Infectious Diseases Medical Journal Abstracts
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Clinical profile, treatment response, and outcome of HIV-TB co-infected children
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Feb 2013
Clinical profile, treatment response, and outcome of HIV-TB co-infected children
Background: We studied the clinical presentation, treatment response and outcome in children with HIV-TB co-infection, registered at PCOE, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore. Methods: All 590 HIV infected children registered at our center were evaluated for TB infection. Information on TB was collected..Paediatric bone and joint infections are more common in boys and toddlers: a national epidemiology study
Acta Paediatrica
Dec 2012
Paediatric bone and joint infections are more common in boys and toddlers: a national epidemiology study
Aim: Little is known about bone and joint infections (BJIs) in children, despite the risk of growth disturbance. This study examined BJIs epidemiology using the French National Hospital Discharge Database (HD). Methods: Any child <15 years hospitalized with an HD diagnosis of BJI, alone or in combination with sepsis or..Splenic abscesses at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Dec 2012
Splenic abscesses at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan
Background/Purpose: Splenic abscesses are uncommon. This study aimed at assembling the demographics, clinical features, microbiologic etiologies, imaging, treatments, and outcomes of patients with splenic abscesses at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan. Methods: The diagnosis of splenic abscess was made..Epidemiology of cervico-facial pediatric lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Dec 2012
Epidemiology of cervico-facial pediatric lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria
Cervical lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria, otherwise known as scrofula, is a disease occurring almost exclusively in immunocompetent young children. The most frequent mycobacterial species responsible is Mycobacterium avium, but a large number of other species may also be involved. The..Epidemiology of cervico-facial pediatric lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Dec 2012
Epidemiology of cervico-facial pediatric lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria
Cervical lymphadenitis as a result of nontuberculous mycobacteria, otherwise known as scrofula, is a disease occurring almost exclusively in immunocompetent young children. The most frequent mycobacterial species responsible is Mycobacterium avium, but a large number of other species may also be involved. The..Intraventricular antimicrobial therapy in postneurosurgical Gram-negative bacillary meningitis or ventriculitis: A hospital-based retrospective study
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Dec 2012
Intraventricular antimicrobial therapy in postneurosurgical Gram-negative bacillary meningitis or ventriculitis: A hospital-based retrospective study
Background: Postneurosurgical Gram-negative bacillary meningitis (GNBM) or ventriculitis is a serious issue. Intraventricular (IVT) therapy has been applied; however, its effectiveness remains controversial, and the adverse drug effects are considerable. Methods: The demographic data, treatment strategies, and clinical..Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy to prevent pulmonary infection in a patient with Good's syndrome
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Dec 2012
Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy to prevent pulmonary infection in a patient with Good's syndrome
Good's syndrome is an acquired immunodeficiency state associated with thymoma and characterized by recurrent pulmonary infections. We describe a 67-year-old woman who presented with respiratory symptoms caused by concomitant disseminated cytomegalovirus infection and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia 38 months after..Elderly infection in the community due to ST5/SCCmecII methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (the New York/Japan clone) in Japan: Panton–Valentine leukocidin-negative necrotizing pneumonia
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Dec 2012
Elderly infection in the community due to ST5/SCCmecII methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (the New York/Japan clone) in Japan: Panton–Valentine leukocidin-negative necrotizing pneumonia
An 89-year-old man suffered from and died of necrotizing pneumonia with rapid progression and cavity formation due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). He was at no risk for hospital-acquired MRSA infection. His MRSA exhibited genotype ST5/spa2(t002)/agr2/SCCmecII/coagulaseII and was negative for..Molecular surveillance and clinical outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Nov 2012
Molecular surveillance and clinical outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections
Background/Purpose: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a cause for great concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility, mechanisms of carbapenem-resistance in two members of the Enterobacteriaceae family (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), and..Severe form of encephalopathy associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Japan
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Severe form of encephalopathy associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Japan
Background: Every year, an estimated 200–500 children in Japan develop influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE), and 10–30% of these children die. Objective: To clarify the clinical features of a severe form of acute encephalopathy seen with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Study design: This retrospective survey..Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype Beijing: About 15 strains and their part in MDR-TB outbreaks in Algeria
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype Beijing: About 15 strains and their part in MDR-TB outbreaks in Algeria
Within the framework of epidemiological surveillance by molecular typing tools conducted in the NRL on multi-resistant strains, the application of spoligotyping on a group of 390 strains consisting of 389 DR-MTB strains and 1 susceptible strain isolated from patients made it possible to detect the presence of 15..Duration of colonization and risk factors for prolonged carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci after discharge from the hospital
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Duration of colonization and risk factors for prolonged carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci after discharge from the hospital
Background: There are no available studies on the duration and risk factors of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) carriage after hospital discharge. In this study we investigated the duration of colonization with VRE and the risk factors for prolonged carriage in the outpatient clinic after discharge from the..The prevalence and trends of transfusion-transmissible infectious pathogens among first-time, voluntary blood donors in Xi’an, China between 1999 and 2009
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
The prevalence and trends of transfusion-transmissible infectious pathogens among first-time, voluntary blood donors in Xi’an, China between 1999 and 2009
Objectives: The prevalence of infectious diseases is increasing in developing countries, and this may threaten the biological safety of donated blood. This study analyzed trends in the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infectious pathogens among Chinese, first-time, voluntary blood donors from 1999 to 2009 to..Cluster of leptospirosis cases among military personnel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Cluster of leptospirosis cases among military personnel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
We report two cases of leptospirosis in military personnel in southeastern Brazil. The cases were hospitalized following field training exercises, and presented with acute meningoencephalitis, respiratory illnesses, and skin rash. Leptospira interrogans serovars icterohaemorrhagiae, hebdomadis, patoc, and cynopteri..Infections of cerebrospinal fluid diversion devices in adults: The role of intraventricular antimicrobial therapy
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Infections of cerebrospinal fluid diversion devices in adults: The role of intraventricular antimicrobial therapy
Objectives: The precise role for intraventricular (IVT) antimicrobials in combination with systemic antibiotics in management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion device-associated infections is uncertain. We evaluated our current practice, comparing dual therapy against systemic antimicrobials alone. Methods: All..Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype Beijing: About 15 strains and their part in MDR-TB outbreaks in Algeria
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype Beijing: About 15 strains and their part in MDR-TB outbreaks in Algeria
Within the framework of epidemiological surveillance by molecular typing tools conducted in the NRL on multi-resistant strains, the application of spoligotyping on a group of 390 strains consisting of 389 DR-MTB strains and 1 susceptible strain isolated from patients made it possible to detect the presence of 15..A monoclonal expansion of Epstein–Barr virus-infected natural killer cells after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
