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Background <p>Cerebral infection with the opportunistic pathogen <i>Bacillus cereus</i> can lead to severe lesions, especially in premature newborns. Early diagnosis would be highly beneficial. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging findings associated with <i>B. cereus</i> infections.</p> Materials and methods <p>We included all newborns with a positive <i>B. cereus</i> blood culture and transfontanellar ultrasound between 2012 and 2022 at the Tours University Hospital. Imaging was assessed by both a junior and a senior radiologist to differentiate between hemorrhages, leukomalacia, and lesions attributed to <i>B. cereus</i>.</p> Results <p>Nineteen patients were enrolled (12 girls), of whom 18 were premature. Three patients did not survive. Six patients had normal ultrasound and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Thirteen patients had ultrasound-detected lesions: 7 hemorrhages, 1 case of leukomalacia, 1 focal ischemic lesion, and 5 lesions attributed to <i>B. cereus</i>. The <i>B. cereus</i> lesions appeared as irregular (5/5), bilateral (4/5), asymmetric (5/5), and hyperechoic patches in the subcortical white matter. They were extensive, asynchronous, and rapidly progressive over a few days (central necrosis with peripheral enhancement, referred to as the “bear scratch sign”), while respecting the cortex and basal ganglia.</p> Conclusion <p>The presence of rapidly evolving white matter lesions should raise suspicion of <i>B. cereus</i> infection in newborns’ brains. Imaging plays a crucial role in estimating the progression of this pathology.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Diagnostic imaging of Bacillus cereus brain infection in newborns

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月22日

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  • Benjamin Feferman,
  • Valentina Fernandez,
  • Elsa Tavernier,
  • Julie Fuseau,
  • Catherine Sembély-Taveau,
  • Ronan Boennec,
  • Agathe Cremades,
  • Zoha Maakaroun-Vermesse,
  • Christelle Follet,
  • Delphine Mitanchez,
  • Philippe Lanotte,
  • Cécile Le Brun,
  • Laurent Brunereau,
  • Laurent Mereghetti,
  • Baptiste Morel

摘要

Background

Cerebral infection with the opportunistic pathogen Bacillus cereus can lead to severe lesions, especially in premature newborns. Early diagnosis would be highly beneficial. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging findings associated with B. cereus infections.

Materials and methods

We included all newborns with a positive B. cereus blood culture and transfontanellar ultrasound between 2012 and 2022 at the Tours University Hospital. Imaging was assessed by both a junior and a senior radiologist to differentiate between hemorrhages, leukomalacia, and lesions attributed to B. cereus.

Results

Nineteen patients were enrolled (12 girls), of whom 18 were premature. Three patients did not survive. Six patients had normal ultrasound and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Thirteen patients had ultrasound-detected lesions: 7 hemorrhages, 1 case of leukomalacia, 1 focal ischemic lesion, and 5 lesions attributed to B. cereus. The B. cereus lesions appeared as irregular (5/5), bilateral (4/5), asymmetric (5/5), and hyperechoic patches in the subcortical white matter. They were extensive, asynchronous, and rapidly progressive over a few days (central necrosis with peripheral enhancement, referred to as the “bear scratch sign”), while respecting the cortex and basal ganglia.

Conclusion

The presence of rapidly evolving white matter lesions should raise suspicion of B. cereus infection in newborns’ brains. Imaging plays a crucial role in estimating the progression of this pathology.

Graphical Abstract