Journal of infection in developing countries
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of two methods of preoperative hair removal and their relationship to postoperative wound infection.
When a surgical operation is to be conducted through a hair bearing part of the body, hair removal is often performed. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of two methods of preoperative hair removal to postoperative wound infection in a developing country where razor shaving is very popular. ⋯ Preoperative hair removal with razor shaving predisposes to skin injuries which in turn significantly influence postoperative wound infection rates. Such injuries and resultant wound infection are fewer when depilatory cream is used for hair removal.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Aug 2011
ReviewCytomegalovirus infection in non-immunosuppressed critically ill patients.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important and common cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy, and malignant hematological disease. After primary infection with CMV the virus becomes latent in multiple organs and can later be reactivated during severe dysregulation of the immune system. ⋯ However, reactivation of CMV has been reported in "non-immunosuppressed patients" such as severe trauma, sepsis, shock, burns, cirrhosis and other critically ill patients lying in the intensive care units. Therefore, the intensivists are increasingly facing a dilemma of identifying such patients to treat and there is a debate if there is a scientific justification for prophylaxis in such immunocompetent patients.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jul 2011
Case ReportsChromoblastomycosis caused by Cladophialophora carrionii in a child from India.
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It usually occurs following trauma with vegetative matter and mainly affects middle-aged male agricultural workers. ⋯ We report a case of cutaneous chromoblastomycosis of the left arm, caused by Cladophialophora carrionii, in a 9-year-old boy from India, who was earlier misdiagnosed as cutaneous tuberculosis. The patient showed a good response to treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jul 2011
Case ReportsCytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum in 3 patients with 2009 Influenza A(H1N1)v severe pneumonia.
Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)v pneumonia has led to a notable increase of admissions to intensive care units. A cytokine-mediated inflammatory response has been well documented in pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, few studies have focused on the role of these inflammatory mediators in infections caused by the Influenza A (H1N1)v. In this study, we assess the inflammatory response mediated by cytokines at the local and systemic levels in three cases of severe pneumonia caused by Influenza A (H1N1) virus. ⋯ Our results support previous findings which suggest that high levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in serum somehow participate in the inflammatory response in severe cases of pandemic influenza pneumonia.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jul 2011
Review Historical ArticleOutbreak of Chikungunya in the Republic of Congo and the global picture.
Chikungunya fever is a crippling disease caused by an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Although Chikungunya virus is not often associated with mortality, the effects of virus outbreaks are often devastating, causing significant economic loss due to the strain on health care. ⋯ The recent outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the republic of Congo has reported thousands of people affected. Here we review the past Chikungunya fever epidemiology and new reports aimed at therapeutic intervention of this disease.