A monoclonal expansion of Epstein–Barr virus-infected natural killer cells after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Here, we describe a Japanese woman showing a monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected natural killer (NK) cells after receiving allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The patient initially had T-cell-type chronic active EBV disease (CAEBV) and subsequently developed liver T-cell lymphoma...Sensitive and rapid detection of viruses associated with hand foot and mouth disease using multiplexed MALDI-TOF analysis
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Sensitive and rapid detection of viruses associated with hand foot and mouth disease using multiplexed MALDI-TOF analysis
Background: Human enterovirus (HEV) is the major cause of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD). A powerful method for detecting HEVs associated with HFMD can provide results in a clinically relevant time frame. However, the limitations of the current enterovirus test make it difficult to identify multiple genotypes on..Short parenteral antibiotic treatment for adult septic arthritis after successful drainage
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Short parenteral antibiotic treatment for adult septic arthritis after successful drainage
Objectives: To assess the risk factors for recurrence of septic arthritis with an emphasis on the duration of antibiotic treatment, to gather data for a prospective study on an optimized antibiotic treatment in adults with septic arthritis. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center study conducted for the period..Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus genotypes in different geographical regions of Punjab Province in Pakistan and a phylogenetic analysis
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus genotypes in different geographical regions of Punjab Province in Pakistan and a phylogenetic analysis
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a causative agent of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Pakistan, more than 10 million people are living with HCV. Very little is known about the genotype distribution in Punjab Province, the largest province of Pakistan. Pretreatment genotype..Relationship between hospital antibiotic use and quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Relationship between hospital antibiotic use and quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli
Background: The relationship between the hospital use of various classes of antibiotics and resistance of Escherichia coli to quinolones remains debated. Our aim was to study the relationship between the hospital use of 16 classes of antibacterial agents and the incidence of quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates...Review of Streptococcal Bloodstream Infections at a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, 2000-2011
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Review of Streptococcal Bloodstream Infections at a Comprehensive Cancer Care Center, 2000-2011
Objectives: To determine the comparative rates, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of invasive infections due to specific streptococcal types in patients with cancer. Methods: Review of electronic medical records of patients with non-viridans group streptococcal bloodstream infection (BSI) at the MD Anderson Cancer..BCG vaccination is associated with decreased severity of tuberculosis in Pakistan
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
BCG vaccination is associated with decreased severity of tuberculosis in Pakistan
Vaccination with Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is given at birth to protect against tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan. The country ranks 6th amongst high-burden countries worldwide and has an incidence of 231/100,000 pyopulation. This was a cross-sectional multi-center hospital-based study. TB patients (n=218) with..Quantification of cytomegalovirus DNA by a fully automated real-time PCR for early diagnosis and monitoring of active viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Quantification of cytomegalovirus DNA by a fully automated real-time PCR for early diagnosis and monitoring of active viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients
Background: Quantification of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA by real-time PCR is currently considered an alternative diagnostic approach for the evaluation of active infection in transplant patients. The pp65 antigenemia assay has been used as reference test for monitoring active CMV infection and guiding preemptive therapy..Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus by real-time PCR assay
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus by real-time PCR assay
Background: Diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV) disease remains a challenge due to several factors related to the cost, the workload of available commercial assays to detect and genotype HPV, and to the low prevalence of infected patients. Objective: Our study aimed to develop a real-time PCR, based on SPF10..Re-evaluation of the VIDAS® cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG avidity assay: Determination of new cut-off values based on the study of kinetics of CMV–IgG maturation
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Re-evaluation of the VIDAS® cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG avidity assay: Determination of new cut-off values based on the study of kinetics of CMV–IgG maturation
Background: In case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, differentiation between primary and non-primary CMV infection can be of major importance for the correct management of pregnant women or immunocompromised patients. Besides CMV–IgM and IgG, CMV–IgG avidity measurement is now commonly used to distinguish primary..Lymphopenia as a novel marker of Clostridium difficile infection recurrence
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Lymphopenia as a novel marker of Clostridium difficile infection recurrence
Background: Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is often limited by recurrence in 25% of cases. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors of CDI recurrence during a provincial endemic. Methods: Data was prospectively collected for 1 year in a Montréal hospital. Inclusion criteria were:..Aspergillus meningitis : a rare clinical manifestation of central nervous system aspergillosis. Case report and review of 92 cases
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Aspergillus meningitis : a rare clinical manifestation of central nervous system aspergillosis. Case report and review of 92 cases
Objectives: To describe the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid findings and outcome of Aspergillus meningitis, meningoencephalitis and arachnoiditis. Methods: A case of Aspergillus meningitis is described. A comprehensive review of the English-language literature was conducted to identify all..Evaluation of 4 immunochromatographic tests for rapid detection of norovirus in faecal samples
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Evaluation of 4 immunochromatographic tests for rapid detection of norovirus in faecal samples
Background: The rapid detection of noroviruses is essential to implement measures to reduce the rapid spread of gastroenteritis infections they cause, notably in institutions. Objectives: To evaluate 4 rapid immunochromatographic tests: RIDA®QUICK Norovirus, ImmunoCardSTAT!® Norovirus, NOROTOP® and SD BIOLINE NOROVIRUS..Plasma cytokines and chemokines differentiate between active disease and non-active tuberculosis infection
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Plasma cytokines and chemokines differentiate between active disease and non-active tuberculosis infection
Objectives: To analyse cytokines and chemokines from unstimulated plasma samples for detection of active TB disease, latent TB, discriminating active TB cases from latently infected contacts and for monitoring anti TB treatment. Method: We analysed ex vivo plasma samples from 33 TB patients (17 HIV negative and 16 HIV..Pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery
Surgical-site infections are the leading cause of post-operative morbidity and mortality as well as increased costs following colorectal surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different β-lactam antimicrobial dosing regimens currently used for prophylaxis in elective colorectal procedures with the aim of..Comparisons among the diagnostic methods used for the detection of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Bangladesh
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Comparisons among the diagnostic methods used for the detection of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Bangladesh
The present study was an attempt to establish a suitable method for the effective diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Bangladesh. In this regard, detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from 390 different extra-pulmonary specimens was performed by Bright-Field microscopy, light-emitting diode fluorescence..Are we overlooking infections owing to non-tuberculous mycobacteria during routine conventional laboratory investigations?
