Tropical doctor
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Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most important bacterial cause of pneumonia and meningitis among adults world wide. It is a particularly common cause of these infections and also bacteraemia among HIV infected adults with rates of disease increasing to more than 100 times the normal as HIV infection progresses to AIDS. ⋯ Factors underlying susceptibility to pneumococcal infection in HIV infected adults are then reviewed, along with the effectiveness of current vaccines. Finally, novel approaches that will be needed to combat PD in HIV afflicted parts of the world are suggested.
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Data were collected from hospital records on all patients who received non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during the period 1999-2000. Patients were treated with NIV if they had type I or type II respiratory failure or if they had respiratory distress with a respiratory rate above 30/min. A total of 68 patients (35 males) were studied. ⋯ A successful outcome with NIV was achieved in 70% (26/37) of patients with type II failure, 65% (11/17) patients with type I failure and 64% (9/14) patients with respiratory distress. Of the 16 patients considered to be inappropriate for invasive ventilation on admission, eight were treated successfully with NIV. NIV can be applied successfully in developing countries.