Journal of infection in developing countries
-
Typhoid fever is endemic in the Mediterranean North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt) with an estimated incidence of 10-100 cases per 100,000 persons. Outbreaks caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi are common and mainly due to the consumption of untreated or sewage-contaminated water. Salmonella enterica Paratyphi B is more commonly involved in nosocomial cases of enteric fever in North Africa than expected and leads to high mortality rates among infants with congenital anomalies. ⋯ Although multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi are prevalent in this region, the re-emergence of chloramphenicol- and ampicillin-susceptible strains has been observed. In order to better understand the epidemiology of enteric fever in the Mediterranean North African region, population-based studies are needed. These will assist the health authorities in the region in preventing and controlling this important disease.
-
J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2009
Ventilator-associated nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units in Malaysia.
The outcome indicator of nosocomial infection (NI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is used to benchmark the quality of patient care in Malaysia. We conducted a three-year prospective study on the incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), risk factors, and patterns of the microorganisms isolated in three ICUs. ⋯ The incidence of VAP was comparable to that found in the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) System report of June 1998. The incidence of VAP was considered high for the three hospitals studied.
-
J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2009
Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital in India: incidence and risk factors.
Knowledge of the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and its associated risk factors is imperative for the development and use of more effective preventive measures. ⋯ Knowledge of these risk factors may be useful in implementing simple and effective preventive measures including non-invasive ventilation, precaution during emergency intubation, minimizing the occurrence of reintubation, avoidance of tracheostomy as far as possible, and minimization of sedation.
-
J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2009
The potential role of mobile phones in the spread of bacterial infections.
Mobile phones are indispensable accessories both professionally and socially but they are frequently used in environments of high bacteria presence. This study determined the potential role of mobile phones in the dissemination of diseases. ⋯ Mobile phones may serve as vehicles of transmission of both hospital and community-acquired bacterial diseases. Strict adherence to infection control, such as hand washing, is advocated.
-
Compliance with hand hygiene recommendations is the most important measure in preventing health care-associated infections. The objective of this study was to assess the nature of patient contact and the hand hygiene practices of nurses and physicians in the neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. ⋯ Hand hygiene compliance of physicians and nurses was low. Gloves and alcohol rub were not used according to recommended guidelines. Incorporating effective education programs that improve adherence to hand hygiene guidelines into the continuing education curriculum of health professionals is recommended.