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Are we overlooking infections owing to non-tuberculous mycobacteria during routine conventional laboratory investigations?
A large number of potentially pathogenic non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) encountered in the clinical laboratory makes it necessary to identify their species to ensure appropriate treatment. However, labor-intensive conventional methods of speciation are not used in every laboratory, and hence NTM infections are..Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia in a healthy neonate
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Nov 2012
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia in a healthy neonate
The number of cases of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pneumonia has increased since the late 1990s, with skin and soft tissue infections predominant among neonates. Herein, we present a rare case of CA-MRSA necrotizing pneumonia with empyema following respiratory syncytial..Risk factors and outcomes of candida krusei bloodstream infection: a matched, case-control study
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Risk factors and outcomes of candida krusei bloodstream infection: a matched, case-control study
Objectives: To investigate the risk factors and outcomes associated with Candida krusei bloodstream. Methods: We performed a case control study of patients with C. krusei bloodstream infection at the University of Pennsylvania from 1982 to 2010. Controls were without candidemia, and matched to cases on duration of..Mammary, testicular and adnexal tuberculosis diagnosed by histology in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Mammary, testicular and adnexal tuberculosis diagnosed by histology in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia
This study describes the experience of mammary, testicle and adnexal tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed by histological characteristics in a rural district hospital in Southern Ethiopia over a period of 7years. During the same period, a total of 5589 TB cases were diagnosed. Fourteen cases of breast TB with a prevalence of..The diagnostic efficiency of QuantiFERONTB®-Gold test in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
The diagnostic efficiency of QuantiFERONTB®-Gold test in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy
Background: Diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy is difficult and better diagnostic tools are needed. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are in vitro immunologic diagnostic tests used to identify Mycobacterium TB infections. They cannot differentiate between latent and active infections. As IGRA tests have recently..Double integration band of HTLV-1 in a young patient with infective dermatitis who developed an acute form of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Double integration band of HTLV-1 in a young patient with infective dermatitis who developed an acute form of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Few cases of acute adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) have been diagnosed in young patients. This report is the first to describe a young girl with infective dermatitis associated with HTLV-1 that progressed to acute ATL with Southern blot hybridization and gamma-TCR-rearrangement revealing a monoclonal pattern with..Telbivudine in the treatment of hepatitis B-associated cryoglobulinemia
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Telbivudine in the treatment of hepatitis B-associated cryoglobulinemia
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often associated to extrahepatic manifestations while these are less common in HBV infections. Reported cases of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) related to HBV infection are very rare: the exact prevalence of this extrahepatic manifestation has not yet been established and..A multilevel approach for assessing the variability of hepatitis C prevalence in injection drug users by their gathering places
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
A multilevel approach for assessing the variability of hepatitis C prevalence in injection drug users by their gathering places
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in injection drug users (IDUs) by their gathering places, using a multilevel approach. Methods: IDUs recruited from their gathering places were invited to respond to a questionnaire on demographics, drug use..The changing pattern of bacterial meningitis in adult patients at a large tertiary university hospital in Barcelona, Spain (1982 - 2010)
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
The changing pattern of bacterial meningitis in adult patients at a large tertiary university hospital in Barcelona, Spain (1982 - 2010)
Background: We conducted a prospective, observational study in Barcelona (Spain) to determine changes in the spectrum of adult patients with bacterial meningitis (BM) over a 29-year period. Methods: The observation was divided into two periods: 1982–1995 (I) and 1996–2010 (II). All patients underwent clinical..Tuberculosis Skin Test, but not Interferon-γ-releasing assays is affected by BCG Vaccination in HIV patients
Journal of Infection
Nov 2012
Tuberculosis Skin Test, but not Interferon-γ-releasing assays is affected by BCG Vaccination in HIV patients
Objective: Of this study was to compare the results of tuberculin skin test (TST) with two interferon-γ releasing-assays (IGRA) in a cohort of HIV positive patients, to analyze impact of prior Bacille-Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccination. Methods: Prospective cross sectional study, enrolling only asymptomatic adult HIV..Disseminated tuberculosis in a kidney transplant patient: Diagnostic significance of reversed circadian temperature rhythm
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Disseminated tuberculosis in a kidney transplant patient: Diagnostic significance of reversed circadian temperature rhythm
Presently, clinicians often forget important aspects of fever patterns. This study presents the case of disseminated tuberculosis in a 64-year-old man whose chief complaint was morning fever. He was a kidney transplant patient and presented with productive cough, reverse fever pattern and a nodular pattern in chest..Evaluation of agreement between clinical and histopathological data for classifying leprosy
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Evaluation of agreement between clinical and histopathological data for classifying leprosy
Background: The diversity of clinical manifestations of leprosy has given rise to different classification systems. However, there are important differences in the sensitivity and specificity of these classifications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between clinical and histopathological data..Molecular analysis of the carbapenem and metronidazole resistance mechanisms of Bacteroides strains reported in a Europe-wide antibiotic resistance survey
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Molecular analysis of the carbapenem and metronidazole resistance mechanisms of Bacteroides strains reported in a Europe-wide antibiotic resistance survey
