Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Oct 2012
Reliability of a rapid test for the clinical diagnosis of influenza A/H1N1 2009.
The rapid diagnosis of a pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 (H1N1pdm) virus infection is required in ambulatory care settings, since early identification can prevent further transmission. However, the sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) is still questionable, and specific indicators for H1N1pdm and/or false-negative results by RIDTs have not been clearly determined. ⋯ We have demonstrated that the RIDT is reliable for the diagnosis of H1N1pdm infection. Taking into consideration the time interval between onset and consultation and other features of H1N1pdm, such as contagiousness and headache, it may be necessary to re-test RIDT-negative cases later.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Oct 2012
Venous lactate levels can be used to identify patients with poor outcome following community-onset norovirus enteritis.
Norovirus enteritis (NVE) can be fatal in frail patients. High blood lactate levels indicate hypoperfusion and predict mortality in many infectious diseases. The objective was to determine the frequency and association with mortality of elevated lactate levels in patients with community-onset NVE. ⋯ We observed a high proportion of patients with elevated lactate levels in community-onset NVE. Lactate elevation could predict mortality. Measurement of blood lactate may be a valuable tool in the clinical management of patients with a suspected norovirus infection.