The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Dec 2005
Polyclonal emergence and importation of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains harbouring Panton-Valentine leucocidin genes in Belgium.
Worldwide spread of a limited number of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) -producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones has been reported in various communities. The objective of this study was to describe the molecular characteristics of the first PVL-positive MRSA strains isolated in Belgium. ⋯ These results indicate the recent emergence and sporadic importation into Belgium of PVL-positive community-associated MRSA strains belonging to five distinct clones.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyComparison of beta-lactam regimens for the treatment of gram-negative pulmonary infections in the intensive care unit based on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics.
This study utilized pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics to compare beta-lactam regimens for the empirical and definitive treatment of gram-negative pulmonary infections in the ICU. ⋯ Based on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, imipenem 0.5 g every 6 h, cefepime 2 g every 8 h and ceftazidime 2 g every 8 h should be the preferred beta-lactam regimens for the empirical treatment of gram-negative pulmonary infections in the ICU. The order of preference varied against Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Nov 2005
Risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance among Escherichia coli strains isolated from community-acquired urinary tract infections in Turkey.
To determine the risk factors for community-acquired ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (UTI). ⋯ The increasing prevalence of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria makes the empirical treatment of UTIs more difficult. One of the important factors contributing to these high resistance rates might be high antibiotic use. Urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are essential in Turkey for patients with UTI who have risk factors for resistance, such as previous ciprofloxacin use. Fluoroquinolone-sparing agents such as nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin should be evaluated as alternative therapies by further clinical efficacy and safety studies.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Nov 2005
Experience of using convalescent plasma for severe acute respiratory syndrome among healthcare workers in a Taiwan hospital.
To describe the immunological responses and clinical outcome of coronavirus (SARS) infected healthcare workers (HCW) who had been administered with convalescent plasma as a treatment. ⋯ All infected HCW whose condition had progressed severely and who had failed to respond to the available treatment, survived after transfusion with convalescent plasma.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Sep 2005
Review Meta AnalysisEvidence-based review of antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies.
There is still no consensus on the efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis in neutropenic patients after more than 50 clinical trials. ⋯ Itraconazole is recommended for antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies or for prolonged prophylaxis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation based on unambiguous evidence of efficacy and low toxicity from clinical trials and systematic reviews.