Here we examine the carbapenem and metronidazole resistance mechanisms of 640 Bacteroides strains reported in the 2008–2009 European antibiotic susceptibility survey. Of the 22 strains with elevated imipenem minimum inhibitory concentrations (≥4μg/mL), 10 were cfiA-positive and out of these 5 carried activating..Outbreak of skin and soft tissue infections in a hospital newborn nursery in Italy due to community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Outbreak of skin and soft tissue infections in a hospital newborn nursery in Italy due to community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone
Background: Community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is responsible for severe infections in previously healthy people acquired in the community in different areas of the world. Aim: To report an outbreak of CA-MRSA in a hospital newborn nursery in northern Italy in September–October..Ribotyping in the detection of Clostridium difficile outbreaks in a single university hospital
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Ribotyping in the detection of Clostridium difficile outbreaks in a single university hospital
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most important bacterial cause of hospital-acquired diarrhoea. Although reports of deaths associated with CDI have been decreasing since a peak in 2007 in England and Northern Ireland, it remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The Health Protection..High in vitro antimicrobial activity of β-peptoid–peptide hybrid oligomers against planktonic and biofilm cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
High in vitro antimicrobial activity of β-peptoid–peptide hybrid oligomers against planktonic and biofilm cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis
An array of β-peptoid–peptide hybrid oligomers displaying different amino acid/peptoid compositions and chain lengths was studied with respect to antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis both in planktonic and biofilm cultures, comparing the effects with those of the common antibiotic vancomycin...Vascular access strategy for delivering long-term antimicrobials to patients with infective endocarditis: device type, risk of infection and mortality
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Vascular access strategy for delivering long-term antimicrobials to patients with infective endocarditis: device type, risk of infection and mortality
Background: This paper reports the use of different vascular access devices and the incidence of intravascular catheter-related infection (CRI) in patients receiving intravenous antibiotics for infective endocarditis (IE). Aim: To examine whether rates of infection vary with type of vascular access device, and assess..Is hepatitis B virus transmitted via the male germ line? A seroepidemiological study in fetuses
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Is hepatitis B virus transmitted via the male germ line? A seroepidemiological study in fetuses
Objectives: To detect father-to-fetus transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in utero. Methods: We conducted a study at the prenatal diagnosis center of Taizhou City. Fetuses with one or both parents carrying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were identified before genetic testing during the period 2008–2010...Impact evaluation of a sexually transmitted disease preventive intervention among female sex workers in Hohhot, China
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Impact evaluation of a sexually transmitted disease preventive intervention among female sex workers in Hohhot, China
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention interventions among female sex workers (FSWs) in the city of Hohhot in northern China. Methods: Three serial cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2008 among FSWs. A questionnaire..Standardized outpatient management of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Standardized outpatient management of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses
Objectives: Community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a major cause of liver abscess in Asia. Using a standardized protocol, we conducted a prospective cohort study of all cases of K. pneumoniae liver abscess treated from 2005 to 2011 at two outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) centers in..Randomised clinical trial of moxifloxacin versus ertapenem in complicated intra-abdominal infections: results of the PROMISE study
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Randomised clinical trial of moxifloxacin versus ertapenem in complicated intra-abdominal infections: results of the PROMISE study
Antibiotic therapy for complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) should provide broad-spectrum coverage both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. The PROMISE study compared the clinical and bacteriological efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin versus ertapenem for the treatment of cIAIs. This randomised,..β-Lactam therapeutic drug monitoring in the critically ill: optimising drug exposure in patients with fluctuating renal function and hypoalbuminaemia
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
β-Lactam therapeutic drug monitoring in the critically ill: optimising drug exposure in patients with fluctuating renal function and hypoalbuminaemia
β-Lactams are routinely prescribed in the treatment of serious infections. Empirical dosing schedules are typically derived from studies in healthy volunteers and largely fail to consider the significant changes in antibacterial pharmacokinetics often encountered in the critically ill. These changes are primarily..The value of CMV IgG avidity and immunoblot for timing the onset of primary CMV infection in pregnancy
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
The value of CMV IgG avidity and immunoblot for timing the onset of primary CMV infection in pregnancy
Background: Primary CMV infections in pregnancy are usually asymptomatic and only detected by serology. Estimating the onset of infection is a major diagnostic goal, since primary infections around conception and in early gestation hold a higher risk for congenital disease than those in later pregnancy. Objectives: To..A norovirus outbreak in a nursing home: Norovirus shedding time associated with age
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
A norovirus outbreak in a nursing home: Norovirus shedding time associated with age
Background: Norovirus (NoV) GII.4 has been identified as predominant in outbreaks in the long-term health-care facilities. Objectives: NoV excretion during an outbreak of gastroenteritis affecting 19/42 residents and 12/33 employees was investigated in a Taiwan nursing home. Study design: Real-time reverse..A novel human enterovirus C (EV-C118) identified in two children hospitalised because of acute otitis media and community-acquired pneumonia in Israel
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
A novel human enterovirus C (EV-C118) identified in two children hospitalised because of acute otitis media and community-acquired pneumonia in Israel
