospital admissions. In this paper, the impact of linezolid lock prophylaxis in a patient with short bowel syndrome is described.

Infections of the parotid gland with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rarely described. Here, we report on an infection of the parotid gland caused by Mycobacterium avium and give a literature-based overview about this entity. In the light of a global increase of mycobacterial infections, unusual manifestations have to be considered and should be included in the differential diagnosis when dealing with solid lesions of uncertain aetiology in the head and neck region.