Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2009
Serological and genetic evidence for the presence of Seoul hantavirus in Rattus norvegicus in Flanders, Belgium.
Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), carried by Rattus rattus (black rat) and R. norvegicus (Norway, brown rat), was reported to circulate as well as cause HFRS cases in Asia. As Rattus sp. are present worldwide, SEOV has the potential to cause human disease worldwide. ⋯ We here report genetic and serological evidence for the presence of SEOV virus in brown rat populations in Belgium. We also serologically screened an at-risk group that was in contact with R. norvegicus on a daily basis and found no evidence for SEOV infection.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2009
Sensitivities to biocides and distribution of biocide resistance genes in quaternary ammonium compound tolerant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in a teaching hospital.
In this study, the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 5 biocides (benzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde, sodium hypochlorite, povidone iodine and ethanol) for 56 clinical quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) tolerant S. aureus strains following exposure for 5, 30 or 180 min, collected from a teaching hospital in China, were examined. The distributions of the biocide resistance genes qacA/B, smr, qacH and qacG were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Following 5 min exposure of benzalkonium chloride and povidone iodine, 7.1% (4/56) and 7.1% (4/56) isolates, respectively, exhibited MBC values higher than their in-use concentrations for mucosa and wound disinfection. ⋯ The qacA/B gene was found in 94.6% (53/56) of QAC tolerant S. aureus. The frequencies of smr (3.6%, 2/56) and qacH (7.1%, 4/56) were low and qacG was not detected. The results suggested that clinical QAC tolerant S. aureus isolates of China had the possibility to survive in proper in-use concentrations of some biocides at proper contact time, and qacA/B is the most prevalent disinfectant resistant gene in this type of bacteria.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2009
Complicated community acquired pneumonia in children prior to the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine.
Increasing prevalence of pleural empyema (PE) complicating community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is reported worldwide. We compared hospitalized children with PE or non-purulent pleural effusion (NP-PEF) prior to the inclusion of the pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV7) in the Israeli immunization schedule. We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical files of all children <18 y of age hospitalized with either PE or NP-PEF and CAP during 1990-2002. 75 children with NP-PEF and 37 with PE were identified. ⋯ PE prevalence increased in southern Israel during the study period. Streptococcus pneumoniae (62.5% serotype 1) was the most common pathogen causing PE before the introduction of PCV7. Future introduction of PCV7 or equivalents in the immunization schedule may impact clinical presentation and epidemic trends and will require future consideration.
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Scand. J. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2009
Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis in adults: clinicoradiologic features and clinical course.
The clinicoradiologic features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis in adults remain unclear. 29 patients with M. pneumoniae infection were collected and classified by computed tomographic findings (bronchiolitis (n=8) and pneumonia (n=21)). M. pneumoniae bronchiolitis is not rare in adults and is clinically similar to M. pneumoniae pneumonia, despite radiographic differences.