We report the discovery of a novel enterovirus C (EV-C118) identified in two Israeli children hospitalised for acute otitis media and community-acquired pneumonia. The highest pair-wise sequence identity scores with the EV-C109 and EV-C117 reference strains were, respectively, 63.5% and 63.6% nucleotide identity, and..Carbapenem-associated multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are sensitised by aztreonam in combination with polyamines
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Carbapenem-associated multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are sensitised by aztreonam in combination with polyamines
Carbapenem-associated multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-Ab) are common among clinical isolates worldwide and are a major therapeutic challenge. Previously it was shown that exogenous polyamines (spermine and spermidine) enhanced susceptibility to β-lactams but induced resistance to polymyxins in..Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance mechanisms of clinical Clostridium difficile from a Chinese tertiary hospital
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance mechanisms of clinical Clostridium difficile from a Chinese tertiary hospital
Clostridium difficile is a predominant cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. It is increasingly difficult to treat C. difficile infection efficiently owing to its multidrug resistance. In the present study, 60 clinical C. difficile isolates were collected and analysed for their genotype, antimicrobial..Testing the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework for usability and reliability
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Testing the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework for usability and reliability
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) was conceived as a structured self-assessment tool to provide a situation analysis of hand hygiene resources, promotion and practices within healthcare facilities. Aim: To perform usability pretesting and reliability testing..Nosocomial myiasis in a patient with diabetes
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Nosocomial myiasis in a patient with diabetes
This report describes a case of nosocomial myiasis caused by larvae of Sarcophaga (Bercaea) africa. The parasitosis developed in an ulcer on the heel of a patient with type 2 diabetes. The ulcer was dressed when the deposition occurred. An experiment was performed in order to demonstrate the ability of Sarcophaga..Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Irish critical care units: results of a pilot prevalence survey, June 2011
Journal of Hospital Infection
Nov 2012
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Irish critical care units: results of a pilot prevalence survey, June 2011
The epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in Ireland is changing, with an increase in the number of reported cases in late 2010 and early 2011. Reported cases were predominantly linked to critical care units. In June 2011, a four-week national pilot survey took place in 40 Irish critical care..Underlying mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates at a tertiary care centre in Lebanon: role of OXA-48 and NDM-1 carbapenemases
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Underlying mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates at a tertiary care centre in Lebanon: role of OXA-48 and NDM-1 carbapenemases
A recent increase in carbapenem resistance among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates at a major tertiary care centre in Lebanon prompted the initiation of this study. Consecutive ESBL-producing isolates were tested for resistance to carbapenems, with..Novel DNA gyrase inhibitors: Microbiological characterisation of pyrrolamides
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Novel DNA gyrase inhibitors: Microbiological characterisation of pyrrolamides
Pyrrolamides are a novel class of antibacterial agents that target DNA gyrase, resulting in inhibition of DNA synthesis and bacterial cell death. In these studies, advanced compounds were shown to have potent in vitro activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including..Anti-anaerobic potential of ranbezolid: insight into its mechanism of action against Bacteroides fragilis
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Anti-anaerobic potential of ranbezolid: insight into its mechanism of action against Bacteroides fragilis
This study reports the anti-anaerobic properties of ranbezolid, a new investigational oxazolidinone. A time–kill kinetics study against anaerobes showed that ranbezolid was superior to linezolid and killed the anaerobic pathogens at 4–8h, except forBacteroides fragilis where killing was observed at 24h. In addition,..Activity of LL-37, CRAMP and antimicrobial peptide-derived compounds E2, E6 and CP26 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Activity of LL-37, CRAMP and antimicrobial peptide-derived compounds E2, E6 and CP26 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major worldwide health problem in part due to the lack of development of new treatments and the emergence of new strains such as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant strains that are threatening and impairing the control of this disease. In this study, the efficacy of natural..Mycobacterium fortuitum causing infection of a biventricular pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Mycobacterium fortuitum causing infection of a biventricular pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Increased utilization of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) has seen a corresponding rise in related infections. Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are rarely the cause. Treatment involves susceptibilities, antimicrobials, and device removal. This study presents a patient who underwent a..CMV antigenemia and quantitative viral load assessments in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
CMV antigenemia and quantitative viral load assessments in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Background: Sensitive and reliable diagnostic tests are essential for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). pp65 antigenemia and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are commonly used to monitor CMV in HSCT recipients. However, there is considerable..Cytomegalovirus DNA detection in dried blood spots and perilymphatic fluids from pediatric and adult cochlear implant recipients with prelingual deafness
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Cytomegalovirus DNA detection in dried blood spots and perilymphatic fluids from pediatric and adult cochlear implant recipients with prelingual deafness
Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading cause of non-genetic congenital hearing loss. The contribution of congenital CMV to prelingual deafness and the pathophysiology is largely unknown. Objective: (1) To analyze the prevalence of congenital CMV among cochlear implant (CI) recipients with..Anti-viral triple therapy with telaprevir in haemodialysed HCV patients: Is it feasible?
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Anti-viral triple therapy with telaprevir in haemodialysed HCV patients: Is it feasible?
Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic liver disease in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and is well known as a frequent cause of mortality and graft loss among haemodialysed and kidney transplant patients. Up to now, there are no data on antiviral efficacy and..The efficacy of cefmetazole against pyelonephritis caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
The efficacy of cefmetazole against pyelonephritis caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are on the increase. Although cefmetazole is stable in vitro against the hydrolyzing activity of ESBLs, no clinical study has ever evaluated its role in infections caused by these organisms. We..Older age as a poor prognostic sign in patients with pyogenic liver abscess
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Older age as a poor prognostic sign in patients with pyogenic liver abscess
Background: Previous studies have focused on the role of age as a prognostic factor in pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and results have been controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of PLA in elderly (age ≥65 years) and non-elderly patients in order to identify any differences so..Biological evaluation of novel substituted chloroquinolines targeting mycobacterial ATP synthase
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Biological evaluation of novel substituted chloroquinolines targeting mycobacterial ATP synthase
The ATP synthase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a validated drug target against which a diarylquinoline drug is under clinical trials. The enzyme is crucial for the viability both of actively replicating and non-replicating/dormant M. tuberculosis. Enzyme levels drop drastically as the bacilli enter dormancy and..Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease in children
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease in children
Lyme disease is a multisystem disease that frequently affects children. It is caused by a group of related spirochetes, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, that are transmitted by ticks belonging to species of the genus Ixodes. The clinical characteristics of Lyme disease in pediatrics resemble those observed in adults,..Reviewing the evidence on nodding syndrome, a mysterious tropical disorder
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Nov 2012
Reviewing the evidence on nodding syndrome, a mysterious tropical disorder
Objectives: To review the literature on the prevalence, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, treatment, and implications of nodding syndrome (NS). Methods: This is a narrative review. Results: NS is a mysterious tropical disorder that is emerging in South Sudan, southern Tanzania, and northern Uganda. Over the past..Successful clearance of human parainfluenza virus type 2 viraemia with intravenous ribavirin and immunoglobulin in a patient with acute myocarditis
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Successful clearance of human parainfluenza virus type 2 viraemia with intravenous ribavirin and immunoglobulin in a patient with acute myocarditis
Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) infection as an aetiology of acute viral myocarditis is rare, with only few cases reported in the literature to date. Here we report a case of fulminant HPIV-2 myocarditis in a 47 year-old man with viraemia who was successfully treated with intravenous ribavirin and intravenous..Understanding physician antibiotic prescribing behaviour: a systematic review of qualitative studies
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Understanding physician antibiotic prescribing behaviour: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Inappropriate prescription has been associated with mounting rates of antibiotic resistance worldwide, demanding more detailed studies into physicians’ decision-making process. Accordingly, this study sought to explore physicians’ perceptions of factors influencing antibiotic prescribing. A systematic search was..The emergence of clinical resistance to tigecycline
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
The emergence of clinical resistance to tigecycline
Tigecycline (TIG) exhibits broad-spectrum activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. However, clinical resistance has emerged recently and has been detected following treatment with TIG. This observation suggests that long-term monotherapy may carry a high risk for TIG resistance. TIG resistance..Chlorhexidine-impregnated PEM/THFM polymer exhibits superior activity to fluconazole-impregnated polymer against Candida albicans biofilm formation
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Chlorhexidine-impregnated PEM/THFM polymer exhibits superior activity to fluconazole-impregnated polymer against Candida albicans biofilm formation
Biofilm-associated infections represent a major challenge for biomaterials. Methods to alter the chemical characteristics of biomaterials offer an attractive solution for enhanced microbial control. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a poly(ethyl methacrylate)/tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate..Pharmacodynamic profiling of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem against prevalent Gram-negative organisms in the Asia-Pacific region
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Pharmacodynamic profiling of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem against prevalent Gram-negative organisms in the Asia-Pacific region
Carbapenems are increasingly being utilised owing to the escalating prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from community and hospital settings. In this study, pharmacodynamic profiles of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem were evaluated against Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospitalised..Global evolution of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal lineages
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
Global evolution of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal lineages
The rapid expansion of Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates exhibiting resistance to carbapenems and most or all available antibiotics during the last decade is a worrying evolution. The apparent predominance of a few successful multidrug-resistant lineages worldwide underlines the importance of elucidating the..Tentative susceptibility testing breakpoint for the neuroleptic drug thioridazine, a treatment option for multi- and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis
International Journal of Mycobacteriology
Nov 2012
Tentative susceptibility testing breakpoint for the neuroleptic drug thioridazine, a treatment option for multi- and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis
Introduction: New drugs against multi-(MDR) and extensively drug (XDR) resistant tuberculosis are urgently needed. While new candidate drugs are being developed, reinvestigation of already approved drugs available for other indications could be of value. The objective of this study is to determine tentative drug..Determination, validation and standardization of a CMV DNA cut-off value in plasma for preemptive treatment of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients at lower risk for CMV infection
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Determination, validation and standardization of a CMV DNA cut-off value in plasma for preemptive treatment of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients at lower risk for CMV infection
Background: Valganciclovir preemptive therapy guided by the viral load is the current strategy recommended for preventing CMV disease in CMV-seropositive Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (SOTR) at lower risk for developing CMV infection. However, universal viral load cut-off has not been established for initiating..Strong correlation between tax and HBZ mRNA expression in HAM/TSP patients: Distinct markers for the neurologic disease
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Strong correlation between tax and HBZ mRNA expression in HAM/TSP patients: Distinct markers for the neurologic disease
Background: HTLV-1 proviral load is a risk marker for HAM/TSP, but it is insufficient to determine the disease outcome. HTLV-1 Tax and HBZ proteins have been implicated in HAM/TSP pathogenesis in inducing cell proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocytes response. Objectives: To quantify the expression of tax and HBZ mRNA..Impact of travel on the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in children
Journal of Clinical Virology
Nov 2012
Impact of travel on the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in children
Background: Recent data about hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence in industrialized countries and the impact of travels to endemic areas are sparse or absent, particularly for children. Objective: To determine the impact of travel to endemic areas on HAV seroprevalence and estimate the overall HAV seroprevalence in..The importance of antimicrobial peptides and their potential for therapeutic use in ophthalmology
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Nov 2012
The importance of antimicrobial peptides and their potential for therapeutic use in ophthalmology
