Journal of infection in developing countries
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H1N1 Influenza made a great impact a worldwide, as well as in Turkey, in 2009. Clinical experiences have shown that it had a more serious prognosis in pregnant women. In this report, we summarize the cases of 16 pregnant women with H1N1 Influenza. ⋯ Patients with late gestational age, the presence of co-morbid disease, and multiple pregnancy have poor prognosis. Immediate intervention with antiviral treatment is associated with reduced severity of the disease and duration of hospital stay.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jun 2012
Quorum sensing and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa during urinary tract infections.
In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the production of several virulence factors depends on quorum sensing (QS) involving N-acylhomoserine lactone signal molecules. In vitro studies have suggested that the QS system is crucial in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa. However, it is unclear whether QS systems of P. aeruginosa play the same role during infections. ⋯ Six isolates were found to be negative in the production of both C12-HSL and C4-HSL and all virulence factors tested. PCR analysis of these isolates revealed that four isolates contained all four QS genes while one isolate was negative for lasR gene, and one isolate negative for lasI, lasR and rhlR genes. Sequence analyses of these isolates showed that the lasR, lasI, rhlR and rhlI genes had point mutations. The combination of these mutations probably explains their C12-HSL, C4-HSL and virulence factor deficiencies. Results of this study suggest that QS deficient clinical isolates occur and are still capable of causing clinical infections in humans.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Apr 2012
Oral care practice for the ventilated patients in intensive care units: a pilot survey.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in intensive care units (ICUs). One factor causing VAP is aspiration of oral colonisation, which may result from poor oral care practice. Oral care using tooth brushing can prevent formulation of dental plaque that can be a reservoir for microbes causing VAP. ⋯ The survey showed the need to have standardised oral care protocols in ICUs to improve quality of oral care provided to ventilated patients.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2012
Hospital infections in a neurological intensive care unit: incidence, causative agents and risk factors.
Hospital infections (HIs), which are frequently associated with hospital treatment, increase morbidity, mortality and treatment costs. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of HIs in a neurological intensive care unit (nICU), and to determine the most prevalent causative agents and risk factors for HIs. ⋯ Hospitalization in an nICU bears high risk of HIs, especially of urinary tract infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, in patients with longer hospital stay or co-morbidities, and in those who have had surgical interventions or prolonged use of a urinary bladder catheter. Special attention should be paid to these patients to prevent HIs.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2012
Resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nairobi.
In Kenya, which ranks thirteenth of 27 high tuberculosis burden countries, diagnosis is based on Ziehl-Neelsen staining alone and patients are treated without information on sensitivity patterns. This study aimed to determine resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from pulmonary samples. ⋯ The high resistance observed in isoniazid, which is a first-line drug, could result in an increase in multidrug resistance unless control programs are strengthened. Poverty should be addressed to reduce infection rates.