Our results substantiate a previous suggestion that the mtDNA 16189 variant can cause alteration of mtDNA copy number in human blood cells.

Intracerebral abscess in humans may be caused by a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and parasites, which gain entry by (i) direct extension from a contiguous infectious focus; (ii) hematogenous spread from a remote site of infection; or (iii) direct implantation following a penetrating head trauma or neurosurgical procedures [1]. Microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria such as Streptococcus species and Bacteroides species are the most frequently encountered pathogens [1]. Other microorganisms are relatively rare. Here, we report a case of intracerebral abscess caused by non-O1 Vibrio cholerae. The route of infection in this case is suggested to be directly from the contaminated seawater through a previous skull wound. This manifestation and infectious course is so rarely encountered that only one similar case has ever been described in the English literature [2].A 58-year-old male presented with fever and headache of 3 days' duration and was admitted due to the insidious onset of left hemiparesis and disturbed consciousness. He was a chronic alcoholic and had undergone a craniotomy 5 years previously to treat a traumatic left subdural hematoma, with no apparent residual sequelae. Liver cirrhosis was also diagnosed by echo study 3 years previously. The patient was a fisherman and, as a hobby, dived in the ocean near his home. His most favored place to dive was a delta, where the river met the sea.On evaluation, the physical examination showed left limb weakness and a positive Babinski's sign over the left side. The oculocephalic reflex was intact. His neck was stiff, and positive meningeal signs were observed. No scalp wound was found, but an ecchymotic patch with a vesiculobullous eruption was present. Routine blood examination showed leukocytosis with normal biochemical data. Brain computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a scattered right parietal lesion. Contrast enhancement showed multiple small surrounding lesions (Fig. 1A). Under a tentative diagnosis of meningitis and possible focal cerebritis, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study was performed. The data showed pleocytosis (134/mm 3 ) with a high neutrophil count (55%), elevated lactate (42.3 mg/dl; control 11-19 mg/dl) and protein (88 mg/dl; control 10-45 mg/dl) levels and depressed glucose level (35 mg/dl; control 50-80 mg/dl).The patient was treated with penicillin and chloramphenicol in accordance with the standard dosage at that time for broad-spectrum coverage. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 5 days, and the patient resumed consciousness. Blood culture was negative, but CSF culture using a blood agar plate (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems, France) yielded a curved, mobile, gram-negative rod. The bacterium was oxidase positive and was further identified as Vibrio cholerae serogroup non-O1 by using a Bacto Vibrio cholerae antisera (Difco Laboratories, USA). The identification of the isolate was later confirmed by the National Institute of Preventive Medicine as non-cholera toxin-producing, non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio ch...