The reduced effectiveness of some of the most important antibiotics owing to increasing resistance of microorganisms as well as the absence of new classes of antimicrobial agents have been concerning researchers and clinicians in recent years. Thus, the development and approval of new compounds for clinical..Diagnostic accuracy of buffy coat culture compared to total blood culture in late-onset sepsis of the newborn
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Oct 2012
Diagnostic accuracy of buffy coat culture compared to total blood culture in late-onset sepsis of the newborn
Objectives: To study the potential of buffy coat culture as a diagnostic tool for neonatal late-onset sepsis. Methods: This was a study of diagnostic accuracy in newborn infants born at 28–41 weeks of gestation, weighing >800g, with ≥8 points on the NOSEP-1 scale. Paired samples for total blood culture (TBC) and buffy..Epidemiology of urban dog-related injuries requiring rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Marseille, France
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Oct 2012
Epidemiology of urban dog-related injuries requiring rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Marseille, France
Background: Dog bites are a serious public health concern. Besides injuries and the adverse psychological impacts, dog bites can be complicated by infections including rabies, which has the highest case-fatality rate of all infectious diseases. Methods: Dog-associated injuries occurring in the city of Marseille, France..A study of adherence to antibiotic treatment in ambulatory respiratory infections
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Oct 2012
A study of adherence to antibiotic treatment in ambulatory respiratory infections
Objectives: To assess the different types of antibiotic-taking behavior and to compare self-reported with objectively measured adherence to antibiotic regimens in respiratory infections. Methods: This was a prospective study of patients with suspected bacterial pharyngitis and lower respiratory tract infections..Malaria in Laconia, Greece, then and now: a 2500-year-old pattern
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Oct 2012
Malaria in Laconia, Greece, then and now: a 2500-year-old pattern
Background: Malaria is still an active threat in many areas of the world. In Greece, in an area of the Laconia region, malaria epidemics have been recorded since as early as the 5th century BC. A local outbreak of malaria was reported in the summer/autumn of 2011. Method: A comparative research study of historical and..A network meta-analysis of antibiotics for treatment of hospitalised patients with suspected or proven meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Oct 2012
A network meta-analysis of antibiotics for treatment of hospitalised patients with suspected or proven meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
Infections due to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a serious health risk. Novel methods for assessing comparative effectiveness and safety may provide valuable insights into therapeutic choices. We did a systematic review searching electronic databases including the archives of FDA/CDER and..Clarifying the transmission route of Staphylococcus aureus colonizing the skin in early childhood atopic dermatitis
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Oct 2012
Clarifying the transmission route of Staphylococcus aureus colonizing the skin in early childhood atopic dermatitis
Background: We previously found that skin-colonizing Staphylococcus aureus in early childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) originates predominantly from the patient's nose, whereas maternal transmission did not contribute substantially to colonization. Objective: To investigate the transmission route and definitive source of..Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs and leishmaniasis in Europe
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist drugs and leishmaniasis in Europe
Leishmaniasis is endemic in Europe and the prevalence of latent infection in the Mediterranean region is high. Reports describing opportunistic leishmaniasis in European patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha antagonist drugs are rapidly accumulating. For other granulomatous infections, risk of..Molecular mechanisms of mucocutaneous immunity against Candida and Staphylococcus species
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Oct 2012
Molecular mechanisms of mucocutaneous immunity against Candida and Staphylococcus species
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are key components of the innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogenic microorganisms. Recent research on primary immunodeficiency disorders and the identification of patients carrying germline mutations in STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5B have highlighted..Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus clone related to the early pandemic phage type 80/81 causing an outbreak among residents of three occupational centres in Barcelona, Spain
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus clone related to the early pandemic phage type 80/81 causing an outbreak among residents of three occupational centres in Barcelona, Spain
In the 1950s an unusually virulent and transmissible penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone harbouring Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, known as phage type 80/81 and subsequently identified as multilocus sequence type (ST) 30, emerged and caused serious infections in hospitals and the community. We..Emergence of MRSA of unknown origin in the Netherlands
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Oct 2012
Emergence of MRSA of unknown origin in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is known for its low methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence. Yet MRSA with no link to established Dutch risk factors for acquisition, MRSA of unknown origin (MUO), has now emerged and hampers early detection and control by active screening upon hospital admittance. We assessed the..Acute toxoplasmoses in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in French Guiana
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Sep 2012
Acute toxoplasmoses in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in French Guiana
Atypical Toxoplasma gondii strains, unrelated to archetypal clonal lineages (I, II, III), have been reported more frequently over the last decade in areas other than Europe and North America. A newly described form of toxoplasmosis, ‘Amazonian toxoplasmosis’ (AT), has been reported since 2002 in French Guiana. It is..Phenotypic characterization of lung macrophages in asthmatic patients: Overexpression of CCL17
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Sep 2012
Phenotypic characterization of lung macrophages in asthmatic patients: Overexpression of CCL17
Background: Studies with monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and animal models have suggested a role for alternatively activated (M2) macrophages in asthmatic inflammation, but in vivo evidence for this phenotype in human asthma is lacking. Objective: To characterize the phenotype of lung macrophages from asthmatic..Borrelia hispanica in Ornithodoros erraticus, Portugal
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Borrelia hispanica in Ornithodoros erraticus, Portugal
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a spirochetal infection caused by the genus Borrelia. The disease is distributed in the Old and New World with many different species reported. In Europe, TBRF is caused by B. hispanica transmitted to man by Ornithodoros erraticus, a soft tick usually found in old premises to..Invasive group A streptococcal infections in adults, France (2006–2010)
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Invasive group A streptococcal infections in adults, France (2006–2010)
Severe invasive group A streptococcal diseases have re-emerged during the past 10–20 years. In order to provide a better insight into the current epidemiological situation in France, we analysed the questionnaires regarding all invasive strains received at the National Reference Center for Streptococci (CNR-Strep)..Antimicrobial treatment of invasive non-perinatal human listeriosis and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Antimicrobial treatment of invasive non-perinatal human listeriosis and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis
Listeriosis is a resurgent foodborne disease in European countries. Benefits of combined β-lactam-aminoglycoside treatment remain controversial and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis has not been fully assessed. We conducted a retrospective review of cases of sporadic listeriosis in adults from 1995 to..Time to liquid culture positivity can substitute for colony counting on agar plates in early bactericidal activity studies of antituberculosis agents
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Aug 2012
Time to liquid culture positivity can substitute for colony counting on agar plates in early bactericidal activity studies of antituberculosis agents
The measurement of early bactericidal activity (EBA) is the first step in the clinical investigation of antituberculosis agents. EBA is determined by quantifying the viable sputum mycobacterial load on consecutive days of treatment. To investigate whether time to positivity (TTP) in mycobacterial liquid culture can..The undiagnosed cases of Clostridium difficile infection in a whole nation: where is the problem?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
The undiagnosed cases of Clostridium difficile infection in a whole nation: where is the problem?
Underdiagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) because of lack of clinical suspicion or the use of non-sensitive diagnostic techniques is a known problem whose real magnitude has not yet been quantified. In order to estimate the extent of this underdiagnosis, we performed C. difficile cultures on all unformed..Smartphone apps in microbiology—is better regulation required?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
Smartphone apps in microbiology—is better regulation required?
Increasing diversity of available medical applications (apps) has led to their widespread use in healthcare delivery. However, app involvement in diagnosis and patient management has raised concerns, specifically regarding accuracy and reliability of content. Here, we report on the contemporary range of..Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among companion and food-chain animals: impact of human contacts
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
May 2012
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among companion and food-chain animals: impact of human contacts
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the major pathogens in humans, is a cause of infection and colonization among animals. The increasing number of companion animals and antibiotic use have made this population a reservoir of MRSA. In parallel, the evolution of new MRSA clones and mec homologues..Clostridium difficile infection in the community: a zoonotic disease?
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Clostridium difficile infection in the community: a zoonotic disease?
Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are traditionally seen in elderly and hospitalized patients who have used antibiotic therapy. In the community, CDIs requiring a visit to a general practitioner are increasingly occurring among young and relatively healthy individuals without known predisposing factors. C...Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from livestock and companion animals, and their putative impact on public health: a global perspective
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from livestock and companion animals, and their putative impact on public health: a global perspective
The possible zoonotic spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is controversial. This review discusses global molecular epidemiological data combining both analyses of the chromosomal background, using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and analyses of plasmid (episomal) extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC..Enterococci of animal origin and their significance for public health
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
Enterococci of animal origin and their significance for public health
Enterococci are commensal bacteria in the intestines of humans and animals, but also cause infections in humans. Most often, Enterococcus faecium isolates from clinical outbreaks belong to different types than E. faecium from animals, food, and humans in the community. The same variants of the vanA gene cluster..First detection of VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Russia
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Apr 2012
First detection of VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Russia
An Escherichia coli isolate co-producing VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase and CTX-M-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase was recovered from the urine of a patient with head trauma in Moscow, Russia. The blaVIM-4 and blaCTX-M-15 genes were carried, respectively, by transmissible plasmids of IncW and IncI1 groups. The nucleotide..Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients
Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Mar 2012
Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients
A prospective, multicentre, phase IIIb study with an exploratory, open-label design was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis (C/IC) in specific ICU patient populations. Adult ICU patients with confirmed C/IC meeting ≥1 of the following criteria..Tobacco consumption is a reversible risk factor associated with reduced successful treatment outcomes of anti-tuberculosis therapy
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Dec 2011
Tobacco consumption is a reversible risk factor associated with reduced successful treatment outcomes of anti-tuberculosis therapy
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reversible factors that could possibly affect outcomes of anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) treatment. Methods: A retrospective observational nested case–control study was performed to evaluate the association of patient and clinical factors with anti-TB therapy outcomes..Intermittent preventive therapy for malaria with monthly artemether—lumefantrine for the post-discharge management of severe anaemia in children aged 4—59 months in southern Malawi: a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Dec 2011
Intermittent preventive therapy for malaria with monthly artemether—lumefantrine for the post-discharge management of severe anaemia in children aged 4—59 months in southern Malawi: a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Background: Young children with severe malarial anaemia in Africa are at high risk of readmittance to hospital or death within 6 months of discharge. We aimed to assess whether 3 months of chemoprevention with artemether—lumefantrine reduced this risk. Methods: We did a randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial..Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: a population-based study
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Dec 2011
Adverse effects of falciparum and vivax malaria and the safety of antimalarial treatment in early pregnancy: a population-based study
Background: The effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy remain an area of concern. We aimed to assess the outcome of malaria-exposed and malaria-unexposed first-trimester pregnancies of women from the Thai—Burmese border and compare outcomes after chloroquine-based, quinine-based, or..Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of first BCG vaccination against tuberculosis in school-age children without previous tuberculin test (BCG-REVAC trial): a cluster-randomised trial
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Nov 2011
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of first BCG vaccination against tuberculosis in school-age children without previous tuberculin test (BCG-REVAC trial): a cluster-randomised trial
Background: Neonatal BCG vaccination is part of routine vaccination schedules in many developing countries; vaccination at school age has not been assessed in trials in low-income and middle-income countries. Catch-up BCG vaccination of school-age children who missed neonatal BCG vaccination could be indicated if it..Effect of pretreatment HIV-1 drug resistance on immunological, virological, and drug-resistance outcomes of first-line antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre cohort study
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Oct 2011
Effect of pretreatment HIV-1 drug resistance on immunological, virological, and drug-resistance outcomes of first-line antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre cohort study
Background: The effect of pretreatment HIV-1 drug resistance on the response to first-line combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa has not been assessed. We studied pretreatment drug resistance and virological, immunological, and drug-resistance treatment outcomes in a large prospective cohort...Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Oct 2011
Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: No published meta-analyses have assessed efficacy and effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in the USA with sensitive and highly specific diagnostic tests to confirm influenza. Methods: We searched Medline for randomised controlled trials assessing a relative reduction in influenza risk of all..The Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Infants and Children Older Than 3 Months of Age: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Aug 2011
The Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Infants and Children Older Than 3 Months of Age: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Evidenced-based guidelines for management of infants and children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were prepared by an expert panel comprising clinicians and investigators representing community pediatrics, public health, and the pediatric specialties of critical care, emergency medicine, hospital medicine,..Detection and genetic diversity of human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in India
Journal of Medical Virology
Aug 2011
Detection and genetic diversity of human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in India
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes acute respiratory infections in children and adults. It is classified into two major genetic lineages and each lineage into two sublineages. The purpose of the study was to identify and characterize hMPV in children who presented to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New..Human metapneumovirus in patients with respiratory tract infection in Kuwait
Journal of Medical Virology
Aug 2011
Human metapneumovirus in patients with respiratory tract infection in Kuwait
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been recognized as an important cause of respiratory tract infections in all age groups and in all geographical area. The role of hMPV in causing respiratory tract infections in Kuwait was not yet investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hMPV infection in..
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