Empyema Caused by Unusual Pathogen Capnocytophaga

Empyema is a collection of pus in the pleural space. It is typically a serious complication of pneumonia with high morbidity and mortality rates.The most common organisms causing empyema are gram positive organisms such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Management of empyema includes drainage by chest tube or surgery and use of appropriate antibiotics. Capnocytophagaempyemais extremely rare and to our knowledge there is only few cases that have been reported. Capnocytophaga is a group of long, thin, fusiform, slowly growing, facultative anaerobic, Gram-negative rods with gliding motility whose growth is optimal in a CO2-enriched atmosphere; hence the name Capnocytophaga (consumption of CO2). 

Capnocytophagaspecies are part of the normal oral flora in dogs, cats, and humans and were once associated with periodontal disease but are now considered commensals in dental plaque of humans. Capnocytophagainfections can have varied clinical presentations, such as periodontal disease, respiratory tract infections, ophthalmic lesions, traumatic pericarditis, mediastinal abscess, brain abscess, meningitis, and peritonitis. Read more................

Local Food Resources to Fight Children Malnutrition and Infectious Diseases in Mozambique

Pediatric malnutrition is defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition as “an imbalance between nutrient requirements and intake that results in cumulative deficits of energy, protein or micronutrients that may negatively affect growth, development and other relevant outcomes”. It represents a serious public health issue linked to an increased mortality and morbidity risk and children under 5 years old have a higher risk due to growth speed and brain development.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the annual infant mortality rate is about 6.3 million and 42% of these takes place in the African region. Just six causes are considered responsible of 73% of deaths in children under the age of five: respiratory infections (19%), diarrhea (18%), malaria (8%), pneumonia and neonatal sepsis (10%), pre-term birth (10%) and birth asphyxia (8%). Malnutrition is obviously an additional risk for all of these conditions, worsening the course of the infectious diseases and slowing the healing, and it is considered the underlying cause of 53% of pediatric deaths up to 5 years. In fact, an inadequate diet leads to weight loss, decrease of the immune response and damage of the mucosa, allowing invasion of pathogens, which finally worsens the overall nutritional status. In addition, these conditions lead to decreased efficacy of vaccines and increased exposure to infectious agents. Read more...........